Chapter 5: Activation
With over 24 million ounces of Space-Time Power in hand, Su Xiao was at his wealthiest yet. As a practitioner of the Extreme Realm, in the Third Era where the "Primordial Star Realm Force" was not abundant, elevating his physique to this level could only be achieved through massive resource accumulation.
Before enhancing his physique, Su Xiao had two things to do. He went to the planting area, selected a spot with soft soil, and dropped the [Power Seed] into a small pit. A slash silently cut across his palm, blood dripped down, and after feeling it was enough, he covered it with soil and waited.
No longer suppressing his recovery ability, the wound on his hand healed on its own. Su Xiao checked the notification that had just appeared—it was the completion of the [Endless Ring]'s upgrade. He examined its attributes:
[Endless Ring]
Origin: Abyss.
Quality: Abyss Grade.
Type: Enhancement-type Equipment.
Equipment Effect: Endless Bearing (Core · Passive), Effect: None for now.
Rating: 30000+ points (Reincarnation Grade equipment rating is 15000~30000 points).
...
The [Endless Ring] was undoubtedly the most peculiar and unique equipment Su Xiao had ever seen. This item had different changes at each rating interval. While the previous stage's "Abyss Sacrifice" had disappeared, it was not a loss. The Abyss campaign was about to begin, and performing another "Abyss Sacrifice" could lead to unpredictable problems.
However, the current characteristic of the [Endless Ring] seemed far too capricious. Su Xiao pondered for a moment, then took out the [Origin Stone · World]. As he activated the [Endless Ring], with a click, the [Origin Stone · World] was adsorbed to the [Endless Ring], as if embedded in it.
Oh~!
So that was the function. The [Endless Ring] indeed bore the [Origin Stone · World]. But then what? There was no bonus. What was the point of this bearing?
Su Xiao was not disappointed by this. The ability to bear the [Origin Stone · World] indicated that the [Endless Ring]'s status was high enough. A bold idea formed in Su Xiao's mind.
After weighing the feasibility, he took out a [Vow Object] and used it to contact the Demon Blacksmith. If the other party had already left the Eternal Light World, then he would trouble them to return once more. However, it was unlikely this person had left. When he had gone to retrieve the inlaid Dragon-Slaying Flash earlier, the Demon Blacksmith was sleeping soundly under the World Tree. This old blacksmith, who loved alcohol, was drunk.
There was no need to contact the Molten Giant. This legendary blacksmith, who had a deep friendship with the Law Destruction Faction, had now settled in the Gloomy Sanctuary. This giant liked the current Eternal Light World—peaceful and tranquil. Although he could never find his kin again, taking refuge in the Gloomy Sanctuary might be the best destination for the Molten Giant.
Vaguely, Su Xiao remembered that in the colorless thirteenth floor of the tower, a forge furnace slightly illuminated a corner, giving the place some dim color.
A figure over ten meters tall sat there. Because the forging table was not custom-made for him and was much lower, he had to hunch his back and stoop when performing precision forging. Thus, using a forging hammer that was particularly awkward and several sizes too small, he pinched it between his thumb and index finger to strike.
His original forging tools, except for the furnace, had all been destroyed. But to master his craft, he still used these very unsuitable tools to create masterpieces that other blacksmiths marveled at. The Molten Giant truly was—already a top-tier master, yet always maintaining an apprentice-like desire to advance further in the art of forging.
Years of accumulated hidden ailments and pain in his body caused him to often cough violently. Unfortunately, in the Second Era, those Law-Destroying Shadows who did not covet his skills but were his friends and provided him with a stable home had all perished in soul and silence.
Now, the Molten Giant no longer had these troubles. He was sleeping soundly in the forging room of the Gloomy Sanctuary.
Su Xiao took out a communicator and contacted a disciple of the Dwarf King. After the Wind Sea Continent was invaded by the Abyss, the Dwarf King had left. It was said that he had recently taken his disciples to the Myriad Races Realm.
Without much trouble, Su Xiao reached an agreement with the Dwarf King to meet later at the Gloomy Sanctuary in the Eternal Light World. Thus, the three legendary blacksmiths would gather here.
Su Xiao dialed another contact number. After a moment, the other party answered and cautiously asked, "Looking for me, what needs repairing?"
"No."
"Then what's the matter?"
"Go to the Gloomy Sanctuary in the Eternal Light World."
"No."
Reed refused very decisively—so decisively that he hadn't even thought about why. It was the long history of being tricked that had formed muscle memory... ah no, verbal memory.
