Mutual support

If a Creeping Rootlet was equivalent to a drop of Beast God's Blood, then no matter how stingy the Virtual Universe was, its purchase price would be at least fifty thousand points apiece.

Now, though, its value was at least halved.

"The good thing about this stuff is that it has no real side effects, and it's very easy to fuse with!"

Anything that enhanced genes was always in short supply, so its value was still high, just not outrageously so.

"At twenty thousand points each, I'd only need five hundred-no, four hundred and fifty-to scrape together ten million points!"

The thought made Chen Ao's head ache. Nine had nearly cost him half his life, and he had almost died in there. Getting four hundred and fifty really would kill him.

"I'll give it a try. Whatever happens, I'll get as many Creeping Rootlets as possible. Each one is worth tens of thousands of points!"

Chen Ao continued searching for places similar to the Snake Cave.

There were different creatures on this floor, but they were probably all being used to enhance genes, with the blood of an entire species refined into gene-enhancing treasures.

"This Purgatory Abyss must be where human forces periodically harvest gene-enhancing treasures like Creeping Rootlets!"

These things could be produced continuously. After each bloodletting, the hundred thousand-plus Undying giant snakes and ten million World Lord giant snakes would probably recover within tens of thousands of years. That meant a new batch of roots every few tens of thousands of years.

Sustainable production like this-just what he would expect from a pinnacle race. They milked it for all it was worth.

"One Snake Cave definitely wouldn't be enough for cultivation. There are probably similar species on every floor, providing humanity with a constant supply of treasures like these roots!"

It was just that they were comparatively easier to obtain on this thirtieth floor.

"Only comparatively, though. For someone at Universe Level to get roots while surrounded by a swarm of Undying giant snakes is practically a pipe dream!"

That was extremely difficult.

"So there must be places where they're easier to obtain. The Virtual Universe has to give its geniuses at least a little chance. A trial ranked number one can't offer only a million points in benefits!"

They had even specifically mentioned the thirtieth floor. They clearly wanted the geniuses to explore it and obtain something to enhance their genes.

This stuff was much easier to use than Blood Luo Crystals. There was no need to worry about being corrupted by baleful energy.

Blood Luo Crystals, after all, were formed from the Beast God's coagulated blood. No matter how enormous the Beast God had been, they were a nonrenewable resource. By comparison, resources that could be produced sustainably were cheaper and easier to use.

As long as the Human Race had any sense, they would have people with a Gene Multiplier of ten or less use the roots before moving on to other treasures.

Perhaps Blood Luo Crystals were only used when someone approached the hundredfold limit.

For example, was there another renewable resource for going from twentyfold to fiftyfold?

And a third renewable resource for going from fiftyfold to eightyfold?

Were those resources deeper in the abyss?

It seemed unlikely. Perhaps the later renewable resources had other restrictions, but they were all good things. Even with restrictions, they were still valuable.

Chen Ao suddenly felt intensely curious.

"Whew, whew!"

Chen Ao hurriedly suppressed his curiosity.

"Curiosity killed the cat. If I want to live a long life, I have to stop being curious about everything!"

Chen Ao silently repeated that several times to calm himself down.

"I'll just explore this thirtieth floor. Since the Virtual Universe offered this opportunity, it should be relatively safer!"

Chen Ao resumed his search.

He saw more species, all sorts of creatures, including even advanced mythical beings like the Dragon Race.

But before humanity, these so-called legendary creatures were nothing more than materials for producing treasures.

Humans harvested them periodically.

This thirtieth floor was enormous, tens of millions of times larger than the entire Earth. Exploring it would take a very long time.

One year was nowhere near enough.

And so, Chen Ao soon spent more than a year exploring.

In the Virtual Universe.

Luo Feng sought out Chen Ao.

He had long known that Chen Ao had entered the desperate-level Purgatory Abyss and had even spent two whole years living inside.

Although he himself had been staying in Blood Luo World, it was, after all, a plane inhabited by intelligent beings, unlike the Purgatory Abyss.

"Senior, did you discover something in the Purgatory Abyss?"

Clearly, Luo Feng had also discovered something in Blood Luo World. He considered it a tremendous opportunity, so when he noticed how long Chen Ao had stayed in the Purgatory Abyss, he suspected something similar.

"Yes! I found some good stuff!"

Hearing Chen Ao admit it, Luo Feng's expression grew serious. Those who had died before had shown Luo Feng how dangerous it was to covet rewards.

"Senior, these trials may hold plenty of secrets, but they're also full of dangers, especially the Purgatory Abyss, which ranks first!"

"Yes, I know. I certainly wouldn't act recklessly without some confidence!"

Luo Feng paused. Right. Someone else might rush ahead recklessly, but his senior had always been cautious. He would never do something like that.

"Are you in Blood Luo World?" Chen Ao asked.

"Yes. I discovered a treasure there called a Blood Luo Crystal..."

Luo Feng explained the remarkable uses of Blood Luo Crystals to Chen Ao.

"Yes, mine are similar. Once we're out, I'll give you some good stuff. As your guide, this is the last thing I can do for a Child of Fortune like you!"

"Senior..."

Please talk normally.

Still, hearing that Chen Ao had something to give him moved Luo Feng.

It also strengthened his resolve to give Chen Ao some Blood Luo Crystals.

Luo Feng had not sought Chen Ao out merely to chat. He wanted to tell him about the Blood Luo Crystals and planned to give him some after leaving the Blood Luo Continent.

Now, it could be considered an exchange.

At its core, it was an exchange, but it was also a form of mutual support.

"By the way, don't rush to fuse with the Blood Luo Crystals. What I have is a little easier to use!"

Huh?

Luo Feng was surprised!

"All right, I understand!" Luo Feng did not ask further. Since Chen Ao was going to give him some anyway, he would find out without asking.

After a brief chat with Luo Feng, Chen Ao's consciousness returned to the Purgatory Abyss.

"I've explored sixty-three species' territories, and there are forty-six places where I can find an opening!"

His haul was considerable too: a full 143 items similar to Creeping Rootlets.

Their shapes differed, but they all felt more or less the same to Chen Ao.

"I'll save some for Luo Feng, Hong, and the others!"

It was not as though he was neglecting himself just to give Luo Feng good things.

A few fewer would simply not make much difference to his points.

By now, his genes had also improved tremendously with the help of these rootlets.

His genes actually consisted of two parts: his own base genes and the effects provided by his R Skill, Highlander's Blood.

His R Skill had previously provided roughly a fiftyfold boost, and his base Gene Multiplier was now ten. In theory, his overall Gene Multiplier should have been five hundred.

In reality, however, he felt that his Gene Multiplier was only around four hundred and fifty.

Where had the missing fiftyfold gone?

Most likely, the boost from his R Skill had weakened and could no longer provide the fiftyfold enhancement it once had.

Still, his overall Gene Multiplier had indeed improved considerably. There was no question about that.

PS: He really isn't sucking up to Luo Feng. A keeper can't keep all the good stuff for himself, can he?