# Chapter 3: Combat Characteristics, Gathering All the Weapon's Power (Except Demon Blade Ability), Enhancing This Weapon's Durability Upper Limit and Sharpness
...
Reaching +15 enhancement, a qualitative change occurring was only to be expected, and Su Xiao was certain this was the most important choice for the development of Dragon-Slaying Flash.
First, eliminate the first option, "Balanced Characteristics." Choosing this would result in being a jack of all trades but master of none. "Extreme Characteristics" and "Combat Characteristics" left Su Xiao struggling to decide.
If this were before mastering "Perfect Block," Su Xiao would definitely choose "Extreme Characteristics," pushing Dragon-Slaying Flash to the limit on the path of sharpness. But after mastering "Perfect Block," the durability of Dragon-Slaying Flash had also become important.
Not to mention, this time it was enhancing the "Durability Upper Limit," which was improving the toughness and resilience of Dragon-Slaying Flash. If a blade developed to this extent were to break or even shatter during a life-or-death battle, even winning that battle would be an extreme loss.
Looking at the remaining durability of Dragon-Slaying Flash, it was clear that "Perfect Block" had allowed Su Xiao to develop to the point where he could even block the death roar of an Abyssal Ancient Dragon. One could only say that the Moon Wolves' ability was truly top-tier.
If the Moon Wolves knew Su Xiao's thoughts, even a "Supreme Peak" Moon Wolf would feel awkward inside. In truth, the Moon Wolves' "Perfect Block" ability wasn't that strong. The situation of gaining an additional "Supreme Seed" when advancing to Supreme was something the Moon Wolves had never encountered.
"Warning: 'Supreme Seeds' are extremely rare, and only have a low probability of being obtained when advancing to Supreme with an ultra-high standard. You must carefully choose which ability this 'Supreme Seed' enhances."
This was the warning prompt when Su Xiao first obtained the "Supreme Seed." It wasn't that advancing to Supreme gave a low probability of obtaining two seeds. Rather, it was advancing to Supreme with an ultra-high standard—one that could reach "Supreme Peak" potential—that had a low probability of granting an additional seed.
[Prompt: You have chosen "Combat Characteristics" to advance Dragon-Slaying Flash.]
[This advancement requires a total of 10 hours.]
...
Dark light enveloped Dragon-Slaying Flash. Su Xiao went to the bedroom, placed Dragon-Slaying Flash on the blade stand, and sat cross-legged on the carpet to meditate. Bubu Wang was sleeping lazily nearby, Amu was disassembling and caring for his beloved antique clock, and Baha was in the world communication platform, trading barbs with several unrestrained heroes inside.
Only Beini was absent. She was on her own adventure. Su Xiao believed that one day, Beini's continuous training would bloom into results, just like Amu's eating and eating. Although Beini seemed relaxed traveling everywhere, she was actually the most tired when she returned to Reincarnation Paradise.
Meditation made time fly by. When the prompt appeared, Su Xiao opened his eyes.
[Prompt: Dragon-Slaying Flash has completed its advancement.]
[Dragon-Slaying Flash +15]
Origin: Shadow of Law Destruction.
Quality: Eternal Rank.
Category: Long Blade.
Durability: 3000/3000 points (Increased by 1650 points).
Attack Power: 1120~1315 points.
Equipment Requirement: Shadow of Law Destruction.
Supreme Blade Effect 1: Sharpness +4800 points (Increased by 2268 points).
Supreme Blade Effect 2: Demon Blade (Core·Active) After activating the Blade Demon Spirit, when this weapon attacks an enemy unit with less than 30% of its "Total Health Points," it can execute that unit.
Current Blade Demon Spirit Strength: 6605 points.
Enhancement Effect: Peak of Perfection (Passive), for each subsequent +1 enhancement level, this weapon's durability increases by 10% and sharpness by 10%.
Inlay Effect: 3/3 slots.
Soul Gem (Eternal Rank Gem): This weapon gains the Soul Slash effect.
Rating: 13500 points (This weapon's rating is 3000~15000 points).
Description: Slay gods and punish evil, sever souls and destroy demons, seal demons within the blade, slay the undying and immortal!
...
All of Dragon-Slaying Flash's bonuses were concentrated on durability and sharpness. For this, the 50% bonus to Cyan Steel Shadow Energy's True Damage was absorbed by these two bonuses. Calculating it, this reduced Cyan Steel Shadow's True Damage by 24174 points, leaving 82592 points of True Damage. Previously, this would have been hard to accept, but now the Cyan Steel Shadow ability had the "Endless Characteristics," making it not difficult to make up for later.
