Chapter 976

Su Xiao sat on a bed newly purchased by Bubu Wang, his expression thoughtful—he still had many things to do.

First, he needed a large sum of Paradise Coins to upgrade Alchemy Bio-creation and to manufacture high-tier alchemical creatures, a considerable expense.

Second was the Soul Essence of the Resurrection Dragon—he planned to use it to enhance his Qinggangying ability; the high-tier biological energy within the essence had long tempted him, making it ideal for boosting Qinggangying. If he fully consumed the essence’s energy, his Qinggangying ability would reach an astonishing level.

Moreover, he suspected Bubu Wang could also absorb this high-tier biological energy; Bubu Wang gained strength by consuming the flesh of high-tier creatures, so perhaps he could devour the essence’s energy too.

This matter could wait. Su Xiao needed to finish other tasks first, then calmly consume the essence—the use of the Devouring Core carried risk: the danger of transforming from the Law-Annihilating Shadow into a Blade Demon.

The Law-Annihilating Shadow was already hunted by all in the Void—what if he became a Blade Demon…?

Su Xiao had never considered becoming a Blade Demon. Yes, Blade Demons were powerful, but in their early stage, they lost their sanity, driven solely by the urge to slaughter every living thing before them, devoid of self-awareness—no different from death. Even if awareness returned later, it would no longer be Su Xiao, but some new consciousness forged in slaughter—not a complete mind.

Becoming a Blade Demon = Death. Therefore, Su Xiao could not afford the slightest mistake while consuming energy—it would mean “death.”

Su Xiao rose and walked toward the door of his private room. After a moment’s hesitation, Bubu Wang followed—but once outside, the man and the dog went their separate ways.

Bubu Wang was a dog with his own thoughts and interests, not a familiar spirit. Outside the derivative worlds, Bubu Wang often wandered off—or rather, he had more acquaintances within the Reincarnation Paradise than Su Xiao did.

Su Xiao headed straight for the Trading Market. One of his hobbies was growing stronger—but why grow stronger? Did strength need a purpose? Not at all. Gradually becoming stronger was itself the purpose; only by being strong enough could one live as one wished.

The Trading Market was packed with people; merchants and vendors chattered incessantly, some even trying to swindle newcomers.

Su Xiao approached his usual stall—and unexpectedly encountered an “acquaintance.”

The acquaintance wore a half-face mask and looked furtive.

“What did you do to anger someone?”

Su Xiao crouched before the stall. His sudden question made the acquaintance jump.

“Phew—it’s Baiye. I thought Stan’s people had found me.”

The acquaintance looked utterly defeated. He had partnered with Su Xiao twice: once in a Survival Trial, once in the Holy Grail World. Yes—he was Wu San.

Wu San had clearly suffered something—he’d lost weight, and “Brother, you’ve thinned out” was the perfect phrase for him.

“Because of what happened in the Holy Grail World?”

Wu San had fought alongside Su Xiao against Stan’s men in the Holy Grail World—being hunted by Stan now was only natural.

“It’s far worse than that.”

Wu San sighed, his eyes filled with complex emotion.

“What? Did you sleep with Stan’s wife?”

Su Xiao tossed Wu San a cigarette—but Wu San didn’t take it. The cigarette fell to the ground.

“How did you know??”

Wu San’s eyes widened in disbelief. Su Xiao’s hand, halfway to his mouth with the cigarette, froze. The silence was excruciating.

After a long pause, Su Xiao muttered, “Impressive.” Wu San could only offer a helpless smile.

“You probably won’t believe me—I slept with Stan’s wife in the real world. It was supposed to be a one-night stand… but then… she started clinging to me, demanding a divorce from Stan.”

At this point, Wu San was questioning his entire life.

Su Xiao pulled two cans of beer from his storage space and gestured for Wu San to continue. Wu San pried open the can and gulped down several swallows.

“Life…”

Wu San began recounting how he met Stan’s wife and described her wifely beauty—in short, this was a “sad” story.

“I don’t know why, but Huangfen is hunting me harder than Stan himself.”

