Chapter 3: Eye Butcher: Eliminate the "Eye of Darkness" (Pay 20,000 ounces of Space-Time Power to activate this bounty; completing this bounty grants a 320-times bounty multiplier).
...
The bounty list before Su Xiao shimmered with a faint glow. The "Eye of Darkness" was a notorious organization within the Eternal Light World, a gathering of Abyss cultists and rogue Spellcasters. Their leader, a being known as the "Eye of Darkness," was rumored to have touched upon the power of an Ancient God. This bounty was no small feat, but the reward was equally tempting.
Su Xiao's gaze swept over the other options. There were several bounties of varying difficulty, but this one stood out—not just for its high payout, but because it aligned with his current need to accumulate resources for the upcoming Attribute Enhancement Hall and Skill Upgrade Hall sessions. He had been saving his Paradise Coins and Soul Crystals, but the costs were astronomical. A 320-times bounty multiplier could net him a fortune.
Without hesitation, he selected the bounty. A prompt appeared before him:
[Contract Accepted: Eye Butcher]
[Objective: Eliminate all high-ranking members of the "Eye of Darkness" organization, including the leader, the Eye of Darkness.]
[Time Limit: 72 hours.]
[Failure Penalty: Deduction of 50,000 Paradise Coins or equivalent resources.]
Su Xiao closed the interface. The Eternal Light World was a vast, war-torn realm, a remnant of the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization. Its skies were perpetually shrouded in a pale, sickly light, and the ground was scarred by ancient battles. The "Eye of Darkness" had established a stronghold in the Central Area, a region now overrun by Abyss Spawn and corrupted creatures.
He stepped out of his Exclusive Room in Reincarnation Paradise, the familiar hum of the Void Tree energy surrounding him. Bubu Wang, his loyal companion, padded silently beside him, while Baha circled overhead, scanning for threats. Amu, the hulking Alchemical Creature, followed at a distance, ready to provide support.
"Boss, the intel says the Eye of Darkness has a base in the ruins of an old Alchemy Laboratory," Baha reported, landing on Su Xiao's shoulder. "It's heavily guarded. They've got Abyss Descendants and some kind of energy barrier."
Su Xiao nodded. "We'll approach from the Underground Space. Avoid the main entrance."
The journey through the Eternal Light World was treacherous. The air was thick with residual Alchemical toxins, and the ground was littered with the bones of fallen Contractors and natives. Su Xiao moved with practiced efficiency, his Blade Path: Azure Demon technique ready to strike at a moment's notice. His Cyan Steel Shadow Energy pulsed within him, a constant reminder of his Law-Destroying heritage.
After an hour of navigating through collapsed tunnels and avoiding patrols of Abyss Spawn, they reached the outskirts of the Alchemy Laboratory. The structure was a massive, domed building, its surface covered in intricate, glowing runes. A dark blue smoke seeped from cracks in the walls, and the air hummed with malevolent energy.
"Bubu, scout ahead," Su Xiao ordered.
Bubu Wang shimmered and vanished, his innate ability to become undetectable making him the perfect scout. Moments later, he returned, communicating through their bond: "Three guards at the main gate. Two Spellcasters, one heavy-armored warrior. There's a trap—a Law-Destroying Teleportation Array hidden in the floor just inside."
Su Xiao's eyes narrowed. A Teleportation Array meant they were prepared for intruders. If triggered, it could scatter them across the Eternal Light World or worse, into the Abyss itself.
"Baha, take out the guards from above. Amu, you're with me. We'll breach through the side wall."
Baha launched into the air, his form blurring as he activated his Spatial Shift ability. A moment later, a series of sharp cracks echoed from the front gate. Su Xiao didn't wait. He drew his blade, Dragon-Slaying Flash, and channeled his energy into a single, devastating strike.
"Blade Path Sword: Time."
