175: Shadow Prison Organization, unexpected gains after killing NPC

Ye Xiao hadn't expected Shadow Prison to be such a strictly hierarchical organization.

According to Boxi, he was only a middle-to-lower tier member in Shadow Prison, and didn't know much about the organization itself.

He only knew a little more than Remi, a first-tier member.

As for why the Curse Worm was able to revive infinitely before, but died completely after being killed by Ye Xiao the last time, the reason was simple, and equally shocking.

It was all thanks to the Black Silver Holy Water in Boxi's hand.

That was a miraculous liquid that could only be cultivated in secret realms. It could record all the characteristics of a secret realm monster and automatically revive it after its death.

Just like the Curse Worm before, after it was killed by Ye Xiao, it was Boxi, hidden behind the scenes, who instantly revived it using the Black Silver Holy Water.

At the same time, because the revived Curse Worm had a brand new body, its strength would surge after it ate the flesh and blood of its previous corpse.

Boxi later appeared in that lake when he saw that no matter how many times the Curse Worm was revived, it would be easily defeated by Ye Xiao.

And that lake was the Black Silver Holy Water. Boxi knew that the remaining Holy Water was clearly not enough to sustain the Curse Worm until it was strong enough to defeat Ye Xiao.

In order to preserve the Holy Water, he quietly appeared in the lake and used special tools to retrieve the Black Silver Holy Water inside.

However, what Boxi didn't expect was that Ye Xiao was alert, which led to what happened next.

As for the origin of the Black Silver Holy Water, Boxi was also unclear. He only knew that when he joined Shadow Prison, the Holy Water already existed within the organization.

As for who discovered it or who invented it, his authority was not enough to know.

The only thing that could be confirmed was that the Black Silver Holy Water was a core item unique to Shadow Prison, and it was also the key to Shadow Prison's rapid rise among the Meiya People.

From Boxi's mouth, Ye Xiao also learned that the Shadow Prison organization originally did not exist.

But thirty years ago, for some unknown reason, it suddenly appeared silently, and then quickly gathered a large number of Meiya People.

Boxi was among the early members to join, but due to his mediocre strength, thirty years had passed, and he was still a third-tier member.

According to Boxi himself, most of the Meiya People who joined at the same time as him, or a few years later, had higher ranks than him.

Even the less capable ones were at fourth-tier, while some of the more powerful ones had already stepped into the threshold of sixth and seventh-tier.

Boxi even once knew a Meiya Person who joined Shadow Prison around the same time as him, and in just five short years, he had already been promoted to one of the Twelve Shadow Warriors.

Shadow Warriors, they were existences above any ranked members, and they were the true core members of Shadow Prison.

Above the Shadow Warriors were the legendary Four Shadow Guards.

They were responsible for coordinating the entire Shadow Prison organization.

The Twelve Shadow Warriors were directly promoted and appointed by them, which shows the influence of these Four Shadow Guards.

Besides that, throughout Shadow Prison, only one person could command the Four Shadow Guards.

That was the Shadow King, who single-handedly established Shadow Prison.

However, thirty years had passed.

Boxi had never truly seen the Shadow King.

Only Shadow Warriors, the Four Shadow Guards, and some exceptionally capable or special seventh-tier members were qualified to meet the Shadow King.

After learning all this, Ye Xiao couldn't help but think of the boss he encountered in the Miasma Hidden Forest, where there was also a lake.

However, unlike the Forest of Curses, the lake in the Miasma Hidden Forest was dry.

Perhaps it was because Remi's rank was too low, or perhaps the Shadow Prison organization did not pay much attention to the Miasma Hidden Forest, which resulted in Remi not having any Black Silver Holy Water.

If Remi had Black Silver Holy Water equivalent to Boxi's at that time, Ye Xiao truly couldn't say whether he would have successfully cleared the Miasma Hidden Forest.

One could only say that Ye Xiao's luck was quite good.

While he digested the news Boxi brought, he led Boxi deeper into the catacombs.

It was strange to say, but the first time he entered the catacombs, he encountered an eye that sent shivers down his spine.

However, this time entering the catacombs, that eye did not appear, and naturally, he did not encounter those Elemental Monsters composed of pure fire elements again.

Ye Xiao felt a slight sense of loss. He now possessed four Elemental Essences: fire, wind, water, and darkness, but he had not heard any clues about other Elemental Essences.

He had thought that entering the catacombs this time might bring an unexpected surprise, but it didn't.

“We're here. From here, using the star compass stone, you can reach Xingluo City.”

Boxi's low voice interrupted Ye Xiao's thoughts.

Ye Xiao glanced around and found several pitch-black, mud-like monsters hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity.

Those were level 160 Black Slimes, a type of special monster with extremely strong defense and immunity to a large amount of damage.

Along the way, Ye Xiao had encountered them a few times, but according to Boxi, these things wouldn't attack you unless you provoked them.

To save time, Ye Xiao naturally wouldn't be bored enough to look for trouble.

Aside from that, there were only ordinary rock walls around. They had seen at least ten such places before.

Thinking of this, Ye Xiao looked at Boxi suspiciously.

“Are you sure this is the right place?”

“It can't be wrong. My life is in your hands, how dare I lie to you?”

Boxi seemed a bit dispirited at this moment. This was the difference between NPCs and Professionals. Professionals, due to their digitized nature, as long as they didn't lose an arm or a leg, or die directly, would not be affected in their actions or spirit, except for feeling a bit weak.

But Meiya People, as NPCs, were different. They were more like living people in this Eternal World. They would get injured, bleed, and even die if their injuries were severe and not treated in time.

This was an advantage for Professionals.

It was also the fundamental reason why Humans, in just 20 short years, were able to slaughter the Meiya People who had been established here for hundreds or even thousands of years.

Seeing Boxi's appearance, Ye Xiao, without another word, cast Fireball at the Black Slimes not far away.

This scene startled Boxi greatly, “What are you doing? Those things are quite troublesome once they get entangled...”

However, before he finished speaking, as Ye Xiao continuously cast Fireball.

The Black Slimes were instantly engulfed by flames. Two seconds later, the flames extinguished, leaving only a pool of viscous black liquid on the ground.

Boxi watched all this, his heart trembling slightly.

These Black Slimes, which even he would avoid, just died like that?

They died so decisively, so silently, this... “Don't forget, this isn't the Forest of Curses. My strength hasn't been weakened. If I go up there and see anyone, no matter who they are, I will kill you immediately.”

“I believe with my speed, even if the opponent is a top-tier level 300 expert, you will die before me.”

Ye Xiao's faint voice rang out, making Boxi's heart tremble.

“I'll confirm with you one more time, are you sure it's here?”

“I...”

Facing Ye Xiao's calm threat, Boxi panicked.

In fact, after entering the catacombs, he had always held the idea of scheming against Ye Xiao.

He knew he was no match for Ye Xiao, and his life and death were completely in the other party's hands.

So, his idea was very simple: to lure Ye Xiao back to the territory of the Shadow Prison organization with him.

And the current location of the catacombs they were in, once the star compass stone was used, would teleport them to where the Shadow Warriors were.

The Shadow Warriors, as the strongest individuals in the entire Shadow Prison organization, second only to the Shadow King and the Four Shadow Guards, totaled twelve people.

Boxi believed that Ye Xiao would undoubtedly die once he encountered them.

It wasn't that he didn't want to lead Ye Xiao to the location of the Four Shadow Guards, or even the Shadow King.

The main reason was that he didn't dare. Once he did that, no matter whether Ye Xiao lived or died, he would be the first to die.

Furthermore, both the Shadow King and the Four Shadow Guards were almost always elusive, and he didn't know where these people were.

Boxi hadn't expected Ye Xiao to be so cautious.

Ye Xiao's move just now was nothing more than demonstrating his strength to him.

Boxi looked at the pool of black liquid on the ground, his eyelids twitching wildly.

Not to mention his mediocre strength, as a puppeteer, he no longer had stronger puppets to defend himself, so how could he be a match for Ye Xiao?

Under Ye Xiao's indifferent gaze, Boxi unconsciously swallowed, a mournful expression on his face, and stammered, "I think I remembered wrong, it's not this place. Let's go a little further."

Ye Xiao was not surprised by this and directly pulled Boxi, continuing to walk deeper.

When he was first captured, Boxi's attitude was quite uncooperative, and then, after learning that Ye Xiao already knew about the Shadow Prison's existence, he even mistook Ye Xiao for one of his own.

However, after Ye Xiao asked a few simple questions, Boxi realized his mistake.

Nevertheless, he still chose to answer every one of Ye Xiao's questions honestly, a change that Ye Xiao naturally understood.

Boxi was doing this simply to buy time.

How could he not understand?

As for the credibility of his words, Ye Xiao didn't expect a hundred percent, so he naturally had to guard against his opponent's tricks.

And so, Boxi led him for nearly another half an hour, until they arrived at a cave that was distinctly different from the previous ones. Only then did Boxi stop, turning to look at Ye Xiao cautiously.

"Going up from here is the outskirts of Xingluo City."

Xingluo City, though called a city, was more like a large stronghold for the Meiya People.

According to Boxi, their Meiya People were not responsible for the frontline war back then, so when they learned that the frontline army was defeated, one of the Meiya People stepped forward. Under his leadership, the remaining people fled to this place.

This Xingluo City was originally an unrestricted secret realm opened by the Eternal World for Human Job Holders to challenge, where a large number of NPC enemies would randomly appear.

Professionals could gain a large amount of experience, equipment, and rare items by challenging and defeating these NPCs.

They could also learn different skills from the corresponding NPCs.

Furthermore, if they were lucky enough to challenge a special NPC, they could even obtain a hidden profession change.

It could be said that this unrestricted secret realm was an indispensable existence for Human Job Holders.

But to enter, one had to find a specific, unique NPC.

And that NPC was the Meiya person who originally stepped forward to lead them into Xingluo City.

He was originally the only NPC in Xingluo City with permission to open it.

At the same time, he was also the only NPC capable of selecting which NPCs could enter the secret realm.

