Chapter 29: Alchemical Creation
The surprise came suddenly. Su Xiao had originally thought that the secret treasure hidden within this withered Black Maple Tree would be something closely related to it. Now, it seemed that wasn't the case.
However, thinking from another angle, why was there a fragment of [Origin Stone: World] inside this Black Maple Tree? Was this an attempt to save the tree? Or could it be that fragments of [Origin Stone: World] could assist the growth of the Black Maple Tree?
Su Xiao examined the [Origin Stone: World] fragment in his hand. It was no different from the ones he had obtained before, just slightly larger. From another perspective, if fragments of [Origin Stone: World] could indeed aid the growth of the Black Maple Tree, it would have to be on the premise that it didn't damage the fragment itself.
If that were the case, Su Xiao could certainly give it a try once he returned. Including this fragment, he had already obtained four pieces of [Origin Stone: World]. He only needed one more to synthesize a complete Origin Stone in Reincarnation Paradise using his Hunter authority.
If the [Origin Stone: World] fragment only served to assist the Black Maple Tree's growth, that wouldn't be a big deal. The [World Core (Fragment)] he had obtained earlier had the same property.
He had inserted 41 [World Core (Fragments)] into the soil around the Black Maple Tree, using them as fertilizer. From ancient times to the present, whether in the Void, Transcendent Primordial Worlds, or various Paradise factions, Su Xiao was the only one to do this.
This was both because Black Maple Trees were rare and because [World Core (Fragments)] were also scarce. This could be considered a unique product of the Paradise factions. For other factions to extract such items, the cost would be dozens of times greater than the gain, or even higher.
Interestingly, although Su Xiao had fought his way through and obtained several World-class chests, it was impossible to have opened so many [World Core (Fragments)]. Most of them were thanks to the Undead system.
Previously, Su Xiao had raised the purchase price of [World Core (Fragments)] from 690 Soul Coins each to 800. Presumably, many Undead system contractors would soon come knocking to sell their [World Core (Fragments)].
Su Xiao wouldn't refuse any of them. For him, [World Core (Fragments)] were consumables.
If the [Origin Stone: World] fragment only served to assist the Black Maple Tree's growth, Su Xiao had no interest in placing it near the tree. But if it could improve the tree's quality and make its yield more valuable, that would be a huge gain.
Su Xiao looked at Zuiyasi not far away. At his speed, it would take at least a few hours of slow walking to reach the tree.
This reassured Su Xiao greatly. Although 'good teammates' could fight strong enemies together, there were always some 'small moves' during the division of spoils—like releasing soul-devouring insects, two-dimensionalizing the other, or cutting off each other's heads a few times. Such things happened occasionally.
Dividing spoils with a few 'small moves' was normal. For now, there was no need to worry about that bastard Zuiyasi pulling any tricks, unless he wanted to be shot full of arrows by the Pale Hunters on the high wall.
Judging by Zuiyasi's expression, he seemed to be saying: 'Leave that tree to me.'
Ignoring Zuiyasi's psychological trauma, Su Xiao reached his hand into the tree hole again and soon touched a smooth sphere.
This object was about the size of a goose egg. When he pulled it out, Su Xiao found it was hollow. The outer layer was a round, semi-transparent crystal of unknown material, while inside was viscous darkness. At the center of this darkness was something like a cluster of stars condensed to an infinitesimal point.
The moment he saw this thing, Su Xiao knew its value and ominous nature. Just touching it, he felt it gradually erode his mind.
If he weren't a Blade Grandmaster, supplemented by Melee Grandmaster and Blood Spear Grandmaster—three grandmasteries that made his will incredibly firm and powerful—he would have been eroded from within the instant he touched it, his sanity evaporating as he transformed into a monster covered in black tentacles.
Even so, he couldn't hold it for long, or his right arm would first begin to transform toward the Ancient God system. Such an astonishing object—he had never seen or even heard of it.
Su Xiao believed this was an artificial creation, very much like an alchemical one. Although his alchemy level was completely insufficient to understand its structure, the style of the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization was quite evident.
A crystal layer climbed onto Su Xiao's right hand. Holding the unknown [Weird Object] in one hand, he turned his gaze to Zuiyasi. He now understood Zuiyasi's purpose in coming to Dead Silence City and why he had stubbornly fought in the Gray Stone Plaza.
