Chapter 11: Wild Resources
The pale white town lay just ahead, its danger level peculiar—high-risk/neutral/safe—suggesting that choices here were crucial.
"Boss, this place suppresses flight. Same thing happened back in the Lost Withered Forest."
As Bahamut spoke, he demonstrated by flying up. The moment he rose over a dozen meters, his body began to tilt, as if some force above was affecting him.
"This feeling is absolutely brutal. My bones feel like they're falling apart."
Bahamut landed on Amumu's shoulder, flexing his sore joints.
Su Xiao stepped forward toward the pale white town. Everything here was unknown, his hand constantly resting on his sword hilt.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang barked, his gaze asking: "Master, what about those miners we encountered in the wild earlier? Shouldn't we go find them?"
That was right—on the way here, Bubu Wang had discovered several contractors from the Apocalypse Paradise. Those people were mining underground, not far from the Lost Withered Forest.
They had set up anti-detection measures at the mine entrance. Bubu Wang had only noticed because the anti-detection equipment relied on camouflaging itself with the surrounding environment.
For someone like Bubu Wang, who could blend into his surroundings, this was like showing off in front of a master. One glance was enough to tell something was off.
"No need to bother with them for now."
Su Xiao wasn't in a hurry to deal with those Apocalypse Paradise contractors. They were wild resources—let them keep mining for now.
Bubu Wang had secretly scouted the mine. There were five people total: four miners working with great enthusiasm, and the last one was a hired "bodyguard," also a combat-type contractor from Apocalypse Paradise.
Lost in thought, Su Xiao had already stepped onto the main street. In an instant, a wave of prying sensations came from all around, as if countless pairs of eyes were watching from every ruined building in the town.
Su Xiao looked down at the white stone slab beneath his feet. On it was a line of writing:
'The king lies ahead. Stop here—this is the Path of Will.'
Ignoring the message, Su Xiao began walking forward alone.
[Prompt: You have stepped onto the Path of Will. Willpower assessment in progress...]
A heavy sensation spread throughout Su Xiao's body. It couldn't affect him, couldn't even make him pause for a moment. A Blade Grandmaster never had weak willpower.
[First Willpower Assessment passed.]
[Second Willpower Assessment in progress...]
As Su Xiao advanced, willpower assessments came one after another. Wherever he passed, a trail of pale blue footprints remained on the white stone, indicating his energy signature.
By the time Su Xiao reached the steps before the pale white palace, three consecutive willpower assessments appeared, each requiring more willpower than the last.
Su Xiao stepped onto the stairs. With a *thump*, all the falling ash in the air froze. He paid no attention to this change and continued forward.
Climbing over a hundred steps, Su Xiao stopped before two massive white metal doors. He placed both hands on the doors.
With a low rumbling sound, the palace doors slowly pushed open. At that moment, Su Xiao felt as if a sharp needle had pierced his mind, causing a buzzing sensation in his head.
[Prompt: You have passed the Path of Will.]
[Your Mental Strength has permanently increased by 7 points.]
[Your Willpower has permanently increased by 5 points.]
[The Pale White Town has become a safe zone (limited to Hunters and their followers, summons, etc.).]
The ash drifting through the sky dissipated, and the air was no longer cold. Su Xiao sensed that all the prying gazes had vanished.
Standing before the now-open palace doors, Su Xiao turned to look back. Dozens of translucent figures, filled with white threads inside, appeared. They were both male and female, wearing translucent armor with various weapons at their waists.
Thousands of these figures floated a dozen meters in the air. They all bowed to Su Xiao before sinking into the various ruined buildings.
With a *whoosh*, flames ignited in a forge. Sparks flew out from the doorway as the furnace was relit. The pale white town only welcomed those with strong wills.
*Squeak, squeak, squeak~*
From the insect tower came the chirping of void crickets. The spiral lock on the iron door turned, and with a *click*, it vanished into the door. The insect tower was activated.
Su Xiao realized this place was quite good—it had an insect tower and was safe enough. It was an excellent choice for a base camp.
