Chapter 14: Cooperation?
A few minutes later, the train stopped at the private laboratory of the legendary wizard, Sawyer. Just as the two were about to disembark, a communicator rang. Seeing this, Su Xiao indicated he had some matters to handle, and since Sawyer also needed to prepare various items for the ceremony, which would take at least two days, Sawyer got off the train first.
The train door closed. Su Xiao opened the storage compartment beside him where the communicator was kept, picked it up, and found it was the Great Demon, Volpol.
The Demon race was a major power. The attitude and decisions of such a major power were not determined by one or a few individuals. Especially since Su Xiao and the Great Demon Volpol had always had a good personal relationship. In his early, weaker days, he had received help from the Great Demon Volpol—this was something he could never forget. Or rather, it was Volpol's descendant, Lilim, who had brought that help.
Their subsequent contact had decreased because the Great Demon Volpol was under pressure from several of the highest-ranking demons. Initially, the Demon race's attitude was to pretend they didn't know that a Law Destroyer still existed in the Third Era. But Mawen Hua'erzi had once saved Volpol's life.
After the Great Demon Volpol established a good relationship with Su Xiao, and after Su Xiao obtained the Black Maple Tree, the upper echelons of the Demon race began to value this connection and instructed Volpol to maintain it. Seeing this, Volpol started to reduce his contact with Su Xiao.
It was from this point onward that 'former allies' from the Demon race frequently came to show friendship and contact Su Xiao, while his true friend Volpol ceased communication. Volpol didn't want to stop contacting him; it was his dissatisfaction with the top-level decisions.
Putting other matters aside, take Volpol's descendants: Lilim, Lilith, and the simpleton Mond. Even if their stance with the Demon race was destined to drift apart, personal friendship was personal friendship.
Before Su Xiao completely went to war with the Demon race, his personal relationship with the Great Demon Volpol had no impact. Even if war did break out, they just wouldn't contact each other openly to avoid putting Volpol in an awkward position.
Su Xiao answered the call. A voice came from the other side: "It's me, Lilim."
"Mm."
"We..."
Lilim hesitated. Seeing this, Su Xiao asked, "Can you represent the Demon race?"
"Of course not. I don't even have the qualifications to enter the council hall."
"So, what do the high-level decisions of the Demon race have to do with your Volpol lineage, which can't make decisions anyway?"
Hearing this, Lilim on the other end clenched her teeth. She felt comforted by her friend's understanding, but for some reason, his words sounded like he was saying, 'You powerless branch, don't bother worrying about useless things.'
"Besides, the Demon race and I aren't officially hostile yet."
Su Xiao wasn't lying. He and the old Demon hag were merely clashing; it hadn't reached the point of mortal enemies. Even if it did, and he went to deal with the Demon race, he would overlook the Volpol lineage. As long as the Volpol lineage remained neutral and didn't take hostile actions, Su Xiao would temporarily suffer from 'Volpol Lineage Ignorance Syndrome.'
The one who truly represented the Demon race wasn't Volpol, let alone juniors like Lilim; it was the old Demon hag. She was the only one who could represent the entire Demon race's stance and attitude.
"My grandfather, Volpol, has been eroded by Abyss power."
"Oh?"
Su Xiao's eyes showed suspicion. The Demon race possessed the 'Infinite Dark Spring.' Back then, the Law Destroyers had tried to open a special Abyss passage in the Void to locate treasures within the Abyss. They had obtained several top-tier treasures, the most valuable being the Black Maple Mother Tree seed and the Infinite Dark Spring. Of course, they publicly claimed the Abyss passage opening was a huge loss, but that wasn't the case.
At that time, the Law Destruction faction and the Demon race were in a honeymoon period shortly after their blood oath. Moreover, although the Law Destroyers provided the technology for opening the Abyss passage, over half the resources consumed were provided by the Demon race.
Therefore, they had to choose one, and the Demon race got first pick. The 'Black Maple Mother Tree Seed' was naturally more valuable, but the problem was whether it could take root and grow in the Void. If it failed to sprout, it would be an extreme loss. In contrast, the 'Infinite Dark Spring,' which slowly produced spring water, had an overall value about one-fifth lower than a fully grown 'Black Maple Mother Tree,' but it was the safest choice.
