Chapter 60: The Library
As it turned out, as long as the benefits were sufficient, Caesar's efficiency was impeccable. Su Xiao had just ended the communication and subconsciously glanced toward the main entrance of the Attribute Enhancement Hall when Caesar was already standing there. However, an invisible film of light seemed to be blocking him from entering.
Thinking back to their last collaboration in the Equipment Enhancement Hall, the enhancement had succeeded, but Caesar had been launched out like a cannonball and punished with a long ban from entering the Equipment Enhancement Hall. Presumably, that punishment period hadn't expired yet.
But considering Caesar's frequent switching between the identities of Arbiter and Arbiter-in-training, he was naturally adept at handling such situations. He took out a pile of odds and ends and began submitting them one by one as notarized items. The more he submitted, the more pained and agonized his expression became.
After submitting many bizarre items, Caesar was finally allowed to enter the Equipment Enhancement Hall.
"My dear friend, it seems you've encountered a thorny problem."
As Caesar spoke, he furtively glanced around, as if searching for something. When his gaze met that of a burly, bearded man who glared at him with ill intent after a streak of failed enhancements, Caesar's thoughts suddenly became clear.
Su Xiao had offered 200 ounces of Space-Time Power this time. Based on the previous reward from the "Hunt List," the [Origin-Level Gem Box] was equivalent to 50 ounces of Space-Time Power. What the [Origin-Level Gem Box] yielded was entirely luck-based. Previously, under the blessing of the Goddess of Fortune at the cost of Lucky God Blood, Su Xiao's luck had peaked, and opening the [Origin-Level Gem Box] under those circumstances had netted him the [Death Gem].
But if appraised differently, most Origin-level gems were priced at 40,000 to 60,000 Soul Coins each. Taking the midpoint of 50,000, that meant 50 ounces of Space-Time Power was roughly equivalent to 50,000 Soul Coins.
Thus, 200 ounces of Space-Time Power would be about 200,000 Soul Coins. However, Su Xiao currently had no means to convert Space-Time Power into Soul Coins, nor could he afford to do so. If he urgently needed Space-Time Power later, buying it would be too reliant on luck. Besides, he had a stable way to obtain Soul Coins but no stable source of Space-Time Power.
"Sixteen ordinary Origin Stones and three rare Origin Stones left, let me think..."
Caesar assumed a contemplative expression. After a moment, he grinned slyly and said, "I can guarantee your main weapon reaches +13, but besides the 200 ounces of Space-Time Power as thanks, Caesar has one small additional condition."
"Let's hear it."
"My dear friend, it's like this. Due to some matters, Caesar's entry qualification for the next world progress has been deducted. So, I was thinking, after you enter the world in the next progress, summon me over. I'm not picky about world types—any world will do."
"..."
Su Xiao pondered for a moment, then looked at Caesar, who was rubbing his hands together with a sly, lecherous grin. Having cooperated for so long, Caesar had no reason to lie about such matters.
"Agreed."
"Then after we start, once your main weapon is guaranteed to reach +13, you can pay me the Space-Time Power."
"Mm, but keep it within bounds."
Hearing this, Caesar's grin grew even more cunning. He naturally understood the implication—he could operate, but not to the point of deducting Reincarnation Paradise's reputation.
"Rest assured, my dear friend. Caesar is an Arbiter. Let's first raise your main weapon to +10. This requires 13 ordinary Origin Stones."
"..."
Su Xiao looked at Caesar suspiciously, unsure how the other planned to handle this enhancement. The enhancement hadn't even started, yet the required number of Origin Stones was so precise.
Su Xiao took out 13 Origin Stones and handed them to Caesar. Caesar produced a pitch-black disc, seemingly made of some crystalline material. At its center was a broken rare Origin Stone, surrounded by a ring of 13 grooves. Caesar inserted the 13 ordinary Origin Stones into the grooves one by one, then handed the disc to Su Xiao.
[You have obtained Origin Stone Disc (Highly Rare Resource).]
[Origin Stone Disc]
Origin: Reincarnation Paradise.
Quality: Origin Level.
Type: Enhancement Item · Rare.
Usage Prerequisite: Must embed 1 to 13 ordinary Origin Stones into the full ring of grooves on this disc.
