# Chapter 61: Preparations for the Empty Seat Banquet
The attributes of [Brutal·Crush+12] had reached somewhat terrifying levels. The merchant guild that crafted this equipment had quite abundant resources.
What was even more satisfying was that this guild chose Epic-grade gems rather than Holy Spirit-grade. Holy Spirit-grade gems had a characteristic: main weapons could be embedded with up to three, while other equipment could only hold one at most.
Each person's entire equipment set could be embedded with 5 to 7 Holy Spirit-grade gems at most. Any more could cause energy repulsion between the gems, damaging the embedded equipment.
This guild had selected all seven gems embedded in [Brutal·Crush+12] as Epic-grade. This ensured stability while also making it easier to sell.
This equipment was certainly formidable, but it had a huge drawback—it was far too expensive. The asking price was 1,270 Soul Coins.
If the seven Epic-grade gems were sold individually, the price would be between 120 to 230 Soul Coins each, but quantity created a qualitative change, especially with the same type.
Combined with the high enhancement level and the original characteristics of [Brutal·Crush], the price of this equipment climbed even higher.
Su Xiao's Melee Grandmaster only increased kick technique power. If he wore these battle boots, the effect would definitely not be as simple as 1+1=2.
If Blade Grandmaster corresponded to Dragon-Slaying Flash, then Melee Grandmaster corresponded to battle boots. Battle boots were the weapon that unleashed the power of Melee Grandmaster.
Su Xiao had Beini buy them directly. There was no room for bargaining. This item wasn't hard to sell at all; plenty of contractors were eager to buy.
Su Xiao had Beini leave contact information with this guild. The guild was called Twilight. Su Xiao had heard of them before—these people specialized in crafting extreme-type equipment.
If the Black Sail Merchant Guild was famous for its auctions, and the Red Maple Guild was famous for its ridiculous style, then the Twilight Guild was famous for pursuing extremes.
What was even more interesting was that the three guilds couldn't stand each other. The Twilight Guild thought the Black Sail Guild was mentally handicapped, often ripping people off. The Black Sail Guild thought the Twilight Guild was brain-damaged, occasionally going bankrupt.
But the Twilight Guild and the Black Sail Guild had a very consistent view of the Red Maple Guild: how had this ridiculous guild not been destroyed yet? They were all waiting to spit on its "corpse."
After paying 1,270 Soul Coins, [Brutal·Crush+12] was obtained. Taking it out from the team space, Su Xiao put it on. It was very lightweight; the effect would be experienced in actual combat.
One piece of Epic-grade equipment had been successfully replaced. What remained were Wild Hunt Night and Killing Instinct. As for the final detection-type equipment, there was no rush for now. That depended on luck. Detection-type equipment had only two inclinations: Intelligence and Charm, with most being Charm-inclined.
As for the [Wild Hunt Night] long leather coat, Su Xiao had other ideas. If this armor wasn't Epic-grade, he wouldn't even consider replacing it. The reason was that even a Holy Spirit-grade armor of the same type would at most have about 10% higher overall defense than [Wild Hunt Night], and no more.
[Wild Hunt Night] had a characteristic: the higher Su Xiao's Mana Points, the stronger the toughness and defense of this equipment. Otherwise, this long leather coat would have been completely destroyed in battle long ago. Medium defense, medium-high lightness—that was its advantage.
Ultimately, Su Xiao's enemies were all too strong. Even Holy Spirit-grade ultra-heavy armor was as fragile as paper. Referencing Ta Balde could prove this point. That full-body armor of his had the defense of Holy Spirit-grade +10 ultra-heavy armor, yet the Blood God punched a hole through it with one strike.
What was even more interesting was that [Wild Hunt Night] was originally a Legendary-grade armor. As Reid kept repairing it, it was forcibly upgraded to Epic-grade.
Every time Su Xiao brought this long leather coat to him, Reid's head buzzed. On one occasion, Reid tactfully offered to fund the crafting of a Holy Spirit-grade heavy armor set for Su Xiao. Su Xiao refused. That didn't match his combat style. Losing his speed advantage would affect some of his blade techniques.
Taking off the long leather coat, Su Xiao looked at this equipment. For some reason, after defeating the Blood God, when sparks ignited on this long coat, he felt that this equipment seemed somewhat different.
