Chapter 3876

【Abyss Shadow】

Origin: Reincarnation Paradise

Quality: ★★★★★★★★★

Extreme Refinement: Three times.

Category: Title · Ultra-High Rarity.

Title Effect 1: Wrath Shadow (Passive), deals an additional 35% true damage when battling World-Ending level existences and Abyss-type enemies.

Title Effect 2: Dark Shadow (Passive), every point of your Abyss Resistance increases your body speed by 0.7%.

Current body speed increase: 62.3%.

Title Effect 3: Abyss Walking (Core · Passive), you will not suffer environmental erosion when entering "Severe Abyss Spreading Areas" such as Abyss Erosion Zones or Extreme Dark Zones.

Introduction: This is... the wrathful killing shadow within the Abyss!

Price: Cannot be sold.

The improvements to damage and speed are quite considerable. Regarding body speed, because Su Xiao's Abyss Resistance has reached 89 points, the derived body speed has reached 62.3%.

The reason Su Xiao's Abyss Resistance increased again is that the Blade Spirit absorbed the "Source Energy of the Four Undying Abyss-Born Creatures" it devoured after entering this world, and he received 50% of the converted spirit energy.

After filtering and converting this spirit energy with the Devouring Core, he obtained "+4 to all potential upper-limit tiers" and 4 points of Abyss Resistance by absorbing this energy.

Along with this improvement, the Blade Spirit's strength soared to 680 points, which requires 1140 points of Su Xiao's soul strength to suppress; this is why the spirit was so active just now.

As for the method of suppressing the spirit more efficiently that Gremlin Gillian mentioned earlier, Su Xiao decided not to consider that secret technique after careful deliberation. As the saying goes, one cannot generalize about people's constitutions. Applied to Gremlin Gillian's secret technique, this means: the upper limit of how "perverted" a person can be is different for everyone.

Su Xiao equipped the 【Abyss Shadow】 title. He has a feeling that the "Abyss Walking" ability of this title will play a crucial role in the future.

【Hint: Your talent skill · Blood Beast has completed its metamorphosis.】

【The original effect of the Blood Beast talent, "Blood Nourishment · Passive," has been transferred to the branch list of your personal profile as a permanent bonus. You can view this bonus in the branch list.】

【Talent Ability: Blood Beast.】

Category: Growth Talent.

Grade: SSS+

Talent Effect (Passive · Blood Feast): Blood Qi attack tier +1. Every time you kill an "Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe," you can activate this talent to absorb the "Source World Power of the world corresponding to the causal quantity of their power," bringing growth to this talent.

Hint: For each "Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe" killed, the maximum increase for a single trigger is "Blood Qi attack tier +1."

Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe: The "Extreme Powerhouses" you have defeated total: Black King, Sierra Guardian · Iron Feather King, Source Guardian · Edri Dewin, Demon Sea · Fortune's Third Captain · Nameless Captain, Painting World · Old Knight, Abyss Eldest Daughter · Yuro, Eternal God, Wolf God · Shien, Ancient King.

Hint: Because defeating an "Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe" is a kill judgment of the highest priority, the talent gains corresponding to defeating the aforementioned "Extreme Powerhouses" have triggered fairness compensation.

Hint: Because of your identity as a Hunter, you cannot travel to the aforementioned worlds through conventional means to absorb the "Source World Power" corresponding to the "causal quantity" of the nine "Extreme Powerhouses." Under the dual notarization of the Void Tree and Reincarnation Paradise, you will receive nine portions of "Universal · Source World Power" after returning to Reincarnation Paradise this time. You can trigger the nine Blood Feast bonuses of the "Blood Beast · Talent" by absorbing these "Source World Powers."

Hint (This hint is Paradise-level): Because the characteristic of Blood Feast is to devour and absorb "Source World Power" with "Blood Beast characteristics," the growth range of this talent is theoretically limitless.

