Chapter 66: Backstab Charging Up
Art? It's a miracle. The sun is a miracle."
Bishop Cooper spoke while casting a scrutinizing gaze, then sighed and shook his head, as if to say, "Kids these days."
"In this world that's constantly heading toward destruction, everyone has secrets. Bai Ye, from now on, you are the alchemist of the Sun Church."
Bishop Cooper seemed unconcerned about Su Xiao's origins, but in reality, he had no way to make Su Xiao leave at the moment. The Sun Church's system was too extreme, and there was no helping it. In this world where beasts ran rampant, and which might shatter within a hundred years, or even sooner, being extreme was the only way to survive.
[Tip: The Hunter's position within the Sun Church has changed.]
[You have been promoted from ordinary believer to Alchemist.]
[Due to the Hunter holding a large amount of Reputation Points, your Alchemist rank has reached the maximum level.]
[Current Reputation Level: 1,461,000 / 1,200,000 points (Solar Rank · Alchemist). This is a special reputation level.]
[Because the Alchemist rank has reached the maximum level, the following permissions have been activated.]
[Alchemist Identity Basic Permission · Mixing Income: You can earn Sun Gold Coins (1 Sun Gold Coin = 10 Reputation Points) by accepting alchemical mixing commissions.]
[Alchemist Identity High-Level Permission · Healer: As a top alchemist of the church, believers trust you. You can gain Reputation Points by treating believers of the Sun Church.]
...
Two new permissions. The first was useless, conflicting with Su Xiao's plans. The second was very useful. He had tried it last night, treating Sun Church believers for free in the medical room on the third floor.
Last night, he had treated dozens of people one after another, with obvious results. Originally, the church's high-ranking members were going to impeach Su Xiao this morning, but in the end, only Bishop Cooper came.
"This is your proof of identity as an alchemist. Don't mind the suspicions of others. Time will prove everything."
Bishop Cooper handed over a white robe folded into a square. This was the symbol of an alchemist. Seeing the style of the white robe, Su Xiao frowned. The head barrel showed his expression change.
This alchemist's white robe was bright red on the inside, with a golden sun emblem on the back. It was somewhat similar to the one he wore as the Holy Flame Alchemist, but this robe had no hood, since he had to wear the head barrel.
Su Xiao didn't linger. After politely declining Bishop Cooper's invitation to develop alchemy together, he led Bubu Wang and Baha down to the first floor.
As soon as he reached the first floor, Su Xiao was intercepted by Kaisa, who was waiting there. Kaisa asked:
"My dear friend, how did your negotiations with the church's high-ranking members go? I've already prepared everything on my end."
Su Xiao raised his right hand holding the white robe. Kaisa nodded, indicating he understood.
Su Xiao was quite surprised that Kaisa said he had already prepared everything. This meant Kaisa had already sold all the Sun Potions, and it wasn't even long after dawn.
Seeming to sense Su Xiao's doubt, Kaisa led the way ahead with his chest puffed out, as if to say: 'My dear friend, cooperating with Kaisa won't let you down. That thirty percent cut was well worth it.'
Returning to the room at the supply point, Kaisa took out several large bags of gold coins from behind the counter. After the handover, Su Xiao received a notification.
[You have gained 189,000 Reputation Points.]
[You have gained 252,000 Reputation Points.]
[You have gained 273,000 Reputation Points.]
...
With these earnings credited, Su Xiao's Reputation Points reached 2,175,000. This meant he could now exchange for 21 [Scroll Fragments], [Steel Box], [Solar Flame · Detonation Mark], and other items.
But now wasn't the time. Su Xiao had an even bigger scheme in mind. Although many people died from greed, if he didn't seize the opportunity, the coming period would be very difficult for him. Everything had two sides. Whether this was excessive greed or seizing an opportunity depended on the final outcome.
Su Xiao's current Reputation Points were over 2 million. The Sun Potions had all been sold. Without the main material, he couldn't make more Sun Potions. This business was over.
Behind the counter, Kaisa rubbed his hands together, his eyes full of anticipation, waiting for Su Xiao to take out a certain item.
"Kaisa, when this matter is settled, I'll treat you to a 'big meal' in the end."
Su Xiao took a potion from his storage space and placed it on the counter. This was a Perfect-grade Sun Potion. Su Xiao only had two bottles of this potion.
[Sun Holy Elixir (Perfect)]
Origin: Sand World · Pending Alchemist (Alchemist name, can be set by the Hunter).
Quality: Immortal Rank
Type: Permanent Enhancement Potion
Effect 1: Within 30 minutes of drinking, Solar Power permanently increases by 5,200 points, Solar Power Adaptability +19 points.
Perfect Grade Bonus: After drinking, permanently and significantly increases the vitality of all internal organs.
Tip: This potion is ineffective if consumed repeatedly.
Rating: 1,276 points (Immortal Rank potion rating is 1,000 to 1,500 points).
Introduction: Pending (can be freely set by the Hunter).
Price: Pending (can be freely set by the Hunter).
...
Su Xiao kept one bottle of this. The significant increase in organ vitality would give him greater survivability. As for the increase in Solar Power and Solar Power Adaptability, drinking it would be ineffective for him since he didn't even have the origin of Solar Power in his body, so there was nothing to enhance.
