Chapter 977: Extorting

Alchemy Lifeform Creation reached Lv.20, unlocking three recipes: Deathclaw and Bazel are advanced alchemy lifeforms, though far from the likes of Wolf Steward, which possesses individual will; the Supervisor is a mid-tier alchemy lifeform.

Deathclaw is an agility-type, Bazel is a strength-type; both possess formidable abilities, but neither is the alchemy lifeform Su Xiao desires—he seeks a stamina-type.

The advantages of a stamina-type alchemy lifeform are threefold: first, it can block enemy attacks for Su Xiao at critical moments; second, it possesses control abilities; third, it can sustain prolonged engagement with enemies. If Su Xiao faces multiple foes simultaneously, the survival capability of his alchemy lifeform must be as high as possible.

The ideal alchemy lifeform should be medium-sized, humanoid or canine in form, requiring no high intelligence—only the ability to follow basic commands like follow or attack.

Unfortunately, none of the three lifeform blueprints meet this criterion. To obtain new blueprints, it’s not enough to merely spend Paradise Coins—you also need a degree of luck.

After a moment’s hesitation, Su Xiao pulled out a card, similar in appearance to a bank card, one side marked with “24k.”

After activating the card, Su Xiao put it away. About five minutes later, his Reincarnation Mark received an email.

【Welcome to the Black Flag Trading Company.】

Su Xiao began replying.

“Alchemy lifeform blueprints—higher rank preferred. Stamina-type only.”

After Su Xiao sent his message, the Black Flag Trading Company signaled to wait. Around half an hour later, a new email appeared.

This email contained numerous images—each displaying details of a lifeform blueprint. The blueprints ranged from purple to gold quality, with gold-tier blueprints being rare, totaling only three.

Seeing such a large number of alchemy lifeform blueprints, Su Xiao was surprised. He had previously purchased bomb and potion blueprints, but both were prohibitively expensive and of low quality.

Su Xiao had merely contacted the black merchant out of curiosity—yet he’d stumbled upon an unexpected windfall.

Such a vast quantity of lifeform blueprints suggests low demand among Contracted Ones. Why would alchemy lifeforms—fearless, loyal fighters—have such low demand?

Su Xiao attempted to craft Deathclaw. A prompt appeared.

【To substitute required materials, consume 120,000 Paradise Coins and 2 Medium Soul Crystals.】

120,000 Paradise Coins plus 2 Medium Soul Crystals—this counterfeiting cost was already outrageous. The coins were manageable, but 2 Medium Soul Crystals would cripple many Contracted Ones. Soul Crystals are used to upgrade skills; most would never waste them crafting alchemy lifeforms.

Deathclaw’s blueprint was likely dark purple. A gold-tier blueprint would cost even more—and the resulting alchemy lifeform would be correspondingly stronger.

Su Xiao messaged the black merchant, proposing a meeting. To his surprise, the black merchant hesitated—leaving Su Xiao puzzled.

Su Xiao didn’t know that among second- and third-tier Contracted Ones, his name was already feared. Merely by opposing the Blood Gate Adventuring Team as a lone wolf, he’d already stunned most third-tier Contracted Ones—making it impossible to remain anonymous.

What shocked them even more was that Su Xiao still thrived after provoking Stan.

The black merchant hesitated because he’d heard a rumor: Su Xiao was utterly unreasonable; a single glance from him could cost you your head.

Of course, rumors weren’t entirely trustworthy. Moreover, the black merchant 24k had once traded with Su Xiao—both sides profited. The gold-tier dagger Su Xiao sold him had launched Black Flag Trading Company’s reputation at a single auction, triggering a snowball effect. As trust improved, numerous lone wolves began entrusting the company to sell their goods.

Originally, Black Flag Trading Company had been infamous in the Derivative World for overcharging on potions—its reputation was terrible. Fortunately, its chairman, Qian Dapang, had foresight. He even operated at a loss, solely to cleanse the company’s image.

Qian Dapang succeeded. Today, Black Flag Trading Company is regarded as a rising star among trading firms, with an outstanding reputation. Earning commissions from selling gold-tier items has become routine. Qian Dapang’s status has skyrocketed. Rumors say his company’s vast trade network has extended his time in the Derivative World by over a year—he has proven his value in a specific field and earned recognition from the Reincarnation Paradise. Compared to his personal entry into the Derivative World, his company matters far more.

From a masked, potion-marketing street peddler to the owner of a vast trading empire and terrifying quantities of Paradise Coins, Qian Dapang is undoubtedly a remarkable man. His talent isn’t combat—it’s commerce.

Setting aside Qian Dapang’s rise, inside a café in the Reincarnation Paradise, Su Xiao waited for news from the black merchant 24k.

The café’s music was soothing. A cup of coffee sat untouched before Su Xiao—he was immersed in a game.

“Late, aren’t you?”

The black merchant 24k, fully wrapped and wearing a black skull mask, sat across from Su Xiao.

“Hmm.”

Su Xiao grunted, still engrossed in his game. Seeing this, the black merchant’s mouth twitched beneath his mask. In his mind, Su Xiao was a cold, ruthless killer who slaughtered at the slightest provocation—yet here, the legendary killer was lost in a game…

The black merchant 24k didn’t know that Su Xiao had nearly sliced Er Zhuzi to pieces with his tablet. Had Dai-tu not intervened, Er Zhuzi would almost certainly be dead.

“Here are the blueprints.”

The black merchant placed a dozen blueprints on the table. Their pale gold and gold glows drew the attention of the female shopkeeper nearby.

Su Xiao set down his tablet and began scanning the blueprints—he’d already chosen one.

【Alchemy Lifeform Blueprint】

Origin: Third-Tier Low-Intensity Battlefield

Quality: Gold

Type: Knowledge-Based Skill Scroll

Effect: Upon use, learn the blueprint for crafting Frost Bullman.

Prerequisites: Alchemy Lifeform Creation Lv.20, Intelligence 70.

Rating: 328 points (Gold scrolls range from 310–400 points)

Description: Frost Bullman is a unique product of Alchemy.

Price: 27,000 Paradise Coins (This is a knowledge-based skill scroll, priced lower than usual).

…

Seeing the price at which the Reincarnation Paradise sold this 【Alchemy Lifeform Blueprint】, Su Xiao had already guessed it wasn’t selling well.

As for why Black Flag Trading Company bought it—the reason was simple: they hoarded it. Once they found a Contracted One who needed it, they’d gouge him mercilessly.

Su Xiao was now the target of the black merchant’s gouging. Very few Contracted Ones specifically sought alchemy lifeform blueprints—unlike popular potion blueprints, these were notoriously hard to sell.