Chapter 2: Temporarily raise the true stamina attribute to 201 points, use the [Basic Passive: Body Soul] scroll, and master this ability before breaking through the 200-point attribute barrier.
After much deliberation, Su Xiao felt that fusing [Resonance] into Banishment was more stable. After all, it was equipment—equipment that would be consumed shortly. [Basic Passive: Body Soul] was an ability that needed to be permanently mastered.
Don't think that the prerequisites for an ability are obstacles; they are protective measures. Without a sufficiently strong body, prematurely mastering an overly powerful ability would inevitably lead to a bad end.
Su Xiao arrived at the Honor Shop, consumed 1 Diamond Honor Medal, and exchanged it for a bottle of [Feral Beast Potion]. Since the last time he exchanged for one, he had never exchanged for this item again.
After drinking the Feral Beast Potion, within 200 seconds, it increased 10 points of true strength and agility attributes, ignoring all seventh-rank judgment effects.
It seemed good on the surface, but drinking this would cause the maximum health value to temporarily decrease by 10%. Note, it wasn't consuming 10% of health, but temporarily reducing the maximum health value by 10%, just like being struck by [Soul Scythe: Death Proclamation].
For an ordinary contractor, this wasn't fatal, but Su Xiao was a technique-type. He needed to engage in close combat with enemies. Last time he drank the Feral Beast Potion, or rather, the beast drug, he nearly died.
If there was an advanced version of the Feral Beast Potion, he would consider it. But as it was now, the feeling of suppressed vitality was terrible. This was using temporary vitality suppression in exchange for strength and agility bonuses. As a technique-type, he didn't need this kind of trade-off in battle.
As for the exempted seventh-rank judgment, it was basically useless. Previously, when he encountered Duo Yin Wang, the opponent's ability judgment wasn't seventh-rank, let alone Rogge.
After using [Limit Break], Su Xiao drank the Feral Beast Potion. A roar seemed to echo in his ears, and some barrier within his body was temporarily opened.
Su Xiao equipped [Resonance]. Banishment detached from his sleeve. Resonance turned into metallic powder, floating in mid-air. Banishment shattered into fragments.
The fragments of Banishment enveloped the metallic powder formed by [Resonance]. Su Xiao concentrated his mental energy, converting all his mana into Cyan Steel Shadow energy.
Banishment formed into a 40-centimeter-long, hiltless rapier form. Or rather, at this moment, Banishment was more like the front half of a rapier.
Su Xiao grasped Banishment, continuously channeling Cyan Steel Shadow energy into it. He attempted to fuse Banishment with Resonance. After a few seconds, he found it impossible. Since fusion wasn't possible, he would resort to a simpler, more brutal method: direct devouring.
Su Xiao injected one-third of his Cyan Steel Shadow energy into Banishment, causing the semi-transparent Banishment to glow red-hot as if burned. The metallic powder inside rapidly dissolved, becoming part of Banishment.
Five minutes passed in an instant. Su Xiao felt the barrier within his body reappear. His true agility attribute reverted to 199 points. [Resonance] wasn't unequipped; there was no longer any equipment called [Resonance].
A continuous stream of Cyan Steel Shadow energy was injected into Banishment. Su Xiao entered a meditative state, which increased his mana recovery rate by 600%.
Su Xiao's mana was constantly recovering. This newly recovered mana was converted into Cyan Steel Shadow energy and injected into Banishment.
This process continued for nearly 10 hours before he felt that Banishment was saturated. If he continued injecting Cyan Steel Shadow energy, Banishment would burst.
The red-hot Banishment cooled down. Its appearance hadn't changed much; it was still semi-transparent light blue, but it now had a metallic texture.
Su Xiao opened his skill list and checked the Massacre Shadow ability. This was the ability he used to construct Banishment.
[Massacre Shadow, X+++++ (Exclusive Growth-Type Ability)]
Skill Effect: Increases the intensity of Proud Song state by 320%. Can convert Cyan Steel Shadow energy into a physical state for external release and manipulate it within a 150-meter range (increased by 24 meters).
Constructed Weapon: Banishment.
Tip: Banishment's flight speed, physical penetration, and physical damage are determined by the agility attribute (current true agility attribute is 199 points).
Tip: Banishment's intensity, lethality, elemental penetration, and controllability are determined by the intelligence attribute (current true intelligence attribute is 199 points).
New Trait: Internal Combustion.
Tip: After Banishment enters the Internal Combustion state, it will rapidly consume the stored Cyan Steel Shadow energy, significantly increasing flight speed, elemental penetration, lethality, and other traits.
Tip: Banishment can be internally combusted for a maximum of 5 seconds. Each internal combustion requires 5 natural days to cool down. During this time, Banishment can be used normally. If forced to re-enter internal combustion, Banishment has a high probability of being damaged.
Tip: The overall intensity of this ability can increase with the enhancement of true agility, true intelligence attributes, and Cyan Steel Shadow energy.
...
Su Xiao manipulated Banishment to fly around him and signaled Amu to materialize an Ice Shield and hold it a few meters away.
The Ice Shield materialized in Amu's hand. This shield had strong defensive power, belonging to the top tier of Holy Spirit-grade shields in terms of defense.
After Amu set up the shield, he didn't stand behind it but instead leaned his body to the side.
A fiery red line appeared at the center of Banishment. This line was only as thick as a hair, resulting from the high-intensity self-annihilation reaction of Cyan Steel Shadow energy.
Su Xiao could also achieve this within his body, but he would never do so because he had no interest in suicide.
Bang!
Banishment disappeared from its spot, its speed nearly breaking free from Su Xiao's control. If his neural reflex speed weren't fast enough, he would barely be able to control Banishment at this moment.
Boom, boom, boom...
A series of explosions came from both the front and back of the Ice Shield—Banishment was piercing back and forth through it.
When Su Xiao stopped Banishment, eight fist-sized holes appeared on the Ice Shield. The Ice Shield wasn't afraid of damage; as long as Amu consumed ice energy, the shield could recover.
The Internal Combustion state of Banishment had terrifying penetration power. This was even without Su Xiao concentrating its power into a single attack.
After entering Internal Combustion, Banishment pursued a single, ultimate attack. Even if this attack struck Rogge's chest, it would punch a large hole through it.
Banishment flew back to Su Xiao's side. He manipulated Banishment with ease. Devouring Resonance hadn't increased the control burden. This was different from fusion. If fused, Banishment would have Resonance's traits. Devouring was another concept—sacrificing Resonance to enhance Banishment.
If he had chosen to fuse with Resonance, Banishment would be stronger now, but the control burden would be greater. Choosing to devour Resonance made Banishment easier to control. Each had its pros and cons.
When fighting against trash-tier enemies, Su Xiao no longer needed to grip his blade and charge forward. He could stand at a distance, manipulate Banishment to eliminate the enemy, without even moving a finger.
[Tip: The auction for Saint Seal: Initial Soul Energy has concluded. The final transaction price is 9,750 Soul Coins.]
[After deducting a 10% notarization fee, you have received 8,775 Soul Coins.]
He gained over 200 more Soul Coins than expected, thanks to the broader channels. If he set up a stall on Trade Street, who knew when it would sell.
In addition to these 8,775 Soul Coins, [Soul Scythe: Death Proclamation] had also been sold a few hours ago. Su Xiao now had 19,682 Soul Coins.
With such a large sum of Soul Coins, Su Xiao planned to use them to purchase a detection-type piece of equipment and to upgrade the quality of Dragon-Slaying Flash.