Chapter 59: The Naive Princess
The Longsword Wielder: Sky had fallen in battle, yet the green flames still blazed fiercely. This should be the Ghostly Flame, a necessary condition to unlock the inner checkpoint of the tomb.
Just as Su Xiao killed the Longsword Wielder: Sky, a notification appeared.
[You have slain the Longsword Wielder: Sky.]
[You have obtained Ancient Undead Essence x3.]
...
Three black crystal fragments appeared in Su Xiao's hand. Killing the Longsword Wielder: Sky yielded neither World Source nor a treasure chest, and since Su Xiao's Soul Devourer talent had already absorbed 200 mana points, there was no permanent mana increase either.
Su Xiao examined the black crystal fragments in his hand. Each was about the size of a thumbnail, smooth to the touch, and contained an energy he had never seen before.
[Ancient Undead Essence]
Origin: Shia World · Shia Sanctum.
Quality: None
Type: Rare Material
Effect 1: Each Undead Essence can be exchanged for 3% World Source (usable only in this world).
Effect 2: Each Undead Essence can be exchanged for 80,000 Paradise Coins (exchangeable only within this world).
Effect 3: Can be exchanged for Dark Purple to Gold quality set treasure chests (exchange at the Sanctum Scholar, located at: Heaven-Shaking Hall · Side Hall).
Effect 4: Can be used directly, permanently increasing Abnormal Resistance by 3 points, Health Points by 80, and Mana Points by 50 (maximum of 3 can be used).
Rating: None
Description: The soul essence of an ancient bloodline undead, extremely rare.
...
Seeing the information on the Undead Essence, Su Xiao understood why killing the Longsword Wielder: Sky only yielded three pieces.
First, each Undead Essence was equivalent to 3% World Source or 80,000 Paradise Coins. If neither was needed, it could be exchanged for a set treasure chest at a designated location in the tomb.
Even if all three options were unnecessary, it could be used directly to enhance one's abilities, but only a maximum of three.
Su Xiao stored the [Ancient Undead Essence]. Even if he planned to use it for self-enhancement, now was not the time. Based on past experience, using enhancement items was never a quick process, and it must never be done in a dangerous situation.
The number of [Ancient Undead Essence] obtained essentially determined how much benefit Su Xiao could gain within the Shia Sanctum.
The high World Source and Paradise Coins were tempting, not to mention the set treasure chests and ability enhancements. Naturally, the more [Ancient Undead Essence], the better.
Even if Su Xiao didn't use them in the Shia Sanctum, he could store them and sell them in the Trade Market. Enhancement potions or items were among the most popular commodities.
The reward for killing the Longsword Wielder: Sky seemed generous, but one must not forget that Gauss had participated in the battle. Gauss's involvement would drastically reduce the rewards. Under normal circumstances, the Longsword Wielder: Sky would have dropped at least five to six Undead Essences. Even if directly exchanged for Paradise Coins, that would be over 400,000 Paradise Coins, and the Undead Essence could fetch an even higher price in the Trade Market.
No wonder the Shia Sanctum was a hidden area; just killing the Longsword Wielder: Sky yielded such rewards.
Su Xiao wiped the blood off the Dragon-Slaying Flash and sheathed the blade. He looked toward a metal archway not far away.
This metal archway was seven meters high and four meters wide, with fist-sized holes along its edges. At its center was a flame pattern.
Based on his guess, opening this metal archway required the scorching heat of the Ghostly Flame.
"Wah~"
A sobbing sound came from the naive princess, who was crouched on the ground wiping her tears. In front of her was a pile of ashes—Gauss's remains.
"He's dead. Crying won't help. We need to go deeper into the tomb."
Su Xiao approached Alisa Herbert. Alisa looked up at him, her eyes blurred with tears, like a lost little beast. Earlier, when Su Xiao kicked Gauss away, Amu had just blocked Alisa's view, and Bubu Wang had signaled Amu to do so.
In Alisa Herbert's view, Gauss had suddenly charged at the Longsword Wielder: Sky, was surrounded, and died after being overwhelmed.
Earlier, Alisa had wanted Su Xiao to support Gauss, but Su Xiao's excuse was that he was injured from fighting the Longsword Wielder: Sky and needed to rest.
Even if Alisa knew the truth about Gauss's death, Su Xiao had ways to handle it. The difference was whether Alisa would cooperate in activating the mechanisms ahead.
"Keep moving."
Su Xiao grabbed Alisa by the back of her collar, lifted her from the ground, and made her stand steady.
"Gauss... he... he..."
Alisa sniffled. No wonder she was so heartbroken; Gauss was the one who had been with her the longest.
"He's dead."
Su Xiao was terrible at comforting girls. Hearing this, tears began to well up in Alisa's eyes again.
"He died to protect me..." Alisa's tears fell, and she struggled to hold back her sobs.
"Don't flatter yourself. He died to get out of the tomb."
The moment Su Xiao finished speaking, Alisa burst into loud sobs. This gave Su Xiao a headache. Just as he was debating whether to knock her out and carry her away, her sobs gradually weakened.
"Father and Gauss are watching me from heaven. I can't let them down."
Although Alisa was a bit naive, her self-comforting ability was top-notch—a skill honed from staying indoors.
Bubu Wang rolled his eyes, as if to say, "Your father and Gauss aren't good people. They can't possibly go to heaven. Especially your father—that old lion might not even be accepted by hell."
Alisa, of course, didn't understand Bubu Wang's meaning. She thought Bubu Wang was comforting her, so she hugged him tightly, and her eyes started to redden again.
Bang.
With a soft thud, Alisa immediately fell unconscious. Su Xiao lifted her and tossed her to Amu. He had no time to waste here.
Su Xiao observed the surroundings, but after a few dozen seconds, an unexpected situation arose.
"Wah~"
Alisa whimpered and then woke up. This surprised Su Xiao, and Bubu Wang looked utterly astonished.
"Did I just fall asleep?"
Alisa looked at Su Xiao with a confused expression, making the situation extremely awkward.
The reason Su Xiao hadn't knocked Alisa out was twofold: first, her physique was special, and second, he hadn't used much force. With his strength, if he lost control, he could shatter her neck bones.
"That's right. You slept for ten hours."
Su Xiao had already formulated a response.
"I... slept that long?"
Alisa was completely bewildered.
"We waited here for ten hours for you to wake up."
"This..."
Alisa felt a bit guilty. She held her aching neck and struggled in Amu's grasp, so Amu let her go.
Su Xiao ignored the now-guilty Alisa. He took an iron rod from his storage space and placed it in the Ghostly Flame. The rod quickly caught fire.
Su Xiao approached the metal archway and pressed the burning end of the rod against the metal door... but nothing happened.
The metal door was unaffected by the green flame's heat, while the iron rod in Su Xiao's hand gradually burned to ash.
"Um..."
Alisa spoke weakly, sniffing as if she wanted to say something.