Chapter 4088: Blue Steel

Su Xiao looked at the blue technique array map in front of him. As soon as he arrived here, he clearly felt that the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy in his body entered a unique active state.

"Sit in the center of the technique, completely awaken the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying power in your body. Next, it depends on whether your life is big enough."

Ma Wen · Waltz's smile was really the look of a predecessor who had suffered this pain, looking at the junior who was about to bear it.

"……"

Su Xiao came to the center of the technique, drew the Dragon Flash from his waist, sat cross-legged, and placed the sword on his legs. He calmed his aura and began to gradually awaken the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy in his body.

Zila~

Dark blue electric arcs appeared on the surrounding array map. Su Xiao felt that the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy in his body seemed to be running wild, as if it were about to turn into translucent blue electric arcs and rush out of his body. Every cell in his body seemed to be pierced by Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy, which made him, sitting on the array map, start to diffuse blood mist.

This was blood beads seeping out of pores, but they were evaporated by the technique in an instant, forming a strange scene. Every drop of blood evaporated to nothingness seemed to be telling of intense pain.

Every cell in his whole body seemed to let out billions of synchronized wails, but Su Xiao still sat steadily, because even if it was a high-standard ascension to the Supreme Pinnacle, the Supreme Stamina was only about 30 points. Right now, his 60 points of Supreme Stamina allowed him to continue this Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying awakening with a straight face. Of course, it was really painful. Every cell in his whole body had pain that had nowhere to escape.

The abilities of the Law Destroyer system are just like this. While the intensity is top-notch, it doesn't consider the experience during the mastery and awakening process at all. As long as it's not a high probability of dying during mastery, then it's a qualified Law Destroyer ability. As for the danger during mastery? As the saying goes, everyone has their own destiny.

Time passed second by second. After an hour, Su Xiao's body no longer felt pain, the reason being that it had gone numb from the pain. However, after three hours, his body recovered. Sometimes, having too good a physical recovery rate is not necessarily a good thing.

Five hours later, the pain subsided, replaced by a scorching heat—an endless, searing heat as if he had been thrown into the sun. Just as Su Xiao felt he was about to float away from the heat, the sensation receded, and suddenly, a sharp pain like ten thousand blades piercing his heart struck him.

This feeling lasted for about two hours before all discomfort vanished. Su Xiao took out a bottle of recovery potion, drank it in a few gulps, and meditated for over five hours before he finally recovered. He immediately felt the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy surging within him, which was completely different from the past.

【Prompt: The gains related to the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying ability have been completely absorbed by the "Fully Awakened" state of the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying ability. The absorbed characteristics are as follows:】

1. Basic Passive · Swift Shadow · Skill Effect 3: The true damage caused by your technique-type abilities, body energy, and skills is increased by 40%.

2. Blue Shadow King Derivative Characteristic · Hunter Shadow · Passive: The intensity of the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy is increased, and the true damage caused is increased by 30%.

【The above two bonuses have been completely devoured by the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying ability and will no longer be displayed in the branch skill list.】

【Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying: Lv. 185 (Active/Passive Skill · Fully Awakened State)】

Usage Condition: After activating the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying ability, consume 51,000 mana points per minute.

Active Effect: Each melee attack will burn 24% of the enemy's maximum mana (or other supreme body energy) and cause true damage equal to 1.25 times the burned mana, which is 30% of their maximum health in true damage. The enemy will suffer "intense pain" after the mana burn.

Defensive Form: Proud Song (Passive), can generate crystals of any shape to defend against enemy attacks. The crystal strength is directly proportional to the mana consumed, with a single-use mana consumption cap of 300,000 points. Crystal layer defense tier +85.

When fighting the Ancestral God, the true damage caused by Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy seemed to be nearly 100,000 points per slash, but for Su Xiao and the Ancestral God, who both have tens of millions of health points, this was not a significant injury. Therefore, Su Xiao began to treat the true damage of Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying as the highest-grade armor penetration; under true damage, all kinds of physical defense abilities are pierced through.

