Chapter 31: Soul Strength
The spatial mist dispersed around him. After entering the space gate leading to the Monarch's Treasure, Su Xiao had been within this dense spatial mist.
The spatial mist here was different from the pale gray and pale gold spatial mists seen before. It had an ominous, bloody feel and possessed a certain corrosive power.
After waiting for over ten seconds, the teleportation still hadn't ended. Su Xiao scanned his surroundings, confirming he was within a spatial gap, and refrained from any rash actions.
A few seconds later, a humanoid figure formed from spatial mist gradually appeared ahead, seemingly triggering a chain reaction. Over a dozen misty figures emerged in front of him. These figures either carried massive weapons, were clad in full armor, or had writhing tentacles growing from them.
What was even more puzzling was that all these misty figures knelt on one knee before Su Xiao, bowing their heads. The leading misty figure held out a ring with both hands, offering it to him.
After observing for a few seconds, Su Xiao covered his right hand with a crystal layer and took the ring from the misty figure's hands. The moment he picked up the ring, the kneeling misty figures all dissipated, and the spatial fluctuations around him became intense.
When the scene before him stabilized, Su Xiao found himself in a grayish-white, foggy forest. The trees in sight were all dead and blackened, their dark trunks marked with a few crimson lines. Upon closer inspection, it seemed the trees had absorbed the crimson from the ground while growing, only to die in this state.
The scene was dim and shrouded in thin mist. Among the dead trees were many black puddles, where suspicious and dangerous tiny creatures swam. As these tiny creatures moved, the crimson on their bodies was especially noticeable in the black water.
Su Xiao examined the ring in his hand. It was about one centimeter wide and would be several sizes too large even on his index finger, suggesting the original owner's body was at least four meters, or even over five meters tall.
[You have obtained: Crimson Ring (Fake).]
[Crimson Ring (Fake)]
Origin: Gloomy Continent · Dead Silence City · Gray Smoke Workshop.
Type: Ring.
Durability: 20/390 points.
Equipment Prerequisite: Willpower attribute over 300 points, Crimson Resistance over 30 points (Insufficient Crimson Resistance, but due to sufficient Willpower attribute, this equipment can be temporarily worn while enduring Crimson Erosion).
Equipment Effect: When worn, allows a certain degree of control over Crimson Power.
Description: Due to the Tyrant's fanatical worship of the Crimson Monarch, he commissioned the Gray Smoke Workshop on the Gloomy Continent to replicate the Crimson Monarch's ring. Although a replica, it possesses some characteristics for controlling Crimson Power. However, the replica had its flaws, and the Tyrant ultimately died from Crimson Erosion. Despite the Tyrant's strong adaptability to Crimson, he forgot where the source of Crimson originated.
Price: 1200 Soul Coins (Low durability significantly reduces the selling price of this equipment).
...
This ring contained a lot of information. First was the identity of the Tyrant. He was likely the owner of this Monarch's Treasure. As for the Crimson Monarch he fanatically worshipped, that remained unknown.
Su Xiao had a suspicion. Earlier, in Black Iron City, the Mechanical Creator had given him an item called [Crimson Eye]. It was entrusted to the Mechanical Creator by a previous Law Destroyer. Upon meeting Su Xiao, the Mechanical Creator naturally handed it over to him, the last Shadow of Law Destruction.
[Crimson Eye]
Origin: Eternal Light World · Law Destruction Faction.
Quality: World-Class.
Durability: 1180/1500 points (Over time, this item's durability will gradually decrease. When durability reaches zero, the seal on the Purgatory Nightmare will fail).
Item Effect: Can open the seal of the Purgatory Nightmare, entering the interior, the Crimson Nightmare.
Description: The source of Crimson lies here. The Law Destroyers sealed it within the nightmare at the innermost part of the Sand Sea.
...
Among the several major regions of this world, the Sand Sea was located in the north. Su Xiao's initial entry point into this world was the periphery of the Sand Sea, and the very center of the Sand Sea was the Purgatory Nightmare.
Many natives of this world believed the Purgatory Nightmare was a dangerous place. In reality, it was more like a layer of sealing, containing the Crimson Nightmare within, which was the truly terrifying existence.
The description of [Crimson Eye] stated that the source of Crimson was located within the Crimson Nightmare. To put it another way, was the Crimson Monarch mentioned in [Crimson Ring (Fake)] the source of this Crimson?
Thinking this way, it seemed less like the Tyrant who created [Crimson Ring (Fake)] worshipped the Crimson Monarch, and more like he wanted to replace him.
Another point: Su Xiao never considered himself particularly lucky. Obtaining [Crimson Ring (Fake)] so inexplicably upon entering the Monarch's Treasure area likely had a reason.
