Chapter 38: Seal
A few bottom-rankers hanging at the top of the leaderboard made the usually quiet world contact platform unusually lively. Su Xiao opened the contact platform to check.
Xiao Ge (Sanctuary Paradise): "I will never forgive the Hunters! Just you wait!"
Harsh Brother (Reincarnation Paradise): "Huh?"
Xiao Ge (Sanctuary Paradise): "Sorry, I was talking nonsense."
Hao Mei (Apocalypse Paradise): "Witnessing an embarrassing scene."
Shenfu (Sanctuary Paradise): "Bai Ye, it seems there's a misunderstanding between us."
Bai Ye (Reincarnation Paradise): "Indeed, why don't we meet face to face to clear it up."
Shenfu (Sanctuary Paradise): "That would be good."
Bai Ye (Reincarnation Paradise): "Location."
...
The conversation on the world contact platform ended there because Shenfu didn't specify a meeting place, clearly not wanting to meet Su Xiao for now.
Closing the world contact platform, Su Xiao began to think about the next few things he needed to do. Rescuing the Dwarf King wasn't urgent for now, and there was no opportunity at the moment. As for going to the Wolf Mound on Floating Light Island, that should be achievable soon. Over at Ergin's side, even the White Hoof Port had been captured. Floating Light Island, which had weaker defenses than White Hoof Port, was only a matter of time.
Besides that, killing the Absolute Strong Spellcaster needed to be done soon. After the Spellcasters got rid of the three Original Sin items, they would definitely focus all their attention on him.
If, when Su Xiao first entered this world, the Spellcasters' hatred for him was around 200-300 points, now it must be at least 6300 points. After all, he had sent them three Original Sin items. Given the prestige of Original Sin items, adding 2000 hatred points each was normal.
He didn't need to think to know that those Spellcasters dreamed of killing him. If this were the Void, they would have already launched a massive pursuit.
The problem was that this was the Wind Sea Continent. The Spellcasters were indeed the strongest overlords of the Void, but they couldn't act recklessly within the world of their ally, the Sea Race. That would be a severe slap in the face to the Sea Race. Not to mention, the Sea Race was now holding the Dwarf King hostage, effectively controlling the production of Elemental Artifacts.
Given the current situation in the Void, the Spellcasters absolutely couldn't fall out with the Sea Race. Of course, the Sea Race wouldn't dare to be arrogant either; Arcane Eternal Star truly had the power to destroy them.
Moreover, Su Xiao was currently in Twilight City, which was essentially his base in this world. The Spellcasters wouldn't be arrogant enough to come to his base to besiege him. That would be suicide. Not to mention the legions stationed in Twilight City; once they discovered Spellcasters in the area, the lords from four or five neighboring fiefs would immediately send their legions to reinforce Su Xiao. Even the White Dragon Lord, who wanted to kill him as much as he wanted to kill the White Dragon Lord, would do so. This was a matter of stance, unrelated to personal grudges.
This situation had led to a stalemate, which was why the Crow Woman had come to leave a mark at the cost of her life. Only by knowing Su Xiao's exact whereabouts could they possibly kill him.
At this moment, in the workshop in the backyard of the Lord's Manor, a workshop set up by a Rune Master and temporarily borrowed, a thin Rune Master, whose left hand had most of its fingers replaced by mechanical prosthetics, looked very reluctant. Baha could only console him, saying, "We're just borrowing your workbench for a little while. Look, it's almost done."
Even so, the thin Rune Master still had his brows tightly furrowed. If it weren't Su Xiao who had brought people here, he would have kicked them out. His entire life was dedicated to runes and his teacher, nothing else. It was this focus that had brought him his current achievements.
At the workbench, the Witch, Lilya, was leisurely operating the instruments. Although she felt that all these instruments were so useful she wanted to keep them, her personality made her do things slowly.
"It's almost successfully peeled off. Don't be impatient~"
As she spoke, Lilya picked up a long smoking pipe, took a puff of purple smoke, and exhaled it. Seeing the smoke land on the instruments, the Rune Master silently picked up the braking hammer beside him.
Lilya continued to concentrate on the mark on the [Seal Demon] scabbard. Anyone else would be helpless against this mark, but Lilya had Causality-type abilities. Peeling this mark off its attached object was difficult for her, but not impossible.
"It's settled. After this is done, you'll pay me with a Witch-type secret potion. I've been looking forward to the Holy Flame Alchemist's secret potion for a long time."
Lilya spoke with a hint of laziness. Su Xiao didn't say anything, just took out a dark purple potion and placed it on the table. The slightly viscous potion inside looked both mysterious and dreamy.
"Isn't this simple."
As Lilya spoke, she successfully peeled off the Causality Mark and attached it to another scabbard, the [Gem Oath]. Su Xiao had also used this scabbard for a long time. Since both were scabbards he had used for a long time, this would minimize the chance of the Spellcasters discovering that the mark had been tampered with.
Lilya said it was easy, but after completing this operation, her face was unusually pale. However, when her fingertips touched the Witch Potion, the discomfort from her weakness seemed to dissipate at that moment.
Under the Rune Master's enthusiastic 'send-off,' Su Xiao and his group left the backyard workshop. Originally, to be safe, they planned to have Lilya use the Demon Teleportation Array in the manor to return, but Lilya politely declined, saying she didn't want Su Xiao to go to the trouble and that she would take the Space Tower back herself.
After seeing Lilya off, Su Xiao returned to the inner hall on the second floor, took out the [Gem Oath] scabbard with the Causality Mark attached, and then took out the charcoal box containing the Necronomicon.
Compared to the sealing of the other two Original Sin items, the Necronomicon wasn't so much sealed as it was isolated from fluctuations. Su Xiao and the Necronomicon mutually disliked each other, but they occasionally cooperated to lure evil gods. Their relationship was relatively stable, unlike the other two Original Sin items, which often tried to take the opportunity to kill Su Xiao.
Su Xiao picked up the [Gem Oath] scabbard on the table and said to the Necronomicon, "It's yours."
Hearing this, translucent tentacles emerged from the [Gem Oath] scabbard, but Su Xiao stopped them, saying, "It's yours, yes, but don't decompose it for at least a month."
At these words, a large number of translucent tentacles appeared near Su Xiao's right arm and right side of his torso, writhing and spreading, ready to wither or mutate the flesh and soul of that half of his body at any moment. This was the Necronomicon. Never think you can control this thing; it's impossible.
Su Xiao took three black crystalline objects the size of pebbles from his storage space and threw them all to the Necronomicon. Before these three crystalline objects had even finished flying through the air, they were entangled by the translucent tentacles and quickly absorbed. Afterward, the tentacles seemed a bit unsatisfied.
Seeming satisfied, the Necronomicon retracted the translucent tentacles near Su Xiao, rolled up the [Gem Oath], and disappeared into the air. It seemed it wouldn't be around to mutually dislike Su Xiao for a while, but would go out for a stroll.
This was exactly the situation Su Xiao wanted to see. He had never been one to endure patiently, so he always avenged wrongs without delay. Since the Spellcasters had used a mark to track him, he naturally had to retaliate.
Since the Spellcasters liked tracking, let them track. Who knew where the Necronomicon usually went?
As for the crystalline objects Su Xiao had thrown to the Necronomicon, besides Sealcraft, this was his second trump card for dealing with Original Sin items.
Under the 'tutelage' of several Original Sin item 'teachers,' Su Xiao's Sealcraft level was increasing at an alarming rate. Of course, this was also related to the seven-star title [Ancient Scholar].
But one who often walks by the river will eventually get their shoes wet. Besides Sealcraft, Su Xiao needed a second method to deal with Original Sin items. That is, if the seal suddenly failed, how would he control the unbound Original Sin item?
Initially, Su Xiao fell into a thinking trap, constantly researching how to control Original Sin items. The good news was that his usual self-awareness made him realize in time: what right did he have to control Original Sin items? As far as he knew, even the Ancestral Law Destroyers chose not to actively provoke them. Under such circumstances, wanting to control Original Sin items was far too fanciful.
So, he settled for the next best thing. Since he couldn't control them, he would change his approach. For example, if the seal failed, he would try to temporarily appease the Original Sin item. Based on this idea, Su Xiao placed pieces of Black Maple Tree branches into high-purity Abyss Energy and catalyzed them with his current Alchemy level, finally obtaining this crystalline substance.
Through experiments with the [Bloodthirsty Battle Armor], the crystalline substance's attraction to Original Sin items was second only to the [Original Sin Sprout]. Throwing out a few pieces at a critical moment would likely buy enough time to reset the seal. That was enough.
Through the window, Su Xiao saw the blood-red setting sun on the horizon. He took out a Sealcraft book and began to read.
Meanwhile, in the Sea Race's main city, Yatuo Ancient City, within the Law Tower.