"The Demon Blacksmith, Molten Giant, and Dwarf King are all there."
"What did you say just now?"
"Go to the Gloomy Sanctuary."
"Setting off now."
The other party hung up the communication. Without a doubt, he was taking his apprentice daughter, Wo Wo, and setting out. Three legendary blacksmiths gathering together—how could Reed, a master blacksmith, miss such an opportunity?
Among the three legendary blacksmiths, the Demon Blacksmith was aloof and powerful, the Dwarf King was dignified and composed, and the Molten Giant was the most kind-hearted.
Putting away the communicator, Su Xiao looked at the two-meter-tall, curved sapling in front of him. This sapling grew straight up then bent into a crescent shape, with a golden fruit hanging at the top, set off by the curved part.
Picking the golden fruit, Su Xiao faintly sensed the powerful energy contained within. Rather than a fruit, it was more like the condensation of some special force.
Arriving at the Alchemy Laboratory, Su Xiao began to conceive the formulation of this potion. He certainly could not take risks to achieve a 200% effect from this concoction. That was unrealistic. Reaching the limit of the [Miracle Fruit]'s inherent enhancement and adding an extra 45% was already the peak of this concoction's skill. It was worth noting that there had been no formula for the [Miracle Fruit] before this; it needed to be developed from scratch, with no room for trial and error.
After exchanging for various auxiliary materials, Su Xiao began the concoction. It had to be said, with Alchemy at Lv.100 plus the [Peak Masterpiece] title, even this first-time, ultimate-difficulty concoction felt effortless and smooth.
After a series of precise and fluid operations, the exhaust valve on the cooling device sprayed out cold air. Su Xiao took out the potion and checked its attributes:
[Unnamed Secret Medicine]
Origin: Reincarnation Paradise · Holy Flame Alchemist.
Quality: Reincarnation Grade · Rare.
Type: Permanent Enhancement Potion.
Effect: After drinking, permanently increase the current technique core ability level cap by Lv.30.
Peak Grade Bonus: After drinking, permanently increase the current technique core ability level cap by Lv.15.
Note: This potion must be consumed in three separate doses.
Warning: Requires Supreme Stamina to reach 20 points, 40 points, and 50 points, then consume in three separate doses total, otherwise there is great risk!
Rating: 30000+ points (Reincarnation Grade item rating is 15000~30000 points).
Description: Pending.
Price: Pending.
...
Su Xiao named it [Miracle Secret Medicine]. As the price for fully developing the [Miracle Fruit], the risk of drinking this potion was also maxed out. His current Supreme Stamina attribute was 26 points. Even with his astonishing physique, the second dose carried great risk. He divided the potion, gulped down the first dose.
From another perspective, the drinking prerequisites of this potion were actually normal. Classifying this potion into the "Supreme Realm" tier of secret medicines made the drinking threshold suddenly reasonable.
After summarizing the gains from various treasure vaults, Su Xiao checked the series of notifications that appeared at the end of the battle at Arcane Eternal Star.
[You have killed Mad King · Erod.]
[You have gained 716 Merit Points (Locked status, Merit Shop not yet opened).]
There was no usual kill reward. This was because going to Arcane Eternal Star was not within a mission world, so there was no full notarization from Reincarnation Paradise. This was one of the crucial prerequisites for obtaining kill chests, World Sources, etc.
This time, Arcane Eternal Star underwent special notarization by the Void Tree. In fact, even if Sefeiliya had not opened the Abyss Gate, the Abyss calamity was imminent. Therefore, this notarization of the Void Tree for the Void was a preliminary notarization for the Abyss campaign.
The reason killing Spellcasters could earn Merit Points even before the "Abyss Campaign" began was easier to understand. The Spellcasters, who devoured natural elements to strengthen themselves, were undoubtedly the main culprits of this Abyss calamity.
This time, by destroying Arcane Eternal Star, Su Xiao gained a total of 1295 Merit Points. It was estimated that while the value of these Merit Points was not low, it would not be particularly high either. Compared to the "Void Bank" and the massive Space-Time Power obtained, the reduction in kill rewards was acceptable.
Su Xiao arrived at the room with the [Exclusive Attribute Enhancement Pod]. The door behind him closed, and he activated the [Exclusive Attribute Enhancement Pod].
[Prompt: This Exclusive Attribute Enhancement Pod has undergone deeper notarization. As you are the pioneer of this attribute enhancement system, you have obtained the following permissions:]