This statement carried heavy implications: Stan’s wife was Huangfen’s sister-in-law. If the sister-in-law had cheated, why was Huangfen so furious? A question worth pondering.

“All I can do is look out for myself. Thanks for the beer—I’m off.”

Wu San packed his things and left, no longer planning to sell. Su Xiao sat at the empty stall and quickly pushed the tangled emotions of Wu San, Stan, Stan’s wife, and Huangfen out of his mind. Wu San was just unlucky—a middle-aged single man occasionally chasing romance was normal, but sleeping with Stan’s wife?

Thinking of it, Su Xiao almost laughed—but Wu San hadn’t gone far yet, and laughing now would be inappropriate.

Su Xiao had little to sell: the [Will of Fire] necklace he’d replaced. As a pale gold necklace, it would fetch a high price.

Su Xiao priced the [Will of Fire] at 430,000 Paradise Coins. Previously, the White Lady and Black Mister—both pale gold gear—had sold together for 320,000 Paradise Coins.

Compared to the White-Black weapons, the [Will of Fire] had a much broader audience. Necklaces could be worn by anyone, regardless of class, and the [Will of Fire] reduced mental control effects and enhanced pain tolerance.

In under five minutes, dozens of Contractors gathered around the stall, their clamoring questions giving Su Xiao a headache. He simply changed the price to 1 Paradise Coin and put it up for auction.

The onlookers cursed him as a scoundrel, then began bidding on the [Will of Fire]. Necklaces were rare, let alone pale gold ones.

About half an hour later, the [Will of Fire] sold for 470,000 Paradise Coins. The winning bidder regretted it bitterly—he’d refused to buy at 430,000 and now paid 40,000 extra.

With 474,500 Paradise Coins in hand, Su Xiao first transferred 20,000 to Bubu Wang. That idiot had spent heavily on those [Pure Black Carbon Stones], draining his petty cash.

With ample Paradise Coins, Su Xiao headed straight for his private room.

Back in his private room, Su Xiao entered the alchemy lab, converted from his study, sat before the workbench, and opened his skill list.

[Alchemy]

Tier 1: Alchemy Bomb Creation: Lv.20 (Maxed).

Tier 2: Alchemy Potion Creation: Lv.20 (Maxed).

Tier 3: Alchemy Bio-Creation: Lv.1 (Proficiency 1876/10).

[Upgrade Alchemy Bio-Creation Lv.1. Cost: 5,000 Paradise Coins per upgrade. Upgrade? Yes/No.]

…

The cost to upgrade Alchemy Bio-Creation made Su Xiao frown. Each level of Bomb and Potion Creation had only cost 500 Paradise Coins.

Fortunately, he had enough Paradise Coins. Su Xiao began upgrading Alchemy Bio-Creation.

[Alchemy Bio-Creation upgraded to Lv.2.]

[Alchemy Bio-Creation upgraded to Lv.3.]

[Alchemy Bio-Creation upgraded to Lv.4.]

…

[Alchemy Bio-Creation upgraded to Lv.10.]

Vast knowledge of Alchemy Bio-Creation linked together in Su Xiao’s mind—the accumulated results of his time in the Void.

[Prompt: Alchemy Bio-Creation Lv.10 upgraded. Cost per upgrade now: 10,000 Paradise Coins. Upgrade? Yes/No.]

The price doubled. Su Xiao wondered if Paradise was trying to exploit him—he didn’t yet know that even higher costs awaited.

Even at 10,000 per level, Su Xiao pressed on.

[Alchemy Bio-Creation upgraded to Lv.11.]

[Alchemy Bio-Creation upgraded to Lv.12.]

[Alchemy Bio-Creation upgraded to Lv.13.]

…

[Alchemy Bio-Creation upgraded to Lv.20.]

[Prompt: Alchemy Bio-Creation has reached max level.]

[Unlocked Bio-Creation Blueprint: Deathclaw (Agility Type).]

[Unlocked Bio-Creation Blueprint: Overseer (Recon Type).]

[Unlocked Bio-Creation Blueprint: Bazelle (Strength Type).]

ps: (No update yesterday. How to make amends? Only with five updates!)