Chapter 43: Awakening
Su Xiao closed the large number of notarization notifications that appeared. The rules of this competition weren't overly complicated, but what was interesting was that Su Xiao was no longer a participant this time. In fact, he couldn't even enter the area where the competition would take place.
If the "Family Mansion" was compared to a dungeon instance, then the five teams from the five participating factions were equivalent to five player parties. However, this dungeon was on nightmare difficulty, with no chance of resurrection. Dying inside meant losing everything.
Compared to figuring out how to deal with the other four factions, Su Xiao had one thing to confirm first: whether Ai Lisha, the host of Crimson Flame, was willing to participate in this competition. If she wasn't willing, even if she was dragged here, she wouldn't be the main force for "clearing the dungeon." Instead, she would be an unstable factor to watch out for. In that case, Su Xiao might as well find someone else to "clear the dungeon."
Although this "dungeon run" was fraught with danger, it was also a rare opportunity. In such dangerous areas, all kinds of secret treasures would be plentiful. This was both due to the environment and because no one had ever deeply explored the Family Mansion before. Explorers hadn't even been able to enter the main gate of the mansion before the mansion and the underground palace below were shrouded in mist.
It wasn't that dangerous places necessarily had more treasures, but rather that dangerous places were rarely visited by humans. The first explorer would find good things more easily.
Su Xiao arrived at the rooftop of the apartment building, leaped onto the tall water tank, and began to meditate there. He meditated until the afternoon, estimating that the Dark God Cult wouldn't attack for the time being. Using the faction leader authority he had just obtained, he certified this place as a temporary base camp.
Arriving at the back hall on the first floor, Bubu had already cleared enough space there. Seeing this, Su Xiao activated the high-level authority of the team channel and contacted Baha remotely. After a brief communication, Su Xiao learned that Baha and the others were still waiting at the madhouse. The reason was that the Platinum Archbishop and the Red-Eyed Woman had disappeared without a trace.
According to the agreement, the Platinum Archbishop and the Red-Eyed Woman should have arrived at the madhouse to meet up with everyone over 20 hours ago, but until now, the Platinum Archbishop hadn't shown up.
Su Xiao laid out a spatial array on the floor of the back hall. Before long, a reusable demonic teleportation array was completed. Ghost City wasn't too far from the "Northern Empire" and "Holy Orchid Kingdom," making it worth investing resources to set up a demonic teleportation array here.
Over half an hour later, Su Xiao noticed that the space in front of him began to twist in a spiral pattern. This was the first time he was at the destination, watching others use the demonic teleportation array.
The space above the demonic teleportation array first began to rotate in a spiral, and then the abstract-looking Great Priest, Amu, Baha, Dray, Silver Mask, and Veronica appeared. The scene was like looking through the glass door of a washing machine at the people inside. But the next second, this "washing machine" exploded, and a spatial torrent swept the group out with a loud bang.
Boom!
The teleported individuals landed in different parts of the back hall. After everyone had a moment to recover, Su Xiao placed a large bunch of keys on the table. Veronica was the first to step forward. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I want to stay on the second floor. What about you all?"
While the others were choosing rooms, Baha landed on Su Xiao's shoulder and spoke in a low voice: "Boss, I tracked the Platinum Archbishop's trail. He was last seen in a park on the outskirts. According to a servant who was walking his dog there, they only saw the Platinum Archbishop sitting alone on a park bench, seemingly watching the sunset."
"..."
Su Xiao frowned slightly. Regarding the Platinum Archbishop, he had always felt that while the other party was worthy of cooperation and trust, there was also something a bit incongruous about him. Previously, whether it was fighting the Nightmare King or the Sand King, the Platinum Archbishop had gone along. Although there hadn't been a life-or-death battle, it wasn't because the Platinum Archbishop was avoiding a fight.
During the Nightmare King incident, it was Su Xiao who planned the action route, and the Platinum Archbishop acted according to the route Su Xiao gave him.
During the Sand King incident, the Platinum Archbishop had already prepared for a life-or-death battle, but the Sand King sacrificed a strange object to teleport the Platinum Archbishop away. At that time, Amu was also teleported away. According to Amu, they had indeed been falling continuously.