As soon as [Sun Holy Elixir (Perfect)] was placed on the table, it vanished with a whoosh. Even with Su Xiao's eyesight, he couldn't see what happened. The moment he put down [Sun Holy Elixir (Perfect)], the potion was already in Kaisa's hand.
Kaisa gulped, swallowing saliva, and even licked his lips. It looked like he was about to pull out the stopper and pour it down his throat.
"Bai Ye, when this matter reaches the end... are we really going to eat that 'big meal'? Isn't it too risky?"
Kaisa hesitated.
"I've gained over 2 million Reputation Points this time. Without your help, it wouldn't have gone so smoothly. If you don't want to eat the final 'big meal,' then consider this bottle of Sun Holy Elixir as payment. I've processed this potion. After drinking it, don't ingest [Nie Oxygen], or you'll die. Take this potion, and our cooperation ends here..."
"No, no. I'll eat the 'big meal.' I definitely have to eat the 'big meal.' This time, consider it a favor to the Blazing Sun Lord."
Kaisa looked at the [Sun Holy Elixir (Perfect)] in his hand with reluctance, his undisguised craving evident. He gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, made a tough decision, and put away [Sun Holy Elixir (Perfect)].
Kaisa's position in the Sun Church was essentially a quartermaster, just with a different title. Now he had to leave for a while, with Bubu Wang taking his place.
Bubu Wang was quite experienced with this. He had been a quartermaster before in the Fifth Rank battlefield, Thorn Insect Star.
When the believers came to the supply point again and saw a big dog behind the counter, the expressions under their head barrels would be quite interesting.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang sat on the chair behind the counter. After Kaisa temporarily transferred a large number of permissions, he hurriedly left for the dynasty ruins, Holy Dan City, to meet the Blazing Sun Lord.
This time, Kaisa went to meet the Sun Lord on behalf of Su Xiao. During the meeting, Kaisa would gift the Sun Lord a bottle of [Sun Holy Elixir (Perfect)].
Last night, while treating the believers, Su Xiao learned through indirect questioning that the Blazing Sun Lord's power also came from the sun. He didn't believe in the sun but was born with a solar lineage bloodline.
For the Blazing Sun Lord, [Sun Holy Elixir (Perfect)] was an irresistible gift. This potion wasn't given for free. Before handing it over, Kaisa would discuss one matter with the Blazing Sun Lord: the competition for the 'Beast Heart.'
Through Kaisa, Su Xiao learned about a sacred object called the 'Beast Heart' located in the grand cathedral of the Sun Church. He had no interest in it whatsoever. Theoretically, he couldn't obtain it, not even a one-in-ten-thousand chance. As for others, maybe they could.
This wasn't important. As long as the Blazing Sun Lord believed Su Xiao was scheming for the 'Beast Heart,' that was enough. The other party wouldn't refuse [Sun Holy Elixir (Perfect)].
Su Xiao wasn't afraid the other party would take the item and not deliver. Mixed into that potion was an active cell called 'Qie Ge.' This was very difficult to detect. Even if it was detected, it didn't matter. It was a comprehensive substance, not only harmless but actually speeding up the absorption of the potion.
'Qie Ge Cells' were, of course, not a good thing. After entering a living body, they would integrate into the body's cells, surviving for about 16 to 17 days before dying due to natural metabolism.
Within those 16 to 17 days, once the 'Qie Ge Cells' were exposed to 'Nie Oxygen' through the body, they would undergo a mutation-like wild fission. First, they would fuse with the body's cells, breaking the limits within the cells, completely shutting down the regeneration inhibition of the cells.
This was a terrifying situation. Uncontrolled regeneration equaled proliferation. In less than a minute, the target affected by 'Qie Ge Cells' + 'Nie Oxygen' would grow into a huge, rotten ball of flesh, screaming in despair and writhing.
Many people didn't know that after the extinction of the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization, quite a few people were so happy they wanted to set off firecrackers. The alchemists of the Second Era were indeed big shots, developing all kinds of alchemical potions and items, and were honored guests of many major powers.
In contrast, these alchemists were also terrifying. If you offended them, who knew what they would add to your potions? Inspection? Having someone test the potion? Crisis detection? Forget it, none of that worked.
It could be said that Su Xiao used both the carrot and the stick. [Sun Holy Elixir (Perfect)] was the carrot. The Beast Heart was the reason for cooperation and to make the Blazing Sun Lord believe that Su Xiao would stand on his side to achieve his goal. And 'Qie Ge Cells' + 'Nie Oxygen' was the insurance.
More importantly, there was the Sun Church's high-ranking members' attitude toward Su Xiao. Su Xiao believed that the Blazing Sun Lord would definitely find out about this later.
The church's high-ranking members' attitude toward him would make the Blazing Sun Lord believe that Su Xiao was willing to betray the church at any time and stand united with him for the Beast Heart.
Besides these, compared to Su Xiao's identity as an alchemist, the [Sun Holy Elixir (Perfect)] used as bait was nothing. Could the Blazing Sun Lord really refuse to cooperate with an alchemist?
Factors like the carrot, the reason for cooperation, the cause of cooperation, the prospects of cooperation, and the benefits to be gained meant the Blazing Sun Lord would find it very difficult to refuse this cooperation.
Su Xiao had three goals in cooperating with the Blazing Sun Lord.