Su Li’s heart leaped with joy. On the twenty-fourth floor, there were level-six White Jade Centipedes, and below, there might just be the level-seven monsters he needed.
Descending to the twenty-third floor, he spotted the nest of the White Jade Centipedes. Peering in from the balcony, he saw a dense mass of them coiled together, an overwhelming sight at a glance.
Su Li still didn’t disturb them. Instead, he continued downward, quickly reaching the twenty-second floor. Gong Xiao hovered above him, stopping at the twenty-third floor. They were now over twenty meters deep in the water. Gong Xiao looked down, sensing only a dark, murky abyss below where nothing was visible. She tightened her grip on the Spear of Embers in her right hand, a growing unease gnawing at her. From her position, there was still at least sixty meters to the bottom, and what lurked in those depths? She had no intention of sinking down to investigate; she felt certain that the deep water held countless dangers.
Su Li peered into the twenty-second floor, and a hint of satisfaction finally crossed his face.
He had found the level-seven monster he needed.
Bloody Giant Earthworms—level-seven common monsters. He had encountered them before during his fierce battle with Ding Shijie in the water, and now he’d run into them again.
On the twenty-second floor, many of these ugly, giant earthworm-like creatures lay sleeping.
Standing by the balcony, Su Li held the Dragon Rhinoceros Sword in his right hand, raised his left hand, and extended it toward the balcony. In an instant, he unleashed a “High-Voltage Electric Shock.”
This ability, gained from killing the Masked Electric Eel, was worthy of a chieftain-level beast. Not only was its power immense, but he could also control the direction of the electric current, releasing it all at once or in bursts. After discharging, the electricity would slowly recharge on its own.
Against these level-seven common beasts, there was no need to release the full charge at once. Blue-white electric light flickered across both of Su Li’s hands as he directed it toward the clustered, resting Bloody Giant Earthworms inside the balcony. The Dragon Rhinoceros Sword in his right hand, the earthworms, and his left hand formed a massive electric arc, linking all three. The sleeping earthworms suddenly convulsed violently. Those farther away jerked upright, startled awake, while the ones nearby trembled all over, their outer skin bursting into sparks and turning charred black.
The “High-Voltage Electric Shock” was devastating. From several meters away, it instantly killed three Bloody Giant Earthworms and severely wounded two. Messages flashed through Su Li’s mind.
“Level 7 Spirit Source User: Spirit Source 101/110” “Level 7 Spirit Source User: Spirit Source 102/110” “Level 7 Spirit Source User: Spirit Source 103/110”
The roomful of startled earthworms tried to charge out, but Su Li had already rushed in with his Dragon Rhinoceros Sword, striking left and right. He finished off the two severely wounded ones, gaining two more Spirit Sources, bringing his total to 105.
Gong Xiao slowly descended, her Spear of Embers ready, keeping a vigilant watch on the water below.
These Bloody Giant Earthworms were no threat to Su Li. The real priority was monitoring the deeper waters, fearing that some monster too powerful for them to handle might be lurking below.
A swarm of Bloody Giant Earthworms surged toward him. Instead of fear, Su Li felt excitement. His Dragon Rhinoceros Sword cut through them one after another, Spirit Sources flowing into his forehead. Messages kept appearing in his mind, signaling his gains.
“Level 7 Spirit Source User: Spirit Source 109/110” “Level 7 Spirit Source User: Spirit Source 110/110”
“Done.” Having gathered the ten Spirit Sources he needed, Su Li didn’t linger. He turned and dashed out of the balcony, signaling Gong Xiao with his left hand to swim upward and leave.
Understanding that he had obtained enough Spirit Sources, Gong Xiao shot upward like a mermaid.
The commotion from Su Li’s fight stirred the monsters on the upper floors.
White Jade Centipedes and Purple Rat Beasts burst out, a dark, oppressive mass trying to block their escape.
Su Li followed close behind Gong Xiao, charging upward. He drew the Ice Python Sword with his left hand, wielding both blades as he cut a path through the enemies, fighting his way up.
Messages flooded his mind.
“Beginning ascension” “Muscles starting to strengthen, power increasing, defense improving” “Base power increased to 1600 jin” “Defense increased to 900 jin” “Stamina enhanced, sustained burst time extended to 16 minutes” “Lung capacity increased, breath-holding time extended to 9 minutes” “Speed improved, vision enhanced, hearing sharpened” “...” “Ascension complete” “Level 8 Spirit Source User: Spirit Source 0/130” “Talent: Strengthened Favor” “Basic Strengthening: Strong Lungs Type 1, Muscle Enhancement Type 7, Super Heart Type 2, Steel Bones Type 1” “Special Skills: Peek Rune (Flawed), Fang of Gluttony (Left), Spider Walk, Silver Armor Cover, Hunter Demon Claw, High-Voltage Electric Shock” “Spirit Source Technique: Demon Muscle Second Form” “Basic Strengthening Options: Strong Lungs Type 1, Muscle Enhancement Type 7, Super Heart Type 2, Steel Bones Type 1, Stomach, Teeth” “Demon Muscle Second Form slightly improved; next level will enter Demon Muscle Third Form”
For his first strengthening choice, Su Li again selected muscles.
“Eighth muscle strengthening initiated: Muscle Enhancement Type 7 evolves to Muscle Enhancement Type 8, gaining an additional 2100 jin of power.” “Talent ‘Strengthened Favor’ triggered, granting an extra strengthening opportunity. Options: Strong Lungs Type 1, Muscle Enhancement Type 8, Super Heart Type 2, Steel Bones Type 1, Liver, Gallbladder.”
This time, Su Li didn’t decide immediately. He hesitated.
His muscles had been strengthened eight times in a row, reaching their current limit—no further enhancement was needed or possible. He set aside the lungs for now, since each level-up extended his breath-holding time by one minute, and he already had nine minutes—sufficient for now. As he continued leveling up, this time would only increase.
The remaining four options were the crux of his dilemma.
As he pondered, he and Gong Xiao fought their way upward.
Gong Xiao wielded her spear, testing the Spear of Embers’ power. With a single thrust, it effortlessly pierced a Purple Rat Beast, the tip passing through without resistance, surprising her with its ease.
Su Li’s twin swords cut down enemies in rapid succession. Activating “Spider Walk,” he kicked up sprays of water, shooting upward like an arrow. Wherever he passed, White Jade Centipedes and Purple Rat Beasts shattered, blood gushing out.
Gong Xiao fell behind him, watching Su Li dispatch these monsters as easily as chopping vegetables. She realized he had grown stronger again.
Soon, they surfaced and climbed onto the raft. Su Li untied the rope and said, “Let’s get out of here quickly.” He paddled the raft toward the distant Golden Eagle Alliance.
The disturbance they’d caused was significant. Staying longer could attract powerful monsters, and he couldn’t count on always being lucky enough to face foes he could handle. If something beyond his strength appeared, they’d be doomed.
After paddling over a hundred meters, the White Jade Centipedes and Purple Rat Beasts that had surfaced didn’t give chase. Seeing the water calm, Su Li finally let out a soft breath and slowed down.
Now, he began to carefully consider his second strengthening option.
Super Heart Type 2, Steel Bones Type 1, Liver, Gallbladder—he was torn among these four. The Super Heart could boost power and stamina, while Steel Bones would harden his skeleton, increase bone density, enhance explosive force, and further amplify strength.
Either choice was solid.
The two new options were the Liver and Gallbladder.
After deliberation, Su Li ruled out the Gallbladder and ultimately chose the Liver.
With his selection, a message appeared in his mind.
“Violent Liver Type 1 learned. Liver begins strengthening, gaining powerful detoxification abilities. Most toxins become immune, and poison resistance greatly enhanced.”
“Just as I guessed—liver strengthening boosts detoxification.” Su Li nodded to himself. Many of the monsters he faced carried potent poisons, so strong detoxification was crucial. While “Violent Liver” didn’t increase his combat power, it was a worthwhile choice.
With both strengthenings complete, Su Li’s maximum power reached 4500 jin, defense 1900 jin, breath-holding time 9 minutes, and stamina sustaining full combat for 16 minutes.
Of course, if he entered “Demon Muscle” First Form, stamina consumption doubled, reducing duration to 8 minutes. In the Second Form, consumption quadrupled, leaving only about 4 minutes.
Afterward, he began attempting to fuse the Blood Crystal within him, obtained from the Blood Crystal Beast he had slain.
To unlock this Blood Crystal, he needed to reach level 8, using its Spirit Source energy to initiate fusion.
Now that he had finally reached level 8, he wasn’t in a rush to open it, fearing that high expectations might lead to disappointment.
“The Blood Crystal Beast was a rare monster, and its level couldn’t even be discerned at the time. Its treasure has level restrictions, differing from other rare monsters’ treasures. I wonder what’s inside this Blood Crystal—a weapon? Armor? Something else? I just hope it doesn’t let me down…”
Su Li sensed the Blood Crystal in his chest, which had been inert until now, finally stirring. It began resonating and fusing with his Spirit Source.
“The Blood Crystal Beast’s essence Blood Crystal begins fusing with the Spirit Source, forming a rare Blood Ring. This rare ring contains powerful Blood Crystal essence, capable of enhancing strength. When the Blood Crystal energy is unleashed, it can form a devastating ‘Blood Crystal Cannon.’ With the Blood Ring, the Blood Crystal aura within it will cause other Blood Crystal Beasts to see you as a companion, allowing communication.”
As the information flowed through his mind, Su Li focused and extended his left thumb. A blood-red ring appeared on it, perfectly fitting his thumb.