Chapter 111: Let You Out for Some Air
Su Xiao picked up the [Duke of Annihilation] from the table. This sniper cannon was a replacement from a high-rank contractor, with its enhancement level and gem settings all meticulously crafted.
Although the introduction of [Duke of Annihilation] was lengthy, its effect was actually quite simple. First, when Su Xiao was over 500 meters away from an enemy, he could activate the locking function. The next bullet would lock onto any part of the enemy's body and come with a bullet-tracking feature.
That said, there was no need to consider which part to lock onto—it had to be the head. The headshot damage of this thing was too terrifying. Su Xiao seriously suspected that if he took a shot to the head without activating his shield, even if he wasn't instantly killed, he would directly enter a severe injury and near-death state. Moreover, this thing could very likely one-shot kill him.
The [Duke of Annihilation] had three advantages: bullet tracking, terrifying weapon attack power, and the setting effect of the 'Balanced Sequence' gold gem, which increased the rank of firearm-based basic skills by +1 (below specialization level).
Su Xiao currently mastered Firearm Proficiency. If he equipped the [Duke of Annihilation], his basic firearm ability would be elevated to Firearm Specialization. The difference between the two was a 49% increase in firearm weapon attack power, along with various subsequent abilities.
Regarding firearm abilities, Su Xiao no longer planned to invest further resources. Being able to raise it to specialization level now was already an unexpected delight.
Blade Mastery was already driving Su Xiao to bankruptcy. The cost to upgrade beyond Lv.40 had reached an almost absurd level. Not to mention the consumption of Paradise Coins, just the 10 Soul Crystals (Large) per level was enough for Su Xiao to save up for a long time.
If he converted those ten Soul Crystals (Large) into equipment, Su Xiao could definitely acquire many pieces of Gold-quality or Gold sets, or even purchase an entire Gold set.
But as Su Xiao's strength continued to rise, Gold sets would eventually need to be replaced. Blade Mastery was different—it was Su Xiao's intrinsic ability, never needing replacement. Every level-up was a permanent improvement, while equipment was an external ability. The pace of improvement between the two would never be the same.
Simply put, the powerful equipment Su Xiao now obtained belonged to the early stage, except for Dragon-Slaying Flash and Destiny Redemption. Blade Mastery, however, was an ability he could use forever.
Lv.40 Blade Mastery had already far exceeded Su Xiao's current strength level. Even if he stopped upgrading Blade Mastery from now until he advanced to Fourth Rank, it would still be powerful and remain one of his core combat abilities.
Su Xiao wasn't in a hurry to upgrade Blade Mastery for now. He just needed to store up Soul Crystals (Large). His other abilities didn't consume Soul Crystals (Large).
Su Xiao looked at the sniper cannon before him. Even if he claimed to be a long-range sniper, over 95% of contractors would believe him.
The power of [Duke of Annihilation] was beyond doubt, but... its bullets were way too damn expensive. Basic ammunition cost 1,000 Paradise Coins per round, and special ammunition with additional attributes cost 1,500 Paradise Coins per round.
Su Xiao finally understood why Vini, the sniper from the Traveling Group, winced in pain every time she fired a shot. High-powered sniper rifles were essentially using Paradise Coins to blow enemies to death.
There was no rush to replenish ammunition for now. Ten to fifteen bullets per derivative world were enough. Trash wasn't even qualified to be sniped by the [Duke of Annihilation].
Su Xiao stood up and walked out, while Bubu Wang continued to roam the commercial street.
Fifteen minutes later, Su Xiao returned to his exclusive room. He sat at an antique wooden table, placing Dragon-Slashing Flash flat on it. Beside it were five Light Gold longswords and one Light Gold short sword.
Su Xiao activated the Supreme Blade ability, and a black radiance appeared in his hand. The radiance enveloped the six Light Gold weapons.
Crack, crack, crack...
The six Light Gold weapons wrapped in black radiance emitted a series of grinding sounds. These weapons were being crushed, returning to their initial form.
Dozens of seconds later, a wisp of Light Gold crystal fragments drifted out from the radiance. This was the essence of the six Light Gold weapons. These essences floated toward Dragon-Slashing Flash, quickly merging into it.
A golden light enveloped Dragon-Slashing Flash, and the blade gradually became more exquisite. It seemed that just one glance would make one feel cut by Dragon-Slashing Flash's edge.
The golden light grew more dazzling, soon obscuring the Dragon-Slashing Flash inside. Su Xiao had seen this situation several times before—it was the reaction of Dragon-Slashing Flash when it was upgrading. It seemed the six Light Gold weapons were enough for Dragon-Slashing Flash to advance, with even some surplus.
The higher the rank Dragon-Slashing Flash was upgrading to, the longer it took. Su Xiao simply picked up the [Duke of Annihilation] and began disassembling it for routine maintenance.
The [Duke of Annihilation] was extremely precise, but Su Xiao now mastered Firearm Specialization, which greatly enhanced his knowledge of firearms.
The intricately constructed [Duke of Annihilation] was completely disassembled by Su Xiao into 107 parts. The most precise part was the connection point of the scope, which alone had over 70 components.
The total weight of the entire [Duke of Annihilation] was 145 kilograms, nearly 300 jin. If Su Xiao didn't have 82 points of True Strength attribute, he wouldn't even be able to hold it steady while sniping enemies.
The [Duke of Annihilation] was originally designed not for use against humans. It was an ultra-heavy sniper cannon mounted on city walls. When used, it required wearing a mech suit to withstand its terrifying recoil, and the stabilizing mount had to be equipped with a kinetic buffer device. Otherwise, even wearing a mech suit couldn't handle its full recoil. Its intended target was a type of demonic pterosaur over 80 meters in length.
Overall, this was damn well not a gun, but an ultra-heavy sniper cannon of city-defense artillery specifications. This thing could punch through a 4-meter-thick special alloy plate with one shot.
And now, Su Xiao planned to use it to snipe hostile contractors or plot creatures. As for the recoil, he directly ignored it. With 82 points of True Strength and 82 points of True Stamina, he could completely disregard this thing's recoil.
As for fitting a silencer on the [Duke of Annihilation], forget it. Any silencer below Light Gold quality would definitely explode after one shot.
Su Xiao maintained the [Duke of Annihilation] and then reassembled it. To understand a gun, disassembling and reassembling it was the best way.
Just as he finished reassembling the [Duke of Annihilation], the golden light on Dragon-Slashing Flash faded.
Su Xiao grasped the hilt of Dragon-Slashing Flash. The feel of the blade hadn't changed, but the overall impression the sword gave was different.
Su Xiao didn't check Dragon-Slashing Flash's attributes. Instead, he activated the Supreme Blade ability again, and a mass of black light appeared in his hand.
At the same time, he took out two demon scythes from his storage space, [Demon Scythe·Hapodia].
"You trying to suffocate me!"
The angry voice of Demon Scythe·Hapodia transmitted into Su Xiao's mind. Demon Scythe·Hapodia communicated through consciousness.
"I was busy before. Now I'm letting you out for some air."
Black radiance surged on Su Xiao's right hand as he directly grabbed the two demon scythes.
"Then... just throw me back in to stew."
Demon Scythe·Hapodia no longer had its usual arrogance. This time, a tremor appeared in its voice.