Now he finally knew why the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy began to lack power in the mid-to-late stages of the Supreme level. It wasn't that the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying ability was ineffective, but that it hadn't reached the Supreme Peak and couldn't withstand the fully awakened Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying ability.

Previously, the usage ratio of the three soul cores of "Soul Severing Shadow"—"Soul Severing · Soul Core" and "Devouring Dark · Soul Core"—each accounted for almost 50%, while the "Blue Steel · Soul Core" was rarely used. The future will be different.

"Soul Severing · Soul Core (Passive): Grants the sword technique attack the 'Soul Severing' characteristic (Current Soul Severing Intensity: 50)."

"Devouring Dark · Soul Core (Passive): Exempts 30% of all damage."

"Blue Steel · Soul Core (Passive): Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying ability comprehensive intensity increased by 40% (This boost can exceed the maximum limit of the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying ability)."

In the past, when the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying ability wasn't so powerful, the "Blue Steel · Soul Core" naturally wasn't very strong. Now, however, it is different. A slash imbued with Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy burns 24% of the enemy's maximum mana, which becomes 33.6% after the boost. Correspondingly, the derived true damage reaches 42% of the enemy's maximum health in true damage.

The so-called "comprehensive intensity increase" does not mean raising the mana burn and the true damage together; this involves the activation principle of the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy. First, the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy attached to the blade has no true damage determination; it corresponds to burning the enemy's body energy, which is State 1 of the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying ability.

Once the enemy is slashed and the energy begins to devour their mana, it is State 2.

And causing true damage is State 3.

The "Blue Steel · Soul Core" cannot boost State 3, which hasn't happened yet and is in an uncertain future state. Therefore, its boost to the Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy only applies to the intensity of burning the enemy's mana and increasing the strength of the Proud Song crystals.

The Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying energy surged in Su Xiao's hands like light blue electric arcs darting back and forth. Seeing this, Ma Wen · Waltz smiled and said:

"Alright, since you have ascended to the Supreme Peak, our relationship as guides ends here. This is the habit of all Law-Exterminators. Once you reach the Supreme Peak, everything else depends on yourself. The infinite characteristics of Blue Qing Qing Gang Ying are worth the three of us old things helping you collect materials for so long and preparing this ritual. I knew that one day, you kid would definitely be able to ascend to the Supreme Peak."

Ma Wen · Waltz's smile became unscrupulous. Hearing this, the Black Law-Exterminator exposed him:

"Aren't these the last two complete sets of materials left from the legacy of your Law-Exterminator faction?"

"You're talking nonsense! Was it not me who opened the treasury door?"

"But that treasury, your master recalled the approximate location, and I opened the door; you just pushed it..."

"Slander, naked slander. Kid, this is the most vivid lesson I've taught you: Spellcasters cannot be trusted. Look at this old thing; even after being dead for so many years, he's still full of bad intentions, trying to sow discord within our Law-Exterminator faction. His heart is punishable."

Facing Ma Wen · Waltz's continuous output, the Black Law-Exterminator remained silent. After all, in terms of "being in the right," Law-Exterminators are almost invincible.

"This world is not bad. The three of us old immortals plan to stay here for a while. If you have nothing else, go back."

"Okay."

Su Xiao activated the teleportation function. The surrounding spatial fluctuations enveloped him along with Bubu Wang, Amu, Baja, and Beni. Just before being teleported away, he heard:

"Do you think he can win?"

Ma Wen · Waltz's words received no answer; both the old Law-Exterminator and the Black Law-Exterminator chose silence.

After the surrounding space stabilized again, Su Xiao had returned to his exclusive room. He was long accustomed to such sudden contacts from Ma Wen · Waltz when there was an important matter. Important abilities like the Blue Shadow King were all awakened or mastered this way.

Of course, this also had to do with the style of the previous generation of Law-Exterminators, who were brave enough to try. Ma Wen · Waltz had seen with his own eyes, back when he was still weak, his partner trying to master an ability before meeting the requirements, thinking that since the difference wasn't large, he would try to master it preliminarily to lay the foundation for when he truly needed to master it later.

