Chapter 38: Enhancement
The settlement rewards were very high. After all, preparations had been underway before entering this world, coupled with the full acquisition of World Source and subsequent full overflow.
The special rewards obtained, Reward 3 and Reward 4, were both very practical and unique. First was the "Fate Summoning" authority. Every time Su Xiao entered a world, he could use this authority to choose the next world he would experience.
Thus, before truly entering a world, it was impossible to know which world he would enter. The benefit was a 50% increase in rewards within that world, such as the quality of treasure chests obtained, the bounty multiplier of the "Hunt List: Blood Pact," the amount of World Source acquired, and the rewards from main quests.
However, this was not the true function of "Fate Summoning." The world entered via "Fate Summoning" would inevitably have a significant connection to Su Xiao's karma, even his destiny. This authority could be summed up in one sentence: bravely face your own fate.
Compared to "Fate Summoning," the follower authority "Despair Trial" could only be described as perilous. Su Xiao could not participate in this trial; only Bubu Wang, Amu, and Baha could. As for Beini, her combat power was too weak, so she was automatically prohibited from participating by this authority. As for Jila, her overall combat power was too far beyond the limit, so she was also prohibited.
Furthermore, the mortality rate of this "Despair Trial" was extremely high. Amu's participation mortality rate was 23.59%, Bubu Wang's was 99.85%, and Baha's was 76.562%. Even if Amu used it, it would still be very dangerous, with nearly a one-in-four chance of death.
"Boss, I'll go."
Baha landed on Amu's shoulder. In his dark blue eagle eyes was a different light than usual.
"..."
Su Xiao held the "Despair Trial" authority scroll. This trial would last 8 to 10 days. If passed, it would be no exaggeration to say it would be a complete transformation. If failed, death was certain.
As for why Baha wanted to go, in this battle against the Ancestral God, Bubu Wang could be called the MVP of support, ultimately hard-controlling the Ancestral God for 3 seconds. In a battle of this level, calling it the decisive point was no exaggeration. More importantly, Bubu Wang's contributions were more often seen in daily situations.
For example, in this world's intelligence gathering, Bubu Wang had hacked the world's "Network Cluster" within a few hours of entering, extracting all kinds of data from the three major forces.
Amu needed no introduction. One of the Ancestral God's ultimate trump card moves was swallowed by him in one gulp. Even though he lay dead until the battle was almost over before getting up, his bull-like charge pushed the Ancestral God all the way from the King's Front Avenue to the High Seat, where the Ancestral God was slain.
On the other hand, Baha, in the battle against the Ancestral God, was not lacking in bravery, but being too aggressive would result in instant death. With Baha's pride, let alone the "Despair Trial's" failure rate of 76.562%, even if it were 99.99%, he would still have the courage to go.
Su Xiao tossed the "Despair Trial" to Baha. The most important rule of the Dawn Team was to respect the choices of every member. Seven hours later, Baha, whose follower mark storage space was filled with various high-grade potions, chose to use the "Despair Trial."
A pitch-black maw covered in jagged fangs appeared and swallowed Baha in one gulp. The "Despair Trial" each follower faced was different. In the "Despair Trial" Baha faced, Su Xiao clearly sensed the power of the Ancient God system.
This was normal. Baha's spatial power was largely derived from the Ancient God system. However, Baha was not of the Ancient God system; rather, he had gained a dark-attribute spatial assassination system by absorbing the power of the Ancient God system.
[Body recovery completed. Total payment required: 175,923 Soul Coins.]
Without deep Abyssal erosion, just injuries and soul damage, the treatment cost was acceptable. With 6.7 million Soul Coins on hand and various materials yet to be sold, there was plenty to work with.
There was much to do this time. After each world progress, returning to the exclusive room brought the satisfaction of a bountiful harvest, but what was even more pleasing was seeing these scattered rare resources gradually consumed, becoming nutrients for one's own growth.
He had already contacted the Saintess Seat. Her family had sent members to the Void Tree's Great Gathering Place. Three [Star Source Matter] were to be exchanged for three heirloom-grade famous swords. This was not about who gained more; resources of this level had poor liquidity. If both sides needed what the other had, it was a win-win.
Su Xiao estimated that once Dragon-Slaying Flash's rating exceeded 15,000, its quality would inevitably improve. Each quality improvement would reset the enhancement level. This was not a weakening. Although the enhancement level was reset, the enhancement effects were permanently added to Dragon-Slaying Flash.
Half an hour later, at the main entrance of Reincarnation Paradise's Equipment Enhancement Hall, every brick was engraved with characters of varying sizes. This was one of the few areas in Reincarnation Paradise where damaging public property was not warned against.
The dozens-of-meters-high main door of the Equipment Enhancement Hall was wide open. A bald, burly man walked out.
"Ahahahahaha!"
The bald man laughed loudly as he walked out, but tears streamed from his eyes. His teammates looked as if they had lost a loved one. This was clearly a team member who had gotten carried away with enhancement and blown up their equipment.
That was the Equipment Enhancement Hall. It was the easiest place to gain great power, and also the easiest place to lose everything. Especially in the early stages, a highly enhanced weapon could truly make a person. Moreover, growing stronger was like a snowball effect; growing stronger earlier would provide more advantages later.
Entering the Equipment Enhancement Hall, Su Xiao found an unused enhancement machine.
[Welcome to Enhancement Machine No. 10001.]
The machine's tray extended. Su Xiao placed Dragon-Slaying Flash on it. The metal tray retracted, and a prompt appeared.
[Equipment check complete. To enhance Dragon-Slaying Flash (Eternal Rank) to +15, 1 Rare Origin Stone is required.]
[Note: As Dragon-Slaying Flash's enhancement method is an Eternal Rank exclusive enhancement certification, even if this enhancement fails, the equipment's enhancement level will not decrease.]
[Starstone has been added to this enhancement. Enhancement success rate increased by 21.88%.]
[Enhancement begins.]
The enhancement machine in front emitted a rumbling sound, with crackling electricity inside. This startled a young man who was enhancing a blue-quality staff nearby, causing him to step back. The machine looked as if it might explode at any moment.
The yellow-haired young man sized up Su Xiao and then stopped paying attention. He was familiar with the formidable figures from Rank 7 to Rank 9, but he had never seen or heard of this one.
"Oh ho~, here to dismantle equipment again?"
Without looking, Su Xiao knew who it was. It was Gulu. She was wearing a black gothic dress with blue trim, a candy in her mouth. Meeting Gulu here was not surprising. The core of Gulu's ability system was equipment enhancement.
In Reincarnation Paradise, Gulu had a sharp tongue. However, within worlds, Gulu was more measured. The reason was that, despite the friendship with Tuanzhang, Su Xiao would not actively kill members of the Phantom Troupe, but he would still beat them down. Gulu had experienced this firsthand.
"Next world, you, me, and Tuanzhang are going to Doom Star."
Su Xiao was not entirely bluffing Gulu. He had indeed just contacted Tuanzhang, but only to send over [Eternal Rank Chest: Deadly Poison x115]. Tuanzhang would synthesize and enhance the chests. After that, they would open them at the Puppeteer's, the second member of the Phantom Troupe's, coffee shop.
"Tch~, like I'd believe you."
Gulu scoffed disdainfully. But after a moment, she felt a bit uneasy and asked, "Why didn't I receive any news? And what would an Absolute Strong like me do on Doom Star? Go die?"
"..."
Su Xiao said nothing. Seeing this, Gulu became even more uneasy. After a moment of internal struggle between being stubborn and being beaten to the brink of tears in the next world, she chose to quietly back down:
"I was just joking with you. Here to enhance equipment? Want this young lady to share some experience?"
"Sure."
"Share it with me. Don't worry, I'll keep your equipment info confidential. The Enhancement Hall has this kind of contract authority. OK, signed."
Gulu pushed over a temporary projection contract. Then, she obtained participation rights for this enhancement.
"Let me see... Holy crap!! Eternal Rank +15? This four-digit sharpness, what the hell? Durability cap 3000? What kind of enemies do you usually fight that require such an absurd weapon?"
Gulu had a bellyful of complaints, but what came out more were confused "Huhs?"
"..."
Su Xiao said nothing, waiting for Gulu's so-called enhancement secret. In terms of enhancement, Gulu was indeed a professional.
"Hold on, this weapon's enhancement is a bit beyond my knowledge. The success rate is too low. Even if it's an Eternal Rank exclusive enhancement sequence, is the success rate for +15 really this low?"
As Gulu spoke, this enhancement ended.
Pfft!
Steam sprayed out as the metal tray extended.
[Dragon-Slaying Flash enhancement to +16 failed. Current enhancement level unchanged.]
...
"You directly used 'Starstone'?"
"Otherwise?"
"What a waste, such a waste. Watch me."
Gulu took a few "Rare Origin Stones" and began enhancing Dragon-Slaying Flash. Su Xiao just watched. He had a total of 84 "Rare Origin Stones" this time. His original plan was to brute-force it. As for Gulu's enhancement secret, he did want to see if it was effective.
Gulu started enhancing repeatedly. After Dragon-Slaying Flash failed five times in a row, Gulu nodded, manipulated the machine to extend the tray, and signaled Su Xiao to take the sword to the tray of an enhancement machine diagonally opposite.
After a moment, Gulu continued enhancing. When it reached the tenth attempt, Gulu hesitated. Instead of using "Starstone," she took out a white-quality +10 weapon and used it to replace Dragon-Slaying Flash for enhancement.
A muffled bang came from the enhancement machine, which made Gulu look satisfied. She had Su Xiao put Dragon-Slaying Flash back into the machine. One thing Gulu was very smart about: she never touched this demon blade from start to finish.
Enhancement continued. The result was still a failure. Gulu smiled even more happily. She took out another white-quality +11 junk equipment, enhanced it until it broke, and then enhanced Dragon-Slaying Flash again.
"I have a feeling it's about to succeed."
Gulu began enhancing repeatedly. After breaking three +12 white-quality pieces of equipment, she immediately added the last [Starstone], started the enhancement, and then began muttering something in front of the machine.
[Dragon-Slaying Flash enhancement to +16 successful.]
"Hahaha! How about that, how about that! Isn't this young lady amazing!"
Gulu was clearly getting carried away. Without looking up, she manipulated the machine and asked, "Your target was just +16, right?"
"Yes."
"Then all the remaining Rare Origin Stones are mine."
"Deal."
Su Xiao traded the remaining 70-plus "Rare Origin Stones" to Gulu. He was about to take Dragon-Slaying Flash when he almost got bitten by Gulu. She said indignantly:
"I'm not done enhancing yet. You can't take this weapon away."
"..."
Gulu was already hooked, ready to push her luck and see how high she could enhance this top-tier weapon today.
Three hours later, Gulu stuffed the last "Rare Origin Stone" into the enhancement machine's slot. She started muttering again, but the result was:
[Enhancement to +18 failed. Current enhancement level unchanged.]
That's right, Gulu had raised Dragon-Slaying Flash from +15 to +17. As for the so-called enhancement technique, there didn't seem to be a fixed method. Sometimes she would alternate between enhancing high-level white equipment and the main equipment. Other times, she would take out a large pocket watch, waiting for a good opportunity. Only when the watch's second hand stopped for more than three seconds would she start the enhancement machine.
Gulu raising Dragon-Slaying Flash from +15 to +17 confirmed one thing for Su Xiao: there really was a technique to enhancing equipment. Furthermore, Gulu proposed a deal.
"This weapon of yours is about to rank up, right?"
"Yes."
"From my experience, this kind of rank-up definitely retains the enhancement bonuses, and then the enhancement level resets to zero?"
"Yes."
"Then let's make a deal. I'll take over the enhancement of this weapon, how about that? First, after this weapon ranks up, from +0 to +10, I'll charge 30 'Primordial Cores.' How about it?"
"..."
Su Xiao suddenly felt a bit uneasy. Gulu often did errands for Tuanzhang. In terms of experience, not to mention her fellow Absolute Strong, 90% of Supremes were inferior to her.
From Gulu's words, after Dragon-Slashing Flash ranked up, the next rank's enhancement requirement would no longer be "Rare Origin Stones," but "Primordial Cores."
Currently, Su Xiao had 32 "Primordial Cores." To upgrade his core technique ability "Heaven's Edge Shadow Slash," each level required (1000 ounces of Space-Time Power) + (10 Primordial Cores) + (one portion of Primordial Source Matter).
Su Xiao was sure that he would be short on "Primordial Cores" in the future, just like he had been short on "Soul Crystals" before. No, it would be worse, because previously, enhancing equipment did not consume "Soul Crystals." In the beginning, it was Paradise Coins, later Soul Coins.
Fortunately, Dragon-Slashing Flash would not be enhanced further for now, at least until the next world progress.
[Dragon-Slashing Flash +17]
Origin: Shadow of Law Destruction.
Quality: Eternal Rank.
Category: Longsword.
Durability: 129/3740 points (increased by 740 points).
Attack Power: 1240~1455 points (lower limit increased by 120 points / upper limit increased by 140 points).
Equipment Requirement: Shadow of Law Destruction.
Supreme Blade Effect 1: Sharpness +6039 points (increased by 1239 points).
Supreme Blade Effect 2: Demon Blade (Core · Active...
Current Blade Demon Spirit Strength: 6605 points.
Enhancement Effect: Peak Mastery (Passive). Each subsequent +1 enhancement level will increase this weapon's durability by 10% and sharpness by 10%.
Inlay Effect: 3/3 slots.
Soul Gem (Eternal Rank Gem): This weapon gains Soul Slash effect.
Rating: 14,500 points (This weapon's rating range is 3000~15,000 points).
Description: Slay gods and punish evil, sever souls and slay demons, seal demons within the blade, slay the immortal and undying!
...
Currently, after absorbing three heirloom famous swords, Dragon-Slashing Flash would definitely break through 15,000 points. Gulu was still unsatisfied with the enhancement, but Su Xiao left first. He returned to his exclusive room, went to the sword training room, and took out the three heirloom famous swords obtained from Beini's trade from the team storage space.
[You have obtained Sacred Star (Eternal Rank Limit Sword Weapon · 13,999 Rating).]
[You have obtained Demon Blade Nether (Eternal Rank Limit Sword Weapon · 13,999 Rating).]
[You have obtained Frozen Boundary (Eternal Rank Limit Sword Weapon · 14,999 Rating).]
...
There was no need to hesitate. Holding Dragon-Slashing Flash, Su Xiao activated the [Supreme Blade] ability. A black, iron-sand-like substance emerged, enveloping the three famous swords. Compared to previous absorptions, this time he could clearly feel these three weapons strongly resisting the absorption by Dragon-Slashing Flash.
However, this could not stop anything. Dragon-Slashing Flash's rank-up was unstoppable.
[Prompt: Your main weapon, Dragon-Slashing Flash, is currently ranking up.]
[Detected that this rank-up will 100% reach an equipment rating of 15,000 points or above.]
[Judging...]
[The Hunter has not yet undergone the Supreme Rank's "Awakening Ascension." Over 68% of your Supreme Power is currently in a dormant phase.]
...
Seeing this prompt, Su Xiao roughly understood the entire system of Supremes. Generally speaking, Supremes could be divided into two stages. The first stage was completing the Supreme Ascension, which was the tier from Newly Ascended Supreme to Super-Top Supreme. However, after ascending to Supreme, it did not mean the body could immediately withstand Supreme Power. There was still a process of improvement.
Only after completing the "Awakening Ascension" of Supreme Power would one become a truly powerful Supreme. This process was called ascending to "Supreme Peak" by the major forces of the Star Realm.
[Because you have successfully obtained equipment with a rating of 15,000 points or above, the protective shielding of "Reincarnation Rank" equipment/item authority levels will be lifted in advance for you.]
Various authority information appeared. Seeing this content, Su Xiao understood what was going on. Why was "Eternal Rank" considered the highest rank in the traditional equipment system? This was actually correct, because in the traditional system publicly recognized by the Void Tree, Eternal Rank was the highest equipment rank, with a rating range of 3000~6000 points.
As for the "Reincarnation Rank" quality above Eternal Rank, it was not certified or recognized by other Paradise factions. This was because, among the seven Paradise factions, the equipment rating range of 15,000~30,000 points was respectively called "Reincarnation Rank," "Death Rank," "Apocalypse Rank," "Sanctuary Rank," "Dawn Rank," "Holy Light Rank," and "Watchful Rank."
Therefore, a more accurate statement was that the highest "traditional system" equipment rank recognized by all Paradise factions was "Eternal Rank."
Su Xiao opened his storage space and took out a treasure chest.
[Reincarnation Rank Chest: Supreme Deity.]
The five equipment systems were: Traditional System, Overlord System, Abyss System, World System, and Trait System (including Cursed Objects/Contract Objects/Curios, etc.). In terms of the highest ceiling, it was always the Traditional System that seemed most common.
A very interesting point was that among the highest ranks of the Traditional Equipment System, Reincarnation Rank equipment had the highest price in the Great Gathering Place, followed by Death Rank, then Apocalypse Rank, then Sanctuary Rank and Holy Light Rank. As for Dawn Rank, since Dawn Paradise had not been revived for long, it was not yet included in market statistics. Watchful Rank was recognized as the cheapest.
This did not mean that top-tier Watchful Rank equipment was weak. If its rating was high enough, its strength was no different from a Reincarnation Rank of the same rating. The key was that Watchful Paradise had fallen silent. No one could be sure whether Watchful Rank equipment would lose its certification due to Watchful Paradise's deeper silence.
If this level of equipment lost its certification, it would be a disaster. Unless it was used in the world where it lost certification at that moment, once the return authority was triggered, it would be temporarily stored by the certification system. To restore its certification, one would have to use their own Space-Time Power and re-certify through their Paradise faction. This was a huge expense.