The spring water of the 'Infinite Dark Spring,' besides having many miraculous uses, could, when drunk, dispel mild to moderate erosion by Abyss power. This allowed the Demon race, in the following days, to gain massive resource profits from the Abyss-spreading zones of various worlds in the Star Realm.
During the opening of that special Abyss passage, the Demon race was so poor their eyes were spinning. Afterwards, their wealth multiplied over a dozen times, not to mention they also obtained the 'Infinite Dark Spring,' one of the Star Realm's ultimate treasures.
This was why Su Xiao was puzzled that the Great Demon Volpol had been eroded by Abyss power. Upon asking, he learned that Volpol had gone near the 'Green Wetlands' in the Void—the location of the Abyss passage that couldn't be closed but was temporarily bound by the Dark Moon Ring.
Suddenly, an idea struck Su Xiao. It seemed the upper echelons of the Demon race were preparing to be fence-sitters again. Otherwise, in this turbulent situation, even if the Great Demon Volpol were to die from Abyss power erosion, those high-ranking demons wouldn't allow him to contact Su Xiao.
Su Xiao had just blown up a resource star belonging to Arcane Eternal Star. The Demon race, riding on the Arcane Eternal Star ship, absolutely couldn't have any connection with him after he blew up that resource star.
But now, Lilim had successfully contacted Su Xiao. This meant one thing: the Demon race's fence-sitting skill had been activated again. The problem was, the Demon race had already joined both the Law Destruction faction and the Spellcaster faction. Which side would they choose this time?
Su Xiao asked directly, "Which side has the Demon race chosen this time?"
"The Merchant Alliance."
"..."
For a moment, Su Xiao couldn't recall which faction the Merchant Alliance was. Lilim explained that this power was composed of the Giant Bank, the Netherworld Bank, the Alchemist Guild, and the Feather race.
Putting aside other matters, the Demon race, after repeatedly switching sides from the First Era to now, was still a top-tier power. This showed they were very resourceful.
"Bai Ye, where are you?" Lilim asked.
"Doom Star."
"I know you're on Doom Star. That's why I came here. I'm in Sanctuary City, Gran."
"Space coordinates."
"Wait, let me measure. My coordinates are..."
Lilim reported the coordinates and continued, "Our more specific location is at... Thump!"
A dull thud made Lilim's ears ring. The spatial mist dissipated, and Su Xiao appeared beside her.
This was a mansion in the back district of Sanctuary City. The Great Demon Volpol's merchant fleet had trade relations with Sanctuary City, and over time, they had acquired property here.
Lilim was wearing tight, dark red leather clothing. Her figure was excellent, but her attire was very modest—after all, she was the shame of the succubi.
Facing Su Xiao directly, Lilim felt that fate was truly unpredictable. When they first met, she was slightly stronger than this Law Destroyer. Now, the Demon race behind her only dared to deal with him hypocritically.
"Where's the old man?" Su Xiao asked.
Hearing his blunt, unceremonious words, Lilim felt more at ease. Only someone close would speak like that.
"This way."
Lilim led the way to the third floor. There, the floor and walls showed signs of darkening. Seeing this, Su Xiao understood why the Great Demon Volpol couldn't dispel the Abyss power erosion by drinking the 'Infinite Dark Spring' water—the erosion was too severe.
The bedroom door opened, and mist-like darkness poured out from under it. Entering the room, Su Xiao saw Volpol, three meters tall, gaunt, and in his demon form, lying on the bed. Numerous demon blood bags hung beside him, transfusing large amounts of demon blood to lower the concentration of Abyss power in his body.
Without removing the root cause, this was only a temporary life-saving measure.
The Great Demon Volpol's eyelids trembled, and he opened his eyes. Initially confused, once he saw Su Xiao clearly, a smile appeared on his wrinkled demon face.
"As a high-ranking demon, being saved twice by a Law Destroyer... I guess I'm the shame of high-ranking demons, hahaha."
The Great Demon Volpol wasn't self-deprecating; he was mocking the high-ranking demons of the past who had betrayed and killed all the low and mid-ranking demons who were allies of the Law Destroyers.
"Is there still a way, Bai Ye? I've lived long enough. Even if I die this time, I have no regrets."
"There is a way."
"I knew you could save me. But before that, I have something important to tell you, in case I die during the treatment."
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak, waiting for Volpol to continue. Volpol knew Su Xiao's taciturn nature and went on:
"A few months ago, I discovered that Arcane Eternal Star is particularly concerned about the 'Green Wetlands.' Not long ago, I risked going there to investigate and found a very peculiar, no, terrifying Abyss passage. It seems impossible to close completely. It's temporarily sealed by a ring, but that locking ring is being eroded by Abyss power and won't last long. Bai Ye, the Abyss calamity is coming. It's really coming soon."
The Great Demon Volpol excitedly grabbed Su Xiao's arm with his demonic hand.
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak. The Great Demon Volpol smiled and said, "Even you are shocked by this news, huh."
"..."
Su Xiao still didn't speak.
"Say something. And, you don't need to thank me for taking this risk."
Hearing this, Su Xiao glanced at the Great Demon Volpol and told Lilim to leave. Lilim was very reluctant, but under the gaze of Su Xiao and the Great Demon Volpol, she clicked her tongue and left.
Once Volpol's blood descendant was gone, Su Xiao said, "The Abyss passage in the Green Wetlands can't be closed. A normal Abyss passage is a 'wound' formed when a world region is eroded, finally opening a passage. That Abyss passage's world region has formed a world conduit. There's no world wound, and no possibility of healing. Also, that's not 'a kind of ring'; it's the 'Dark Moon Locking Ring.' I indirectly helped Arcane Eternal Star obtain it to temporarily seal that giant Abyss passage."
Su Xiao's words made the smile on the Great Demon Volpol's face gradually stiffen. The atmosphere was silent for a few seconds before Volpol burst into laughter. This face-loving old man said, "I was just passing by, not specifically investigating. How could I know the details? Hurry up and treat me. Wait, I picked this up in the Green Wetlands."
The Great Demon Volpol took out a black crystal. Su Xiao took it, and his pupils slightly contracted.
"What's wrong?" The Great Demon Volpol was even more nervous than Su Xiao. He knew very well how calm and composed this younger Law Destroyer was. For him to react like this meant something serious had happened.
This black crystal was formed when an ultra-high concentration of Abyss power suddenly came into contact with World power or Void power. Based on Su Xiao's knowledge of Abyss studies, he judged that only a distant place in the Abyss could have such a concentration of Abyss energy.
Whatever caused this, it meant one thing: the large-scale invasion of the Abyss might come sooner and be more violent than expected.
"There's one more thing, Bai Ye."
The Great Demon Volpol reluctantly sat up and looked at him with burning eyes. "The Ten Thousand Races Realm should have a place for our Flame Demon branch, right?"
Volpol's meaning was clear. The Demon race's Flame Demon branch wasn't going to be fence-sitters this time. They would go to the Ten Thousand Races Realm and fight alongside other Star Realm races against the coming Abyss doomsday calamity.
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak. That was tacit agreement. Seeing this, the Great Demon Volpol lay back down and said weakly, "You must save this old man."
Su Xiao was experienced in removing Abyss power erosion. As long as it wasn't like Amu directly eating Abyss spawn, he could remove it. His Abyss right arm was the trump card for removing Abyss power. As for the process... it wasn't pleasant.
That evening, the Great Demon Volpol, wrapped head to toe in bandages, stared blankly out the window. After a moment, he asked Su Xiao, "Hasn't anyone told you that your treatment makes people..."
The Great Demon Volpol didn't finish. He stood up shakily, reverting from his demon form to a half-demon old man.
"How are Mawen and the others?"
"Not completely dead, but they can't live either."
Although the three black-hearted old men seemed to have come back to life, they were essentially still remnant souls.
"They're just unlucky."
