Chapter 83: A Crime Against Heaven's Gifts
Inside the exclusive room, a scale entirely forged from gold appeared in Su Xiao's hand.
Although this scale was made of gold, it did not appear dazzling; instead, it looked somewhat ancient. Its overall framework was simple, consisting of a base, a vertical rod, a crossbeam, and two trays on the left and right. This was the Overlord-rank equipment [Golden Scale].
[Golden Scale]
Origin: Overlord Creature · Molten Gold Demon
Quality: Overlord Rank
Category: Special Equipment
Durability: 50/50 (Self-recovery)
Equipment Requirement: Willpower 100 points or more (current required willpower), Soul Strength 240 points or more.
Equipment Penalty: If the will is not firm enough, one will be corrupted by gold.
Equipment Effect 1: Equivalent Exchange (Passive) — Place any 'consumable item' on the left tray, and an appropriate amount of Soul Crystal (any specification) on the right tray. Once balance is achieved, the placed 'consumable item' will receive a permanent enhancement.
Note: The required number of Soul Crystals (any specification) will be determined by the quality and rating of the 'consumable item' on the left tray.
Equipment Effect 2: After using the Golden Scale multiple times, this ability will be activated.
Equipment Effect 3: After activating Equipment Effect 2, meeting specific conditions will activate this effect.
Rating: ???
Introduction: The essence of the Molten Gold Demon was smelted into molten gold by the Slinthos Dwarves, poured into a mold, and forged into the Golden Scale. It was later stolen by a thief, after which it fell into the hands of a Devil Clan member, who used it to deceive traders. He would gift this item to traders for free, but without a strong consciousness and soul, being corrupted by gold was only a matter of time. Once the trader was fully corrupted, that Devil Clan member would come to reclaim the Golden Scale and take away the molten gold the trader had become. After mixing in an appropriate amount of Soul Energy, he would cast it into Fate Gold Ingots, profiting through violence.
Price: After using this equipment, it cannot be sold.
...
Su Xiao examined the [Golden Scale] in his hand, the more he looked, the more he felt something was off.
According to the equipment's introduction, this item was meant to trap people. Without a sufficiently powerful soul and will, using it would lead to corruption by 'gold,' eventually turning into 'molten gold.' If handled properly, this 'molten gold' could be quite valuable.
Su Xiao studied the [Golden Scale] closely for a while, and finally confirmed one thing: this was an alchemical product, bearing the unique alchemical array patterns of the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization.
From Su Xiao's perspective as an alchemist, this item was definitely not meant to trap people. It was a high-level application of Soul Energy. Its ingenious structure and intricate alchemical array patterns left even Su Xiao in awe.
The Slinthos Dwarves' great fame in the Void was something Su Xiao had heard countless times. This race had gone extinct because they were staunch allies of the Law Destruction Faction.
The blade demon energy sealing device Su Xiao had used back then was crafted by the Slinthos Dwarves. It could be said that most of the tools used by the Law Destruction Faction were made by them.
Forged by the Slinthos Dwarves and inscribed with array patterns by alchemists of the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization, it was a powerful collaboration. Yet the Devil Clan member who once obtained this item used it to scam people?
This operation was a puzzling act. Presumably, that Devil Clan member was not strong, and after obtaining the treasure, he dared not reveal it publicly or consult his kin. The Devil Clan were not exactly friendly with each other; betrayals were common.
The Golden Scale had three abilities, but only one was unlocked. Su Xiao was unsure if this item was meant to assist in alchemy. If so, it would be a huge gain.
Not to mention anything else, if the second or third ability of this scale could enhance supernatural materials, the operational possibilities would be vast.
The final effect of an alchemical product depended on the materials and crafting methods. Assuming the materials for creating Apollo were enhanced, the improvement to the finished Apollo would be predictable.
Not only Apollo, but potion materials could also be upgraded, and the resulting potions would surely have enhanced effects.
Of course, these were all Su Xiao's speculations. Whether the Golden Scale could enhance materials was still unknown. For now, it enhanced consumable items.
Place an item on the left tray, and Soul Crystals of any specification on the right tray. Once the scale balanced, the item would receive a permanent enhancement.
For other contractors, this was a useful ability. For Su Xiao, it was a wonderful ability.
Su Xiao had a special piece of equipment called [Soul Lock Lantern]. Its effect was that after killing an enemy, it would collect the enemy's Soul Energy, purify, cleanse, and filter it to form Soul Crystal Fragments.
These Soul Crystal Fragments could then be synthesized into Soul Crystals (Small, Medium, Large). Each synthesis consumed the durability of the [Soul Lock Lantern], which could not be restored.
This seemed like a consumable piece of equipment, but Su Xiao didn't need it to synthesize Soul Crystal Fragments into Soul Crystals.
He had the Soul Devourer talent. Previously, he had been enhancing his Soul Strength by consuming Soul Crystal Fragments. Later, he got used to it, and as his soul grew stronger, he stopped eating Soul Crystal Fragments and directly consumed the Soul Crystals (Large) he obtained. Not only were they delicious, but the enhancement was also more stable.
Now, the [Soul Lock Lantern] had a new purpose. Su Xiao's plan was to accumulate Soul Crystal Fragments in the [Soul Lock Lantern] by killing enemies, then place the Soul Crystal Fragments on the tray of the Golden Scale to permanently enhance items. In simple terms, it was freeloading.
The Golden Scale required Soul Crystals (any specification). In principle, Soul Crystal Fragments were essentially very small pieces of Soul Crystals.
Since the size wasn't enough, quantity would make up for it. Thinking of this, Su Xiao took out [Resurgence Wood (White ~ Epic Rank Item)] from his storage space and placed it on the left tray of the Golden Scale.
He unclipped the pendant-like [Soul Lock Lantern] from his waist and released a handful of Soul Crystal Fragments from it. The [Soul Lock Lantern] had some spatial properties; it didn't look large, but it could store quite a lot of Soul Crystal Fragments. After all, it was equipment purchased from the Honor Shop.
Su Xiao poured the Soul Crystal Fragments in his hand onto the right tray. Soon, the scale reached a balance point. The Soul Crystal Fragments on the right tray were gradually absorbed by the Golden Scale. The array patterns on it lit up, injecting a stream of converted Soul Energy into the [Resurgence Wood].
The enhancement process was faster than expected. In the end, the [Resurgence Wood] was upgraded to (White ~ Holy Spirit Rank Item). This was a recovery-type item with an effective range of 1 to 100 meters. The higher the user's Charm Attribute, the stronger the effect and the larger the range.
Although the freeloading was successful, the Soul Crystal Fragments in the [Soul Lock Lantern] were not unlimited. Moreover, they could only be stored there. Once taken out, if not used within half an hour, the Soul Crystal Fragments would gradually transform into pure Soul Energy and dissipate.
Items like [Hatred of the Axe] and [Condensed Resentful Blood] could all undergo a one-time permanent enhancement through the Golden Scale. Only once, with no possibility of repeated enhancement.
Su Xiao had an idea. If he could obtain an item that could store a massive amount of Soul Crystal Fragments, and when the accumulation reached a terrifying level, could he use the Golden Scale to enhance the [Time Hourglass]? If so, this 'grand gift' for Arcane Eternal Star would carry even more weight.
Su Xiao stood up and walked toward the Alchemy Laboratory. He had previously obtained a type of cell with strong splitting and compatibility characteristics. Now that he finally had time, he planned to use this cell to create an alchemical creature.