At this moment, Zuiyasi's mentality was shattered. However, he also felt a bit relieved. The thing he was looking for had fallen into Su Xiao's hands, which was far better than not finding it or having someone else take it. As for whether he would be gouged later, that was obvious.
After confirming there was nothing else inside the Black Maple Tree, Su Xiao didn't destroy it. Instead, he took the winding path between arrows back to the edge of the plaza.
He activated the Sacred Song mark on his hand, immediately drawing the attention of the Pale Hunters on the high wall. Zuiyasi naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity and retreated in a few leaps.
Boom! Boom! Boom!...
Bone arrows rained down. Although Zuiyasi was good at timing, he was still hit by three arrows, causing his aura to weaken significantly. This showed the power of the Pale Hunters' bone arrows.
It was fortunate that the Pale Hunters were relatively neutral; otherwise, Su Xiao would have been unable to move in the inner city. The pressure from the People of Death and Tree Erosion was already immense.
"Bai Ye, name your price. And don't hold that thing directly—throw it on the ground first. It's said to affect the minds of all living beings."
Zuiyasi spoke. He didn't immediately pull out the bone arrows stuck in him; doing so would cause severe soul damage. It seemed the Hunters trained by the Sacred Song Choir were indeed formidable.
"What is this?"
Su Xiao pinched the unknown [Weird Object] between his thumb and middle finger, tapping it with his index finger. It looked hollow but was actually quite heavy. Holding it felt like cradling a vast expanse of darkness and the unknown in his hand. This sensation was both fear of the unknown and an irresistible temptation, as if something was calling to him.
!
Su Xiao's movements suddenly stopped. Without realizing it, he had brought the spherical [Weird Object] to his forehead, ready to press it against his brow.
One by one, crimson tentacles coiled around Su Xiao's right arm and neck. Half of the Primordial Mask covered the lower part of his face, and the crimson tentacles extended from the mask, preventing him from touching the [Weird Object].
On the other side, Zuiyasi's eyes turned pitch black, and black tentacles sprouted all over his body, writhing unconsciously. In his eyes, there was nothing else but this [Weird Object].
Su Xiao let go. Five Spirit Shadow Threads connected to his fingertips, the other ends wrapped around the [Weird Object], lifting it and suspending it in midair.
"I owe you one."
Su Xiao said this to the Primordial Mask. He narrowed his eyes. This was a lesson. Even though he had hunted many Ancient Gods and studied their origin power extensively, his understanding of the Upper Ancient Gods was still too shallow. He couldn't afford to lose his vigilance and reverence toward the Ancient Gods.
For various reasons, Su Xiao and 'Daddy-level' artifacts mutually despised each other, so the risk from that side wasn't high. Conversely, some bizarre artifacts had nearly caused him to fall twice—once when he touched the [Dark Mask], and now with this [Weird Object].
The initial erosion of his mind was strong, but as a Triple Grandmaster, Su Xiao could withstand it, or he wouldn't have picked it up. However, the danger of this thing was that it gradually adapted to the holder's resistance. This process wasn't long—just a few seconds or minutes.
Even more dangerous was that once touched, it would attract the holder, making them try everything to keep it.
The most absurd part was that Zuiyasi, an Ancient God system contractor who hadn't even touched it, was affected from several meters away.
"Give it to me... hand it over."
Zuiyasi spoke.
"Alright."
Su Xiao gestured for Zuiyasi to come and take it himself. The moment Zuiyasi approached, a [Mercy Thorn] appeared in Su Xiao's hand, stabbing into Zuiyasi's shoulder.
Zuiyasi had no reaction at first, but the next second, the black tentacles all over his body split open into many mouths lined with sharp teeth, emitting a roar accompanied by black shockwaves.
After a while, Zuiyasi sat on the ground, his face covered in cold sweat. Seeing this, another [Mercy Thorn] appeared in Su Xiao's hand.
"Enough, enough, stop! I'm sober now! Put that thing far away, and put away the crystal cone in your hand."
Hearing this, Su Xiao flicked his wrist, tossing the [Weird Object] a dozen meters away. He wasn't worried about anyone stealing it.
"What is this?"
