Chapter 6: Neutral Unit Application Permission (Star Realm powerhouses participating in this campaign can apply to the Void Tree as neutral units).
The battle was over, and the entire battlefield fell into a strange silence. The ground was covered with broken limbs and wreckage, and the air was thick with the smell of blood and scorched earth. Su Xiao stood in the center of the battlefield, his blade still dripping with fresh blood. Around him, the bodies of the Abyss Spawn lay in heaps, their dark blue smoke slowly dissipating into the air.
"Phew..." Su Xiao let out a long breath, retracting the Blade Path: Azure Demon. His gaze swept across the battlefield, and he noticed that several other contractors were also finishing their battles. Among them, the members of the Divine Emperor Adventure Group and the Blood Gate Adventurers were gathering their spoils, while the Apocalypse Sisters were healing their wounded.
Suddenly, a system notification sounded in Su Xiao's mind.
[Notification: You have met the conditions to apply for Neutral Unit status. Do you wish to apply?]
Su Xiao frowned slightly. Neutral Unit status was a special permission granted by the Void Tree, allowing contractors to remain neutral during large-scale campaigns, avoiding attacks from both enemy and allied forces. This was extremely useful for lone wolves like him.
"Apply," Su Xiao said calmly.
[Processing... Your identity is being verified...]
[Verification passed. You have been granted Neutral Unit status.]
[Current status: Neutral Unit. You will not be attacked by any faction unless you actively provoke them.]
A faint golden light enveloped Su Xiao, then quickly faded. He felt a subtle change in his body, as if a special mark had been imprinted on his soul.
"Interesting," Su Xiao muttered to himself. He turned and walked toward the distant camp, his footsteps steady and unhurried.
Along the way, he passed by several contractors. They looked at him with a mix of caution and curiosity, but no one dared to approach. Su Xiao's strength had already been proven in the previous battle, and no one wanted to provoke a madman like him.
When he returned to the camp, Bubu Wang was already waiting for him at the entrance. The big dog wagged its tail excitedly, as if welcoming its master back.
"Let's go, we need to find a place to rest," Su Xiao said, patting Bubu Wang's head.
They walked into the camp and found a relatively quiet corner. Su Xiao sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to recover his strength. Bubu Wang lay beside him, vigilantly watching the surroundings.
Time passed slowly. When Su Xiao opened his eyes again, the sky had already darkened. He stood up, stretched, and felt that his strength had mostly recovered.
"Bubu Wang, let's go check out the Trade Market," Su Xiao said.
Bubu Wang barked twice and followed behind him.
The Trade Market was located in the central area of the camp, where contractors gathered to trade items. Su Xiao walked through the crowd, occasionally stopping to look at the items on display. Most of them were common equipment and consumables, nothing that caught his interest.
Just as he was about to leave, a stall caught his attention. The stall owner was a middle-aged man wearing a black robe, with a faint, mysterious smile on his face.
"Friend, interested in taking a look? I have some good stuff here," the middle-aged man said.
Su Xiao walked over and glanced at the items on the stall. His gaze suddenly stopped on a dark purple crystal.
"What is this?" Su Xiao asked, pointing at the crystal.
"This? This is a Soul Crystal Core, a rare item that can enhance soul strength. It's very useful for technique-type contractors like you," the middle-aged man explained.
"How much?" Su Xiao asked directly.
"5000 Paradise Coins," the middle-aged man said with a smile.
Su Xiao frowned slightly. This price was a bit high, but considering the rarity of the Soul Crystal Core, it was acceptable.
"Deal," Su Xiao said, taking out 5000 Paradise Coins and handing them over.
The middle-aged man took the coins, his smile growing even brighter. "Pleasure doing business. If you need anything else in the future, feel free to come find me."
Su Xiao nodded, put away the Soul Crystal Core, and turned to leave. Just as he was about to exit the Trade Market, he suddenly sensed a familiar aura.
He looked up and saw a figure not far away—it was Mawen Hua'erzi.
"White Night, long time no see," Mawen Hua'erzi said with a smile, walking over.
"Waltz, what are you doing here?" Su Xiao asked calmly.
"I came to participate in this campaign. I didn't expect to run into you," Mawen Hua'erzi said, then lowered his voice. "I heard you've become a Neutral Unit?"
"That's right," Su Xiao nodded.
"Not bad, that way you won't have to worry about being attacked from both sides," Mawen Hua'erzi said enviously. "By the way, have you heard the latest news?"
"What news?" Su Xiao asked.
"The Abyss Passage is about to open, and this time it's said that a Lord of the Abyss level powerhouse will descend," Mawen Hua'erzi said gravely.
Su Xiao's expression turned serious. The Lord of the Abyss was a terrifying existence, far beyond what ordinary contractors could handle.
"When will it open?" Su Xiao asked.
"Probably in three days. By then, all the major factions will send their elites to try to seal the passage," Mawen Hua'erzi said.
"I understand," Su Xiao nodded, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
"Be careful. If you need help, just let me know," Mawen Hua'erzi said, patting Su Xiao on the shoulder before turning and leaving.
Su Xiao stood there, watching Mawen Hua'erzi's retreating figure, lost in thought. The opening of the Abyss Passage meant a new round of bloody conflict was about to begin. As a Neutral Unit, he could choose to stay out of it, but that wasn't his style.
"Bubu Wang, let's go back and prepare," Su Xiao said, turning and walking toward the camp.
Bubu Wang barked twice, following closely behind.
Back in the camp, Su Xiao entered his Exclusive Room and began to prepare for the upcoming battle. He took out the Soul Crystal Core and absorbed it, feeling his soul strength noticeably increase.
"Not bad," Su Xiao muttered to himself, then took out the Origin Stone: World and began to study it.
This Origin Stone contained the power of a world. If he could fully comprehend it, his strength would undoubtedly reach a new level.
Time passed minute by minute. When Su Xiao opened his eyes again, it was already late at night. He stood up, stretched, and felt the power flowing through his body.
"Almost time," Su Xiao said, putting away the Origin Stone and walking out of the Exclusive Room.
Outside, the camp was still brightly lit, with contractors coming and going. Su Xiao walked through the crowd, heading toward the center of the camp.
There, a huge teleportation array was already activated, emitting a dazzling blue light. Around the teleportation array, many contractors were waiting, their expressions tense.
"The Abyss Passage is about to open. Everyone, get ready," a voice sounded.
Su Xiao took a deep breath, his hand gripping the hilt of his blade. The upcoming battle would be the most brutal one yet, but he was ready.
"Let's go," Su Xiao said softly, stepping into the teleportation array.
The blue light flashed, and his figure disappeared from the spot.