He checked his storage space and soon found [Divine Bone (Holy Spirit-grade)]. He had obtained a lot in the Divine Realm before. Counting this time, there were seven pieces in total. After synthesizing two [Holy Spirit Miracle (Holy Spirit-grade)], there was still surplus. One of them was reserved for Fate Dominator.
Su Xiao synthesized one [Holy Spirit Miracle (Holy Spirit-grade)]. At this stage, aside from upgrading [Wild Hunt Night] to Holy Spirit-grade, Su Xiao couldn't find a stronger armor of the same type and grade. Wearing ultra-heavy armor was also "thin as paper," so he might as well pursue speed. Besides, [Wild Hunt Night] was tougher.
The Holy Spirit Miracle melted into the [Wild Hunt Night] long leather coat. Suddenly, blue patterns surged on [Wild Hunt Night], but they quickly faded into it.
[Prompt: Wild Hunt Night·Epic-grade is being upgraded. Estimated time: 12 hours 37 minutes.]
Seeing this upgrade time, Su Xiao took out the Alchemy Codex. Time was limited now. The Traveling Group leader had already sent a message—the Empty Seat Banquet would begin in 15 hours.
For this Empty Seat Banquet, Su Xiao could save travel time and arrive directly inside the Starry Sky Seat. The [Star Mark (1/5)], the promised [Holy Fire Baptism] potion for the Holy Maiden Seat, and the 1,500 grams of Black Maple Tree branches owed to White Bull could all be resolved at this Empty Seat Banquet.
According to the leader, the final member of the Starry Sky Seat would attend this time. That was an immortal old fellow.
Opening the third page of the Alchemy Codex, Su Xiao pressed his index finger onto it. He had already deciphered up to the 257th imprint. This page had a total of 327 imprints. Opening this page would reveal the alchemy formula recorded on the back of the third page.
Su Xiao's mental energy gradually filled the imprints on the metal page, turning them blue. Su Xiao felt as if he were in an ocean formed by alchemy knowledge. Various types of alchemy knowledge appeared in his mind.
An hour later, Su Xiao's mental energy disconnected from the Alchemy Codex. The third page had been fully deciphered.
[Alchemy Bomb Manufacturing has been raised to Lv.53 (Increased by Lv.3).]
[Alchemy Potion Manufacturing has been raised to Lv.53 (Increased by Lv.3).]
[Alchemy Creature Manufacturing has been raised to Lv.53 (Increased by Lv.3).]
[Plant Harmonization Chapter has been raised to Lv.64 (Increased by Lv.1).]
The progress was acceptable. Given Su Xiao's current alchemy level, any improvement was a significant gain.
Opening the third page of the Alchemy Codex, the alchemy formula on the back appeared. At the center was a test tube-shaped pattern, surrounded by arrays and various characters, densely covering the entire page.
[You have unlocked a new alchemy formula: Vitality Essence.]
[Vitality Essence: Each creation requires 1,500 Mana Points. Consumed materials: Vitality Extraction Essence, Life Spring Water, Crystal Vial, Black Maple Tree leaf juice (5.2479 grams, requiring extremely precise 6-step processing: activation, active extraction, mental energy catalysis/filtration, etc.).]
Seeing the required materials for Vitality Essence, Su Xiao raised an eyebrow. This potion actually required Black Maple Tree leaves. Although it was only the juice within them, this was the first time Su Xiao had seen a potion requiring Black Maple Tree output.
Su Xiao tried to exchange for other materials. With his authority, he could exchange for a total of 15 portions. These materials were all very rare.
Taking half a kilogram of Black Maple leaves, Su Xiao began contemplating the preparation of this potion. Judging from the materials, this was likely a recovery-type potion—exactly what Su Xiao had been wanting.
After processing the materials, Su Xiao began material catalysis. Half an hour later, he poured out half a test tube of waste liquid. The preparation had failed. This was normal. Not only was this the first time preparing [Vitality Essence], but Black Maple Tree leaf juice was also a very difficult material to control.
An hour and a half later, Su Xiao began his third attempt. The first two had failed. The second failure was intentional—he was using failure to accumulate experience.
Twenty minutes later, Su Xiao's finger tapped the test tube on the workbench. The potion liquid inside changed from black to light green. This was the color representing life and vitality. He picked up the potion in front of him to examine it.
[Vitality Essence (Perfect)]
Origin: Reincarnation Paradise·Holy Flame Alchemist
Quality: Holy Spirit-grade·Rare
Type: Recovery Item/Permanent Enhancement Potion
Effect: After drinking, instantly recovers 86% Health Points, then recovers 52 Health Points per second for the next 180 seconds.
Perfect Grade Bonus: Each time this potion is consumed, permanently increases 100 Health Points and 5 points of random abnormal resistance.
Rating: 926 points (Holy Spirit-grade potion rating range: 700-1000 points)
Description: To be determined (Hunter may freely set)
Price: To be determined (Hunter may freely set)
Each bottle of [Vitality Essence] cost 5 Soul Coins to produce, of course, not counting the Black Maple Tree leaves.
Su Xiao brewed a few more bottles of [Vitality Essence]. The attribute reward of 20 Luck points was especially evident to him at this moment.
Each time he brewed, his state was very good. Everything flowed naturally. As long as his alchemy level was sufficient, he had a relatively high chance of brewing Perfect-grade potions.
After brewing three more bottles of [Vitality Essence], one was Perfect and two were Normal.
Taking advantage of his good state, Su Xiao took out the materials provided by the Holy Maiden Seat and began brewing [Holy Fire Baptism].
Since this was the first time commissioning Su Xiao to brew a potion, the Holy Maiden Seat had provided two sets of materials for [Holy Fire Baptism]. She had originally wanted to get more, but time was too tight. She had already consulted other alchemists about the approximate success rate for brewing [Holy Fire Baptism].
The other alchemists' reply was that unless it was someone of the Tree Sage's level, other alchemists would have a success rate of less than one in twenty.
Don't think that's too low. These so-called alchemy masters were very difficult to invite, their arrogance not much less than the Tree Sage's. They were attached to various major powers, giving them plenty of confidence.
As for alchemists of an even lower tier, they didn't even mention the failure rate. They simply couldn't brew [Holy Fire Baptism] at all—they couldn't even understand the formula.
Therefore, the Holy Maiden Seat only provided two sets of materials for [Holy Fire Baptism]. She had a somewhat desperate mindset. The elder in her clan couldn't hold on much longer. Part of their soul had been permanently severed, and their soul had been eroded by some kind of energy for years. If not for being an immortal old fellow, they would have died long ago.
An hour later, Su Xiao shook the potion in the test tube. Golden flames seemed to burn within the solution. He furrowed his brows.
"That's it?"
Su Xiao muttered under his breath, once again doubting the overall level of alchemy in the Void. He felt that [Holy Fire Baptism] wasn't as difficult to brew as [Vitality Essence].
Aside from the material grades all being ??? and the large quantity of materials, it wasn't too hard to brew.
If the alchemists of the Void were at this level, then if they tried to brew [Vitality Essence], the processing of Black Maple Tree leaf juice alone would be enough to make them tear their hair out in frustration.
There was still one set of materials left. Su Xiao's touch was even better. He began the second brewing of [Holy Fire Baptism].
42 minutes later, Su Xiao sealed both bottles of potion and placed them in a constant temperature pressure box. The second bottle of [Holy Fire Baptism] had been brewed to Perfect grade. After brewing it once, this thing didn't have much difficulty.
[Holy Fire Baptism (Perfect)]
Origin: Reincarnation Paradise
Quality: ???
Type: Recovery Potion
Effect: After drinking, receives the baptism of holy fire, can recover soul damage.
Perfect Grade Bonus: Within the subsequent 30 natural days after drinking this potion, gradually warms and nourishes the user's soul, recovering permanent damage within the soul.
Prompt: This potion is effective on those with Soul Strength below 2,000 points (originally 1,800 points). Each person may drink it a maximum of five times (originally a maximum of three times).
Rating: ???
Description: To be determined (Hunter may freely set)
Price: To be determined (Hunter may freely set)
Su Xiao stretched his neck. He had been too focused while brewing the potions, and he hadn't rested since leaving the mission world. Right now, he just wanted to sleep.
When Su Xiao woke up, there was only half an hour left until the Empty Seat Banquet began. After washing up, he felt refreshed. He took out the Space Mark Insignia. It was time to attend the Empty Seat Banquet.