Moreover, at the Supreme level, there were several passives on the Awakening Stele that enhanced Cyan Steel Shadow's True Damage. Su Xiao still had 14 Supreme passive skill slots empty. On the other hand, the opportunity to enhance Dragon-Slaying Flash's durability upper limit by 1650 points and sharpness by 2268 points only came once.
A particularly bold idea gradually appeared in Su Xiao's mind. If he could enhance Dragon-Slaying Flash to +20, wouldn't it have 4500 points of durability upper limit and 7200 points of sharpness?
Such a weapon wouldn't just be coveted by top-tier Supremes or ultra-top-tier Supremes, but even "Supreme Peaks" would be extremely envious. The bonuses of this weapon were too focused and practical.
Thinking back to not long ago, when Tuanzhang had enhanced that +16 World Rank ring, and even sent Su Xiao a screenshot of the ring's attributes, there was no other meaning—it was just to make Su Xiao envious.
Speaking of which, Su Xiao was truly the only person Tuanzhang could share with, occasionally wanting to show off something. Now that Dragon-Slaying Flash had reached this level, Su Xiao chose to screenshot Dragon-Slaying Flash's attribute data and send it to Tuanzhang via Reincarnation Brand friend mail, free of charge but with a very slow sending speed.
Dragon-Slaying Flash returned to its sheath. Just then, Baha flew over: "Boss, Aphiya from Shelter City wants to see you."
"Let her on the train."
Su Xiao began setting the Lord's Train's destination: Shelter City Doan.
After Exploration Captain Aphiya boarded the train, her gaze was somewhat hollow, as if she was still thinking about a certain artifact.
Snap!
Su Xiao snapped his fingers, causing Aphiya to suddenly snap awake.
"Remember, the fates of Charles and Zdenek."
Su Xiao's words caused the desire and greed in Aphiya's eyes to gradually fade. She looked at Su Xiao across from her, wanting to suddenly rise and punch him hard in the face. It was this guy who had given Charles that terrible crown.
"Did Charles win?"
Hearing Su Xiao's words, Aphiya deflated like a punctured ball, her gaze dim as she answered: "He won, but they also..."
"Oh? So it was more dignified for them to have their life force devoured by the Ancestral Spirit before they were 70 years old as Supremes?"
"I, they..."
Aphiya's expression was extremely bitter. She of course still remembered how, a few hours ago, Charles, before his death, watched Shelter City Doan transform from deathly stillness to vibrant vitality at a visible rate.
The spread of the Abyss was never deathly stillness, but unrestrained enhancement and proliferation. The deathly stillness of Shelter City Doan was entirely caused by the Ancestral Spirit, this soul giant that had been parasitizing Shelter City.
What made Dark Bishop Charles even more furious was a certain Abyss contract between the Ancestral Spirit and Council Leader Ergu Baiya.
This Abyss contract stated that when the Dukain Family successfully caused darkness to engulf the Cold Zone above Eberas that had not yet been invaded by the Abyss, the Ancestral Spirit would stop sheltering Doan, allowing the Dukain Family to fully possess this world. In return, the Dukain Family's "Origin Family Emblem" would have a position for the Ancestral Spirit, specifically a councilor position.
Charles closed his eyes with a smile on his face. As for Zdenek, this Pain High Priest was left with only a skeleton by the end. Yet even so, he still resisted being consumed by desire, even gaining a certain degree of recognition from the "Soul Crown."
Zdenek drew power from the Miracle of Pain, so having strong willpower was only natural. However, this level of willpower was truly admirable.
Aphiya looked at the rapidly passing scenery outside the window and said: "That crown didn't respond to my request. Perhaps I'm not qualified. Do you have any other similar means for me to quickly gain power?"
The flames of hatred burned undisguised in Aphiya's eyes.
"You're not qualified."
Su Xiao didn't know how to comfort others, not even a grieving Supreme beauty. Aphiya's appearance was very striking, but she didn't cherish her own looks.
"I need this kind of quickly obtained power. I'll go deal with Council Leader Ergu Baiya, deal with the Soul Master, and that priest who can summon gray tentacles. They all need to pay the price."
"..."
Su Xiao began to close his eyes and rest. Across from him, Aphiya was silent for a moment. Just as she was about to get angry, she realized something herself. Without warning, she stabbed her hand into the back of her own neck, using her index and middle fingers to pinch out a squirming transparent soul worm.
