Chapter 90: I've laid my heart bare, and you're talking about surrender?

The goblin tribe isn't small when called small, nor large when called large.

In a short while, Su Hao arrived at the village's center.

「Abababa! 」

At that moment, goblin after goblin suddenly sprang out from behind the surrounding weeds and inside the houses; at a glance there were no fewer than one or two hundred of them.

Among these ordinary goblins, there were also five that stood over two meters tall, wore heavy armor, and wielded great axes—heavy-armored goblin warriors.

These heavy-armored goblin warriors are Supernatural First Rank monsters, and with another one or two hundred ordinary goblins assisting from the side.

Even some Supernatural Second Rank individuals, upon entering such an encirclement, might find themselves somewhat flustered in dealing with it.

However, Su Hao seemed not to see these goblins at all; his gaze stared straight ahead, his face showing delight.

Before him stood a dilapidated house, and from it emerged a monster over two meters tall, obese, its entire body flowing with bright red blood, wielding a butcher's knife.

With each step he took, a large pool of bright red blood was left on the ground, as if endless blood flowed from his body.

「Shh! Good brother, you don't need to say anything in your heart; I know what to do! 」

Su Hao nodded solemnly, then with a 'pat' sound, he lightly snapped his fingers.

「Crimson Touch! 」

Around Su Hao's body appeared five pools of bright red blood, from which five crimson tentacles, each over thirty centimeters in diameter and about three meters long, extended.

Sweeping toward the nearby goblins, they instantly flung dozens of goblins away, including two heavy-armored goblin warriors.

But that wasn't the end; almost as soon as Su Hao summoned the five crimson tentacles, he snapped his fingers again.

「Blood Flame Technique! 」

The next moment.

On those five crimson tentacles, blood-red flames over half a meter high ignited.

After using the Twin Souls, Su Hao possessed a single body with two souls, allowing him to use two different magics simultaneously, which was incredibly easy.

Just as Su Hao cast the Blood Flame Technique, before he could control them, the blood-flame‑covered crimson tentacles launched an attack.

He then felt a flame‑like rune deep in his soul suddenly turn brighter red, consuming a large amount of his mental power at once.

【Congratulations, the proficiency of Blood Flame Technique has reached Expert, and both its casting speed and the temperature of the blood flame have been increased.】

「Oh ho, there's an unexpected gain; from today onward, Bloody Butcher, you are also my good brother! 」

Looking at the message that popped up before him, Su Hao raised his eyebrows and showed a brilliant smile.

The Blood Flame Technique was the first combat skill Su Hao obtained, yet raising its proficiency is the most difficult.

Although he acquired Crimson Touch and Arcane Missile later, their proficiencies had already reached Expert, while the Blood Flame Technique's proficiency remained only at the entry level.

Being able to raise the Blood Flame Technique's proficiency to Expert today is indeed a pleasant surprise.

After the Blood Flame Technique's proficiency reached Expert, Su Hao could clearly feel a stronger aura from the technique's rune within his soul.

Henceforth, the time required to use the Blood Flame Technique will be greatly reduced, though the mental power consumed will increase; however, given Su Hao's current mental power, this extra consumption is utterly negligible.

Nevertheless, the Blood Flame Technique's power also grows stronger, its temperature becomes more scorching, and it becomes harder to extinguish.

From the blood flame on the Crimson Touch, one can clearly sense the increase in the Blood Flame Technique's power.

Originally, the blood flame burning on the crimson tentacles was only about half a meter high.

But as proficiency rose and more mental power flowed into the Blood Flame Technique's rune, the blood flame on the crimson tentacles suddenly surged to eighty or ninety centimeters.

The flame's temperature also became more scorching, increasing by at least half.

Some nearby dry grass ignited instantly, and the flame quickly spread outward, gradually setting the surrounding houses on fire.

「We must seize the moment and send our good brother off. 」

Although the Blood Flame Technique, when used for detoxification and healing, cannot cause any harm to oneself.

But when used as an attack, the blood flame's temperature is what it is; if at this moment the blood flame were to fall on oneself, it would likewise burn one's body.

Moreover, the surrounding flames continue to spread outward, showing a tendency to set the entire village ablaze.

Even with Su Hao's current physique, if he lingers too long in this sea of fire, he would likely be badly burned.

Of course, this slight burn would not harm Su Hao, but his clothes and pants—well, that's another matter……

Therefore, Su Hao decided not to waste any more time; he focused on two things at once, controlling the five blood‑flame‑burning crimson tentacles to launch indiscriminate attacks on the surrounding goblins.

Crimson tentacles combined with blood flame form a combined skill that can knock even a Supernatural Second Rank phantom monster helpless; for these ordinary goblins around, it's literally a touch‑and‑death situation.

Whether struck by the crimson tentacles or ignited by the blood flame, they let out a wail, then collapsed motionless, losing their lives forever.

Even the five Supernatural First Rank heavy‑armored goblin warriors, under the combination of crimson tentacles and blood flame, offered no resistance whatsoever.

A casual swipe of the crimson tentacle sent them flying; their armor suffered severe deformation, and strands of blood flame landing on their bodies ignited the blood within.

