Chapter 470: Continuous Strengthening, Job Entry into Nine Hells Thunder Evolution |
This item possessed no substantial physical form; it was merely a streak of pale golden light floating in his hand.
Obtaining it in the Flare Realm previously hadn't been too difficult, so he hadn't paid much attention to it. He only knew it was likely very precious, but it was only after arriving in the Abyssal Domain that he realized this thing's value was truly exorbitant.
With a swipe of his hand, the streak of pale golden light submerged into his body, and the Status Panel appeared—
[Nine Hells Thunder Evolution was permeated by the Perfect-Grade Eldritch Source Power and revealed an extremely enjoyable expression. Requirement four is deemed completed, and requirement three is weakened; it only requires the opening of a Thunder Prison.]
"This requirement four is very resilient..." Su Chen glanced over it. Previously, this Nine Hells Thunder Evolution had been weakened by the Ten-Thousand-Year Lightning Arc.
The requirement to hunt an Evil God had already been amended to allow the aid of external forces, and this time, it was directly erased entirely.
This requirement was the greatest difficulty of the Nine Hells Thunder Evolution. It had probably consumed the vast majority of the Perfect-Grade Eldritch Source Power's energy.
As for requirement three, it was reduced to merely opening some Thunder Prison, while the collection-type requirements were erased.
"Opening a Thunder Prison shouldn't be difficult. Perhaps I can save the Grand Vow Crystal..."
Right now, he took out a stone formed of hazy shadows from another metal box. It was as light as a feather, and if he didn't wrap it in elemental power, he wouldn't even be able to hold it.
"Hidden Essence Shadow..." Su Chen observed it carefully for a moment, then tossed it to the Flash-Shadow Body.
He hadn't dispatched it since it delivered the confidential intelligence last time, precisely to avoid having to wait a considerable amount of time for it to return after this Hidden Essence Shadow was delivered.
[The Hidden Essence Shadow merges into the Flash-Shadow Body, causing its figure to become increasingly profound and terrifying. The dispersion range of Ten Thousand Shadows Return to Silence has increased slightly.]
It seemed quite compatible, and the ability was enhanced somewhat. The expansion of the dispersion range of Ten Thousand Shadows Return to Silence meant the distance he could move in a single burst had increased.
Immediately after, Su Chen directly tossed it into the Seven-Branch Wondrous Tree, and one of the branches abruptly turned shadow-colored.
This time, it didn't spread toward the roots. Instead, the nebulous power at the roots spread upwards, merging with that shadow-colored branch.
Text emerged below—
[Pentaelemental Shadow-Form: Within the dispersion area of Ten Thousand Shadows Return to Silence, you can manifest five avatars of different elemental attributes. The avatars can manifest as your true body at any time.]
"So that's how it is..." Su Chen pondered. "It's not within the five elements, so they can harmonize with each other and can only undergo enhancement. However, this enhancement effect seems even more formidable than the synergy effect."
Originally, within a certain range, he could only disappear and reappear. Whether others were chasing him or he was chasing others, it was quite restrictive.
But now it was different. He could disperse five figures simultaneously and manifest as his true body at any time. His deceptive capabilities and shifting speed were massively enhanced.
"Not bad..." Su Chen was naturally satisfied. This kind of visible "small progress" always put one in a pleasant mood.
"Now I just have to wait for the Grand Vow Crystal to arrive..."
...
In Five Pillar City, a massive starship was queuing up. Ahead was a deep, pitch-black rift, and in the surrounding void, metallic floating islands hung suspended in midair.
Inside the ship's cabin, a middle-aged man wore a teal robe that trailed on the metal floor, embroidered with a hurricane emblem. He asked in a low voice.
"Deacon Zhou, just where exactly are we going this time?"
"What, are you afraid I'll harm you?" Zhou Lin stood with his hands behind his back, his scarlet eyes glancing over.
"I wouldn't dare," the middle-aged man said hastily, explaining helplessly, "It's just that everyone is very bewildered. You pulled us out of the Tower, yet you didn't say what we are doing."
Zhou Lin's brows furrowed slightly. After some consideration, he explained, "Since we're already here, I won't hide it from you. I'm taking you to explore a Mid-Realm of the Returning Abyss."