Since the cooperation began, everything the Platinum Archbishop had done was beyond suspicion. What made him seem incongruous was only after Su Xiao had been to the Fallen Flame Land and seen that stone tablet.
The problem was that it was the Sun Archbishop who told Su Xiao about the existence of that scorching desert. And when Su Xiao asked the Platinum Archbishop about it after visiting the Fallen Flame Land, the Platinum Archbishop not only didn't evade the question or speak vaguely, but was actually very curious about the Fallen Flame Land. Later, whenever he had free time, he repeatedly asked Su Xiao about the Fallen Flame Land.
Especially when Baha asked why he didn't go see it himself if he was so curious, the Platinum Archbishop's answer was very straightforward. He had gone, but was blocked by that sky-wall-like barrier. His attempt to blast the barrier also attracted complaints from the residents of Molten Iron Town, as it was right at their doorstep. In the end, the Platinum Archbishop had to give up on breaking the barrier, and he estimated that he probably couldn't break it anyway.
This was what made Su Xiao most unable to see through the Platinum Archbishop. Not only did the other party not avoid the suspicious aspects of his identity, but he was even more curious than outsiders. All his behaviors were exactly what someone who had lost part of their memory should display.
Now, the Platinum Archbishop had left without saying goodbye, and at his last known location, the Red-Eyed Woman was not with him.
Su Xiao pondered for a moment, but with too few clues, he set this aside for now. His gaze turned to Baha:
"Go find Crimson Flame."
"Got it."
Baha stood on the teleportation array and returned to the Alliance's Kusi City to find Ai Lisha.
...
Gloomy Grand Cathedral, Underground Palace.
On both sides of the hall, several rows of arm-thick candles were placed along the walls, illuminating the place while also giving it a sense of ritual.
On the platform at the back, a figure was coiled there. It was the leader of the Dark God Cult, Abyss Lord · Silvis.
The upper body of Abyss Lord · Silvis was that of a humanoid. Although his physique was robust, his skin was deathly pale, and his long black hair drifted freely. His lower body was like black mud, resembling a thick snake body, with eyes occasionally opening on it. The pupils of these eyes were chaotic, overlapping rings, putting immense mental pressure on anyone who saw them.
Previously, the humanoid upper body of Abyss Lord · Silvis, especially his face, had expressions and demeanors that were exceptionally stiff and eerie. Although it was still somewhat the case now, it was much better than before. At least when he opened his eyes, it no longer felt like two invisible hands were pulling his eyelids apart from top to bottom.
Another difference from before was that the Law-Destroying Blade that had been thrust into his mud-like lower body was gone. Whether he had pulled it out himself or someone else had helped, after losing the restraint of the Law-Destroying Blade, the aura of Abyss Lord · Silvis was now somewhat stronger and darker.
A famous archbishop and two elders were kneeling on one knee on either side of the wide stone bed. Among the three archbishops, one was like a ghost, another was covered in holes with black sticky worms wriggling inside, making one's scalp crawl, and the last female archbishop fulfilled all fantasies of a noble lady: a voluptuous but not fat figure, a lazy and seductive temperament. However, if one knew what she had done, it would only make one's hair stand on end and immediately dispel any improper thoughts.
These three archbishops were Archbishop · Wraith, Archbishop · Black Worm · Enod, and Archbishop · Blood Demon. It was worth mentioning that Archbishop · Blood Demon was the biological mother of the Madhouse · Criminal · Female Demon, which was also the origin of the name Female Demon.
Compared to these three archbishops, the elder kneeling on the other side of the bed was less conspicuous.
A dark and profound aura, centered on Abyss Lord · Silvis, enveloped the palace, causing the kneeling followers below to only dare to prostrate themselves on the ground to feel slightly at ease under this aura.
But the protagonist of the palace today was not these Dark God Cult core members, nor the three archbishops, and not even Abyss Lord · Silvis himself. It was the Black Robe High Priest · Howdes, who was kneeling over ten meters in front of the bed, his forehead pressed against the ground.
At this moment, High Priest · Howdes's body was trembling slightly. Although he was one of the few that Silvis favored, he knew very well that if he displeased this lord, the punishment would be severe at best, and he would die on the spot at worst.
