Facing the Abyss as a Demon Cultivator

"Ah?"
Shen Zhuo's smile froze on his face.

"Why, why?" He seemed utterly unprepared for Chu Xiu's refusal, his face full of confusion. "Our team has a water source, support professions, a Perfumer to mask our scent, a Tailor to make clothes, and we can work together to hunt ghouls. What's not to like?"

"Nothing's wrong," Chu Xiu shook his head, "but I'm used to my freedom, and..."

He revealed a faint smile, "I think I can get a better price for the weapons I make."

Everyone was stunned by this statement, and Shen Zhuo's expression darkened.

Chu Xiu's point was clear: joining the team meant following their mutual help system, which meant providing assistance for free.

However, Chu Xiu believed the weapons he made were worth more than the help he could get from other members, making it an unprofitable deal!
And that was the truth—a good weapon or sturdy armor was invaluable in this apocalypse, much more so than what a Tailor or Perfumer could offer.
Shen Zhuo's mouth twitched, forcing a smile, "We have a contribution points system in the team, which fairly measures each member's contributions and allows you to exchange them for resources."

"Is it really fair? Who sets the prices? You?" Chu Xiu retorted.

Shen Zhuo: "... We can trade freely like a market."

Chu Xiu: "I still prefer to act alone."

Shen Zhuo couldn't hold back, "Then what's the difference between joining and not joining?"

Chu Xiu laughed, "Exactly, what's the difference?"

Shen Zhuo was at a loss for words.

He hadn't thought that far ahead. To him, it was normal for people in a team to work together and help each other—why make such a fuss about it?
Moreover, how could a support profession like his survive in the Abyss without protection from combat professions?

Professionals like Xu Hang and Song Ziping were eager to join the team, fearing they'd be abandoned!
"This guy Chu Xiu is really shortsighted," Shen Zhuo thought.

But since Chu Xiu wanted to be a lone wolf, Shen Zhuo wouldn't force him.

"Suit yourself," Shen Zhuo said.

"Then, I won't join either."

At this moment, Yun Lu suddenly spoke up quietly.

She looked timidly at Chu Xiu, "Chu classmate has helped me a lot. I can't leave him behind."

Everyone looked at each other, and Shen Zhuo was visibly unsettled.

It didn't matter if Chu Xiu didn't join; his bone weapons were just a nice addition. Without him, Shen Zhuo's team could still hunt ghouls and level up, and once they found some equipment, they wouldn't need Chu Xiu anymore.

But Yun Lu couldn't leave. Her Food Perception ability was too important! In this resource-scarce apocalypse, food was the hardest currency and had to be tightly controlled!
Shen Zhuo anxiously said, "Yun classmate, think carefully. Staying with us significantly increases your safety. Even if you want to repay Chu classmate, there are other ways to do it. There's no need to risk your life with him!"

Shen Zhuo's words made Yun Lu hesitate.

At this moment, Li Shan glanced at Shen Zhuo's face and then tugged at Yun Lu's sleeve, "Yun Lu, we've all joined Shen brother's team. If you don't come with us, you'll end up as bait!"

"Ah!" Yun Lu exclaimed, turning to Chu Xiu with a stutter, "R-Really? I have to be the bait?"

Seeing Yun Lu's frightened expression, Chu Xiu couldn't help but laugh.

"Of course, it's true," he said.

"Then, I..." Yun Lu looked down, her face full of indecision.

"Join us. Your talent is very important, and Shen brother will place you in the safest position," Li Shan persuaded again.

"That's right," Shen Zhuo nodded, "I guarantee that as long as I'm alive, you'll safely pass the trial."

"Then..." Yun Lu glanced at Chu Xiu, who seemed indifferent, with a hint of disappointment in her eyes, and said quietly, "Okay."

Hearing her agreement, Shen Zhuo let out a sigh of relief and cast a grateful look at Li Shan, who grinned smugly, pleased with the good impression he had made on the new leader.

"Alright, since everyone has made their decision and it's getting late, let's go down and eat. We've had good luck today, catching several mutant rats, so there should be enough to eat."

Shen Zhuo's face regained its smile. He paused when he looked at Chu Xiu, a victorious smile playing on his lips, "Since you don't want to join, I won't force you. You can have this meal with us, but after that, you'll need to trade your talent for food."

With that, he started walking downstairs, the others following closely behind.

In an instant, Chu Xiu was left standing alone.