The Great Demon Volpol said something hard to understand as he walked out of the room. As he walked, he said, "I have a feeling those high-ranking demons bet on the wrong horse. The Merchant Alliance is very unreliable."
With that, the Great Demon Volpol left the room. This time back in the Void, he would definitely lead the Flame Demon branch to the Ten Thousand Races Realm. The few rulers of the Demon race wouldn't stop this. The Demon race had always been like this—internally disunited.
"Lilim will stay here to help you. Don't underestimate her abilities. Her knowledge of the ancient era surpasses yours and mine. Some areas of Doom Star require this knowledge. But she can only help you decipher things; she can't leave this Sanctuary City. The outside world is too dangerous for her."
Leaving these words, the Great Demon Volpol's footsteps quickened as he left. It was clear that after undergoing the Abyss power removal treatment, he didn't want to see his Law Destroyer old friend for a while.
It could only be said that the Great Demon Volpol had risked his old life to investigate the 'Green Wetlands' for his people. It was both to gather intelligence and to have an excuse: 'I'm dying from Abyss power erosion, so I'm going to seek help from a friend. You high-ranking demons can't stop that, can you?'
Don't think the Flame Demon lineage's choice was rash. The Great Demon Volpol had already secretly contacted the Star Clan and the Soul Clan. As long as the Flame Demon lineage gained a foothold in the Ten Thousand Races Realm and confirmed that this realm was indeed united against the Abyss invasion, then both the Star Clan and the Soul Clan would become one of the main factions of the Ten Thousand Races Realm.
The situation in the Ten Thousand Races Realm was actually very tempting to the Star Clan and Soul Clan. The reason was that the one who made this realm transcend was a Law Destroyer. Based on their understanding of Law Destroyers, they generally didn't like managing forces, let alone becoming the leader of the Ten Thousand Races Realm. It was more likely that after making the realm transcend, they would just let it develop naturally.
This non-interference was exactly what the Star Clan and Soul Clan, who had been oppressed by Arcane Eternal Star for so long, dreamed of. Moreover, the Great Demon Volpol had long been dissatisfied with the few high-ranking demons in his clan.
Putting aside other matters, of the Black Maple Tree yields that Lilim had traded with Su Xiao, the Volpol lineage kept less than 20%. This was why Volpol later never let Lilim come to Su Xiao for such trades.
Taking 80% sounded outrageous, but in practice, it became 'reasonable.' Lilim would trade for a batch of Black Maple Tree yields. The high-ranking demons would prepare to take 60% for their juniors, leaving 40% for the Volpol lineage.
Of course, the high-ranking demons couldn't directly ask for it. They would send a Great Demon of the same rank as Volpol to handle the matter. That Great Demon would add another 20%, and things would naturally turn out that way.
A moment later, Lilim entered the room. Compared to her earlier worry, she was in a good mood. However, she asked with a hint of gossip, "What reward did my grandfather give you? Is it generous?"
Since Lilim had sought Su Xiao's help, if the reward was too small, she would feel uneasy, so she tentatively asked.
"No reward. He just left you here."
Hearing this, the smile on Lilim's face suddenly froze. She pointed at herself and said incredulously, "Left me here? I'm Rank 9 now, and that's only because I desperately advanced, plus the Flame Demon lineage's resource support. You guys are all at the Supreme Peak level fighting. Do you want me to join in too?"
"..."
"Other than being top among my demon peers in combat, I'm only good at deciphering ancient texts."
With that, Lilim crossed her arms, indicating she wanted to help but was powerless.
"What kind of ancient texts?"
Su Xiao didn't know much about the ancient era. His Alchemy and Abyss studies didn't involve it much. Or rather, after generations of inheritance, all related traces had been lost.
"Many kinds, but none are comprehensive."
"..."
Su Xiao took out an old scroll. He had obtained it in the God Realm. It had been acquired and partially deciphered by the Alchemy faction before falling into Su Xiao's hands.
Seeing this worn leather scroll, Lilim's eyes lit up. She took the scroll and opened it, starting to decipher it bit by bit. But the more she read, the stranger her expression became. Eventually, her face flushed as she deciphered it. It could only be said that this succubus really loved ancient history.