"Who allowed you to act on your own?"
Abyss Lord · Silvis spoke in a somewhat stiff tone. Hearing this, High Priest · Howdes closed his eyes in despair. He knew that this time he was done. His hasty and greedy actions had ruined the cult's plans.
"You should be thrown into the insect pool."
Hearing this, High Priest · Howdes couldn't even maintain his kneeling posture and collapsed on the spot. He had certainly seen the miserable state of being thrown into the insect pool. It was where every piece of flesh and soul was gnawed by thousands of insects, and one couldn't die immediately. Someone had once wailed in the insect pool for several days before finally dying miserably.
"But you rescued Hatred, which is enough to make up for your stupidity, and there's even some left over."
Abyss Lord · Silvis tossed out a black crystal, which made High Priest · Howdes feel like he was on a roller coaster, going from despair to great joy. He looked at the "Abyss Concretion" in front of him. If he absorbed this thing, his strength would surely advance by leaps and bounds, and he might be only half a step away from the strength of an archbishop.
"I, Howdes, from the bottom of my heart, oh no, from the bottom of my soul, thank the Pope, I..."
High Priest · Howdes was about to continue flattering, but Abyss Lord · Silvis raised his hand to stop him and asked:
"Did you bring back the person I asked you to find? I mean, bring her back safely."
"That woman with the beautiful red pupils? I brought her back."
The space behind High Priest · Howdes cracked open, and a monster that looked like a cross between a python and an insect crawled out. It opened its circular mouth lined with teeth and spat out the Red-Eyed Woman, whose clothes and cheeks were covered in sticky liquid.
"Why is she asleep?"
Abyss Lord · Silvis spoke. Hearing this, High Priest · Howdes quickly explained: "Pope, how would I dare to do anything to the person you told me to capture? She was just knocked unconscious by a heavy blow to the head. This woman is very difficult to deal with. In the end, my subordinates controlled a group of brats and charged at her, and only then did this woman dare not make a move."
At the end, High Priest · Howdes smiled obsequiously. Exploiting the kindness of others was one of the most commonly used tactics of the Dark God Cult.
High Priest · Howdes was about to continue claiming credit when, suddenly, a gust of wind pressure hit him. The Abyss Lord · Silvis, who had been on the bed a moment ago, had already appeared in front of High Priest · Howdes.
Slap!!
Flesh and bone fragments splattered everywhere. Abyss Lord · Silvis casually swung his hand and smashed High Priest · Howdes to pieces.
"Before you set out, I said twice, bring her back safely. You swallowed her into the insect's belly, so you deserve to die."
The black mud of Abyss Lord · Silvis's lower body surged. After he reached the Red-Eyed Woman, his humanoid upper body leaned down to look at her, seemingly wanting to lift the Red-Eyed Woman lying on the ground with one hand, but seeing the darkness dissipating from his hand, he hesitated.
Just then, the Red-Eyed Woman, who had been pretending to be unconscious on the ground, opened her eyes. Forgetting her usual elegance, she leaped up from the ground and fiercely threw a hook punch at Abyss Lord · Silvis's face.
With a bang, a wave of air spread. Abyss Lord · Silvis's head tilted slightly, while the Red-Eyed Woman gasped in pain. Her palm bones and forearm bones were probably fractured. A classic case of dealing 0 damage to the enemy and 999 to herself.
After throwing a punch at Abyss Lord · Silvis, the Red-Eyed Woman turned and fled toward the exit of the underground palace. The Dark God Cult members on both sides along the way dared not stop her.
Abyss Lord · Silvis glanced at the three kneeling archbishops and gestured for them to capture the Red-Eyed Woman and lock her in the side hall.
As this place was the Dark God Cult's base camp, the Red-Eyed Woman had barely run out of the underground palace when she was blocked by two church knights in full heavy armor, nearly four meters tall. These humanoid tanks had no emotions and only acted according to instructions and commands.
A few minutes later, the nearly three-meter-tall giantess, Archbishop · Blood Demon, used a bloody red semi-fluid to bind the Red-Eyed Woman. From Blood Demon's speechless expression, it could be seen that she had also been punched by the Red-Eyed Woman, who had exhausted her physical energy and could only attack with her bare hands.