Su Hao paid little attention to the surrounding goblins; he extended his right hand flat, and a black‑handed axe about two meters long, wholly black and engraved with special patterns, appeared in his grip.

With a 'bang', the Gravity Rock Axe slammed heavily into the ground, blasting a deep pit.

Immediately after.

Su Hao used his mental power to adjust the Gravity Rock Axe's weight, then dragged it along the ground, plowing a ferocious rift as he sprinted toward the Bloody Butcher.

「Abababa! 」

The Bloody Butcher let out a strange cry, his eyes narrowing as a special energy emanated from his eyes, enveloping Su Hao.

The next moment.

Su Hao then felt his blood throughout his body, as if uncontrollable, surge toward his heart and brain, attempting to burst them.

Uncontrollable?

「Playing blood control with a Blood‑Flesh Controller like me? That's an interesting idea! 」

Su Hao gave a light chuckle, his steps unceasing, and the Blood‑Flesh Controller rune deep in his soul flickered slightly; the violent blood instantly calmed.

「Abababa?! 」

Feeling that he had lost control over the blood on Su Hao's body, the Bloody Butcher's ferocious, ugly face showed an expression of disbelief.

How come? Why can't I control his blood? I am but a second-rank supernatural being; even if this human is also a second-rank supernatural, it shouldn't be this fast for his blood to escape my control!

Could this human be a third-rank supernatural? Thinking this, the Blood Butcher's facial expression kept changing, and he glanced at the five scarlet tentacles around him, burning with blazing flames, slaughtering goblins, further cementing his belief.

If those tentacles lash me, I'd probably get badly hurt too.

Moreover, he is immune to my blood control; even if this human isn't a third-rank supernatural, he's certainly not an ordinary second-rank supernatural.

If we keep fighting like this, I doubt I'll gain anything! To save his own life, the Blood Butcher immediately went 'plop' and knelt on the ground, begging Su Hao for mercy.

Su Hao: ……

As expected, even though this goblin has mutated into a Blood Butcher, he still hasn't changed that fence-sitter trait.

Upon encountering a stronger opponent, without a second thought he chose to defect.

With that fence-sitter trait, even if the Blood Butcher weren't contaminated by an ominous curse and became a pollution source, Su Hao could not possibly take him under his command.

If he really took in the Blood Butcher, who knows—one day a knife might end up stabbed in his own kidney.

Hmm……

There's still a main reason: the Blood Butcher is just too ugly, constantly bleeding, and cleaning up after him is a hassle, alright?

Moreover, this Blood Butcher is Su Hao's close bro, the kind who can bare their hearts to each other—how could he accept the other's surrender? 'If you can withstand this axe strike of mine, I'll consider your surrender.'

Of course, just considering it. Su Hao gave a light smile, sprinted to a point about five meters in front of the Blood Butcher, gripped the Gravity Rock Axe with both hands, and spun his body faster and faster for two rotations.

Immediately after.

He pushed off hard with his right foot, leapt high into the air, tilted and rotated once in midair, gradually converting horizontal force into vertical, then came down hard on the Blood Butcher below.

'Ababa!'

The Blood Butcher let out a strange cry, gripped both ends of his butcher knife with both hands, exerted all his strength, and held it above his head.

This human is clearly a master; he'll surely keep his word—if I can block this axe strike, I can at least save my life.

Although I'm no match for this human, with my vitality he couldn't possibly cleave me in one axe strike! Clang—Su Hao's body, after spinning once in midair, came down heavily with the axe on the Blood Butcher's butcher knife, accompanied by a crisp ringing sound as the knife was cleanly split in two.

After cleaving the Blood Butcher's knife, the Gravity Rock Axe's force did not diminish in the least, continuing down toward his head.

All that was heard was a 'pfft' as the Gravity Rock Axe struck the Blood Butcher's head.

It was like chopping tofu—starting from the top of the Blood Butcher's head and cutting all the way down to between his legs, splitting his body in half.

Finally, the Gravity Rock Axe slammed heavily onto the ground, blasting a crater one to two meters in diameter beneath the Blood Butcher's feet.

Normally, if a person is struck by an axe from the head down, splitting the whole body in half, they'd be dead beyond doubt.

But the Blood Butcher is an exception; although his expression twisted from the intense pain.

Yet he endured the agony, controlling his feet, slowly bringing his bisected body together as fresh red sprouts grew from the wound, gradually rejoining the two halves.

Barring any mishap, given enough time, the Blood Butcher's body could fully recover.

However, before the Blood Butcher could feel relieved, he heard Su Hao speak solemnly:

'Hmm… close bro, I know you don't want to live like this either, so I gave it serious thought and still decided, per your wishes, not to accept your surrender!'

What kind of joke is this? I've already bared my heart to you—you won't even let me bare my heart in return? Blood Butcher:???

Upon hearing Su Hao's words, the Blood Butcher seemed to feel no pain at all, his expression turning dazed.

'No, you've got a problem, huh? What do you mean by knowing my thoughts? My thought is just to stay alive—how did you figure I don't want to live? I damn well can still change, can't I?!' Su Hao ignored what the Blood Butcher was thinking, a faint smile on his face, right hand gripping the Gravity Rock Axe and pulling it back, stepping back one foot, then quickly rotating counterclockwise a full turn.