"What does it record?"
"One... some trivial daily life matters from the ancient era. Nothing valuable."
Saying this, Lilim rolled up the worn scroll and said, "Keeping this is useless for you since you can't understand it. Why not let me look at it in my spare time?"
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak. He just took out various ancient metal books or special scrolls from the team storage space. These were all gains from the Alchemy faction on Secret Island. Since they were his rewards under notarization, they came with initial notarization judgment and could be taken out of the God Realm.
Just as Su Xiao was about to leave the mansion and return to the cathedral at the innermost part of the city, Lilim suddenly said, "Bai Ye, there's a record related to the Law Destroyers here."
Hearing this, Su Xiao stopped and let Lilim continue deciphering.
"It roughly records that in the ancient era, Law Destroyers were called Element Guardians, and Spellcasters were called Arcane Masters. It also says that you Law Destroyers not only had system abilities but also many abilities to enchant yourselves or your weapons using elemental power. As long as you didn't reduce natural elements, these abilities didn't violate..."
Lilim frowned as she read this part, as it was damaged.
"It also records that Spellcasters could not only devour natural elements to gain power but could also devour Abyss power! However, devouring Abyss power came at a huge cost. No wonder this technique was abandoned in the current era. And this devouring of Abyss power was a last resort for Spellcasters to fight against the Law Destroyers. It seems that in the ancient era, the Spellcaster faction was beaten badly by you Law Destroyers."
Lilim read this ancient book with great interest. Since most of the subsequent content was just records, with only a few pages recording some ancient Law Destroyer secret techniques, she stopped reading and agreed to decipher some of those ancient Law Destroyer secret techniques for Su Xiao in two days.
Returning to the third floor of the cathedral, Su Xiao first recalled the Lord's Train, then contacted Beini. He still needed to purchase ten 'Supreme Passive' skill scrolls and exchange a large amount of Soul Coins at the Goblin Merchant Guild.
The only problem was that the 3.3 million ounces of Space-Time power he had obtained earlier, which seemed like a staggering fortune, was now only 1.7 million. Adding the 800,000+ he would consume this time, this wonderful experience of increasing all Supreme attributes by over a hundred points in one go only had two more chances left.
Over an hour later, ten 'Supreme Passive' skill scrolls appeared in the team storage space. Su Xiao entered the Lord's Train, went to the rear cabin, and placed his hand on the door of the Skill Upgrade Pod.
When the Skill Upgrade Pod opened again, 10 hours had passed. All Supreme Passives had been upgraded. Su Xiao sat cross-legged on the carpet, meditated for a moment, then activated the 'Power Origin' ability to devour the ten newly mastered 'Supreme Passives.'
Time passed minute by minute. A vortex imprint appeared in front of Su Xiao, sucking in a large stream of light gold energy. This was 'Star Realm Origin Power.' Su Xiao used the 'Power Origin' ability to absorb it, nourishing himself.
When all the 'Star Realm Origin Power' was absorbed, he felt his physique had reached a bottleneck.
[All your Supreme main attributes have been permanently increased by 98 points.]
[Your technique potential cap has increased by +530.]
[Your Abyss resistance has increased by +42 points.]
...
[Prompt: Detected that all your main attributes have reached 500 points. You need to use the Star Realm ultra-high rarity resource '???' to complete this Supreme physique sublimation, or successfully absorb the 'Abyss Heart' to achieve a '??? Level' beyond Supreme.]
Under the enhancement of the 'Power Origin' ability, which was the unprecedented result of merging three 'Peak abilities' in terms of physique growth, Su Xiao's advancement speed after reaching Supreme Peak was also unprecedented.
The total consumption of over 2 million ounces of Space-Time power was also crucial.
Su Xiao had never heard of a 500-point barrier for Supreme attributes. As for breaking through this barrier via the 'Abyss Heart,' that was absolutely impossible. Even if he wanted to advance to the Supreme Realm, he would at least need to meet the following conditions he had set for himself: