Chapter 5: Aidoer Papa (Apocalypse Paradise · Contractor / Common Unit)
[If the above five Overlord-level units are killed, each kill grants 100 Kill Merits.]
[World Source cannot be obtained in this world, but chests, titles, Soul Crystals, etc., can be obtained.]
[At the settlement of this world, due to the inability to obtain World Source, settlement will be based on the number of Kill Merits obtained / number of tasks completed / exploration degree obtained by the participants (exploration degree is not visible before settlement).]
……
Seeing these prompts, Su Xiao could already imagine how brutal the situation within the Treeborn World would become.
As for being certified as an Overlord-level unit, Su Xiao estimated it was based on fundamental combat power assessment, perhaps also related to his multiple instances of ignoring the Void Tree's warnings.
Being identified as an Overlord-level unit actually brings no benefits; instead, it makes one a target for other participants. Killing an Overlord-level unit grants 100 Kill Merits, equivalent to killing 100 normal participants.
Interestingly, Su Xiao, Huishenshi, Crow Woman, and Solomon were judged based on their hard power, while the fifth Overlord-level unit was randomly selected. For example, Aidoer Papa. If she were strong, it would be fine, but any normal participant with even a shred of rationality wouldn't easily provoke Su Xiao or Huishenshi.
Aidoer Papa was different; she was a massive fat sheep, worth 100 Kill Merits upon death.
Kill Merits were valuable, not only for rewards on the Kill Leaderboard but also for the world settlement after returning, determining how many True Attribute Points and refined Immortal Stones one could obtain.
Previously, Huishenshi had somehow delayed the opening of the Treeborn World. Now the consequences had arrived. The original 300 survival slots had been reduced by the Void Tree to 100.
Not only that, but this time there were a total of 1296 participants. Su Xiao had investigated previous Treeborn World openings; there had never been this many people before, usually around 400 to 600. On that basis, 300 survival slots were already brutal enough.
Now, with 1296 people entering but only 100 survival slots, this was a true Shura Killing Field.
More critically, the certification rules this time were wrong. In previous Treeborn World openings, several hundred people would be trapped in the large area of "Yada Ancient Capital," surrounded by fog walls like an inverted bowl covering the capital and its surrounding territories, preventing participants from leaving.
But this time, there were no such restrictions. These thousand-plus people could hunt and be hunted across the entire continent.
This also meant one thing: the remaining ninety percent of the areas not yet explored by participants were now fully open. Presumably, the natives there were also very formidable.
[Announcement (Void Tree): The Kill Leaderboard has been opened. Participants will have the opportunity to obtain the following rewards (Due to all areas being fully open this time and the number of participants being the highest ever, the rewards for this leaderboard have been increased by 3 times overall).]
[First Place Reward: Primordial Source Mirror (Abyss Product).]
[Second Place: Technique Soul (High-Level Technique Trait · Skill Scroll).]
[Third Place: Storm Greatsword (Void Product · Forged by Demon Blacksmith).]
[Fourth Place: Dark Monarch · Inheritance Power (Undead/Dark Magic Exclusive).]
[Fifth Place: Soul Chest (Upon opening, can obtain 15 to 100 Soul Crystal Cores).]
[Sixth to Tenth Place: Corresponding 8 to 4 Soul Crystal Cores.]
[Tenth to Hundredth Place: Corresponding ranked Soul Crystals (Complete) or Soul Coins. Detailed ranking rewards require checking the branch list.]
……
Closing the reward list, Su Xiao didn't know what the [Primordial Source Mirror] was. Being something from the Abyss, it must be extraordinary, but he was more interested in the [Technique Soul].
Undoubtedly, [Technique Soul] was a Technique-type ability, specifically one that provides subsequent enhancements to already mastered Technique abilities. Being chosen by the Void Tree as the second-place reward spoke volumes about its value.
This Treeborn World was dangerous, but there were also many ways to gain benefits. Just Kill Merits alone offered double rewards: rewards from the Kill Leaderboard and settlement rewards upon return.
