If one were to ask which was the best material in all the realms of reality then the answer would no doubt be black gold. It had the best strength, toughness and energy absorption that one could ask for. It was the most exceptional material in that world.
However, forging a full body armor with black gold, even to the Voidwalkers whose treasures amounted to the value of a few countries, was something that was unbelievable and unreal. It was because the production of that element was too scarce. Its raw material, the black gold ore, could only be found at the deepest layer of the subterranean. And the location of the ore, was often surrounded by magma lakes and atrocious creatures like the Sand King, Nerubian Weaver, Nyx Assassin1 and so on...
So, even if everyone knew that the black gold's value was incalculable there was no way to increase its production at all. That was also why that extremely valuable element remained priceless. To be able to forge just a small part of the armor using black gold was already considered as something that was near impossible. Not even the Voidwalkers dared to dream about forging a whole armor using black gold.
But looking at the dark-colored person in front, it seemed like it is possible after all? Baiyi was still skeptical. He continuously attacked the non-critical parts of his opponent's body that was already fully covered in deep pale scratches but he was still unable to inflict any substantial damage on him...
Look at this guy! His whole body is indeed forged from black gold! He is literally a walking gold mine!
Baiyi was so taken aback that he walked a few steps backward and temporarily put some distance between him and his opponent. Putting on a facade as if he was going to restore his energy, he asked the Voidwalkers inwardly, How much do think this guy is worth?
"Well, if you were to calculate it using the current inflation value, I would say... erm... probably six hundred thousand gold coins? But the money is not the point here. The main question is where exactly did they manage to get that much black gold?" The Apprentice who was the youngest Voidwalker, provided him with the answer to his question before adding in his own.
Six hundred thousand gold coins? Wow... I was tortured for half a day today and all I got was only 1600 gold coins... How much exactly is six hundred thousand gold coins worth actually? I can't imagine it at all... Baiyi, who had never been rich before, wondered.
"Hmmmm... Let's just say that it would be enough for us to open 20 alchemy workshops which are fully equipped and have adequate manpower. This also includes all of the cost of the raw ingredients," the Alchemist explained.
"Two well-equipped and well-trained battalions that is powerful enough to destroy a small country," the Thane continued saying.
"A King's head or maybe a super rare magical scroll such as the Soul Banishment Scroll," the Assassin added in as well.
Okay... with the explanation from those three, the black-colored guy was no longer just a walking gold mine in Baiyi's eyes. Instead, he was now the combination of 20 alchemy workshops plus forty thousands army battalion plus a crown and a few other things. The hand that was hidden under his cloak began to emit a faint green light. It was the exclusive color of the soul-related spells of the Lich.
Apparently after Baiyi had found out the unimaginable value of his opponent, he now harbored the intention to kill him and strip the black gold off him? He was so incredibly tempted to yell out "THIS TREASURE IS MINE!" before ripping the soul out from the armor even though his opponent had never shown any malicious intent when he was fighting him at all... But such a legendary armor which had the air of mystery, fortitude and the chain of honour really did excite him a lot.
"Calm down, my disciple," the Archmage said immediately. "It is hard to fight in that armor even if you are the one wearing it. And the most crucial thing is this guy is not that easy to be defeated as well."
Erm... alright, what he said indeed makes sense, Baiyi thought as he forcefully surpressed the malicious intention in his heart.
But then, the Archmage interjected again suddenly, "That's why, just kidnapping the practitioner will do. A person who could provide such luxurious things for her Soul Armature must have come from a wealthy family. Just go for her instead."
Wait! What? This is your solution? Somehow it doesn't seem to be much better than my idea. Or one could even say that this idea is even worse. I thought the two of us are supposed to be the good and law-abiding citizens? Erm... haven't we strayed quite far off the path of righteousness?
"Well what did you expect? I used to snatch the wealth of my neighbouring countries. Otherwise, how could my country be so prosperous?" The Archmage said rhetorically.
...O-Okay, he does have a point right there... Baiyi quietly pondered as his sight began to move away from the walking gold mine and towards the beautiful knight.
But at that moment, the walking gold mine seemed to understand Baiyi's intention. Immediately, he brushed off the dusts on his armour and stood in front of the beauty as he said, "Don't even think about touching Undine as long as I'm still here. Even though you are far stronger than I expected, but... I still have not release my full potential yet"
Having said that, the Magical Runes on his armour lighted up immediately. His whole body exuded an overwhelming sense of crushing aura. Using a more exaggerated speed and power than before, he charged towards Baiyi and in just a blink of an eye, he was already by his side. His long sword was covered by a layer of green Chi Prowess. Raising his sword up with an arc that was more than enough to slice through the air, he slashed down heavily towards Baiyi.