Effect: This item has a 5% to 100% probability of enhancing an Origin-level weapon to +10 (specific success rate depends on the number of ordinary Origin Stones embedded).
Note: The enhancement of this item must be completed in the Equipment Enhancement Hall with the aid of an Equipment Enhancement Machine.
Rating: 3000 points.
Description: If even +1 fails, don't hesitate—this item is indispensable for defying fate.
...
Su Xiao held the [Origin Stone Disc] in one hand and looked at Caesar. Meeting Su Xiao's gaze, Caesar smiled and nodded, as if to say, 'My dear friend, using this definitely won't deduct Reincarnation Paradise's reputation.'
"..."
Su Xiao restarted the Equipment Enhancement Machine. The tray extended, and he placed both the Dragon-Slaying Flash and the [Origin Stone Disc] on it, then initiated the enhancement.
This time, over an hour passed. With a puff, a large burst of steam shot out from the four corners of the Enhancement Machine's base.
[Dragon-Slaying Flash +10 Enhancement Successful.]
The +10 enhancement succeeded, but there was still a gap to +13. Caesar took out a small box and opened it to reveal a gem inside.
[Molten Gem]
Origin: Void.
Quality: Origin Level.
Type: Gem (Rare).
Inlay Effect: Greatly enhances the weapon's fire properties, or greatly enhances the armor's fire and lava resistance.
Usage Effect: When added during weapon enhancement, +11 success rate increased by 80%, +12 by 60%, +13 by 5%, +14 by 1.5%, +15 by 0.12%.
...
Caesar's operation this time was straightforward and unadorned, with no issues regarding reputation. It was purely about stacking success rates with items. From another perspective, it was a mutual need. Essentially, Su Xiao spent 200 ounces of Space-Time Power to buy from Caesar various items that Caesar couldn't use and was somewhat reluctant to sell. But if those items could be turned into Space-Time Power, Caesar wouldn't hesitate.
Su Xiao took the [Molten Gem] from the wooden box. Without a second thought, he would use it for the +11 enhancement. An 80% success rate, plus the 15% boost from the [Honor Medal] and [Immortal Fortune], along with the base success rate for +11, would push it above 100%.
Su Xiao pressed the [Origin Stone · Judgment] into the slot of the Enhancement Machine and began the enhancement. Moments later:
[Dragon-Slaying Flash +11 Enhancement Successful.]
Seeing this, Caesar produced a bundle of various scrolls and began sticking them all over the Enhancement Machine. Then he took out a crystalline powder and sprinkled it into the machine's crevices. After a flurry of activity, Caesar wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "No problem."
Su Xiao pressed the [Origin Stone · Chaotic Flame] into the slot and checked the success rate for this enhancement. It had reached 99.5%. He turned to look at Caesar, who froze for a moment, then scratched his head and said, "A 0.5% chance shouldn't..."
"The +1 enhancement just failed consecutively."
"Well, that's..."
Caesar wiped the sweat from his forehead, his expression growing increasingly conflicted. This deal seemed to be turning into a loss. Clearly, even Caesar couldn't avoid mishaps when facing the Law-Destroyer's luck.
"Add another 40 ounces."
Hearing this, Caesar perked up immediately. He pulled out more items and began operating around the Enhancement Machine, working until he was drenched in sweat before stepping back.
Su Xiao checked again and found that the success rate for +12 had reached 100%. He chose to begin the enhancement.
For an Origin-level weapon, failing above +10 carried a significant risk of destruction. Unless it was 100% successful, Su Xiao would rather not raise the enhancement level than risk damaging the Dragon-Slaying Flash. It wasn't just the cost of reforging a Law-Destroyer's Blade; the Dragon-Slaying Flash also sealed the Blade Demon Spirit within.
[Dragon-Slaying Flash +12 Enhancement Successful.]
Su Xiao inserted the last rare Origin Stone, [Origin Stone · Endless], into the slot of the Enhancement Machine. The better the quality of the rare Origin Stone, the higher the success rate it provided. Currently, the success rate was 61%. For an Origin-level weapon at +13, this was already quite high. Including the [Honor Medal] and [Immortal Fortune], the success rate reached 76%.
"My dear friend, Caesar is about to leave this place. So, could you pay the Space-Time Power now?"
Caesar's aura shifted subtly, almost imperceptibly. Noticing this, Su Xiao knew that Caesar's real operation was just beginning. Or rather, Caesar did have many methods, but they weren't entirely compliant with regulations. He couldn't and dared not use them frequently—only once every two or three months at most.
Additionally, the success rate had to be high enough for Caesar to operate. If the success rate for +13 was below 10%, Caesar couldn't do anything about it. It wasn't that he couldn't operate; he simply didn't dare, as the cost would be unbearable.
Su Xiao took out a sealed vial and tossed it to Caesar. After receiving the Space-Time Power, Caesar's gaze shifted to the burly, bearded man who had glared at him earlier. An ancient badge marked with a φ symbol appeared in Caesar's hand.
About two hours later, a mournful howl echoed through the hall. This was the kind of anguished cry that could only be produced after fourteen consecutive failures at +1. Anything less couldn't generate such emotion.
Following that, the Equipment Enhancement Hall was filled with a series of wails and howls.
Su Xiao looked at Caesar beside him. He had a feeling that Caesar was about to be launched at any moment.
"Now!"
Caesar's eyes were bloodshot. Hearing this, Su Xiao immediately activated the Enhancement Machine. The reason was that this time, the enhancement probability was 76% + ?% ≈ 100% = 100%.
The moment the Enhancement Machine activated:
Boom!
It wasn't the Dragon-Slaying Flash exploding, but Caesar being launched like a cannonball out of the Equipment Enhancement Hall, disappearing from Su Xiao's sight.
Su Xiao looked at the human-shaped hole in the roof of a distant building and felt that the 240 ounces of Space-Time Power were truly well spent.
In truth, 240 ounces of Space-Time Power wouldn't normally get Caesar to operate and throw in multiple items. The reason Caesar came this time was that their collaboration in the previous world had been incredibly lucrative, temporarily satisfying even Caesar's greed. One could imagine how massive that profit was.
Leaving the Equipment Enhancement Hall and heading back to his Exclusive Room, Su Xiao checked the Dragon-Slaying Flash's attributes. Unexpectedly, several prompts appeared.
[As Dragon-Slaying Flash has reached Origin-level +13, the following existing traits of this weapon will be enhanced and permanently fixed to this weapon. These traits will no longer be displayed in the Dragon-Slaying Flash's attributes. You can view them by opening the weapon's basic branch attribute list.]
[When imbuing this weapon with Azure Steel Shadow Energy, Mana consumption reduced by 93%. This trait has been permanently fixed to this weapon.]
[Dragon-Slaying Flash has permanently fixed the following traits: "High Penetration Trait," "Soul Damage Deepening," "Cutting Trait High-Level Amplification," "Space Severing Trait," "Ultimate Blade Edge," "Ultimate Penetration," "Indestructible Blade Trait."]
...
Seeing these prompts, Su Xiao didn't pay much attention. These bonuses hadn't disappeared; they just weren't shown in the main data of the Dragon-Slaying Flash.
[Dragon-Slaying Flash (Blade Value 0%)]
Origin: Shadow of Law Destruction.
Quality: Origin Level.
Category: Long Blade.
Durability: 560/560 points (increased by 30 points).
Attack Power: 594–698 (lower limit increased by 38+35 points, upper limit increased by 40 points).
Equipment Requirement: Shadow of Law Destruction.
Base Bonus: Azure Steel Shadow Energy's True Damage increased by 30%.
Supreme Blade Effect 1: Sharpness +892 points (increased by 62 points).
Supreme Blade Effect 2: Demon Blade (Core · Active)...
Supreme Blade Effect 3: Shadow · Demon Blade (Core · Passive)...
Enhancement Effects:
+5 Additional Effect: Weapon Toughness +8 points.
+8 Additional Effect: Weapon Toughness +15 points.
+10 Additional Effect: Weapon Attack Power Lower Limit permanently increased by 35 points.
+12 Additional Effect: Weapon Maximum Penetration permanently increased by 33%.
