"What can you get?"

Maha Zoldyck chuckled dryly.

"For now, I can’t guess what you’re after, but... I brought this up because you asked."

Maha Zoldyck began to show his cunning nature.

"Helping you with this is possible, but as a bargaining chip, the Zoldyck family must provide me with this."

Su Xiao took out a Soul Crystal (Large) from the storage space. He wasn’t interested in the Zoldyck family’s combat skills, and Nen knowledge was useless to him unless it was a skill scroll. Therefore, Su Xiao offered a Soul Crystal (Large) as a bargaining chip.

When Su Xiao last entered the Hunter World, he found that the number of soul crystals in this derivative world was quite astounding.

The Ten Old Man’s low-ranking gang member could obtain dozens of Soul Crystals (Medium), and the Zoldyck family, as high-level forces in the Hunter World, could certainly provide a Soul Crystal (Large).

According to the information Su Xiao obtained from Reincarnation Paradise, the Hunter World, Pirate World, and a certain War World are fertile grounds for soul crystals. Of course, this information might not be entirely accurate; there could be other world rich in soul crystals.

Because of this, the Hunter World and Pirate World are very popular among major adventure groups. There are more opportunities to enter the Pirate World, while the Hunter World is relatively rare, which is a primary reason Su Xiao chose to enter the Hunter World.

His goal was to elevate his Sword Technique Master to Level 50 for the next qualitative change, which required at least 100 Soul Crystals (Large). Thinking about this number, Su Xiao felt it was almost hopeless to reach Level 50.

This time entering the Hunter World, obtaining 100 Soul Crystals (Large) was a dream, but getting over 5 was quite possible, and the main task could reward 3 more.

"So you want an Eternal Crystal Stone. Such a large Eternal Crystal Stone is rare, but not impossible to obtain."

The ’Eternal Crystal Stone’ in Maha’s words was what Soul Crystals were called in the Hunter World.

"20 pieces."

Su Xiao offered his price, and Maha smiled.

"At most, I can get you 2 pieces. Such large Eternal Crystal Stones are very rare; most are treasured as jewels and have significant appreciation potential."

Hearing Maha discuss appreciation potential, Su Xiao momentarily didn’t know how to respond. Indeed, in different regions, the price of items varies. In Reincarnation Paradise, soul crystals are strategic resources, while in the Hunter World, they are rare collectibles and among the highest-priced gemstones.

"18 pieces."

"5 pieces."

"16 pieces."

"8 pieces."

"Deal."

"...?"

After a ’pleasant’ bargaining session, the initial deal was settled, though it depended on what Maha actually wanted to do.

"Tell me, what do you need me to do?"

"Join me... into the depths of Kukuru Mountain. Before that, we’ll need to bring along two more people. Here’s the plan..."

After listening to Maha’s description, Su Xiao understood what was going on. The so-called Kukuru Mountain was actually right in front of them. The region where the Zoldyck family castle was located was the midsection of Kukuru Mountain.

The whole Kukuru Mountain resembled the shape of a volcano, like a large cylindrical chimney. The top was usually shrouded in volcanic ash, making the upper part barren. From the summit down to the base, it was relatively smoother, with abundant tree growth, making it suitable for living.

Kukuru Mountain was originally an active volcano. For some unknown reason, it stopped erupting, and volcanic ash spread from the crater year-round, forming a massive gray-black cloud atop the mountain.

The original site of the Zoldyck family wasn’t here but near Meteor Street. Moving here was Maha’s decision, and only Maha knew the reason.

"That’s basically it. The journey is dangerous, which is why I’m offering 8 such large Eternal Crystals. They’re virtually my life’s accumulated wealth."

Maha was really putting himself out there. The reason he chose to collaborate with Su Xiao was that he couldn’t find anyone else, and, importantly, some obstacles inside Kukuru Mountain required extremely powerful attack abilities to break through. It just so happened that Su Xiao, who was adept with a long knife, had this capability.

Even now, Maha still didn’t entirely trust Su Xiao, but he had no choice. This concerned the average lifespan of his family members. More importantly, Maha saw his current state of survival as far from fortunate. On the contrary, every day was a living hell. Normal nen represented life energy, while his black nen represented death. He was eroded by death daily, and the fact he hadn’t gone mad just showed this old man’s strong willpower.

"I have other matters to attend to in 9 days, so I can spare a maximum of 7 days."

Exchanging seven days for 8 Soul Crystals (Large)? That deal was guaranteed to be profitable. As for the danger, Su Xiao was already accustomed to it.

"No need for 7 days; we can solve it in about 5 days. Before we set out, we must bring back one more person. By the way, in this expedition to Kukuru Mountain, including you and me, there will be a total of four people. We’ll discuss the details later."

"Alright, if nothing significant deviates, I can go with you into Kukuru Mountain."

Su Xiao didn’t directly agree, but Maha smiled because this was the response he most wanted to hear. An easy agreement sometimes meant unreliability.

"Okay, then we’ll officially set off in 2 days."

Just as Maha finished speaking, Su Xiao received a prompt from Reincarnation Paradise.

[Prompt: Hunter has actively triggered the hidden task: The curse of the Zoldyck family.]

[Hidden Task: The curse of the Zoldyck family (First Ring)]

Difficulty Level: Level 24

Task Introduction: Go deep into Kukuru Mountain with Maha Zoldyck.

Task Information: Entering the inner part of Kukuru Mountain will complete the first ring of the hidden task and activate the second ring.

Task Deadline: 3 natural days.

Task Reward: Light Gold Suitcase ×1 (After opening, there is a 100% chance of obtaining a random Light Gold Suit; this is the first ring’s reward.)

Task Penalty: Maha Zoldyck favorability -80, forced into hostility, Hunter will be unable to negotiate with any Zoldyck family member.

...

The hidden task was successfully triggered, or rather, Su Xiao found the hidden task himself instead of relying on luck. This is the benefit of having great strength.

If Su Xiao didn’t have his current combat strength, he wouldn’t be able to probe Maha Zoldyck like before, or he would provoke instant disaster.

Normally, to activate this hidden task, you must first have a high favorability with Zeno, then gain Silva’s high trust, meet the fourth child of the Zoldyck family, Yaluga Zoldyck, and finally contact Maha Zoldyck through Yaluga, earning Maha’s trust to trigger this high-reward, low-penalty hidden task.

Su Xiao’s approach was simple and brutal. It was evident to all contractors that Maha Zoldyck and Yaluga Zoldyck were linked to the hidden task.

Thus, Su Xiao directly asked Maha why he was still alive, which would likely lead to Yaluga Zoldyck.