Chapter 37: Return and Harvest
With six types of gains in hand, this was undoubtedly the greatest profit Su Xiao had ever obtained after seizing a world's ownership. The value of the [Reincarnation Emblem] needed no elaboration; its ultimate worth depended on the highest-value item that appeared after the Honor Shop refreshed.
Furthermore, Su Xiao felt that this was the correct way to use the Honor Shop. Not only could it ignore prices for a one-for-one exchange, but it could also bypass current stock limits. Of course, unique items were not included in this calculation; after exchanging such items, the relevant information in the Honor Shop would completely disappear, unlike rare resources which would simply show a stock of zero.
Two more [Supreme Passive Scroll Chests (★★★)] were now in hand. Su Xiao had already mastered "Supreme Passive: Intelligence," and still needed the corresponding "Supreme Passives" for the four true attributes: Strength, Agility, Stamina, and Charm.
He had previously obtained two [Supreme Passive Scroll Chests (★★★)], and now he had two more. This was not the limit of the reward, but the maximum number of these items he could acquire.
The eight [Skill Upgrade Pod Free Use Permissions] alone were incredibly absurd, let alone being just one of several rewards. However, considering what achievement had been accomplished this time, such gains were not surprising.
The key was [Task Completion Voucher × 3]. This item was extremely rare. Regarding the use of this permission, Su Xiao had a bold idea.
The [Honor Promotion Supply Chest] needed careful planning. In short, the higher Su Xiao's current "Heavenly Blade Shadow Slash" ability level, the more "Primordial Core" and "Primordial Source Matter" he would obtain from opening this item. It was a very unique and powerful gain.
As for the [Absolute Flawless Soul Stone]:
"Absolute Flawless Soul Stone (Star Realm Curio): Upon use, permanently increase current main attribute by 22%, core ability by Lv.15, and awaken a new exclusive body attribute: 'Grant'."
Seeing this new body attribute, Su Xiao was indeed surprised. In his lower ranks, he thought only attributes like Strength, Agility, and Stamina existed. Later, he discovered Soul Strength and Willpower, and subsequently Abyss Resistance, etc. But an exclusive body attribute was very unexpected.
After consulting the relevant arbitration, Su Xiao understood what this was. This "exclusive body attribute" was somewhat between an ability and a body attribute. However, due to its uniqueness, only a few people per era mastered it.
Opening his friend list, he found Tuanzhang and sent the [Exclusive Body Attribute "Grant"].
As for whether the [Absolute Flawless Soul Stone] would attract Tuanzhang's covetousness, there was no possibility. This had nothing to do with Tuanzhang's character. For the previous generation's Chosen One to seize something from this generation's Chosen One, the [Origin Stone: World] had more than just benefits; the extreme backlash from fate was terrifying, not to mention the permanent rejection from the Star Realm.
The only person Su Xiao never worried would covet his possessions was Tuanzhang. And as the previous generation's Chosen One, Tuanzhang also didn't worry about the current Chosen One scheming against him or being greedy for his various supreme treasures. Both were in similar situations. Therefore, whenever Tuanzhang obtained something good, he would come to show Su Xiao.
In fact, sharing the attributes of one's treasures with friends was quite an interesting thing. It wasn't just the pleasure of "I have what you don't," but also the mischievous delight of "just showing you, not planning to share."
Tuanzhang: "[Exclusive Body Attribute 'Synchronization (This exclusive attribute has been upgraded to its limit)'], what did you just send?"
Seeing this, Su Xiao frowned and thought for a few seconds.
Bai Ye: "[Origin Stone: World]."
Tuanzhang: "[Due to this target being temporarily blocked by you for 15 minutes, the content of this target's message is temporarily invisible.]"
……
Indeed, often communicating with the strong yielded various insights. Tuanzhang's [Exclusive Body Attribute "Synchronization"] actually allowed the selection of five body attributes to resonate with each other. As combat continued, these five body attributes would grow stronger and stronger.
However, this strength only appeared after the attribute was fully upgraded. The initial awakening of an "exclusive body attribute" would certainly not be this absurd.
[Tip: This world will enter the Transcendence stage. The Hunter must remain stationed in this world for at least 48 hours. During this time, do not leave 'Star Radiance City: Inseton.']
[In view of the Hunter's subsequent important duties, you will be temporarily granted the 'Life Defense' permission.]
[During the validity of this permission, when your Health Points drop to 1%, you will immediately enter the highest arbitration level 'Invincible State' of Reincarnation Paradise. This effect lasts for 10 seconds.]
