Chapter 48: The Great Gathering Place
The reverse twisting with the [Ancient Scroll] actually succeeded. Just as Su Xiao finished examining the properties of 「Negative Charm·Basic Skill·Blood Awakening」, a notification appeared.
[Information being recorded...]
[Successfully recorded new basic passive skill trait: Negative Charm·Basic Passive Ability.]
[Checking and recording this skill scroll...]
[Recording complete. This information will be stored in the database, and consultation permissions are being set...]
[Setting complete. To consult this information, Hunter permissions of Lv.75 or above are required. If you do not meet this requirement, a consultation fee must be paid (determined by your current permissions).]
[You have obtained the Badge: Pioneer (Commemorative Badge).]
[Pioneer (Badge): After use, can increase 10 points of Reincarnation Paradise Reputation (as the Hunter's Reincarnation Paradise Reputation is above 1800 points, you can trade or transfer this item).]
Seeing these notifications, Su Xiao confirmed one thing: no one had ever created a 「Negative Charm·Basic Passive」 ability before. It seemed that after reaching negative charm, everyone just gave up treatment.
The blood energy Su Xiao had been developing all along made the negative charm attribute not a weakness but a major asset. The compatibility between blood energy and negative charm was exceptionally high—if not 100%, then at least 98% or more.
A badge with a blood-red ф mark appeared in Su Xiao's hand—the [Pioneer Badge]. He didn't plan to use this himself but would sell it to Kaisa, who would definitely be willing to pay a high price for it.
Putting away the [Pioneer Badge], Su Xiao picked up the floating 「Basic Passive·Blood Awakening」 scroll. Using this scroll would not only grant him the ability on the scroll but also permanently give his charm attribute two traits.
The first trait was the forced adaptability of the negative charm attribute. It wasn't Su Xiao adapting himself; rather, when he used charm-attributed equipment, he forcibly made the equipment adapt to him.
Therefore, forcibly wearing charm-attributed equipment in this way would cause the equipment's durability consumption to skyrocket. It might even make charm-attributed equipment feel like a one-time consumable.
Because it was forced wear, after Su Xiao equipped such charm-attributed items, their abilities would change to some extent. However, once he removed them, the changes would be undone.
Regarding how to determine whether Su Xiao could forcibly wear a charm-attributed piece of equipment, the method was: multiply his current charm attribute by 15, resulting in a -225 charm attribute judgment value.
If a charm-attributed piece of equipment required 224 charm attribute points to wear, then 224 charm attribute points would be compared against the -225 charm judgment value. The result would definitely be a pass, allowing Su Xiao to forcibly wear the equipment.
Simply put, it ignored positive and negative values and only compared the numbers.
If a charm-attributed piece of equipment required 230 charm attribute points to wear, Su Xiao couldn't forcibly wear it. Of course, if his charm attribute reached -16 points, it would be -16×15=-240, allowing him to forcibly wear it at that point.
Even so, Su Xiao wouldn't casually wear charm-attributed equipment, especially those whose abilities required judgment against enemies. Who knew what would happen when -15 charm attribute points were judged against over 200 real charm attribute points? There were too many uncertain factors.
Aside from this newly acquired charm attribute trait, the other was reflected in negotiations.
When Su Xiao negotiated with others, he could effectively 'treat' their irritability, rudeness, arrogance, and other personality traits, making them more rational and significantly improving their politeness.
This trait was quite good. Of course, if the other party remained stubborn, subsequent physical negotiation would suffice.
Su Xiao exerted force with his hand and crushed the [Basic Passive·Blood Awakening] scroll. The semi-transparent scroll shattered, turning into a stream of energy that merged into his body.
Thump... thump~
It felt as if Su Xiao's heart had pounded heavily twice. Strands of blood energy spread around him, then turned into needle-like forms, surging outward.
Beini, who was sleeping on the high cat shelf, jolted upright, then scrambled frantically on the shelf, nearly falling off. Her cat face seemed to be written with the word 'confused'.
After realizing what had happened, Beini lay back down on the shelf. She wasn't afraid of Su Xiao's blood energy; she was just startled awake during sleep—anyone would be confused.
After a while, all the blood energy in the room retracted back into Su Xiao's body. He exhaled slowly and examined his newly mastered basic passive ability.
[Basic Passive·Blood Awakening, Lv.1.]
Skill Effect 1: When killing enemies, there is a certain probability of causing a terrifying fear effect on surrounding enemies. Enemies in the fear state will have their overall defense reduced by 35% and movement speed reduced by 60%.
Skill Effect 2: Blood Energy System Potential Rank +1.
Skill Effect 3: Blood Energy Penetration Trait +3 points, Blood Energy System damage increased by 5%.
「Blood Awakening」 provided Su Xiao with significant improvements. The probability of causing fear in surrounding enemies when killing was a group battle god-level skill. As he killed, nearby enemies might be scared out of their wits.