This tower was built after the Sea Race and Arcane Eternal Star became allies. Its grandeur needed no description. At this moment, in the library on the tenth floor of the Law Tower, an old man wearing glasses with gold chains hanging from them was organizing the library's borrowing records.
Just then, a gemstone disc on the table suddenly emitted a faint light. Seeing this, the librarian picked up the gemstone disc and stepped into a teleportation portal on the wall. The next second, he was on the top floor of the Law Tower.
The Spellcasters, who were discussing how to repel the Beast Race legions at White Hoof Port, all turned their gazes to the librarian. Seeing the glowing gemstone disc in his hand, the expressions of the various Spellcasters varied.
Most of the Spellcasters had hidden tension in their eyes. Lune looked eager, the Crow Woman was a bit excited, Dean Guya was cautious and steady, and Sefeiliya was expressionless.
"It seems that Causality Brand has taken effect. Lune, is this thing stable enough?"
Dean Guya spoke. Lune nodded frankly and said, "Very stable. The cost of using this Cursed Object is high, and its function is singular. But one thing: beings stronger than a certain level cannot see this mark. Let's see where that Law Destroyer has gone."
As Lune spoke, the ancient ring on his hand emitted a faint light. This light formed a blurry image. The scene was dim and desolate, with what seemed to be energy-based dark particles floating in the air.
"That Law Destroyer should have gone to the Tribe's territory, at least in that direction. From this scene, it looks like the Abyss Erosion Zone south of the Tribe's territory?"
Lune spoke with some uncertainty. His tracking method was secretive enough, but as the price for high secrecy, it could only determine the target's general range and occasionally obtain an image projected from the mark's location. Real-time monitoring was impossible.
After studying for a while, the group of Spellcasters confirmed that it was the Abyss Erosion Zone south of the Tribe faction. This confused Lune, as well as a few other young Spellcasters. Who would go to the Abyss Erosion Zone for no reason? And it looked like they had teleported there.
"As far as I know, the contractors of the Paradise have a notarization mechanism. When they kill enemies, they get kill rewards. That is, after killing a strong enemy, they get a chest that can be opened. Especially in Reincarnation Paradise, the rewards in this regard are the highest."
Dean Guya's meaning was that where a contractor went couldn't be understood by common sense. The Law Destroyer going to the Abyss Erosion Zone now had a high probability of completing a mission or killing dark creatures for kill rewards.
Dean Guya was quite familiar with the Paradise faction. After hearing his words, a young dark-attribute Spellcaster said, "That's so cool. I want to be a contractor too."
"The survival rate for Reincarnation Paradise contractors from Rank 1 to Rank 9 is less than 1%. Do you still want to go?"
Dean Guya looked at the young Spellcaster with a smile. The young Spellcaster scratched his head awkwardly and didn't say anything.
After saying this, Dean Guya spoke solemnly before setting out: "Don't be careless just because this Law Destroyer isn't an Absolute Strong. He is a Hunter of Reincarnation Paradise. What is a Hunter? One who hunts those Violators, from Rank 1 to Rank 9. We are going to besiege not prey, but an old hunter who looks young but has rich hunting experience."
These words made some of the Spellcasters' confidence wane a bit. After confirming the location, a group of Spellcasters set off for the Abyss Erosion Zone on the Tribe side.
...
The next morning, the early morning sun filtered through the curtains. Su Xiao sat up in bed, his eyes dazed for a moment before he began to wash up. Just as he was about to go to the dining room for breakfast, he saw the Spotted Fox Clan's Piro walking quickly over, saying in a low voice, "My lord, the first batch of Fungal Carpet has been successfully recovered."
This good news made Su Xiao abandon the idea of having breakfast first. He went to the supply depot. When he arrived, he saw piles of rolled-up Fungal Carpets stacked together, nearly filling the depot.
Su Xiao's personal storage space certainly couldn't hold them all. Fortunately, the team's storage space was large enough. He stored all 200-plus Fungal Carpets into the storage space and then took a carriage back to the Lord's Manor.
Half an hour later, inside the Mother Nest beneath the castle. This was the Mother Nest's cultivation sac, which was why it was so spacious. In the past, it was used for spawning troops. However, since there was no need to spawn troops this time, and to avoid making the Beast King wary, the Mother Nest hadn't developed any cultivation sacs for now.
He released all the Fungal Carpets. The Worker Scorpions began working, transporting these rolled-up Fungal Carpets to the Energy Conversion Organ.
