An invasion from the Abyss? I, a demonic cultivator, laughed.

Chapter 165: The Demonic Knife of Punishment
Chu Xiu focused his attention on examining his own inheritance.

The first is the automatically unlocked Supreme Demon Lord's Legacy.

[The Holy Sect's Corpse Refining Manual: Records three special corpse refining methods specially collected and improved by the Holy Sect elders. Each one is extremely powerful and has very high growth potential.]

It's actually a lineage of corpse refining!
However, Chu Xiu had actually anticipated this. He had already discovered that the main combat methods of the Supreme Demon Lord lineage relied on the inheritances of the Soul Banner and Corpse Refining.

In comparison, the Soul Banner leans more towards magical means, while the Corpse Refining leans more towards physical attacks.

Now that the Soul Banner has a clear upgrade path, the art of corpse refining should naturally see new inheritances emerge as well.

Chu Xiu immediately began to examine it expectantly, and soon a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

This lineage is an advancement of the previous corpse-driving technique.

The biggest drawback of the Corpse-driving technique is that the resurrected corpses created cannot continue to grow and be refined; at most, they can only recover to 60% of the corpse's strength before death.

Moreover, this is only a low-level inheritance, and its effect is worse on higher-level corpses!

Now that Chu Xiu has resurrected the corpse of a general, his strength has been greatly reduced. His baron and blood angel corpses, let alone 60% of their former strength, barely have 30% left!

If a king-level corpse were to be resurrected, even a 10% chance would be considered extremely lucky.

Therefore, although this lineage appears extremely powerful in its description, it actually has its limits.

To improve further, all kinds of corpses must be refined into a uniform form.

The three methods recorded in the "Holy Sect Corpse Refining Manual" are the three most perfect structures discovered by many elders of the demonic sects through millions of years of research and summarization.

These three structures may not be the strongest in terms of combat power, but they have the greatest potential and can easily advance to the general rank, king rank, or even higher!
Once Chu Xiu reaches a higher level, he can unlock even more advanced corpse refining techniques.

He looked down and saw that the three structures were simply referred to as [Iron Armor], [Flying], and [Poison Claw].

This aptly describes the characteristics of the three types of corpses: the Iron-Clad Corpse is impervious to blades and spears and possesses immense strength; the Flying Corpse can travel 100,000 miles a day and is incredibly agile; and the Poison Claw Corpse is born with potent poison and possesses extreme armor-piercing attack capabilities.

According to the description, these three types of corpse refinement all possess extremely strong combat power. Once refined, they are almost impossible for cultivators of the same level to deal with.

As for the refining method, it is normally very complicated. It requires finding a place where yin energy is abundant, burying the corpse and related spiritual materials there, and then using a special magic array to refine it for forty-nine days, etc.
However, if you learn the [Corpse Fire Tempering] technique, it becomes much simpler. No extra materials are needed; the corpse fire generated by burning flesh and blood alone is sufficient to complete the three types of corpse refining.

This made Chu Xiu realize once again that the three inheritances did indeed complement each other in many ways. However, the senior demonic cultivators did not have a simple and crude cheating method like causal points, nor did they have a large number of abyssal creatures that would not increase their killing karma for them to kill. Therefore, they simply did not have the energy and resources to cultivate all three inheritances at the same time.

After a moment's thought, Chu Xiu didn't rush to refine the corpse, but instead prioritized checking the remaining two inheritances.

[Eating Flesh into Magic (Duobao Demon Lord): The second chapter of the Holy Sect's fundamental method of weapon crafting, "Source Qi Removal," is based on "Corpse Fire Tempering." Combined with the Eight Desolate Netherfire Array, it can "magicize" equipment, adding an extra special attribute.]

[Note: This method can only be used after mastering "Corpse Fire Tempering" and possessing the Eight Desolate Netherfire Array. The higher the level, the higher the level and quality of the equipment that can be enchanted.]

[True Demon Blade of Judgment (Innate God-Demon): Condenses a demon blade for battle. It can consume "Golden Embryo Origin" obtained from "Golden Embryo Rebirth" to condense the True Demon Blade, making it extremely powerful.]

[Note: When the fundamental energy of the Golden Embryo is insufficient, it can be directly replaced by its own "lifespan".]