+13 Additional Effect: Heavy Armor Cutter (Greatly enhances cutting and penetration against armor. Even an Origin-level heavy shield can barely withstand multiple strikes from this weapon. When struck, even an Origin-level heavy shield will suffer 10–13 times the durability loss. For heavy armor, durability loss increases to 15–19 times. For leather armor, there is a high probability of armor break).
Inlay Effects: 0/3 slots.
Rating: 3000+++++ (Origin-level equipment rating is 1500–3000 points).
Description: Slay gods and vanquish evil, sever souls and exterminate demons, seal demons in the blade, cut down the undying and immortal!
...
Seeing the +13 additional effect, Su Xiao thought of a small combo against tank-type enemies: rush in, slash a mark on the enemy's heavy shield for an initial shield break, then kick to shatter the shield, followed by the Blood Beast charging out to blast the ninth-rank tank away. After this three-hit combo, the tank would likely stay seated in the distance, enduring immense psychological damage.
If a tank knew about this combo, they would clench their fists and glare at Su Xiao in resentment. Attacking the tank by breaking the shield first was indeed highly damaging and extremely humiliating. Of course, attacking the shield first was also related to tanks' tendency to raise their shields.
As soon as Su Xiao returned to his Exclusive Room, Beini sent a message. She had acquired an Origin-level armor piece for 78,600 Soul Coins. It was also a long leather coat, but it wasn't suitable for Su Xiao. That didn't matter; she just needed an Origin-level armor piece similar in category to the Dragon-Slaying Flash.
From the team storage space, Su Xiao took out the [Fearless Leather Coat (Origin-level Armor)], then the [Will Crystal · Wild Hunt], a special item for enhancing the Wild Hunt Night, and finally the repaired Wild Hunt Night from Lide.
Su Xiao first activated the [Will Crystal · Wild Hunt]. Then, the [Fearless Leather Coat] seemed to melt into a semi-fluid state, merging into the [Will Crystal · Wild Hunt]. Finally, the [Will Crystal · Wild Hunt] integrated into the Wild Hunt Night long leather coat.
Checking the Wild Hunt Night's attributes now, it only showed that the equipment was being upgraded. Seeing this, Su Xiao put it away. After sensing his own condition, he resolutely walked toward the room engraved with the Law-Destruction mark.
Moments later, Bubu Wang, Amu, and Baha carried a chair out together. Su Xiao sat in the chair with his eyes closed. A good day ended with mastering the "Law-Destruction Passive: Time · Dominator."
When Su Xiao woke up, the timer by the bedside was ringing incessantly. He picked it up and checked the time, finding that only a few hours remained for his stay in Reincarnation Paradise.
After taking a shower, Su Xiao felt much more alert. He took out the [Library Badge] and used it to enter the Soul Library.
As soon as he activated the [Library Badge], the wall in front of him blurred and gradually became transparent. As he stepped into it, Beini jumped onto his shoulder and went with him to the Soul Library.
The mist ahead was hazy. When the spatial mist dissipated, Su Xiao was already on the first floor of the Soul Library. The scene before him consisted of hundred-meter-tall bookshelves, with wooden ladders beside them that could be pushed back and forth. Small elves fluttered among these massive shelves, either organizing books or cleaning.
Seeing these little elves, Beini's cat eyes nearly lit up. Her hunting instinct awakened! No cat could resist chasing flying little creatures—unless that creature was covered in smoke and wore leather clothes with metal studs.
"Meow~"
Beini jumped onto a small table, looking docile, but the tips of her claws extended, causing the passing little elves to keep their distance. Seeing this, Beini tossed a Soul Coin two meters in front of her, then turned around, deliberately not looking. Although Beini wouldn't hurt the little elves, she definitely wanted to catch one.
Locking on target, focusing, ready to pounce, swift as the wind—Beini's eyes grew increasingly serious. Finally, with a "meow," she lunged.
Thud.
Beini misjudged the little elf's movement and crashed into a bookshelf. The elf hadn't even moved. The little elf who picked up the Soul Coin looked at Beini, who was hanging her head in dejection, and hesitated to speak.
Moments later, Su Xiao walked between the towering bookshelves, holding Beini by the scruff of her neck. Beini cradled the little elf who was guiding them.
"Guest, please don't be so enthusiastic. Let go of your claws."