The Mother Nest began to absorb the Soul Energy and Bio Energy within the Fungal Carpets. Seeing this, Su Xiao returned to the castle and began to enjoy breakfast. But after eating a meal newly created by the Head Maid, Su Xiao had Baha summon the Head Maid. In a serious tone, he told her to stick to her usual cooking and not create new dishes. It wasn't even a matter of being unpalatable; Amu had tried several times but couldn't swallow it.
When reprimanded, the Head Maid, with her hands clasped in front of her abdomen, lowered her head, her eyes red. But don't think she would mend her ways. This Head Maid had cooking skills only slightly inferior to Xia's, but her love for creating new dishes was unbearable. Moreover, her attitude towards admitting mistakes was excellent, but she never changed.
After having a normal breakfast, Su Xiao received a notification that the Mother Nest had finished absorbing all the Fungal Carpets.
[Notification: The Mother Nest has gained a total of 126 Evolution Points.]
[The Mother Nest has gained a total of 19270 Bio Energy.]
...
A total of 200 Fungal Carpets were provided to the Beast Race Legion, and these Fungal Carpets were all saturated with Soul Energy. Under these circumstances, gaining 126 Evolution Points was both expected and a huge profit. It proved that cooperating with the Beast King was the right choice, even though it would incur some additional risks.
As for the 19270 Bio Energy, the measurement standard for this varied in each world. The value of Bio Energy depended on how many troops could be spawned and the construction cost of Insect Race buildings.
In this world, the Mother Nest needed a total of 40 Bio Energy to cultivate one Fungal Carpet. From this, one could imagine the value of these 19270 Bio Energy.
Thinking about it this way, he could now provide 480 Fungal Carpets to the Beast Race Legion. The remaining Bio Energy would be reserved for the Mother Nest's supply needs.
After providing these 480 Fungal Carpets, the returns from recovering them later were enough to make one feel elated just thinking about it. But before that, upgrading the Demon Insect Race was the priority.
Su Xiao opened the Insect Race list, and a series of upgradeable abilities appeared before him.
Clan Level: Lv.70 (Consuming 10 Evolution Points per level can increase the Clan Level by 1).
Valley Dominator (Jila): Lv.70 (Consuming 3 Evolution Points per level can increase the Dominator's growth by 1. This trait will increase along with the Clan Level).
Insect Nest: Lv.63 (Consuming 3 Evolution Points per level can increase the Insect Nest level by 1. This trait will increase along with the Clan Level).
Gene Pool: Lv.34 (Consuming 5 Evolution Points per level can increase the Gene Pool level by 1. This trait will increase along with the Clan Level).
...
According to the rank assessment of the Brand, a Clan Level of Lv.70 was equivalent to the early Eighth Rank. The Insect Race had always relied on its fierce spawning ability to defeat enemies. It seemed that the Insect Race's rank level wasn't as high as imagined.
Su Xiao began to upgrade the Clan Level. As he focused his attention, a translucent + sign appeared after the Clan Level. As he added points, the existing Evolution Points decreased like flowing water. He could only raise the Clan Level to Lv.81 because, after Lv.80, each level required 20 Evolution Points to upgrade.
[This upgrade is expected to take 10 hours. Yes/No to start the upgrade.]
Su Xiao chose to start the upgrade. 10 hours wasn't long, especially since the Insect Nest didn't need to defend against enemies. With his choice, the next second, he sensed that the Mother Nest beneath the castle began to contract, and Jila in the central nesting chamber fell asleep.
Time passed minute by minute. Su Xiao estimated that after this upgrade, the Fungal Carpet would at least reach Lv.40, maybe even Lv.50. If so, the various Beast Race lords would be even more envious of the Fungal Carpets.
Time passed quickly in meditation. As the upgrade notification appeared, Su Xiao sensed the Mother Nest beneath the castle expand, and Jila in the nesting chamber also awakened.
[Re-evaluating Jila's current stage based on this world's rank...]
[Evaluation complete. Current stage: Insect Queen (Estimated Clan Level reaching Lv.90 can achieve Insect Dominator).]
[Clan Level has been upgraded to Lv.71. Upgrades are as follows:]
[Insect Race population cap increased by 500,000. All Insect Race buildings have been upgraded. Part of the Insect Race Gene Pool unlocked.]
[Clan Level has been upgraded to Lv.72. Upgrades are as follows:]
[Insect Race population cap increased by 500,000. All Insect Race buildings have been upgraded. Part of the Insect Race Gene Pool unlocked.]
...
...
[Clan Level has been upgraded to Lv.80. This is a critical upgrade level. Upgrades are as follows:]