Chapter 35: The Decision
The second stage seal of the Doom Number had been successfully lifted. According to Baha's statistics, the combat power of most cursed people on the ship was roughly similar, except for a few who were already strong in life.
These individuals were: Ghost Shadow·Nae, Hanging Hand·Wo, Tear·Coleridge, and Sea Fury (whose real name had been forgotten).
Beyond these exceptionally powerful cursed people, the next tier included Mad Dog·Quik and Amuns.
After the battle began, if Su Xiao was not present, Amuns would command the cursed people in combat. The current ranking of the cursed people's combat power was as follows:
Amuns → Mad Dog·Quik (in a fully insane state, slightly stronger than Amuns, but indiscriminate) → Ghost Shadow → Hanging Hand → Sea Fury.
Among these, Ghost Shadow was most skilled at infiltration. After activating its ability, it could enter a "submerged stealth" state in the air, moving at ultra-high speed. The enemy might not even react before its long dagger slit their throat, causing true bleeding damage that lasted nearly an hour, with wounds extremely difficult to staunch.
Hanging Hand, on the other hand, had astonishing grip strength in its fingers. During combat, its ten fingers were like razors, tearing flesh from enemies.
Mad Dog·Quik needed no further explanation. It could not be released in regular combat. When it was truly needed, one had to first stab it a few times through the metal cage to thoroughly enrage it, then open the gate and let the mad dog loose.
Amuns practiced pure aristocratic swordsmanship. This seemingly aged cursed person's rapier was coated with death.
It could be said that, compared to the previous swarm of cursed people who charged in a mob, the current dozen or so cursed people each had their own characteristics. With their consciousness restored to clarity, they all brought out their signature skills.
The strength of the cursed people lay not in numbers, but in the power of their average combat capability.
After understanding the general situation of the cursed people, Su Xiao was satisfied. It was no wonder the Doom Number could stir up bloody storms on the Demon Sea. With these crew members, as long as the captain didn't court death, few could defeat the Doom Number.
Of course, this was also related to Su Xiao's high soul strength. He completely suppressed the Doom Number, keeping the cursed people so clear-headed.
Apart from this, the War Lord's bonuses were also crucial. With several bonuses applied, the cursed people had reached their current strength.
Though it seemed strong now, this was not the limit. The Doom Number still had one final stage of sealing.
To lift this final seal, a full 100,000 or more Demon Sea gold coins were needed. Su Xiao did not plan to remove this last seal anytime soon.
The reason was that while the seal restricted the Doom Number's combat power, it also limited the spread speed of the curse. Before figuring out how to lift the Demon Sea's curse, Su Xiao would not touch this final seal.
The Demon Sea gold coins needed for the final seal should be prepared in advance. When the situation became dire enough, there would be a chance for a last-ditch effort.
Su Xiao sat on the ship's railing. His goal was clear: first seize the Sea King's Horn, with the initial opponent being the West Sea King, followed by the Twin Towers·Empress.
After completing the first step, he could assemble the Sea King's Horn intact, then summon the strongest sea beast and kill it.
After doing this, he would see what information the main quest provided. As long as he completed the main quest of this world, Su Xiao could break through the 200-point attribute barrier. This was his ultimate goal.
Regarding the Legend Ranking, Su Xiao was not fixated on taking first place. He was currently suffering from the curse of demonization, so he wasn't too optimistic about the first-place reward, the [Demon Sea Baptism].
Su Xiao had recently consumed the [Tree's Blessing] potion, brewed from Void Tree fruit, for deep physical recovery. Thus, his interest in the [Demon Sea Baptism] was minimal.
He was very interested in the second-place reward, the [Immortal Rank Equipment Chest (randomly produces a full-score Immortal Rank equipment)], and the third-place reward, the [Angel Set (Holy Spirit Rank healing set)].
A full-score Immortal Rank equipment, if suitable for Su Xiao, would greatly enhance his strength. As for the [Angel Set], if hung on the auction platform, the healers of Holy Light Paradise would definitely be willing to spend a large number of Soul Coins.
