Chapter 98: The Legend of the Ruthless One
Not only Su Xiao, but also Wood and Zuiyasi, who were far away from him, had their thoughts become exceptionally clear after learning about the function of the Sea God Statue and how to "renew" it.
Meanwhile, inside an underwater palace, the structure was magnificent. Unfortunately, it had been abandoned, but the protective light membrane surrounding it still remained.
Swish!
A blurry afterimage streaked swiftly through the water, bursting out from the light membrane like a water-cutting line. Water Brother's figure suddenly appeared as he stepped onto the stone slabs on the ground, the tips of his hair still dripping water, his blind staff tapping against the floor.
Inside the front hall of the grand palace, after Water Brother appeared, a figure rose from the altar at the far end. It was the Divine Stick from Sanctuary Paradise. He adjusted his collar and asked with a puzzled tone:
"Enzuo, are you here to propose an alliance? Although I don't have a good impression of Death Paradise contractors, if it's you, I might consider joining forces with you."
A man's reputation was like a tree's shadow. Water Brother had once been ranked third as the best teammate, and that wasn't an empty title—strength, credibility, character, none of these were lacking.
"I'm sorry, but no."
Water Brother slightly lowered his head in apology.
"What's this about?" The Sanctuary Divine Stick chuckled in disbelief and continued, "It's fine if you don't want to join forces; no need to apologize."
"You misunderstand. My apology to you is for my regret over bullying the weak."
Water Brother sat cross-legged on the ground, holding his blind staff with one hand, and continued:
"My entry ranking was too far behind, so I had to prepare two plans. If the competitors this time weren't too outrageous, I would join the fight for the Scroll Fragment. But obviously, the few competitors this time are all exceptionally ridiculous.
Secondly, before entering, I accepted a commission from the 'Ranger Guild.' This commission has no mandatory requirements, and as for the content, I'm afraid I must keep it confidential."
The 'Ranger Guild' Water Brother mentioned was an existence within Death Paradise similar to a merchant alliance and a free guild. The 'Ranger Guild' accepted commissions from many channels, including those from Void, Primordial Worlds, and their own Paradise, Apocalypse Paradise, Sanctuary Paradise, Watchful Paradise, and Holy Light Paradise. These commissions from Paradise factions were conveyed through messages via the Void Tree's auction platform, using consigned items as a medium.
Commissions from Reincarnation Paradise were also accepted, but one thing had to be proven: that the person issuing the commission was not hiring someone to kill themselves.
The reason for this was a particularly hilarious incident in the past. There was a Technique-type old brother from Reincarnation Paradise who was so poor he was practically smoking, and on top of that, he had killed so many contractors that he was forcibly equipped with five Killing Titles in total. Simply put, in worlds with his own faction's contractors, that old brother couldn't even enter, not even with key-type props.
That old brother later became a full-time invader, only invading worlds from other Paradises. One could imagine how formidable this Technique-type old brother was.
As one of the three poorest members of Reincarnation Paradise, that old brother earned a fortune every time he went through a world. However, he couldn't support himself with Alchemy, which meant he was still very poor, but his strength grew exceptionally fast, earning an S-rank comprehensive evaluation for every world.
For a time, that old brother had a moment of despair and mastered the ability of Technique Sublimation, after which he became so poor his eyes turned green.
Being forcibly equipped with five Killing Titles wasn't without benefits. After that old brother killed an enemy contractor, the drop rate for treasure chests was over 90%.
So, that old brother's hunt began. He went on a killing spree, to the point of nearly becoming a Violator. In the end, even when he was in a world notarized by the Void Tree, if any contractor came within ten kilometers of him, they would receive seven or eight blood-red warnings. Who wouldn't run?
That old brother was a full-time invader. Without an invasion mission, the fastest way for an invader to obtain resources was to kill enemy contractors, because the Scarlet Cards of Eighth Rank contractors had three ways to open them.