Facing the Abyss as a Demon Cultivator

“The second enchantment level is unlocked!”

Chu Xiu focused his mind expectantly, and three options appeared before him.

[Needle Spikes]: The spikes on the armor are now sharper and will activate an explosive enchantment upon being attacked, launching them outward. (Power: 2.0)

[Heavy Armor]: Strengthens the bone thickness and readjusts the overall structure. At the cost of some flexibility, it greatly enhances defensive capabilities. (Protection +4.8, Energy Absorption +1.0, Spikes +0.6, Weight +16kg, slight restriction on joint movement.)

[Power]: The Bone Armor can now provide additional power, enhancing the wearer's strength. (Physique +2.0)

The options before him made Chu Xiu draw in a breath of air, caught in a dilemma.

All three enhancements were practical!

Compared to the first enchantment level, the second level provided a more astonishing boost!

The first option, Needle Spikes, with its power of 2.0, was already sufficient for most situations. The second option would further enhance Chu Xiu's already formidable defense. The last option could timely address his lack of basic attribute points and improve his hunting efficiency.

Chu Xiu’s face was full of struggle.

He wanted them all!

For someone who had difficulty making choices, this was undoubtedly a significant test.

After pondering for a while, Chu Xiu ultimately chose [Heavy Armor].

This was mainly out of practical considerations.

[Needle Spikes] was the first to be ruled out. He wasn't short of attack methods, and the 2.0 power was only useful for clearing out weaker monsters; its effect on elite monsters was limited.

Although [Power] was excellent, his current battles with ghouls were more like "trench warfare." Enhanced defense would provide him with a greater margin for error, while he could rely on the Yin Ghosts for offense.

For instance, if he had the +7 Energy Absorption Heavy Armor when facing the elite ghoul that night, he could have completely negated the damage from its strange ranged attack!

As Chu Xiu made up his mind, the excess corpse materials on the ground began to merge and assemble. After about three minutes, his Bone Armor underwent an earth-shattering transformation!

Compared to before, the armor plates were thicker, overlapping each other like an impregnable mobile fortress! The spikes on the armor were also thicker and longer, emitting a chilling cold light.

After putting on the Bone Armor, Chu Xiu's visual height increased by more than ten centimeters, looking like a skeletal god of war over 1.9 meters tall!

Chu Xiu knocked on the thick armor plate on his chest. He felt that the most protected areas could probably withstand a burst from an assault rifle.

Unfortunately, no matter how optimized the armor's structure was, there were limits. Every gain came with a loss.

After significantly increasing the number and thickness of the armor plates, the range of motion at the joints was noticeably worse.

Moreover…

“This thing is damn heavy.” Chu Xiu couldn't help but complain.

After the enhancement, the total weight of the Bone Armor was close to fifty kilograms!

In ancient times, let alone fifty kilograms of heavy armor, even thirty kilograms was rare. It required riding a horse to fight for an extended period. If infantry wore this kind of armor, they would probably collapse from exhaustion before they could even reach the enemy!

Even with his current physique, he felt the pressure of this weight!

However, compared to the sense of security brought by being protected by the thick armor plates, this weight was nothing.

“Alright, time to collect the other spoils of war.”

Chu Xiu's eyes gleamed.

Killing this elite ghoul directly yielded 47 Karma Points! There was also an [Excellent] quality item: [Type 002 Ghoul Emergency Hormone Concentrate].

This thing could quickly heal injuries, but it had a certain degree of toxicity. Ordinary people who used it might experience stomach upset.

Chu Xiu remembered that when he fought the elite ghoul earlier, it used this item to heal its injuries after being hit by a Shadow Wind Blade.

“Good stuff!”

As expected of an elite monster.

The drop rate was really high!

Moreover, it was a rare item that he could actually use.

“With these three tubes of… healing hormones, my margin for error can be further increased.”

Chu Xiu happily put them into his storage space.