On the other hand, the strongest Paradise faction among the seven was very reassuring. Therefore, Reincarnation Rank equipment was generally about 10% more expensive. Supremes all knew about things like "Paradise Battle Royale." Paradise would never perish, but the certification of equipment was not eternal, unless one achieved the legendary "Individual Transcendence."
Leaving the sword training room, Su Xiao sat at the coffee table and took out the treasure chests he had obtained this time. Worried about Baha, Bubu Wang, who was a bit listless, squeezed over, his head poking under Su Xiao's armpit to look at the chests on the table. There were twelve in total.
After using "Fate Dominator" to enhance his luck state, Su Xiao picked up the first chest.
[You have opened Eternal Rank Chest: Flesh Divine Power.]
[You have obtained Blood Bone Saw Sword (Eternal Rank Equipment).]
...
Checking the attributes and rating of [Blood Bone Saw Sword], it was 5760 points, very good. However, it required a relatively high Strength attribute. Its advantage was that its attack power was very high, and besides the Strength attribute, it had no other equipment requirements.
[You have opened Overlord Chest: Champion.]
[Opening this chest guarantees an Overlord Equipment ranked 1st to 100th.]
[You have obtained Crimson Illusion (Overlord Equipment · Rank 55).]
...
Seeing this equipment name, Su Xiao felt something was wrong. Checking its attribute "Charm Requirement 2850 points" already explained a lot. Fortunately, he now had other ways to deal with these high-ranking Overlord Equipment.
He activated the core characteristic of the [Seal Demon] scabbard:
"Equipment Effect 3: Gluttonous Overlord (Core · Passive). Seal Demon can absorb 'any Overlord Equipment' and bring about equipment ratings that exceed the limit."
Darkness flowed on the scabbard's surface, and the next moment, it unceremoniously devoured the [Crimson Illusion] pendant, like an overlord hunting.
[You have opened Abyss Chest: Lone Beast.]
[You have obtained Dark Statue (No Value · Rare Item).]
...
The "No Value · Rare Item" tag made Su Xiao frown. After checking the item's attributes, he found the tag was accurate. This thing was the image of the previous Lord of the Abyss, but it had no use.
Observing this Dark Statue, for some reason, Su Xiao felt it looked a bit familiar.
He put it away and continued opening chests.
[You have opened Supreme Passive Skill Scroll Chest (★★★) x4.]
[You have obtained Supreme: Strength (X · Skill Scroll · ★★★).]
[You have obtained Supreme: Agility (X · Skill Scroll · ★★★).]
[You have obtained Supreme: Stamina (X · Skill Scroll · ★★★).]
[You have obtained Supreme: Charm (X · Skill Scroll · ★★★).]
...
The Supreme Passives corresponding to the four missing attributes were all drawn out. Was it because of his good luck? Of course not. One of the characteristics of the [Supreme Passive Skill Scroll Chest (★★★)] was that it would not produce Supreme Passives for body attributes that had already been learned/possessed.
[You have opened Reincarnation Rank Chest: God Slayer.]
[You have obtained Primordial Core x2.]
[You have obtained Weapon Chest: Divine Lament (This weapon chest contains a total of 12 Divine Lament weapons).]
...
Very good luck, drawing out the "Divine Lament Series" weapon chest. However, after checking its attributes, he felt a bit uneasy. This weapon chest did contain 12 Divine Lament weapons, but only one type could be taken out at a time. Moreover, the 12 Divine Lament weapons were not the originals, so they only had the strength of Eternal Rank · 6000 Rating.
It was impossible to achieve the same effect as the God Slayer, who could clash blades and cause Dragon-Slashing Flash to lose 155 durability points.
[You have opened Reincarnation Rank Chest: Alchemy Master.]
[You have obtained Primordial Core x5.]
[You have obtained Book of Kein (Eternal Rank Equipment).]
...
Seeing this prompt, Su Xiao confirmed that "Reincarnation Rank Chests" would definitely produce "Primordial Cores," and that it was apparently not easy to draw Reincarnation Rank equipment or items from "Reincarnation Rank Chests."
There was one chest left, the most valuable one. Su Xiao opened it. Finally, after almost having bad luck throughout the entire chest opening process, it shone. Golden-red light burst forth as the chest opened.
[You have opened Reincarnation Rank Chest: Supreme Deity.]
[You have obtained Primordial Core x15.]
[You have obtained Scepter of Life: Midir (Reincarnation Rank Equipment).]
...