Chapter 76: Devour
Su Xiao had witnessed the terrifying scene of Cyan Steel Shadow Energy invading the brain. When fighting spellcasters, the Cyan Steel Shadow Energy always went straight for the enemy's brain.
Strengthening the intelligence attribute was precisely to prepare for this situation. If the mana circuits in the brain were not strong enough, they simply could not withstand this process.
The energy sphere became more and more complete, already over 60% constructed. This energy sphere gradually generated a pulling force.
The energy sphere had a row of small holes on its surface, covered with patterns, and it pulsed in rhythm with the heartbeat.
Constructing 70%, 75%, 80%...
The entire construction process required intense concentration. Moreover, while constructing this energy sphere, something within him was constantly being impacted, often leaving him dazed for moments.
During construction, the energy sphere was very unstable and would impact the constructor's soul. This was the reason most Shadows of Law Destruction failed.
Once the soul was shattered, it meant death. Without a soul, only the shell remained.
After construction exceeded 95%, the energy sphere's impact on the soul grew increasingly intense, giving Su Xiao the feeling that he might detach from his body at any moment.
He tried to ignore this feeling as much as possible. Instinct told him that he had to perfectly construct this energy sphere, or he was dead for sure.
A few minutes later, the energy sphere was completely constructed. Before Su Xiao could even breathe a sigh of relief, he suddenly realized the energy sphere was even more unstable.
Thump, thump. Thump...
The energy's pulsation grew faster and faster, until it almost began to jump.
Boom!
The energy sphere exploded. Su Xiao thought it was over.
An unexpected situation occurred. The explosion of the energy sphere seemed to be normal. After the explosion, it formed a large area of light blue powder. These powders drifted around in his abdominal cavity for a while before gradually coalescing.
Temporary destruction was for greater stability.
The light blue powder reconstructed the energy sphere, this time near Su Xiao's heart. The energy sphere released a terrifying suction force, as if it wanted to drain all the surrounding energy.
The energy sphere frantically absorbed for a while but didn't absorb any energy. The energy within Su Xiao's body was of the same origin as the energy sphere, so the sphere wouldn't absorb it.
Su Xiao looked up. Above him was a vast expanse of blue.
He slowly swam upward, and after a short while, he reached the edge of the pool.
With a splash, Su Xiao's head emerged from the liquid Cyan Steel Shadow Energy, and he climbed out of the pool.
"It seems you succeeded."
Mawen Hua'erzi looked at Su Xiao with a beaming smile.
"Mm."
Su Xiao sat on the edge of the pool, taking deep breaths of fresh air.
He had succeeded. He had obtained an auxiliary strengthening ability that was so powerful it was almost abnormal.
He opened his skill list. A new ability appeared.
Skill Eight
Devouring Core (Active Skill)
Skill Effect: Can absorb high-level biological energy to nourish Cyan Steel Shadow Energy. Increases the level and quality of Cyan Steel Shadow based on the level and quality of the absorbed energy.
...
The effect of this skill was simple and brutal. It absorbed the energy of other creatures to strengthen Cyan Steel Shadow. However, it could only absorb high-level biological energy, not natural energy.
Cyan Steel Shadow was Su Xiao's core ability. Whether it was True Damage, burning the enemy's mana, or causing severe pain to the enemy, these were all very practical abilities.
As for what high-level biological energy was, Su Xiao figured it out after a brief thought.
Chakra, Nen, Spiritual Pressure, Haki... these were all high-level biological energies.
As long as he could absorb these energies, the level of Cyan Steel Shadow could be increased, and it would grow rapidly.
Su Xiao thought of several creatures. If he could take down any one of them, his Lv.13 Cyan Steel Shadow might be able to directly increase to Lv.20 or higher.
"How much of your Devouring Core did you construct?"
Hearing Mawen Hua'erzi's question, Su Xiao was slightly surprised.
"Wasn't it supposed to be constructed to 100%?"
Mawen Hua'erzi's mouth twitched, and he looked a bit stunned.
"Didn't I tell you that you could shatter the energy sphere once it was over 70% constructed?"
"Did you tell me?"
Su Xiao suddenly felt that Mawen Hua'erzi wasn't very reliable. Last time, he hadn't told him that forming the Spirit Shadow Constitution would be so painful it could make someone pass out.
"Didn't I tell you?"
Mawen Hua'erzi tried hard to recall in his mind. Because it had been so long since a new Shadow of Law Destruction had appeared, he seemed to have forgotten to mention this point.
"So... you constructed it to 100%, and that energy sphere didn't explode? Your soul wasn't shattered by the impact?!"
"It exploded, and then it reconstructed."
Mawen Hua'erzi looked Su Xiao up and down, as if looking at an alien creature.
"Use the Devouring Core."
Su Xiao opened his left hand. Light blue smoke drifted on his palm, and a terrifying suction force spread out. His left hand seemed to become a black hole.
"Stop!"
Mawen Hua'erzi shouted loudly.
"Such a terrifying suction force. As long as you make contact, you can absorb the energy of other creatures."
"The other Shadows of Law Destruction couldn't do this?"
Thanks to Mawen Hua'erzi's carelessness, Su Xiao had stumbled upon a very powerful ability.
"99.9% of them couldn't. If I wanted to absorb the energy of another creature, I had to at least defeat them first, and only absorb their energy when they had no ability to resist. Only the first-generation Shadow of Law Destruction had this kind of terrifying suction force."
Su Xiao nodded, not showing any ecstatic emotions. He had obtained this ability by taking immense risks, so it was only natural.
"Don't be too happy too soon. You'd better defeat the other creature first before absorbing their energy. The pleasurable sensation of absorbing other creatures' energy... you'll understand in the future."
Mawen Hua'erzi waved his hand at Su Xiao.
"The Space-Time Power is here. See you next time, though that should be a long time from now."
The sensation of teleportation appeared. Mawen Hua'erzi shouted loudly.
"Stay clear-headed when absorbing energy. Don't become a Blade Demon. Once you become a Blade Demon, it's irreversible. Remember, don't become a Blade Demon. You'll regret it if you do. Don't become the next me. Be a Shadow of Law Destruction. Being a Blade Demon has no future."
Mawen Hua'erzi's words echoed in his ears as Su Xiao was teleported away.
Returning to his Exclusive Room, Su Xiao pondered Mawen Hua'erzi's words.
What was a Blade Demon? Was it a risk to bear when absorbing energy? Or another path to becoming stronger?
Judging by Mawen Hua'erzi's tone, he seemed to be a Blade Demon himself. So it should be a branch of the Law Destruction Faction.
Su Xiao became inwardly vigilant. Mawen Hua'erzi probably wouldn't lie to him. At the very least, the other party had never shown any malice.
He had successfully obtained the new ability, but for now, there was no opportunity to put it into practice.
High-level biological energy was not easy to find. Su Xiao could only confirm a few types.
He still had three Soul Crystals (Medium) in hand. His previous idea was to use them to strengthen Cyan Steel Shadow, but now it seemed that would be a waste. Cyan Steel Shadow had a better way to improve, so he needed to use his resources wisely.
Soul Crystals (Medium) should be used to strengthen Blade Master. Each level of Blade Master required 10 Soul Crystals (Medium). Currently, Blade Master was at Lv.20. To increase it to Lv.30, he would need to consume a total of 90 Soul Crystals (Medium). Just thinking about it gave him a headache.
Blade Master underwent a qualitative change every ten levels. Once it reached Lv.30, Su Xiao's strength would reach a new height.
Su Xiao estimated that if Blade Master reached Lv.30, he should have no problem fighting some Vice Admirals who had mastered Haki in the Naruto World. No, perhaps he would be much stronger than a Vice Admiral, but still a significant step below an Admiral.
Su Xiao drew the Dragon-Slaying Flash from his waist. The Dragon-Slaying Flash was currently Purple quality. It was starting to feel inadequate when facing strong enemies and needed to be upgraded.