Talent Effect (Active · Blood Fury): Every point of health you lose will accumulate as "Wrath Blood Value." The upper limit of "Wrath Blood Value" will be determined by your maximum health.

Current Wrath Blood Value limit: 0/2.15 million points.

Hint: Activating this talent effect will consume all stored "Wrath Blood Value." Your next Blood Qi-type attack will deal additional Blood Qi-type damage equal to 70% of the consumed "Wrath Blood Value."

Hint: This talent ability will undergo a final metamorphosis after you successfully defeat the "Fierce Beast · Fei."

Su Xiao previously completed a "World Mission" and obtained 【Ascension Blood Core · Nourishment (Talent Item · Unique)】, which he used to upgrade his "Blood Beast" talent. The changes to the Blood Beast talent are truly significant.

Simply put, the "Blood Beast" talent now has two effects: 1. Blood Qi damage tier growth, and 2. Temporarily strengthening any Blood Qi-type skill into a super-ultimate level killing move.

The strength of the "Blood Feast" characteristic of the Blood Beast talent lies in its ability to devour "Source World Power" and its theoretically limitless growth. However, "Extreme Powerhouses" are truly rare; it is not enough to be powerful to be recognized as an "Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe"—one must also be strongly recognized by their world to receive such an honor.

The "Blood Fury" effect is simple and brutal to the extreme. If the "Wrath Blood Value" is fully accumulated and this characteristic is activated, it can deal a maximum of 1,505,000 points of additional Blood Qi-type damage.

Taking the Blood Smoke Cannon ability as an example, if a fully enhanced Blood Smoke Cannon hits an enemy, unless it is an ultimate big boss, it will be shattered on the spot.

Even if a big boss resists it, because Blood Qi-type abilities have a base effect of "reducing all defense by 30%," this Blood Smoke Cannon hit, even after deducting the damage reduction caused by defense characteristics, would deal at least 500,000 to 800,000 points of Blood Qi damage.

It seems like a lot of damage reduction, but the problem is that ultimate big bosses generally have percentage-based damage immunity abilities. For example, the Scarlet Monarch · Eyuishur dealt with earlier had an ability that included "Body Defense +270 points, 40% reduction in physical characteristic damage, 40% reduction in energy characteristic damage."

After this damage reduction, the conventional defense judgment is applied—for example, first the outer armor defense judgment, then the body defense judgment, and finally the passive defense ability judgment. Only after these is the final damage dealt, which is why the strength of true damage is exceptionally outrageous.

Therefore, the Extreme Blade · World, which instantly deals "25% of maximum health as true slashing damage," is an exceptionally outrageous ability.

The strongest point of the "Blood Fury" effect is that this characteristic can be applied to all Blood Qi-type abilities, and the upper limit of its damage strength will continue to climb as Su Xiao's health increases.

Su Xiao currently has 2.15 million health. His expectation is to reach over 5 million health before promoting to the Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe level—that is, after his Strength, Agility, Stamina, and Intelligence attributes all reach 800 points. At that time, the damage of "Blood Fury" will be exceptionally outrageous.

In the fresh-aired underground space, Su Xiao sat cross-legged on the carpet. After sensing himself, an unexpected idea gradually welled up in his heart. His improvements after defeating the Beast God this time were truly too great, totaling as follows:

Sword Master Lv. 95: Two "Hearts of the Blade" can exempt two instances of instant death or execution judgments. The ultimate sword technique "Extreme Blade · Bai Ye," which means after activating this ability, the next melee slash is a "Powerful Slash" with a 500% increase.

Abyss Shadow · Title: Deals an additional 35% true damage against Abyss-type enemies, plus a significant increase in speed.

Blood Beast · Talent Ability: An exceptionally practical, ultra-high damage bonus.

Cold Will · Overlord Equipment: Reduces the Sun-type damage you take by 50% (including true Sun damage; this is a faction mutual-restraint characteristic).

