Chapter 3: Torrent Art: By channeling the summoned lower-world thunder, temporarily enhance one's overall combat power, but at the cost of massive health loss during the process.
……
Obviously, Torrent Flash was more suitable for Su Xiao. If he could master this skill, the subsequent process of channeling world thunder would be: Crimson Gala → Channel World Thunder → Five seconds later, Heaven's Wrath: Torrent Slash gathers the thunder → Torrent Flash delivers a single slashing strike.
He put away the [Heaven's Wrath: Torrent Flash] skill scroll. He could only use this scroll if he returned to Reincarnation Paradise alive this time and the gains were substantial enough. The characteristic of [Heaven's Wrath: Torrent Slash] was that it improved as his Blade Grandmaster level increased.
Preliminary estimates suggested that the initial max level of [Heaven's Wrath: Torrent Slash] was Lv.100. Once this ability reached X, a certain amount of Golden Skill Points would be needed to raise it to X. Only then would it be time for the [Heaven's Wrath: Torrent Flash] skill scroll to make its appearance.
Inside the cramped sealed sanctuary, Su Xiao looked at Fenny beside him. Fenny cast a puzzled glance and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Why aren't you leaving?"
"How could I possibly leave? I just harvested 9,000 ounces of Space-Time Power. That's 9,000 ounces! If I were to leave first at a time like this, wouldn't that make me seem purely mercenary?"
Fenny's tone was firm, and she looked determined to stick it out until the end of this round.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. But is it very dangerous later?"
"Yeah."
"How dangerous?"
"85% survival rate."
"Tch~ I'm not that afraid of death, you know. Even though I'm a healing type."
"It's my survival rate that's 85%."
"Gulp~"
Fenny swallowed hard. After reinterpreting the phrase 'survival rate is 85%,' she asked, "Then what about mine?"
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak.
"Can't estimate it?"
"..."
Su Xiao still didn't speak. The implication was clear—there was no survival rate.
"Is there anything else you need my help with? I'll handle it now."
"No."
"Captain, I'm still young, so I'll see you next round."
Leaving these words behind, Fenny chose to leave this world. Ever since joining the Bai Ye team, Fenny's willingness to heed advice had been steadily increasing.
Time ticked by, second by second. As the Nether Curse eroded Yuhui City to nothing, the underground sealed sanctuary began to suffer the erosion of the Nether.
A sound like liquid flowing outside came from the walls. Layer after layer of the sanctuary's seals dissolved. Su Xiao, sitting cross-legged on the ground, held his hands open as if grasping something. A sealing core appeared between his palms, allowing him to quickly repair the sanctuary's seals. Although the layers dissolved rapidly, he filled them back up at an even faster pace.
Relying solely on the Nether Curse, it would inevitably fail to penetrate the sealed sanctuary. After all, Su Xiao had used his current level of Sealcraft to seal six Original Sin Objects within the [Book of Original Sin]. While this was partly due to the balancing relationship among the Daddy-level Original Sin Objects, if his Sealcraft weren't strong enough, he wouldn't be able to achieve this.
Unfortunately, this composure didn't last long. The Distorted Blazing Sun also came surging in. As expected, the Nether Curse and the Distorted Blazing Sun didn't erode each other. Compared to the importance of killing Su Xiao, the two could certainly coexist peacefully for the time being.
About half an hour later, the Crimson also surged in. Thus, the right outer shell of the sealed sanctuary was eroded by the Nether Curse, the left outer shell by the Distorted Blazing Sun, and the top by the Crimson. The rate at which the layers of sealing runes were destroyed almost exceeded the speed at which Su Xiao could construct new ones.
In terms of the speed of constructing sealing runes, truly few could match Su Xiao. His previous limit was 1,850 layers of sealing runes per second. Having such an ability wasn't so much due to talent in Sealcraft as it was because his Daddy-level 'Sealcraft teachers' had pushed him too hard. If his sealing speed were slow, he would really lose his life.
After Su Xiao's Sealcraft rose from Lv.92 to Lv.93, his construction speed increased, reaching 1,936 layers per second. This speed was astonishing. The problem was that under the erosion of the Nether, Blazing Sun, and Crimson, the sanctuary's seals were breaking at a rate of about 2,500 layers per second.
Even with 650,000 layers pre-laid, the sanctuary would be eroded to nothing in 19 minutes. At that point, Su Xiao would have no choice but to give up. It could only be said that things had developed to this point not because of any mistake in any link, but because the terrifying eroding power of the Nether, Blazing Sun, and Crimson was difficult to estimate. The might of Daddy-level Original Sin Objects was truly hard to gauge.