Don't forget how this Tyrant rose to power. He wore the Original Sin Object, the [Soul Crown], becoming a calamitous existence. Only through his Calamity Legion did he plunder such wealth, eventually hiding it in the Eternal Light World, thus creating the Monarch's Treasure.
The reason Su Xiao obtained [Crimson Ring (Fake)] upon entering was because he was wearing the [Soul Crown]. The misty figures he saw earlier were likely the residual consciousness of the Tyrant's core subordinates. Over such a long time, these residual consciousnesses could no longer discern the appearance or aura of the visitor. They only judged who had come based on whether they possessed the [Soul Crown].
Those residual consciousnesses had mistaken him, believing the owner of this Monarch's Treasure had returned, and respectfully offered [Crimson Ring (Fake)].
Rumor had it that the Tyrant offended the Witch Realm and, after accidentally obtaining the key to the Eternal Light World, [Moonlight], fled here, eventually dying here as well.
But now, it seemed the facts differed from the rumors. The existence of [Crimson Ring (Fake)] suggested the Tyrant craved Crimson Power, bringing all his possessions to this world where the Crimson Monarch was sealed.
The Tyrant's goal was not to rescue the Crimson Monarch and serve him as king, but to replace him, seize the source of Crimson Power, and become the new Crimson Monarch himself.
Especially considering that during the battle against the Witch Realm, the Tyrant wearing the [Soul Crown] was still no match for them. This was clearly the [Soul Crown] rejecting him, deeming him unworthy to continue holding it.
Under these circumstances, it was only natural for the Tyrant to desperately crave Crimson Power. In the end, although he created [Crimson Ring (Fake)], he was abandoned by the [Soul Crown].
Losing the [Soul Crown], the Tyrant immediately reverted to his original form. In the end, he never even reached the depths of the Sand Sea to open the nightmare sealing the Crimson Monarch. He didn't even meet the Crimson Monarch before being eroded to death by Crimson Power.
Speaking of Crimson Power, Su Xiao recalled the Dark Blood City Lord and his son from Crimson Castle. The father and son had planned to open an Abyss Passage in this world. The passage did open, but what emerged was Crimson Power. This made one suspect whether Crimson Power was a twisted form of Abyss Energy.
Being enhanced by Abyss Energy and being twisted from Abyss Energy were vastly different. Being extremely enhanced by Abyss Energy was a secondary Abyss characteristic. Being twisted from it, however, was nearly on the same level as Abyss Energy itself. Even if it was lower, it was only slightly so, like a difference between 100 points and 95 points.
Abyss and Element were the two strongest Source Power types. If Crimson Power was truly twisted from Abyss Energy, then this power would be terrifying.
Thinking this way, the Crimson Monarch sealed deep within the Sand Sea would be an extremely terrifying existence. The reason he hadn't broken the seal like the Four Giants was likely because the Law Destruction Faction had set the strongest sealing power there.
Another point: the seals on the Ancestor and the Star Devourer were actually broken first by the Eternal Dark Lord, one of the Four Giants. Even today, the Four Giants of the Lightless Temple hadn't opened the seal on the Crimson Monarch. This suggested that the Four Giants also feared the Crimson Monarch and dared not release him.
This was likely the most terrifying existence sealed by the previous Law Destroyers in the Eternal Light World. So terrifying that even the Unscrupulous Mentor and the Old Law Destroyer never mentioned it, nor would they tell Su Xiao how to open the seal, to prevent him from challenging it.
Thinking this way, it was no coincidence that the Dark Blood City Lord and his son opened an Abyss Passage but released Crimson Power. The Crimson Monarch was brewing a method to break the seal.
Setting aside the Sand Sea and the Crimson Monarch for now, Su Xiao was more interested in one thing: the [Crimson Ring (Fake)] in his hand. Its origin was too intriguing. The Gloomy Continent, once a Transcendent Primordial World, had declined, but the craftsmanship of its workshops wouldn't have diminished much.
The Tyrant recognized this and went to Dead Silence City to create [Crimson Ring (Fake)]. What was even more intriguing was that one of the Gloomy Continent's strongest weapons, the Dead Silence Annihilation, had been lost for unknown reasons.
Upon entering this world, Zuiyasi mentioned he was looking for a weapon that could pierce any defense. Whether he obtained it wasn't the point; the important thing was to prevent his opponent from getting it.
Given the Tyrant's character, it was highly possible he had his subordinates steal the Dead Silence Annihilation from the workshop in Dead Silence City. If so, there was a good chance the Dead Silence Annihilation was among the treasure left behind after the Tyrant's death.
To be safe, Su Xiao completely suppressed his aura and moved forward. Before he had gone far, he saw a Dark Devourer hiding behind a tree, peeking out. He silently approached until he was less than two meters away, causing the Dark Devourer to startle and shudder.
The Dark Devourer lowered its voice and said fiercely, "You, what are you doing!"
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak. He looked ahead and saw a giant. This giant had no head, its body showing signs of decay and dryness. In the center of its torso was a single eye. The vertical pupil of this eye was crimson, and around this crimson pupil, black thread-like worms swam within the eyeball.
This rotting giant was aimlessly wandering around. The moment he saw this enemy, Su Xiao had no intention of fighting it. Not only was this enemy incredibly strong, not something to be dealt with in a few moves, but even if he killed it, the cost wouldn't be worth it. More importantly, it might attract other powerful enemies.
Su Xiao activated the team function and found that Bubu Wang and Baha were both in the distance. Looking into the distance through the blurry mist, there seemed to be a small town. Both Bubu Wang and Baha were over there.
"What do we do?"
The Dark Devourer behind the tree spoke, staring at the rotting giant. It clearly also felt this enemy was troublesome, so it didn't act rashly.
"You lure it away."
"Why me?!"
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak. He took out a black crystal and tossed it into the distance. A few seconds later, the rotting giant sniffed the air, the single eye on its torso becoming even more crimson. It seemed confused for a moment, then walked towards where the black crystal had landed.
"What is this? It works so well."
"Waste scraps from Black Maple Tree yield."
"?"
The Dark Devourer's fair little face was full of confusion, its eyes filled with doubt. It snorted lightly and muttered, "You're so wasteful. Even if you got a large batch of Black Maple Tree yield, there's no need to squander it like this. But... how much Black Maple Tree yield do you have left? Can you... can you sell me some?"
"I don't know."
As he spoke, Su Xiao scanned his surroundings. After confirming there were no enemies in the thin mist, he walked towards a small town in the distance.
"What?"
The Dark Devourer didn't understand what Su Xiao meant, then said somewhat angrily, "How can you not know how much Black Maple Tree yield you have left? If it were me, I could be accurate to the gram."
Hearing this, Su Xiao paused for a moment, looked at the Dark Devourer beside him, and said truthfully, "Because I have a Black Maple Tree."
"?"
The Dark Devourer was even more confused, so much so that it stopped walking. It stared at Su Xiao's back for a moment, then quickly caught up.
After walking a hundred meters, the Dark Devourer finally couldn't help but ask, "Do you really have a Black Maple Tree?"
"Mm."
"Then... can I buy Black Maple Tree yield from you?"
"Yes."
"Then... thank you. But why did you suddenly go into that tree hollow? Eh~"
The Dark Devourer suddenly sensed something was wrong, not only because the Law Destroyer beside him had completely suppressed his aura and was hiding in a tree hollow, but also because the atmosphere around them was becoming strange.
Before the Dark Devourer could find a place to hide, a crimson afterimage flashed by. This caused the Dark Devourer to release its aura fully, black tentacles surging from its body. But after half a minute, the enemy seemed to have vanished.
However, it soon noticed something was off. It had been here before, and due to the special environment, there were no shadows on the ground. Now, it had a crimson shadow.
One by one, the Dark Devourer's black tentacles pierced into the crimson shadow. The next second, a sharp pain shot through its body. Holes appeared out of nowhere on its shoulders, arms, and other places, black blood flowing out.
This situation made the Dark Devourer both angry and helpless. If it were a direct confrontation, it wouldn't fear any strong enemy. But an enemy with such strange abilities was very frustrating.
Su Xiao observed for a moment. With the limited information he had, he really couldn't figure out what this crimson shadow was. Moreover, this thing wasn't a living being, nor was it even considered a hostile target, so he couldn't use detection-type equipment on it. It seemed to be the ability of some existence.
Su Xiao continued walking towards the small town. He had gained some understanding of this place. Compared to Crimson Castle, where crimson spread everywhere, there was more Crimson Power here. However, the Crimson Power here had been absorbed by the local creatures or strange existences, leaving little dispersed in the environment.
As he approached the town, Su Xiao could faintly hear laughter coming from within. This laughter was exactly the same as when he had passed by Laughing Town outside. As he got closer, he confirmed it was Laughing Town.
Compared to the illusory, eerie Laughing Town outside, this one was more solid. This made one suspect whether the Laughing Town in the Wet Salt Zone outside was a projection of this real Laughing Town. That was why no one could walk out after entering Laughing Town at night. At night, some characteristic of the illusory Laughing Town would be activated, teleporting intruders into this real Laughing Town.
The closer he got to the town ahead, the clearer the various laughs became. But when he was only a few dozen meters away, all the laughter abruptly stopped, and the surroundings became silent.
The town ahead had about several hundred buildings, mostly two or three stories high. In the middle was a street paved with gravel. Walking down the street, Su Xiao noticed that many of the buildings on both sides had candlelight flickering inside, with various laughs coming from within.
But there were exceptions. Some windows with pale gold candlelight had no mad laughter coming from them. Su Xiao stopped in front of one such building and raised his hand to knock on the door. Unexpectedly, the person inside immediately blew out the candle.
Thump, thump, thump.
Su Xiao knocked again. The breathing of the person inside suddenly became heavy and irritable. A deliberately lowered, slightly hoarse middle-aged male voice came from inside: "Go away! There's nothing here you want!"
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak. Just as he was about to turn and go deeper into the town, the middle-aged man inside said in a low voice, "Suppress the greed in your heart, and you might still leave this place."
After saying this, the man inside fell completely silent. One could faintly hear him suppressing his own mad laughter, a state on the verge of losing control.
Continuing deeper into the town, Su Xiao hadn't gone far when he heard Bubu Wang's bark from a nearby alley. Following the sound, he saw Bubu Wang and Baha both hiding in the alley.
Entering the alley, he learned that the reason Bubu Wang and Baha were hiding here was that Zuiyasi, who had been with them, had suddenly been swallowed by a huge, gaping maw. This maw appeared without warning and seemed extremely fast.
"Suddenly swallowed by a huge mouth? That Tentacle Guy's reaction speed isn't fast enough. If it were me..."
The Dark Devourer was cut off mid-sentence when it noticed Baha pointing its wing at its crimson shadow.
"Before Zuiyasi was swallowed, he was also entangled by this thing."
Hearing this, the Dark Devourer's expression became serious. It asked, "How was the Tentacle Guy..."
Pfft~
A huge, gaping maw appeared, incredibly fast. By the time it was visible, the Dark Devourer had already been swallowed.
Su Xiao formed a Slash Mark around Bubu Wang and Baha to avoid accidental injury, while placing one hand on his sword hilt.
'Extreme Blade...'
Before he could use Extreme Blade: World, the ferocious maw that had appeared dissipated, as if it had never existed. The crimson shadow on the ground also disappeared.
Su Xiao checked the team information and found that both Zuiyasi and the Dark Devourer were in normal condition. This meant being swallowed by that maw wasn't dangerous, at least the process wasn't very dangerous. Where those two had gone was unknown.
The style of the 'Good Teammate' team was that each person handled their own responsibilities. The safety during this time depended entirely on individual ability. So Su Xiao led Bubu Wang and Baha out of the alley and arrived at the innermost part of the town, the only building with its door open.
As soon as he entered the building, an old man in a black robe, leaning on a cane, walked towards him.
"Young man, are you here for those treasures?"
The old man, the town's elder, had a kind and smiling face. The wrinkles on his face made him look even more benevolent.
"Yes."
"Follow me."
The old elder walked towards the back of the building. Stopping in front of a wall, he tapped it with his cane. A stone secret door rose, revealing a sloping staircase leading underground.
Descending the stairs for at least several minutes, they finally reached the end. A pair of silver-gray metal doors blocked the way. The old elder turned the lock plate on the door, and with a crisp click, the metal doors swung open.
The scene before him was a ruined hall. The walls of the hall showed signs of melting, like candle wax. In the center of this ruined hall was a throne. On the throne sat a skeleton. The skeleton wore an iron-black crown on its head, studded with over a dozen [Primordial Fragments].
Not only that, around the throne and the skeleton were piles of Soul Crystals, Eternal-rank weapons, Soul Coins, and more. The Soul Coins alone formed a layer, reaching up to the skeleton's knees.
Four tall skeletal guards stood on either side and behind the throne. However, these guards had no aura at all. Although this place was underground, a faint light shone down from the ceiling, illuminating the area.
Su Xiao looked at the old elder who had been beside him. He was nowhere to be seen. What was puzzling was that all these treasures before him were genuine. This was indeed the Monarch's Treasure. But the process of getting here was too simple, so simple that it made one uneasy.
After pondering for a moment, Su Xiao covered his hand with a crystal layer and picked up a Soul Coin. A prompt immediately appeared.
[Warning: You are attempting to acquire a cursed Soul Treasure. If you choose to acquire this Soul Coin, you will accumulate 1 point of Soul Curse.]
[For each point of Soul Curse intensity, 1 point of Soul Strength is required to offset this effect. When the accumulated Soul Curse intensity exceeds your own Soul Strength, this Soul Curse will take effect, causing your soul to gradually wither.]
Just one Soul Coin carried this level of Soul Curse effect. If he were greedy and picked up that Eternal-rank weapon not far away, the Soul Curse would take effect immediately. Even with Su Xiao's 860 points of Soul Strength, he could only withstand this Soul Curse for a few hours. This showed the intensity of the Soul Curse.
As long as one entered the area where the Monarch's Treasure was located, finding these treasures wasn't difficult. The hard part was how to take them away. Looking at the vast array of treasures before him, Su Xiao opened the team channel to contact Kaisa.