Just as Su Xiao was pondering his next move, another announcement appeared.
[Announcement (Void Tree): This Killing Competition will have a total of four stages.]
[In 11 hours, Stage One will begin.]
[Upon entering Stage One, supply crates (5 to 10) will be dropped near the Initial Tree located in the center of 'Yada Ancient Capital'.]
[Hint: Supply crates are White, Blue, and Purple.]
[White Supply Crate: Mostly contains single-use items.]
[Blue Supply Crate: Mostly contains rare resources.]
[Purple Supply Crate: Mostly contains resources urgently needed in this world.]
……
The first melee would start in 11 hours. Su Xiao checked the main quest that had appeared earlier.
[Main Quest: Survival (First Ring)]
Difficulty Level: Adaptive.
Quest Briefing: Survive until the number of participants is less than 300.
Quest Duration: Adaptive.
Quest Reward: World Key × 1.
Quest Penalty: None.
……
Seeing this quest, Su Xiao frowned. The difficulty was unknown, the reward was generous, and there was no penalty. These were all very bad signs.
Su Xiao estimated that the danger in this world didn't all come from other participants. Being certified as an Overlord-level unit by the Void Tree already indicated that his combat power was among the top few among all participants.
Even so, the quest penalty was 'none.' Did that mean that with all areas of the Treeborn World open, the regions unexplored by contractors contained extremely powerful intelligent plants and supernatural animals?
It was almost 7 PM now. In eleven hours, which was 6 AM tomorrow, the first round of melee would begin in the area where the Initial Tree was located.
Su Xiao naturally intended to participate in this melee, both to kill Violators and reduce the enemy's numbers, and to gain more Kill Merits.
Besides that, competing for supply crates was also important. They contained resources urgently needed in this world. Previously, the Void Tree had hinted that various abnormal statuses in this world had very high ranks. Although Su Xiao was an alchemist, he wasn't omnipotent and couldn't guarantee he could concoct potions to counter all abnormal statuses.
Moreover, to concoct the corresponding potion, he first needed to analyze the characteristics of the abnormal status, which took time. If he suddenly suffered an abnormal status, he could only tough it out initially.
Fortunately, Su Xiao had previously upgraded his Basic Passive · Body Soul, which increased his resistance to abnormal statuses. Furthermore, the [Berg Heart (Immortal Rank)] he equipped was practically a divine artifact in this world.
[Adaptive Force (Core · Passive): Based on the enemy's characteristics, increases the wearer's abnormal status resistance by 62 to 80 points (Adaptive).]
If there were no enemies, for example, if Su Xiao was poisoned, this equipment would cause his poison resistance to skyrocket.
If others were incapacitated 10 seconds after being poisoned, Su Xiao could at least hold out for half an hour, giving himself an injection along the way, and definitely lasting over 40 minutes.
The sound of running came, followed by a thud and Bubu's whimper. It had run too fast and hit a tree or stone pillar again.
Soon, Bubu Wang, with a face full of grievance, ran into the large stone house. A few minutes later, Baha flew in through the window.
"Boss, I scouted along the way. This ancient capital we're in is huge. There's a big tree in the center. I estimate that tree is at least a thousand meters tall. Also, in the western half of this capital, quite a few vine-people are active."
As Baha spoke, it looked at the two captives hanging upside down.
"Vine-people?"
Su Xiao recalled the world introduction mentioning Ancient Tree People, Vine Clan, Fungal Tribes, Tree Elf Clan, and Ghost Clan.
Presumably, the vine-people Baha mentioned were the Vine Clan.
It was best not to provoke the Vine Clan. They had a large population and were united. The Vine Clan was persistent and hardworking. The western half of the ancient capital was their habitat, and they had maintained it quite well.
The Vine Clan was omnivorous, eating both meat and plants, but they didn't eat vine-type plants, which were their distant relatives.
Su Xiao considered whether to launch a surprise attack on Huishenshi's side now. After weighing it, he decided against it. Those Violators had delayed them earlier. Although the enemy had suffered heavy losses, the time spent killing them had cost his side the initiative. Rushing over now would make him a true reckless fool, likely to charge headfirst into Huishenshi's trap.