"A Mid-Realm of the Returning Abyss?" The middle-aged man's expression filled with shock. "You actually discovered a Mid-Realm of the Returning Abyss? Then why didn't you report it to the Tower?"
"Report it to the Tower so the other deacons can snatch the food from my mouth?" Zhou Lin's tone was indifferent.
The middle-aged man fell silent at once. He couldn't intervene in disputes between Morning Stars, but he still couldn't help saying, "The danger of a Mid-Realm of the Returning Abyss isn't low. Just relying on us..."
"With me watching over you, what are you afraid of?" Zhou Lin looked over coldly. "Rest assured, I'll give you forty percent of the benefits inside."
"Forty percent..." The middle-aged man's Adam's apple bobbed. This share ratio was far larger than a normal exploration.
"Now go tell them to behave and wait to enter the Abyssal Rift, otherwise don't blame me for being impolite," Zhou Lin said in a deep voice.
"Yes." The middle-aged man's heart jolted, and he hastily took his leave.
"Just what exactly is that thing? Even the Profound Limit Celestial Light pales in comparison before it..." Zhou Lin silently clenched his fists. He had a premonition that the item was definitely the greatest fortuitous encounter of his life.
He had to obtain it at all costs.
...
"No, still no good..."
In a certain palace in Upper Firmament Heaven, Tong Zhuo's eyes were bloodshot and he was panting heavily. The frozen scene around him gradually collapsed; it was precisely the footage of his battle with Su Chen that day.
"As long as there's contact with him, I'll be directly crushed. But conventional attack methods simply can't force him into a desperate situation."
Tong Zhuo muttered in a low voice like a madman, "My Trinity Form can still be stronger, I just suppressed it to smoothly advance to Morning Star. If I let them Job Entry more Sacred Classes..."
"Foolish child!" A sudden explosion of sound rang in his ears. Tong Zhuo raised his head blankly, only to see the Upper Firmament Heaven Lord, Tang Huai, staring at him with tightly furrowed brows.
"Teacher..." Tong Zhuo looked up and called out unconsciously.
"I heard from Qi You that you've locked yourself in your room, refusing to see anyone, constantly studying Su Chen?" Tang Huai's brows were tightly knit as he looked down at the bloodshot Tong Zhuo.
"Teacher... I can do it," Tong Zhuo said through gritted teeth.
"Then when you lost to Chang Geming last time, when you lost to the Xu Yingshen, why didn't you grit your teeth and swear to defeat them?" Tang Huai asked.
"This..." Tong Zhuo froze, unable to help but say, "Chang Geming is the strongest of the Longevity Lineage in this generation, and the Xu Yingshen is also..."
Tang Huai said indifferently, "So, it's only right that they defeat you, but it's unacceptable for Su Chen, who comes from the Dust Star Sea, to defeat you? Have things been too smooth-sailing for you?"
By the end of his words, Tang Huai's tone had become somewhat cold and desolate. Tong Zhuo felt as if he had suffered a heavy blow, staring blankly at his teacher, seemingly completely unprepared for him to say such cruel words.
Tang Huai rebuked coldly, "Failure is a common occurrence. Which Radiant Sun of the various Pillars, which Heavenly Lord of the Heavens, hasn't experienced failure? Failure is not frightening; what is frightening is believing that you shouldn't have failed!"
"Do you know that Zhong Yue, whom you didn't even put in your eyes, is currently rushing about the various Heavens, searching for the next material to aid in his Azure Deity Metamorphosis."
"Du Yunfei has already begun preparing for his final Sacred Class."
The disappointment in Tang Huai's eyes was genuine. Winning and losing were only temporary. He just didn't want to see the prestige of the High Three Heavens thwarted, not that he couldn't bear to see it.
He truly hadn't expected Tong Zhuo's obsession to run this deep. Perhaps it was also because things had been too smooth-sailing. Possessing the Trinity Form, he had received meticulous planning down to the extreme since childhood.
With every tier advancement, he would immediately become a supreme powerhouse of that tier.
With a little preparation, he could become one of the strongest; it could be described as smooth sailing.
