# Chapter 29: Old Days and Choices
The pitch-black seawater lapped against the sandy shore. Shellfish washed onto the dim beach extended supple body parts from their shells, these parts turned outward, revealing the eyeballs they wrapped. Since the entire beach was covered in such shellfish, from a distance, the whole coastline was covered in eyes.
This was the North Port of "Yinmi Maosi," also known as the Dead Sea Port. Doom Star originally had no such sea area, but shortly after becoming a Transcendent Realm, seawater began overflowing here. When the Dead Sea formed, the Old Gods who had fallen in ancient times arrived along with it.
It could be said that it was Doom Star's transcendence that gave the Old God, Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala, the opportunity to revive now.
At this moment, all the commoners of "Yinmi Maosi" knelt prostrate on the shore. As the black seawater washed over their bodies, their Deep Sea Curse became more active, causing their physical marine transformation to worsen.
The former city lord of "Yinmi Maosi," Hercules, sat dazedly on the damp black sand. His marine transformation was severe; his right eye was murky like a deep-sea fish, while his left eye, though still distinct with pupil and iris, was very dim.
The efforts of generations of "Yinmi Maosi" city lords turned to nothing the moment the Old Dominator awakened. The construction of "Yinmi Maosi" over the years, and the foreign trade with various realms, all became meaningless.
This Old Dominator would protect its followers. In return, followers didn't need their own thoughts—they only needed to pray daily and leisurely swim in the deep sea during free time.
The deep sea would provide nutrients to its followers. They were even hardier than aquatic plants, which required sunlight. These Sea Devotees were different; upon contact with seawater, they could sustain long lives. Ordinary Sea Devotees could live for centuries.
Strong bodies, long lifespans, no need for labor, no worries—of course, there were drawbacks. They would have no independent thoughts whatsoever. Their only reason for continued existence was to pray to Ubo Sala and swim in the deep sea.
This Old Dominator would naturally protect its followers, never abandoning any, because every follower was an asset of this Old God.
All residents of "Yinmi Maosi" were transforming into this state. They and their ancestors had used the "Deep Sea Curse" to evade the eeriness and madness emitted by other ancient gods in this world, but everything had a price, sooner or later.
Sea Devotees who had successfully transformed rose one after another and walked toward the deep sea, their expressions bearing wooden smiles. As the last Sea Devotee slowly walked into the deep sea, a tear stained with blood trickled from the left corner of City Lord Hercules' eye.
He began to hear the call of the deep sea. His consciousness was evaporating, his brain structure rapidly changing to become more conducive to generating pure faith power during prayer.
The former Sea Devotee named Hercules walked step by step into the sea. The tens of thousands of meters tall colossal phantom in the North Sea ahead lowered its eyelids, glanced at this last transforming Sea Devotee, but only glanced—it didn't care. Whether one's will was strong or weak, all were ants.
Perhaps this was why, across different eras—whether the ancient era or the current one—the Law Destruction Faction and the Evil God System had always been mortal enemies. Law Destroyers most despised these evil gods who viewed all beings as ants. A god absolutely supreme? Let's see if we can take you down or not, and whether we can knock you flat.
Of course, don't categorize the Law Destruction Faction as righteous or benevolent. Take the Second Era's Law Destruction Shadows—they were indeed a faction hard to describe. The Second Era Law Destruction Faction fully demonstrated the diversity of strong individuals' personalities and the mutability of human nature.
A figure over eight meters tall, generally humanoid, with silver-white skin and a lizard-like long tail walked over. It had dead fish eyes, five rows of gills on each side of its neck, thick webbing-like membranes between the fingers of its large hands, seaweed-like hair as thick as little fingers, and a pitch-black V-shaped mark like a dark burn on its right upper arm. This was one of the core members of the Azguk Family, the Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo.
The Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo stopped on the dark sea, looked up at the tens of thousands of meters tall Old Dominator before him. Its head resembled a giant octopus, the lower half of its face covered in tentacles hanging down like long beards. On its back grew black exoskeleton wings that appeared degenerated. Its arms were covered in tassel-like tentacles, and all tentacles had numerous eyes. This image of an ancient era god was indeed quite different from the current era.
The Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo pondered briefly, then shouted: "Respected Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala, I represent 'Azguk'."
After speaking, the Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo raised its chin slightly. It could be polite in negotiations with this former supreme being, but when it came to family honor, it would yield not an inch.
The Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala looked down at the Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo without responding. Seeing this, the Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo shouted:
"You also know that the Abyss Heart is about to appear, but it can only belong to 'Azguk'."