After these improvements, Su Xiao has a feeling that if he were to fight the Beast God one-on-one now, he might not necessarily lose. The odds of winning are likely fifty-fifty. This is not arrogance; it is because the strength of the "Powerful Slash" is too outrageous.

Su Xiao checked his attribute data, which is:

True Strength: 652 points.

True Agility: 652 points.

True Stamina: 692 points.

True Intelligence: 652 points.

These body attributes are very powerful, but against the strong enemies of this world, they are not quite enough. When dealing with the Beast God earlier, the opponent's True Strength attribute was definitely at the extreme of 800 points for an Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe. The "Tower Knight Captain" he has to deal with later might have two body attributes at the extreme of 800 points.

Su Xiao's idea is to find a way to improve his body attributes as soon as possible. Reaching 800 points is unrealistic, but reaching over 700 points is still possible, especially since he has one of the best "Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe" abilities. As long as he has two portions of "Strength Source Essence," he can break through 700 points in all four of his main attributes.

If this is achieved, he is confident in fighting the "Tower Knight Captain" one-on-one, even if the win rate is only 50%, but this involves another advantage.

Through the attributes of 【Sun Lord】, Su Xiao learned that there are a total of 32 "Sun Source Stones" in this world. His minimum goal is to obtain 12. The problem is that by continuing to fight strong enemies through the current channels, he can only obtain 4 "Sun Source Stones."

The minimum goal of 12 is to seize the 4 that the Priest team and the Soul team will each obtain later. Only then can the minimum expected goal be reached. However, whether it is the Priest team composed of three super old schemers or the Soul team with the Black Demon as their trump card, they are extremely difficult to deal with.

To seize "Sun Source Stones" from those two teams in this situation, the only way is to act separately with his two "good teammates," freeing up Sinias and Wood so they don't have to face the pressure of fighting subsequent strong enemies, giving them room to maneuver.

Not only that, but Caesar and the others can also free up their hands to help Sinias and Wood later. With such a lineup, even the Priest team would find it tricky. Plus, the Priest, Platinum Apostle, and Abyss Archbishop all have their own purposes for coming here, so there is a high probability they will throw away the "Sun Source Stones" they have already obtained.

Regarding asking his two "good teammates" to help compete for "Sun Source Stones," the two "good teammates" are duty-bound, after all, for every "Sun Source Stone" they help Su Xiao obtain, he will pay them a certain amount of Black Maple Tree output.

Regarding this reward, the two "good teammates" both expressed that other matters for them on Sun Star are no longer important. For the sake of their "friendship" as brothers, they must help Su Xiao seize more Black Maple... cough! More "Sun Source Stones" this time.

And do the forces behind Sinias and Wood support them in doing this? They are extremely supportive. During the time Wood contacted the family elders, Wood's implication was that the matter the family entrusted before coming seemed more important, but the Demon Clan Patriarch and the elders all expressed, "Wood, you brat, don't lose sight of what's important; you must not delay obtaining the Black Maple Tree output because of official business."

The foundation of all this is built on Su Xiao being able to deal with subsequent strong enemies alone. To achieve this, he must obtain at least two portions of "Strength Source Essence." He took out two 【Source Essence Treasure Chests】, which are his gains since entering this world.

Su Xiao has one advantage: he has always had a very clear sense of his own capabilities. Although he occasionally has a mysterious confidence in opening treasure chests due to the "Absolute Luck" bonus of 【Fate Dominator】, at this critical moment, he decided to play it safe.

After brewing his emotions slightly, a smile appeared on Su Xiao's face, and he said to Morey, who was a few meters away: "Morey, come here."

"Huh?"

Morey looked at Su Xiao upon hearing this. When she saw Su Xiao looking at her with a smile, she suddenly shivered. Her usual mischievous and jumpy personality temporarily subsided, and she shook her head and said, "I won't."

Hearing this, the smile on Su Xiao's face became even kinder. Seeing this, Morey was numb. She subconsciously reached out, wanting to pull her two best friends over as shields, but she grabbed nothing. She turned her head and found that Moon Apostle and Hao Mei were already watching from dozens of meters away—the plastic sisters were online.