……
Su Xiao was slightly puzzled. Why wasn't it a continuous 48-hour 'Invincible State' at the highest arbitration level of Reincarnation Paradise? That seemed more secure. It appeared there were initial regulations that limited the 'Invincible State' that Paradise factions could grant to their Contractors/Hunters/Workers. The current permission was within the scope of practicality and initial regulations.
Su Xiao looked around and found that the area where the 'World Center Coordinate' had been set, and where some buildings previously existed, had not been restored. It was probably due to the force field of the center coordinate. Now that the 'World Core' had vanished, the absolute center of this world was left vacant.
He took out an item:
[World Tree Seed (World-Class Curio): Depending on the planting environment, a different World Tree will grow. For each 'Friendly Sequence' World Tree you plant, you will increase a certain amount of 'Void Tree Reputation'.]
The World Trees of the Star Realm had four specifications: 1. Towering, 2. Shelter Realm, 3. Eternal, 4. Transcendent. The highest specification World Tree currently in the Star Realm was the third level, the Eternal tier.
More importantly, this was the task triggered by using this [World Tree Seed].
[World Task: World Tree]
Difficulty Level: Lv.99+++
Task Brief: Plant a 'Transcendent Level World Tree' within this world.
Task Deadline: This world progress.
Task Reward: Void Tree Reputation increased to 0 points.
Task Penalty: None.
……
Just as Su Xiao took out the [World Tree Seed], Kaiser, looking like a little old man, appeared as if 'following the scent.' He rubbed his hands together, a hint of cunning in his expression, and asked:
"My dear friend, it's time to begin."
As Kaiser finished speaking, Su Xiao received a prompt:
[You have received a unilateral trade application.]
[You have obtained 3000 pieces of 'Space-Time Stone Fragments'.]
[You have triggered Nicholas Kaiser's passive skill 'Handling Fee'.]
[You need to pay a handling fee of 0 ounces of Space-Time Force for this transaction.]
[You have triggered Nicholas Kaiser's passive skill 'Delayed Payment'. Because you did not pay the handling fee to Nicholas Kaiser within 0.0002 seconds, you have incurred a 'Delayed Payment', requiring an additional 29.25% handling fee.]
[You have triggered Nicholas Kaiser's passive skill 'Compound Interest'...]
……
Kaiser's skills were interrupted. He coughed, a rare hint of embarrassment, and said, "Habit, my dear friend. Don't mind these details."
The 3000 pieces of [Space-Time Stone Fragments] Kaiser traded over were the payment Su Xiao had previously given him for temporarily reassembling the 'Causal Lock Ring.' Compared to Kaiser's various shameless trading skills, this act of returning the payment was even more unbelievable to Su Xiao. Benefits that fell into Kaiser's hands were never returned.
Not even 30,000 ounces of Space-Time Force, let alone a single Soul Coin. Su Xiao looked at Kaiser. From Kaiser's barely suppressed smirk, he guessed a possibility: Kaiser had probably reaped incredibly huge profits from this final series of events. This bottomless pit of greed had been briefly satisfied.
Moreover, the [World Task: World Tree] was something Su Xiao had previously shared with Kaiser. Combining these two things, Kaiser, for the first time, felt that the 3000 pieces of [Space-Time Stone Fragments] he had collected earlier were a bit too hot to handle. After a violent and difficult internal struggle, he had this rare moment.
Su Xiao held the [World Tree Seed] in his hand and looked at Kaiser. Kaiser also looked back at Su Xiao. Their eyes met, seemingly both asking:
'Do you know how to plant a tree?'
"My dear friend, however you planted the Black Maple Tree back then, you can plant it the same way now. You have more experience than I do."
"..."
Su Xiao tossed the walnut-sized [World Tree Seed] in his hand. This scene made the Owl, the Leader of the Gods Harota, and the Mechanical Pope Angel Mann, who had successfully escaped the death trap of the Secret Island, all watching intently from the shadows. Planting a World Tree was something one might only see once in a lifetime.
Further away, several native Supreme Strongs of this world, and over seventy percent of the Absolute Strongs, were also holding their breath and watching.
Under everyone's gaze, Su Xiao walked to the very center of the world, used his left foot to grind a small hole in the ground, dropped the [World Tree Seed] in, and finally stomped on it to cover it with soil, burying the walnut-sized seed about ten centimeters deep. The planting was complete.
The watching Supreme Strongs stared with blank expressions, while the Absolute Strongs had extremely vivid looks on their faces. This was completely different from how they imagined planting a [World Tree Seed].