"Moru" (Ancient God Language, meaning arrogant).
The Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala's voice caused the sea surface to tremble repeatedly.
"So, even if you seize the Abyss Heart, are you currently fit to recover your supreme state? Given your existence rank, you can sense that the Abyss Calamity is approaching. Do you have confidence to survive this calamity?"
The Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo's words calmed the dark North Sea ahead somewhat. Seeing this, the Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo continued:
"Our offer to you is Doom Star, and we will terminate the Doomsday Calamity. Then, you can rest for an era using Doom Star's power to recover your strength. When the Fourth Era's Abyss Heart or Elemental Eye appears, that will be your best chance to return to supremacy."
The Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo's words calmed the dark sea further. Pressing its advantage, the Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo took out this time's trump card:
"This is a product of this era's Alchemy Civilization. It's not payment, just a meeting gift between our two sides."
The Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo produced the "Endless Origin." The Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala, overlooking everything, finally showed some change in its aura.
One after another, deep blue tentacles extended, curling around the "Endless Origin" thrown by the Scaleless Sea King. Moments later, the object appeared tens of thousands of meters high, enveloped by slender tentacles. Devouring force emerged from the tentacles, drawing out the peak ancient god's origin power within the "Endless Origin."
"Puyong" (Ancient God Language, translated as Night).
The deep blue tentacles wrapped around the "Endless Origin." The sea surface where the Deep Sea Sovereign was located completely calmed, indicating it was very satisfied with this item and indeed began considering cooperation with "Azguk." In the ancient era, it had clashed with this family—Fish Family, Bronze, Devouring Darkness, the three great ancient era Abyss Descendants.
The Deep Sea Sovereign didn't immediately absorb the origin power within the "Endless Origin." Its tentacles plunged into the surrounding world. Just then, cracks suddenly appeared on the "Endless Origin" before it.
Boom!
The "Endless Origin" shattered, releasing a large amount of ancient god origin power, revealing a sealed orb. The sealed orb seemed to trigger some preset mechanism and also burst with a boom. A vivid red eyeball appeared in midair, with liquid like withered blood dripping from it.
Seeing this, the pitch-black seawater beneath the Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala erupted violently, but it was already too late. The "Old Days Eye" was too close to it.
After a flash of crimson afterimage, the Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala's right eye turned vivid red. Why was this Original Sin Object called the "Old Days Eye"? Because its most suitable hosts were the ancient gods of the ancient era. Back then, ancient gods were more commonly called Old Gods, and the evil ones among them were additionally called Old Dominators.
Another point was that Su Xiao's sealcraft was indeed strong, but not so strong that sealing the "Old Days Eye" would go this smoothly. Original Sin Objects' understanding of the external world couldn't be called wisdom; it was a cognitive system different from living beings.
In the "Old Days Eye"'s previous cognitive judgment, that Law Destroyer was definitely not a good host. But upon discovering that the Law Destroyer planned to seal itself and send it to an Old God, the "Old Days Eye" chose to wait. Compared to the already squeezed-dry weak seal master·Tulin Black Tower, that unknown Old God seemed better?
At this moment, it was clear the "Old Days Eye" had expressed that this newly awakened Old Dominator was indeed very good. If the other party were at its peak, or after recovery had completed its rest, it wouldn't have been so easy to parasitize. But now...
"Roar!!"
The Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala, using a hand formed of tentacles, covered its right eye with one hand while its other hand slammed down fiercely.
The Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo neither dodged nor avoided, seemingly unwilling to release any power lest it be targeted by that Original Sin Object.
After a thunderous sound that echoed across nearly half of Doom Star, the Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo and the shore area where it stood turned into mottled crystalline matter like gray-blue residue, rapidly evaporating.
The Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala, covering its right eye, stared with its remaining eye at the spot where the Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo had died. No mistake—this must be an Abyss Descendant's death and rebirth, plus that fishy smell of the sea floor—definitely a member of the Fish Family.
The newly awakened Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala couldn't be said to know nothing about this world's situation, but it was certainly seeing through a fog.
But that didn't matter. The Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala only needed to understand one point: compared to this so-called Fish Family's scheming, if it were parasitized by this notoriously infamous "Old Days Eye" from the ancient era and thus severely wounded, who would be the greatest beneficiary?
Yes, it was the current owner of this world. The Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala would almost certainly seize Doom Star—this was a necessary step to recover its former supreme state.
Ubo Sala determined that this wasn't done by the Fish Family; it was the methods of this realm's master.