It was precisely because of his ability that he was able to lead the remaining Meiya People to hide in Xingluo City.

At the same time, after humans lost this NPC, they also lost the ability to enter Xingluo City.

Ye Xiao had heard about this place in his textbooks before.

Back then, the first generation of Human Job Holders flourished and their strength grew rapidly precisely because of the existence of this unrestricted secret realm.

However, after the Extinguish Yuan Battle, this situation no longer existed.

Although humans won the war and became the new masters of the Eternal World.

But at the same time, they also lost many opportunities and chances for development.

Ye Xiao couldn't say whether this was good or bad, only feeling some regret that he wasn't born in that era.

Yet, he never expected that at this very moment, he would have the chance to re-enter Xingluo City, which he had only ever learned about in textbooks.

For a moment, Ye Xiao was somewhat excited.

However, after the excitement, Ye Xiao calmed down.

This was not eighty years ago; with the current relationship between NPCs and humans.

It was hard to say if he could gain anything from those Meiya People.

The only thing worth celebrating was that Professionals could see an NPC's panel, but NPCs could not.

So, as long as he hid well and didn't expose his human identity, there might still be a chance.

Ye Xiao secretly cheered himself on.

Then, he collected his thoughts, staring at Boxi and saying, "You need to know, this is your last chance. Are you ready?"

Boxi's body trembled twice, and he said with some difficulty, "De...definitely."

As it concerned his life and death, he naturally dared not act recklessly at this moment.

"If we go up and you confirm I haven't lied to you, will you let me go?"

Boxi looked at Ye Xiao expectantly, his eyes full of hope.

Ye Xiao glanced at him, "Let's go up first, then we'll talk."

After speaking, he directly took out the star compass stone.

The next moment, a black hole in front of them continuously expanded.

Ye Xiao activated his three-sided shield and simultaneously cast the Death Domain.

Then he said to Boxi, "You go in first."

Boxi dared not resist and obediently walked in first.

However, Ye Xiao didn't notice the irrepressible joy that flashed in Boxi's eyes when he heard his words.

This human was truly stupid; he actually let him leave first.

Wasn't that giving him a chance to escape?

Of course, he couldn't say this out loud; he even suppressed his excitement, pretending to be cautious as he walked into the black hole in front of him.

However, he didn't know that just as one of his feet stepped into the black hole, Ye Xiao behind him had already disappeared.

At this moment, Ye Xiao had directly activated Void Phantom, following closely beside Boxi.

Although he felt that Boxi wouldn't joke with his own life, no one could say for sure. If he encountered someone stubborn, walking in without any precautions would only result in losing his life for nothing.

For the sake of caution, Void Phantom was naturally the best choice.

The next moment, with Boxi, who was oblivious to all of this, happily entering the black hole.

In an instant, he appeared in an open space covered in black soil. Not far from his line of sight, a grand building filled with a cold aura stood.

That was their Meiya People's holy land—Xingluo City.

Boxi was clearly very familiar with Xingluo City. In an instant, he used the remaining strength he had accumulated for a long time, desperately rushing towards Xingluo City.

As long as he entered the city, he would be safe.

At that time, he would immediately inform his superiors about this matter and have them send people to encircle and annihilate that damned human.

As soon as he thought of this, Boxi's excitement could no longer be suppressed, and a cruel smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

However, just as he was getting closer and closer to Xingluo City, an indifferent voice suddenly came from his ear.

"Didn't you remember anything I just said? I told you to wait for me. Where are you rushing off to?"

The expression on Boxi's face instantly froze, his body, which had been sprinting, shook, and he abruptly stopped in place.

Immediately, Boxi forced a smile that was uglier than crying.

"I, I didn't... I just..."

Boxi stammered for a long time, unable to utter a complete sentence.

At the same time, Ye Xiao's figure slowly appeared in front of him.

"Very good. I was originally thinking of what excuse to find to kill you so that I wouldn't do something treacherous, but since you've handed the knife to me yourself, then I won't be polite."

"No, no... that's not it, listen to me..."

However, before Boxi could finish his sentence, Ye Xiao had already waved his staff.

With a "bang" sound.

Boxi stood frozen on the spot, his eyes wide open, staring intently at Ye Xiao.

However, from this moment on, his eyes could no longer close.

Because his body began to crack from the inside, turning into a pile of minced meat in the blink of an eye.

---

【Ding! You killed Boxi, the East Gate Guard of Liyue City, gaining 3,898,429 experience points.】

【Ding! You killed an NPC, gaining godforged ore.】

---

Killing Boxi was a decision Ye Xiao had made early on. Entering the NPC's territory alone, he certainly couldn't keep such a ticking time bomb by his side.

Once there was a mishap, various dangers would follow one after another.

Anyway, he had already inquired about everything he needed to know beforehand, so even if Boxi lied, keeping him probably wouldn't yield any useful information.

However, what Ye Xiao didn't expect was that after killing Boxi.

The information that popped up from the system, and the red stone that dropped from Boxi, truly startled him.

godforged ore???

Could it be...