# Chapter 3: Mad Knight (Legendary Gem)
The moment Su Xiao stepped into the Attribute Enhancement Hall, a wave of heat mixed with various energy fluctuations hit him. This was a massive circular hall, at least a hundred meters in diameter, with dozens of enhancement pods arranged along the walls. Each pod emitted different colored lights, and contractors in various equipment stood in front of them, some with expectant expressions, others with faces ashen as if they had lost their entire fortune.
Su Xiao walked straight toward the depths of the hall. The enhancement pods here were divided into different levels, and the one he needed was at the very end—a pitch-black pod that looked like an upright coffin, with complex runes carved on its surface that occasionally flickered with a dark blue light.
"Eighth Rank enhancement pod, rental fee is 500 Paradise Coins per hour, additional energy consumption costs extra."
A mechanical voice came from the pod, and Su Xiao didn't hesitate to place his hand on the pod's induction area. A cold touch spread from his palm, and then a prompt appeared before his eyes.
[Do you wish to enter the Attribute Enhancement Pod?]
[Current available Paradise Coins: 128,500]
[Current available Soul Crystals (Complete): 17]
[Current available Soul Crystals (Incomplete): 43]
"Confirm."
As Su Xiao confirmed, the pod's hatch slowly opened, revealing a dark interior filled with a faint blue mist. He stepped inside, and the hatch closed behind him. In an instant, the world fell silent, and all external sounds were cut off.
[Welcome to the Attribute Enhancement Pod, Contractor Su Xiao.]
[Current attributes are being scanned...]
[Scan complete.]
[Contractor: Su Xiao]
[Strength: 85 points]
[Agility: 92 points]
[Stamina: 80 points]
[Intelligence: 78 points]
[Perception: 88 points]
[Charm: 5 points]
[Luck: 12 points]
[Note: Your current attributes have reached the bottleneck of the Eighth Rank. Further enhancement requires the use of True Attribute Points or special items.]
Su Xiao frowned slightly. His attribute panel looked decent, but compared to those top-tier contractors, there was still a gap. Especially in terms of Stamina and Intelligence, these two attributes were his weaknesses. Although he had always relied on agility and perception to make up for it, in a prolonged battle, insufficient Stamina would be fatal.
"Use 5 True Attribute Points, allocate 3 to Stamina and 2 to Intelligence."
[Confirm allocation?]
[After allocation, Stamina: 83 points, Intelligence: 80 points.]
"Confirm."
As Su Xiao confirmed, a warm current surged from within his body, as if countless tiny needles were piercing every cell in his body. This feeling of pain mixed with comfort lasted for about ten seconds before gradually fading away. Su Xiao took a deep breath, feeling a significant increase in his physical endurance and mental strength.
"Continue, use 3 Golden Skill Points to activate the potential of the 'Blade Path: Azure Demon' skill."
[Warning: Activating the potential of the 'Blade Path: Azure Demon' skill requires 3 Golden Skill Points and 1 Soul Crystal (Complete). Current conditions are met. Do you wish to proceed?]
"Proceed."
The next moment, Su Xiao felt a sharp pain in his mind, as if countless fragments of memories were flooding into his consciousness. These were the combat experiences of the previous generation of Law Destroyers, the essence of swordsmanship that had been honed through thousands of battles. He gritted his teeth and held on, letting these memories merge with his own understanding.
[Activation complete.]
['Blade Path: Azure Demon' skill has been upgraded to Lv.32.]
[Current effect: When activated, each slash deals additional 320 points of True Damage + 8% of target's maximum Health. Cooldown: 15 seconds.]
Su Xiao's eyes lit up. This skill enhancement was quite significant. The additional True Damage had increased by nearly 50%, and the percentage damage had also gone up by 2%. For high-health enemies, this was undoubtedly a nightmare.
"Next, use the 'Origin Stone: World' to strengthen the 'Cyan Steel Shadow Energy'."
[Warning: Using the 'Origin Stone: World' to strengthen 'Cyan Steel Shadow Energy' has a certain probability of failure. Success rate: 67%. Do you wish to proceed?]
"Proceed."
A golden light suddenly appeared in the pod, and Su Xiao felt a majestic force pouring into his body, colliding violently with the Cyan Steel Shadow Energy within him. This energy was ancient and vast, as if containing the origin of an entire world. Su Xiao's muscles bulged, veins standing out on his forehead, as he endured the impact of this energy.
[Strengthening successful!]
['Cyan Steel Shadow Energy' quality has been enhanced.]
[Current effect: When attacking, additional 180 points of True Damage + 15% of target's current Health. Each attack reduces target's Mana by 120 points.]
Su Xiao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. This strengthening was truly thrilling. If it had failed, the Origin Stone: World would have been wasted, and he might have even suffered energy backlash.
"Finally, use the 'Soul Severing Shadow Stone' to strengthen the 'Blade Demon Spirit'."
[Warning: Strengthening the 'Blade Demon Spirit' is extremely dangerous. The Blade Demon Spirit may go out of control. Success rate: 52%. Do you wish to proceed?]
"Proceed."
This time, Su Xiao's expression turned serious. The Blade Demon Spirit was his most important auxiliary combat ability, but it was also the most dangerous. Once it went out of control, it could backfire and injure its master. However, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. If the strengthening succeeded, the Blade Demon Spirit's power would increase dramatically.
A black mist rose within the pod, and a cold, sinister aura spread out. Su Xiao felt a sharp pain in his right arm, as if something was trying to tear through his skin and break out. He quickly formed hand seals, suppressing the restlessness of the Blade Demon Spirit.
"Stay calm, I'm your master!"
Su Xiao shouted in a low voice, and the Cyan Steel Shadow Energy surged out, firmly binding the struggling Blade Demon Spirit. After about half a minute, the black mist gradually dissipated, and the Blade Demon Spirit finally calmed down.
[Strengthening successful!]
['Blade Demon Spirit' quality has been enhanced.]
[Current effect: When activated, a Blade Demon Spirit clone is summoned. The clone possesses 70% of the host's attributes and inherits all blade techniques. Duration: 60 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes.]
Su Xiao let out a long breath. This strengthening was truly worth the risk. A clone with 70% of his attributes, lasting a full 60 seconds—this was practically an extra trump card in battle.
Just as he was about to exit the enhancement pod, a sudden change occurred. A blood-red light suddenly flashed within the pod, and then a strange voice sounded in his mind.
"Contractor... detected... special constitution... activating hidden inheritance..."
"What?!"
Su Xiao's expression changed dramatically. He had never heard of the enhancement pod having such a function. Before he could react, a powerful suction force came from all around him, as if trying to pull his soul out of his body.
[Warning! Detected unknown energy intrusion!]
[Warning! The enhancement pod is malfunctioning!]
[Emergency shutdown procedure initiated...]
A series of warning prompts appeared before Su Xiao's eyes, but the suction force grew stronger and stronger. He gritted his teeth, trying to mobilize the Cyan Steel Shadow Energy to resist, but found that his energy was being rapidly drained.
"Damn it!"
Just as Su Xiao was about to lose consciousness, a golden light suddenly burst from his chest—it was the 'Origin Stone: World' he had just used. This power formed a protective shield around him, barely blocking the strange suction force.
[Emergency shutdown successful!]
[Enhancement pod forcibly opened!]
With a "hiss," the pod's hatch opened, and Su Xiao stumbled out, his face pale. He turned around and saw that the originally pitch-black enhancement pod was now covered in blood-red cracks, like a terrifying wound.
"What... what is this?"
Several contractors nearby noticed the commotion and looked over, their faces filled with shock. Su Xiao took a deep breath, suppressing the discomfort in his body, and quickly left the Attribute Enhancement Hall.
He had a feeling that something was wrong with this enhancement pod, as if it had been tampered with. But who would do such a thing? And what was the purpose?
Just as Su Xiao was pondering this, a message suddenly appeared in his mind.
[Special mission triggered: 'Mad Knight (Legendary Gem)']
[Mission difficulty: Lv.68]
[Mission content: Find the source of the 'Mad Knight' gem and uncover the truth behind the enhancement pod incident.]
[Mission reward: Legendary Gem 'Mad Knight' × 1, Soul Crystal (Complete) × 5, Paradise Coins × 20,000.]
[Mission penalty: None.]
Su Xiao's eyes narrowed. A legendary gem? That was a rare item that could only be obtained in high-difficulty missions. And the name 'Mad Knight' sounded like it was related to some ancient inheritance.
"Looks like I have to investigate this thoroughly."
Su Xiao muttered to himself, then quickly walked toward the exit of the Trade Market. He needed to find some clues, and the best place to start was the management office of the Attribute Enhancement Hall.