Boom!!
The black sea raged. After awakening, Ubo Sala had sensed the "God Tower" at the center of this realm, suppressing the world core. This realm's master must be there.
And now, the "Old Days Eye" had just begun parasitism. This was also when the parasitized being's power was at its most vigorous. Ubo Sala had clashed with such Old Gods before. In the past, they weren't its match, but that time it was only slightly weaker.
The entire black sea surged, submerging Yinmi Maosi, Beast Town, and soon, Dream Castle, which had just returned to this realm.
Then came ruins and ancient cities one after another, until the black sea surged and crashed against the north wall of "Eternal City·Or." A total of 1295 large ancient cities, over 300 ruins, and more than 500 settlements, former Sanctuary Cities, hideouts, etc., were all submerged by the black sea. Yet not a single intelligent life was drowned—that's just how this damned place of Doom Star was.
Moreover, as "Sanctuary City" and "Hidden City" became increasingly safe, some struggling small cities simply moved away, most going to "Hidden City." The Yargu School indeed had this reputation among this world's commoners.
Boom!!
The raging waves crashed against the high walls of "Eternal City·Or." The tens of thousands of meters tall Old Dominator overlooked this great city.
Yes, Su Xiao had never thought that the Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala would go after the Fish Family over this matter, because the Underworld God, who had direct interest conflicts with it, had more motive to do this.
As for whether it was done by the Underworld God, that wasn't important either. Would the Underworld God go explain to the Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala? When the two met, there was only one possibility: the two strongest ancient gods, old and new, would have a great battle. Not to mention, this conflict was inevitable sooner or later.
In Su Xiao's view, the best outcome was one dead and one wounded in this battle, with the "Old Days Eye" then targeting the wounded one. Of course, this was too idealistic, so Su Xiao's plan goal was: having the Deep Sea Sovereign·Ubo Sala and the Underworld God fight a death battle was a good start.
The Underworld God would inevitably investigate this matter later. When causal system witches manifested the "historical scene" on the shore, the Underworld God would basically confirm that the Fish Family or Law Destroyers were meddling.
The Fish Family was more suspicious because that historical scene truly had no flaws. No matter how you looked at it, that was the real Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo.
Even Ubo Sala, who directly negotiated, couldn't see through the Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo's disguise. Such a historical scene was even less likely to be exposed. As for having causal systems trace back the historical scenes related to Su Xiao, the causal system's original words would definitely be:
'If you want to kill me, just do it directly. No need to be so indirect.'
Regardless, the subsequent three-way melee among the Underworld God Temple, Ubo Sala, and the Fish Family was almost certain. Mutual restraint? Don't be naive. The Moon Witch, Demon Old Hag, Underworld Lord, and Dilo wouldn't just watch—they would keep fanning the flames.
Never think that the Peak Team and Underworld God Team were reliable allies. When the situation became delicate enough, the Moon Witch, Demon Old Hag, Underworld Lord, and Dilo weren't incapable of joining forces, because the three-way chaos among the Underworld God Temple, Ubo Sala, and the Fish Family would all benefit them.
More critically, Ubo Sala, entangled by the Original Sin Object, wouldn't let this go easily. It was already cornered. Subsequently, the "Old Days Eye" would inevitably consume a large amount of resources, otherwise it would continuously drain its origin power.
If it seized "Doom Star" and squeezed it dry like marrow extraction, it could not only balance the "Old Days Eye"'s devouring but also have nearly half surplus for its own recovery.
On the Underworld God's side, it hadn't yet seized the "Abyss Heart"—how could it give up "Doom Star"? All previous promises about Doom Star were based on one premise: first obtain the "Abyss Heart."
At this time, the Fish Family's heart would also be uneasy. What did Arcane Eternal Star mean? Had they also negotiated with other Abyss Descendants?
Remember, the Fish Family wasn't Arcane Eternal Star's only choice. Lune and the Collective hadn't yet fully pledged loyalty to the current Abyss Lord, after all, the previous Abyss Lord hadn't perished—its fate was unknown.
What made the Fish Family even more unsettled was that they hadn't revealed any trace this time. To avoid causal system precognition, they had even brought the family's generationally sealed items. The current situation made it hard not to suspect whether one of Arcane Eternal Star's three high-level members had used the Fish Family to do something. These nearly desperate spellcasters would do anything.
Ultimately, the hardest point to break in Su Xiao's setup was only two words:
Interest.
No one would be willing to sacrifice their own interests to compensate for others' losses. As for whether the Scaleless Sea King·Nezmo at that time was someone else in disguise, did that still matter?
By the afternoon of that day, with the black sea occupying nearly half of Doom Star as the battlefield, a melee was about to break out.
At this moment, the instigator of all this was at "Land of All Beings·Tenth Layer," sitting cross-legged on a dugout canoe. He emerged from meditation, took out a walnut-sized, semi-transparent, heavy-feeling skill stone—the "Extreme Realm Grandmaster Power" skill stone.
"Extreme Realm Grandmaster Power: Based on current 'Technique Potential Upper Limit,' greatly enhance currently mastered technique-type abilities (can enhance Blade Grandmaster, Melee Grandmaster, Blood Spear Grandmaster)."
Su Xiao's current "Technique Potential Upper Limit" was +3355 points, not far from being maxed out. But if he raised it further, all Supreme attributes would break 800 points.
Unless absolutely necessary, Su Xiao wouldn't obtain two "Extreme Realm Passives" at once. This carried the risk of death and could also cause two powerful abilities to "squeeze" each other.
Compared to pursuing the limit enhancement of "Extreme Realm Grandmaster Power," improving himself as quickly as possible was more important. Even if the "Old Days Eye" plan succeeded, it was ultimately a delaying tactic. To seize the "Abyss Heart," he still needed real strength, otherwise he would only benefit others.
As Su Xiao injected a small amount of life force into the "Extreme Realm Grandmaster Power" skill stone, the stone gradually melted, sinking into the flesh of his right arm and spreading toward the bones.
Plop~
On the boundless lake of soul energy, a figure fell from the lone boat, sinking into the soul lake.
Five hours later, Su Xiao, lying at the lake bottom, suddenly opened his eyes. In that instant, he seemed to see the power at the pinnacle of technique grandmasters. Though still some distance away, it was no longer unreachable. Swimming back to the dugout canoe, he sat cross-legged on it and checked his enhanced "Blade Grandmaster."
[Blade Grandmaster: X (Technique·Passive)]
Skill Effect: Blade weapon damage rank +3500 (increased by 500), blade weapon slashing judgment rank +3500 (increased by 500), blade weapon armor-breaking judgment rank +3500 (increased by 500).
Tip: The above enhancement magnitude has reached the absolute limit of "Blade Grandmaster."
Soul Severing Strength: 220 points (increased by 50 points).
Extreme Blade Heart: 1/1.
Tip: When HP falls below 1%, each Blade Heart can block one "Fatal Attack."
X Ultimate Ability: Extreme Realm·Star Realm (Transcendent·Passive), you fully release your technique grandmaster's might, affecting the Star Realm operation within 20,000 meters around you (increased by 19,000 meters), causing it to enter "Star Realm Stasis" state for 5 seconds (due to subsequent related enhancements, absorbing 4 seconds of the Star Realm's duration). During this time, you can "Limited Dominate" this area, thereby permanently seizing one of the strong enemy's abilities (any ability except peak abilities), and through this area's Star Realm transformation, convert that ability into your temporary "Life Core." After "Star Realm Stasis" ends, the enemy whose ability was permanently stripped will fall into 2-3 seconds of "Absolute Weakness."
Tip: When the target within "Star Realm Stasis" is not a strong enemy and their comprehensive rank is lower than yours, all their abilities will be permanently seized. This action will cause them to die immediately with extremely high probability, or through the Star Realm area's "Limited Domination," perform "Absolute Domination" on such targets. Targets subjected to "Absolute Domination" will die within 48-72 hours.
Tip: Temporary "Life Core" will only exist for 24 hours. If not shattered within 24 hours, it will break on its own.
Tip: When an enemy deals damage to you and your HP reaches the "Life Core" trigger threshold, the "Temporary Life Core" will be consumed first.
Tip: Everyone's "Star Realm" ability, except for the "Star Realm Stasis" effect, has different derived effects.
Tip: The derived characteristics of "Star Realm" can only be enhanced by consuming the upper limit of "Extreme Realm·Star Realm's" duration.
Tip: The next stage advanced characteristic of the current "Extreme Realm·Star Realm" is: After "Star Realm Stasis," when the enemy is in a state without a "Life Core," you can permanently seize the enemy's peak ability! After purification through "Star Realm System Power," it forms your permanent "Life Core," which can form 1~? cores, depending on the intensity of the enemy's "Peak Ability."
Tip: Completing this advancement requires consuming 5 seconds of "Extreme Realm·Star Realm's" duration.