Of course, his harvest didn't stop there. The remaining ordinary ghouls also provided some loot, totaling 29 Karma Points and two [Common] quality pieces of equipment.

“It's a pity that the two pieces of equipment, a weapon and a leather armor, are of no use to me.”

“I can only use your corpses to make up for my losses.”

Chu Xiu stretched out his hand, and the elite ghoul's blood essence was absorbed into his body. As he expected, elite monsters contained potent life force, which directly increased his [Bloodthirst Heart Refining Technique] cultivation progress by 14 points.

Then, he waved the Bone Banner in his hand, and the living souls of all the ghouls were collected, quickly filling the Bone Banner's capacity.

Without hesitation, Chu Xiu pointed a finger at the elite ghoul's corpse, and it began to refine, replenishing the Bone Banner.

Instantly, the high-quality corpse of the elite monster caused the Bone Banner's enhancement progress to skyrocket, directly leveling it up twice!

Moreover, the elite ghoul's soul was exceptionally fierce. Its living soul alone occupied 23 points of space. As soon as it entered the Bone Banner, it began to tear at other living souls.

This made Chu Xiu even more delighted.

“The quality of a Yin Ghost largely depends on the strength of the 'main soul.’”

“The first Yin Ghost I refined had the main soul of an ordinary black-furred ghoul. Although it was considered strong among black-furred ghouls, the final product was only F-rank level 7.”

“I wonder what the final product of this elite living soul will be like!”

At this time, the living souls of the more than thirty ghouls on the ground were more than enough to meet the requirements for the birth of the second Yin Ghost. Chu Xiu didn't hesitate. With a wave of the Bone Banner, he collected all the living souls and then formed a refining hand seal.

Immediately, the elite ghoul's living soul became even more violent and began to devour other living souls madly.

With a wave of his hand, Chu Xiu put away the Bone Banner and left the battle area with the wild boar.

Although most of the corpses had been refined, there would still be a lot of residual scent, which might attract other monsters.

Finding a safe area in a residential building, Chu Xiu began to concentrate on refining the Yin soul.

Before long, a furious roar came from the Bone Banner, and a look of delight appeared in Chu Xiu's eyes.

The second Yin Ghost was complete!

Chu Xiu couldn't wait to check its attributes.

[Yin Ghost]

[Rank]: F-rank level 8

[Attributes]: Physique 0, Spirit 11.2, Energy Level 12.4

[Skills]: Shadow Wind Blade (Minor Accomplishment), Life Drain (Beginner)

[Trait]: Soul Body (Significantly reduces physical damage, attributes will decrease under the scorching sun.)

[Talent]: Manifestation (Transforms into a physical form, loses the trait [Soul Body], gains the trait [Sharp Claws], loses the skill [Life Drain], gains the skill [Powerful Claw Strike], Physique +14.9)

“F-rank level 8!”

“I guessed right. Using a stronger main soul can indeed refine a stronger Yin Ghost!”

Chu Xiu said with pleasant surprise.

But then he shook his head regretfully.

“However, there is a limit to the strength of Yin Ghosts.”

“Even if I use a stronger living soul, the strongest Yin Ghost I can refine is only F-rank level 9. It’s impossible to break through this limit and reach D-rank.”

“There will be improvement, but it won't be earth-shattering.”

“If I want a stronger Yin Ghost, I have to continue leveling up and unlock more advanced inheritances.”

Chu Xiu sighed silently.

If others heard his heartfelt words, they would probably vomit blood in anger.

Dude, you are only an F-rank level 5 Awakened, and you already have two powerful fighters, one F-rank level 7 and one F-rank level 8. Still not satisfied?

But Chu Xiu was indeed not satisfied.

After resting for a while, he ate a few large pieces of wild boar meat and stored the remaining valuable parts in his storage space. Then, he tirelessly continued to move around the neighborhood with his two Yin Ghosts.

“Time to continue grinding.”

“Liver, let's grind to death!”

(End of chapter)