# Chapter 33: True Stage
Like withered tree roots, they spread out from the space of this world. This feeling was not that of the Rampant Growth passing through a spatial rift to reach this world—it was the Rampant Growth growing into the space and material world of this world. If it wished, its roots could extend from anywhere in this world.
Not long after the Rampant Growth arrived, the giant mushrooms within "Molten City" began to gradually wither, scattering into spores that drifted away.
Setting aside the fact that even at its peak, it was weaker than the Rampant Growth and not as ancient, coupled with the unknown alien existence having just awakened not long ago—encountering such a powerful senior, drifting away from this world was undoubtedly the best choice.
This was exactly what Su Xiao wanted to see. He did not want to face a situation where inviting a deity was easy but sending it away was difficult.
Taking out the [Book of Gates] from his storage space, crystalline layers climbed up Su Xiao's hand as he opened the thick cover. On the first page, he used his mental energy to depict the chaotic form of roots.
Several tree roots extended from the space ahead, intertwining together. Su Xiao tore out the first page of the [Book of Gates] and handed it to the roots that had extended before him. This transaction was complete.
"Ugh ugh!"
A few meters away, the Demon Scythe·Aina, tightly bound by tree roots with her mouth even covered by them, struggled with muffled cries. Miraculously, she tilted her head and managed to break free from the roots covering her mouth. This stunned her for a moment, but with Aina's intelligence, she immediately realized what was happening.
"I actually have an inherited item from a previous generation Law Destroyer too, really, really! So, Law Destroyer, save me, ahhh!"
"..."
Su Xiao snapped the [Book of Gates] shut with one hand and gave a slight nod to the roots ahead, indicating the transaction was complete.
The surrounding roots began to fade, and along with them, the entire figure of Demon Scythe·Aina began to vanish. Her expression twisted in struggle. Considering that being dragged away by the Rampant Growth meant certain death, she gritted her teeth and said:
"I have a secret treasure that can enhance the soul. I know that you Law Destroyers, unless you become a Soul Devouring Shadow or Soul Severing Shadow, must continuously strengthen your soul. Otherwise, as the demon spirit grows, it will eventually usurp control. This secret treasure of mine will surely satisfy you. It's a life-buying item, guaranteed reliable!"
At Aina's words, the [Book of Gates] in Su Xiao's hand opened, and the tree roots that were gradually retracting into the alternate space slowed their pace.
Su Xiao tore a page from the [Book of Gates], but the roots continued to retract. He tore off two more pages. Several tree roots extended from the space ahead, and he handed the three "Treeborn Pages" to the roots before him.
Demon Scythe·Aina was thrown out from the spatial rift. Having escaped death, Aina gasped for air, then burst into laughter, looking like she had survived and profited.
"I'm the kind of person who easily forgets things. I seem to have forgotten what I just said."
Aina spoke with a cheeky grin, very "heehee" indeed.
"..."
Su Xiao said nothing, simply taking out a contract. On it was clearly Aina's name—her oral statement had been mapped onto the Contract Parchment.
Seeing this, Aina's expression instantly shifted from heehee to not heehee.
One could only say, this style of doing things was very Green.
Demon Scythe·Aina ground her teeth until they creaked. After a moment, she took out a miniature skull pendant. This miniature skull was carved from some kind of crystal, giving the impression of a sinister grin.
"Can we make an agreement in advance? When you can no longer enter the 'Soul Land,' sell this thing back to me, please, I'm begging you!"
At this moment, Demon Scythe·Aina pushed shamelessness to its extreme—no, she should be said to have demonstrated flexibility and resilience to the highest degree.
"..."
Su Xiao ignored Demon Scythe·Aina and instead looked at the pendant in his hand.
[You have obtained Soul Holy Relic.]
[Soul Holy Relic]
Origin: Soul Land
Category: Proof Item/Key
Durability: 50/50 points (This item can restore durability by absorbing soul energy.)
Equipment Effect: Soul Trial (Active) — Teleport to the "Soul Land" to undergo the Guardian's trial. If the trial is passed, you may obtain the qualification to enter the "Holy Spring," permanently enhancing soul strength.
Note: The soul energy of the "Holy Spring" can permanently nourish and strengthen the soul, making it one of the best ways in the Star Realm to enhance soul power.
Current Trial Attempts: 0/0 times.
Available Trial Attempts: 3/3 times.
Description: Experience the weight of fate and the price of strengthening the soul.
Price: Before using three times, cannot be traded, sold, or discarded.
...
This was why Su Xiao was willing to offer three pages of "Treeborn Pages" to save Demon Scythe·Aina. Of course, this was based on the premise that the Rampant Growth only harbored malice toward Aina and did not necessarily want to kill her—otherwise, Aina would have been doomed.
Judging by Aina's expression, this Soul Land clearly had its secrets.
Su Xiao's plan gradually took shape in his mind. If he could truly secure the top spot on this world's "Reputation Leaderboard," there might be a possibility of activating the "Exclusive Supreme Passive: Source of Power" early.
If so, his strength would likely skyrocket. Strength and the benefits one could reap after entering a world were directly proportional—this was snowballing.
Based on Su Xiao's estimation of the "Exclusive Supreme Passive: Source of Power's" intensity, if he did not activate this ability, when he returned to Reincarnation Paradise and entered the next world, assuming his initial combat power was 10, the final gains he could secure would probably be around 8 to 12.
If he activated the "Exclusive Supreme Passive: Source of Power," his initial combat power upon entering the next world would likely soar to over 50. This ability, occupying five "Supreme Passive Skill Slots," carried significant weight.
Thus, with an initial combat power of 50 in the next world, the final gains would probably be around 45 to 60.
Calculated this way, after advancing to Supreme, attempting to advance to "Supreme Peak" within three world progressions was not mere fantasy.
Su Xiao stepped forward toward "Molten City," but the next second, he stopped. The reason was that the Blade Demon Spirit, which had been refusing to cooperate with him in converting the absorbed "Abyss Source Energy" into "Demon Spirit Source Matter," had actually begun the conversion.
Su Xiao summoned the train, and as Aina looked on in bewilderment, he reboarded it.
"Wait!"
Before Aina could finish, the train had already started. An hour later, at the ruins of a small town near the Extreme Dark Forest, the Lord's Train stopped near a workshop.
This workshop had seen battle, with long-dried bloodstains spreading from within. Speaking of which, this was the "Wild Hunt Workshop"—the place where the [Hunting Heart] of the Wild Hunt Workshop was forged. Su Xiao's Instinct ability reaching X and obtaining "Absolute Perception" was thanks to the [Hunting Heart].
Inside the train, Su Xiao walked into the spacious bedroom at the rear carriage and sat cross-legged on the carpet. The sheathed Dragon-Slaying Flash lay flat across his legs. Because the Blade Demon Spirit's demon spirit intensity had reached its current limit of 6605 points, this meant it could not and would not absorb any more "Demon Spirit Source Matter" obtained through converting "Abyss Source Energy."
This meant Su Xiao could monopolize the "Demon Spirit Source Matter" obtained. One portion provided a permanent increase of 100,000 Health Points and 2 points of Abyss Resistance. Previously, slaying the Abyss Ancient Dragon had yielded a large amount of "Abyss Source Energy," causing the current Dragon-Slashing Flash, when drawn from its sheath, to emit wisps of black smoke slowly dispersing.
Had Su Xiao miscalculated? Did he not anticipate that the Blade Demon Spirit, with demon spirit intensity this high, could completely resist his control and stop converting "Abyss Source Energy"? Of course not. As long as he returned to Reincarnation Paradise, these would no longer be issues. Inside his Exclusive Room in Reincarnation Paradise, the Blade Demon Spirit would certainly be unable to resist Su Xiao's control.
Why had the Blade Demon Spirit undergone this change now, willing to help Su Xiao convert "Abyss Source Energy"?
It was not hard to guess. The demon spirit possessed powerful perception—no, it should be called sensing ability. It detected before Su Xiao that there was a powerful enemy within "Molten City," an enemy strong enough to cause Su Xiao's death here.
Ultimately, the Blade Demon Spirit did not want Su Xiao dead; it wanted to usurp control. So the demon spirit did not want Su Xiao to die. If the demon spirit intensity were below 3000 points, it would not have this reaction. After reaching 6605 points, the demon spirit still had no thoughts or intelligence, but its instincts became much stronger.
Its instinctive resistance to death and dissolution led it to make this choice.
A large amount of "Demon Spirit Energy" surged from Dragon-Slashing Flash, following the same process as before. Su Xiao, through the dual filtration and conversion of his "Soul Devouring Constitution" + "Devouring Core," obtained a permanent enhancement energy, which he then absorbed with his own physique.
Several hours passed. Su Xiao opened his eyes, feeling the surging life force within him. Breaking through 10 million points of "Base Health" would bring a tremendous enhancement sensation—no, this was no longer just a sensation but a feeling, like the intuitive bodily sensation of being full or hungry in daily life.
[Your Maximum Health has been permanently increased by 1,200,000 points.]
[Your Abyss Resistance has been permanently increased by 24 points.]
...
The feeling of monopolizing "Demon Spirit Source Matter" was truly wonderful. Su Xiao checked his current Health, which had reached an astonishing 9,430,000 points. He was only one Dukain Family powerhouse away from 10 million points.
Unfortunately, the Twin Kings had abandoned their Abyss Descendant identity and power; otherwise, they would not have been so easy to defeat at the time. Thinking back now, the Twin Kings brothers had been cursed by fate since birth.
Starting the Lord's Train, it was not long before they returned to the location where they had previously encountered the Archbishop of the Abyss. As Su Xiao disembarked, he saw Demon Scythe·Aina lying on a several-meter-high boulder, her sleeping posture particularly ungraceful.
"Back?"
"..."
Su Xiao ignored Demon Scythe·Aina. He was certain that this Green Gillian's disciple across generations was not talking to him.
Speaking of which, compared to Mage Sage Seraphilia and Green·Wei, who was cultivated from Green Gillian's cells, Aina truly seemed like Green Gillian's biological daughter—even inheriting her sexual orientation.
This made one think: if Demon Scythe·Aina were to meet the somewhat shy Green·Wei... unthinkable, truly unthinkable. The family tradition of the Green family was truly expression-complicating.
Hot wind blew in his face. Su Xiao looked up at the sky, seeing yellowish snowflakes falling from above. When these snowflakes landed on him, the greed within his heart gradually awakened.
The Abyssal Jar?
Su Xiao was certain this was the Greed Original Sin, but upon closer feeling, it was not. The main seat of the Greed Original Sin was still the Abyssal Jar, while this current Greed Original Sin felt more like a lower-ranking original sin power.
The [Book of Original Sin] appeared in Su Xiao's hand. The next second, the snowflakes in the sky stopped, though the sky remained yellowish. The greed gradually rising in the hearts of Su Xiao's companions—Bubu Wang, Amu, Baha, Xilin, and Demon Scythe·Aina—slowly receded.
Su Xiao arrived before the city gate of Molten City. This ancient metal giant gate was covered in mushrooms, riddled with holes.
Crack, crack, crack~
Proud Song crystals spread from beneath Su Xiao's feet, quickly climbing up the city gate ahead and the surrounding several hundred meters of metal high walls, crystallizing them. After completing the crystallization, the crystal high walls emitted white mist-like cold air.
Su Xiao's hand pressed against the base of his sword hilt.
Boom!
The several-hundred-meter-high, several-kilometer-wide high wall ahead shattered into crystal fragments. Doing this did not consume much of Su Xiao's Mana. It was not used for defense—just spreading and crystallizing did not require particularly high crystal intensity. It relied on the high-level erosion properties of Cyan Steel Shadow Energy, converting erosion into crystal crystallization.
This scene fell into Xilin's eyes. Her regret from earlier, when she was low-ranked and did not choose a Technique System profession, deepened. Her inner monologue now was: Technique-type really is strong in the late game.
Crystals continued spreading along the ground. Su Xiao walked on a several-meter-wide crystal path, minimizing contact with the mushroom fungi in the city. When facing a Void alien existence, one could never be too cautious.
A warm yet murky smell permeated the city, very much like the smell of mushrooms, yet somewhat different. Su Xiao gradually entered Molten City, finding the buildings here very tall.