The group walked into the side hall. Blood Demon's scarlet tendrils flicked, tossing the Red-Eyed Woman behind a small table. Pointing to the various scrolls on the small table, she said coldly:
"The Pope has ordered that before evening today, you must learn these several secret techniques."
"?"
The Red-Eyed Woman behind the small table was very confused. She looked at the secret technique scrolls on the table, which looked valuable at a glance. After hesitating for a moment, she asked in her unique, slightly husky voice: "What if I say no?"
"If you don't... no dinner tonight."
Saying this, Blood Demon herself was confused and bewildered. She scrutinized the Red-Eyed Woman opposite her, seriously suspecting that this was the biological daughter of their leader, Silvis.
"I want... to leave here?"
The Red-Eyed Woman spoke with some uncertainty. After all, she was now in the enemy's base camp. Saying this felt strange even to herself.
"Ahem~, hmm~, as long as you don't leave the range of the Gloomy Grand Cathedral and the underground palace, you can wander around a bit. But a church knight must follow you."
After saying this, Blood Demon, as an archbishop of the Dark God Cult, was completely lost. She scrutinized the Red-Eyed Woman again, observing her features to see if she resembled their Pope.
At this moment, in the underground palace, all the core members of the Dark God Cult had withdrawn. The vast empty hall was left with only Black A and Weiwei. Weiwei was half-hidden behind Black A. No matter how many times she came here, she still felt a chill in her heart, especially when looking at Abyss Lord · Silvis on the bed ahead. The first time she came, she was a bit reckless and made eye contact with Abyss Lord · Silvis. That death-like suffocating sensation gave Weiwei nightmares for days.
Unlike the respect of others, Black A, carrying the "Abyss Fall" sword, still had his usual indifferent expression.
"Black Mud, did you call me here for something?"
Black A spoke. Hearing this, Weiwei behind him immediately held her breath. At that moment, she had already thought about where she wanted to be buried.
"Void Tree, heard of it?"
Abyss Lord · Silvis didn't bother with Black A. He had seen too many groveling people. Meeting Black A, this reckless youth, along with his unique Abyss aura, actually made him look favorably upon him.
"Of course I have."
"Good. The Void Tree dragged back the Youge Family's mansion and certified it. I am one of the parties in the certification. This time, you will fight on my behalf."
"I refuse."
Obviously, Black A had inherited the trait of needing to be paid more.
"..."
Abyss Lord · Silvis ignored Black A. He pressed a mechanism beside his hand, and the stone secret door behind the bed rose, revealing a pool filled with liquid Abyss energy. This was a massive consumption of resources, specially converted, with relatively minor side effects after absorption.
"Name your price?"
Black A suddenly changed his mind. Hearing this, a somewhat stiff smile appeared on Abyss Lord · Silvis's face. He said: "Agree to fight for me, and I'll let you jump in right now."
"Deal."
Black A agreed without hesitation. The other party was offering too much, too much to refuse.
...
"Ugh~, what kind of crappy teleportation array is this? Ugh~, I lost my new shoes. Ugh~"
In the base camp apartment, Ai Lisha was holding a vomit bag with both hands, her face full of despair.
Ai Lisha had agreed to participate in this competition because Crimson Flame said that the person they were going to meet this time was very important and must be respected. So before leaving, Ai Lisha changed into a formal dress and put on a little makeup, just a bit of eyeshadow. But now, her carefully prepared formal image was completely ruined.
After resting for a while, taking a shower, and changing into loose sportswear, Ai Lisha finally regained her usual vitality. She carried her knife case downstairs, her gaze sweeping around. Hmm, confirmed. Except for that dog, everyone else here was someone she couldn't beat.
This was only natural. This was a world in the upper-middle echelon of the ninth rank, and the subordinates Su Xiao had selected were all top-tier elites of this world. As for the Great Priest, he was a veteran powerhouse at the top tier of this world.
At the dining table, Su Xiao put down the napkin in his hand. The noodle soup in Ghost City was average, not to his taste. He pointed to the seat opposite him, signaling Ai Lisha to relax.