Su Xiao walked into the pale white palace. The light inside was somewhat dim. In the empty hall, candelabras lay scattered on the floor. Many picture frames hung on the walls, most decayed. One half-decayed frame vaguely showed three spider legs painted on it.
In the next frame, only a wooden staff could be seen; the rest was blurred.
The last frame contained a large, bloated, dark purple mass of flesh. It was elongated in shape, and based on the comparison with objects in the painting, this was a large creature.
Below this painting was written: 'Mother of All Creation.'
Clearly, this was the Mother Goddess, the native deity of this world.
At the innermost part of the palace, a pale white glow emanated. The area was filled with translucent chains—at least several hundred of them. All the chains converged on the throne, sinking into the body of a figure without arms: the Light King.
Due to centuries of being pulled by hundreds of soul chains, the Light King's body was like broken ceramic, split into hundreds of pieces barely forming a human shape. Every crack emitted a faint light. The pain and torment he endured every second were unimaginable. He had suffered this pain for centuries, bringing centuries of stability to this world.
Wars among humans? Compared to an ancient god breaking free, those wars were nothing.
"Explorer of the throne, halt!"
A crisp shout came. A stone statue to the right of the Light King shattered, and a light red figure in exquisite armor leaped out. Her figure was curvaceous under the form-fitting armor, and she held a short spear about one meter thirty in length, its blade seeming made of crystal.
"Do not disturb the king. Step back."
The royal guard's eyes were lively, showing no sign of having slept for centuries. Her name was Moon Spirit. Despite her graceful figure and clear voice, if Su Xiao hadn't forcefully passed the Path of Will without external help, Moon Spirit's blade spear would have already attacked.
"Are you the Light King's guard?"
Su Xiao didn't intend to fight. One look was enough to tell that this royal guard wasn't very bright.
"That's right."
Moon Spirit raised her chin with some pride.
"Then step aside. Don't delay our business."
Bahamut landed on Su Xiao's shoulder and began his bluffs.
"I absolutely will not."
Moon Spirit was resolute, her clear eyes seemingly unaware of the world's treachery.
"As the king's guard, you're fine with watching the Light King being torn into hundreds of pieces?"
"I..."
Moon Spirit began to hesitate. She had been a royal guard since she could remember, even back when she couldn't run as fast as the king could walk.
"Demon... ah, no, royal guard, step back quickly. We bear the great responsibility of humanity and have come to meet with the Light King. A bit hard to understand? That's fine. Simply put, go cool off somewhere. We were entrusted by the Great Sage and the Wolf Spider Queen to come here."
Bahamut spouted nonsense, and Moon Spirit hesitated.
"Proof?"
"Catch."
Bahamut tossed over a phone. No matter how hard Moon Spirit tried, she couldn't figure out this thing. Bahamut did this because Moon Spirit was strong. Despite her dim wits, she would be formidable in a fight.
Holding the phone, Moon Spirit fell into deep confusion. After hesitating repeatedly, she still stepped aside but remained ready to pounce. Bubu Wang approached, took out a bag of snacks, and started eating.
Su Xiao stepped forward and stopped before the throne. The Light King on the throne slowly raised his head, opening his eyes to reveal cracked pupils. After a few seconds, the Light King's eyes closed again, and his head drooped.
[Prompt: Because the Hunter arrived at the Pale White Town too early, the Light King has not yet entered an awakened state. It is estimated that in 6 hours, the Light King can awaken for 10 to 15 minutes.]
Seeing this prompt, Su Xiao turned and walked out of the palace. He had arrived too early. For now, he had two options: explore the pale white town, checking out the forge and the bookstore, or cross the Lost Withered Forest again to "harvest" wild resources. In that regard, as long as he didn't run into acquaintances like Molei, combat wouldn't be a problem.
After weighing his options, Su Xiao decided to deal with those Apocalypse Paradise contractors first. If those people mined the vein dry and then left, there would be nothing to find. This opportunity was rare—he couldn't let the wild resources slip away.
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