Scattered among these tall buildings were giant clansmen lying full of mushrooms. From their completely black eyes without any reddish undertones, it was clear they were all secondary clansmen. It seemed the giant clan's "breeding factory" had consumed heavily, causing the Abyss Descendants here to "Dark Corrupt" every giant clansman to the limit.
As he advanced, one forging factory after another came into view. The giants' physical advantages made them very skilled at forging, and with their racial talent of ancestral memory, they could reach levels in forging that other races found difficult to achieve.
Speaking of which, the dwarf race's racial talent was also ancestral memory. And the dwarf race of the Star Realm was not the gnomes people imagined.
These so-called dwarves were actually the short ones among the giant clan—more precisely, a dwarf race within the giant clan. They were isolated and gradually formed a large population. To distinguish themselves from the giant clan, they called themselves the dwarf race.
Just look at one of the three legendary craftsmen, the Dwarf King, with his over five-meter-tall, robust stature—this was indeed a short individual among the giant clan.
Speaking of the three legendary craftsmen: the Demon Blacksmith, the Molten Giant, and the Dwarf King—two out of three were from the giant clan. This showed the giant clan's forging talent. And although they had powerful innate combat abilities, they were one of the most peace-loving races in the Star Realm.
Traveling all the way to the inner city, an ultra-giant factory came into Su Xiao's view. He destroyed the metal sealed door and walked inside, seeing rows of female giant clansmen fixed to breeding positions. Their bodies were covered in tubes, with several-meter-high containers above them filled with mostly green nutrient fluid. However, all the female giant clansmen were dead, their bodies covered in mushrooms.
What was sad was that these nature-loving and peace-loving giant clansmen did not have terror in their eyes before death, but peace. This was how one faced death after enduring great and prolonged suffering.
This was the evil of the Abyss Descendants. Speaking of which, the Scorpion Lady seemed to have distanced herself, but both sides knew this was merely a delaying tactic. After the Dukain Family fell, the Scorpion Lady's enemies in the Star Realm would surely come looking. The evil seeds sown in the past would eventually have to be swallowed.
Crack, crack, crack~
Crystals spread and crystallized the surroundings. After a moment, the giant breeding factory shattered into countless crystal fragments. Su Xiao continued deeper into Molten City. He could already see the Dukain Family's Council Hall in the distance.
Boom, boom, boom...
The earth trembled. A tall figure approached, its height reaching several hundred meters. It bore some resemblance to one of the three legendary craftsmen, the Molten Giant, though the Molten Giant was not this tall.
In fact, the Molten Giant was already very old. The Molten Giant race was like this—the older they grew, the shorter their height.
The Molten Giant clansman seen now was clearly younger. His body was covered in mushrooms, his eyes pitch black, but at the bottom of his eyes, there was still some flame color, indicating he had never been completely eroded.
The young giant reached Su Xiao's vicinity and collapsed with a crash, leveling a large area of buildings. One of his large hands raised.
"Ba gu" (Giant language: Friend).
The Law Destroyers and the Molten Giant clan were, of course, friends. However, this friend had not come to Su Xiao for help. He was already doomed to die. He came here only because he could no longer bear the pain of multiple erosions—Dark Corruption, Decay Lake, and others were all eroding this young giant.
Zheng!
Blade aura shot up into the sky. The young giant's eyes widened slightly, then settled into the peace of release.
[You have completed Bounty 3: Giant's Lament — Destroy all giant clan "breeding factories" and slay the world's only Molten Giant.]
[Due to the "Hunt List: Blood Pact's" multiple bounty + bounty correction, you will receive a total bounty of 12,500 ounces of Space-Time Force.]
[You have obtained Space-Time Stone Fragments × 650 (This is an equivalent item, can be sold to Reincarnation Paradise at any time for 6,500 ounces of Space-Time Force).]
[You have obtained "Overlord Chest ★★★★★" (This item is judged to be worth 2,400 ounces of Space-Time Force in this assessment).]
[You have obtained Item Enhancement Authority +13 (This item is judged to be worth 3,600 ounces of Space-Time Force in this assessment).]
...
The gains were put away directly for later study. Currently in a dangerous area, Su Xiao headed toward the Council Hall.
As soon as he entered the Council Hall, he saw Dukain Family members in various poses. Without exception, they were all covered in mushrooms. This confirmed one thing for Su Xiao: this unknown Void alien existence was, to some extent, more dangerous than the Candle Woman.
The Candle Woman would leave after wreaking havoc in one area. But this Void alien existence—if the Rampant Growth had not come—might have spread over an unknown range, potentially turning the Ancient Dragon Kingdom into a mushroom world.
Passing through these dead Dukain Family members who would resurrect in the Abyss, Su Xiao leaped onto the Council Table and looked at the Council Leader·Egu Baiya seated at the opposite head.
"Cough, cough, cough! In the end, I cannot escape the hands of the Law Destroyer."
Council Leader·Egu Baiya spoke, extremely weak. His eyes had turned a murky yellow. The intense original sin aura made Su Xiao certain that an original sin object bearing the Greed Original Sin was occupying some body organ of Egu Baiya—preliminarily judged to be his eyes.
"But you bastard are much more ruthless than the previous generation Law Destroyers."
As Egu Baiya spoke, he coughed repeatedly, coughing up large amounts of flesh and blood. As soon as this flesh and blood left his body, it began turning into clumps of mushrooms.
"At least the previous generation of Law Destroyers didn't use Star Realm alien existences to harm us. But I've also left you a gift..."
Council Leader·Egu Baiya had just reached this point when he saw Su Xiao, standing on the Council Table before him, walking step by step toward him.
A scene worthy of being called a famous moment appeared. Su Xiao, standing on the Council Table, stepped on Council Leader·Egu Baiya's forehead, then leaned forward. His thumb, index, and middle fingers formed a claw shape, reaching for Council Leader·Egu Baiya's right eyeball.
Council Leader·Egu Baiya was so angry that his teeth ground together with cracking sounds, his expression twisted. But he could not move an inch, because this Law Destroyer had actually grabbed his original sin right eye with his bare hand and was pulling it out.
"Ahhh!!"
Council Leader·Egu Baiya let out a humiliated roar, no longer showing the all-overlooking demeanor of the undying old monster from before. The moment the original sin object was stripped away, his aura suddenly weakened.
"You will die at the hands of Dukain..."
Bang!
Su Xiao delivered a side kick, shattering Council Leader·Egu Baiya's head. For this leech-like insect that had always lurked in the shadows, there was no need for any courtesy. At least in his view, Council Leader·Egu Baiya was far inferior to the Beast Lord as a powerful being.
With a pop, Council Leader·Egu Baiya turned into a mass of bright red leeches that burst apart. These bright red leeches quickly dried up. Egu Baiya had died and resurrected in the Abyss District. It seemed simple in death, but upon reflection, one would realize this old fellow was truly tenacious. He had been severely wounded by previous generation Law Destroyers, then simultaneously entangled by an original sin object and an unknown Void alien existence.
Su Xiao's right hand opened. The murky yellow eyeball in his hand shattered. This original sin object clearly knew that Su Xiao, who held the [Book of Original Sin], was not to be trifled with. Su Xiao also did not intend to seal this original sin object. The six big-daddy-level original sin objects within the [Book of Original Sin] were already enough pressure.
[You have slain Council Leader·Egu Baiya.]
[You have obtained 185,000 Sanctuary City Reputation.]
[You have obtained 30,000 Hunter Gold Coins.]
[You have obtained Abyss Chest: Leech.]
...
With Council Leader·Egu Baiya's death, three [Dukain Family Badges] scattered down. Picking them up, Su Xiao now had five [Dukain Family Badges].
[Main Mission: Family Badge.]
Difficulty Level: Lv.98.
Mission Brief: Obtain at least three "Dukain Family Badges" and submit them to Reincarnation Paradise.
Current "Dukain Family Badges" held: 5.
Mission Time Limit: 30 natural days.
Mission Reward: Primordial Core × 2.
Mission Penalty: Forced execution.
...
[Verification: Hunter already holds all "Dukain Family Badges," meeting the conditions to complete the main mission. You have the following two choices.]