The result was that Ma Wen · Waltz saw at close range how his friend's half-body exploded, and how far the blood and flesh splattered.

Su Xiao went to the planting area and sat cross-legged on the round straw mat under the Black Maple Tree to meditate. Feeling the huge improvement after ascending to the Supreme Peak, he opened the skill list and found the five "Supreme Passives" corresponding to his current physical attributes.

Because his physical attributes had ascended from true attributes to Supreme attributes, these five "Supreme Passives" had all entered a pending activation state. It seemed like just activating abilities, but Su Xiao had a feeling that these five abilities were holding back a big move, just waiting to be released.

The Supreme Passives corresponding to physical attributes have levels, from ★ to ★★★, and their initial intensity has a 2 to 5-fold difference. Right now, the boost to the Supreme Peak seems... even more ruthless.

Su Xiao held his breath and focused, first activating the Supreme Passive corresponding to the "Supreme Strength Attribute." This ability, which had been sealed like a golden cocoon, burst forth with a powerful sense of strength within him as if breaking out of its shell.

Boom!

With Su Xiao as the center, layers of impact spread to the surroundings. He stood up and walked out of the planting area. He had originally thought it would be a very ordinary ability awakening, but the result was not ordinary at all. The top-tier Supreme Passive corresponding to physical attributes began to reveal its ferocity.

Arriving in an empty room, Su Xiao no longer suppressed the awakening of the "Supreme · Strength" ability. The next second, dark red blood energy surged out from Su Xiao's body, the intensity appearing like needle points. Cracks and wear marks appeared on the surrounding walls, as if a layer had been plowed off, becoming rough and uneven.

Half an hour later, Su Xiao's aura stabilized. Looking around, the room of over a hundred square meters looked as if a bloody massacre had taken place; the floor, walls, and ceiling were all stained dark red by the blood energy.

【Supreme · Strength. Lv. EX (Supreme-tier · Passive).】

Skill Effect: Your physical combat strength is your Supreme Strength attribute × 2.5.

A simple yet ridiculous improvement. When all the bonuses of an ability are concentrated on one attribute, the improvement effect is often ridiculous.

Su Xiao clenched his fist. Compared to the power of a single punch, the slashing power he possessed after holding his long sword seemed to have the power to destroy the world—it no longer seemed like a metaphor, but something that would truly be realized.

With the experience of awakening "Supreme · Strength," Su Xiao awakened the "Supreme · Agility" passive ability. It felt as if something had been pierced inside his body, and with a boom, his aura was released again.

Half an hour later, the room where Su Xiao was located was like a bloody purgatory. A timid person would have a mental breakdown or even become permanently deranged just by coming here.

【Supreme · Agility. Lv. EX (Supreme-tier · Passive).】

Skill Effect 1: Increases weapon attack power by 1500 points (lower/upper limit).

Skill Effect 2: Permanently increases body speed by 8.2 times.

Skill Effect 3: Supreme Instinct +60 points (for every 1 point of Supreme Agility increased, increase 1 point of Supreme Instinct).

The moment "Supreme · Agility" was awakened, Su Xiao felt that the surrounding world became very slow. The dust particles and residual blood energy in the air floated slowly as if in slow motion. The last time he had this feeling was when he was at a low tier and had greatly increased his "nerve reflex speed."

Su Xiao's perception circle opened, and the surrounding world instantly became clearer. This feeling was like turning the world's brightness to the maximum; every detail was particularly obvious. What "Supreme Instinct" represents is definitely more than just Su Xiao's own reaction speed; it also includes perception capture speed, etc.

Previously, improving this aspect required improving it item by item; now, one only needs to increase "Supreme Instinct," and more than a dozen related characteristics will grow.

After the perception circle had been open for more than an hour, Su Xiao retracted it, and the surrounding world returned to normal, no longer appearing as if it had been slowed down.

Taking a long breath, Su Xiao chose to awaken "Supreme · Stamina." This time, the blood energy he passively released appeared as a rich dark red. Half an hour later, blood mist filled the room, like an Asura purgatory.

