Chapter 3: Awakening
Rating: 30000+ (Dawn-level weapon rating is 15000~30000 points).
Description: Coordination is strength, strength nurtures miracles, and miracles condense into sweet fruit.
Price: This equipment has no price certification. Although causal adaptation is required before use, it can be freely traded.
...
The first optional characteristic of [Dawn Ring] is easy to understand: it enhances one's combat power, with the increase determined by the total intensity of the five selected pieces of equipment.
What's truly interesting are the "Usurp" and "Awaken" characteristics. The "Usurp" characteristic allows targeting any living being, permanently stealing 50% of their fortune and successfully enraging the target. If the target is killed afterward, the remaining fortune is also stolen.
Su Xiao had no interest in this. His fortune was already -20 million points. Not to mention how much the stolen amount could increase, he feared it would be based on his own fortune. If so, a 10,000-point increase would leave him at -20.1 million fortune. Thus, he shifted his gaze to "Awaken."
The "Awaken" characteristic was even more peculiar. Based on the current action, it could awaken a "Master Manifestation" within that category, maintained by consuming Space-Time Power. This manifestation could not be negotiated and could only receive certain information. It was a special existence that, aside from retaining its most proficient abilities, would not engage in other meaningless actions—this was the "Master Manifestation."
To put it simply, if the wearer of [Dawn Ring] was about to appraise a gem, the "Master Manifestation" formed would certainly fall within that skill category. What level of "Master Manifestation" could be awakened depended on the anchoring score provided by the five pieces of equipment selected via "Ring Anchor."
However, one thing was certain: the "Master Manifestation" had no combat capability, not even auxiliary combat. Su Xiao didn't mind this; he didn't need equipment to provide such combat boosts.
After weighing his options, Su Xiao suddenly had a particularly bold idea. After all, this was one of the strongest pieces of equipment from Dawn Paradise. Using it conventionally would make its power fall short of its reputation. Not only would it fail to rank in the top three within a single Paradise faction, it might not even make the top thirty.
Su Xiao immediately chose the "Awaken" characteristic, and prompts appeared one after another.
[You need to anchor five pieces of currently worn equipment to [Dawn Ring] as the source of this equipment's power. Equipment anchored by [Dawn Ring] will not have their original enhancement characteristics affected, aside from providing the "Anchoring Score."]
Su Xiao opened his equipment list. His current equipment was as follows:
Dragon-Slaying Flash +18 (Reincarnation Rank·Second Seat) · Main Weapon
Origin Stone: World (Strongest Origin Stone) · Origin Stone
Seal Demon (Overlord Rank·128th Seat·Growing) · Scabbard
World-Destroying Supreme Blade (Overlord Rank·Eighth Seat) · Pendant
Soul: King's Coronation (Reincarnation Rank) · Arm Guard
Wild Hunt Night (Severely Damaged) · Main Armor
Proud Song Mad Roar (World Rank·25th Seat) · Ring
Dawn Ring (Dawn Rank·Third Seat) · Ring (Imprint Authority·Two Fingers)
Iron Blood Dark Wolf (Overlord Rank·Fourth Seat) · War Boots
Fate Reversal (Reincarnation Rank) · Fate Curio
Full Moon Blade (Overlord Rank·98th Seat) · Sub-Equipment
Granted Oath · Oath Item
...
Su Xiao first selected [Origin Stone: World] and [Dragon-Slaying Flash] as anchors. As soon as he made this choice, the [Dawn Ring] on his hand emitted a faint glow. He then anchored [Iron Blood Dark Wolf], [Fate Reversal], and [Soul: King's Coronation].
The [Dawn Ring] in his hand let out a hum, appearing as if it might shatter again. After all, it was equipment that had just been repaired. Even though its intensity was high, equipment strength and durability were not the same.
After a moment, [Dawn Ring] returned to its original state. After all, it was a Dawn-rank third-seat piece of equipment. Although Dawn Paradise had only recently revived, the value of a third-seat piece was by no means low.
[Dawn Ring]
Equipment Requirement: None
Equipment Effect 1: Ring Anchor (Passive), current anchoring score is 1,587,920 points.
Equipment Effect 2: Flawless Ring (Core·Active), based on the user's current action, summons a "Master Manifestation" corresponding to that action. With the boost from the anchoring score, this "Master Manifestation" is guaranteed to be the absolute strongest in that field.
Note: The "Master Manifestation" has no ability for direct combat, auxiliary combat, or even indirect participation in combat.
Note: The cooldown of Flawless Ring will be measured based on the "Action Causality" of the previous use.
...
Seeing the equipment's attributes, Su Xiao suddenly had a very peculiar idea. He sat down on a metal bench beside the towering insect nest. Before long, Molei, Yueshitu, and Hao Mei arrived. It was clear that the three looked somewhat disheveled, having participated in the defense. Although Molei was a bit silly, she was not timid or cowardly; in the past, she had been a combat type.
[You have submitted the bounty "Clan Catastrophe."]
[Due to the multiple bounty + bounty correction of "Hunt List: Blood Pact," you will receive a total bounty of 8 million ounces of Space-Time Power.]
[Before completing this bounty, you applied for related authority from Reincarnation Paradise in advance, sacrificing random rewards in exchange for full "Time-Space Stone Fragment" rewards.]
[Verification shows that this bounty is greatly related to this Abyss Campaign and has sufficient influence on the victory of your side. This authority application has been approved.]
[You have obtained Time-Space Stone Fragments × 800,000 pieces (this is an equivalent item, which can be sold to Reincarnation Paradise at any time for 8 million ounces of Space-Time Power).]
[As this hunting bounty was completed in Wind Sea Continent, the bounty will be paid by Apocalypse Paradise.]
...
After Su Xiao submitted the bounty, Molei, Yueshitu, and Hao Mei also received similar prompts, but their reward share was only 45%, meaning 3.6 million ounces each, totaling 10.8 million ounces.
Su Xiao took 90%, which was 9.72 million ounces. He kept 7.56 million ounces for himself and sent 2.16 million ounces to Kaisa. The Apocalypse Sisters each received 360,000 ounces.
After receiving this huge sum, the Apocalypse Sisters were stunned. Molei and Hao Mei simultaneously pinched Yueshitu's cheeks from both sides. As the saying goes, even a rabbit bites when cornered. After getting angry, Yueshitu vented her anger for a while.
It could be said that when danger came, these two unreliable friends were her support—they wouldn't let her die before them. But when there was no danger, all danger came from these two.
Just then, the Apocalypse Sisters suddenly received a prompt.
[Prompt (Void Tree): The strongest reinforcement team you are in has applied for a rest period for you. You can return to your affiliated Paradise (Apocalypse Paradise) for a 24-hour rest.]
[Judging the contribution of the Dawn Team in the Wind Sea War Zone...]
[Judgment passed. Both Void Tree and Apocalypse Paradise have approved this rest application.]
...
Seeing this prompt, the Apocalypse Sisters were extremely excited. After the Abyss Campaign began, all Paradise factions opened the highest authority for Space-Time Power. Regardless of rank, contractors could use Space-Time Power in their respective Paradise's Merit Shops to directly exchange for Free Attribute Points/True Free Attribute Points, Skill Upgrade Pod usage permissions, and various authority resources to enhance themselves.
Now, being able to return meant a qualitative improvement in strength, drastically increasing their chances of survival.
Even the usually mischievous Molei spoke seriously: "Th-thank you, Bai Ye."
"No need."
Su Xiao replied in a calm tone, which made Molei relax. She smiled cheerfully and scratched her head, saying, "If you ever need my help with anything, just say the word."
"Oh? Really?"
Su Xiao's eyes showed a hint of interest, which made Molei, whose heart was still filled with excitement/gratitude/indebtedness, almost instinctively choke up.
"Re-really."
Molei's mind was now filled with, "It's over. I don't know what's coming, but it's definitely going to be shocking. And since I got so many benefits from this easy win, I can't back down now. Otherwise, I'd be ungrateful, and I'd look down on myself."
...
Su Xiao said nothing. He activated the teleportation authority to return to Reincarnation Paradise. With 16.504 million ounces of Space-Time Power in hand, he naturally wanted to go back and improve. Additionally, there were the kill rewards from the Eternal Light World battle, which were very unique.
[You have killed Azguk Family·Clan Leader·Ermu Kensa.]
[You have obtained Abyss Chest (★★★★★★)...]
[Note: This is a certified derivative kill reward from the Abyss Campaign. Under normal circumstances, Abyss Chests range from ★ to ★★★★★.]
...
This was not hard to understand. The star rating of Abyss Chests had been temporarily increased. In other words, six-star [Abyss Chests] could only be obtained during the Abyss Campaign.
With five [Abyss Chests (★★★★★★)] in hand, Su Xiao frowned slightly. The one representing the Fish Clan leader, Ermu Kensa, was particularly noteworthy. The Fish Clan had a significant connection to the "Deep Sea Ancient Urn." Previously, the holder of the "Deep Sea Ancient Urn" was the Fish Clan.
