Alone and Infinite

"boom!!"

The entire reinforced chamber jolted violently.

[Damaging reinforced facilities will deduct 500 Hall Points!]

[Executioner, you have deducted a total of 1480 Hall Points this time.]

[Executioner, having received all five enhancement mechanisms in one go, has had his Willpower rank increased by 2.]

The pain slowly subsided, and Li Xia's heavy breathing filled the enhancement chamber.

"Ho ho."

The temperature control system rapidly cooled the body, and wisps of water vapor rose from the body and were drawn away by the circulation system.

The blood color in front of them gradually returned to normal.

Li Xia closed his eyes, enjoying the peace that followed his 'execution'.

It's good to be alive!

At this moment, he just wanted to be quiet, and he couldn't even be bothered to look at the notices in the halls.

"Meow?"

A worried inquiry came through the team chat.

Li Xia came to her senses:

"I am fine."

Only now did he notice the persistent notification box floating in front of him.

???

More than 1,000 points were deducted?

But in the blink of an eye, I saw the next line: Willpower Rank +2.

That's a great deal!

Willpower level is a hidden attribute that cannot be specifically quantified; it can only be estimated to be within a certain range.

It's similar to comprehension.

For example, Li Xia's comprehension level was previously around 2-3, while that of an average person is around 1.5-2.

In the Lord of the Rings world, I obtained the [Potion of Enlightenment], which grants +1 to Insight.

So now that my comprehension is 3-4, it's already quite good. At least in the second tier, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I'm exceptionally talented.

The hatch slowly opened, and Li Xia, her body exuding a faint smell of smoke, stepped out.

By this time, the crowd had long since dispersed.

It wasn't that they didn't want to watch the excitement, but Li Xia stayed inside for at least ten minutes after the enhancement ended.

Who has the time to wait here? It's just reinforcement, it's not like we've never seen it before.

Only Black Charcoal remained anxiously guarding the reinforced warehouse.

"Let's go——"

Li Xia waved to Heitan and briefly explained what had happened inside.

I also checked the panel after adding points to the charcoal.

【Alice - Black Charcoal】

[Category: Follower Companion]

[Physical Strength Assessment: 2 (Level 2 Carbon-based Life Form)]

【Strength: 11】

[Agility: 15→18]

Intelligence: 15 → 17

【Spirit: 11】

[Physique: 15→17]

【Lucky: 2】

My strength and spirit were saved up to 11 points, but I don't know if there's any way to make up for it later.

Li Xia pondered for a while and concluded that there should be some difference between the main attribute and the secondary attribute, but it couldn't be that big.

It's unacceptable that those fifth or sixth-tier apostles have main attributes in the dozens while their secondary attributes are only a pitiful few.

I called Aowu back from wandering around outside through the team channel. We were originally planning to have a meal at Bai Xiao's place.

But to my surprise, Bai Xiao Restaurant has closed down.

What kind of business operates like this? No wonder business is bad!

They grabbed a quick bite at a restaurant that didn't take too long, and then the man, the dragon, and the cat immediately returned to their private room.

They gathered around Li Xia, ready to watch the 'weapon evolution'.

With Ye Ji lying horizontally in front of him and the materials prepared, Li Xia held his breath and focused his mind, connecting with Ye Ji through the mysterious link in their souls.

[Growth: Can devour rare metals and wood, and its attributes will be enhanced according to the characteristics of the consumed substances]

[Breakthrough: When growth reaches 100%, it can absorb higher-grade equipment of the same type to upgrade its grade, and gain related skill growth based on the skills of the absorbed equipment.]

The stillness of the night suddenly dissipated into countless points of light, which, like swallows returning to their nests, covered the pile of materials.

[Expected growth rate: 602%, time required: 52 hours and 48 minutes]

602%?

Li Xia silently did some mental calculations.

Night Silence is currently a blue-tier equipment, based on its current growth rate.

Blue - Ultimate, light purple, pale purple, purple, deep purple. Purple - Ultimate?

My mood suddenly improved, but upon closer reflection, it involved materials from two entire ancient dragons.

It also includes a Qilin horn similar to a precious jade, along with materials from a steel dragon.

It wouldn't be excessive to use these materials to craft a purple-grade ultimate weapon.

Not to mention the addition of auxiliary materials such as sparrow stone.

Normal operation!

To break through, you need to devour another piece of equipment of the same type.

Li Xia pinched his chin, thankfully, although the purple equipment had different shades.

But essentially they are all purple equipment; the only difference is the amount of 'energy' contained within the equipment.

All you need to do is provide Nightfall with the highest-quality 'Purple Ultimate' spear.

If you were to absorb the same number of weapons to advance a few levels, you'd go bankrupt!

Looking at the light purple spear in the backpack, I realized it was a weapon crafted in the workshop in Monster Hunter World.

Its attributes are average, but its grade is high. I'm going to save it for Nightfall to devour.

It seems I don't need it anymore. Where am I going to get a purple-grade ultimate spear?

I opened the auction house and randomly searched for a second-tier purple ultimate spear.

The prices listed above are almost blinding; almost all of them exceed 10 Hall Points.

Li Xia looked through it for a while, then shook his head. This kind of purple-grade spear was even more advanced than super-grade equipment for a second-tier player.

Such a premium is a bit excessive.

"Your Highness—I have an idea."

After thinking for a while, Awoo whispered:

"We've actually explored the Monster Hunter world very deeply, and we've already touched upon the ultimate secrets of the world."

Especially the Dragonstrike General! A half-crippled forbidden-level monster, although it doesn't produce materials like a normal Elder Dragon.

However, there are stable forbidden cores that can be obtained!

"Can we do it like last time?"

Aowu tapped the contact on the panel: Wanhui Trading Company.

"Selling intelligence?"

Li Xia frowned and pondered for a while, while Black Charcoal looked on in bewilderment. It had just arrived at the hall and knew nothing yet, so it could only listen quietly.

The kitten's thirst for knowledge is burning brightly; all that's missing is a notebook to take serious notes.

Selling information is an option, but I probably won't be able to go to the second-tier world anyway.

But is it really possible for a second-tier Dragon Strike General to defeat it?

He couldn't even defeat himself, so he was forced to eat a Senzu Bean, plus the regular bullets of misfortune and the bullets of destiny.

A normal second-tier team would be wiped out in a single encounter.

A strong team is important, but only if the team can withstand or even hold off the boss in order to maximize its effectiveness.

Otherwise, the boss isn't an idiot; he would definitely know to pick on the weak.

Laughing loudly.

"Your Highness, we're only responsible for selling information; whether we can get through the checkpoint is none of our business."

That makes sense! No wonder you're my Crouching Dragon!

Li Xia immediately stood up, called over Aowu and Heitan, leaving Ye Ji to slowly devour himself.

"Your Highness, aren't we going to Wanhui Trading Company?"

Looking at the past location of the Wan Hui Trading Company, Aowu asked curiously.

"The production of Zanpakuto essences is controlled by the second-tier guild, Nightingale."

Li Xia only made one comment, and Aowu immediately understood.

Now that we have mastered the production of Zanpakuto essence, the first to benefit will definitely be the members of our guild.

Nightshade needs to devour materials, and so do their guild members.

In order to save costs, they will definitely try to master the crafting of equipment of various grades at low prices.

Only in this way can a cycle of maximum benefit be formed.

Therefore, instead of going to Wan Hui Trading Company, it's better to go directly to a trading company that has close ties with the Nightingale Guild.

"arrive--"

Li Xia stopped and looked up at the striking golden rose on the signboard.

This is the Nightingale-supported, or rather, the same-originating, chamber of commerce – Eternal Night Rose.

Compared to the minimalist and modern decor of Wan Hui Trading Company, the decor of Eternal Night Rose is much more exquisite.

The brass door, inlaid with glazed vines, opened automatically.

The sheer curtains, interwoven with light gold and dark purple, cascaded down like rose petals unfurling in the night.

A huge crystal chandelier casts a warm orange glow onto the mother-of-pearl inlaid wall.

Ivory-white pillars support the entire hall of the guild, with silver-plated vines spiraling at the top of the pillars. Upon closer inspection, one can see the openwork carvings in the shape of nightingales hidden among the vines—a secret totem inherited from the guild's bloodline.

A woman dressed in a dark purple satin robe greeted them with a smile.

With a glance, he had already matched Li Xia with the people in his memory.

But I have no recollection of it.

Oh? A strange second-tier powerhouse.

The woman's smile grew even brighter; that brass door was more than just a simple door.

It will only open to the top 1,000 players in the arena; everyone else will have to use the side entrance.