All that was heard was a 'pfft' as the Scarlet Butcher, whose body had been split in two, was struck sideways by an axe, cutting him into six pieces—four body parts and two severed arms.

But that wasn't the end; immediately after, Su Hao unleashed a second axe strike, a third…

After chopping away with over a dozen axe blows, once the sprouts in the Blood Butcher's wounds lost all vitality, Su Hao finally stopped.

'If you lack sufficient strength, no matter how strong your regenerative power, in the end it only adds to your own suffering!'

Gazing at the Blood Butcher's corpse hacked into dozens of pieces, Su Hao couldn't help but remark:

His ability is somewhat similar to the Blood Butcher's—both possess supernatural regenerative power.

From this battle, Su Hao saw his own reflection; if it weren't for his strength surpassing the Blood Butcher's, the one being repeatedly hacked apart would have been Su Hao himself!

After this fight, Su Hao's resolve to grow stronger became even firmer.

'Close bro, rest in peace—I'll carry your share and grow stronger together!'

Looking at the Blood Butcher's scattered remains on the ground, Su Hao grinned—this chance to grow stronger isn't exactly with this 'close bro'? Then, with a thought, he stored all the Blood Butcher's fragments in his Storage Bag, dispelled the summon of the scarlet tentacles, and strode out of the blazing goblin tribe.

He ran until the forest beside the goblin tribe, then Su Hao finally stopped and took out the Blood Butcher's corpse fragments once more.

'Refine!'

The next moment.

The Blood Butcher's corpse fragments were enveloped by a scarlet beam of light.

Although the Blood Butcher is considerably weaker than stone men and wraiths, he is nonetheless a second-rank supernatural monster.

The refinement process takes considerable time; if done in the village, likely half‑refined it would already be roasted by the fire.

After more than an hour, the scarlet light sphere encasing the Blood Butcher's fragments suddenly burst with dazzling bloody light.

Then the scarlet light sphere vanished, leaving on the ground over twenty drops of jelly‑like polluted blood, a pulsating scarlet heart, still beating regularly.

And a fresh chunk of meat, from which sprouts continually grow, turning into new flesh and increasing the chunk's volume.

Those twenty‑odd drops of jelly‑like polluted blood are called Contaminated Blood, the only one of its kind Su Hao knows; as for the other two, he has never seen them.

But Su Hao has the Item Appraisal Technique at his disposal—does it matter whether he recognizes them or not?

Su Hao first picked up that heart, which seemed alive, and applied the Item Appraisal Technique to it.

If all goes well, this should be the primary ingredient needed to concoct a second‑rank blood mage's potion.

【Blood Butcher's Heart】

Supernatural Grade: Second Rank

Effect: Upon consumption it can strengthen the physique and grant a certain chance to obtain powerful regenerative ability.

However, after taking it there is also a certain chance to undergo mutation and become a second‑rank Blood Butcher.

The Bloody Butcher's heart is also a primary material for refining Blood Mage and Blood Warrior magic potions.

……

Nice! The primary materials for the Second-Rank Blood Mage's magic potion are now all gathered.

Su Hao grinned, placing the heart into his Storage Bag.

To refine a Second-Rank Blood Mage's magic potion, two supernatural-grade materials are needed in total, one of which is the Bloody Butcher's heart.

The other supernatural material has no specific requirement; any Second-Rank supernatural blood will do.

Su Hao currently has the most Second-Rank supernatural blood in his possession—just the Crimson Blood, and he still has over a hundred drops! As for the missing auxiliary material—10 grams of Chicken Blood Vine powder—that's no problem; after Su Hao posted a trade in the group yesterday, over a dozen people indicated they had it for sale.

Su Hao entrusted this matter to Ling Xue'er to handle uniformly, asking her to bring all the received items together when she comes next time.

By then, they will be able to refine the Second-Rank Blood Mage's magic potion.

"Once I return this time, I'll practically be able to start advancing!"

Su Hao looked up at the sky, a hopeful smile appearing on his face.

After advancing to Second Rank, the conjectures about supernatural items like the Wraith Bandages can finally be put into practice.

Afterward, Su Hao stopped thinking further, turned his gaze to the pulsing lump of flesh, and used the Item Appraisal Technique again.

【Proliferating Flesh】

Supernatural Grade: First Rank

Effect: Proliferating Flesh can absorb surrounding energy to sprout buds and increase its flesh volume.

……

"Turning energy into flesh? Not a bad food source."

Su Hao nodded, placing the Proliferating Flesh into his Storage Bag.

If it were a few days earlier, something capable of endlessly growing flesh would be a good source of clean blood for Su Hao.

But now that he has the Crimson Tendrils, who the hell would want ordinary blood like that!

However, as food it's still not bad—after all, it's a lump of meat with no pollution that can infinitely regenerate as long as there's sufficient energy.

"Wait! Infinitely regenerating flesh?!"

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Su Hao's mind, recalling the infected cell he had 'picked up' at Old Man Andrew's house.

(End of Chapter)