In reality, what everyone didn't know was that Su Xiao's method of planting the Black Maple Tree back then was even more absurd. It was a piece of mother tree bark. He got a flowerpot, put some soil in it, stuck the bark in, and that was it. Oh, right, he also had to water it.
"Amu."
Su Xiao told Amu to fetch water. Soon, a large bucket of Eternal Spring Water was poured down. Bubu Wang was a little thirsty and took the opportunity to stick his head in and take a couple of gulps.
Why were Su Xiao and Kaiser so casual about planting the [World Tree Seed]? Of course, they weren't messing around. Even if you threw this thing into lava, it wouldn't hinder its germination. The key was the act of planting itself. With this act and its causality, within the Transcending environment of this world, the World Tree was bound to grow wildly.
After the World Tree sprouted branches, it began to grow wildly, its roots rapidly spreading underground. In just a few dozen seconds, the World Tree had grown to several meters tall.
Half an hour later, Su Xiao looked up at the World Tree. It was already over a hundred meters tall. He estimated that it wouldn't be long before the World Tree's canopy could cover the inner city of the Royal Capital.
With nothing else to do, Su Xiao leaped onto the roof of a nearby two-story building. He was now both guarding this world during its Transcendence and preventing the World Tree from being attacked. As for a fully grown World Tree, anyone tired of living could try attacking it. The violent rejection from a Transcendent Realm was terrifying.
Su Xiao closed his eyes and entered meditation. Just as he began, he felt how wonderful it was to meditate in a world undergoing Transcendence, especially with a rapidly growing World Tree nearby.
……
Void, Sun's Fallen Land, Crimson Sea of Fire.
A large ship exuding cold air sailed across the crimson sea of fire. As one of the most dangerous areas in the Void, there should have been no living beings here.
This was a ghost ship hired for this purpose, and the employer was standing on the deck.
She was a lady with the upper body of a humanoid and the lower body of a spider's abdomen and legs. She had waist-length milky white hair, a pair of blood-red vertical pupils, and a lazy yet cruel aura. Her nearly five-meter height did not detract from her overall beauty. Her completely black eyes and the black patterns on her legs indicated her current identity: an Abyss Descendant, more specifically, a member of the Azguk Family Council.
The ghost ship stopped. The Spider Empress walked gracefully to the bow, looking at the robust figure sitting at the source of the crimson sea of fire, his body constantly being scorched by the crimson liquid fire and rapidly recovering.
This figure, sitting cross-legged, would be at least eight meters tall when standing. He was bare-chested, his powerful body covered in various scars, and his beast-like aura indicated his identity: a member of the Abyss Descendant Rune Family, the fourth seat, Crimson Beast Dilo.
"The exile from your family is dead."
The Spider Empress spoke. The heat of the crimson sea of fire was uncomfortable even for her. Only this Crimson Beast would treat this deathly place as a training ground.
"He died a long time ago."
"It is the prophecy of the Ancient Urn."
Hearing the Spider Empress's words, Crimson Beast Dilo finally opened his pitch-black eyes. He looked at the Spider Empress, grinned, revealing rows of stark white, flat teeth, and smiled cruelly.
"So, what does Hatu's death have to do with us? He was exiled by us long ago. Death is the destination for a failure."
Crimson Beast Dilo stood up from the crimson liquid fire. Due to his body's rapid recovery, a hissing sound of white steam rose.
"You should be clear about the fate of the Dukain Family."
"A group of failures. Extinction is their destination."
"I mean, the Dukain's Primordial Family Emblem was destroyed by that Law Destroyer."
"Impossible."
Crimson Beast Dilo's expression was calm. He casually waved his hand, breaking through a spatial rift with brute force, and grabbed a highly toxic, semi-transparent creature from within the rift.
This bizarre creature, covered in semi-transparent tentacles, bit into Crimson Beast Dilo's arm and neck with several mouthparts full of teeth. Dilo didn't care. He grabbed the over ten-meter-long bizarre creature, lifted it above his head like wringing a towel, and twisted hard.
Amidst the bizarre creature's squealing, semi-transparent liquid fell into Dilo's mouth, which he swallowed to quench his thirst. Finally, he tore the half-dead bizarre creature into two pieces, took a big bite, and crunched it down, the texture like crispy jellyfish.
"You can choose not to believe it, but who will end up with the 'Primordial Family Emblem' that your family's exile, Hatu, took away? If it is destroyed, your Rune Family's 'Primordial Family Emblem' will no longer be complete."
Leaving these words, the Spider Empress turned and walked back towards the ghost ship.