Ai Lisha sat down and picked up the utensils. Although the food on the table was tempting, having grown up in the Monuo Family, she had not been pampered since childhood but had tasted all kinds of rare delicacies. Compared to eating dinner, she wanted to ask a few questions.
Snap~
Fate Dominator, without activating its ability, sparked a flame to light a cigarette. Silver Mask, who was waiting nearby, conveniently brought an ashtray to replace the empty plate in front of Su Xiao.
"If you have any questions, just ask."
Su Xiao naturally saw Ai Lisha's thoughts. The look of wanting to ask questions was practically written on her face.
"I actually only have one question. Why did you create the Devourer? Is there some ultimate conspiracy? Are you the behind-the-scenes big boss? Or do you want to destroy the world or something?"
"Don't overthink it. There's no specific reason. The Devourer was initially... a weapon. Later, its development deviated, but its characteristics were even better, so I went with the flow, and that's how the Devourer of today came to be."
Su Xiao wasn't deceiving Ai Lisha. The facts were indeed like this. The initial version of the Devourer was a weapon to be thrown at the enemy's base camp. It wasn't until later that Su Xiao discovered that this thing's autonomous action ability was stronger than imagined, and then he developed it generation by generation.
As for the Devourer Competition, there was no very specific purpose. He just needed to know the combat characteristics and limit conditions of several generations of Devourers, which would be convenient for later forming a mining team.
He just didn't expect that the prototype of the Devourer Competition would first be recognized by Reincarnation Paradise and then caught the eye of the Void Tree, being certified to its current specifications.
Su Xiao materialized the certification mark of the Void Tree. Baha beside him introduced to Ai Lisha: "This is the Treeborn mark. With it, you are a participant in this competition. Without it, entering the 'Family Mansion' will get you hunted."
"Hunted by whom?"
"Take a guess."
Baha's smile turned mischievous. Ai Lisha didn't guess. She raised her hand and touched the mark. Before long, she understood the detailed uses of this mark.
Seeing this, Baha continued: "Ai Lisha, the competition starts tomorrow noon. You need to prepare in advance."
"Hmm, then I'll go back and get a good night's sleep."
"Hold on. Telling you to prepare doesn't mean go rest. It means giving you a power-up... ahem~, strengthening your strength."
After Baha finished speaking, it tilted its head, meaning for Ai Lisha to find its boss. It couldn't do anything about strengthening her strength.
Su Xiao extinguished the cigarette between his fingers, stood up, and walked to a single sofa. After sitting down, he pointed to the single sofa opposite, separated by a coffee table. Ai Lisha sat down gracefully. Although she was traveling far from home and wasn't very familiar with the people around her, she dared to pick up a knife and chase Black A. She was clearly not the type to be shy or timid.
"What do you want? Speak."
Su Xiao spoke, which made Ai Lisha hesitate. She had originally planned to be polite, but after hearing Crimson Flame's mental communication, she decided not to be polite. The message Crimson Flame conveyed to her was simple: this is a close big daddy, no need to be polite, just ask.
"I fight with a longsword, so... some sword technique insights?"
Ai Lisha was still a bit reserved. Records of techniques were very rare because the insights of technique abilities were too difficult to record with words or marks. One had to have a very deep understanding to be qualified to summarize such insights.
But that wasn't a problem. First of all, Su Xiao was a Lv.70 Blade Grandmaster. In addition, he had obtained many ancient texts and records in multiple original worlds, as well as places like Dead Silence City. He had also teamed up with Kaisa to visit the Dragon Academy's library and had been to the Void Great Library. The most heavyweight was the Soul Library.
Such experiences allowed Su Xiao to acquire quite a few records on sword technique insights. Moreover, he himself was a Blade Grandmaster. Any sword technique insights that weren't extremely evocative wouldn't be kept by him.
Soon, various notes, ancient texts, and bound scrolls were piled into three stacks.
Su Xiao pointed to the leftmost pile on the coffee table: "This pile is about meditation, perception, and understanding nature and the world."
Su Xiao then pointed to the middle pile on the coffee table: "This pile is about sword technique ability development, combat, and experience in improving sword techniques."