A faint black mist drifted from Su Xiao's right hand as the feeling of being eroded by the eerie power quickly faded.
"This is the astonishing creation of your alchemists."
Zuiyasi wiped the cold sweat from his face. He had long noticed that Su Xiao had mastered alchemy—it was inevitable. Whether it was buff potions or deadly poisons, they all had an alchemist's style.
"This thing is called a 'Power Container' by alchemists. On Doom Star, it's called 'Endless Origin.' Even the lofty Underworld God wants to obtain it."
Zuiyasi didn't intend to hide anything about the [Endless Origin]. This was a prerequisite for the four 'good teammates' to cooperate multiple times. Secondly, as an alchemist, Su Xiao could probably see through any lies on this matter.
According to Zuiyasi, his purpose in coming here was to find this thing, and it wasn't on the orders of the Underworld God. That was quite intriguing.
The origin of [Endless Origin] dated back to before the Law Destruction Era. At that time, the Law Destroyers were merely powerful, not enough to represent an era. But even then, they were mortal enemies of the Ancient Gods who sucked the world dry. Hunting Ancient Gods was one of the things the Law Destroyers did.
Their enmity continued throughout the entire Law Destruction Era, during which the Law Destroyers killed many Ancient Gods. However, the Law Destroyers weren't a Paradise faction or alchemists. The spoils they obtained from killing Ancient Gods were basically divine blood and the extracted 'Power Origin' of the Ancient Gods.
The former could occasionally be used, but the latter, though more precious, was useless to the Law Destroyers. What was even more annoying was that the extracted 'Power Origin' couldn't be preserved for long.
A turning point soon came. At that time, the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization hadn't yet fallen. When the alchemists learned of this, they were heartbroken. Such excellent materials, and those Law Destroyers didn't know how to use them.
What followed was predictable. The Law Destruction faction and the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization, which had previously looked down on each other, eased their relations.
The alchemists suggested that if the Law Destroyers obtained more 'Power Origins' in the future, they should sell them to the alchemists. The alchemists had long had a concept but couldn't realize it without the 'Power Origins.' As for preservation, that was no problem for the alchemists.
Later, the Law Destroyers were shocked by the alchemists' wealth, while the alchemists were stunned by the Law Destroyers' power.
By the end of the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization, the alchemists had amassed a large amount of 'Power Origins' and finally began to perfect that concept.
Known intelligence indicated that the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization didn't fall because of this, but this matter greatly accelerated its decline.
The alchemists' concept clearly didn't succeed, but the alchemical creation they made from numerous 'Power Origins' became a supreme treasure sought by the Ancient Gods.
This alchemical creation was the [Endless Origin]. In the alchemists' conception, it was originally supposed to be the core of some powerful existence. To solve the compatibility issue, the [Endless Origin] had strong adaptability.
For the Ancient Gods, if they obtained the [Endless Origin] and implanted it into their divine bodies for a period, its adaptability would activate, allowing the Ancient God system origin energy inside to transform into the characteristics of that Ancient God's own origin.
Thus, the Ancient God could devour the vast amount of divine system origin energy within the [Endless Origin], and this energy had extremely high compatibility with the Ancient God system.
If an Ancient God devoured all the vast origin energy in the [Endless Origin], it would become incredibly powerful.
Why the [Endless Origin] was in Dead Silence City was unknown. Considering that the [Sacred Divider] was commissioned by the Healing Church from the alchemists, the relationship between the Gloomy Continent and the alchemists must have been quite good. It was reasonable that before the alchemical civilization fell, the [Endless Origin] was sent here.
It was said that because of the [Endless Origin], Doom Star had even gone to war with the Gloomy Continent. After the war, both sides found they couldn't do much to each other, so it gradually subsided.
This made one wonder if Doom Star was one of the culprits behind the Gloomy Continent's decline to its current state.
Regardless of who stored the [Endless Origin] inside the Black Maple Tree, Su Xiao was more interested in why Zuiyasi came looking for it.
The Ancient God system wasn't the same as Ancient Gods. There was a qualitative difference. For example, Zuiyasi wasn't an Ancient God, and he could never become one, even if he one day surpassed all Ancient Gods in power.
Only Ancient Gods could use the [Endless Origin]. Zuiyasi, risking his life to venture deep into Dead Silence City for this thing, clearly didn't align with his own interests. Moreover, this time he wasn't sent by the Underworld God. That was too intriguing.
"The lofty Supreme God throne can't be occupied by one deity forever, can it?"
Zuiyasi suddenly said something that seemed irrelevant. Hearing this, a different light flickered in Su Xiao's eyes. Things were developing in the direction he had anticipated.
On Doom Star, the one sitting on the Supreme God throne was naturally the Underworld God. And this statement, 'The Supreme God throne can't be occupied by one deity forever,' clearly aimed to pull the Underworld God down from that throne.
Given Zuiyasi's current strength, saying such a thing seemed arrogant. But don't forget, behind Zuiyasi was an Upper Ancient God. Although this Upper Ancient God wasn't as powerful as the Underworld God, it held a high position on Doom Star.
Who Zuiyasi was helping to find the [Endless Origin] was now obvious.
A long time ago, Su Xiao had offended the Underworld God, and more than once. Plus, he was a Law Destroyer. It was only natural for the Underworld God to want him dead.
"Bai Ye, name your price. You should know I'm sincere."
Zuiyasi spoke. Hearing this, Su Xiao didn't reply. He tugged the Spirit Shadow Thread, and the [Endless Origin] flew toward him.
Before grabbing the [Endless Origin], Su Xiao wove thread-like mental energy into a mark, wrapping it around his hand. He then grabbed the [Endless Origin].
Zuiyasi saw that after Su Xiao grabbed it, the [Endless Origin]'s external erosion was suppressed.
This was an old trick of the Second Era alchemists, especially the old fossils who liked to leave a 'backdoor' to prevent their creations from going out of control.
As the holder of the Alchemy Codex and the most formal knowledge inheritor of the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization, Su Xiao naturally knew what kind of 'backdoor' the alchemists liked to leave.
"It's yours."
Su Xiao made as if to toss the [Endless Origin] to Zuiyasi, who instinctively leaned back, his expression clearly saying, 'If you want to kill me, just say so.'
Even Su Xiao, a Triple Grandmaster with Heart Meditation Lv.80, was eroded by the [Endless Origin]. In terms of mental fortitude, among all systems, Blade Grandmasters had few rivals.
"Put it in here."
Zuiyasi took out a charred black wooden box that looked like it had been burned. Su Xiao tossed the [Endless Origin] inside, and Zuiyasi immediately closed it. Just as he turned to leave, he stopped with a furrowed brow.
"How about you name a price? You just giving it to me like this makes me uneasy."
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak. This wasn't an investment; it was fishing. With his alchemy level, although he couldn't analyze the structure of the [Endless Origin], he was certain of one thing: without an external device to assist, no Ancient God could absorb the origin energy inside.
'Implant it into the divine body for a period, and the [Endless Origin]'s adaptability will activate'—who spread this rumor? This claim was like discussing a zero-loss perpetual motion machine with a physicist.
Although Su Xiao couldn't replicate the [Endless Origin], he was 60-70% confident he could create an external auxiliary device to allow divine system beings to absorb the origin energy inside.
As for the Ancient God scholars on Doom Star—not that Su Xiao looked down on them—alchemical creations and eye rituals were completely different fields of knowledge. Trying to activate the [Endless Origin] with eye rituals was like using a phone to cut hair—it made no sense at all.
Giving this thing to Zuiyasi for free now was both fishing and letting them prepare funds. If he asked Zuiyasi for money now, how much could he get? Besides, they had cooperated multiple times. Even if he gouged him, there were limits.
Conversely, if the faction Zuiyasi belonged to sent someone to negotiate later, Zuiyasi wouldn't get the same treatment. Unless they paid a sufficient price, Su Xiao wouldn't even bother with them.
"What are your plans next?"
That bastard Zuiyasi saw through the scheme and showed no guilt about taking the thing for free.
"Going to the Wolf Tomb."
Hearing this, Zuiyasi paused mid-step and said, "Farewell."
With that, Zuiyasi quickly disappeared among the buildings. In the entire inner city, besides the Gray Rock Plaza, the only place he had been was the Wolf Tomb. That was because Wude had gone there earlier and later returned to ask for help.
Originally, the two had agreed that Zuiyasi would first help Wude deal with the strong enemy at the Wolf Tomb, and then Wude would help him retrieve the item from the Black Maple Tree.
The result was that Zuiyasi went to the Wolf Tomb, fought the Wolf Knight for a while, and then both he and Wude retreated. Wude was fine, but Zuiyasi was beaten senseless by the greatsword.
The Silver Moon Wolf was an ally of the Law Destroyers. When they hunted Ancient Gods together, the Silver Moon Wolf was extremely skilled at tracking their aura and was a main force in battle.
The Wolf Knights at the Wolf Tomb were the inheritors of the Silver Moon Wolf's power. For Zuiyasi, an Ancient God system contractor, going there was asking for trouble.
Zuiyasi later realized that Wude had called him there not only to deal with the Wolf Knight but also because he thought, 'I can't be the only one getting cut by the Wolf Knight.' Such a good experience had to be shared with 'good teammates.' Unfortunately, he couldn't find Su Xiao in the Grand Cathedral district, so he found Zuiyasi instead.
When Zuiyasi wanted to trick Wude into the Gray Rock Plaza to share the experience of being shot at by the Pale Hunters until he doubted life, he found that Wude had already disappeared without a trace.
"What a pity."
Su Xiao felt a bit regretful. If he could trick Zuiyasi into going to the Wolf Tomb, their chances of defeating the Wolf Knight would increase significantly. But 'good teammates' were too hard to fool. Zuiyasi occasionally fell for it, but Wude and Kaisa were completely immune.
Su Xiao retraced his steps. After walking for over ten minutes, a faint sound came from behind a building a dozen meters away.
The surroundings were so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. Su Xiao stopped in place, scanning the area. His hand rested on his sword hilt. Although he hadn't locked onto the enemy's position, he was certain that a powerful enemy was hiding behind one of the nearby buildings.
Pat, pat~
Bloody claws stepped on the ground. A monster covered in gray-white fur, walking on all fours with a back full of upright bone spikes, emerged from behind a building. It was large, about the height of a house, but coordinated and agile. Its mouth, full of sharp teeth, held half a corpse of a Person of Death, with black blood dripping from the long fur under its chin.
Su Xiao used the Apostle's Eye to scan it but only got its name: Bloodthirsty Beast.
After a gruesome chewing sound, the Bloodthirsty Beast tilted its head back and swallowed the half-corpse. Its tongue licked the blood on its claws.
The Bloodthirsty Beast's crimson vertical pupils stared at Su Xiao. It seemed ready to pounce, but its long tail suddenly slammed into the ground, forcibly stopping its attack.
"Bai... Ye."
The Bloodthirsty Beast spoke in a hoarse, blurry human voice. With a leap, it disappeared, reappearing on a half-collapsed tower a hundred meters away.
"In the end, it became a beast."
Su Xiao muttered, watching the direction the Bloodthirsty Beast disappeared. He had guessed who this was. It was the Holy Priest who drank strong liquor, had a violent temper, but when they met at the High Wall City, said, 'Come back alive, okay?'
Just as Su Xiao was about to head toward the Grand Cathedral, he heard running footsteps ahead. Looking closely, it was Zuiyasi, whom he had just parted with.
Zuiyasi was running toward him. When he saw Su Xiao, joy appeared in his eyes. But the next second, Su Xiao vanished from his spot.
Inside a civilian house on the second floor of the street, Su Xiao watched Zuiyasi and the several People of Death chasing him disappear into the distance. After a while, when there was no more movement, he left the house and returned to the Grand Cathedral.
Half an hour later.
Bang!
A rusted longsword spun past Su Xiao's shoulder, embedding itself into the building ahead. Without stopping, he leaped onto the roof of a building and jumped to the roof across the street.
Midair, Su Xiao heard a whistling sound behind him. The wind lifted his hair.
Boom!
The building behind him was smashed apart by a giant arm made of tree roots. The back of this root hand then spread open, and countless roots shot toward Su Xiao.
'Blade Path Sword: Ring Break.'
The longsword chimed as severed roots scattered. The Tree Erosion behind roared, grabbing a crouching Person of Death with its giant hand and hurling it at Su Xiao.
Bang! The Person of Death was thrown, breaking through a shockwave. Midair, it had already swung its battle axe.
Clang!
The battle axe was blocked by Dragon-Slaying Flash, but the Person of Death pulled a repeating crossbow from its back, firing a series of small bolts.
Almost simultaneously, another Person of Death landed near Su Xiao. Its braid was long, and upon landing, it executed a spinning kick, bringing a blade chain on its tattered robe straight toward Su Xiao's head.
Blood Qi gathered on Su Xiao's right foot. He stomped the ground, and a blood Qi shockwave exploded outward, temporarily forcing back the two People of Death.
A spine-chilling sense of crisis struck. Everything around Su Xiao seemed to slow down. He slashed diagonally, producing a series of sparks.
An arm fell to the ground. A hooded Person of Death wielding a short knife appeared.
Su Xiao leaped back again, successfully stepping into the range of the [Sleeping Courtyard]. The three People of Death and the Tree Erosion outside the gate didn't pursue. Further away, a Pale Hunter standing on a tower top, carrying several spears on its back, also stopped its long-range sniping.
Su Xiao couldn't avoid all the People of Death. This was the situation. He had been walking down a side street when suddenly a spear shot toward him. He instinctively slashed at it, and the recoil numbed his entire arm for half a minute.
He didn't know why this Pale Hunter attacked him. It was clearly different from the others. First, it was nearly 4 meters tall, and second, it didn't use a bow. On its bare chest was a triangular mark, identical to one on the twelve stone seats in the Grand Cathedral.
Su Xiao pushed open the door of the Grand Cathedral. Bubu Wang and Baha, who had been waiting here and conserving [Shelter Stones], greeted him. There was no dead energy spreading inside the cathedral, so no shelter was needed.
Climbing to the second-floor stone platform, Su Xiao found that the Archbishop on the stone seat looked a bit better than before—at least not like he was about to die of old age at any moment.
"Is the Moonlight Maiden no longer a member of the church?"
The Archbishop spoke.
"Yeah."
"That's also a good thing. She has seen off many chosen ones. Being able to hold on until now has exceeded our expectations."
The Archbishop sighed with emotion, more nostalgia than anything else.
"I encountered a Pale Hunter. It had that mark."
Su Xiao pointed to a stone chair next to him. Seeing this, the Archbishop nodded and said, "It's best not to provoke him. Besides the Sacred Song Choir and those Wolf Knights, he's the strongest in the church."
"Oh."
Su Xiao didn't continue chatting with the Archbishop. He sat cross-legged on a nearby stone chair and began to recover.
Two hours later, Su Xiao opened his eyes. The previous battle hadn't been intense; he had fought while retreating. Two hours of recovery had brought him back to peak condition. It was time to head to the Wolf Tomb.
Just as Su Xiao descended to the first floor and took a few steps, he felt something was off. He turned his head to look at the steps against the wall. A woman wearing a silver mask and a gray robe stood there—the Gray Maiden.
The Gray Maiden had her hands folded in front of her abdomen and gave a slight bow to Su Xiao. She didn't speak, as if she couldn't.
Su Xiao didn't know how capable the Gray Maiden was, but one thing was certain: if he didn't perceive carefully, it was easy to overlook her presence.
"Wait, you're going to the Wolf Tomb, right? I'll come too."
Gulu, sitting on a high chandelier, spoke. Ever since witnessing Su Xiao's gains in the treasury, she had decided to contribute to future battles and get a share of the spoils.
Earlier, Gulu had seen Su Xiao put away 72 Soul Crystal Cores, and she was almost drooling with envy.
"Are you sure?"
Su Xiao was about to face the final Wolf Knight. Theoretically, the Wolf Knight was stronger than the Sacred Song Choir. Initially, their strength was similar, but considering the Archbishop had mentioned that the Wolf Knights had extremely high resistance to dead erosion, it was safe to say the Wolf Knights were now stronger than the Sacred Song Choir.
"Of course I'm sure. This time, the four of us will surround one Wolf Knight..."
"Woof!"
Bubu Wang quickly interrupted, meaning he was support and dared not go up against the Wolf Knight. One kick from the Wolf Knight would kill him.
"Even if it's three against one, we have the advantage. Watch me this time. To be honest, I've been hiding my true strength."
With that, Gulu crunched the candy in her mouth and smiled.