Moreover, Su Xiao had other things to do in the Treeborn World this time. He wouldn't fixate solely on Huishenshi, keeping himself in the open.
Huishenshi had numerical superiority, but as a cost, it was hard for them to stay hidden.
Su Xiao was different. With his strong combat power, hiding was a simple matter.
Once Su Xiao was hidden in the shadows, Huishenshi would be the one suffering, needing to guard against Su Xiao's potential sudden attacks everywhere.
"Baha, wake them up."
Su Xiao walked to a stone table against the wall, took out disinfectant, washed and disinfected his hands, then took out a rolled-up piece of animal skin. Spreading it flat revealed several small leather pouches containing crystal needles.
These 15 crystal needles were Su Xiao's harvest from [Koin's Alchemy Notes]. This item was called the "Thorn of Mercy."
Its effect was anything but merciful. During the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization, alchemists also had enemies and sometimes needed to extract secrets from them. How should this be done? Torture? As an alchemist, how could one resort to violence?
So, an alchemist invented the "Thorn of Mercy." Using this to obtain information meant the enemy wouldn't suffer torture, truly 'merciful to the extreme.'
Su Xiao picked up 5 crystal thorns. Generally, someone who could withstand 3 was a true iron-blooded man.
"Bubu, go take a piss so I can splash them awake."
Just as Baha spoke, the female contractor's eyelid twitched slightly.
"They're already awake. Hey buddy, that punch of yours was really vicious. My ears are still ringing."
The ponytail man hanging upside down spoke. The female Violator in the same predicament also opened her eyes.
Su Xiao stopped in front of the female Violator. With a ripping sound, his dagger cut open her outer clothes.
He took out [Koin's Alchemy Notes], checked the diagram, and had Baha seal the female Violator's mouth with tape. Then, he inserted a crystal thorn over ten centimeters long into her abdomen, which had a slight outline of abdominal muscles, precisely two fingers below the navel.
Three seconds after the crystal thorn was inserted, the female Violator nearly rolled her eyes and died. With her mouth taped shut and hanging upside down, she twisted her body like a caterpillar.
After over ten seconds, the female Violator's sweat mixed with tears dripped down her hair ends. She was drenched as if washed by water, her pupils trembling.
A minute later, just as the light in the female Violator's eyes began to dim, Su Xiao pulled the crystal thorn out of her abdomen. Baha ripped off the tape from her mouth with a tearing sound.
"I'll tell you Huishenshi's plan. Let me go."
"…"
Su Xiao signaled Baha to lower the female Violator. Baha cut the rope with its talons, and the female Violator fell to the ground with a thud. She was completely exhausted, unable to stand, her legs weak.
"My name is Elinor, a Violator from Holy Light Paradise. I'm 27 years old…"
Su Xiao raised his hand, indicating he didn't need to know this.
"After being pricked by this crystal thorn, what did you feel?"
"A complex and painful feeling."
Elinor slightly turned her head, not wanting to recall what just happened.
"Now speak. Huishenshi's plan."
"Alright. Huishenshi's ambition is huge. He wants to do something big in the Treeborn World."
Elinor's expression was serious, and she nodded at Su Xiao after speaking.
"…"
Su Xiao looked at Elinor, his smile gradually becoming friendly.
"The information you provided is very useful."
"Right? I said I'd tell you everything. If you're interested, we can have some fun, and then you let me go, how about it?"
"Sure."
"Then let's do it."
The moment Elinor finished speaking.
Crack!
Su Xiao crushed Elinor's neck, tossed her aside, and looked at the ponytail man. Seeing this, the ponytail man said:
"She actually told everything. In her perception, she revealed all the secrets she knew."
The ponytail man smiled, though wary of Su Xiao's interrogation methods, he wasn't worried about leaking information himself.
"Shenfu's ability."