This wasn't related to the enemy's combat proficiency; it was more like a probabilistic 'environmental control effect.' Once trapped in fear, no matter how rational or courageous the enemy was, it was useless. If they weren't scared into sitting on the ground, that was already quite brave.
Trying to resist the fear state and charge at Su Xiao was simply impossible. Running away was possible, but their legs and feet would definitely be unsteady—otherwise, there wouldn't be such an exaggerated 60% speed reduction.
Aside from this bonus, the effect of 'Blood Energy System Potential Rank' was simple and brutal: it increased the probability of developing blood energy system abilities and the development speed of such abilities.
Finally, the Blood Energy Penetration Trait and Blood Energy System damage increase. The former greatly enhanced 「Blood Smoke Cannon」 and 「Blood Spear」. These two moves—one used in close combat and the other for ultra-long-range sniping—both heavily relied on the 'Blood Energy Penetration Trait.'
As for the scope of Blood Energy System damage increase, it was broad: 「Blade Path Sword: Blood Shadow」, 「Blade Path Sword: Blood Explosion」, 「Blade Path Sword: Blood Blade」, 「Blood Smoke Cannon」, 「Blood Spear」, 「Blood Beast」, 「Blade Path Sword: Execution」—all of these were blood energy system abilities or blade techniques.
Su Xiao closed the skill list and looked at the sealed door diagonally opposite. Although the treasure chest opening yielded high rewards, two items couldn't be used: one was the 'Daddy-level' artifact trapped in that room, and the other was the [Eternal Scepter].
To be precise, the [Eternal Scepter] could actually be used. When he held this scepter earlier, Su Xiao discovered that with his 276 points of true strength attribute, he actually couldn't lift this thing. If it weren't for the certification mechanism when it was first opened from the chest and the fact that this was his storage space, he definitely wouldn't have been able to lift it.
Su Xiao felt that he didn't even need to try activating the [Eternal Scepter]. If the timing was right, releasing this thing from the storage space could smash an enemy into a bad state.
[Notification: As the Hunter has been promoted to Ninth Rank, your Honor Shop (Eighth Rank certification) will no longer automatically refresh. You need to purchase 1 Reincarnation Honor Medal in the Honor Shop for 1 Diamond Honor Medal to fully upgrade the Honor Shop.]
[Warning: You need to carefully consider this Honor Shop upgrade. After this upgrade, you will no longer be able to obtain 'Diamond Honor Medals,' and all your existing Diamond Honor Medals will be converted into 'Reincarnation Honor Medals,' i.e., universal 'Honor Medals,' at a ratio of 100:1. This conversion will only be calculated in whole numbers. The remaining 'Diamond Honor Medals' will be converted into equivalent permission levels according to absolute fair proportions, upgrading your permission level.]
[You have obtained Diamond Honor Medal ×1.]
Counting the newly obtained Diamond Honor Medal, Su Xiao now had 103 Diamond Honor Medals. Regarding the exchange for 'Reincarnation Honor Medals,' he had previously noticed this exchange option in the Honor Shop.
[Reincarnation Honor Medal]
Category: Honor Medal.
Effect: Holding 1 Reincarnation Honor Medal will immediately refresh the Honor Shop. From then on, the Hunter will only obtain 'Reincarnation Honor Medals' instead of 'Diamond Honor Medals.'
Price: 1 Diamond Honor Medal.
Exchange Requirement: Must have a Ninth Rank Hunter's Imprint.
Stock: 1.
'Reincarnation Honor Medals' were also directly called 'Honor Medals.' Why they were universal, Su Xiao didn't know.
[You have successfully exchanged for Reincarnation Honor Medal.]
[You have activated this medal. Honor Shop upgrading...]
[Upgrade 1%, 5%, 15%...]
[Honor Shop upgrade complete.]
[Welcome, Hunter, to use the Honor Shop. You need to read the following terms...]
[Honor Medal Holding Quantity: 1.]
[Potion Supply Quota: 2/2 (This quota will refresh for free every world progress. Excess quota will have no compensation.)]
[Hunter can make the following exchanges.]
[Honor Recovery Potion (Ninth Rank)]
Effect: After use, immediately restore 100% Health Points/100% Mana Points, quickly heal all injuries, significantly restore certain degrees of organ damage and brain tissue damage, and remove all debuff states (limited to combat-type abnormal states. Long-term alchemical poisons or long-term severe curses cannot be removed.)
Price: Potion Supply Quota ×1.
Note: Maximum carrying capacity for this potion is 1 (This is the highest priority certification.)
Warning: This potion is prohibited from being sold, transferred, re-mixed, discarded without special reason, or given to others to drink. Only the Hunter themselves or their followers/permanent summons may drink it.
Warning: Violating this warning once will temporarily deduct your Potion Supply Quota. Violating it three times will result in no Potion Supply Quota or corresponding potions available for exchange in the Honor Shop.
[Strength Potion (Ninth Rank)]
Effect: After use, True Strength Attribute +8 points, Strength Judgment increased by 10%.
Note: This potion's effect lasts for 350 seconds.
Note: This potion has no side effects. After the effect ends, there are no adverse reactions like weakness.
Price: Potion Supply Quota ×1.
Note: Maximum carrying capacity for this potion is 1 (This is the highest priority certification.)
Warning: This potion is prohibited from being sold, transferred...
[Mithril Potion (Ninth Rank)]
Effect: After use, True Agility Attribute +8 points, Adaptive Damage Rank +1 (Only applicable to melee damage ranks, such as blade weapon damage rank, unarmed combat damage rank, sword weapon damage rank, etc.)
Note: This potion's effect lasts for 200 seconds...
[Dragon Blood Potion (Ninth Rank)]
Effect: After use, maximum Health Points increased by 20%, physical strength increased by 15%.
Note: This potion's effect lasts for 800 seconds...
[Explosive Potion (Ninth Rank)]
Effect: After use, True Intelligence Attribute +9 points, recover 2% of maximum Mana Points or other adaptive body energy per second.
Note: This potion's effect lasts for 140 seconds.
Note: After using this potion, you will enter a 25-30 second period of mental energy lethargy, temporarily reducing movement speed, etc.
[Soul Potion (Ninth Rank)]
Effect: After use, slowly restore Soul Energy.
Note: This potion has no side effects...
A total of six potions, corresponding to Health, Strength, Agility, Stamina, Intelligence, and Soul. However, the Potion Supply Quota was only 2 per time, a 6-choose-2 decision.
[Honor Recovery Potion (Ninth Rank)] was definitely a sure pick. In battle, the most important thing was to survive until the end. For the second bottle, it was a choice between [Mithril Potion] and [Dragon Blood Potion]. Ultimately, Su Xiao chose [Dragon Blood Potion].
Although [Mithril Potion] was good, its duration was only 200 seconds. In contrast, [Dragon Blood Potion] had an impressive 800-second duration. Secondly, any enemy that required Su Xiao to drink this potion to deal with was definitely a formidable opponent he wasn't sure he could defeat. In such battles, a 3-minute buff wouldn't play a decisive role.
Thinking about drinking it at a critical moment was impossible. If Su Xiao saw an enemy trying to drink a potion, he would definitely blast a 「Blood Smoke Cannon」 at them.
Compared to [Mithril Potion], Su Xiao favored [Dragon Blood Potion] a bit more. Previously, when fighting the Eternal God, without the boost from [Dragon Blood Potion], he would have died.
Su Xiao continued scrolling down the Honor Shop.
[Soul Supply Box (★★)]
Effect: After opening, obtain Soul Crystal Core ×10.
Price: 2 Honor Medals (Due to the previous 1-9 Rank World Conquest War, our side won a total of 5 matches, the price of this item has been significantly reduced.)
Total Stock: 0.
Note: Each time the World Conquest War is won, this item's stock will refresh (No need for the Hunter to personally participate; it will still refresh.)
[Soul Supply Box (★)]
Effect: After opening, obtain Soul Crystal (Complete) ×100.
Price: 1 Honor Medal (Due to the previous 1-9 Rank World Conquest War, our side won a total of 5 matches, the price of this item has been significantly reduced.)
Total Stock: 3.
Note: Each time the World Conquest War is won, this item's stock will refresh.
[Basic Passive Skill Scroll Chest]
Effect: After opening, obtain the highest potential 'Basic Passive' scroll.
Note: There are a total of seven types of 'Basic Passives,' corresponding to Strength, Agility, Stamina, Intelligence, Charm, Perception, and Soul attributes.
Note: The Hunter has already mastered five Basic Passive abilities corresponding to Stamina, Intelligence, Charm, Perception, and Soul attributes.
Note: When this chest is opened, it will not produce Basic Passive types the Hunter has already mastered (Only Basic Passive scrolls corresponding to Strength and Agility attributes will appear).
Price: 5 Honor Medals.
Total Stock: 0.
Note: Each time the World Conquest War is won, this item's stock will refresh.
[Bloodthirsty Madman (Overlord Equipment)]
Category: Killing Trait, ??? Rating.
Price: 5 Honor Medals.
Stock: 1.
[Emergency Assistance (Permission)]
Effect: This item can be used during a pursuit. After use, you will receive reinforcements from another Ninth Rank Hunter within 5 seconds.
Warning: The reinforcer cannot intentionally harm the reinforced person.
Price: 5 Honor Medals + 80 ounces of Space-Time Power.
Note: This Honor Medal will be obtained by the reinforcer.
Stock: 999 times (Accumulated to full stock).
Note: You can designate the reinforcer's faction, but an additional 5 Honor Medals must be paid.
Designated Reinforcer Range: Hunter, Battle Angel, Pioneer, Death Ranger, Guardian, Executioner.
Selected Designated Reinforcer Record Ranking: