Chapter 428: Remnant Spirit: I've Got You Figured Out! |
"And this corpse..."
After dealing with the Status Panel, Su Chen finally placed his gaze on the corpse before him. Without Divine Blood, he couldn't refine it temporarily.
But he had borrowed another twenty drops from the Order, and estimated they would be delivered in a day or two.
He first picked up the Morning Star Artifact left behind by the other party. This black Armor was quite heavy, and its surface was already covered with cracks.
Hum—
As soon as Su Chen placed his hand on it, a deep tremor like thunder abruptly exploded from deep within the Armor. Dark, ink-like Streaking Light flowed on the surface of the artifact, instantly condensing into the Phantom Image of a ferocious giant beast.
Twisted horns, dense sharp teeth, and eerie green Flamelets jumping in its vertical pupils, roaring silently.
This was exactly the residual Spirituality within it, naturally resisting him.
However, with Su Chen's current strength, he wouldn't be like before, where even picking it up was very strenuous.
Su Chen extracted the residual Spirituality within it, turned it into Sky-Scars, and filled it into his body.
"With this, I already have six Sky-Scars in my body. I only lack two to be fully replenished. However... I'm afraid I won't have anywhere to find them in the short term."
As for this ugly Armor, Su Chen naturally used it directly for charging.
Defeating Kong Ming had completely squeezed dry all five Sky-Scars. It was only by piecing together and absorbing most of the 9th-tier weapons left over from before that he had completely replenished them.
"Counting the Nine-Ringed Khakkhara snatched from Kong Ming, there are two 9th-tier weapons left. These things aren't common goods found everywhere on the streets. If I want to forge them within the Order, I need to go through layers of approval."
Last time when he used the Order's Materials to fill them, he didn't feel much. This time, consuming the weapons he had accumulated himself instantly made his heart ache.
"I must find a way to solve this problem. Unfortunately, I don't have any special Resources on hand to enhance the World-Slaying Manifestation."
Su Chen muttered secretly to himself. The World-Slaying Manifestation had already been enhanced many times and had even devoured another Holy Class. If he wanted to change the operational logic of the Sky-Scars, the strength of the Materials required would definitely be extremely high. He estimated he shouldn't be able to find them in the Dust Star Sea.
Temporarily putting this matter aside, Su Chen looked down at the corpse. His mind stirred slightly, and he lifted the block on the Remnant Spirit.
This guy knew absolutely nothing about the outside news. His cognition was still stuck at the time when the Ancient Kings were tricked by him into the Flare Realm.
"Taixu?"
Hearing Su Chen's voice, the Remnant Spirit reacted very quickly, immediately asking: "How was the Deduction result?"
Hmm... Su Chen pondered briefly. He estimated the Remnant Spirit should be able to see the manifested Sovereign of the Purple Zenith, so he didn't hide it, nodding and saying: "Your method was very effective. The Deduction succeeded, and I obtained a Profession Requirement."
"As expected..." The Remnant Spirit felt settled in his heart, unable to help but look at that magnificent figure whose form was blurry but exuded an Aura that made one palpitate.
It felt very much like the Aura of the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith, but he wasn't very sure, nor did he understand exactly what kind of existence form this was.
But combining the events that happened before and after, he roughly guessed that perhaps this was the reason Su Chen wanted to deduce the Profession Requirements.
"It's good that it succeeded. I was afraid it wouldn't succeed and you would blame me." The Remnant Spirit's words seemed very humble.
And Su Chen's tone sounded much softer: "Being able to succeed this time indeed helped me a lot, but... right now, it's impossible for me to let you out."
Is he laying his cards on the table with me?
The Remnant Spirit suddenly captured the meaning contained in Su Chen's words. Since falling into Su Chen's hands for such a long time, it had always been Su Chen asking him questions.
He would provide answers to whatever he knew, but had never made any demands.
On one hand, it was because the questions Su Chen asked weren't enough for him to raise any demands, so it was better to build a good relationship.
On the other hand, it was because he was laying the groundwork for his ultimate goal.
And right now, after the matter of deducing the Profession Requirements last time, Su Chen seemed to finally want to discuss the final transaction with him.
"I understand." The Remnant Spirit proactively said, "I won't hide it from you. Although falling into your hands was my misjudgment, I also want to survive and want to leave this wretched place."
"Hmm..." Su Chen remained silent for a long time before speaking slowly: "Right now, I only have one last trouble. What you said before about having a method to let me become The Chosen One as soon as possible, is it true or false?"
Finally... Waves rippled in the Remnant Spirit's heart. He knew that Su Chen couldn't possibly resist the temptation of the Spirit of the Vast Sun. Sooner or later, there would be a day when he would ask him this question.
This was also his final bargaining chip, a chip that could truly be used to negotiate with Su Chen on equal terms.
He responded very calmly, "Since a part of me comes from Taixuan Ye, combined with the power of The Final Ruin, naturally it's true."
"How exactly should I do it?" Su Chen's voice seemed somewhat hurried. After speaking, he added: "If you can help me become The Chosen One, I will let you out."