This guy actually enchanted his armour with the Buffing Spell as well? I thought those runes were only for decorations! A string of thoughts immediately appeared in Baiyi's mind. He had never thought that the opponent still had another tactic up his sleeves. The black gold was exceptionally hard and tough. Wanting to carve magical runes on it was something that was almost impossible to achieve. Adding on to the absorbent characteristic of the gold, attaching a spell on it was absolutely unimaginable.
Hold on... Then, does it mean that the only possible explanation was that the runes were drawn on the armor by using the blood of some powerful magical creatures like the legendary White Dragon or something? Those type of blood was a luxurious item that was no less cheaper than the black gold. And what's more, those runes that could be figuratively said to be drawn by gold coins would disappear once it had been activated, which means more gold coins would have to be spent to get them redrawn...
It could be said that the guy who activated the runes in a momentary burst of impulse was pretty much throwing money at Baiyi. For a short while, Baiyi felt like he was battling a treasure vault. Isn't this guy a little too rich? The gap of monetary value between the two of them--- counting the 1600 gold coins that were hidden in Baiyi's stomach--- was too far apart! Baiyi could not help but feel that the black Soul Armature was like a gold-plated tyrant tramping all over the poor and the needy--- AKA Baiyi himself.
Fortunately, it was not a game that allowed a user to become a premium player by paying more money. Faced with the magnificent blow from the black Soul Armature, Baiyi did not rely on his speed to dodge the attack but instead, he casted an Ultra-Short-Distance Teleportation Spell and widen the distance between the two of them to a few metres away and did not hesitate to retreat.
The reason being that the blow was infused with 100% of his Chi Prowess. Even if the attack had missed, the Chi Prowess in the long sword would erupt in instantly, forming a streak of Chi Blades that would explode. It would not be possible to dodge that attack by just relying on speed alone.
And as he had expected, the place that he was standing at just a mere second ago was completely enveloped by the green-colored Chi Blades. A dense number of blades instantly exploded, forming a green flower that was stunning yet deadly at the same time. Owing to the pressure caused by the high-speed movement, it was as if a tornado had appeared out of thin air, sending the broken walls and tiles all flying.
And that, was the legendary iconic skill of the Saint of Sword--- The Bladestorm. That skill was originally a death blow that was created by a knight during a life-and-death battle in the arena. Later, it gradually transformed into one of the signature skills of a knight. After several thousand years of evolving and improvement, be it the strength or the visual effects, they were both significantly stronger than when it was first created.
After the Bladestorm, the place that they once stood on was completely demolished. The ground was also broken by the Chi Blades, it looked completely different from how it was before. It was as if the two of them had changed to a new battlefield.
Slowly retracting the long sword in his hand, the black Soul Armature watched the distant black figure appeared from the smoke that was caused by the Bladestorm. A little frustrated, he shrugged and asked, "That was a freaking Level 5 Teleportation Skill! How much more surprise do you have in store for me? Why are you only at the Intermediate Level but at the same time, possess the strength and ability of both Master Level warrior and sorcerer?"
Having said that, he cracked his neck and went on, "There are just too many mysteries surrounding you and I really can't wait to crack them all! So please, allow me to be a little shameless, alright?" Turning to Undine, he continued, "Undine, haven't you seen enough?
An expression of dilemma and anger suddenly appeared on Undine's face, expressing the frustration she felt inside. But even so, her beauty still remained, or one could say that it added even more appeal to her beauty. She looked so beautiful even when she was angry. If she did not have the status and power she had, she would most likely be molested by some hooligans or tramps.
In truth, she really wanted to ignore her Soul Armature. That guy had totally forgotten the real purpose they followed him. It was supposed to be a pleasant business negotiation, wasn't it? Why did it evolved into this kind of situation?
On one side, it was her partner that she spent the most time with from morning till night. On the other side, it was a candidate that she absolutely must have. Those two idiots had managed to put her in an embarassing and awkward situation.
But, what other options did she have other than siding her own partner? Even such a deadly technique like Bladestorm had been used, it was already destined that one side must lose before they could finally have a proper conversation. Therefore Undine reluctantly walked to the side of her Soul Armature and took out two emerald long swords from the hidden pocket at her waist.
Baiyi who was about to face the two Legendary Level Saint of Swords had no sense of fear at all. Instead, he sarcastically mumbled to himself, "This shameless couple is finally going to attack together!