Chapter 67: The Madman Within the Blade
The reward Lilim mentioned couldn't be delivered immediately, but the Demon Race had good credibility. Besides, 30 grams of Black Maple Tree branches meant nothing to Su Xiao. If the Demon Race reneged on such a small matter, there would be no further cooperation.
"Feel free to decide on the reward."
"Don't say 'feel free,' that makes things very difficult."
Lilim spoke urgently, as if suddenly remembering something. She gestured with her hand beside her.
A pitch-black long spear was handed to Lilim. Seeing this spear, Su Xiao's eyes narrowed.
"The assassin who targeted you has been dealt with. His name was You·Achid. When you were attacked, didn't you notice the gem pendant I gave you?"
Lilim indicated for Su Xiao to take out the ruby pendant she had given him.
"This item can sense spatial fluctuations from the Void. After all, you're a Law Destroyer. Those Spellcasters won't let you off easily. If you don't want me to sense you, you can leave it behind. It has two functions."
Lilim raised two fingers, pondered for a moment, then continued:
"First, it senses spatial fluctuations from the Void. Second, once you enter the Void, I can use it to locate you. Aside from that, it has no other uses. It can't sense where you usually are. Hmm~ You can also use it as a communicator, but only to contact me."
Lilim didn't hide anything. In fact, when she gave Su Xiao the ruby pendant, she had already explained these two points.
"Specific information about the assassin."
Su Xiao didn't mind being sensed by Lilim when entering the Void. If she couldn't locate him, cooperation or trade would be impossible.
"You·Achid, Elemental Clan, details unknown. His clan has likely been wiped out. He had some reputation in the Void and was once a member of Asaka. Yes, the same assassination organization you joined in the Black Abyss."
At this point, Lilim clearly forgot her words. She picked up a piece of parchment beside her, examined it carefully, and continued:
"You·Achid's assassination attempt is likely a small-scale retaliation from the Asaka organization. After all, you caused them quite a bit of trouble in the shallow layers of the Black Abyss. After that incident, the Feather Race nearly squeezed their guts out."
Lilim's smile grew mischievous. She cleared her throat, and her expression turned serious.
"However, based on the intelligence we've gathered, the employer is most likely someone from Arcane Eternal Star. Probably that old undying Mage Sage Seraphilia. Don't be fooled by her youthful appearance; that old woman has lived for at least a thousand years. Although she's not as old as my great-great-great... grandfathers, she holds considerable power in Arcane Eternal Star. According to our intel, Arcane Eternal Star's stance toward you is divided into two factions."
Through Lilim's description, Su Xiao learned that Arcane Eternal Star, the supreme domain of Spellcasters, wasn't entirely united. Mage Sage Seraphilia's faction advocated for eliminating Su Xiao, nipping him in the bud to prevent the Law Destroyers from reappearing in the Void.
The other faction was led by the Wind King. Su Xiao didn't know the Wind King, but his son, the Wind Prince, had a good personal relationship with Su Xiao.
The Wind King was also an old undying. His stance was:
'The era of Law Annihilation is over. Why are you, Mage Sage Seraphilia, provoking a Law Destroyer? If they don't provoke us, we won't provoke them.'
'They have nothing to do with you. Don't go making enemies for no reason. Do you have any idea what our abilities might lead to, Seraphilia?'
While these two factions didn't fully represent Arcane Eternal Star's 'supreme authority,' they essentially reflected the current attitude of Arcane Eternal Star.
"That's about it. One of my great-great-great... grandfathers went to negotiate with Seraphilia yesterday, but it ended badly. Let me tell you a little rumor: Seraphilia was apparently... hehehe... by a female Law Destroyer. Hmm, you should understand. Being hung up like that is truly a disgrace."
Lilim's words made Su Xiao think of a female Law Destroyer he had heard of—the one who locked Alice in a cage and kept her as a pet for a while.