The Remnant Spirit decided to Remain Noncommittal to this condition, saying: "But there is one matter I need to state in advance. The entire procedure is extremely complex, and I must be outside to deceive the Spirit of the Vast Sun."
Su Chen fell into silence, seemingly considering the risks of this matter.
The Remnant Spirit was very composed this time. If Su Chen truly wanted to become The Chosen One, he could only follow his instructions.
"Why do you absolutely have to come out? Previously, when deducing the Profession Requirements, didn't you also manage to do it without coming out..." After a long time, he finally heard Su Chen's voice.
The Remnant Spirit chuckled softly in his heart. When deducing the Profession Requirements, Su Chen had rejected his condition of coming out in a single breath. But this time, he inquired first and didn't veto it.
"Last time, what was mobilized was my remaining Primal Source, but this time, my Spirit Shard also has to play a role." The Remnant Spirit further explained.
"If you want to become The Chosen One, besides the inherent methods, it's to achieve some almost impossible requirements, such as a talent surpassing Empyrean God."
"But you only have Divine Dawn. The entire process is to disguise you as having a talent surpassing Empyrean God to deceive the Spirit of the Vast Sun and the anchoring fire."
"So it's like that..." Su Chen looked thoughtful, but didn't give an answer immediately, only saying: "Let me consider it a bit more..."
"I don't have much Primal Source left, so I absolutely cannot pose a threat to you." The Remnant Spirit explained a sentence, but didn't advise excessively, so as to avoid arousing Su Chen's vigilance.
Su Chen pondered for a moment. After further deepening the impression in the Remnant Spirit's mind that "he is eager to become The Chosen One", he said: "If the plan succeeds and I become The Chosen One, how should it be handled afterwards?"
"What afterwards?" The Remnant Spirit didn't understand.
Su Chen was quite worried and said: "You don't know yet, someone calling himself Taixuan Tianyi recently came to this Flare Realm. He is likely a descendant of Taixuan Ye. I'm afraid this place will be discovered by people from the Abyssal Domain."
"Taixuan Tianyi?" The Remnant Spirit was amazed. "People from the Taixuan House actually found this place. Then you don't have much time left. If more people from the Abyssal Domain arrive, you won't be able to get your hands on it."
This was actually good news for him; it would increase Su Chen's inner sense of urgency.
Su Chen sighed: "This is exactly what I'm worried about. There are Vast Suns existing in the Abyssal Domain. If the news leaks, can my identity as The Chosen One be kept hidden?"
"If in the end I can only flee exhaustedly or even be killed by them, then why should I fight for this identity as The Chosen One?"
This... The Remnant Spirit stagnated. This Su Chen was truly Preparing for the storm. He hadn't even been chosen yet but was already considering so far ahead. The appearance of that Taixuan Tianyi had indeed caused him unease.
But if Su Chen gave up pursuing to be The Chosen One, then all his long-term groundwork would be equivalent to being washed down the drain.
"You don't need to worry about this. If you successfully become The Chosen One, I naturally have methods to conceal it." The Remnant Spirit didn't care about this matter.
This guy really does have a method... Su Chen felt settled in his heart, but pretended to be suspicious: "Real or fake?"
The Remnant Spirit said lightly: "What Nine-Eye Final Ruin excels at the most is Deduction and Concealment. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to drive that Taixuan Ye almost insane."
"It still has to rely on your Primal Source?" Su Chen speculated.
"Correct." The Remnant Spirit said: "Therefore, regarding this aspect, you can rest assured."
"What are the specific steps?" Su Chen asked, and then immediately added: "I'm afraid unexpected situations might occur when the time comes."
Hmm? The Remnant Spirit couldn't help but feel a bit weird in his heart. Su Chen wasn't even The Chosen One yet, and he was already demanding this method of Concealment?
What was he afraid of?
Afraid that after I help him become The Chosen One, he would be Dropping the mask, or is he preparing to directly strike against me?
He didn't respond directly, but asked instead: "You are preparing to let me help you become The Chosen One."
Su Chen remained silent for a moment before responding solemnly, "Correct. When the time comes, you help me become The Chosen One, and I will let you leave."
"Let me leave?" The Remnant Spirit scoffed in his heart. This place definitely involved Su Chen's most fundamental secrets. Nine times out of ten, this guy wouldn't let him leave, which was why he was demanding the method of Concealment in advance.
However, it didn't matter. As long as he was let out to return to that incomplete Primal Source, Su Chen would be completely not a problem.
He believed he had figured out Su Chen's thoughts. "Then I'll let you be smug for a little while longer."
"Since that's the case, let this method of Concealment be counted as my sincerity." The Remnant Spirit narrated, "First of all, you need to use Faith Essence, and use another kind of Sacrificial Ritual to urge that incomplete Primal Source of mine..."
Su Chen listened carefully, the corners of his mouth silently splitting into a grin. Paving the way for such a long string was exactly to learn this method from this guy's mouth.
After listening, Su Chen didn't show any abnormality, only saying: "I understand, I will prepare in advance. Oh right, how great is its power?"
The Remnant Spirit said: "Unless a Vast Sun carefully inspects it, or the anchored spirit of the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith is present, otherwise no one else should be able to see through it or deduce it."
Awesome! Su Chen let out a long breath of relief. Although he had the Taixuan Hong alias as a cover, he always had some degree of apprehension towards the Abyssal Domain, afraid that one day a giant palm would suddenly descend from the sky and smash him to death.
With this, he felt much more reassured.
Goal achieved, Su Chen also didn't reveal the truth or mock the Remnant Spirit, but still acted according to his script identity, asking: "Then what else do I need to prepare for the steps to become The Chosen One?"
"At least five hundred portions of Faith Essence, as well as three hundred drops of Eldritch Divine Blood." The Remnant Spirit said, "The main reliance is my remaining Primal Source. These are just additions."
"That's a bit much. I'm afraid it will take some time." Su Chen was quite helpless.
"You need to hurry up. Since that Taixuan Tianyi found this place, perhaps more people will come." The Remnant Spirit applied pressure without showing any trace.
This was also the reason why he didn't reveal the truth. An elder is a treasure, not to mention this kind of "super senior".
"I must hurry and perform the Concealment first." Su Chen took out the Primal Source left behind by the Remnant Spirit, and also took out the more than twenty portions of Faith Essence left from last time.
First, he constructed a blood sacrificial altar, and then placed this Primal Source wrapped in Solar Remnants on it.
"..Shadow of Nine Eyes...."
This Sacrificial Ritual was different from the last time, and the prayer was also different.
The voice casually rose and fell, and flames jumped before him. The purple light flames twisted, but suddenly a few wisps of black smoke seeped out from within, wriggling and winding like living creatures.
The black smoke was extremely fine. At first, it only drifted about indistinctly, but in the blink of an eye, it wove into an invisible net in the air, with distinct veins.
Su Chen closed his eyes and lowered his eyebrows. The black mist grew increasingly intense, actually spiraling down from the air, wrapping around his whole body, turning into flowing Patterns that gradually submerged into his skin.
This Sacrificial Ritual took quite a long time, consuming a full half day before completely ending.
The surrounding black smoke had completely submerged into Su Chen's body. He couldn't feel anything abnormal, probably because he couldn't feel anything special about being chosen previously either.
"With two lines of defense on me, there shouldn't be any problems in the short term." Su Chen let out a sigh of relief. His sense of security had increased quite a lot.
Not only that, this was also an extremely important step. Without this, he truly wouldn't dare to come into contact with the Abyssal Domain next.
"I wonder how much Great Void Origin is still contained within this flame..." Su Chen was quite curious about this. Previously, he had covered his arm with Remnant Embers and submerged it into it, intending to extract the Primal Source within.
But he found that he couldn't touch it at all. It was hidden extremely deeply. He could only indirectly urge it through the Sacrificial Ritual.
"Next up..." Su Chen briefly tidied up and exited the Nether Tower. Head-on, he saw a Flight Vehicle parked at the Port, and a figure waiting.
"Wen Jing?" Su Chen was surprised. The visitor was exactly Qin Yun's brother-in-law. His posture was tall and straight. Although he looked middle-aged, he could also be described as having sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes.
He went up to greet him, only then learning that the other party came to deliver the Divine Blood.
"Sorry to trouble Hall Master Wen..." Su Chen said politely.
Perhaps because of his past image, Qin Yun's matter didn't really affect him. He still securely held the position of the Master of the Spirit Hall.
It was said that Qin Lie suffered quite a lot because of Qin Yun's betrayal back then. He was investigated by the Punishment Hall for a long time, and it was only after Qing Cang spoke up that his life was spared. He already intended to change his surname from Qin.
"Star Seed Su is too polite." Wen Jing didn't dare to be arrogant, but couldn't help remembering when he brought Su Chen to fetch a Holy Class. He could only say it was fortunate he wasn't influenced by the Qin Family at that time.
Sending Wen Jing off, Su Chen followed the previous method, consuming ten drops of Divine Blood and five portions of Faith Essence. He also spent some time——
Boom!
Black flames surged up and wrapped the corpse. The fireball gradually expanded. Su Chen already had experience and made arrangements in advance this time, wrapping the outer layer of the fireball with the Cinderless Flame.
With his current strength, he could at least contain the Aftermath from escaping.
"But why is it black?" Su Chen muttered. When he refined Qin Yun last time, it was orange-red.
"Weird. It won't refine into some disgusting thing, right?" Su Chen was quite worried, but he couldn't control it either.
......
In the vast Starry Expanse, this place had long turned into a sea of Buddha-light. Billions of light spots floated and churned in the void like morning dew, layer upon layer, stretching to the end of sight.
At the center was a semi-transparent Phantom Image of The Buddha, draped in a Kasaya with flowing lotus patterns. His face was blurred like the moon in the mist, yet possessed an indescribable solemnity. His mouth kept opening and closing, but no sound came out.
Such a scene had lasted for several days.
Until a certain moment, a wisp of profound, dark light suddenly darted out from the void, so abrupt amidst the vast sea of Buddha-light.