Chapter 3: Passive Symbiosis
The attachment characteristic was simple: this type of Abyss Spore could cling to any substance, was non-aggressive, and could store nearly any type of bodily energy with a very low loss rate. Assuming 100 points of bodily energy were stored within, roughly 0.5 to 0.8 points would be lost per natural day.
What truly allowed this Abyss Spore to proliferate massively was its "Passive Symbiosis" characteristic. So-called passive symbiosis meant that once someone became a symbiont of this Abyss Spore, if the symbiont was on the verge of death, the Abyss Spore would do everything in its power to sustain the symbiont's life.
If the symbiont had half their skull shattered, or their heart and other major organs completely destroyed, the Abyss Spore would mimic biological tissue structures through a form of simulation, constructing a brain, heart, etc., to help the symbiont maintain a normal state and effectively prolong their life.
At that time, the Dark Moon Faction was locked in a life-or-death struggle with the Sun Faction. Such a trump card that could decide victory or defeat would naturally be thoroughly developed by the Dark Moon Faction.
Speaking of which, the Moon Wolves leaving the Dark Moon Faction was only triggered by the death of the current Wolf King. The main reason was that the Moon Wolves unanimously opposed the widespread use of these powerful spores of unknown origin. Unfortunately, the Dark Moon Faction had been backed into a corner at that point and began large-scale use... no, they began to abuse the Abyss Spores.
No one expected that when the Abyss Spores proliferated to a certain scale within this world, they would develop a "Hive Mind." The first to be controlled by the Abyss Spores' "Hive Mind" were the Moon Eclipse Knights, who had most of their bodies replaced by Abyss Spores just to survive.
Chaos erupted within the main city. The Queen and the high-ranking members of the Dark Moon Faction were forced to retreat to the tower at the city's center.
The outcome was that the "Hive Mind" of the Abyss Spores was destroyed by the Queen, at the cost of her eternal slumber in the tower's bedchamber.
At this moment, Su Xiao stood before the Queen's bedchamber. He took out the "Dark Moon Ring," which was not only a miraculous item capable of closing the Abyss Passage but also the key to opening the Queen's bedchamber. After defeating the Tower Knight Commander earlier, he had obtained this item through the kill reward. The kill notification read as follows:
[You have killed the Tower Knight Commander · Cross.]
[You have obtained 10,000 Sun Gold Coins.]
[You have obtained 26.95% World Source.]
[You have obtained 5 Golden Skill Points.]
[You have obtained an Immortal Chest · Dark Moon Radiance.]
[You have obtained a Source Matter Chest (obtained with a chance upon defeating a powerful enemy).]
[You have obtained the Dark Moon Ring (Special Item · Exclusive to the Dark Moon Faction, only this one remains).]
...
As Su Xiao took out the "Dark Moon Ring," the ring automatically attached itself to the locking ring of the massive metal door. Ring after ring of locks clicked and turned, and after fully aligning, they all sank into the door. The "Dark Moon Ring" at the center popped out and was caught by Su Xiao with one hand.
Click-clack~
The double doors of the tower's metal gate opened, and a faint light seeped through the gap. A few seconds later, Su Xiao could see the situation inside the bedchamber. A three-meter-wide red carpet stretched to the front of a huge bed. Thin gauze curtains surrounded the bed. A beauty over five meters tall with a well-proportioned figure was half-reclining against the headboard. She wore a crown, her head slightly bowed, as if asleep, or perhaps in eternal slumber.
Su Xiao walked along the red carpet into the bedchamber. Semi-transparent spirits emerged on both sides of the red carpet. These spirits were all dressed as Moon Eclipse Knights, staring at Su Xiao with wary eyes. If Su Xiao hadn't been wearing the [Blood Moon Queen] pendant and hadn't defeated the Tower Knight Commander, he would have been swarmed by these Moon Eclipse Knight spirits the moment he entered. Don't underestimate these spirits; they were once the elite knights of the Dark Moon Faction.
Su Xiao stopped at the kneeling spot before the bed. He wasn't a member of the Dark Moon Faction, so he didn't perform the single-knee salute. However, as he stopped before the bed, the dark purple gem on the Queen's crown liquefied and floated towards him.
[You have obtained Moon Blood.]
[Because you have obtained "Moon Blood," your Main Quest · Final Stage will have an additional choice, and the reward for the Main Quest · Final Stage is increased by 20%.]
...
The scene before Su Xiao blurred for an instant, and the next second, he found himself outside the bedchamber door. The two massive metal doors were closed in front of him, as if he had never entered the bedchamber.
Following the upward spiral staircase, Su Xiao arrived at the top floor of the tower. His earlier battle with the Tower Knight Commander had destroyed most of the top floor, but the area where the four Time Doors were located remained unaffected, protected by multiple layers of barriers.
Su Xiao came to the fourth Time Door and knocked. No aged voice came from within. The Time Door gradually collapsed, and the scene inside synchronized to the present moment.
All the furnishings inside the room had turned to ash under the erosion of time. A remnant soul sat against the wall inside. This remnant soul was draped in a black robe that seemed to absorb all light, actually formed from Abyss Energy. Or rather, it was thanks to the protection of this Abyss Energy that this remnant soul could persist until now. He was a powerful being from the First Era.
"Oh, a Law Destroyer, is it."
The black-robed remnant soul spoke. Hearing this, Su Xiao was slightly puzzled. He hadn't expected that this powerful being from the First Era, who had been trapped in the tower all along, could identify him as a Law Destroyer at a glance. After all, the Law Destroyers only rose to prominence in the Second Era.
"Don't be surprised. The history of you Law Destroyers even traces back to before the First Era. But those pasts so old that even their 'concept of existence' has dissipated can no longer be verified."
Having said this, the black-robed remnant soul pointed to a cocoon of light a few meters away and introduced: "In the Second Era, your Law Destruction Faction was defeated. The Moon Wolves, who served as Abyss Watchers, were hunted down to extinction by Arcane Eternal Star. If I remember correctly, it was a Moon Wolf named Shien who entrusted this child to me. Now, you can take it away."
Hearing this, Su Xiao looked at the light cocoon a few meters away. The cocoon was about a meter high, and within it, a small curled-up figure could be vaguely seen. This form indicated that it wasn't a Moon Wolf, but it had fur similar to a Moon Wolf and the unique aura of a Moon Wolf.
It was definitely not a Moon Wolf, but among all wolf-blooded beings, this unhatched little figure had the highest purity, even infinitely close to a true Moon Wolf. Unfortunately, in terms of existential concept, it would never be a Moon Wolf. The Moon Wolves were extinct; this was an indisputable fact.
Su Xiao took out the [Inherited Wolf Blood]. He hadn't known who to pass this on to before, but unexpectedly, the strongest Moon Wolf, Wolf God · Shien, had made the choice for him.
He poured the [Inherited Wolf Blood] onto the light cocoon. Given the purity of the wolf blood within the cocoon's small figure, this wouldn't give it purer wolf blood, but it would allow it to inherit the Moon Wolf's power. In data terms, it would successfully unlock the skill tree.
As soon as the wolf blood landed on the light cocoon, it was absorbed. Su Xiao took out the [Moon Wolf Sword], an inheritance-type weapon that required wolf blood to wield. He thrust the wolf sword into the ground.
"So, you're not planning to take this child away?"
The black-robed remnant soul spoke.
"Doesn't he already have a master?"
Su Xiao glanced at the black-robed remnant soul. If he wasn't mistaken, this should be the previous Moon Eclipse Knight Commander.
"Is that so? It seems it's not yet time for me to dissipate."
The black-robed remnant soul let out a rare chuckle. He casually tossed something over and said, "You... are worthy."
Su Xiao raised his hand and caught the thrown object. It was a key.
[You have obtained the Witness Key (World-Class Item).]
[Witness Key (World-Class Item): This key can open the secret chamber at the lowest level of the Dead City · Temple.]
...
Su Xiao knew where the Dead City was. It was located on the eastern side of the Northern Continent. It was said that the gods had once occupied it as their base camp after arriving in this world. Later, the gods gradually became twisted by the distorted Sun Force and were banished to the "God Exile Ground" on the Southern Continent. As a result, this great city was named the Dead City.
After that, the Dead City became a hell for the exiled. If one committed a grave crime in Twilight City, a punishment more severe than the death penalty was to be banished to the "Dead City" via a large teleportation array.