A moment later, Morey held a 【Source Essence Treasure Chest】 in one hand and said with a smile, "You scared me to death; I thought you were short on Soul Coins again."

Su Xiao didn't speak. He took out a 【Library Badge】 from the Soul Library. He still has 15 of these. Battle Angels from Apocalypse Paradise like Morey are the type most welcomed by the Soul Library—they are well-behaved, peaceful, and relatively kind.

Su Xiao held a 【Library Badge】 between his index and middle fingers and tempted Morey: "If you can help me open a portion of Strength Source Essence..."

"Uh~, are you talking about this?"

Morey held a portion of "Strength Source Essence" in her hand and continued: "What is this? Except for the name, all other attributes are question marks. Last time, my world evaluation in the Witch World was particularly high, and Apocalypse Paradise rewarded me with a Miracle Treasure Chest. After I opened it, I got this."

"..."

Su Xiao didn't speak. Whether it was Apocalypse Paradise's reward mechanism for Morey, who was like a favorite daughter, or her luck in opening "Strength Source Essence" from a Miracle Treasure Chest, it left one speechless while also feeling the need to vent.

"Name your price."

"Well~, I don't know what this is for, so I can't name a price."

Morey hasn't been promoted to Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe yet, so naturally, she hasn't activated various permissions regarding "Source Essence," especially precious universal source essences like "Strength Source Essence."

"..."

Su Xiao tried to share the data permissions regarding "Source Essence," but received dual warning hints from Reincarnation Paradise and the Void Tree. He changed to explaining the value of "Strength Source Essence" to Morey roughly.

"Oh~, so it's such a precious thing, then..."

Morey thought for a moment and asked: "Bai Ye, you are the Saint Flame Alchemist, and also the strongest alchemist in the myriad worlds, right?"

"No."

Su Xiao was not being humble. The "myriad worlds" Morey mentioned refers to the entire Astral World. Su Xiao is indeed the strongest alchemist in the Void, which is acknowledged by the Void Alchemist Guild, but if he claimed to be the strongest alchemist in the Astral World, he felt it was inappropriate.

The Astral World has existed for far too long. Among the vast groups of people like stars, there are naturally long-lived species. Some particularly ancient long-lived species have existed since the beginning of the First Era. Just imagine, among these long-lived species, there are certainly ancient alchemists. To what extent would the pharmacology of such long-lived alchemists, who have been learning and honing their skills from the First Era to the current Third Era, be?

Even at the peak of the Second Era's Alchemy Civilization, one might not dare to assert that their pharmacology is definitely stronger than these rare long-lived species. Alchemists are arrogant, yes, but not to the point of being blind to others.

Before, if someone called Su Xiao the strongest pharmacist in the myriad worlds, he might not have refuted it, but after understanding the concept of the Astral World, he would definitely not admit to this title. The Present World, several secondary present worlds, derived worlds, native worlds, transcendent worlds, the Void, etc., are actually all within the Astral World.

The Astral World can represent these worlds, but the sum of these worlds cannot represent the entire Astral World, such as the Netherworld at the very bottom of the Astral World, or the vast and unknown, dangerous, and even deeply terrifying Dark Drifting Zone.

Or the Elemental Layer Zone, and the "Abyss," which one doesn't know if it's a conceptual description or a specific place.

"Then... can you customize a bottle of permanent buff potion for me based on my constitution?"

Morey's request for this trade made Su Xiao take out a notebook and a pen, then ask: "Customizing a permanent buff potion is certainly possible. I need a small amount of your blood, and you can also make requests for this customized potion."

"Really? Can the details be customized too?"

"..."

Su Xiao didn't speak, using silence to replace affirmation. The other party is offering a portion of "Strength Source Essence"—let alone the details of a customized buff potion, he could even find a way to customize the flavor.