Su Xiao manipulated the nearby [Book of Original Sin] to float up. The [Book of Original Sin] embedded itself into the sanctuary's wall, immediately reducing the eroding power of the Nether, Blazing Sun, and Crimson from over 3,000 layers per second to less than 2,000 layers per second. This way, holding out for a dozen or so hours was certainly possible.
Although there were still three days left until the stay time ended, Su Xiao wasn't trying to last the full three days. His current goal was to have all the evil demons and monsters born from the curse and mechanical pollution in this world be eroded to death by the Nether, Blazing Sun, and Crimson. Once he reached this stage, his objective would be achieved.
Thus, being able to hold out for another dozen or so hours gave him a decent chance of completing his subsequent plan. He entered a meditative state, enhancing his perception and stabilizing his construction of sealing runes. Strands of Spirit Shadow Thread extended from his hands, embedding into the surrounding walls, causing new sealing runes to constantly appear on them.
Even so, a small amount of Crimson power still seeped through. Bubu Wang, Amu, Baha, and Beini huddled tightly around Su Xiao. This was not the time to show bravery. Once eroded by the Crimson, endless trouble would follow, requiring massive resources to remove and heal.
Thump~!
A large number of sealing runes spread out from Su Xiao as the center, driving back the encroaching Crimson mist. Thus, Su Xiao stalemated with the Nether, Blazing Sun, and Crimson.
After one hour, Su Xiao began to feel mental fatigue. After three hours, his sealing rune construction speed increased, reaching 2,160 layers per second. This was normal. Two days ago, his Sealcraft had risen to Lv.93. The benefits of this tier increase could be partially realized immediately, with the rest gradually manifesting later.
Su Xiao's sealing rune construction speed had increased, but the eroding power of the Nether, Blazing Sun, and Crimson had also increased. Under the current circumstances, holding out for another five hours would be the sanctuary's limit.
Su Xiao didn't feel regret about this. Man proposes, God disposes. In this round, he was originally destined to lose to Shenfu, the Platinum Apostle, and Hao Tiao. Now, he had already won and gained substantial rewards. Although he might not be able to obtain the [World Ownership Authority] of this world, he was still returning with a full load.
With this thought, his mindset for constructing sealing runes became much calmer than before. He treated it entirely as training for his sealing construction speed, to see if he could further improve from the speed of 2,160 layers per second.
With a different mindset, Su Xiao began to feel the layers of sealing runes he was constructing. After this state lasted for over three hours, his Sealcraft suddenly rose from Lv.93 to Lv.94. This wasn't a breakthrough on the spot but a very smooth, natural progression. Previously, at the cost of scrapping the [Abyss Contract], he had studied Sealcraft for 60 hours at 13,200 times efficiency.
That is to say, he had effectively delved into 'Master-level Sealcraft' for over 90 years. If not for his 800 points of True Intelligence attribute and 1,360 points of Soul Strength, his body and soul would not have been able to withstand such a burden.
Even so, he still hadn't been able to raise his Sealcraft from Lv.93 to Lv.94. Many believed that Lv.95 was the limit for Sealcraft. But for true Sealcraft masters, Lv.95 was just the real beginning. Each subsequent level beyond the limit was another realm entirely.
Take the White-robed Seal Master, Turin Black Tower, for example. This old fellow's Sealcraft was so strong that, without a peerless artifact like the [Book of Original Sin], he relied solely on his own Sealcraft to seal a Daddy-level Original Sin Object. Although he occasionally had resources devoured, being able to seal a Daddy-level Original Sin Object was itself an incredible feat.
If Su Xiao, possessing the [Book of Original Sin], reached Sealcraft Lv.98, even if he held seven Daddy-level Original Sin Objects simultaneously, he could withstand them. It must be known that the more Daddy-level Original Sin Objects sealed, the more the sealing difficulty escalated.
This wasn't 1+1+1+1+1+1=6; it was difficulty 1+2+4+8+16+32=63. By the seventh item, it became 63+64=127. The sealing difficulty was unimaginable. Sealing an eighth item? Try it and you'd die.
Previously, when the [Abyss Contract] was used to the point of scrapping, Su Xiao's Sealcraft had reached a saturated state at Lv.93. Now, facing the pressure of the Crimson, Blazing Sun, and Nether, and constantly constructing sealing runes, the barrier to advancing to Sealcraft Lv.94 began to waver.
What truly allowed him to advance wasn't a burst of potential in a critical moment, but a calmer mindset. Since he could only hold out for a few more hours anyway, he might as well carefully experience the feeling of each sealing rune construction, how these runes integrated into the sanctuary's solid walls, and the rhythmic resonance of the layers of seals.
As his Sealcraft rose to Lv.94, Su Xiao's sealing rune construction speed immediately increased, reaching 2,580 layers per second. But this still couldn't change anything. The eroding speed of the Crimson, Blazing Sun, and Nether was even faster.
When the sealed sanctuary became precarious, Su Xiao's sealing rune construction speed reached an astonishing 2,850 layers per second. Even if he couldn't harvest this world this time, the progress in Sealcraft alone was enough to satisfy him greatly.
Furthermore, after his Sealcraft rose to Lv.94, he felt that the sealing matrix of the [Book of Original Sin] had too many areas that needed improvement. When he had time later, he must perfect them as soon as possible.
Crack, crack~
Cracks appeared in the sanctuary. Seeing this, Su Xiao extracted the [Book of Original Sin] and activated the sealing power of its second, third, and fourth pages. The next second, the [Book of Original Sin] disappeared from his hand, reappearing half a minute later. Unlike before, the second, third, and fourth pages now sealed the [Scarlet Scepter], [Sun Mask], and [Nether Bone Ring] respectively.
These three Daddy-level Original Sin Objects were re-sealed back into the [Book of Original Sin], causing the sanctuary, which was on the verge of collapse, to stop breaking apart. Correspondingly, Su Xiao felt that the [Scarlet Scepter], [Sun Mask], and [Nether Bone Ring] all wanted to kill him even more.
Su Xiao didn't mind this. They had always disliked each other. If they could kill him, these three Daddy-level Original Sin Objects would have acted long ago.
As the seals were reinforced layer by layer, the sanctuary stabilized. Su Xiao didn't act rashly. He entered a meditative state, carefully experiencing his Sealcraft, which had risen to Lv.94, until only ten hours remained in his stay time.
He opened his eyes. He wasn't sure if there were still evil demons and monsters in this world. He took out the [Navigation Compass]. The last time he activated the [Navigation Compass], it had indeed pointed in a direction. However, the [Origin Stone: World (Fragment)] he was looking for had been stored by the World Consciousness of Eternal Light World. Therefore, the location of that [Origin Stone: World (Fragment)] was destined to be unreachable by the [Navigation Compass]'s needle, triggering a loophole that wasn't quite a loophole, allowing the compass to be used one more time.
Activating the [Navigation Compass], Su Xiao was now looking for the 'World Core' of this world. He released the Demon Spirit, had it hold the [Navigation Compass], and then teleported it outside the sanctuary.
The Crimson mist, Distorted Blazing Sun, and Nether Curse had not disappeared. This was the terror of Original Sin Objects. Even without their source, these Original Sin powers would continue to exist, though they would gradually contract their range and spread within a large area. It was estimated that soon, half of this world would be occupied by the Crimson mist, Distorted Blazing Sun, and Nether Curse.
The remaining half, due to the world's original characteristics, would see a large number of 'dungeon areas' with Crimson, Blazing Sun, and Nether properties. Or rather, the original 'dungeon areas' of this world—Soul Grand Hall, Agony Grand Hall, Giant's Kitchen, Corrupted Forest, Ash Land, Skeleton Island, Smile Town, etc.—would be eroded and have their properties changed. This was commonly known as an epic enhancement of these 'dungeons.' Correspondingly, the quality of resources produced by these 'dungeons' would inevitably increase significantly, as these resources absorbed more World Force.
Moreover, according to the world's previous characteristics, these 'dungeon areas' would likely undergo indestructible resets.
This also meant that once this world was certified by Reincarnation Paradise and Apocalypse Paradise, it would become a holy land for resource production. Various high-difficulty 'dungeon' areas would be the dream of Absolute Strength-level contractors.
Coupled with Reincarnation Paradise and Apocalypse Paradise certifying several safe zones here, contractors could rest and trade within the safe zones. It might even attract many interracial groups to do business and explore here. Driven by profit, a complete safe zone system would form here at an astonishing speed.
Outside the safe zones were relatively dangerous areas. Contractors would form teams and head to various 'dungeon areas.' Considering the nearly infinite World Force of this world under Abyss erosion, the resource output of these 'dungeon areas' would certainly be very abundant. Plus, with the Crimson, Blazing Sun, and Nether properties, the value of these outputs would increase tenfold or more.
After half a year or even longer, when the high-intensity spread of Crimson, Blazing Sun, and Nether here subsided somewhat, contractors coming here could challenge those previously untouchable 'dungeon areas.' Those unafraid of death would reap high rewards.
Additionally, challenging these 'dungeons' would inevitably result in mild erosion from the 'dungeon' environment. At that time, contractors with supportive abilities could permanently reside in the safe zones of this world, charging fees to help combat-type contractors alleviate or remove such erosion.
The most likely scenario was that soon, the 'keys' and 'tickets' for this world would skyrocket in price while becoming extremely hard to come by.
From this perspective, the subsequent value of this world would inevitably surpass Lord's Continent several times over. But these were all empty talk. Now, finding the 'World Core' of this world was necessary to possibly obtain the 'World Ownership Authority.'
The Demon Spirit walked through the Crimson mist, naturally unafraid of Crimson erosion. The sealing runes protecting the [Navigation Compass] in its hand dissolved layer by layer. Su Xiao had spent over half an hour earlier, laying 5.1 million layers of sealing runes on it. This was also progress in Sealcraft. Previously, for this level of carrier, laying 400,000 to 650,000 layers of sealing runes was the limit. Now, it had increased to over 5 million layers.
Su Xiao fully controlled the Demon Spirit, moving at maximum speed under the guidance of the [Navigation Compass]. When only two hours of stay time remained, he made the Demon Spirit stop. The [Navigation Compass] in the Demon Spirit's hand was pointing straight ahead at the [Eternal Grand Bell], which had fallen to the ground, half-buried in the earth.
With a bang, the [Navigation Compass] in the Demon Spirit's hand shattered. Su Xiao controlled the Demon Spirit to leap to the top of the [Eternal Grand Bell]. From a half-meter-wide crack, pitch-black Abyss energy gradually emanated. He made the Demon Spirit leap inside.
A dozen seconds later, the Demon Spirit, now in a black mist form, floated out from the Abyss energy, holding a pitch-black 'World Core' in its hand. A crystal imprint on its hand activated—it was a teleportation summoning imprint. The next second, the Demon Spirit was summoned back to the sealed sanctuary by spatial power.
Su Xiao opened his eyes and observed the changes in the Demon Spirit. The Demon Spirit, which had charged into the Abyss energy for over a dozen seconds, hadn't been eroded by the Abyss power at all. Confirming this, he sealed the Demon Spirit back into the Dragon-Slaying Flash and grasped the pitch-black 'World Core' with one hand.
There was no task or related certification this time. When Su Xiao grasped the 'World Core' of this world, no prompt like 'You have obtained the World Ownership Authority' appeared. But Su Xiao had already conceived a method.
He took out a contract he had prepared long ago. Normally, very few would dare to sign a contract with a 'World Core' eroded to this extent by Abyss energy. However, Su Xiao's 96 points of Abyss Resistance were his confidence to do so.
After successfully drafting the contract, he pressed the 'World Core' onto it with one hand. With a bang, the contract power and Abyss energy erupted simultaneously. The black began to erode his right hand and forearm, which were covered in a crystal layer, but his Abyss Resistance withstood this erosion.
[Prompt: You have obtained the World Core of this world.]
[Checked that you and your followers are the only living beings in this world currently, and you have signed a contract with this world's World Core. Due to the current situation of this world and your status as a Shadow of Law Destruction, you cannot become the World Child of this world, nor can you become the World King of this world.]
[Judging...]
[Under the circumstances where you possess the ownership of this world's World Core but cannot become the World Child or World King of this world, according to relevant judgments, you have obtained the 'World Ownership Authority.']
[You have obtained the 'World Ownership Authority.' As Hunters/Battle Angels/Death Rangers/Contractors, etc., cannot directly obtain all permissions of a world during a World War, the world ownership of this world will be transferred to your certifying party. The Paradise faction of your certifying party will provide you with corresponding benefits.]
[Checked that you are under dual certification (Reincarnation Paradise certification/Apocalypse Paradise certification). The ownership of this world will be allocated based on your imprint attributes and the degree of certification.]
[Reincarnation Paradise obtains 80% ownership of this world.]
[Apocalypse Paradise obtains 20% ownership of this world.]
……
[Prompt (Void Tree): Apocalypse Paradise is conducting another recruitment judgment on you.]
[This recruitment has been strongly interfered with by Reincarnation Paradise's certification. While the recruitment fails, Apocalypse Paradise will pay 56.85 times the fairness compensation for this recruitment tier, which has been paid to Reincarnation Paradise as the corresponding amount of Space-Time Power.]
[Due to multiple instances of 'unfair recruitment' against you, the Void Tree has temporarily locked your Hunter's Imprint. The current imprint attribute is: Reincarnation Paradise. Before the end of this World War, the imprint attribute cannot be changed by any means.]
……