He hadn't paid much attention to it before. Who would have thought that the sudden appearance of Su Chen would deal him such a blow? Tang Huai shook his head in disappointment and said:
"After the battle that day ended, I waited for you to come find me. I waited for one month, two months, three months, and in the end, you're just staying here studying how to defeat Su Chen?"
"Even if you find a way to defeat him, what then? Can it make you a Radiant Sun Elect, or allow you to advance to Morning Star on the spot?"
"This Lingxiao Hidden Star Ranking is merely a means to display prestige, not the end goal. Being so obsessed with the first place position, are you planning to never advance to Morning Star in your life?"
Tong Zhuo stumbled back two steps, his expression blank, murmuring something unintelligible under his breath.
"The Great Heaven has already sent news. Within a year at most, they will find the person with the densest Taixuan bloodline, which is Taixuan Hong. With you in this state, how will you compete to be the elect of the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith?" Tang Huai said in a deep voice.
"Think it over carefully. If you can't adjust yourself, then don't go out and suffer public humiliation!"
The burly shadow covering him vanished. Tong Zhuo wore a dazed expression, not knowing what he was thinking about.
...
[Grand Vow Crystal: Condensed by the Buddha Land using a special ritual that mixes the power of grand vows with Faith Essence. It can directly Job Entry a certain Profession, or fulfill a specific requirement of a Sacred Class.]
"So this is the Grand Vow Crystal?"
Su Chen held a crystal-clear, diamond-shaped crystal in his hand, within which a faint phantom image of a Buddha could be seen flickering.
"The Panel's description is slightly different from the outside world. Although it can directly complete normal Professions, it can only fulfill specific requirements for Sacred Classes."
The outside world couldn't directly Job Entry a Sacred Class, so naturally, there were no related instructions. He wasn't too surprised by this.
"However, the reputation of the Buddha Land isn't very good. They wouldn't have planted any tricks in this, right?" Staring at the phantom Buddha inside, Su Chen harbored some suspicions.
But on second thought, this thing was sold publicly, so it must have been inspected by other Radiant Suns. There shouldn't be any issues.
"Opening a Thunder Prison through conventional means takes too long, and I'd also have to make a trip back to the Sect. Time is a bit tight. It's best if I can enter that Guixu Abyss before Zhou Lin returns."
Holding the Grand Vow Crystal, Su Chen simply followed the usage instructions, coughed dryly, and said, "I have already opened a Thunder Prison with the aid of the Prison-Suppressing Ritual!"
In an instant, the phantom Buddha within the Grand Vow Crystal seeped out, completely enveloping Su Chen. A peculiar power swirled around him, gradually submerging into his body.
[The Nine Hells Thunder Evolution has been beckoned. Requirement three is deemed completed.]
"Hmm?"
He wasn't surprised by the panel's pop-up. What surprised Su Chen was that the Grand Vow Crystal in his hand hadn't been fully used up. The slightly dim phantom Buddha in his hand returned to the crystal.
He was quite astonished and carefully read through the accompanying instruction manual before sudden realization dawned on him.
"This thing really is a 'loaned' Job Entry, but the Grand Vow Crystal itself has a certain quota. You only need to replenish it after the quota is exhausted."
The most precious aspect of this Grand Vow Crystal lay in its "grand vow" capability. Even if the Faith Essence contained within was far from enough to fulfill a profession requirement, it could be replenished later.
"But merely opening a Thunder Prison is far from consuming this grand vow; there's quite a bit left over. It's just perfect to use next time." Su Chen was in a good mood and put it away.
Unable to resist rubbing his hands together, he directly initiated the Job Entry—
Rumble!
An explosive sound seemed to ring in his ears, making his eardrums throb.
Su Chen furrowed his brows slightly. He could clearly perceive the subtle changes occurring within his body. It wasn't the usual sensation of strengthening through muscle expansion.
Rather, it was a tearing sensation spreading from the depths of his body, as if countless bolts of lightning were detonating inside, forging a space that existed in the interstice between his cells and Psionic Power.
"Thunder Prison..."
Su Chen muttered. He naturally knew that when completing a profession requirement, it inherently brought some abilities, which were also part of the profession.
After using special resources to bypass this process, upon Job Entry, the abilities or power that should have been obtained from the profession requirement would also be fed back, only more intensely.
However, he estimated that what was opened within his body was probably not as simple as a Thunder Prison. The initial claps of thunder gradually subsided, transforming into the clanking sound of chains.
His perception grew clearer, faintly able to see cages forged from lightning, with dark light flowing over them.
[Job Entry for Nine Hells Thunder Evolution successful. Acquired ability—Nine Prisons: Can imprison up to nine same-tier Nether Realm Creatures into the Thunder Prison, extracting their power to gain enhancements.]
[Acquired ability—Prison Avatar: Can use one of the imprisoned Nether Realm Creatures as a main body to fashion an avatar. Within a certain range, it can be controlled by your own consciousness. Other imprisoned Nether Realm Creatures can be fused into it. Once the avatar is released, the main body cannot receive enhancements.]
[Acquired additional reward—Personification: The avatar will infinitely resemble a human, making it difficult for others to distinguish.]
Su Chen roughly scanned through them, his brow twitching. Compared to the Thunder-Suppressing Spirit's original abilities, after fusing with the Eerie Spirit, this Nine Hells Thunder Evolution had undergone drastic changes.
Originally, it could only imprison a single lightning spirit, but now it could imprison nine Nether Realm Creatures to gain enhancements from them.
"Although the quantity has increased, however..." Su Chen felt the cages located somewhere within his body and frowned. "But I can only imprison same-tier Nether Realm Creatures..."
"I estimate the enhancement from nine 8th-tier Nether Realm Creatures wouldn't even match a single Sky-Scar."
"Wait, no..." But suddenly, Su Chen realized, "It's impossible for me to stay at the 8th-tier forever. Once I advance to Morning Star, what I'll be imprisoning are Evil Gods..."
His heart gave a slight jolt. Sky-Scars had always been his relied-upon method, and the strength of Morning Star Artifacts was formidable. But after advancing to Morning Star, Sky-Scars would become same-tier weapons, possessing an upper limit instead.
Evil Gods, on the other hand, varied in strength. At that time, it would be hard to say who would be stronger when compared to Sky-Scars.
Thinking of this, Su Chen was rather satisfied. However, imprisoning Evil Gods was a matter for the future. Right now, he valued the other ability more.
"I can use an imprisoned Nether Realm Creature as a main body to fashion an avatar..." Su Chen's heart stirred, and the Thunder Membrane brought to him by the Inexhaustible Titan earlier appeared in his hand.
Exerting slight force with his palm, cracks appeared on the surface of the black sphere. Amidst sparking electrical arcs, a cold, fierce roar came from within, tyrannical and grim.
"Quite violent..." A smile played on Su Chen's lips. The sound of chains clanking faintly echoed in his body. Black iron chains emerged from his fingers and palms, piercing into the cracks and forcefully pulling out a thumb-sized entity.
It looked rather peculiar. Although it possessed a humanoid form and four limbs, its entire body was covered in fur, and it had only a single horizontal black eye on its face.
Sensing it slightly, its professional tier was similar to his own, likely around the 8th-tier.
"Thunder Membrane..." Su Chen repeated its name and pulled it into his body.
"Roar!" A tyrannical roar resounded in his ears, and a numb, tingling sensation instantly welled up within his body.
Imprisoning these things wasn't that simple; he had to subjugate the other party first.
As for how to subjugate it, it was very simple. Su Chen casually increased his Arcane Artifact Enhancement. Without even needing to use Sky-Scars, he merely raised them to the 9th-tier.
The tyrannical roar in his ears gradually turned into wails, then whimpers, until it vanished completely.
The numb sensation disappeared, replaced by wisps of rising heat.
Crackle!
A black lightning arc exploded from his fingertips. Under the state of Arcane Artifact Enhancement, his perception of it wasn't deep, but after deactivating the enhancement, this buff was quite intense. His cells and flesh throbbed, as if cheering.
"It feels close to the enhancement of a 9th-tier Arcane Artifact, but... before I can imprison Evil Gods, I can only say it's better than nothing."
Su Chen's eyes flashed, and the Thunder Membrane walked out from his body, already having taken on his full-sized form, devoid of any emotional fluctuations.