The little elf's expression was exceptionally stern, as if she had no emotions, remaining unusually calm even while caught by the cat Beini.
Su Xiao walked up a semi-arc-shaped staircase and entered a room. The interior of the spacious room was occupied by tree roots on one side. Amid the tangled roots, a figure could be vaguely seen.
This figure had five arms, and its skin was withered but finely textured. Each palm of its five arms had an eye. This was the owner of the Soul Library: the Ancient One.
The Ancient One's head was wrapped in gray cloth, revealing only one right eye. Because Su Xiao had come, this eye half-opened, then closed again. The Ancient One rarely spoke with others. Its existence was so ancient that only the Madness of Growth, Candle Maiden, and Lord of the Old Days—three Void anomalies—had lifespans comparable to its own.
[Prompt: You are meeting the Ancient One.]
[You can exchange all knowledge-bearing items you possess, such as books and ancient texts, for "Library Silver Coins." With these coins, you can purchase borrowing time on the first floor of the library (5 Library Silver Coins per day), or you can exchange your Library Silver Coins for ancient texts, scrolls, covenant items, Abyssal · Original Sin objects, etc., from the top floor of the Soul Library.]
...
Su Xiao took out the black orb he had obtained from killing the Archbishop of the Abyss. Sensing the dark knowledge from the Abyss, the Ancient One raised one hand, and the eye in its palm opened, gazing at the black orb for a moment before grasping it.
[You have sold "Abyss · Dark Knowledge."]
[You have obtained 93 Library Silver Coins.]
The dark knowledge from the Abyss was worth more than anticipated. Su Xiao left the Ancient One's room and walked for over half an hour before reaching the metal spiral staircase at the center of the library.
No matter how many times he came, he always felt that this metal spiral staircase gave a sense of weight and security. The staircase spiraled around a massive, dark purple metal pillar, which seemed to suppress something within the library.
Ascending to the top of the spiral staircase, Su Xiao stopped on a landing. A pair of double, dull gray metal doors blocked his way. At the center of the doors was a badge-shaped groove. He took out the Library Badge and pressed it into the groove.
Click-clack~
The sound of mechanisms came from both sides of the metal doors. Then, eyes opened on the doors. These vertical pupils all shifted their gaze, scrutinizing Su Xiao. Finding that he was a guest holding the Library Badge who had visited this place once before, the eyes closed, and the doors to the top floor of the library creaked open.
Stepping into the top floor, the snoring of the top-floor manager, the Soul Elder, could be heard. Su Xiao looked toward the sound and saw an enormous head. This head was at least ten meters in diameter, translucent and soul-blue. Due to its immense size, it couldn't maintain a relatively normal brain shape, giving the impression of a soul-blue jellyfish floating there.
If someone were a soul-type ability user, they would definitely want to get on good terms with the Soul Elder. This being was once a Soul Grandmaster renowned throughout the Void, kind and gentle. Except for the faction of Lord Soul, most of the older generation of soul-type practitioners in the Void had received guidance from the Soul Elder.
"Bai Ye, you're here again. Perfect timing. As a Law-Destroyer, help me judge this. I will definitely be the king of the Elf Kingdom in the future, right? Definitely, right? My elder brother actually wants me to go back and be his Minister of Finance. He's dreaming!"
The little elf who hadn't competed successfully against his elder brother, Popoli, was still bitter about this. Having been stuck here as a proxy library manager for so long, the little elf Popoli was actually quite lonely. Now that someone had finally arrived, his speech grew faster and faster, eventually turning into rapid little elf language, interspersed with profanity.
Seeing the little elf Popoli's expression as he cursed, Su Xiao frowned. He took out a photo taken by Baha and placed it on the table, tapping the irritable little elf in the photo with his finger.
Seeing the photo, the little elf Popoli instinctively felt guilty. He asked calmly, "Bai Ye, what's this?"
"Recognize him?"
"Uh, well, hmm, he looks familiar."
"Is that so?"
Su Xiao made as if to put the photo away. The little elf Popoli immediately grew nervous. He jumped onto the table, pressed one hand on the photo, and said urgently, "Has my younger brother caused any trouble? If so, Brother Bai Ye, I'll take the blame."
"No, not at all."
