# Chapter 4: Nightmare King
The moment Su Xiao stepped into the room, he felt an indescribable chill.
This was not a physical coldness, but a sensation that seemed to pierce directly into the soul. The air around him grew heavy, as if an invisible pressure was pressing down on his shoulders, making even breathing difficult.
Su Xiao's expression remained calm. He had long been accustomed to this feeling—this was the pressure of a powerful being, a warning from a transcendent existence.
The room was not large, only about a hundred square meters. The walls were covered with strange murals, depicting scenes of some ancient war. The figures in the murals were twisted and bizarre, some with multiple heads, others with countless limbs, as if they were depicting some kind of terrifying nightmare.
In the center of the room stood a black throne.
On the throne sat a figure.
That figure was shrouded in black mist, making it impossible to see its true appearance. Only a pair of blood-red eyes could be seen, flickering within the mist like two burning flames.
"You're here."
A hoarse voice came from the black mist, carrying an indescribable sense of oppression.
Su Xiao stopped about ten meters from the throne, calmly looking at the figure on it.
"Nightmare King."
He spoke the other's name.
The black mist trembled slightly, as if startled by Su Xiao's calmness.
"You know me?"
The Nightmare King's voice carried a hint of surprise.
"I've heard of you."
Su Xiao replied calmly. "One of the Abyss's Archbishops, a powerhouse at the Eighth Rank, known for manipulating nightmares. Your ability allows you to invade the dreams of others, extracting their fears and turning them into your power."
"Heh heh heh..."
The Nightmare King let out a low, deep laugh. "Not bad, not bad. I didn't expect someone from the Reincarnation Paradise to know so much about me. It seems you've done your homework."
Su Xiao didn't respond. He just quietly watched the other party, his right hand already resting on the hilt of the Dragon-Slaying Flash at his waist.
"Don't be nervous."
The Nightmare King slowly stood up from his throne. As he stood, the black mist around him began to churn violently, as if some terrifying existence was awakening within.
"I didn't come here to fight you."
"Oh?"
Su Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly. "Then what is your purpose?"
"Cooperation."
The Nightmare King spoke bluntly. "I need your help."
"Help?"
Su Xiao's eyes flickered. "What kind of help?"
"Help me kill someone."
The Nightmare King's voice suddenly turned cold. "A very troublesome person."
"Who?"
"Supreme Being."
The moment these two words were spoken, the temperature in the entire room seemed to drop by several degrees.
Su Xiao's pupils slightly contracted.
Supreme Being.
This was a name he had heard many times in the Reincarnation Paradise. It was said that this was a being from the ancient times, an existence that had once challenged the Reincarnation Paradise itself, and ultimately failed and was sealed.
But now, it seemed this Supreme Being had not completely perished.
"Why should I help you?"
Su Xiao asked calmly.
"Because you have no choice."
The Nightmare King's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Do you think you can escape just because you've left the Eternal Light World? Wrong. The Abyss's gaze has already locked onto you. Sooner or later, you will face the Abyss's power."
"And you want me to believe you?"
Su Xiao's tone remained calm. "I've seen too many Abyss creatures. Every one of them is better at lying than the last."
"Heh heh heh..."
The Nightmare King laughed again. "You're right, we Abyss creatures are indeed good at lying. But this time, I'm telling the truth."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to die."
The Nightmare King's voice suddenly turned serious. "Supreme Being is awakening. Once he fully awakens, the first ones to die will be us Abyss Archbishops. He will devour us all, turning us into part of his power."
"So you want to kill him before he fully awakens?"
"That's right."
The Nightmare King nodded. "And you are the key to killing him."
"Me?"
Su Xiao frowned slightly. "Why me?"
"Because you have the power of the Law-Destroying Shadow."
The Nightmare King's eyes flickered with a strange light. "The Law-Destroying Shadow is the natural enemy of the Supreme Being. Only the power of the Law-Destroying Shadow can truly kill him."
Su Xiao was silent.
He knew the Nightmare King wasn't lying. The power of the Law-Destroying Shadow did indeed have a suppressive effect on certain ancient existences. This was recorded in the inheritance of the Law-Destroying Shadow.
But that didn't mean he would easily believe the other party.
"What benefits do I get?"
Su Xiao asked directly.
"Benefits?"
The Nightmare King was momentarily stunned, then laughed out loud. "Hahaha... interesting, really interesting. You're the first contractor who dares to negotiate terms with me."
"Then you've seen it now."
Su Xiao's expression remained unchanged. "I never do things for nothing."
"Fine."
The Nightmare King stopped laughing, his tone turning serious. "If you help me kill the Supreme Being, I can give you three things."
"First, a complete Origin Stone: World."
"Second, a Holy Spirit-level treasure chest."
"Third, a Law-Destroying Skill Point."
When Su Xiao heard the last condition, his eyes finally showed a hint of fluctuation.
Law-Destroying Skill Point.
This was an extremely rare item, even in the Reincarnation Paradise. It could directly increase the level of any skill, without any side effects.
For a Technique Grandmaster like him, the value of a Law-Destroying Skill Point was immeasurable.
"Deal."
Su Xiao agreed without hesitation.
"Smart choice."
The Nightmare King nodded in satisfaction. "Then, let's sign the contract."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a black scroll appeared in midair.
This was a Contract Parchment, a special item used by the Void Tree to ensure both parties fulfill their promises.
Su Xiao took the scroll and carefully read the terms on it.
The contract was simple, only stating that both parties would cooperate to kill the Supreme Being, and after completion, the Nightmare King would pay the corresponding reward.
After confirming there were no issues, Su Xiao bit his finger and pressed his blood onto the scroll.
The scroll instantly emitted a black light, then turned into two streams of light that shot into the foreheads of Su Xiao and the Nightmare King.
The contract was established.
"Now, can you tell me the specific plan?"
Su Xiao asked.
"Of course."
The Nightmare King sat back on his throne. "The Supreme Being is currently sealed in a place called the 'Abyss Passage.' That passage connects the Abyss and the Void Tree. Once he breaks the seal, he will be able to directly enter the Void Tree's territory."
"Abyss Passage?"
Su Xiao frowned. "I've never heard of that place."
"Because it's a secret."
The Nightmare King explained, "Only a few Abyss Archbishops know of its existence. It's an ancient passage, left over from the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization."
"Alchemical Civilization..."
Su Xiao's eyes flickered.
He had heard of the Alchemical Civilization. It was said that was the most glorious era of the Void Tree, when countless powerful beings existed, and even the current Reincarnation Paradise was established during that era.
But later, the Alchemical Civilization declined for some unknown reason, and many secrets were buried in the river of time.
"Then how do we get in?"
Su Xiao asked.
"Through me."
The Nightmare King pointed at himself. "I am one of the guardians of the Abyss Passage. I can open the passage and let you in."
"But once you enter, you only have three days. If you can't kill the Supreme Being within three days, the passage will close, and you'll be trapped inside forever."
"Three days..."
Su Xiao muttered to himself, then nodded. "Enough."
"Confidence is good."
The Nightmare King stood up. "Then, let's set off now."
"Now?"
Su Xiao was slightly surprised. "So soon?"
"The sooner the better."
The Nightmare King's tone was serious. "The Supreme Being's seal is weakening. If we wait any longer, he might break out on his own."
"Alright."
Su Xiao didn't hesitate. He turned and walked out of the room.
Behind him, the Nightmare King's figure gradually blurred, eventually turning into a black mist that followed Su Xiao.
...
Outside the room, Bubu Wang and the others were waiting.
Seeing Su Xiao come out, Bubu Wang immediately came over.
"Woof woof woof?" (Boss, how did it go?)
"Signed a contract."
Su Xiao said briefly. "We're going to do a mission."
"What mission?"
Baha asked curiously.
"Kill someone."
Su Xiao's tone was calm, as if he was talking about something trivial.
"Kill who?"
"Supreme Being."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of Bubu Wang and the others changed dramatically.
"Boss, are you crazy?!"
Baha exclaimed. "That's the Supreme Being! An existence that even the Reincarnation Paradise can't kill!"
"I know."
Su Xiao's expression remained unchanged. "But this time, I have help."
"Help?"
Baha looked suspiciously at the black mist behind Su Xiao. "You don't mean... that guy?"
"That's right."
Su Xiao nodded. "He's the Nightmare King, one of the Abyss Archbishops."
"Abyss Archbishop?!"
Baha's voice rose a few octaves. "Boss, are you sure you want to cooperate with an Abyss creature?!"
"Don't worry."
Su Xiao's tone was calm. "I have my own judgment."
Seeing Su Xiao so determined, Baha and the others had no choice but to stop persuading.
They knew Su Xiao's personality—once he decided something, no one could change his mind.
"Then, let's go."
Su Xiao said to the black mist behind him.
The black mist trembled slightly, then slowly spread out, forming a black portal.
"This is the passage to the Abyss Passage."
The Nightmare King's voice came from the black mist. "Follow me."
After saying that, the black mist drilled into the portal.
Su Xiao took a deep breath, then stepped into the portal without hesitation.
Behind him, Bubu Wang and the others exchanged glances, then followed.
...
Passing through the portal, what came into view was a completely different world.
This was a vast underground space, the walls covered with strange blue crystals, emitting a faint glow.
In the center of the space stood a huge black gate, covered with complex runes, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.
"This is the Abyss Passage."
The Nightmare King's figure appeared before the black gate. "Behind this gate is the Supreme Being's seal."
Su Xiao walked up to the gate and reached out to touch it.
The moment his finger touched the gate, a powerful suction force came from it, as if trying to pull him in.
Su Xiao quickly withdrew his hand, his expression turning serious.
"This gate is absorbing my strength."
"Of course."
The Nightmare King explained, "This gate is made from the remains of the Supreme Being. It will automatically absorb the power of any living being that approaches."
"Then how do we get in?"
"Use this."
The Nightmare King took out a black key. "This is the key to the Abyss Passage, forged from the power of the Abyss. It can temporarily open the gate."
As he spoke, he inserted the key into the keyhole on the gate.
With a click, the black gate slowly opened, revealing a dark passage.
"Let's go."
The Nightmare King took the lead into the passage.
Su Xiao followed closely behind.
As soon as he stepped into the passage, Su Xiao felt an intense sense of oppression.
This pressure came from all directions, as if the entire space was rejecting his presence.
"This is the Supreme Being's power."
The Nightmare King's voice came from ahead. "He has sensed our arrival and is using his power to stop us."
"Can you hold on?"
"Don't worry."
Su Xiao's tone was calm. "This level of pressure is nothing to me."
As he spoke, the Azure Steel Shadow energy in his body began to circulate, forming a protective shield that blocked the pressure from outside.
Seeing this, the Nightmare King's eyes showed a hint of surprise.
"This is the power of the Law-Destroying Shadow... as expected, it's extraordinary."
...
After walking for about ten minutes, the passage finally came to an end.
What appeared before them was a huge underground palace.
The walls of the palace were covered with murals, depicting the glorious history of the Alchemical Civilization.
In the center of the palace stood a huge crystal coffin.
Inside the crystal coffin lay a figure.
That figure was about three meters tall, covered in black armor, with a horn on its head, looking like a demon from hell.
"This is the Supreme Being."
The Nightmare King pointed at the figure in the crystal coffin. "He is currently in a deep sleep. Once he wakes up, it will be the end of the world."
Su Xiao walked up to the crystal coffin and looked down at the figure inside.
Even through the crystal coffin, he could feel the terrifying power emanating from the other party.
This was an existence that could rival the entire Void Tree.
"How do we kill him?"
Su Xiao asked.
"Simple."
The Nightmare King's voice carried a hint of coldness. "Shatter the crystal coffin, then use the power of the Law-Destroying Shadow to destroy his soul."
"Just that simple?"
"Just that simple."
The Nightmare King nodded. "But there's one thing to note: when the crystal coffin shatters, the Supreme Being will wake up instantly. At that moment, he will unleash his most powerful attack. If you can't withstand it, you'll die."
"I understand."
Su Xiao took a deep breath, then pulled out the Dragon-Slaying Flash from his waist.
The blade gleamed coldly under the light of the crystals.
"Ready?"
The Nightmare King asked.
"Ready."
Su Xiao's tone was firm.
"Then... let's begin."
As the Nightmare King's voice fell, Su Xiao swung his blade.
The blade light flashed, and the crystal coffin instantly shattered.
The next moment, a terrifying roar came from the shattered crystal coffin.
The Supreme Being, had awakened.