# Chapter 3: Breaking Through One's Limits (Completed)
[Reminder: Your output must contain ZERO Chinese characters. Translate or transliterate everything.]
The Attribute Enhancement Hall was a massive space filled with rows of crystal pods, each one humming with a faint, ethereal light. Su Xiao stood before one of the pods, his expression calm as he reviewed the information displayed on the interface before him.
"Attribute Enhancement Pod — Eighth Rank Contractor Su Xiao"
"Current Attributes:"
"Strength: 285 points"
"Agility: 300 points"
"Endurance: 278 points"
"Intelligence: 310 points"
"Perception: 295 points"
"Charm: 15 points"
"Luck: 22 points"
"Available True Attribute Points: 48"
"Available Golden Skill Points: 3"
Su Xiao's gaze swept across the numbers. His attributes had reached a bottleneck. In the Eighth Rank, the standard upper limit for basic attributes was 300 points, but with his various passive bonuses and equipment enhancements, he had already surpassed that threshold in several areas. However, to truly break through to the next level, he needed to invest True Attribute Points strategically.
He reached out and pressed his palm against the crystal surface of the pod. A surge of energy flowed through him, and the pod's interior began to glow with a soft blue light.
"Beginning attribute enhancement..."
The system's voice echoed in his mind as the pod sealed shut around him. A warm, tingling sensation spread through his body as the enhancement process began. His muscles contracted and relaxed in rapid succession, his bones creaked under the strain of the energy infusion, and his mind sharpened as his intelligence attribute was pushed to new heights.
Minutes passed like hours. When the pod finally opened, Su Xiao stepped out, his body feeling lighter, more powerful. He clenched his fist, feeling the surge of strength coursing through his veins.
"Strength increased to 310 points."
"Agility increased to 320 points."
"Endurance increased to 305 points."
"Intelligence increased to 335 points."
"Perception increased to 315 points."
He nodded in satisfaction. The enhancement had cost him 30 True Attribute Points, leaving him with 18 remaining. He would save those for emergencies or future breakthroughs.
Next, he moved to the Skill Upgrade Hall. This area was smaller but no less impressive. Rows of Skill Upgrade Pods lined the walls, each one capable of elevating a contractor's abilities to new heights.
Su Xiao approached one of the pods and inserted his hand into the interface. A list of his skills appeared before him:
"Blade Path: Azure Demon — Level 10 (Max)"
"Blade Path: Extreme — Level 8"
"Blade Path: Time — Level 6"
"Cyan Steel Shadow Energy — Level 12"
"Devouring Core — Level 5"
"Blade Demon Spirit — Level 4"
He had three Golden Skill Points, which could be used to upgrade any skill to its next tier. After a moment of consideration, he selected "Blade Path: Extreme."
"Upgrade Blade Path: Extreme to Level 9? Cost: 1 Golden Skill Point."
"Confirm."
The pod sealed around him once more, and this time, the sensation was different. It was as if his very soul was being refined, his understanding of the blade deepening to an almost instinctual level. Visions of countless sword techniques flashed through his mind, each one more intricate than the last.
When the process completed, he felt a new level of mastery over his blade. The skill's description had changed:
"Blade Path: Extreme — Level 9"
"Effect: Unleash a devastating slash that ignores 50% of the target's defense. Cooldown: 45 seconds."
"Additional Effect: When used in conjunction with Cyan Steel Shadow Energy, damage is increased by 30%."
He smiled faintly. This was a significant boost. He still had two Golden Skill Points remaining, but he decided to save them for now. Some skills required specific conditions to upgrade, and he wanted to be prepared for any situation.
Finally, he entered the Equipment Enhancement Hall. This was where contractors risked their resources to strengthen their gear. The room was filled with anvils, forges, and crystal enhancement matrices, each one crackling with energy.
Su Xiao drew his blade, Dragon-Slaying Flash. The weapon hummed in his hand, its edge gleaming with a faint, ethereal light. It was already a Holy Spirit Rank weapon, but he knew it could be pushed further.
He placed the blade into the enhancement matrix and selected the option for "Equipment Ascension."
"Equipment: Dragon-Slaying Flash"
"Current Rank: Holy Spirit"
"Materials Required for Ascension to Immortal Rank:"
"1x Soul Severing Shadow Stone"
"3x Black Maple Tree Branches"
"5x Primordial Life Force Crystals"
"50,000 Paradise Coins"
Su Xiao's expression remained neutral. He had gathered most of these materials over his long journey. The Soul Severing Shadow Stone was a rare drop from Abyss Spawn, the Black Maple Tree Branches were part of his regular yield from the Black Maple Tree in his exclusive room, and the Primordial Life Force Crystals were obtained from defeating high-rank enemies in the Eternal Light World.
He retrieved the materials from his storage space and placed them into the matrix. The machine hummed to life, and a beam of light enveloped Dragon-Slaying Flash.
The enhancement process was violent. Sparks flew, and the blade seemed to resist the change, its spirit unwilling to be bound by mere mortal hands. But Su Xiao's will was stronger. He channeled his Cyan Steel Shadow Energy into the matrix, forcing the blade to accept the ascension.
After what felt like an eternity, the light faded. Dragon-Slaying Flash had transformed. Its blade was now darker, almost black, with veins of silver running through it. The hilt had grown more ornate, and the weapon exuded an aura of absolute sharpness.
"Dragon-Slaying Flash (Immortal Rank)"
"Base Damage: 320-380"
"Special Effect: Ignores 60% of target's defense."
"Special Effect: When striking Abyss creatures, damage is increased by 50%."
"Special Effect: Blade Path skills cost 20% less mana."
He gripped the weapon, feeling its new power. This was a significant upgrade. With this blade, he could face even the most formidable enemies with confidence.
As he left the Equipment Enhancement Hall, a notification appeared before him:
"Contractor Su Xiao, you have completed the 'Break Through Your Limits' quest."
"Rewards:"
"1x Golden Skill Point"
"3x True Attribute Points"
"50,000 Paradise Coins"
"Reputation with Reincarnation Paradise increased by 500 points."
He dismissed the notification and checked his status. His power had grown considerably, but he knew this was only the beginning. The Abyss was vast, and its depths held horrors beyond imagination. He would need to continue pushing his limits if he wanted to survive.
"Bai Ye," Bubu Wang's voice came through their mental link. "The Archbishop of the Abyss has been spotted near the Central Area. He's gathering forces."
Su Xiao's eyes narrowed. The Archbishop was a formidable enemy, one of the high-ranking members of the Abyss faction. If he was making a move, it meant something big was about to happen.
"I'm on my way," Su Xiao replied, sheathing Dragon-Slaying Flash. "Prepare the others. We're going hunting."
The hunt was about to begin.