Su Xiao felt that finishing second this time would yield the highest benefit for him. Third place was also acceptable. The current problem was that the combat power under his command might not allow him to take second place. It was very possible that, as the battle progressed, he would inexplicably end up in first place.
Opening the Legend Ranking, Su Xiao looked at the first-place holder, Moon Wolf, who had 3,519 Legend Points. The second-place, Scale Dragon·Alex, had 3,507 Legend Points, about to overtake the top spot.
Seeing these two's Legend Points, Su Xiao felt much more relaxed. The upper echelon of Eighth Rank contractors was impressive. This time, second or third place was likely secure.
"My dear friend, what are you thinking?"
Kaisa walked out of the nearby black mist. His attire had completely changed, now dressed like an imperial royal. The feeling was somewhat strange—expensive and luxurious clothes, but when worn by Kaisa, they looked like theatrical costumes.
Kaisa came to the deck, and large money bags appeared, piling up several meters high.
"Supply can't meet demand. Those imperial royals are surprisingly afraid of death. Two bottles of [Vitality Recovery] potion finally sold for 65,800 gold coins. After deducting Fulande's ten percent and Commander Murray's twenty percent, there's 46,060 gold coins left.
Before coming back, I helped the Imperial Bank circulate some liquid funds and got some net profit. Then I did a few 'small deals' with some gangs in the royal city. They've been short on money lately, so they paid with goods. After I sold that batch of goods at 'Jinghua Port,' the total came to 67,259 gold coins. My dear friend, please check the accounts."
Kaisa pulled out a nearly two-meter-long bill. Upon closer inspection, it was encrypted in multiple languages.
This was the benefit of cooperating with Kaisa. Originally, after selling two bottles of [Vitality Recovery], Su Xiao would have gotten 14,000 Demon Sea gold coins in net profit. But after Kaisa's maneuvering, 67,259 Demon Sea gold coins were in hand.
"No need."
Su Xiao didn't touch the yellow-tinged black bill. He signaled Baha to go to the captain's cabin and fetch 30 bottles of [Vitality Recovery].
"My dear friend, what level has your alchemy reached?"
Kaisa rubbed his hands. He had no talent in alchemy but was obsessed with it. Ninety percent of his earnings went to improving his survival abilities, 1.2% was saved, 8% was invested in alchemy, and the rest was for regular expenses.
"This is the formula for the Stigma Potion. It's yours."
Su Xiao tossed out a piece of parchment. It contained a complete formula, along with his later annotations.
Stigma Potion: After drinking/injecting, permanently increases Strength by 1 point, Agility by 1 point, and Health by 100 points (This potion is effective only when Strength and Agility are below 20 points. Repeated use is ineffective.)
Although the Stigma Potion's effects were average, the formula was rare. As for why he didn't give Kaisa a higher-level potion formula, it was because Kaisa simply couldn't understand it.
Kaisa opened the parchment. After a moment, he smiled confidently.
"Basically understood. Simple enough. I'll brew a bottle when I get back."
Kaisa said this but didn't leave, making the situation somewhat awkward.
"If there's something you don't understand, ask."
"Uh~, well~, aside from the required materials, I'm not too familiar with the rest. A bit of understanding, I guess."
Kaisa displayed his shamelessness. His level of comprehension was equivalent to reading a book and only understanding the title on the cover—and that title was even in a pinyin-annotated version.
"..."
Su Xiao took out a notebook, pressed his fingertip on it, and used his mental energy to construct small blue characters. Soon, the entire notebook was filled. He built a 'Bagu Luo Array Diagram' on the cover to ensure the mental energy text lasted a long time.
"Study it yourself when you get back."
Su Xiao handed the notebook to Kaisa. Kaisa took it, flipped through a few pages, and his eyes lit up. He could understand this notebook.
"I see. A change in nature doesn't necessarily equal a qualitative change? It could also be fission? In that case..."