"Law Destroyer, I will take this child away. You have given him wolf blood; he will break out of the cocoon soon. Blazing Sun Star is too harsh a trial for this child. Even if it's training, it should be gradual."
The black-robed remnant soul raised his hand, and his index finger touched the air. Layers of black spatial ripples appeared, and both he and the light cocoon beside him gradually faded, finally disappearing from the spot.
Su Xiao took out the [Moon Blood] and [Witness Key] he had obtained. Based on his extensive mission experience, he judged that both were important, even though their uses weren't immediately apparent.
Only now did Su Xiao have a moment to rest. He checked his own status. The "Moon Curse" in the status bar seemed inconspicuous, but ignoring it would have serious consequences. This curse mechanism of the Ancient Tower was somehow certified by the Void Tree.
Instead of dealing with the "Moon Curse" first, Su Xiao scrolled through the notification records, looking for the "Blood Contract · Bounty" notification that had appeared earlier.
[You have completed Bounty 3 · Tower.]
[Due to the "Hunt List · Blood Pact" multiplier bounty + bounty correction, you will receive a bounty worth a total of 6500 ounces of Space-Time Force.]
[You have applied for certification in advance. This bounty will be more inclined towards "Space-Time Stone Fragments."]
[Tip: As it complies with the income rules, this certification application has been successfully approved.]
[You have obtained Space-Time Stone Fragments × 550 (This is an equivalent item, can be sold to Reincarnation Paradise at any time for 5500 ounces of Space-Time Force).]
[You have obtained Secret Treasure Box × 2 (This item is equivalent to 1000 ounces of Space-Time Force in this judgment).]
...
Su Xiao was quite satisfied with this income. He first sold all 550 Space-Time Stone Fragments, giving him a total of 12540.5 ounces of Space-Time Force.
[Detected that you have an unequipped "Abyss Equipment," and your Abyss Resistance has reached 80 points or more. You have obtained the qualification to unlock an "Abyss Equipment Slot." Do you wish to unlock the Abyss Equipment Slot (maximum of one can be unlocked)? Unlocking this Abyss Equipment Slot requires 12000 ounces of Space-Time Force.]
[You have paid 12000 ounces of Space-Time Force.]
[Abyss Equipment Slot unlocked successfully.]
[Your main equipment slots have increased from 11 to 12.]
...
Among Su Xiao's current 12 main equipment slots, [Blood Moon Queen] occupied four. However, considering the strength of [Blood Moon Queen], this was perfectly fine.
Su Xiao took out the Abyss Equipment [Endless Ring] and equipped it in the "Abyss Equipment Slot." The next second, he felt a pure, condensed Primordial Life Force gradually surging within him, quickly spreading throughout his body. This increased his Health Points from 2,150,000 to 2,450,000.
[Endless Ring]
Origin: Abyss.
Quality: Abyss Grade.
Type: Enhancement-type Equipment.
Equipment Effect 1: Life Stillness (Passive), each point of rating on this equipment grants 50 Health Points.
Current Health Points Bonus: 300,000 points!
Equipment Effect 2: Endless Devouring (Core · Passive), the Endless Ring can devour other equipment, and based on the quality, rating, and strength of the devoured equipment, it increases the rating cap of the Endless Ring.
Current Rating Cap Bonus: 0 points.
Equipment Debuff: Dark Drowning (Passive), while wearing this equipment, you will gradually be invaded by the darkness of the Abyss. This erosion can be resisted by your Abyss Resistance, but the greater the benefit provided by this equipment, the higher the intensity of this erosion.
Tip: 25 points of Abyss Resistance can resist the current erosion intensity (your current Abyss Resistance is 89 points).
Rating: 6000 points (Under normal circumstances, the rating of Abyss Grade equipment is 1 to 6000 points).
Description: Darkness is always still. Stillness gives rise to sedimentation. Sedimentation brings decay. Decay transforms into nutrients. Nutrients nourish life. At the very center of darkness, the purest and most robust life source matter is nurtured.
Sale Price: Cannot be sold.
...
Su Xiao could confirm that this would be a core piece of equipment for increasing Health Points in the future. However, there was a problem: to enhance the [Endless Ring], it needed to devour equipment, and specifically equipment certified by the Paradise Faction or the Void Tree.
