I was just fishing, how did I become a Great Old One?

Jianghai City, Deep Blue Plaza.

The first rays of morning sunlight shone on the [Pillar of Stars], reflecting a faint black light.

A convoy of cars that looked extremely eclectic had already gathered in the square.

Leading the pack was the Unimog, which had undergone numerous modifications and now resembled an armored motorhome. A psionic main cannon was mounted on the roof (to prevent traffic jams), and the cargo area was filled with various seasonings, pots, and pans.

Several refrigerated transport trucks (used to carry spoils of war) followed behind, along with a heavy-duty trailer carrying the [Nine Nether Soul Refining Furnace].

"Check everything! Did you bring everything?"

Jiang Li, dressed in a windbreaker and wearing sunglasses, was holding a walkie-talkie and giving a final pep talk.

"Reporting to the boss! All the seasonings are here! Cumin, chili powder, and thirteen-spice powder, plenty!" Lei Meng patted his chest to assure him.

"Report, Captain! My magic book... oh no, my cookbook is all packed!" Wang Ergou said, carrying a large backpack.

"Boss, are we really going to take it?"

Liu Wei pointed to [Mi Go's Brain], who was tied to the roof of the car and looked utterly hopeless.

"Take this with you! This thing is a living map and a translator. If you run into that Queen Mother of the West, you can even ask her to help you bargain."

Jiang Li said matter-of-factly.

"And you, Ao Bing, don't go this time. Stay and watch the shop."

"Huh? Why?"

Ao Bing was initially quite excited (after all, it was a trip to visit his distant relatives), but upon hearing this, he immediately deflated.

"Your appearance is too flashy. We're going on a 'picnic' this time, so we need to keep a low profile."

Jiang Li pointed to the dragon horns on his head, "Besides, you're a dragon from the water, so you're prone to altitude sickness when you go up the mountain."

Ao Bing: "..."

I'm an S-rank Ancient Dragon! I get altitude sickness?!

"Alright, let's go! Destination—Kunlun Mountain!"

With Jiang Li's command, the convoy roared out of Jianghai City and headed towards the distant west.

……

at the same time.

10,000 meters above the ground.

A jet-black private plane is weaving through the clouds.

The interior of the aircraft is extremely luxurious, like a palace in the sky.

A pale-faced, elegantly dressed young man in a tuxedo was swirling a glass of red wine (containing fresh human blood).

His name is Dracula von Bruch, a prince from one of the thirteen vampire clans, and an S-rank powerhouse.

"Your Highness, we have entered Chinese airspace."

A beautiful female vampire servant knelt at his feet and respectfully reported.

"According to intelligence, the target named Jiang Li has just left his lair and is heading west."

"Oh? You left the lair?"

Dracula's lips curled into a cruel smile, revealing two sharp fangs.

That's wonderful!

"In that city filled with forbidden formations (Pillars of Stars), I might still have some reservations. But in the wilderness... he is my prey."

"I've heard that his flesh and blood contain the power of ancient gods?"

Dracula licked his lips. "If I can drain him dry, perhaps I can break the curse of the vampires and become a true god!"

"Pass down the order: intercept him in the no-man's-land ahead!"

"I'll show him what true 'nobility' is, and what true 'fear' is!"

……

Two days later.

The Northwest Desert, an uninhabited area.

Yellow sand filled the sky, and the highway looked like a black ribbon stretching to the horizon.

Jiang Li's convoy was speeding along the highway.

"This place is so desolate, there's not a soul in sight."

As Jiang Li drove, he complained, "I was originally planning to go hunting while I was passing by, and catch a couple of gazelles to roast and eat."

"Boss, you should be content."

Sitting in the passenger seat, Wang Defa (the Immortal Captain, now working part-time as a tour guide) held a map. "The infamous 'Valley of Death' is just ahead. It's said that cars often disappear here, so we'd better be careful."

"Missing? There must be a monster!"

Jiang Li, on the contrary, became excited. "I love places with monsters! Monster meat tastes delicious!"

Just then.

"call--!!!"

A strange gust of wind suddenly rose from the ground, whipping up a cloud of yellow sand that instantly obscured the view.

The sky darkened rapidly, as if a huge black cloth had covered the sun.

"What's going on? A sandstorm?"

Liu Wei shouted into the walkie-talkie, "Boss, the radar is malfunctioning!"

"Don't panic! Stay calm!"

Jiang Li stepped on the brakes.

The convoy stopped in the middle of the road.

"Big Yellow! Check what's going on!"

"Woof! Woof woof!" (There are so many bats in the sky!)

Big Yellow barked wildly at the sky.

Jiang Li looked up.

Amidst the swirling yellow sand, countless black bats gathered into a massive dark cloud, obscuring the sky and the sun.

In the center of the swarm of bats, hovered a man dressed in a tuxedo with wings on his back.

He looked down at the convoy as if it were a flock of lambs to the slaughter.

"Foolish Easterners..."

Prince Dracula spoke gracefully, his voice carrying across the entire desert through magic.

"This road is blocked."

"Keep that Jiang Li here, everyone else... you can get out."

"Or, become the dinner of my servants."

As he finished speaking, the countless bats let out piercing screams, ready to swoop down at any moment.

Everyone in the convoy tensed up.

"A vampire? And a prince at that?"

Wang Ergou's face turned pale. "Boss, this is an S-level Western evil spirit! Should we... take out the garlic first?"

"garlic?"

Jiang Li pushed open the car door and jumped out.

He looked up at the pretentious vampire and scratched his head.

"Hey! You birdman in the sky!"

Jiang Li shouted, "What did you just say? You're going to make us your dinner?"

"How dare you! I am a noble vampire prince!"

Dracula was furious. "How dare you call me a birdman?!"

"If it's not a birdman, then what is it? Isn't a bird just someone with two wings?"

Jiang Li scoffed, "Besides, your style is so outdated. This gothic style isn't fashionable anymore, you know?"

"but……"

Jiang Li changed the subject, looked at the sky full of bats, and licked his lips.

"Since you've delivered yourself to my doorstep, then I won't stand on ceremony."

"Although there's not much meat in this bat, frying it up makes it a good snack to go with drinks."

"Especially the biggest one in the middle (Dracula), it looks quite nutritious; it should be enough to make a pot of 'Angelica and Bat Soup'!"

Dracula: "???"

What did he hear?

stew?

This human actually wants to make soup with him?!

"court death!!!"

Dracula was completely enraged.

He waved his hand, "Kill them all! But spare that cook! I want to torture him slowly!"

"Squeak squeak squeak—!!!"

The swarm of bats swooped down like a black tide.

"Guys! Dinner's ready!"

Jiang Li laughed loudly and pulled out the butcher knife from behind his back.

"Lei Meng! Take the wok off the heat! Heat the oil!"

"Big Yellow! Jump up and bite!"

"Liu Wei! Bring me that 'high-voltage electric mosquito swatter' (plasma net launcher)!"

A "human-bat war" (a gourmet hunt) erupts in the desert!