Chapter 52: Negotiation
Perhaps it was coincidence, perhaps it was inevitable—the ancestors of the Asaman tribe had reached an agreement with the Sun Maiden.
As long as the Sun Maiden's seed, the "Primordial Seed," was transplanted into their bodies, the Asaman people would gain the power of plants and flames.
In return for obtaining this power, the Sun Maiden would drain the life force of all Blood Vine Warriors.
The "Sun Blessing Fruit" that Su Xiao had eaten earlier was the Sun Maiden's fruit, and the pit of that fruit was the Primordial Seed.
Typically, the Sun Maiden would absorb the "Sun Blessing Fruit" herself, and the remaining seeds would appear in this cave for the Asaman people.
The reason Su Xiao was able to obtain the "Sun Blessing Fruit" was that the Sun Maiden was somewhat afraid of the Bahamut Wyvern and dared not reclaim that fruit—the Crystal Flame of Bahamut was not so easy to endure.
All the clues were now connected, and Su Xiao had a thorough understanding of the Red Soil Region.
The Sun Maiden before him had existed for an unknown length of time. Perhaps she should be classified as somewhere between animal and plant, leaning more toward plant, with the Blood Vines spread across the Red Soil Region being her true body.
"I'll give you a chance. Swear loyalty to me, and I'll spare your life."
The Sun Maiden didn't even glance at Old Bal. Old Bal's life or death was entirely in her control.
"Swear loyalty to you? Stop talking nonsense. What are you afraid of?"
Hearing Su Xiao's words, the Sun Maiden stood up abruptly with a whoosh.
"Afraid? You..."
Su Xiao waved his hand.
"You came out to see me and didn't attack directly, which means you have something to discuss with me."
The Sun Maiden's furious expression vanished instantly.
"Very well. It seems I've encountered a 'reasonable' Shadow of Law Destruction, not one of those madmen who draws his blade and strikes."
The Sun Maiden sat back down on her vine throne, a memory flashing through her mind.
A man holding a long blade had pulled out her most vulnerable main body, shook it in his hand, and ultimately didn't kill her because she was too weak.
"I hate the Shadow of Law Destruction. I hate it from the very core of my being."
Su Xiao ignored the Sun Maiden's words and found a large rock to sit on.
"State your purpose."
"Fine."
The Sun Maiden stopped pretending, and the golden flames on her body receded.
"Do you want to live?"
The Sun Maiden's opening words were highly provocative.
"..."
Su Xiao didn't respond. He could tell she had more to say.
"We'd better cooperate, or else you'll die, and I might be uprooted entirely."
The Sun Maiden's expression turned serious as she continued:
"Those undead in the Black Forest are about to 'break out of their cage.' The monsters are also awakening, and the Cold Disaster is coming."
The Sun Maiden sighed, her expression not seeming like an exaggeration.
"Is that so."
Su Xiao wasn't particularly concerned about some Cold Disaster. He still had six days before he would leave.
"Don't think you won't be affected. Based on my observations, people like you usually stay on the island for ten days before disappearing without a trace.
But... the Cold Disaster will begin in five days. Even the initial stage will be enough to kill you."
Su Xiao fell into contemplation, weighing the truth of the Sun Maiden's words.
For a survival trial, the difficulty was already high. If this were a derived world, increasing the difficulty further would be unlikely.
But this wasn't a derived world—it was a planet outside the control of Reincarnation Paradise. Its development trajectory was uncontrollable, with no plot and no resets.
"Evidence. I need evidence I can see. Also, why choose to cooperate with me?"
The Sun Maiden nodded.
"I don't have evidence right now. If you enter the Black Forest, you'll believe what I say. As for why I chose to cooperate with you..."
A smile appeared on the Sun Maiden's face.
"Because you're a Shadow of Law Destruction. Though Shadows of Law Destruction are extreme, their strength is sufficient, even if you're still in your growth phase."
Su Xiao sat there in thought.
"Can you guarantee my safe entry into the Black Forest?"
He had to go to the Black Forest—it was required by the hidden mission.
[Hidden Mission Phase 1 'Sun Tribe' completed. Phase 2 has been activated.]
[Death Ground]
Difficulty Level: Lv.???
Mission Briefing: Enter the Black Forest.
Mission Info: Entering the Black Forest requires carrying a large number of Primordial Seeds.
Mission Time Limit: None
Mission Reward: This is a chain mission. Rewards are given based on mission completion.
Mission Penalty: None
...
The difficulty of the hidden mission had increased again, reaching an astonishing Lv.???. It was clear how dangerous the Black Forest was.
Su Xiao had two choices: immediately complete the hidden mission for a small reward, or enter the Black Forest.
Numerous signs indicated how dangerous the Black Forest was—a place more than ten times as perilous as the Red Soil Region.
How had Su Xiao achieved his current strength? Luck? Of course not. His Lucky King aura had only about three hours left; after that, he'd return to his 'daily' luck.
Su Xiao's accomplishments came from his willingness to explore every world and venture into dangerous places.
Rather than waiting for disaster to strike, Su Xiao preferred to march forward to meet it head-on.
Safety in Reincarnation Paradise was only temporary. The main theme here was combat and slaughter—a sword through the throat, a blade severing the head.
Hearing Su Xiao's question, the Sun Maiden nodded.
"Of course, no problem. But I have conditions too."
"What conditions?"
Su Xiao glanced at Old Bal, already guessing what the Sun Maiden was about to say.
"Bring my people along."
Old Bal closed his eyes in despair. To him, the Sun Maiden was a god, an existence he couldn't resist.
"If it's just Bal, that's fine."
Old Bal had an alchemy bomb planted inside him by Su Xiao, making him a decent enforcer.
"Not just the priest. Two others as well."
"Hmm?"
Su Xiao frowned, a bad feeling stirring within him.
"Two others?"
"Yes. You'll cooperate well—after all, you're from the same place."
Su Xiao thought to himself, *I knew it.* The Sun Maiden had allied with other contractors, which gave him a headache.
Without a large number of Primordial Seeds, entering the Black Forest was certain death—the mission info had made that clear.
There were only two ways to obtain Primordial Seeds: kill the Sun Maiden or cooperate with her.
Su Xiao might have the strength to defeat the Sun Maiden, but killing a vine that spanned the entire Red Soil Region was impossible—at least for him now. That left only cooperation.
If this were a derived world, Su Xiao would have flatly refused. But this was different.
The survival trial had no hunting missions. As long as Su Xiao didn't do anything 'abnormal,' no one would suspect him, nor could they.
"Agreed."
Hearing Su Xiao's reply, the Sun Maiden nodded.
Old Bal hadn't spoken the entire time and was unusually respectful toward the Sun Maiden. From Su Xiao's understanding of Old Bal, the man was far from a devout 'believer'—he had killed his own brother for power.
Though the secrets of the Red Soil Region were now understood, an even greater mystery emerged: the Black Forest.
If the Red Soil Region was about exploration, then the Black Forest was about survival against all odds.