Su Xiao already had a 'weapon-eater' in Dragon-Slaying Flash, and now he had an 'equipment-eater' in the [Endless Ring]. The only consolation was that the [Endless Ring] wasn't picky; it would eat anything. The problem was whether his wallet, already battered by the development of three Technique abilities, could withstand the torment of both [Dragon-Slaying Flash] and the [Endless Ring].
One represented attack, the other survival. The former was very picky, and the latter was exceptionally gluttonous.
Su Xiao looked at the two [Secret Treasure Boxes] in his hand. These could yield good things. Even if he got a "Dawn Fragment," it wouldn't matter. The brilliance of Amu's Dawn Shield lay in the fact that the 12 "Dawn Fragments" on it hadn't been cut or modified—in fact, there was no way to cut them—so the size of the Dawn Shield could be increased later by adding more "Dawn Fragments."
Leaving the empty room, Bubu Wang trotted up happily and pushed the mechanism lever. Seeing this, Su Xiao looked suspicious. After passing the Third Rank, Bubu Wang had gradually grown, but this growth manifested as him becoming lazier and lazier. He would never stand if he could sit, and never sit if he could lie down.
For him to be so diligent now, there must be a reason. Normally, pushing the mechanism lever was Amu's job.
The lift rose from the shaft. Su Xiao got on the lift and didn't speak. Bubu Wang crouched beside his leg, looking like, "I'm so diligent, Master, praise me." However, Su Xiao still acted as if he hadn't seen anything.
"Woof awoo!"
Bubu Wang rolled over pitifully, but it didn't take long to figure out. This dog wanted to go to a roast game hen restaurant in the inner city of Twilight City, listed in the "Interworld Food Guide." Roast game hen was a delicacy similar to roast pigeon, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Bubu Wang had been craving it. They didn't have time last time, but this time he really wanted to go and eat his fill.
The lift stopped at the bottom floor. As Su Xiao stepped off the lift, he saw a massive scale and a Soul Death God standing beside it.
Seeing this Soul Death God, Su Xiao instinctively placed one hand on his sword hilt. "Soul Source Matter" was too tempting; it could increase Soul Strength by over a hundred points. But he had already killed the Soul Death God, so why was there another one now?
Sensing Su Xiao's hand on his sword hilt, the Soul Death God, draped in a black robe with a spirit-like body inside, narrowed its blue flame-like eyes. It knew exactly how the previous Soul Death God had died—killed by this Law Destroyer before it.
After confirming that this new Soul Death God was a neutral unit certified by the Void Tree, Su Xiao felt a pang of regret. Having a negative Void Tree Reputation didn't matter, but killing a neutral unit certified by the Void Tree was absolutely forbidden. The consequence would be the inability to negotiate or trade with any neutral unit certified by the Void Tree.
Su Xiao took off the "Soul Lock Lantern" hanging from his waist and hung it on the end of his sword hilt. This special equipment, exchanged from the Honor Shop, had been enhanced to its limit. For soul-type beings, this lock lantern held immense allure.
Seeing this "Soul Lock Lantern," the new Soul Death God couldn't deny its temptation. The slight squint of its eyes revealed its growing inner greed. But Su Xiao's amiable smile was like a bucket of cold water poured over the new Soul Death God's head.
At this moment, in the eyes of the new Soul Death God, Su Xiao was like a massive Blood Beast, slowly dangling the "Soul Lock Lantern" with a sharp claw, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth in a sinister grin from the dim background. If it dared to reach for the "Soul Lock Lantern," this grinning Blood Beast would have a reason, circumventing the Void Tree's judgment, to bite it to pieces and swallow it.
The instantly maxed-out malice made the new Soul Death God retract its aura. In the past, faced with such a situation, it would have done its utmost as an Arbiter to show malice towards the one being weighed on the scale. But this time, it truly didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
The [Dark Moon Source Matter], [Abyss Watcher's Soul Embers], [Moon Blood], and [Witness Key] that Su Xiao had obtained in the Ancient Tower floated one by one above the left tray and fell into it. Each of these items carried more causal weight than the last, especially the latter two, which were two of the three items with the heaviest causal weight in this world.
Su Xiao certainly wouldn't rely solely on his own 1130 points of Soul Strength to withstand this "Soul Scale" weighing. He examined the Soul Scale before him. The scale was nearly ten meters tall. The two trays were like the bases of lifts without the upper parts. The main body of the scale in the center was entwined with spiral crystalline matter. Upon closer inspection, one could see protruding, agonized faces, so vivid they seemed about to break free.
Su Xiao took out the "Book of Original Sin." This caused the new Soul Death God standing guard to instinctively take a big step back, but it still spoke in a deep, hollow voice: "You must not, hold that, object, while standing on the scale."
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak. He simply raised his hand, as if offering the "Book of Original Sin" to the new Soul Death God. The meaning was clear: 'If you dare, take this "Book of Original Sin."'
The new Soul Death God pondered for a few seconds before choosing a compromise: "If there are evil consequences, you will bear them yourself."
"..."
Holding the "Book of Original Sin," Su Xiao stepped onto the Soul Scale. He immediately felt a lifting sensation under his feet. The [Moon Blood] and [Witness Key] on the left side of the scale slammed the left tray down with a bang, touching the ground.
Theoretically, even if Su Xiao's Soul Strength reached over 1500 points, he couldn't take the [Moon Blood] and [Witness Key] out of the Ancient Tower. As long as he was within this world, he couldn't overcome these two obstacles with the weight of his soul alone. The problem was that Su Xiao wasn't relying solely on the weight of his soul.
Click-clack-clack!
The crossbeam of the massive scale emitted a metallic twisting sound. The right tray under Su Xiao's feet descended, touching the ground a few seconds later. The Soul Death God looked at the other side. The left tray, carrying the [Moon Blood] and [Witness Key], was also touching the ground. It looked up at the crossbeam. Well, the originally straight metal crossbeam was now shaped like a Λ. This naturally caused both trays to touch the ground.
[Moon Curse: When attempting to take any item from the Ancient Tower out of this place, you must undergo the weighing of the "Soul Scale." All your gains within the Ancient Tower will be placed on the left side of the Soul Scale, while you yourself must stand on the right side. When the weight of your soul is greater than the items on the left tray, those items will belong to you, and you will also obtain "Moon Marrow Spiritual Liquid" of equivalent 'weight' to those items.]
Su Xiao looked at the Soul Death God, waiting for its judgment. Although he couldn't attack a neutral unit certified by the Void Tree, if the judgment result was problematic, that would be a good opportunity to find a reason to strike.
"Weight... equal. You... have successfully... passed. But, only... half the liquid."
As soon as the Soul Death God spoke, a jar of spiritual liquid sealed in translucent crystals slid out from the scale's pillar.
Su Xiao raised his hand, and the sealed liquid flew to him. He held it in one hand. This liquid was exceptionally heavy, about half a bucket's worth. It didn't look like much, but it was actually the maximum stock for this soul judgment. The reason was that the soul weight of the judged items was too heavy. Even with only a 50% liquid yield, it was still the maximum stock specification.
Stepping down from the Soul Scale, a Law-Destroying Teleportation Array formed under Su Xiao's feet. With a dull thud, he, Bubu Wang, Amu, and Baha disappeared.
Southern Continent, Twilight City, Inner City District, Su Xiao's temporary mansion.
A dull thud came from the secret room on the second floor, and then Su Xiao, Bubu Wang, Amu, and Baha appeared. Su Xiao left the secret room and entered the inner hall. The climate in Twilight City was unpredictable. A couple of days ago, it was the heat of summer, but tonight it felt like the chill of late autumn. Fortunately, the steam pipes were operational. Hot steam passed through the pipes in the walls, leaving heat in the walls, making the inner hall exceptionally comfortable.
After a life-and-death battle with the Tower Knight Commander, Su Xiao was now physically and mentally exhausted. The feeling of the wind howling outside while the room was warm and cozy allowed him, slumped in a single-seater sofa, to gradually relax. After drinking a few bottles of treatment potions he had custom-made for himself, he felt completely relieved. His various organs entered a slow healing phase.
[Tip: Force Lord (Nourishment-type · Immortal Grade Equipment) has absorbed enough Natural Force in this world. You can use this equipment to convert the absorbed and stored World Force into a "Force Fragment." There are three types of "Force Fragments" as follows.]