Morey habitually scratched her short pink hair, tilted her head slightly, and described: "I want the kind that can enhance two or more body attributes."

Upon hearing this, Su Xiao recorded in his notebook: 'Enhance all attributes, health, mana, soul strength.'

"Uh~, and it must have no side effects."

Upon hearing this, Su Xiao recorded in his notebook: 'No side effects.'

"Also, also, it must be ultra-low risk after drinking."

Upon hearing this, Su Xiao recorded in his notebook: 'Will not die after drinking.'

"Hmm~, oh right! The experience during the improvement process after drinking must not be painful."

Upon hearing this, Su Xiao recorded in his notebook: 'Will not die during the improvement process.'

"That's about all the requirements. Did you write them all down? I didn't realize that customizing potions with you would be so thoughtful."

Morey was in a great mood. However, if she saw the potion entries Su Xiao recorded, she definitely wouldn't be smiling so happily anymore. The improvement effect of this potion is probably 7 to 10 times what Morey estimated, and it has no side effects. As for the drinking risk and the experience after drinking, that is more of a Law-Exterminator style—as long as you don't die, it's an excellent secret medicine.

After completing this trade, Morey chose to open the two 【Source Essence Treasure Chests】. The results were:

【You have opened Source Essence Treasure Chest × 2.】

【You obtained Corrupted Source Essence.】

【You obtained Resentment Source Essence.】

Morey didn't know the value of source essence. She asked excitedly: "How is it? Resentment and Corrupted Source Essence—they sound like they are not to be trifled with. These two portions of source essence must be very valuable, right?"

"..."

Su Xiao took out a price list for source essence. After Morey's eyes swept over the first half, her little face became somewhat sorrowful. Was she going to open low-to-medium value source essence on her first time opening a source essence treasure chest? But soon, she realized the severity of the situation: among the three trash source essence brothers at the very bottom, she had opened two of them.

Dead Soul Source Essence: Value 80 ounces.

Resentment Source Essence: Value 85–90 ounces.

Corrupted Source Essence: Value 87–90 ounces.

"Ah, this, I've never been this unlucky before."

"..."

"Bai Ye, listen to my explanation. I've always had very good luck. You trusted me so much to help you open the source essence treasure chests, but this is the result. However, could it be a problem with the chests? I've really never been this unlucky before. Listen to my explanation!"

"..."

Su Xiao didn't speak, but Morey suddenly discovered that before she started explaining, the Hunter opposite her was very calm, as if he was long accustomed to such chest-opening results. But when she started explaining and mentioned whether it was a problem with the chests, a feeling of being about to be beaten up invaded her. With Morey's rich experience of being beaten by Bai Ye, her intuition in this regard was exceptionally sharp.

Su Xiao got up and walked toward the teleportation array. After Ignoring Xiang Bubu Wang, Amu, and Baja all stood on the teleportation array, Morey asked casually: "Where are you going?"

"Twilight City. Want to go?"

Su Xiao changed from his previous silence.

"I do want to go a bit, but..."

Morey hadn't finished speaking when she felt a blur before her eyes. By the time she reacted, she was already standing on the teleportation array, and a hand was still pressing on her shoulder.

It was hard to catch... no, wait, to encounter someone willing to experience the "Law-Exterminator Teleportation Array," he couldn't let her run away. This was rare teleportation process data, a precious surprise for perfecting the "Law-Exterminator Teleportation Array."

"I... I was just saying it casually, wait... wait! I have my own teleportation items, help!"

Thump~!

With Moon Apostle and Hao Mei both taking half a step back at the same time, the teleportation array activated.

Twilight City · Inner City · Sun King Square.

"Blech!"

Morey held the bridgehead with one hand and roared like an evil dragon at the flowing stream in the square. After vomiting until her little face was pale, she took out a bottle of water to rinse her mouth and muttered: "You must have deliberately tricked me into saying that. You knew I would subconsciously say that."