【Supreme · Stamina. Lv. EX (Supreme-tier · Passive).】

Skill Effect 1: The "Supreme Health Growth" brought by 1 point of Supreme Stamina attribute will reach 500,000 points.

Skill Effect 2: Each point of "Supreme Stamina" will increase "Damage Reduction" by 0.12%.

Prompt: This is the basic characteristic "Damage Reduction."

Prompt: "Damage Reduction" can reach a maximum of 95%.

Seeing the characteristics of "Supreme Stamina," Su Xiao knew that he no longer needed to keep "Devouring Dark · Soul Core" active all the time. If his "Supreme Stamina" could reach 170 points, he could increase "Damage Reduction" by 20%, which, combined with the 75% from "Overlord's Power," would reach exactly the maximum value of 95%.

At that time, when facing an enemy, it would be a choice between "Blue Steel · Soul Core" and "Soul Severing · Soul Core." If the enemy's defense is strong, use "Blue Steel · Soul Core" to deal with them; if the enemy's regeneration and self-healing power are invincible, then "Soul Severing · Soul Core" will tell the enemy how sharp his blade really is.

Given the difficulty of improving "Supreme Physical Attributes," even powerful individuals who have stepped into this tier for many years might not necessarily reach a high level. However, Su Xiao has the "Source of Strength," where three "Peak Abilities" are combined into one, so for him, this is just a matter of time.

As for 1 point of Supreme Stamina = 500,000 points of Supreme Health, Su Xiao was not surprised. Previously, after the potential of true attributes above 1000 points was fully stimulated, 1 point of true stamina attribute = 5000 points of health growth. According to the conversion of 100 points of true stamina attribute to 1 point of Supreme Stamina attribute, this growth ratio of 1 to 500,000 is not an improvement.

100 points of true stamina attribute can indeed be converted into 1 point of Supreme Stamina attribute during ascension, but in actual combat, 1 point of Supreme Stamina attribute corresponds to more than just 100 points of true stamina attribute.

After resting for a while, Su Xiao began to awaken "Supreme · Intelligence." As the golden cocoon wrapping the ability shattered, a buzzing sound echoed in his brain, and then he temporarily said goodbye to the material world. When he regained his five senses, his brain felt a sharp pain as if needles were being stabbed into it. After a moment, this feeling disappeared, and his mind became clear.

【Supreme · Intelligence. Lv. EX (Supreme-tier · Passive).】

Skill Effect 1: The "Supreme Mana Growth" brought by 1 point of Supreme Intelligence attribute is increased to 100,000 points.

Skill Effect 2: The total number of "Main Equipment Slots" is increased to 20.

Currently: Main weapon slot, sub-weapon slot, pendant slot, ring slot × 3, arm guard slot × 2 (if wearing rings simultaneously, ring slot equipment will be hidden, no physical characteristic manifestation), armor slot × 4 (head, top + bottom, belt, shoes), hanging ornament slot, badge slot, detection equipment slot, adaptive slot × 5 (if the worn equipment occupies multiple main equipment slots, it will prioritize occupying the worn position, as well as the remaining adaptive · main equipment slots).

Skill Effect 3: Increases technique ability development speed by 3500%.

Skill Effect 4: For every 1 point of Supreme Intelligence attribute increased, permanently increase 30 points of Elemental Affinity.

The change in "Supreme · Intelligence" is actually not large; the key is the last bonus, which is actually increasing "Elemental Affinity." Usually, this attribute increases automatically, but now increasing the Supreme Intelligence attribute actually brings 30 points of Elemental Affinity growth per point. This made Su Xiao, who had just stacked his "Thunder Attribute Resistance" high, suddenly feel that such high thunder resistance might not necessarily be able to withstand the subsequent World Thunder.

The intensity of World Thunder is determined by Su Xiao's true luck attribute and Elemental Affinity. Using his true luck attribute of 28 points to draw World Thunder is no different from not drawing it, so it must be Elemental Affinity.

Su Xiao's current Elemental Affinity of 1522 points is enough to make Spellcasters, who seem expressionless, actually gnash their teeth in hatred. One can imagine the gold content of this level of Elemental Affinity.

If Su Xiao increases his Supreme Intelligence attribute by 10 points, his Elemental Affinity will soar by 300 points. Right now, Su Xiao has 100 "Supreme Free Attribute Points" in his hand.

Without considering these for now, Su Xiao awakened the last Supreme attribute passive. "Supreme · Charm" broke through the golden cocoon. The next second, faint blood-colored threads spread behind him, gradually forming a faint, massive blood beast. The blood beast lurked behind him, seemingly grinning, revealing white, sharp teeth.

【Supreme · Charm. Lv. EX (Supreme-tier · Passive).】

Skill Effect 1: Permanently exempts all debuffs brought by "Negative Charm Attribute."

Skill Effect 2: Your released aura (blood energy) suppression/invasion power +3 (increased by 2).

The improvement of "Supreme · Charm" is as simple and crude as "Supreme · Strength." Interestingly, "Supreme · Strength" being like this is actually normal; 90% of "Supreme Peak" abilities are of 1 or 2 attributes, but for "Supreme · Charm," it is usually a bonus of 6 to 9 attributes.

And there is one more point. Previously, "Supreme · Charm" had a line that said:

"Skill Effect 3: You have not ascended the true charm attribute to the final form 'Supreme Charm Attribute'; this effect cannot be activated."

Su Xiao obviously had no possibility of obtaining the "Supreme Charm Attribute"; it was wishful thinking for him to even have his charm attribute return to a positive number.

But strangely, although this "Skill Effect 3" could not be triggered, Su Xiao's "Supreme · Charm" skill was indeed enhanced, and the enhancement range was not small.

With "Skill Effect 1: Permanently exempts all debuffs brought by negative charm attribute," he only needs to wait for this physical attribute to change naturally in the future.

Su Xiao's improvement during this rest period can be said to be the best in history, but it's not over yet. The real heavyweight cannot appear yet; he needs to let his body relax. With nothing to do, he took out the 【Laughing Ghost Mask】.

This is an "Abyss-tier" piece of equipment. After Su Xiao obtained the Reincarnation-level authority, the ratings of the other three systems—namely Abyss-tier, World-tier, and Overlord-tier—were finally no longer bound to 6000 points, but became:

Overlord-tier rating: 1–30,000 points.

World-tier rating: 10–30,000 points.

Abyss-tier rating: 10–30,000 points.

But do not think that just because they are at full rating, equipment from these three systems can sit on equal footing with Reincarnation-tier. The traditional system is undoubtedly the absolute big brother among the five major systems.

Ranked second is Abyss-tier, third is World-tier. The Overlord system, which is the most ferocious in the mid-to-late stages, is ranked fourth. The fifth, the trait system, is too chaotic, so being at the bottom is inevitable.

In fact, from the 【Soul · Coronation of the King】, a full-rating Reincarnation-tier piece of equipment, one can see how ridiculous the full rating of the traditional system is. As a piece of equipment, it actually possesses a "Supreme Domain," which is a very ridiculous thing.

【Laughing Ghost Mask】

Origin: Bottom of the Abyss.

Quality: Abyss-tier.

Category: Parasitic Mask...

Prompt: Your compatibility with this equipment is extremely high.

Equipment Debuff: Intangible Deterrence (Passive), when negotiating with other intelligent beings, your charm determination -200%.

Prompt: Because your charm attribute is too low, this debuff is ineffective against you.

Rating: 18,500 points.

Introduction: Hahahahaha!!!

Price: Cannot be sold after use.

One attribute of this equipment is different from before. Before Su Xiao ascended to the Supreme Peak, this mask had a warning:

"Warning: Your compatibility with this equipment is extremely high; do not deeply awaken this equipment!"

At this time, this warning has become:

"Prompt: Your compatibility with this equipment is extremely high."

The 【Laughing Ghost Mask】, which has not yet been awakened, is an Abyss-tier piece of equipment with a rating of 18,500 points. If it were awakened...

According to Su Xiao's guess, this is very likely the head of an ancient Astral alien existence that fell into the bottom of the Abyss after its death, and after several epochs of unbridled enhancement by Abyss power, it finally condensed into only this gray-white mask.

The good news is that this has nothing to do with that Astral alien existence, and the branch attributes of this equipment clearly state that although it has "intelligence characteristics," it is not an ancient Astral alien existence.

As a sound, he crushed the crystal sealing the tree roots and touched the tree roots directly with his right hand.

Ten minutes later.

Crack, crack, crack~

The sound of tree roots spreading came. A large number of tree roots spread out from the wall and ceiling in front, occupying half of the room. Su Xiao put away a section of the tree root in his hand and handed over the 【Laughing Ghost Mask】.

The 【Laughing Ghost Mask】 was swept away for a moment, and a few tree roots spread over. Su Xiao raised his hand and touched these tree roots. In the past, this would be no different from seeking death; even if the Frenzy of Overgrowth had no direct malice, it would still be seeking death. But now, Su Xiao is qualified.

A frantic and massive thought and information were transmitted. Su Xiao knew the origin of the 【Laughing Ghost Mask】, which was similar to his guess. The 【Laughing Ghost Mask】 was indeed the legacy of an Astral alien existence, but that Astral alien existence died from the invasion of elements.

This reminded Su Xiao of the elemental catastrophe that ended the ancient era.

Su Xiao took out the only remaining 【Soul Energy Crystal】. The meaning was very clear; this was the content of this transaction. He needed this item. The Frenzy of Overgrowth did not transmit any thoughts, meaning it did not have this item.

He took out the 【Book of Doors】, opened it, tore off half a page of the "Tree-Born Page," and handed it to the Frenzy of Overgrowth. This was the reward for answering the origin of the 【Laughing Ghost Mask】.

After taking away half a page of the "Tree-Born Page," the tree roots in front gradually retracted, and the 【Laughing Ghost Mask】 fell to the ground. When the room returned to its original state, Su Xiao raised his hand, and the 【Laughing Ghost Mask】 was pulled back into his hand by the Spirit Shadow Thread.

He stared at the mask in his hand. He had some confidence that he could stare at it for five seconds without laughing. He gazed at the 【Laughing Ghost Mask】.

1 second, 2 seconds.

Su Xiao suddenly tilted his head, and the corner of his eye twitched imperceptibly. This thing didn't seem easy to control.

Gazing again.

1 second, 2 seconds.

Su Xiao clearly felt his face begin to go numb. If he didn't look away, in the next second, his numb face would begin to have the intention of showing a smile, and then he might laugh wildly.

He took out the "Book of Original Sin," opened the eighth page, and sealing power surged from the page. Dark golden tentacles, like petroleum material, spread out from inside and pulled the 【Laughing Ghost Mask】 into it.

1 minute, 2 minutes.

Su Xiao saw that the 【Laughing Ghost Mask】 on the eighth page gradually changed from its original laughing appearance to being unable to laugh, and began to have some panicked emotions. It can be said that being able to persist for so long is already very rare. The Empress of Eternal Darkness back then only lasted a few seconds before successfully putting on the mask of pain.

When the expression of the 【Laughing Ghost Mask】 began to change, Su Xiao took it out, held it in one hand, and gazed at the mask.

1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, 4 seconds, 5 seconds.

Very good, Su Xiao had successfully obtained the qualification to use this equipment. Obviously, the intelligent 【Laughing Ghost Mask】 knew that if it dared to make this Law-Exterminator laugh wildly, this Law-Exterminator would immediately turn it from a laughing mask into a mask of pain, and it would be increasingly painful and vivid, with nowhere to escape.

Facing this Supreme Peak Law-Exterminator who sealed six "Big Daddy-tier" Original Sin items and had a luck of -13 million, the 【Laughing Ghost Mask】, which had successfully killed 35 holders, seemed to have made a decision at this moment. It decided to submit for now. After all, it was just a mere human race; after a few epochs, when this human died of old age, the one who would ultimately win would definitely be it!