Chapter 3: Punishment
After reviewing the world introduction, Su Xiao gained a general understanding of the Dark Star World. First, his current location was the 'Old Royal Capital·Taro,' once the center of power for the human race. The Palace of the Light King was built in the rear district of the 'Old Royal Capital·Taro,' but it was now abandoned, desolate, and dilapidated.
The Light King was neither the monarch of an empire nor the king of a specific kingdom. Dozens of large and small kingdoms existed across human territory, each with their own king. The Light King stood above these kings, more like a maintainer of balance than a ruler, preventing wars among the nations. However, this was a matter of a bygone era.
In the past, the 'Royal Capital·Taro' saw many kings come annually to pay homage, though not all were qualified to meet the Light King. It could be said that the Light King of that time was like a deity without a divine name, at least in the hearts of the people within the Dark Star World.
After the Ancient God was sealed, the Light King gradually faded from public view. The corruption did cease, but the conflicts among the various kingdoms within human territory fermented day by day. The fear brought by the Ancient God lasted only a century before being forgotten, and wars broke out between the kingdoms.
Regarding the human wars, the beasts became bystanders, respecting only the Light King and harboring no goodwill toward human kings or lords.
The bugs of the underground kingdom had little recourse. Humans were already unfriendly toward them, and going to 'mediate' at this point would only pour oil on the fire.
It could be said that in the centuries since the Ancient God was sealed, the human territories had been quite lively. Wild royal families emerged in waves, only to disappear in waves.
In the end, even farmers marrying off their daughters would claim they were marrying off a fallen princess, leading to an epidemic of such claims in marriage matters.
During these centuries, a few great figures did emerge who could lead humanity to prosperity, but a heavenly wall stood before them: the Light King.
Whenever someone attempted to unify the various human forces, someone would immediately jump out, accusing them of blasphemy against the Light King, and they would be attacked from all sides.
This situation persisted until cracks appeared in the container, the Ancient God's corruption descended once more, and prolonged warfare caused the major human factions to collapse in a short time. The already chaotic currencies all lost credibility, becoming worthless.
The current situation was that, except for a few major cities, other places were in a state of lawlessness, such as the 'Old Royal Capital·Taro.'
It wasn't entirely accurate to say this world had no currency at all. There was a hard currency called 'Crystal Resin,' an extract from a rare crystal. To this day, its origin remained unknown. Some said it was purified by the bugs, while others believed it came from the 'Final Green Land.'
At room temperature, Crystal Resin had hardness and weight comparable to metal. It wouldn't burn when exposed to high heat but would dissolve, allowing it to be cast into different shapes using molds.
The use of Crystal Resin was simple: wearing it made one less susceptible to corruption. However, approaching the 'Sealed Land' would result in instant corruption. As long as one didn't court death, wearing Crystal Resin was relatively safe.
Crystal Resin had become one of the three essentials for survival, alongside food and fresh water. Ordinary people could live without Crystal Resin, but they certainly wouldn't live long, as the container's damage was worsening.
Su Xiao hadn't seen Crystal Resin yet. He planned to obtain some and see if he could replicate it through alchemy. If possible, it would be a massive windfall.
Crystal Resin was originally a necessity for ordinary people. A few years ago, the bugs reopened their foreign trade, using Crystal Resin as a standard of value.
The bugs were more numerous, and some had very weak consciousness, making Crystal Resin a necessity for them. If they dared to remove it, they would be corrupted the next second.
The bugs' urgent need for Crystal Resin made it an absolute hard currency. Human transcendents could use Crystal Resin to buy various supernatural items and materials in the bugs' underground kingdom. The beasts also needed it, as their newborn young had to wear Crystal Resin immediately.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang barked beside Su Xiao, meaning: "Master, this dog smells the 'scent' of an Ancient God."
"Are you sure?"
"Woof."
Receiving Bubu Wang's affirmative reply, Su Xiao looked at Baha, who nodded. He had also sensed the fluctuation of the Ancient God, not the power of corruption, but something else.
Su Xiao's expression turned contemplative. The Ancient God of this world was sealed. Why had there been a fleeting aura of the Ancient God nearby just now? It felt very much like a peep.
Regarding the sealed Ancient God, Su Xiao was very interested. Such Ancient Gods that suckle on worlds were ten to one evil gods. Su Xiao wasn't interested in what it had done, nor would he go under the banner of justice to judge it. However, killing that Ancient God would greatly increase the growth of the [Divine Judgment] ring, along with obtaining Divine Bones.
An Ancient God capable of corrupting an entire world would most likely produce an Immortal-rank Divine Bone. Su Xiao already had two Immortal-rank Divine Bones. With one more, he could upgrade a Holy Spirit-rank equipment to Immortal-rank.
The Ancient God was sealed by a container, but the container alone wasn't enough to completely seal it. Outside the container were Soul Chains, constructed by the Light King, the Great Sage, and the Spider Queen using parts of their souls.
Now, these three had differing opinions. The Light King was the most stable, advocating for cultivating a new container for a second seal. The Spider Queen was radical, having reached her limit and wanting a decisive battle with the Ancient God.
The Great Sage advocated for holding on. Cultivating a container wasn't easy. After the last union with the Mother God, the Light King nearly died. The success rate of a second container cultivation was too low, and a decisive battle with the Ancient God was too reckless. They hadn't won in the most glorious era; could they win now? They should hold on as long as possible, buying the last bit of time for the strong of the three races.
Who among these three was right or wrong was hard to judge. They were the parties involved, and some situations were beyond outsiders' understanding. Being willing to become the chains outside the container meant these three were prepared to die at any moment.
Su Xiao had already assessed the current situation. He would ignore the Space-Time Power trade for now. There were 5 to 12 days before the two contractor teams' trade, and Su Xiao would receive a notification before then.
Opening the task list, two tasks appeared before Su Xiao.
[Resource Task: Space-Time Power Struggle (This task is pending activation).]
[Main Task: Light King (First Ring)]
Difficulty Level: Lv.73
Task Information: Find the Light King, meet with him, and obtain important intelligence.
Task Brief: The Light King has been missing for many years. Only the 'Soul Clock Tower' and the 'Kodo School' know of his whereabouts.
Task Time Limit: 4 natural days.
Task Reward: True Attribute Points × 2.
Task Penalty: True Stamina Attribute -3 points.
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