The world seemed to slow as he slashed through the laboratory's wall. The reinforced stone and metal parted like paper, revealing a dark corridor beyond. Su Xiao stepped through, Amu following close behind.
Inside, the laboratory was a maze of broken equipment and ancient Alchemical experiments. Vats of bubbling liquid lined the walls, and the air was thick with the stench of decay. Su Xiao's Apostle's Eye scanned the area, detecting multiple life signatures ahead.
"Four hostiles in the main chamber. One of them is a high-ranking member—probably a Bishop of the Eye of Darkness," he muttered.
He moved silently, his footsteps muffled by his Spirit Shadow Constitution. The first enemy, a Spellcaster chanting a spell, never saw him coming. Su Xiao's blade flashed, and the man's head separated from his shoulders, a spray of blood painting the wall.
The second enemy, a hulking Abyss Descendant, roared and charged. Amu intercepted, his massive fists slamming into the creature's chest, sending it crashing through a row of vats. Su Xiao followed up with a quick "Blade Path: Azure Demon," his blade wreathed in blue energy as he cleaved through the creature's torso.
The remaining two enemies, a pair of Spellcasters, tried to flee. Baha swooped down, his claws extended, and tore through one's throat. The last one, a woman with wild eyes, raised her hands in surrender.
"Don't kill me! I'll tell you everything!" she screamed.
Su Xiao's blade stopped an inch from her neck. "Where is the Eye of Darkness?"
"The basement! He's in the basement, performing a ritual to summon an Abyssal Shadow!" she stammered. "The barrier is keyed to his life force. If you kill him, the barrier falls!"
Su Xiao didn't hesitate. He knocked her unconscious with a swift blow to the head and proceeded toward the basement entrance. The door was a massive slab of metal, inscribed with runes that pulsed with dark energy.
"Baha, can you disable the runes?"
Baha landed and studied the inscriptions. "It's a Soul Energy lock. I'll need a minute."
"Make it thirty seconds."
Baha's claws glowed as he worked, carefully severing the connections between the runes. With a final crack, the door groaned and swung open, revealing a staircase descending into darkness.
Su Xiao descended, his blade ready. The basement was a vast chamber, lit by a single, pulsating orb of dark light. In the center stood a figure cloaked in black, his face hidden beneath a hood. Around him, a circle of candles flickered, and the air was thick with the scent of blood and incense.
"Intruder," the figure said, his voice echoing with a hollow, metallic tone. "You dare to challenge the Eye of Darkness?"
Su Xiao didn't reply. He activated his "Blade Path Sword: Extreme," his blade glowing with a brilliant white light. The Eye of Darkness raised his hand, and a wave of Abyss energy shot toward him. Su Xiao sidestepped, the energy scorching the wall behind him.
"Blade Path: Azure Demon!"
He closed the distance in an instant, his blade slashing through the air. The Eye of Darkness conjured a shield of dark energy, but Su Xiao's strike shattered it, the force of the blow sending the man staggering backward.
"You are strong," the Eye of Darkness admitted, his voice now laced with pain. "But you cannot stop what is coming. The Abyss will consume all!"
Su Xiao's eyes glowed with Cyan Steel Shadow Energy. "Then I'll send you to meet it first."
He unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one precise and deadly. The Eye of Darkness tried to counter, summoning tendrils of shadow, but Su Xiao's "Blade Path Sword: Time" slowed them, allowing him to slip through and land a fatal blow.
The Eye of Darkness collapsed, his body dissolving into a pool of dark smoke. The orb of light above flickered and died, plunging the chamber into darkness.
[Contract Complete: Eye Butcher]
[Reward: 320-times bounty multiplier applied. You have earned 6,400,000 Paradise Coins, 320 Soul Crystals (Large), and 1 Epic Chest.]
Su Xiao sheathed his blade. The Eternal Light World's Central Area would be safer now, but the fight was far from over. The Abyss was always watching, and there were more bounties to claim.
"Let's move," he said, turning to leave. "We've got work to do."