"It seems my recent foolish choices were all because of this thing."
Silver flames appeared on Aphiya's hand, burning the soul worm into a gaseous state. She used a hot towel on the table to wipe the blood from the back of her neck, her gaze firm as she said:
"I can't die yet. Revenge is secondary. Doan has never needed me alive as much as it does now. I can't let down the Doan residents who believe in me. If I die now, Charles and Zdenek will have died in vain."
Aphiya closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, her gaze had returned to the firmness of their first meeting.
"Now, you're qualified."
Su Xiao spoke while still resting with his eyes closed. Hearing this, Aphiya across from him smiled, shook her head firmly, and asked: "Has anyone ever said you're a devil who plays with people's hearts?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
"A good friend from the Void Demon Clan."
"Uh..."
Aphiya didn't know what to say for a moment, and could only respond with a simple, "Okay."
When the train stopped, they were already at the central square of Shelter City Doan. Just as he stepped off the train, Su Xiao noticed that compared to his last visit, Shelter City Doan was a bit brighter, even though the [Flame Core] was nowhere to be found.
This was because the Abyss-type creatures in the surrounding area had been cleared out by the Dark Daughter. Plus, the Dukain Family had been beaten quite badly by Su Xiao, causing the darkness spreading here to show signs of receding.
As for where the Dark Daughter was now, she had already returned to the "Gloomy Holy Sanctuary" in the Eternal Light World. The current "Gloomy Holy Sanctuary" was different from before. It was now the Dark Daughter's home.
Furthermore, Su Xiao had the Dark Daughter bring Sifreya back. This woman was a healer.
"Dark Sun Healing Art, Lv.98 (Passive): Can use specific tools, herbal preparations, etc., for high-rank treatment effects."
As for the old injuries of the Lava Giant, even Su Xiao had no good solution. His alchemy was more inclined toward permanent enhancement potion preparation. When it came to deep treatment, it was indeed inferior to "Dark Sun Healing Art," which was useless in combat but had a long treatment cycle and slow effect.
Additionally, Yusha, the disciple of General Store Brother Thornes, would inevitably get injured during her training trips. Having a healer at the Gloomy Holy Sanctuary was a huge help.
As for Sifreya's own wishes, in a place like the Eternal Light World where powerful beings gathered, all of whom were allies, Sifreya was more than happy. Perhaps by the next visit to the Gloomy Holy Sanctuary, she would also consider this place her home.
The long blade returned to its sheath, and Su Xiao inserted it into the scabbard at his waist. He stepped forward toward the Central Torch Tower. Entering the first floor, dense soul power spread here, and his health points began to drop. However, with his high health points and 1650 points of soul strength, which generated soul damage resistance, he could continue deeper.
Following the spiral staircase down a hundred meters, then passing through a long corridor, an underground space came into view. A battle had taken place here not long ago, and the surging soul power had left the place riddled with holes.
In this underground space of over ten thousand square meters, fluorescent blue soul energy spread like veins across the floor and ceiling. A blood-red skeleton stood before a gray-white rotting flesh monster, its skeletal index finger pointing downward, keeping the rotting flesh monster in a kneeling position even in death. This rotting flesh monster was the Dark Ancestral Spirit of Shelter City.
Further back, a translucent blue light membrane enveloped a dozen-meter-tall "Soul Divine Tree." On the main trunk of this "Soul Divine Tree" hung a translucent blue fruit that pulsed like a beating heart—the "Soul Divine Tree Fruit."
Against the north wall sat a withered figure with graying hair, still wearing the "Soul Crown" on its head. It was Charles.
Stepping forward, Su Xiao reached out to grab the "Soul Crown." Black-red light surged on the crown, but it eventually subsided. Su Xiao collected it and resealed it into the "Book of Original Sin."
Ultimately, it was still Su Xiao who held the "Soul Crown" at the causal level. If the "Soul Crown" unleashed the Original Sin of Desire, Su Xiao wouldn't fare well. But afterward, as long as the "Book of Original Sin" existed for even one day, the "Soul Crown" wouldn't be able to come out from inside for even a second.
As for why the "Soul Crown" didn't devour the "Soul Divine Tree Fruit," it had already consumed one portion by devouring the Dark Ancestral Spirit. If the "Soul Crown" chose to take everything, Su Xiao couldn't stop it. But then, there would be no more cooperative arrangements like this in the future. The "Soul Crown" would remain sealed.
