Chapter 223

"I'm done."

Leonay leaned back in his chair and glanced at Akame, who had also fought Su Xiao.

"Then let me share my view: the enemy named Bai Ye has superior swordsmanship—he's stronger than me."

Chi Tong's words startled those present.

"Stronger than you?"

Najenda found it hard to believe; after a moment's thought, she pulled out a notebook and began scribbling furiously.

"Yes, stronger than me. And as Leonay said, after being tracked, he fled toward crowded areas—I crossed half the Imperial Capital, took two secret passages, and finally lost him."

"Most importantly, when I fought him, I had a strange feeling—he wasn't using his full strength. He was hiding something. I'm starting to doubt the Boss's claim that he's loyal to Esdese. That guy doesn't seem the type to be loyal to any individual—he likely has another goal."

Akame fell silent and turned to Mine.

Mine shrugged.

"I stayed at a distance the whole time and didn't sense much, but one thing's certain: his perception is extremely sharp—I didn't land a single shot on him. Of course, that's partly because my sense of danger was weak back then; the Romantic Cannon's power was only average."

After the three accounts, Najenda now understood Su Xiao better. She set down her pen; her notebook was filled with data on Su Xiao.

Najenda spoke:

"Based on my summary, the enemy's abilities are as follows:

1. Swordsmanship stronger than Chi Tong's—this is the hardest to counter.

2. His blade carries a 'electric poison' that invades the body and causes immense pain.

3. Exceptional tracking ability.

4. Extremely sharp perception.

5. Ruthless in combat, with rich battle experience.

6. Unknown objective.

That's all the data. Anyone else have additions?"

Najenda looked at the other six; all shook their heads.

"Trouble. With the power he's shown, he's the second Esdese. He's not as terrifying in war, but in some aspects, he's even stronger than Esdese—Esdese couldn't track enemies over a hundred kilometers."

Najenda felt a heavy headache and deep exhaustion. The Revolution Army was on the verge of victory, yet this ruthless man had appeared out of nowhere.

"From now on, if fewer than four of you encounter this man named Bai Ye, retreat immediately. I'll devise a strategy against him soon. I'll be away for a few days—our current strength is no longer enough to oppose the Imperial Capital's shadow forces. It's time to seek help."

The meeting ended; Najenda left that very night.

"Why do I always keep running into enemies this strong it's hopeless? Unlucky～."

Mine groaned and stood to leave; the others sat in silence. Akame stared blankly at the Murasame before her.

"Next time we meet, I'll use that—even if it backfires, I don't care."

Chi Tong picked up Murasame and left. Next meeting, one of them must die—either Chi Tong or Su Xiao. A mortal feud had been sealed; both would spare no effort to kill the other.

…

The next morning, Su Xiao woke early.

As usual, he sat cross-legged on the bed and meditated—it was now a habit.

But today, Su Xiao sensed something different: he entered meditation in under a minute.

After one hour of meditation, Su Xiao was startled to find a Reincarnation Paradise notification waiting for him.

【You have unlocked (Mind Meditation). Check your skill list.】

Su Xiao raised an eyebrow—he had spontaneously unlocked a skill. Clearly, his daily meditation was the right choice; the payoff had arrived.

He opened his skill list. A brand-new skill appeared before him.

Mind Meditation: Lv. 1 (Passive)

Effect: Slightly enhances perception and willpower, calms the mind, deepens understanding of nature, etc.

This ability can only be improved through personal effort.

…

Like meditation itself, this skill appeared because Su Xiao's prolonged practice had reached a level recognized by Reincarnation Paradise —Lv. 1.

Su Xiao didn't care how powerful meditation was; he used it primarily to purge his killing intent, to remain calm and unclouded, not misled by bloodlust.

He had killed many, yet never lost mental control—he remained calm, always acting according to plan in every Yansheng world.

He could kill, but he would never become a bloodthirsty monster driven by killing lust. He killed to achieve goals, guided by his own will—not for killing's sake.

Though neither was noble, the difference was fundamental.

He stretched, then sensed if anyone was within a hundred meters. Few people were out at dawn. He rose, locked the door, and sealed the windows tightly.

Yesterday he acquired three Imperial Treasures, but due to the crowd last night, he hadn't examined them. Now was a good chance.

He placed the three Imperial Treasures before him and found none could be used—but all held high value.

Water Dragon's Embrace: Black Marlin

Category: Ring Imperial Treasure

Requirement: Incompatible—forced use triggers backlash.

Effect: Can control any liquid after contact.

Price: 2% World Source.

…

Twin Great Axes: Belwark

Category: Axe Imperial Treasure

Requirement: Incompatible—forced use triggers backlash.

Effect: Extremely high attack power; once thrown, tracks enemies within line of sight.

Price: 1.6% World Source.

…

Military Dream: Scream

Category: Flute Imperial Treasure

Requirement: Incompatible—forced use triggers backlash.

Effect: Playing different melodies manipulates the emotions and physical states of enemies or allies.

Price: 1.8% World Source.

…

All three Imperial Treasures were unusable due to incompatibility—Imperial Treasures choose their masters.

Su Xiao had other uses for these treasures—he was gathering materials for the 【Imperial Treasure Modification Blueprint】.

He already had the core material—the essence—and three item-type Imperial Treasures.

Now he only needed one life-type Imperial Treasure and four more item-type ones.

Technically, five Imperial Treasures would suffice for the secondary materials—but Su Xiao had seen the word "success rate" on the blueprint. If he dared to use five item-type treasures, the blueprint would fail him.

Failure would mean loss beyond mere pain.

He put away the three Imperial Treasures, donned his black trench coat, and left the room.

Last night, Esdese had said she'd wait for him in a conference room at the palace this morning—urgent matters to discuss.

Su Xiao guessed what it was: the Three Beasts were dead; Esdese's shadow forces were hollowed out, leaving only him. Naturally, she'd summon new members.

Given Esdese's status in the Imperial Capital, the new recruits would be Imperial Treasure users.

He boarded a carriage bound for the palace—since it was Esdese's carriage, passage through the palace was unrestricted.

Half an hour later, Su Xiao arrived at the conference room agreed upon last night.

As a palace conference room, its size was substantial, lavishly decorated, roughly several hundred square meters.

Yet in this vast room, only a small rectangular table stood at the center, surrounded by six chairs.

Su Xiao picked a chair at random and placed Dragon Flash on the table before him.

He was pondering where to acquire more Imperial Treasures—he had one possible location in mind. If he could enter it, he'd surely gather all the treasures needed for the blueprint.

Click. Someone opened the door and entered the conference room.