Chapter 22: Engulfment
The mysterious merchant chose to compromise, both because of the immense psychological pressure Caesar had inflicted on him, and because if he didn't relent, he would surely lose his life here today. He had long heard of these Hunters and Arbiters; if he hadn't set his sights on the Platinum Gambling City's treasury beforehand, he wouldn't have chosen to snatch a tooth from the tiger's mouth this time.
After the two sides successfully 'turned enemies into friends,' Caesar proposed treating them to a meal. Hearing this, Su Xiao excused himself quickly, citing his unhealed injuries. Bubu Wang, Amu, and Baha hurriedly followed. Before leaving, Bubu Wang even carried the weak Fenny on his back.
Seeing this, the mysterious merchant sensed trouble and prepared to find an excuse to leave as well. But Caesar was too enthusiastic, insisting that he must taste his hometown's specialty, 'Graham Stew.' The name sounded a bit odd, but unable to resist Caesar's fervor, a short while later, murky yellow smoke drifted from the chimney of this luxurious backyard.
After returning to the Lord's Mansion, Su Xiao went to the [Hidden Sanctuary]. He sat cross-legged in front of the Skill Upgrade Pod. Although he currently had 80 Law-Destroying Skill Points, he couldn't use them. The Skill Upgrade Pod behind him could only provide an enhancement environment; its upgrade function was already damaged. However, he already had a plan for how to use these 80 Law-Destroying Skill Points.
Every time he returned to Reincarnation Paradise, he would master several general passive abilities, consuming about 25 to 30 Law-Destroying Skill Points. For the remaining 50 points, he planned to master a Law-Destruction Faction Supreme-level passive ability from the [Awakening Stele]. Given his current physical resistance, the mastering process would certainly be unpleasant, but it wouldn't kill him.
He took out the [Supreme Soul Essence] he had obtained this time. This was a rare find; the mysterious merchant had been forced into a corner before handing it over. However, one thing puzzled Su Xiao: the gambling city's treasury held at least tens of millions of Soul Coins. How had the mysterious merchant managed to spend all those Soul Coins in such a short time?
It was certain that the merchant hadn't used them to enhance his power or buy secret treasures. The mysterious merchant's combat strength was very weak, and judging by his attire, the most valuable things on him were the large wooden box on his back and the goods inside.
As one of the highest-ranking merchants, being this poor was truly unscientific. There was only one possibility: due to some unknown reason, if he wanted to continue living, he had to consume a massive amount of Soul Coins.
[Prompt (Reincarnation Paradise): Detected that you are in possession of the 'Supreme Soul Essence.' Do you wish to use this item immediately, or pay 12,000 ounces of Space-Time Power and an additional Lv.5 Brand Authority to perform a fair adaptation on this 'Supreme Soul Essence'?]
[After adaptation is complete, you can absorb 100% of this 'Supreme Soul Essence.']
[If not adapted, your absorption rate of the 'Supreme Soul Essence' will be between 34.8% and 42.5%.]
...
Su Xiao immediately paid the 12,000 ounces of Space-Time Power and the Lv.5 additional authority. He was never stingy when it came to enhancing his own strength. Moreover, the mysterious merchant claimed this [Supreme Soul Essence] was worth 40 million Soul Coins. However, the Blade Grandmasters he encountered couldn't afford it, otherwise it would have been sold long ago.
The container sealing the [Supreme Soul Essence] shattered, and the colorless soul essence floated up. Under the effect of the fair adaptation, it gradually transformed into a luxurious deep blue, and its volume expanded from a fist-sized clump to a soccer-ball-sized one. This wasn't an increase in quantity but a release of density, making it easier for his physique and soul to absorb.
[Prompt: This 'Supreme Soul Essence' can only be used to enhance your core technique ability, Blade Grandmaster Lv.95. This enhancement will 'super massively' increase the ability's strength without raising the Blade Grandmaster level.]
Su Xiao touched the [Supreme Soul Essence] with one hand. A sensation like his soul being washed came from his hand. In an instant, he felt the surrounding world fade away, as if he were sitting cross-legged on an ocean of souls.
Boom!
After a roar, the surrounding ocean of souls turned into pitch-black waters. Scattered embers flew in the air. The surrounding scene gradually darkened until even the faint light of the embers was swallowed by the darkness.
Su Xiao stood up from the water's surface. The next moment, the water beneath his feet also disappeared, and an endless darkness enveloped him. He stepped forward, but with each step, the surrounding darkness pressed down on him with immense force, as if trying to crush him. Or rather, if he took just one step back now, he could return to the calm and brightness of before. But in doing so, he would forfeit the right to reach a level no Blade Grandmaster had ever attained.
Su Xiao had no retreat; he could only move forward. He had a formidable enemy revered as the Supreme Being, the supreme leader of the most powerful dominant force in the myriad realms. Only by reaching an unprecedented level in the art of the blade could he qualify as an opponent and have even the slightest chance of defeating this ultimate enemy.
As the darkness squeezed him, Su Xiao's willpower seemed to burn, allowing him to withstand the pressure. His True Willpower attribute, raised to 996 points in the previous world, undoubtedly played a crucial role in this situation.
There was no forced transcendence through temporary breakthroughs, nor any absurd miracle where a loud roar could instantly skyrocket his potential. There was only the foundation he had accumulated long ago, the qualifications to face this trial.
Su Xiao stepped out of the darkness, feeling the darkness recede from his cheeks. Light rushed in from ahead, evaporating the remaining darkness on his body. He saw... the world.
Su Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, as if everything just now was an illusion. But the surging protective energy within his body confirmed that he was indeed qualified to touch the uncharted territory of the blade.
[Your Blade Grandmaster level cap has increased by Lv.5. Current cap level has reached Lv.110.]
Although it didn't raise the cap for all abilities by 10 levels like the [Origin Stone: World], pushing the limit of the blade art to this extent was already astonishing. Now it seemed that the mysterious merchant's claim that the [Supreme Soul Essence] was worth 40 million Soul Coins was a bit of an exaggeration. But for a Blade Grandmaster who needed it, calling it a priceless treasure was not an overstatement.
[Blade Grandmaster: Lv.95 (Technique Core · Passive)]
Skill Effect: Blade weapon damage rank +160 (increased by 50), Blade weapon slashing force judgment rank +160 (increased by 50).
Soul Severing Strength: 18 points (increased by 6 points).
Blade Heart: 3/3 (increased by 1).
Prompt: Each Blade Heart can negate one instant death or execution judgment. This characteristic has high priority (recovers one Blade Heart every 70 hours until full).
Lv.95 Ultimate Ability: Extreme Blade · White Night (Supreme-level · Active/Passive). Upon activating this ability, the next melee slashing attack is increased by 500% (including slashing attack power, slashing force, slashing impact, etc. Based on the current 800 Strength attribute, this is approximately equivalent to a powerful slash derived from 1460 True Strength attribute).
Warning: This slashing attack will cause you to suffer 10% to 25% of your maximum Health Points as true recoil damage.
Warning: Do not use this ability more than once within 5 natural days.
Prompt: Due to your current physique being unable to withstand it, this ability is currently in an 'Active Skill' form. You may choose to convert this ability into a 'Passive Ability' form.
Warning: The conversion between active/passive forms is irreversible. You need to consider carefully.
...
Although he wanted to use more [Supreme Soul Essence] to enhance himself, Su Xiao had a very strong feeling that if he dared to absorb a second portion of this extraordinary item, he would surely die.
[Prompt: As you have 100% absorbed one portion of 'Supreme Soul Essence,' as a cost, you will permanently lose one mastered ability of X rank.]
[You have selected 'Goddess's Favor: X (Passive)' as the cost for this time.]
Golden light scattered from Su Xiao's body surface. As 'Goddess's Favor: X (Passive)' was stripped away, he felt a not-too-intense stabbing pain in his left upper arm, where the Luck Mark was hidden. Fortunately, he had chosen a state-type buff skill like 'Goddess's Favor.' If it had been a 'Basic Passive' or 'Law-Destruction Faction Ability,' the stripping pain would have been as intense as having his heart and guts ripped out.
As the golden light dissipated, Su Xiao's Luck attribute permanently decreased by 10 points. He didn't regret this. Compared to the enhancement gained by Blade Grandmaster, losing the bonus from 'Goddess's Favor' was insignificant. It was just a deduction of 0.1 Luck; he could ignore it. The Law-Destruction Faction's fortune sometimes had its benefits.
Speaking of which, permanent enhancement items with supreme titles were powerful, but they generally had side effects. The side effect of [Supreme Soul Essence] was manageable; you could choose a skill to sacrifice. The cost of the [Supreme Life Source Matter] he intended to seize next would be truly terrifying.