As Bai Xia remained momentarily stunned, the Shadow Dagger, which Qingcheng had seized through an inscrutable method, was simultaneously undergoing a profound transformation.
With a surge of dark purple light infusing it, the dagger’s blade, once imbued with a metallic sheen, slowly transitioned into transparency, eventually solidifying into a crystalline substance.
Within its depths, faint tendrils of darkness flickered into existence, lending it an aura both perilous and unsettling.
Once the last vestiges of dark power had been absorbed, Qingcheng, without so much as a glance, casually tossed it back to Bai Xia.
Undeniably, the Shadow Dagger now bore a stark, heaven-and-earth difference from its previous state!
[Shadow Dagger]: Usage Requirements: Assassin-class profession, Level 10 or above (Bound). Grade: Rare. This fine iron dagger, once merely infused with Shadow Force, has been profoundly enhanced by an unknown power, achieving a monumental upgrade.
Attributes: Attack +180, Attack Speed +20%, Movement Speed +10%. Attacks are imbued with dark Shadow Force, carrying a 5% chance to blind enemies.
Skill: Netherworld Flash: Effective release range: 5 meters. Upon activation, instantly pierces all enemies in a straight line within a 5-meter radius, inflicting 200% piercing damage. As it pierces, it injects dark magic into the initially struck enemy, detonating it upon the attack’s conclusion to deal 300% Dark elemental damage. Cooldown: 2 minutes.
“Rare?”
Gazing at the dramatically altered Shadow Dagger and its formidable attributes, Bai Xia found herself utterly dumbfounded, never having imagined that a mere rub in Qingcheng’s hands could elevate its grade directly to Rare!
Yet…
“Its usage level has risen to 10? Does that mean I can’t wield it now!”
Having keenly observed this detail, Bai Xia, her face a canvas of confusion, lifted her gaze to the woman regally seated upon the throne.
“Hmph.” Qingcheng, seemingly annoyed by Bai Xia’s dramatics, spoke with a touch of disdain: “Under the influence of my power, you can still wield that dagger, even if your level falls short. However, aren’t you being overly enthusiastic? It is merely a marginally sharper dagger; compared to the attire you currently wear, it is utterly worthless!”
‘My clothes… this sailor uniform?’
Frowning, Bai Xia tugged at the hem of her top and skirt. Just as she was about to vocalize her inquiry, the system preemptively displayed the detailed information of the black ‘sailor uniform’ she wore.
[Asura’s Fatal Strike]: Special Soul Equipment. Usage Requirements: Unknown. Reputed to be a mysterious armor originating from another world, it eventually came into the possession of a formidable being. Through prolonged infusion and influence of power, its very essence was transmuted, and beneath its unassuming exterior, it now harbors an unimaginably potent force.
Basic Attributes: HP +20%, MP +20%, Physical Defense +20%, All Elemental Resistances +20%, Critical Rate +10%. When sustaining an attack, there is a 10% chance for perfect evasion and a 5% chance for double damage reflection.
Special Attributes: Grants immunity to 5% of incoming physical and magical damage. Attacks inflict an additional 10% neutral damage. Skill damage is increased by 20% when skills are cast.
Special Effects: Attacks have a 5% chance to trigger Fear, Confusion, or Blind effects. A separate 5% chance exists to boost Attack Speed and Movement Speed by 50% for three seconds.
(Note: Asura’s Fatal Strike is a growth-type, soul-bound equipment. All its attributes scale with the bound wearer’s level. When unequipped, the basic attribute bonuses remain inactive, and the special attributes and effects are only activated while Asura’s Fatal Strike is worn.)
“Woah… what the hell!”
With such a bewildering array of attributes laid bare before her, Bai Xia’s mouth fell slightly agape after reading them all. She yearned to pinch herself, to ascertain whether this surreal moment was merely a dream.
‘What in the world is this monstrosity?’