"That's a relief. Good, no trouble. But by the way, Bai Ye, how did you meet my younger brother? He's always been in the Elf Realm and never had a chance to go out."
Hearing this, Su Xiao was silent for a few seconds before saying, "I randomly summoned an auxiliary-type little elf, and he came out."
"Pfft~"
The little elf Popoli's expression twisted as he tried to suppress his laughter. He composed himself and said as steadily as possible, "It must be, hahaha—sorry, there must have been some flaw in the summoning process. Hahahaha—s-sorry, summoning an auxiliary, dead on arrival. I can't hold it in anymore. Hahahaha!"
The little elf Popoli laughed until tears streamed down his face. Wiping his tears, he apologized and asked, "Bai Ye, what kind of knowledge are you here to buy this time?"
"Sealing."
"I recommend the Complete Sealing Manual, if you have enough Library Silver Coins."
"Not enough. I can only borrow."
"If you borrow, it might be a loss if you don't have enough time. How many Library Silver Coins do you have on hand?"
After saying this, the little elf Popoli looked around. Seeing no other little elves nearby, his smile grew increasingly unrestrained, and he even crossed his legs.
"101."
Without returning the "Alchemy Master · Advanced Edition," Su Xiao only had 101 Library Silver Coins, naturally not enough to buy the "Complete Sealing Manual," which cost 415 Library Silver Coins.
Su Xiao's plan for this visit to the Soul Library was that if he didn't have enough Library Silver Coins, he would first rent it and study Sealing Arts within the library. Later, when he had enough coins, he would buy the "Complete Sealing Manual."
"Actually, as the proxy library manager, I can organize most of the ancient texts on the top floor. I recently divided the 'Complete Sealing Manual' into three parts. Coincidentally, the first third of the 'Complete Sealing Manual' just happens to cost 101 Library Silver Coins."
The little elf Popoli spoke while leading the way. After passing through a corridor with eyes covering both walls, they reached the storage area for ancient texts and scrolls on the top floor.
The coincidence Popoli mentioned was, of course, intentional. The "Complete Sealing Manual" wasn't a single ancient text but a collection of dozens of books and multiple scrolls. Dividing it into three parts wasn't a problem, but this was clearly a favor.
Soon, the little elf Popoli carried over a metal box a hundred times his size and set it down with a clang on the clean floor.
Su Xiao opened the metal box, picked up a Sealing Arts ancient text, and flipped through it. Finding that he could roughly understand it, he took out 101 Library Silver Coins.
After bidding farewell to the little elf Popoli, Su Xiao returned to Reincarnation Paradise with Beini. Shortly after being teleported back to his Exclusive Room, a prompt appeared.
[Prompt: Your stay time limit has been reached. You will soon return to the Real World.]
[Transmission begins.]
The scene before Su Xiao blurred for a moment. The next second, he was on the second floor of the Accessory Shop. Checking his title slot, as expected, it was the seven-star title [Ancient Scholar]. Although he couldn't switch titles now, the title's effect was still active.
[Ancient Scholar · Title Effect: While wearing this title, reading efficiency +82.5%, reading immersion +32.7%, knowledge imprint interpretation efficiency +10%, greatly enhances knowledge mastery efficiency.]
Going down to the first floor, Su Xiao leaned back in a recliner, took out a Sealing Arts ancient text, and began reading. Beside him, Bubu Wang lounged lazily on the sofa, Amu held a mop to clean, and Baha looked serious, pondering what to have for lunch.
Time flew by as he read the Sealing Arts ancient text. Before he knew it, the sky outside had darkened. Ignoring it, he continued reading. Soon, the sky brightened again.
After finishing two Sealing Arts ancient texts, his knowledge in this area had increased a hundredfold. He checked the time, got up, and went upstairs to rest. Less than an hour after waking up, a prompt from Reincarnation Paradise appeared.
[Prompt: You will soon return to Reincarnation Paradise.]
Closing the prompt, Su Xiao tried to inquire about the next world progress—which world he would enter. Unexpectedly, this time he could know a few hours in advance which world he would be entering.
[Hunter's Mark Level Checking...]
[Hunter's Comprehensive Combat Power Assessment...]
[Assessment Complete.]
[You will enter: Transcendent Primordial World · Wind Sea Continent!]