Su Xiao could confirm this ability originated from Shenfu. Elinor had actually wanted to reveal Huishenshi's plan, but without even realizing it, she had already been affected by Shenfu's ability.
So, when she touched the memory area regarding 'Huishenshi's plan,' she was misled into saying something like 'Huishenshi's ambition is huge, he wants to do something big in the Treeborn World,' which sounded meaningful but was actually useless nonsense.
Su Xiao seemed to understand why Huishenshi had sought cooperation with Shenfu. With this ability, even if he gathered many people, he didn't have to worry about leaks.
"Buddy, I have 10,000 Soul Coins here. Can I buy my life? You have a grudge against Huishenshi. We were just cooperating with him. We're enemies by stance. Stance enemies. 10,000 Soul Coins for a life isn't too much, right?"
The ponytail man spoke. Hearing this, Baha asked, "Are you from Apocalypse Paradise?"
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"Intuition."
"So? 10,000 Soul Coins for a life isn't too much, right?"
"Fine."
Su Xiao agreed. The ponytail man's eyes lit up. He tentatively asked, "How about we sign a contract?"
"Mm."
Su Xiao drafted a contract. Seeing this, the ponytail man gave an awkward smile and said, "How about… we draft a dual contract certified by the Void Tree?"
Pfft.
Blood sprayed. Su Xiao flicked the blood off his blade. The ponytail man's head rolled to the ground. Signing a contract from Reincarnation Paradise or the Void Tree could both be manipulated. But with a dual contract, the risk of manipulation was too high. Not being able to freeload 10,000 Soul Coins, of course, he immediately killed the ponytail man.
Su Xiao had already decided. Even if the ponytail man offered 10,000 Soul Coins, or even 100,000, he had to die. Cut the weeds and dig up the roots. Kill enemies and scatter their ashes. If an enemy falls into a river, even if mortally wounded, you must see the corpse. If you can't retrieve the corpse, block the river upstream and downstream and drain it.
Or if an enemy falls off a cliff, if you can go down, you must go down and see them dead with your own eyes. If you absolutely can't go down, you must drop a few Apollos down there.
Since his youth, Su Xiao had been heavily influenced by various novels, TV shows, and movies. He deeply understood how tenacious the lives of those protagonist-types were, and how those villains died.
So, when dealing with World Children, he not only went personally every time but also mobilized all available forces. Even if it meant using a cannon to kill a mosquito, he would do it. What if they turned the tables?
Slowly feed the enemy experience to level them up? Let them level up all the way and eventually challenge him? Su Xiao always nipped this kind of thing in the bud. As long as he confirmed they were enemies, blocking the 'newbie village' was a waste of time. He would just throw an Apollo into the 'newbie village,' blowing up even the village chief. They wanted to level up by killing monsters? They must be dreaming.
Su Xiao took out a bottle of alchemical potion, left the large stone house, and tossed it back inside. With a whoosh, flames erupted. Su Xiao hadn't taken many steps when the explosion roared behind him. Flames and shattered rocks formed a curtain reflected on his back.
Su Xiao decided to observe first, stay put tonight, and head to the Initial Tree in the center of 'Yada Ancient Capital' tomorrow morning to participate in the supply crate scramble.
There were two things to do next: find the last [Soul Severing Shadow Stone · Fragment] and the [Talent Awakening Device].
Both were in the Treeborn World, but their locations were unknown. Moreover, there were no empires or kingdoms here to gather intelligence. The former 'Yada Civilization' had long been destroyed. In this environment, finding things was very difficult.
Su Xiao had two types of item-finding tools: [Prison Rice] and [Navigation Compass]. The latter couldn't be used for now.
Compared to these two, Su Xiao felt that if he could get Kaisa over, the pressure of finding the [Soul Severing Shadow Stone · Fragment] and [Talent Awakening Device] would be much less.
Unfortunately, this was very difficult. The Treeborn World couldn't be reached via teleportation. Sometimes Su Xiao couldn't help but wonder what would happen if Kaisa and the Abyssal Jar met.
Dismissing this thought, Su Xiao took out [Prison Rice]. Before he could use it, Bubu Wang beside him barked.
Following Bubu's gaze, Su Xiao saw a figure emerge from the darkness. It was Wude.
Wude's attention was focused on the [Prison Rice] in Su Xiao's hand. As the saying goes, an expert sees the craft. Wude immediately recognized the extraordinary nature of [Prison Rice].
"Bai Ye, the light rice in this small pouch looks delicious."
"It's for feeding monkeys."
"Oh…"
Wude coughed lightly and didn't continue. Su Xiao wasn't lying. [Prison Rice] was indeed used to feed the 'Fortune Monkey.'
"Wude, how did you find us?"
Baha's gaze was slightly unfriendly. If Wude had placed a coordinate on it or Bubu Wang, it was a typical bad intention.
"With this."
The Abyssal Jar appeared in Wude's hand. Seeing this, Baha was skeptical.
"Bai Ye, I said before, let's continue cooperating. I don't have a clear goal in this world."
"Then what benefit do you get from traveling with us?"
Baha looked at Wude suspiciously. Wude said with a hint of a smile, "Strangely enough, you guys specifically head to dangerous places, which is exactly what I want. You all know, I need an opportunity."
Wude's implication was that he planned to temporarily travel with Su Xiao, using the opportunity to find a way to get rid of his 'wild father.'
"If you two are forming a small team, can you count me in?"
A female voice came. A woman in a white robe walked over. She wore a hood, the robe white with a red lining, and a twisted cross pendant hung from her neck.
"You are?"
Wude's pupils narrowed. The newcomer's aura felt somewhat familiar, yet strange.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang barked, meaning it seemed to recall that part of this woman's scent came from someone.
"I am Zuiyasi's wife, Ewo Ona. Ewo is my husband's surname, Ona is my name. I've heard my husband mention you two more than once."
Ancient God Priestess Ona had a gentle temperament, showing no signs of being from the Ancient God System.
Su Xiao's hand rested on his sword hilt. Wude took a big step back, keeping his distance from Ancient God Priestess Ona.
When Su Xiao cooperated with Zuiyasi, he had witnessed an ability of his called 'Marrow Parasite.'
In Zuiyasi's hands, this ability required the target to be completely incapacitated before he could plant the 'Marrow Parasite' in their brain. Once effective, it could alter the target's subconscious cognition without their knowledge.
Previously, when Zuiyasi controlled Bolos in the Underwater World, Bolos didn't notice anything wrong until the end, always treating Su Xiao, Wude, and Zuiyasi as long-lost trusted aides and friends.
Zuiyasi's 'Marrow Parasite' ability was actually learned from his wife. The 'Marrow Parasite' used by Ancient God Priestess Ona was even more terrifying. She could plant it without the target ever knowing.
Zuiyasi had also mentioned something else. A long time ago, he offended Ona's mother, an Ancient God High Priestess. Afterwards, Zuiyasi was hunted down. But at the start of the chase, Zuiyasi kidnapped the High Priestess's daughter, Ona.
In the first month, love grew over time. In the second month, Ona helped the unsteady Zuiyasi escape. Later, Ona even pleaded with her mother and eventually married Zuiyasi.
When Su Xiao and Wude first heard this story, they both thought Ona was the victim. Captured and forcibly bedded by Zuiyasi.
But after learning that 'Marrow Parasite' was Ona's specialty, this whole thing seemed off. It felt like Zuiyasi offending Ona's mother wasn't a coincidence at all.
Moreover, was the daughter of an Ancient God High Priestess really that easy to kidnap? And they could escape for two months? In Doom Star, the territory of the Ancient Gods, this didn't seem very reasonable.
This incident made one suspect that Ona had taken a liking to the 'spirited young man' Zuiyasi back then. During their escape, it probably wasn't Zuiyasi forcing himself. It was very likely Ona being half-willing.
In the World of Paintings, when Su Xiao took out [Sun Potion (Perfect)], Zuiyasi's expression upon learning of its significant permanent enhancement and restoration of kidney function was unforgettable. It seemed Zuiyasi had been suffering quite a bit after marriage.
"Two gentlemen, why are you so wary of me? Oh, I see. You're guarding against the Marrow Parasite? It's fine. I won't act against a Law Destroyer or the holder of the Abyssal Jar. Besides, I'm only responsible for the first half."
Ancient God Priestess Ona's last words were meaningful. After speaking, she took off her hood.
"Damn! What did Zuiyasi do to deserve this?"
Baha highly affirmed Ancient God Priestess Ona's appearance. But thinking she was from the Ancient God System and could sprout a bunch of tentacles, it immediately ignored the aesthetic considerations.
"Madam Ona, you actually fell for Zuiyasi, especially the young Zuiyasi. Truly… surprising."
Wude thought of the arrogant young Zuiyasi and felt very confused. Why didn't any beautiful women from the Devil Clan fall for him and throw themselves at him? Comparing their younger appearances, Wude was confident he could completely surpass Zuiyasi.
"For various reasons. It's a pleasure you gentlemen can't imagine."
Ancient God Priestess Ona, as a married woman, spoke about her husband's dirty jokes without any restraint.
"Oh~"
Baha's 'oh' was meaningful.
"I see."
Wude recalled the mass of tentacles Zuiyasi could release and seemed to understand something.
"Your ability is very dangerous. We can cooperate, but we need to sign a contract."
Su Xiao, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"Contract?"
Ancient God Priestess Ona frowned slightly.
"Yes, a contract between me and Bai Ye. You can choose either one."
"That won't do. My husband has told me more than once, never sign a contract with Bai Ye or Wude, otherwise, you won't even have enough to pay for the coffin."
Ancient God Priestess Ona had a beaming smile, determined not to sign any contract.
"That's slander. But Bai Ye, what's your stance?"
Wude looked at Su Xiao.
"Have you ever heard of a Law Destroyer being invaded by a parasitic insect?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Wude couldn't help but say this, feeling a bit envious inside. He knew about the Cyan Steel Shadow Energy of Law Destroyers. So far, no parasitic creature would be foolish enough to try and parasitize a Law Destroyer.
"Welcome, Madam Ona."
Wude confirmed the temporary cooperation with Ancient God Priestess Ona for two reasons. First, her ability was indeed strong. Second, Ancient God Priestess Ona had said she was responsible for the first half, which made one wonder who would appear in the second half.
Finding a sheltered spot in the ruins, Su Xiao sat cross-legged in meditation. Wude looked solemnly at the large iron pot over the fire. Ona, as Zuiyasi's wife, had said that Su Xiao and Wude were both Zuiyasi's friends, so she would be responsible for tonight's supper and let them taste her cooking.
But Wude looked at the murky, viscous, and despair-inducing soup in the pot and had no appetite at all. Wude seemed to suddenly understand why Zuiyasi had such a good appetite in the World of Paintings.
For his own life safety, Su Xiao politely declined Ona's supper and took out the meals he had packed from Xia Na last time. Wude naturally chose to freeload. Ona also tried some tentatively, then, under the pretext of not tasting it thoroughly enough, ate most of the food Su Xiao had taken out.
The next morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten. There were two hours left until the first batch of supplies was dropped.
"Bai Ye, any strategy this time?"
"Everyone grabs their own."
"Great strategy!"
"Yeah, that's how it should be."
Obviously, Wude and Ancient God Priestess Ona also didn't plan to cooperate in grabbing the supply crates. It was hard to divide and the gains were low.
If so, why cooperate? Need you ask? With 'good teammates' around, in a critical moment, as long as you run faster than the good teammates, the danger won't catch you.
In Su Xiao, Wude, and Ona's team, this was the correct way to use teammates.
As the first rays of sun rose on the horizon, everything revived. Su Xiao headed towards the Initial Tree. This first round of chaotic melee would reveal many hidden opponents. If the Three Brothers of National Football, Solomon, Crow Woman, Gulu, Water Brother, and others all showed up, it would undoubtedly be exceptionally lively.