He silently stood in the middle of the empty rooftop, looking pitiful, like an orphan abandoned by the world.

Yun Lu couldn't help but look back several times, feeling guilty. Even Guan Ke seemed to want to say something but held back.

In the end, they all went downstairs.

But as soon as everyone was out of sight, Chu Xiu couldn't help but smile.

"This is perfect!"

"Acting is quite tiring."

"But getting rid of those three burdens so perfectly is worth it."

Not joining the team was not just about maximizing his profits; it was also about shedding the burdens.

In a dangerous environment, people instinctively huddle together.

But for Chu Xiu, others provided little help and were more of a hindrance.

After leveling up and acquiring the +5 Energy-Absorbing Bone Armor, Chu Xiu was fully capable of hunting ghouls alone. Due to the significant difference in physical attributes between him and others, teammates would only slow him down.
They had worked all day to kill five ghouls, which was telling.

Moreover, they would share the experience points.

The only reason he maintained the cooperation with the four was to have Yun Lu help him find food.

Now, letting Yun Lu gather food with others and trading his abilities for it perfectly solved this problem. He not only got rid of the burden but also saved a lot of time for leveling up!

So Chu Xiu was happy to see Yun Lu leave. It would have been troublesome if she insisted on staying with him.

He wasn't worried about Shen Zhuo underpricing his abilities. If worse came to worst, he could just take it by force.

Chu Xiu, now free to level up alone, was confident he would quickly surpass the others.

Stray dogs huddle together for better hunting, but mixing a tiger with stray dogs would only hold it back.

Now acting alone, there might be short-term increased danger, but in the long run, increasing his strength would enhance his ability to withstand future uncertainties!
The pros and cons needed to be weighed, and one shouldn't always seek foolproof solutions and avoid all risks.

Of course, if things didn't go as planned, Chu Xiu wouldn't hesitate to turn back and join Shen Zhuo's team.

Thick skin was a basic quality for a demonic cultivator.

"Now, let's test if my idea is correct."

Chu Xiu descended the stairs and looked out the window. The sun was half-set, leaving about an hour and a half until complete darkness.

Perfect for practice.

He donned his Bone Armor and walked down the stairs, not bothering to move quietly. The clinking of the bone pieces echoed through the stairwell.

As he reached the fifteenth floor, a giant hand suddenly shot out from a corner, slamming into Chu Xiu's chest!
"Bang!"

With a loud crash, Chu Xiu staggered back a few steps from the impact.

But he quickly steadied himself, a smile forming under his horned helmet.

Is that it?

The ghoul's sneak attack, a full-force blow, had hit his armor without leaving a single crack. The energy absorption trait had nullified at least 60% of the impact.

This was the power of +5 Energy-Absorbing Bone Armor!
In contrast, the ghoul's hand was now pierced with small holes from the armor's spikes. It looked at its hand in confusion, its face full of disbelief.

This doesn't feel right!

Watching the ghoul charge at him, Chu Xiu activated his Ghoul Necklace.

Immediately, his constitution attribute increased by 0.7 points! He kicked out with nearly double his previous strength, sending the ghoul flying!
"Boom!"

The ghoul's body crashed into the wall, and as it tried to get up, Chu Xiu's bone spear struck!

The ghoul raised its hand to block, but Chu Xiu's now doubled strength was too much. With a "squelch," the bone spear pierced through the ghoul!

"Hurgh..."

The ghoul's tenacious vitality caused it to struggle, but Chu Xiu held the spear firmly, pinning it to the wall.

Under the effect of the 【Bleeding】 trait, the ghoul's struggles grew weaker, and a minute later, it was completely still.

【Slain creature, Profession Experience +62】

【Current Experience: 282/400】

"Whoo."

Chu Xiu exhaled lightly.

Just as he expected, simple and easy, without any surprises.

He indeed had the ability to hunt ghouls alone. With the +5 Energy-Absorbing Armor, the ghouls posed little threat.

And without others around, the experience points were significantly higher.

"However, being surrounded by multiple ghouls would still be dangerous!"

"So for now, I need to be cautious. Once I level up again or strengthen the Bone Armor to +7, I can speed up my hunting."

"Leveling up is not far off!"

Chu Xiu didn't waste any more time and continued searching the apartment building for more ghouls.

Twenty-five minutes later, he killed another one.

Fifteen minutes after that, another one!
At this point, the long-awaited notification finally sounded!

【Level Up!】

【Current Tier: Mortal Tier Level 3】

(End of Chapter)