Just as the "Soul Crown" was resealed, the deceased Dark Bishop Charles opened his eyes in a final flash of lucidity. His first instinct was to raise his hand, preparing to activate the power the "Soul Crown" had given him. But after seeing his surroundings, his hand fell weakly.
"Bai Ye, I... almost lost. I was consumed by desire halfway through the fight. Luckily, Zdenek was there, but he didn't last long either. In the end, I dealt with the Ancestral Spirit. How about that? I'm strong, right? Cough, cough, cough!"
Dark Bishop Charles violently coughed up blood, but his face was filled with joyful smiles.
"Bai Ye, Shelter City Doan... I entrust it to you."
"No."
"What?"
Dark Bishop Charles was somewhat surprised. After all, such dying entrustments were usually not refused, even if they were just verbal reassurances that might not actually be carried out.
"The residents of Shelter City have their own choices."
Hearing Su Xiao's words, Dark Bishop Charles was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily with blood at the corner of his mouth. He laughed until he coughed again. He said: "Bai Ye, what you said... is too right. I was narrow-minded. The future of Shelter City should indeed be chosen by its residents."
At this point, Dark Bishop Charles's breathing became rapid. He said: "Bai Ye, I... don't have much time. I just wanted to try, to hold on with my last breath, to see if I could meet you again. Now I have. Come closer, closer."
When Su Xiao leaned in, Dark Bishop Charles whispered:
"Dukain... Holy Land... is... above... Lava City... Below... is... a trap."
With these words, Dark Bishop Charles's eyes completely dimmed. This Dark Bishop, who should have been evil but was forced onto the righteous path by the invasion of the Abyss, had died.
Approaching the "Soul Divine Tree," the protective light membrane of the tree was shattered by blood energy. Su Xiao stabbed his hand into the tree trunk, and as the "Soul Divine Tree" trembled like a living thing, he pulled out the "Soul Divine Tree Fruit."
[You have obtained Soul Divine Tree Fruit.]
[Soul Divine Tree Fruit: After consumption, permanently increases soul strength by 75 points, increases Soul System basic ability level by Lv.8, but will enter a state of Soul Corruption Poison for 35862 natural days.]
...
Putting away the [Soul Divine Tree Fruit], Su Xiao turned and walked out of the Central Torch Tower. As the soul power supporting this place gradually dissipated, the building began to collapse. By the time he walked out of the Torch Tower, the structure had weathered to the point of near collapse.
The [Flame Core] was nowhere to be found. It was likely taken by the Soul Master. That old bastard Shenfu wouldn't take such a risk.
In reality, Shenfu's choice was correct. Before handing over the [Flame Core], Su Xiao had signed a contract with the item. Don't be surprised—when one's proficiency with contracts reached a certain level, signing a time-limited contract with an inanimate object was achievable.
The content of this contract was simple and could only be fulfilled once. It allowed Su Xiao, through the fulfillment of this contract, to know the current location of the [Flame Core].
The Lord's Train started. Su Xiao was in very good condition now. It was time to head to the Giant Kingdom ruled by Council Leader Ergu Baiya, also known as "Lava City."
...
Three hours later, in the northernmost region of this world, the darkness here was exceptionally dense. The sky was pitch black, with no trace of sunlight visible.
Two figures, one burly and one slender, both stopped. They were the Archbishop of the Abyss and Demon Scythe Aina. The two looked at the high wall in the distance—the high wall of "Lava City." Demon Scythe Aina's expression was especially interesting, because inside "Lava City" at this moment, a giant mushroom was growing vigorously.
The roaring sound of a train speeding could be faintly heard from within an alternate space. A train, like a steel beast, emerged from the alternate space and stopped.
The Archbishop of the Abyss removed his black robe, casually tossing it aside. He looked at Su Xiao, who was stepping off the train, and said to Demon Scythe Aina beside him:
"Prepare for battle."
"Huh?"
Demon Scythe Aina looked at the Archbishop of the Abyss with suspicion, causing his expression to darken slightly. He corrected: "This is our enemy."
"Oh, come on! He's your enemy, okay? Big brother, I don't even know him. Besides, we're only temporarily cooperating—no, it's a temporary transaction. You help me find a way to safely enter the middle and lower layers of the Abyss, and I help heal your left arm. But then I follow you and end up attending two memorial services in a row. Now we're looking for this Council Leader, and I'm guessing things aren't looking too good either. Look at that giant mushroom. You're way too unreliable."
As she spoke, Demon Scythe Aina stepped back a few paces, put one hand on her hip, and smiled to indicate that she and the Archbishop of the Abyss were not close.