Crimson Beast Dilo crunched and chewed the crispy bizarre creature, letting out a cold laugh:
"So, why should I go looking for trouble with that Law Destroyer? Him obtaining that piece of the Rune Family's 'Primordial Family Emblem' is his skill, his strength, his power. It's what he deserves. What does it have to do with me?"
Crimson Beast Dilo stuffed the last piece of the bizarre creature into his mouth and was about to return to the crimson liquid fire for his arduous training when he seemed to sense something. His previous arrogance turned to solemnity. His skin, already dark red, he placed a large hand on his chest, knelt on one knee, and began to listen intently to something.
"Obey, your will."
Crimson Beast Dilo lowered his head slightly in respect before standing up.
Boom!
It was as if a planet-destroying bomb had been dropped in the center of the crimson sea of fire. Due to the terrifying impact, the bottom of the crimson sea of fire's center was exposed, revealing the black rock beneath.
On the departing ghost ship, Crimson Beast Dilo was already standing on the top of the mast. He crouched down, looking at the ghosts on the ship:
"You look... quite tasty."
Crimson Beast Dilo smiled, drool dripping from the corner of his mouth. Yes, this beast with an insatiable appetite and physical strength ranking among the top ten in the Star Realm was out of its cage.
……
Ten Thousand Races Realm, World Center.
Time passed quietly in meditation. When Su Xiao finished his meditation, 50 hours had passed. During this time, no one came seeking death. After all, this world was about to Transcend, and the subsequent rapid strengthening was an opportunity. No one was willing to take risks at this time, let alone challenge a Law Destroyer who had just slain a Progenitor God.
[Your 'Heart Meditation' ability has increased by Lv.1.]
[Heart Meditation: Lv.111 (Passive)]
Skill Effect: Current 'Heart Endurance' for Technique abilities is 8700 points.
Current 'Heart Malice' for the three Technique abilities + Heavenly Blade Shadow Slash is 5890 points.
……
The improvement in the meditation ability was not surprising. What came next was the main event.
[You have submitted the World Task: World Tree.]
[Status of this world's World Tree: Initial Transcendence.]
[The task requirements for 'World Task: World Tree' have been met.]
[Your Void Tree Reputation will be increased to 0 points.]
[Increasing...]
[Increase failed.]
[Current Void Tree Reputation: -????.]
[Current judgment rank +7, increasing...]
[Void Tree Reputation increased to -???]
[Void Tree Reputation increased to -??]
[Void Tree Reputation increased to -?]
[Void Tree Reputation increased to -9999999 points.]
[Void Tree Reputation increased to 0 points.]
[Warning: After multiple increases, your Void Tree Reputation has stabilized at 0 points. You must carefully handle and avoid actions that may cause your Void Tree Reputation to decrease!]
……
Excellent. How long had it been? Su Xiao's Void Tree Reputation had finally returned to a numerical display.
"My dear friend, are you interested in this?"
Kaiser displayed two badges.
"2 ounces."
"My dear friend, you can't just look at the specific increase. This is a qualitative leap."
"5 ounces, max."
"Deal."
After Kaiser accepted 5 ounces of Space-Time Force, he handed over the brass badge in his hand.
[You have obtained Void Tree Contribution Badge (Brass Grade). Use to immediately increase Void Tree Reputation by 1 point.]
[You have used Void Tree Contribution Badge (Brass Grade).]
[Your current Void Tree Reputation is: 1 point.]
[Detected that your Void Tree Reputation has returned to the normal range. The 105 types of permission bans and related rulings/pending rulings you were under have all been lifted. The Hunter must continue to strive and increase your current Void Tree Reputation.]
……
Su Xiao looked at Kaiser, and Kaiser looked back at Su Xiao. They had confirmed the intent. The old debts from before were turned over. Next world, they would definitely pull off something big. As for accumulating Void Tree Reputation, those permission bans and rulings were long since a habit. This 'clearing of old debts' was mainly because the Void Tree Reputation of -???? had lasted too long.
Su Xiao understood one thing very clearly: he could be at -????, but he absolutely could not stay that way for a long time, spanning many worlds. He had to make the Void Tree Reputation fluctuate like an electrocardiogram. That was the true mastery of 'operating for huge profits' and 'avoiding risks.'
Those who blindly operated, thinking they understood the arbitration and judgment well enough to avoid the final ruling, would die the most miserably. They were definitely that type of person.
[Tip: This world has completed Transcendence. Detected that the Hunter's main tasks have all been completed. You can return to Reincarnation Paradise immediately under any circumstances, ending this world progress.]
[Remaining stay time: 78 hours 25 minutes.]
