Chapter 26: Persistence
The spatial rift within the secret chamber vanished, and the Surging Madness departed. Its descent had not been interfered with by the Void Tree, because Su Xiao had deliberately attracted the void entity, and interfering with that process would violate the principles of impartiality.
Of course, if the Surging Madness had fully descended, things would have been different, leading to very severe consequences.
Regarding the First Generation Finger Bone, Su Xiao had been researching it. His conclusion was that he could use it immediately to enhance his Azure Steel Shadow energy, but whether his current body could withstand such an enhancement was unknown.
Once he became strong enough to a certain degree and had further improved his Azure Steel Shadow ability, using the First Generation Finger Bone would be sufficiently safe.
In his earlier transaction with the Surging Madness, Su Xiao aimed to maximize benefits and use the First Generation Finger Bone in a more effective way.
He had asked Tuanzhang, White Bull, Holy Maiden Seat, and others about this issue. The conversation at that time was as follows:
Su Xiao: 'How can I use the First Generation Finger Bone more effectively?'
Tuanzhang: 'Have your Azure Steel Shadow energy devour it? That might work.'
White Bull: 'Eat it.'
Holy Maiden Seat: 'I know, I know! Mix it into a potion, then dilute that potion with water and take a bath in it. Why aren't you responding to me? This must be feasible.'
Su Xiao hadn't bothered with Holy Maiden Seat at the time. White Bull's suggestion was completely out of the question. As for Tuanzhang's answer, while it had some reference value, it was too simple and crude.
An unavoidable issue was that Su Xiao had to figure things out on his own on the path to becoming stronger. As for Mawen Hua'erzi, Su Xiao had already discovered that the unscrupulous fellow wasn't unwilling to tell him these things—he simply didn't know. Mawen Hua'erzi was a practical fighter, extremely poor in theory.
If Green Gillian's remnant soul were still around, that madwoman would definitely know the best way to use the First Generation Finger Bone.
Su Xiao put away the black sphere in his hand. This item was a consumable that could be used multiple times. Each time, it needed to be soaked in water, placed nearby, and then he would enter a meditative state.
Undeniably, using this thing carried considerable risk. It would be safer to use it after returning to Reincarnation Paradise.
Su Xiao walked out of the secret chamber. He still hadn't found the Bern family heirloom, which was crucial to the main mission.
Returning to the second underground floor, Su Xiao searched around Baron Bern's corpse but found nothing suspicious. There were no mechanisms on the walls either.
As a family heirloom, it must be stored in a sufficiently secure place, and it was definitely within the castle. This was the Bern family's stronghold; for Baron Bern, there was no safer place than this.
A place that was secure enough, where Baron Bern frequently went, but outsiders couldn't easily reach—such a place existed somewhere in the castle.
Su Xiao first went to the third floor of the castle, Baron Bern's bedroom. He took out a can of spray and began spraying it on the bedroom walls.
A few faint fingerprints appeared on the wall. Su Xiao took out the [Soul's Whisper] short blade and cut several recesses into the wall, finding nothing.
Finding nothing in the bedroom, Su Xiao headed straight for Baron Bern's study. For Baron Bern, these two places were actually safer than the family vault.
In the study, Su Xiao began spraying the walls again. A section of wall with fingerprints caught his attention.
The fingerprints on this section of wall had been overlapped many times, conservatively dozens of times. Baron Bern had frequently pressed his finger against this spot.
Su Xiao tapped the wall lightly and attached a suction cup connected to a laptop to the surface.
Through the captured sound waves, the laptop screen displayed the image inside the wall. Embedded within were many gems and metal tubes, along with a fleshy mass that was pulsating like a heart. In this situation, forcing it open was not a wise decision.
Su Xiao had Baha retrieve one of Baron Bern's fingers and some of his blood. Soon, Baha returned.
Su Xiao took out several test tubes, poured different solutions into them, and finally mixed in Baron Bern's blood to amplify the weak life force within it. Although Baron Bern was dead, his body hadn't completely died; it would take some time for the life force in his body to fully dissipate.
After waiting for half a minute, most of the solution in the test tube had evaporated, leaving only a small amount at the bottom. Su Xiao poured this small amount onto Baron Bern's severed finger. The solution quickly seeped in, and the originally waxy yellow skin of the severed finger regained a trace of color.
He pressed the severed finger against the wall, and a sound like a heartbeat came from within the wall—this was a life force resonance.
The bricks on the wall recessed inward, and a lidless stone box rose from below, containing three items.
Half of a certain creature's horn, a golden skull the size of a goose egg, and a letter.
The moment of harvest had arrived. Su Xiao first picked up the half-horn.
[You have obtained the Bern family heirloom. This item is the Sea King's Horn (1/3).]
[Main Mission: Notorious Infamy - First Ring (Completed)]
[You have received the mission reward: Growth-type Equipment Chest.]
[Main Mission Second Ring has been successfully triggered.]
[Main Mission: Wrath of the West Sea King (Second Ring)]
Difficulty Level: Lv.70 ~ Lv.74.
Mission Information: Because you have destroyed the Bern family, the interests of the West Sea King, who was secretly cooperating with them, have been damaged. You will face the West Sea King's retaliation.
Tip: This mission will have two branches.