On a bench in the square, Su Xiao ate a piece of grilled meat skewer that looked like teppanyaki squid. The charred fragrance of the oil and the texture of the meat gave one a sense of the most primitive and simple happiness. Just as his hand dropped slightly, Ignoring Xiang Bubu Wang, who had been waiting on the side, tilted its head and snatched the remaining half of the skewer.

Ignoring Xiang Bubu Wang's cognition: Food held in its master's hand is 50% more delicious.

Su Xiao returned to Twilight City · Inner City to get the information on the second strong enemy, the Tower Knight Captain, from the Monarch faction, as well as the exact location of the opponent.

Before long, the Great Noble Luciva, dressed in a loose white practice suit, stopped on the side. As the commander of the Hunting Group, Luciva's peak Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe strength was certainly powerful. Even if Su Xiao were to fight him with his current strength, the win rate for both sides would be fifty-fifty, which shows the caliber of this commander.

But it makes sense; the Hunting Group often goes deep into the "No-Light Zone." Being able to explore in such an Abyss Erosion Zone, the Great Noble Luciva's strength is certainly top-notch. In Twilight City's Monarch faction, Great Noble Luciva is the deterrent of combat power, while Old Noble Augustus is in charge of power schemes.

And the Sun Warriors in the central urban area—these old guardians cannot leave the central urban area; they are guarding something there.

Therefore, the combination of Old Noble Augustus and Great Noble Luciva are the main figures who usually deter the old monsters of the Great Library.

"You... how did you do it?"

Great Noble Luciva turned his head to look at Su Xiao. He wasn't asking how Su Xiao defeated the Beast God, but rather that after not seeing him for a few days, Su Xiao's combat power had actually improved so much.

This is the explosive improvement brought by accumulation. Sword Master consumed a massive amount of resources, and now it is finally about to fully display its powerful side.

"That old man asked me to take back the 'Sun Source Stone.' Let's be clear beforehand: whether you hand it over or not is your decision. Regardless of the result, I'm just an errand runner. Also, that old man asked me to convey that you should consider clearly what the consequences will be if you don't hand over the 'Sun Source Stone'."

Great Noble Luciva's words sounded unpleasant, but if understood, they would feel particularly interesting. Great Noble Luciva meant that he was just an errand runner, not here to threaten or seize that "Sun Source Stone" by force.

And the few words Old Noble Augustus gave him were even more interesting. The implication was: if you don't hand over the "Sun Source Stone," I will be very dissatisfied, and then there is no then. The hidden meaning is: don't hand it over, keep it for yourself.

The reason for this is that Old Noble Augustus is avoiding the Great Library from coming to the door and mentioning the sealing problem of the "Sun Source Stone." Once Twilight City is involved in the seal, it will definitely not be able to bypass the Great Library, which will eventually lead to the "Sun Source Stone" falling into the hands of the Great Library.

Compared to the "Sun Source Stone" falling into the hands of a hostile faction, Old Noble Augustus would rather risk being criticized by other nobles and tacitly allow this thing to belong to Su Xiao, even if all "Sun Source Stones," no matter when or where, are forever the property of the Sun God Clan.

"Bai Ye, I heard Lord Augustus mention before that Law-Exterminators know the Abyss very well?"

Great Noble Luciva spoke, his eyes thoughtful.

"Rumors."

Although Su Xiao has mastered "Advanced Abyss Studies," he would never say he knows the Abyss very well.

"The No-Light Zone behind the Northern Sky Wall is an Abyss Spreading Zone. You should know that, right?"

Great Noble Luciva spoke casually. Su Xiao glanced at him, didn't answer his question, but said: "I should know the secrets you want to know."

"Is that so? Then name your price."

"Your sister."

Su Xiao wasn't cursing Great Noble Luciva, but talking about his sister, the slacker girl Delona.

"It seems you want to have a showdown with me."

Great Noble Luciva's gaze was somewhat unkind. Although he knew his sister was full of ominousness and unknowns, and felt pity in his heart for the future brother-in-law who might not even exist, if someone else named a price and asked him to use his own sister as a bargaining chip, he would definitely fight them to the death.

"You let her sprout and grow. If I didn't perceive it wrong, she is about to awaken."

Su Xiao wasn't being a riddle-maker here, but setting out the price. "Letting her sprout and grow" and "about to awaken" are two separate pieces of information.

Great Noble Luciva naturally heard this point. He said: "The information trade about the No-Light Zone is temporarily postponed. Let's talk about these two secrets first. Name your price."

Su Xiao took out a small bottle containing liquid ultra-high concentration Abyss energy. He tapped the small bottle with his index finger: "This is ultra-high concentration Abyss energy. When the concentration is 1.6 million to 1.8 million times higher than this, it can be called Abyss Source Essence."

Su Xiao threw the small bottle to Great Noble Luciva as a small gift for this trade. With a friend like Caesar, he is not short of this kind of Abyss energy.

"If I'm not mistaken, your father wasn't eroded by Abyss energy back then, but by a small amount of Abyss Source Essence."

"This... what's the difference?"

"If it were Abyss energy erosion, at most your father's individual would suffer pain and deformity. But being eroded by Abyss Source Essence, your father's soul might have been assimilated into a coordinate. Some strange existences in the Abyss can use this to transfer and parasitize your father."

After hearing Su Xiao's words, Great Noble Luciva nodded in a daze.

"Your family is very lucky. Compared to your father's middle-aged body full of hidden injuries and ailments, this unknown strangeness preferred your father's next-generation causality—that is, your sister Delona, who was still in the womb. This opportunity to integrate into the material world is one that the unknown strangeness wouldn't miss. It didn't parasitize; it assimilated with your sister."

"So, is my sister pretending now?"

Great Noble Luciva looked calm, but in his heart, his blood was almost running cold. He doesn't fear life or death, doesn't fear the dark terror that could make others' souls collapse. The only thing he cares about is his relatives. Therefore, just now when Su Xiao mentioned letting him use his sister as a bargaining chip, he immediately proposed to fight to the death.

"She is indeed your sister, this is beyond doubt. That part belonging to the strangeness was stripped away and sealed by someone, but as she gradually and passively awakens to the darkness, that part will soon break through the seal and take over."

Speaking to this point, Su Xiao stopped. This made Great Noble Luciva feel very uncomfortable. With his strength, he could naturally perceive that his sister Delona's aura had become increasingly wrong recently, but he had no way to deal with it. This feeling of powerlessness, of having powerful combat strength but being unable to save his closest relative, made Great Noble Luciva's mood very bad recently.

"Do you have a way to stop my sister's dark awakening?"

"No, this is inevitable."

"Then..."

"I can make her the winner. She and that unknown strangeness can devour each other, but to become the winner, one must always pay a price. Either you pay it, or you gamble on whether your sister's fate is tough enough. The probability of winning is likely one in ten million."

"Name your price."

"A portion of Strength Source Essence."

"If you give me a few decades, I might have a one-percent chance of finding one. Change the price."

"Primal Fragments."

Hearing Su Xiao's words, Great Noble Luciva was surprised and couldn't help but say: "The difference in your pricing is too big. How about this: I'll give you 1 Primal Core and 20 Primal Fragments."

"..."

Su Xiao was slightly surprised. He had only saved up 7 "Primal Cores" until now. Now Great Noble Luciva opened his mouth and offered 1 "Primal Core" plus 20 Primal Fragments. It seems the production of "Primal Cores" in this world is not low—no, it's that the Hunting Group, which has been exploring the "No-Light Zone" for years, has saved up some "Primal Cores."

This made Su Xiao more interested in further cooperation with Great Noble Luciva. He needs ten "Primal Cores" to promote to Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe, and after Sword Master, Melee Master, and Blood Spear Master exceed Lv. 95, each level increase also requires one "Primal Core." Conservatively estimated, he needs a total of 40 "Primal Cores" to promote to Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe and raise his three technique abilities to Lv. EX.