……
Seeing this stay time, Su Xiao knew this was also a reward mechanism. However, he noticed one thing: the previously obtained 'Life Defense' permission, which triggered an 'Invincible State' at the highest arbitration level of Reincarnation Paradise when Health Points dropped to 1%, still existed. And it would only become invalid after ending this world progress.
If the permission became invalid after leaving this world, Su Xiao would only try to profit within this world. But becoming invalid upon ending the world progress was a different matter. Moreover, his injuries were now fully healed.
Summoning the Lord's Train, Su Xiao, Bubu Wang, Amu, Baha, and Beini all boarded. Setting the target location, the train entered full speed.
Six hours later.
Wind and snow howled across the icefield. Su Xiao arrived at the Extreme East Cold Region. He stepped off the train, retracted his perception field, carefully sensed the area within a dozen meters, and then placed one hand on his sword hilt.
'Extreme Blade: World.'
Clang!
Intersecting slash marks appeared in the surroundings. Su Xiao rested for a moment, then slashed out 'Extreme Blade: World' again.
In this world that had just begun Transcendence, the world's strength had become somewhat absurd. In this area far from the world center, where the changes of Transcendence hadn't fully spread yet, after five consecutive 'Extreme Blade: World' slashes, black marks finally appeared in the surrounding air.
'Extreme Blade: World!'
Boom!
A vertical Abyss rift appeared. Just as it appeared, it showed signs of healing. Before the Abyss rift could close, Su Xiao charged into it.
Yes, taking advantage of the 'Invincible Permission' and the certainty that he wouldn't die, he was going to truly enter the Abyss and see his limits against it.
Time ticked by, minute by minute. One hour, two hours, ten hours, one day, two days, three days.
[Teleportation complete. You have returned to Reincarnation Paradise.]
The sensation of teleportation faded. In his Exclusive Room, Su Xiao was covered in bloodstains, his long sword stained black with dark blood. His right arm emitted a faint black smoke-like Abyss darkness. With his 'Abyss Right Arm,' he wasn't afraid of being eroded by Abyss power; as long as he drove it to his right arm, it would be expelled.
Relying on his Azure Shadow King ability, Su Xiao survived for three days amidst the endless siege of Abyss creatures. The area he entered was a desolate and dark black ruin. He had only managed to fight his way out less than a hundred meters before it became impossible to advance further. The surging Abyss creatures were like the surrounding water when one is in the sea—endless.
Moreover, he could only persist this long thanks to the [Abyssal Shadow] title.
[Abyssal Shadow]
Title Effect 3: Abyss Walking (Core Passive). Upon entering the Abyss, you will not be subject to environmental erosion and will not emit the aura of a 'Stranger.'
……
Unfortunately, in the end, Su Xiao was still detected. Just a distant attack triggered the 'Invincible Permission.' He chose to activate the return permission, and Reincarnation Paradise's teleportation permission was indeed unmatched, instantly teleporting him back to his Exclusive Room.
The greatest gain from this Abyss trip was the siege he endured for three days, which felt as long as three years. Before reaching the 'Supreme Peak,' the practical combat experience needed for his Technique abilities was completely filled, even heavily overflowing.
Furthermore, Su Xiao confirmed one thing: the Abyss was not a place he was qualified to set foot in at his current level. Fighting his way out a hundred meters this time was already due to luck. To truly and openly enter the Abyss, he would need to reach Tuanzhang's level. For now, finding a way to break through to the 'Supreme Peak' was the priority.
But before that, Su Xiao had to complete the transaction with the Holy Maiden Seat, allowing Dragon-Slaying Flash to reach a rating above 15000 points and attempt to obtain permissions higher than the Eternal Rank. Otherwise, the several chests he had obtained this time could not be opened.
Su Xiao activated the recovery permission. Fluorescent green particles with a strong life aura appeared around him. He floated up, seemingly losing gravity. At the same time, the world settlement calculation began.
[Starting settlement of world rewards.]
Transcendent Primordial World: Ten Thousand Races Realm.
World Difficulty: Changing due to being in the early stages of Transcendence.
World Source: 400%.
Number of Tasks Completed: 7 (Main Tasks × 5, Side Tasks × 1, World Task × 1).
Comprehensive Evaluation: SSSS Level!
Starting collection of World Source...
World Source collection complete. Starting reward tally.
Rewards Obtained: Power Source Matter × 4 portions, Random Rare Origin Stones × 52 pieces, Skill Upgrade Pod Free Use Permission (one time).
Due to achieving an SSSS Level comprehensive evaluation, you will receive the following unique rewards.