Last time, after killing the Spider Woman, Su Xiao temporarily held the "Deep Sea Ancient Urn." Initially, the "Deep Sea Ancient Urn" intended to devour Su Xiao's causal fate, but after their initial confrontation, it decided to pretend they had never met. However, where the "Deep Sea Ancient Urn" had gone could be roughly guessed.
While Su Xiao was weighing his options, a crunching sound reached his ears. He sent Amu away, telling him to eat elsewhere and not interrupt his thoughts. Amu happily went to the side.
But if he didn't open the Fish Clan leader's Abyss Chest, not to mention that this was a six-star [Abyss Chest] only obtainable during the "campaign period," opening such an over-limit item later would always come with concerns. It would be better to go all out. He now had the [Book of Original Sin], his fortune was immense, and he was an Extreme Realm practitioner with a powerful physique...
Crunch, crunch~
The crisp sound of Amu eating, as if munching on a wafer biscuit, came again. Su Xiao began to weigh his options. With his current physique—no, after this rest, it would definitely exceed 50 points, possibly even break 60 points—even sealing the ninth Original Sin Object should be bearable. Don't forget, the [Book of Original Sin] had just received a massive boost by absorbing a heart from the "Ancient One."
Yes, this plan was feasible. So...
Crunch, crunch~
Su Xiao turned to look at Amu, only to find him with his mouth stuffed full, gnawing on the "Origin Clan Emblem" of the Rune Family.
Su Xiao didn't stop him. This was originally meant for Amu to eat. After learning that Amu could consume the "Origin Clan Emblem," he brought it back from Eternal Light World. Otherwise, he would have destroyed it long ago.
Besides the gains from the five clan leaders, there were also the kill rewards from killing the Abyss Incarnation:
[You have killed Abyss Incarnation.]
[You have obtained Abyss Chest (★★★★★★★★★).]
...
Su Xiao had never imagined he could obtain a nine-star [Abyss Chest]. The absurdity of this item was comparable to...
Crunch, crunch~
Moreover, he had to open the clan leader chests first, then this one. If he opened a Daddy-level Original Sin Object from this nine-star Abyss Chest, it would be a huge loss.
Thinking this, crunch, crunch~
Su Xiao applied for teleportation authority.
Behind him, crunch~, crunch~
Baha, who was staying behind, immediately looked up to suppress his laughter. Bubu Wang also looked up.
Amid the crunching sounds, Su Xiao returned to his exclusive room in Reincarnation Paradise.
As soon as he entered the exclusive room, Su Xiao looked at Amu. Amu, who was about to take another bite, shrank his head and ran to the planting area. Soon, the crisp crunching sound came from there. After a while, Amu seemed to want to come back from the planting area.
"Eat it yourself."
"Moo!"
Amu was somewhat dully happy. Although this silly ox was gluttonous, when he got good food, he always came to share it with Su Xiao, Bubu Wang, Amu, Baha, and Beini. Being able to eat didn't mean Amu was greedy or possessive. Of course, if a stranger dared to snatch Amu's food, it would be a dark battle axe to the head.
Su Xiao went to the room where the [Awakening Stele] was placed. He sat cross-legged before the [Awakening Stele], took out the 345 [Soul Energy Crystals] he had accumulated, and opened his skill list. He first upgraded the "Demon Spirit Awakening" ability. The strength of the Demon Spirit determined the killing power of the Demon Blade. In the subsequent battle against the Lord of the Abyss, the "Demon Blade Execution," which could kill enemies with less than a quarter of their life core, was absolutely crucial.
"Demon Spirit Awakening" required 3 [Soul Energy Crystals] per upgrade. Su Xiao first tried upgrading it by one level, which caused the Demon Spirit within Dragon-Slaying Flash to manifest.
After a moment, the Demon Spirit beside him seemed to have grown stronger. Su Xiao checked the "Demon Spirit Awakening" ability.
[Demon Spirit Awakening, X.]
Skill Effect 1: Blade Demon Spirit Intensity +5000 points.
Skill Effect 2: Substitution (Passive)...
Skill Effect 3: Causal Tear (Passive)...
...
One level increased Demon Spirit Intensity by 500 points. With Su Xiao's current Soul Strength of 9900 points, he could suppress the Demon Spirit as long as its intensity was below 49,000 points. To be safe, suppressing it below 45,000 points would be stable.
Su Xiao didn't directly upgrade the "Demon Spirit Awakening" ability. Instead, he first upgraded the following abilities: