Facing the Abyss as a Demon Cultivator

"This apartment building isn't some cheap rental complex. Though the materials used aren't particularly high-end, at least there's no cutting corners. The soundproofing is decent."

"During the day, even in a combat situation, as long as you don't make any particularly sharp noises, the range of ghouls you'd attract is only about two or three floors."

"At night, that number could easily double. Considering the enhanced senses of ghouls at night, it might even quadruple!"

"But no matter how you estimate it, ten floors should be the limit, even for Awakened ones."

"And based on the deduction that these ghouls nest underground, the higher the floor, the lower the density of ghouls should be."

Chu Xiu chose the 21st floor to minimize the number of ghouls he encountered while ensuring his hunt wouldn't attract the attention of other Awakened individuals living on higher floors.

Furthermore, the location he chose was also quite particular.

This apartment was a high-end unit in the building, exceptionally spacious, which could maximize the power of the [Bone Blood Devouring Formation].

What attracted Chu Xiu the most was that the owner of this apartment had designed a two-meter-long corridor during renovations.

On the left were shoe cabinets and storage boxes, while the right side consisted of a wall and a fish tank. After Chu Xiu reinforced it with debris, it transformed into a perfect chokepoint, allowing him to confront only one ghoul at a time.

Chu Xiu also brought in a wardrobe, dismantling some wooden boards to create firing gaps for his bone spear. After reinforcing it with other furniture, he placed it at the end of the corridor, creating a decent cover.

Then, time for Karma Point allocation!

With a thought, he directly added 54 Karma Points to [Shadow Wind Blade], practically using up all his Karma Points!

The higher the level, the more difficult it becomes to level up. Chu Xiu had experimented before and found that one Karma Point could only provide 3 to 4 Profession Experience points, far from enough to level up!

And this was after he had killed quite a few creatures recently, resulting in an increase in his killing intent. For other professions, the gain would be even less!

The most cost-effective use of Karma Points was still upgrading skills!

These 54 Karma Points directly raised Chu Xiu's [Shadow Wind Blade] by two levels! From Beginner to Proficient, and then to Minor Accomplishment!

[Shadow Wind Blade]

[Proficiency: Minor Accomplishment (2/800)]

[Energy Cost: 0.6 - 4.0]

[Casting Time: 0.8s - 2.4s]

[Power: 2.0 - 9.5 (Decreases with distance)]

[Speed: 32m/s - 55m/s (Decreases over time)]

[Maximum Range: 35m - 105m]

[Cooldown: None]

Now, [Shadow Wind Blade] could be cast rapidly within 0.8 seconds, consuming only 0.6 energy, and possessing a base power of 2.0!

One must know that the initial 1.5 power had already torn a large gash in the chest of a Black-Furred Ghoul! Although this 2.0 power might not be enough to sever bones, it was sufficient to inflict heavy damage on a Black-Furred Ghoul!

The speed and range had also increased, making [Shadow Wind Blade] easier to hit.

Most importantly, with the increased charging time, the power of [Shadow Wind Blade] could rapidly increase, ultimately reaching an astonishing 9.5!

9.5 power! Chu Xiu couldn't even fathom how terrifying it would be. When the time came, with a bunch of ghouls crammed in the corridor, it would probably be able to cut several in half with a single strike!

The newly upgraded [Shadow Wind Blade], coupled with the [Bone Blood Devouring Formation] and the +6 [Bone Armor], gave Chu Xiu the confidence to take risks!

Of course, his preparations didn't end there.

Earlier in the day, Chu Xiu had already made preparations for a fallback plan.

In the camp, there were piles of potentially useful supplies that everyone had found while searching various rooms.

Among them was a sixty-meter-long climbing rope.

This type of rope had a tensile strength of no less than 1600kg. Although thirty years had passed, thanks to its high-density nylon material and well-preserved condition, it still had decent physical strength.

Chu Xiu used it to create a simple sliding device. The top end was fixed to the upper floor with nails, and the two ends hanging down were connected to a heavy wooden sofa placed at the edge of the balcony. The other end had a knot that could be quickly untied.

If a critical situation arose, Chu Xiu could detonate the unformed living souls within the [Bone Yin Soul Banner] to briefly stall the enemy. He would then tie the rope around himself, kick the sofa off the balcony, and rapidly ascend under the force of gravity!

Even if the enemy pursued him, he could force the people in the stronghold to come up as reinforcements or cannon fodder.

It was with so many preparations that he had the confidence to venture out!

After going over all the plans in his mind and confirming nothing was missed, Chu Xiu took a deep breath and officially began his hunting operation!

With a flick of his wrist, the jade-white bone spear appeared in his hand. Chu Xiu lowered his body, moving like a phantom hidden in the shadows.

His attention was highly focused, every sound around him registered in his ears. Suddenly, Chu Xiu's expression shifted. As he passed the stairwell, his bone spear shot out!

Almost at the same moment, a Black-Furred Ghoul charged out from around the corner!

A pair of scarlet eyes reflected in Chu Xiu's vision.

His heart skipped a beat!

Compared to daytime, the Black-Furred Ghoul now exuded an aura of madness, like a high-risk patient in a mental hospital who had lost all reason. They were as ferocious as beasts, yet even more fearless of pain, as if all emotions had vanished, leaving only the desire for destruction in their crimson eyes!

"Pu chi!"

The sharp bone spear pierced through the ghoul's chest, but it seemed oblivious to the pain. It roared, swinging its claws directly at Chu Xiu's face!

"Crack! Crack!"

Two sharp claws slammed heavily onto Chu Xiu's shoulders. If this were his first encounter with a ghoul, this blow would have shattered his shoulder blades!

But now, Chu Xiu merely swayed slightly. At the same time, his right leg shot out like a thunderbolt, striking the ghoul's lower abdomen. The immense force sent the monster flying.

Before it could regain its footing, Chu Xiu had already closed the distance with large strides. His spear plunged into its eye socket, piercing through its skull!

"Thud."

[Slaughtered a living being, Profession Experience +39]

"Oh?"

Chu Xiu raised an eyebrow.

At night, the experience gained from these ghouls actually increased by about 20%.

Although not a significant amount, it was still a pleasant surprise.

"However, this little bit of extra experience is nothing compared to the ghouls' enhanced strength."

Chu Xiu frowned again.

No matter how much information he had gathered before, it was just a rough estimate. Only after personally engaging in combat could he have a quantifiable understanding.

He could clearly feel that compared to daytime, this ghoul's strength had increased by nearly 50%! Moreover, its movements had become more agile, as if it had transformed from an ordinary person into a well-trained athlete.

"If I were surrounded by these ghouls, four or five of them at once would be more than I could handle."

And at this moment, the ghoul's scream had already thrown the entire apartment building into chaos!

"Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!"

In the darkness, countless hurried footsteps echoed clearly in Chu Xiu's ears, as if countless giant spiders were crawling towards him!

(End of Chapter)