Health, magic, physical defense, critical strikes, elemental resistance, damage evasion, reflection, and immunity, additional damage, skill amplification—it even triggers debilitating negative effects and dramatically boosts both attack and movement speeds!
What’s more, this item is a growth-type piece of equipment, implying that as her own level ascends, it can evolve into a fully developed Digimon… *Ahem*, no, into a more advanced equipment form, granting even more attributes.
“Why is a simple sailor uniform so incredibly powerful!?”
Bai Xia stared blankly at the sailor uniform, whose name carried a decidedly chuunibyou (TL Note: A Japanese slang term, ‘chūnibyō,’ referring to ‘eighth-grade syndrome,’ a phase where adolescents develop grandiose delusions and self-importance) flair, her mind struggling to process the revelation.
‘Could this truly align with that ancient adage, ‘one cannot grow stronger without donning women’s attire’? To be candid, she was utterly overwhelmed by this cascade of attributes; even in its nascent state, this item was undeniably a divine artifact compared to anything currently available!’
Bai Xia had initially found the outfit quite disagreeable, feeling a persistent discomfort whenever she looked at it. However, upon scrutinizing its attributes, she instantly fell head over heels.
‘What’s a mere sailor uniform? It’s nothing significant. With these attributes, she would readily don it, and not just a sailor uniform—even risqué lingerie would be acceptable!’
‘Indeed, such was her lack of moral scruples.’
‘Yet, in such circumstances, what purpose did integrity serve? It could neither be consumed, imbibed, nor spent as currency. Between one’s principles and a divine artifact, the choice was, quite naturally, the latter.’
Just as Bai Xia, moments ago brimming with disdain, now found herself almost drooling as she caressed the skirt’s hem after reviewing the attributes, Qingcheng, observing her from the throne, suddenly let out a soft laugh. “It appears you are quite pleased with this child,” she remarked.
‘Pleased? Of course, I’m pleased! I couldn’t be more so!’
However…
“Alas, to truly claim it, you must first successfully complete the trial.”
Qingcheng’s voice abruptly yanked Bai Xia back to reality, forcing her to acknowledge that the formidable equipment she wore was not yet truly her own, but merely on loan.
To claim it permanently, she still had to conquer the colossal obstacle looming before her: the Lava Giant!
Involuntarily, she cast a glance at the increasingly volatile fiery behemoth in the distance, and a familiar throb began to resonate within Bai Xia’s temples.
Despite the Shadow Dagger’s upgrade and her temporary acquisition of Asura’s Fatal Strike, an artifact comparable to a divine weapon…
…a colossal disparity still existed between her and the hulking, flame-engulfed creature. A staggering six-level difference, coupled with the opponent’s formidable defense, meant that even if she could penetrate its armor, the resulting damage would undoubtedly be drastically diminished.
Moreover, given Bai Xia’s physical frailty, even with the myriad defenses and resistances bestowed by Asura’s Fatal Strike, she could scarcely endure more than a few blows from the Lava Giant. Indeed, it was entirely plausible for a single one of its skills to instantly obliterate her.
Bai Xia massaged her forehead, and then Qingcheng’s voice resonated once more: “By now, you should have a complete grasp of the current predicament. Therefore, I shall now teleport your companion here to assist you; consider this the final aid I can extend.”
“Wait! Why would you teleport him in? His weapon is shattered; wouldn’t bringing him here be a death sentence!”
Bai Xia interjected, cutting Qingcheng off before she could even make a move. After all, she had just witnessed Tian Zheng’s sword being crushed by the formidable gate. While he did possess a backup weapon, its quality was far from impressive. Teleporting him in now would serve no purpose beyond a futile sacrifice.
Qingcheng mused for a moment, appearing to acknowledge the validity of Bai Xia’s point, and gave a slight nod. “That was my oversight,” she conceded. “In that case, I shall also bestow new equipment upon him during the trial, as my final act of leniency. Now, are you prepared to embrace this challenge?”
“…More or less. It’s not as if I can escape anyway.”