These two new inheritances made Chu Xiu's eyes light up.

He discovered that as the tradition progressed, the connections between the various traditions became increasingly close, unlike before when they were basically independent.

Both of these inheritances are extremely useful!
[Flesh Devouring Magic] can directly add an extra attribute to equipment. Chu Xiu checked it out and found that as long as this technique is cultivated to level three or above, it can be used to demonize [Legendary] equipment!
This reminded Chu Xiu of the corrupted equipment possessed by corrupted awakeners; [Corruption] elevates the power of such equipment by almost an entire rank! And according to the description in the inheritance, the effect of demonic transformation is only stronger!
Even if he doesn't enchant the [Legendary] equipment, it would be good to enhance the dozen or so [Perfect] and [Treasured] equipment he already has.

During this period of battle, Chu Xiu obtained a large number of high-tier equipment. He naturally kept the ones that suited him. For example, at this moment, all ten of his fingers were covered with rings that restored energy or increased basic attributes.

Although the effects of these equipment are far inferior to those of [Legendary] items, Chu Xiu didn't pay much attention to them. However, when all of them were accumulated, they still constituted a considerable force. If they were all demonized, it would be equivalent to gaining more than a dozen additional attributes for free. The total bonus would not be worse than that of a [Legendary] item!

This made Chu Xiu extremely excited.

Unfortunately, he hadn't even mastered the prerequisite [Eight Desolate Netherfire Array] for this inheritance, so he had to put it aside for now.

"I need to prioritize the Eight Desolate Netherfire Formation," Chu Xiu thought to himself.

With his mind made up, he turned his attention to the last line of inheritance.

"Finally, another combat skill!"

It has to be said that Chu Xiu was already getting tired of the days of smashing things with the Heavenly Demon Hand.

Moreover, the Heavenly Demon Hand is only a mortal-level inheritance, and it can't keep up with his current combat pace.

When his physical constitution was only two or three hundred, his Berserk Demon Hand, with a strength of up to 1,700, was naturally the most powerful weapon that was invincible.

But now, his physique has exceeded 1,500, but the power of the Berserk Demon Hand has only increased to 3,000. The increase is no longer sufficient to meet the enemies he is facing now.

This is only the strongest attribute of the Berserk Demon Hand; other aspects are completely inferior, especially agility. Previously, even when fighting monsters with a constitution of only four or five hundred, as long as the opponent was slightly agile and small in size, the accuracy of the Demon Hand was extremely worrying.

They become even more clumsy when facing enemies of general rank.

He had discovered this during the Ferocious Trial, which is why he needed to rely on the healing abilities of the Heavenly Blood Vine and the Eternal Blood to fight the Blood Angel Notary head-on, trading blows for blows.

This is even more evident when fighting corrupted samurai. Unless you take a hit first and grab them, the Berserk Demon Hand can't hit them at all!
And now, finally, another combat skill has arrived!

"I wonder how powerful this inherited technique is, and whether it's enough to break through the colonel's defenses!"

Chu Xiu looked at the records and found that both inheritances required 8,000 causal points to unlock, while his total causal points had been accumulated to nearly 50,000 after killing monsters during this period.

I originally planned to save up 100,000 to upgrade my Golden Muscle Nether Bone to the fifth level, but now it seems better to spend it to improve my combat power.

Without further hesitation, Chu Xiu set aside [Flesh Devouring Magic] and chose to unlock [True Demon Blade of Judgment], directly investing a large number of causal points into it!

[Consume 8000 Karma Points to unlock the True Demon Blade of Judgment]

[Consuming 5575 Karma Points, the first level of the True Demon Blade of Judgment has been completed!]

[Consuming 11641 Karma Points, the second level of the True Demon Blade of Judgment has been completed!]

[Consuming 20195 Karma Points, the third level of the True Demon Blade of Judgment has been completed!]

As the notification sounds rang out one after another, a massive amount of knowledge and memories flooded into Chu Xiu's mind!

His body was also constantly changing under the blessing of the causal point. The meridians and magic power in his body changed automatically. As a large amount of magic power surged out, a pitch-black, three-meter-long horse-slaying sword condensed in his hand!

"This is the Demon Blade of Judgment!"

Chu Xiu stroked the hilt of the sword with a sense of ecstasy, feeling the rough texture in his palm. Although it was his first time encountering this strange supernatural power, he had a strange sense of familiarity, as if he were reuniting with a long-lost friend.

He raised the demonic blade and, as if he had practiced it a thousand times, swung it forward with practiced ease!

The next moment, Chu Xiu's magical power surged out, and a huge black blade of light formed from the blade and shot out!

A sharp whistling sound rang in Chu Xiu's ears. The dark blade light, like a crescent moon, traversed tens of thousands of meters in the blink of an eye, slashing towards the colonel on the ground!
Chu Xiu could clearly see a slight ripple appear on the colonel's originally calm face. Then, his figure flickered and disappeared from the spot, leaving behind a huge ravine more than ten meters long where he had been standing!

This astonishing power caused Chu Xiu's eyes to light up with surprise!

He just waved his hand casually, and it had such terrifying power! If he had used his full strength, he could probably have cleaved a warship weighing over a thousand tons in two!
"The power of the Demon Blade comes from within myself. As long as I have enough magic power, I can use the Demon Blade to continuously unleash devastating blade strikes!"

"And if it comes into direct contact with the Demon Blade, even steel that is tens of centimeters thick will be sliced ​​through as easily as a hot knife cutting through butter!"

After cultivating the fourth layer of Golden Muscle and Nether Bone, Chu Xiu's bone hardness was comparable to that of a general-level [Perfect] armor. But even so, he felt that he would be cut in two by this demonic blade!

"Moreover, at close range, the Demon Blade's strikes possess a strange spatial attraction ability, making it impossible for ordinary Awakened Ones to dodge!"

"As expected of the main combat skill of the Innate God and Demon lineage in the Foundation Establishment stage, its power is indeed extraordinary!" Chu Xiu looked at the long sword in his hand with satisfaction.

Compared to the Heavenly Demon Hand, the Judgment Demon Blade is superior in both flexibility and attack power!

"And this is just an ordinary demonic sword; the power of a true demonic sword will be on another level!"

"Furthermore, I have not yet perfected it."

According to the records in the inheritance, the True Demon Blade of Judgment has four levels. Each time a level is completed, an additional phantom of the demon blade can be condensed and merged into the main body of the demon blade, thus multiplying its power!

"However, the consumption of causal points is also astonishing."

The final layer of the Demon Blade, conservatively estimated, would require at least 40,000 Karma Points.

Although it's not a particularly large number compared to the Golden Muscles and Dark Bones, it's still an astronomical figure for ordinary awakened individuals.

Cultivating three paths simultaneously consumes far too much energy.

"We still need to find a way to establish a causal link."

"If I replace the remaining equipment I have, I should be able to get another 50,000 Karma Points from Qin Xiang, but after that I won't have any more. I either need to participate in the Heroic Spirit Ranking or the Ancient Trials to improve my privileges, or I need to find a way to obtain them myself."

Thinking this, Chu Xiu's gaze shifted back towards the deep pit.

A tremendous opportunity is now at hand.

In fact, Chu Xiu was not worried about the Corpse Demon World being swallowed up again. As long as the news of the calamity in this place was transmitted back, it would naturally attract a large number of awakened beings. After all, such a large amount of resources would even tempt a King-level being.

Moreover, government officials such as Qin Xiang would not stand idly by.

Chu Xiu's real intention was to take it all for himself!
This astonishing amount of flesh and souls could expand his monster army to an unimaginable extent. Even though the drop rate and experience of corrupted creatures were far lower than those of ordinary abyssal creatures, with such a massive number, obtaining 100,000 karma points was a piece of cake.

Not to mention, the calamity underground is sure to yield a lot of good stuff, with a minimum guarantee of at least one [Legendary] item.

Taking advantage of its high mobility, this is not impossible.

But the problem is that the colonel guarding the area below is extremely troublesome.

While Chu Xiu was examining the inheritance, he had already ordered the four-winged strange bird to leave, but the colonel seemed to have received some kind of command and followed him like a shadow, which gave him quite a headache.

Even if his strength increased dramatically again, Chu Xiu did not want to confront him head-on. Although he felt that the power of the Judgment Demon Blade was enough to severely injure him, he would not be foolish enough to risk engaging in hand-to-hand combat.

If you were to get hit, you'd at least suffer a fracture.

Moreover, he is not in good condition right now. He has used up two-thirds of his mana by continuously using [Command], and then used his essence blood to activate [Blood Feed]. Even if he levels up, he will need to rest for at least another day or two to fully recover.

"If I can cultivate the Golden Muscle and Nether Bone to the fifth level, or train one or two more Ghost Generals, then I will be much more confident."

But with the colonel constantly following him, he couldn't access resources, which put him in a dead end again.

"Should we lure it to the stronghold?"

With a dark heart, Chu Xiu naturally began to think of ways to harm others for his own benefit.

This place is 200 kilometers away from the stronghold, which is only a quarter of an hour away at the speed of the four-winged monster bird.

However, he ultimately rejected the idea.

Qin Xiang, being a king-level figure, is most likely not at the stronghold. Even if the others were tied together, they would only be slaughtered by the colonel. Although Chu Xiu is ruthless, he is not so heartless as to be completely insane.

As for sending others to contact Qin Xiang for help, in this world where communication networks are not well-established, it would take an unknown amount of time.

"What should we do?"

Chu Xiu fell into thought.

While he was pondering silently, Su Jinyu was staring blankly at the completely flattened, bloody corpse in front of her, and Chu Xiu standing calmly to the side.

She had a deep impression of Huang Guohua. Although he was just Xue Li's bodyguard or even a servant of their family on the surface, he could not hide his arrogance. The way he looked at others was always with the condescension of a superior.

This is absolute confidence derived from one's own strength, regardless of status or position. As the saying goes, "He who possesses a powerful weapon will naturally have the will to kill." It is impossible for an awakened person with great power not to be proud.

However, at this moment, this powerful level 9 awakened general had turned into a pile of minced meat whose identity was no longer discernible.

Although Su Jinyu knew that he was already at his limit after the colonel's continuous attacks, she was still shocked to see him killed by Chu Xiu.

This caused a hint of fear to creep into her gaze as she looked at Chu Xiu.

Before this, she thought that no matter how strong Chu Xiu was or how indifferent he was, he was still just an eighteen-year-old boy and would have some of the bookishness of school. But she never expected that he could kill people without changing his expression or warning, and after killing them, he showed no emotion and calmly counted the items in the blood.

It's important to understand that even veterans who have been on the battlefield will have some psychological burden if they kill someone.

This made Su Jinyu have an uncontrollable thought: what if one day, when she is no longer useful, the other party will, like when Huang Guohua was killed, smash her into mincemeat without any warning?

Chu Xiu's rapidly increasing strength only intensified her fear.

At a distance of only a few meters, she could clearly sense the immense destructive energy contained within the long sword Chu Xiu was holding.

She was certain that if Chu Xiu swung his sword at her, she would be cut in two instantly. This oppressive feeling of having no power to resist was something Su Jinyu had never felt from any other person of the same level, not even the disciples of those Heavenly Kings.

Just then, as if sensing her gaze, Chu Xiu suddenly looked up at her, which made Su Jinyu's heart tremble and she unconsciously lower her head.

But the next second, she forced herself to raise her head and meet Chu Xiu's gaze.

I will not tell anyone about Huang Guohua's death.

"Actually, without evidence, even if I said it, it wouldn't have any effect on you, so you don't need to worry."

"Our agreement remains unchanged."

Su Jinyu said, her voice trembling slightly.

Hearing her forced composure, Chu Xiu couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

This girl is really pitiful. For a sliver of hope, she was forced to cooperate with a "serial killer" like him.

However, at this moment, a sudden inspiration flashed in Chu Xiu's mind, and an idea popped into his head.

"Do you want the elixir of resurrection?" he asked.

"Huh?" Su Jinyu was taken aback. "Of course I want to."

"How much do you think?"

"What kind of question is this? Do you really want to? Especially want to?"

Seeing Su Jinyu's bewildered expression, Chu Xiu smiled.

"I have the wine of resurrection. I will give it to you if you help me with one thing."

"But let me make this clear first, this is extremely risky, you could even say there's at least a 50% chance you'll lose your life."

Even so, are you still willing?

(End of this chapter)