This is without considering whether the "Primal Cores" required for each level will increase after the technique abilities break through Lv. 100.

After discussing for a while, Su Xiao and Great Noble Luciva agreed to start working on this matter after Su Xiao deals with the "Tower Knight Captain."

On the bench in the square, Su Xiao checked the time. The person he was waiting for hadn't arrived yet, and there are currently several ways to obtain a portion of "Strength Source Essence" as soon as possible.

First is the Goblin Chamber of Commerce. He originally intended to buy one with Space-Time Power, but they quoted 15,000 ounces of Space-Time Power per portion. Opening the Honor Store list, there is "Strength Source Essence" priced at 700 ounces of Space-Time Power per portion. It shows how high the Goblin Chamber of Commerce's price is. However, the "Strength Source Essence" in the Honor Store is at a super discount price, and with limited inventory, it is snatched up instantly every time the inventory refreshes.

Before completing the World Mission, Su Xiao obtained a 【Designated Source Essence Treasure Chest】, which can definitely open "Strength Source Essence," but the "Stamina Source Essence" needed for Melee Master Lv. 95 still depends on this chest.

If he wants to obtain "Stamina Source Essence" by luck alone, Su Xiao estimates that with his own luck, he might reach the upper reaches of Extreme Foreign Qiangzhe strength while his Melee Master is still stuck at Lv. 95.

Thinking this way, he can only go to the Soul Academy. They invited Su Xiao to help them eliminate the two "Undying Abyss-Born Creatures" they have sealed.

To this, Su Xiao named a price of one portion of "Strength Source Essence," but the Soul Academy stated they don't have "Strength Source Essence," and for each "Undying Abyss-Born Creature" eliminated, they would only pay Su Xiao a reward of 50,000 Soul Coins.

Twilight City's Monarch faction previously offered a reward of 500,000 Soul Coins for eliminating one "Undying Abyss-Born Creature." It was reduced tenfold at the Soul Academy. As for bargaining with these soul lunatics, it is obviously not feasible.

To this, Su Xiao readily agreed to the Soul Academy's price. On the surface, it's only a reward of 100,000 Soul Coins, but this time he is going to "stock up." The Soul Academy claims they don't have "Strength Source Essence"? Actually, that's not the case. According to information sent by Caesar half a minute ago, there is clearly a portion of "Strength Source Essence" in the Soul Academy's treasury.

As for the discomfort caused by the surge in body attributes after absorbing two portions of "Strength Source Essence," Su Xiao has certainly considered this. He won't go directly to deal with the "Tower Knight Captain" later; that would be seeking death.

The Main Quest · Second Ring has 12 days. After absorbing the "Strength Source Essence," he will first go to the No-Light Zone and adapt to his body after becoming stronger as quickly as possible through fierce battles there.

Just as Su Xiao was thinking about this, a vintage luxury car powered by crystal grease stopped. A figure got out of the car and walked into this slightly old small square. This person was dressed in inner-city noble attire, had a middle-aged, slightly plump physique, and a kind face. It seemed that as long as he squinted his eyes, there would be a sense of a smile on his face.

Against the backdrop of such a kind face, his completely pitch-black eyes added a bit of mystery and eeriness.

The person sat down on the bench, looking at the dilapidated Sun King sculpture in the center of the small square, and said: "Bai Ye, it seems our friendship has come back to life."

The smile on the person's face was kind, combined with a pair of pitch-black eyes. No need to guess, this kind of humanoid ancient god aura must be the Priest. This middle-aged noble is nine times out of ten controlled by the Priest using some method.

As for why they are meeting in this way, it is a matter of course, because the target they are going to plot against... cough~, to join forces to deal with this time, is the Abyss Archbishop.

I've been in the hospital recently. Fortunately, my dad's condition has stabilized. I apologize to all the readers for the delay in updating.