And that one's master was a female pervert. Heaven only knew why female Law Destroyers had such twisted personalities.
"Basically understood."
Through a one-way trade channel, Su Xiao transferred 30 grams of Black Maple Tree branches.
"Huh?"
Lilim, on the screen, stared blankly at the suddenly appearing Black Maple Tree branches.
"Don't we need to sign a contract?"
"Not for now."
"Then the reward..."
Before Lilim could finish, the communication was cut off.
In a room built of black stone, Lilim watched the gradually fading image, her mouth opening and closing.
"Lord Wobol, what do we do now?"
Lilim looked at an old demon.
"Our ally's sincerity has been delivered. We, of course, must show ours as well."
The old demon's form was withered. His goat-like head had curled horns covered in mysterious runes.
"Then..."
Lilim was troubled. A reward of 'feel free to decide' was the hardest to handle.
"Go fetch the blade from my collection. Consider it a return gift."
"A Law Destroyer's blade?!"
Lilim was somewhat surprised. That item had been preserved for a long time.
"It originally belonged to them. The madman within the blade can only be controlled by them. But our ally isn't strong enough yet. Send it later. That blade now belongs to him."
"Understood. Kukulin will surely be very satisfied with this reward. Although it's unlikely, he seems to..."
Before Lilim could finish, she was interrupted.
"Do what you should do, Lilim. When our ally is strong enough not to be devoured by the 'madman' within the blade, send it to him."
Leaving these words, the old demon leaned on his bone staff and walked out of the room.
"Lucky, I don't have to go to the battlefield. Lilith won't be in trouble, right? Sigh~"
Lilim looked at the small piece of Black Maple Tree branch in her hand. One of her close relatives could be saved.
...
In his exclusive room, Su Xiao tossed a coin in his hand, lost in thought. What was coming had finally come. Arcane Eternal Star was causing trouble.
For now, Su Xiao didn't have the qualifications to oppose Arcane Eternal Star, but that didn't mean he wouldn't in the future.
Feeling tired, Su Xiao lay down on the bed and fell asleep immediately.
After sleeping for about ten hours, Su Xiao got up, washed up, and headed straight to Lide's forge.
The equipment had been repaired. The severely damaged Black King Bracer had been perfectly restored by Lide. As for the Wild Hunt Night, it had been reforged. The equipment was too damaged to be fixed through simple repairs.
After reforging, the Wild Hunt Night's quality had been elevated to Epic rank. This was achieved by consuming five Legendary materials and two Epic materials.
[Wild Hunt Night]
Origin: Dark Crow World
Quality: Epic
Category: Long Leather Coat, Trench Coat (Black)
Durability: 103/103
Equipment Requirements: 92 Stamina, 107 True Intelligence, Strong Willpower.
Equipment Effect 1: Spirit Attire (Passive) — This equipment has a base defense of 35 points. For every 100 Mana Points the wearer has, defense increases by 1 point. Currently increased by 90 defense points (maximum increase is 90 points).
Equipment Effect 2: Blessing (Passive) — If this equipment is damaged, it can be urgently repaired by consuming Soul Crystals (Fragments).
Rating: 650 points
Introduction: Sewn by the Dark Crow for his beloved in life. Hard to imagine who the first witch in history fell in love with.
Price: 310,000 Paradise Coins.
...
Although the Wild Hunt Night had been upgraded to Epic rank, the increase in power wasn't very significant. Being able to repair it was already fortunate. There was no need to be overly demanding of perfection. Lide was a blacksmith, and repairing equipment made of materials like [Wild Hunt Night] wasn't his specialty.
After putting on all his equipment, Su Xiao headed straight to the Arena. The current Sixth Rank Arena could now match him against strong opponents from the Void.
Moreover, the strength of Fifth Rank Contractors had become quite boring for Su Xiao. Before he could even land two slashes, the enemy would fall, looking like they were about to die at any moment. Therefore, he hoped Sixth Rank Contractors would be more durable.