As Kaisa spoke, he pulled something from his pocket. A smell like rotten eggs mixed with concentrated sulfuric acid, plus an extremely eye-stinging odor, spread out. It was Kaisa's sock.
"Damn it, have you been carrying shit in your pocket? Ugh~"
Baha let out a dry heave, his eyes rolling back.
"Woof!"
Bubu Wang turned and ran. His nose went numb. In the metal cage on the deck, Mad Dog·Quik's abdomen churned. It had been sleeping soundly when it was suddenly jolted awake by an explosive smell.
"Ugh~, what's that smell?"
"Who's cooking shit! Do you want to die!"
One by one, cursed people emerged from the deck, driven out by the stench.
Kaisa realized the situation was bad, quickly stuffed his sock away, and scurried off into the black mist on the island.
The smell gradually dissipated. Su Xiao took off the gas mask on his face and tossed it into the pitch-black sea.
A large amount of Demon Sea gold coins had come in, enough to replenish the crew. But before that, Su Xiao had something to clarify.
Getting off the ship, Su Xiao headed straight for the old hag's wooden hut. Earlier, when negotiating with the Sea Devotee, he had triggered an achievement quest. The task was to kill the old hag.
This quest had no penalty, no time limit, and not even a specific description. He didn't know what the reward was either.
Su Xiao pushed open the wooden hut's door. The old hag was still sitting inside. Seeing Su Xiao visit, she let out a hoarse laugh.
"You've already met the Sea Devotee, haven't you? Did that traitor send you to kill me?"
As soon as the old hag finished speaking, Su Xiao received a notification.
[Notification: The Hunter has triggered the Achievement Quest: Eliminate the Sea Devotee (Quest content cannot be viewed. Complete after killing the Fog Keeper·Sea Devotee. This quest has no penalty.)]
[Notification: 'Achievement Quest: Eliminate the Crow' and 'Achievement Quest: Eliminate the Sea Devotee' have merged.]
[You have accepted the Achievement Quest: The Decision.]
[Quest Content: Kill either the Fog Keeper·Crow or the Fog Keeper·Sea Devotee.]
[Notification: The Hunter may choose to ignore this Achievement Quest. This action will not trigger unknown risks.]
[Notification: After completing this quest, the Hunter can learn the method to lift the Demon Sea's curse in advance.]
[Quest Reward: World-Class Chest.]
...
"Kill the Sea Devotee, and I will take over his role in managing the cursed people in the black mist. Whether it's the crows or the cursed people, you can take as many as you want without paying Demon Sea gold coins. After you kill the Sea Devotee, I'll tell you a secret—a secret about the curse."
The old hag grinned, revealing only three teeth: two on the top and one on the bottom.
Both the old hag and the Sea Devotee called each other traitors. They had both followed the Doom Number's third captain into the great whirlpool at the end of the Demon Sea.
Between these two, the old hag was always full of malice. It couldn't be ignored that the Black Crow Ring, Curse Stone, and other items were all provided by her. Replenishing Black Curse Crows from her didn't cost Demon Sea gold coins.
From what the old hag just said, she knew how to lift the Demon Sea's curse, but the price was killing the Sea Devotee first.
The Sea Devotee's consciousness was somewhat blurry. It often repeated one sentence: don't completely lift the Doom Number's seal yet. Once the seal was fully removed, the Demon Sea's curse would erupt completely.
Besides that, the Sea Devotee had also revealed that it knew how to lift the Demon Sea's curse. To learn this secret, Su Xiao had to kill the old hag.
The old hag's strength needed no elaboration. As for the Sea Devotee, despite looking like it was about to die, if it came to a fight, its strength might be similar to the old hag's.
Why didn't they kill each other themselves? Su Xiao speculated that neither could do anything to the other.
Although Mingguang Island wasn't large, among the top five strongest in this world, Mingguang Island occupied three spots: the old hag, the Sea Devotee, and the massive existence in the black mist.
Was this quest a choice? Not exactly. Su Xiao felt it was a death sentence.