Tip: This ability can only be used once per natural day. This is the ultimate usage interval derived from this characteristic.
...
Though not yet tested in combat, the terrifying degree of "Extreme Realm·Star Realm" had achieved further offensive and defensive integration. Su Xiao currently had seven "Life Cores," which was already an absurd number. If he added a "Temporary Life Core," especially at critical moments of life and death...
After one more advancement, he could permanently seize others' "Peak Abilities." After that, unless someone was a mortal enemy who must fight to the death, they wouldn't easily clash with him.
Moreover, this wasn't the limit of "Extreme Realm·Star Realm." When this ability became powerful enough, could he seize multiple abilities from an enemy in one go, turning them into temporary "Life Cores"?
However, there was one thing Su Xiao was curious about: how powerful would the Supreme Being's "Extreme Realm·Star Realm" ability be?
With this enhancement, Su Xiao clearly knew that simply stacking "Extreme Realm·Star Realm's" duration wasn't enough. He also needed sufficiently powerful "Star Realm·Characteristics." The duration of "Extreme Realm·Star Realm" could cancel each other out, but what about the characteristics between them? Who knew how terrifying the Supreme Being's "Star Realm·Characteristics" were.
Regarding the duration of "Extreme Realm·Star Realm," Su Xiao had a way:
"Time·Dominator (Passive): The "Star Realm Stasis" duration caused by the "Extreme Realm·Star Realm" ability +1 second."
If the "Shadow Hunt" ability awakened this time really generated "Soul Energy Crystals," then in the subsequent period, the duration increase of "Extreme Realm·Star Realm" would stabilize.
[Melee Grandmaster: X (Technique·Passive)]
Skill Effect: Kick damage rank +3600 (increased by 35), physical toughness increased by 100%.
Tip: The above enhancement magnitude has reached the absolute limit of "Melee Grandmaster."
Power Penetration·Kick Enhancement: Total 25 times (increased by 5 times).
X Ultimate Ability·Power Penetration·Kick 25 Enhancement (Supreme·Passive): After your "Kick" hits an enemy, the enemy will temporarily have their "Causality" and "Fate" kicked apart, causing the enemy to forget themselves for a short subsequent period.
Warning: Do not use this attack on allied contractors/hunters/workers.
...
The straight kick accumulated to this point was becoming increasingly absurd. One kick, and the enemy not only turned into light but, after stopping their backward flight, would immediately fall into the classic three questions: Who am I, where am I, what am I doing?
[Blood Spear Grandmaster: X (Technique Passive)]
Skill Effect: Blood energy attack rank +1920 (increased by 120), any blood energy attack will reduce the enemy's all defenses by 95%.
Blood Energy Intensity: 4600 points (increased by 70 points).
Basic Effect: For each "Life Core" shattered, all your melee attack damage increases by 20% until the battle ends.
X Ultimate Ability: Annihilation Blood Spear (Supreme·Passive), consume 90% blood energy to immediately construct a "Annihilation Blood Spear" for melee combat. This "Annihilation Blood Spear" has the "Absolute Pierce" characteristic. When using this "Annihilation Blood Spear" to pierce the enemy's main location (torso or more vital area), while dealing extremely massive damage, it will definitely shatter one of the enemy's "Life Cores."
...
One spear burst "Life Core." The current "Annihilation Blood Spear" was definitely T0 among currently mastered abilities.
Combined with the trump card "Extreme Realm·Star Realm," the enemy's kill line rose from "30% of total HP" without Life Cores to "one Life Core + 30% of total HP."
Was this enhancement so great because "Extreme Realm Grandmaster Power" was very strong? Actually, it wasn't just that. Su Xiao's "Technique Potential Upper Limit +3355 points" played a larger role in this enhancement. Who else had stacked "Technique Potential Upper Limit" this high?
Of course, there was a price. Su Xiao checked his current "Technique Potential Upper Limit," which had gone from +3355 to +0. "Extreme Realm Grandmaster Power" didn't create something from nothing—it consumed this much potential to achieve such enhancement.
Regarding this, Su Xiao felt it was completely worth it. Otherwise, his "Technique Potential Upper Limit" was about to reach its limit anyway. Now cleared, he could continue enhancing it with "Power Origin," gaining about 600 points each time, making improvement very fast.
[Your all Supreme attributes have reached 700 points. You may choose from the following "Passive Characteristics."]
[Important Tip: This choice is extremely important, concerning your combat style in the later stages of the peak realm. You must choose with the utmost caution.]