Su Xiao looked at the rightmost pile: "These are the late-life works of over a dozen Blade Grandmasters."
"So many~"
Ai Lisha casually picked up a notebook with torn edges and slightly yellowed pages. After reading two pages, her expression became increasingly serious. Her sitting posture straightened, changing from a casual grip to holding the notebook with both hands.
"Can I borrow all of these to read?"
Ai Lisha looked at Su Xiao with a longing and sincere gaze.
"At my current level, I no longer need these. They're yours."
"Thank, thank you."
Ai Lisha's gaze towards Su Xiao became exceptionally clear, because she felt like she had encountered a big daddy. Especially after receiving the temporary mark and being able to see the information on these ancient texts.
Su Xiao took out a dozen potions and placed them on the table. Not long after receiving the temporary mark and just getting used to it, Ai Lisha received her first prompt. The content was:
[You have received the following potions in total:]
[Ancient Demon Potion · Fifth Improvement · Perfect (Permanent Enhancement Potion).]
[Dawn Flame · Fifth Improvement · Perfect (Permanent Enhancement Potion).]
[Holy Dragon Protection · Fourth Improvement · Perfect (Permanent Enhancement Potion).]
[Stigma Potion · Fourth Improvement · Perfect (Permanent Enhancement Potion).]
[Vitality · Strength · Second Improvement · Perfect (Permanent Enhancement Potion).]
[Radiance Potion · Second Improvement · Perfect (Permanent Enhancement Potion).]
[Tree of Life · Perfect (Permanent Enhancement Potion).]
[Ancient Secret Medicine · Perfect ×2 (Permanent Enhancement Potion).]
...
Even Ai Lisha, born into the Monuo Family, had never seen such a lineup of potions. At this moment, she deeply understood why Crimson Flame said the person in front of her was a close big daddy.
Ai Lisha hesitated for a moment and asked: "Drinking all of these together would cause problems, right?"
"Definitely."
Baha flew over and pointed with its eagle claw: "Before meals, drink this, this, and this. Then eat. After meals, drink this and this. Then sleep. When you wake up in the morning, drink this. Got it?"
"Got... got it."
Ai Lisha carried a dozen potion bottles in one hand and a large bag containing various ancient texts and sword technique insights in the other as she went upstairs. With every step she took on the stairs, she felt a sense of unreality. What happened today felt like a dream.
Su Xiao looked out the window. The environment was still dim, but he could faintly see the afterglow of the setting sun at the edge of the dark clouds. He wondered why the Platinum Archbishop was watching the sunset before he disappeared.
Su Xiao took out the [Awakening Stone]. This [Awakening Stone] was different from the one he had obtained before. The characteristics of the previous [Awakening Stone] were relatively clear, specifically used to awaken the Demon Blade ability. The current one had less pure characteristics but was more universal. There were several Law-Destroying abilities that could be awakened with it for deep enhancement.
After slightly activating the awakening stone in his hand, Su Xiao felt that he had four abilities that could be awakened for deep enhancement. They were:
[Spirit Shadow Constitution, X], [Dragon Shadow Flash, X], [Slaughter Shadow, X], [Azure Shadow King, Lv.39].
Among the four choices, Su Xiao first eliminated [Azure Shadow King, Lv.39]. The reason was that this ultimate-level ability could still be improved with Law-Destroying skill points. In addition, he strongly suspected that there was some ability that could qualitatively change [Azure Shadow King] that he hadn't yet mastered.
Just as Su Xiao was pondering which ability to deeply enhance, a prompt from the Void Tree appeared.
[Tip (Void Tree): Detected that the Hunter is the initiator of this competition, and in the subsequent competition, you have a high probability of obtaining 'Abyss Precipitate'.]
[Do you wish to consume 100 ounces of Space-Time Power to permanently activate the opening and exchange permissions of the Abyss Shop? The Abyss Shop is one of the highest-tier facilities certified by the Void Tree. You can use 'Abyss Precipitate' or 'Precipitated Glass' to exchange for rare supplies or supplies unique to the Abyss Shop in this shop.]
PS: (Sunday, rest day, to prevent old illness from recurring. Please understand, dear readers.)