Chapter 22: Holy Flame Alchemist
Su Xiao's gains from this mission were substantial. Not to mention the Golden Skill Point and skill scroll, he also obtained 5 Scarlet Cards, one of which was dropped by a Battle Angel, with a quality rating of ★★★★★.
To activate the final stage of the promotion mission, Su Xiao first needed to reach Shelter No. 9. Based on previous hints, Shelter No. 9 should be nearby.
Baha spread his wings and soared into the sky, beginning reconnaissance of the surrounding area. After searching for two hours, Baha found a large slum.
"That area is all temporary structures. It doesn't look like a shelter at all."
Baha landed on Amu's shoulder, a nut still clamped in his beak.
"It should be right there."
Su Xiao's expression turned contemplative as he began to formulate his next plan.
First, the subsequent mission involved the World Core. That was basically a certainty, but how to obtain it was the challenge.
This world belonged to the Apocalypse Paradise, so the 'Core' of this world would bear the imprint of the Apocalypse Paradise. Under these circumstances, the difficulty of seizing it was extremely high.
The Apocalypse Paradise's earlier act of summoning away its contractors was essentially revealing one thing: the Core of this world could be seized. Perhaps this was also the reason the Reincarnation Paradise chose to invade this world.
For now, the mission could only be triggered upon reaching Shelter No. 9. This meant the World Core was unlikely to be inside Shelter No. 9 itself.
It was more likely that Shelter No. 9 contained information about the World Core. The various paradises probably couldn't pinpoint the exact location of the World Core.
Otherwise, during a World War, there would be no need to send contractors to search for it. They could simply lock onto its location and teleport both sides' contractors into a chaotic battle to decide the victor.
This meant that Su Xiao's entry into Shelter No. 9 would most likely result in obtaining some intelligence or finding an item related to the World Core.
Thoughts raced through Su Xiao's mind. If this were back when he was a First Rank, he wouldn't have considered these things at all. He would have just charged straight into Shelter No. 9.
The best approach now wasn't to display combat prowess to gain trust within Shelter No. 9. That would be very difficult. Regardless of the Shelter No. 9 leader's personality, no one would trust an outsider who suddenly appeared with overwhelming strength.
Since he couldn't gain trust through strength to find what he needed, Su Xiao decided to rely on Alchemy.
There were human Transcendents in this world, and combat-type machinery was well-developed. Firearms were likely not weak either.
When dealing with Transcendents, nothing was more suitable than the 'Herbal Compilation Chapter.' No one could refuse the chance to become stronger.
Holy Flame Alchemist — this was a title Su Xiao had cultivated in the Reincarnation Paradise long ago. He had originally planned to use this identity in the Void to sell permanent enhancement potions. Using it now as a test run was also a good choice.
Su Xiao stored equipment like the Dragon-Slaying Flash, Black King Bracer, and Crimson Angel into his storage space. He then took out a white robe. The back of the robe bore a golden flame emblem, the inner lining was red. White symbolized salvation, gold represented the sacred medicine, and the red lining signified the cruelty encountered during experimental alchemy.
At least in the Void, 90% of alchemists dressed similarly, only differing in the patterns on their robes. Golden patterns indicated positive enhancement and healing, green patterns marked a poison alchemist, black denoted a combat-oriented alchemist — twelve colors in total, each representing a different specialty.
Over 80% of races in the Void welcomed alchemists. Most of the rest were friendly or neutral. Less than 3% of races held animosity toward alchemists, but at most, they looked down on them, never reaching the level of hatred.
As for pretending to be an alchemist, only someone with a death wish would do that. Without the corresponding abilities, faking it would end very badly.
Su Xiao pulled up his hood. His blood energy was now concealed by the Reincarnation Paradise, and his Charm Attribute was gradually increasing due to his title. In just over two days, it would reach 50 points.
With everything prepared, Su Xiao headed toward the slum Baha had mentioned. After a few steps, he stopped.
"Baha, Amu, you two move freely in the nearby area for now."
A smile appeared on Su Xiao's face as he adjusted his demeanor. If any Apocalypse Paradise contractors were present, they would be utterly stunned, thinking: Who is this? Is this the same monster who just cut us down until we couldn't find our way?
"I knew it."
Baha muttered something under his breath. Clearly, Amu and Baha didn't fit the alchemist's aura for now, and their strength would invite suspicion.
As for Bubu Wang, he was perfectly fine. On the contrary, he could even add points to the Holy Flame Alchemist identity.
Travel was always boring. Bringing a dog along was the best choice.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang grinned slyly at Baha and Amu, as if to say: This dog has high charm. I really can do whatever I want.
"Brother Ha is ruthless."
Baha used his wing to mimic a thumbs-up gesture.
"So boss, Amu and I will stay nearby. If something goes wrong, I can get there instantly. Amu might be a bit slower."
"No problem."
"Mm, with me around, Amu will be fine."
Baha flicked a lacewing off his head, indicating that his and Amu's duo would have no issues.
Su Xiao tried to contact Beini. No signal. That was normal. That feline was too free-spirited and had already run off somewhere unknown.
Bringing Bubu Wang along, Su Xiao headed toward the slum.
Half an hour later, Su Xiao walked out of the wasteland and into a field. This area was clearly well-tended, planted with Solanaceae crops like potatoes and tomatoes.
Su Xiao grabbed a handful of soil. Based on his observation, this field had been cultivated for years. This meant Shelter No. 9 had been farming for a long time.
The field was quite large. In this world, with this kind of food supply, no one would be living in a slum.
A faint odor drifted through the air — the smell of herbivore manure. It wasn't pungent. This scent immediately made Su Xiao think of a livestock farm.
Su Xiao continued forward. Sure enough, not far ahead, he saw wooden fences enclosing large livestock that resembled cattle.
"Don't move, unless you want your head blown off."
A hoarse male voice came from behind Su Xiao. In this wild and resource-rich continent, fields and farms like this naturally had guards.
The fingers under Su Xiao's sleeve twitched. He had been a split second away from tearing off the head of the person behind him. The man's sudden appearance was truly unexpected.
"Those clothes of yours... don't look like a refugee's. Turn around. Slowly."
The hoarse man stepped back cautiously, one eye squinting, with yellow pus at the corner. Clearly, he had an old injury. On this continent, injuries and illnesses were left to fate, since most doctors were unreliable.
Su Xiao turned his head to look behind him, then slowly turned around.
"We have no food for you. Leave now."
The hoarse man held a crude firearm, but this metal gun was no joke — it was a genuine energy weapon. Primitive, crude, yet advanced. A contradiction.
"I don't need food. I temporarily... need shelter."
Clearly, the faction of Shelter No. 9 was different from the Fire Skull Gang of Shelter No. 17. This place was quite xenophobic.
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