Just as Shi Feng was silently speculating about Xia Lian's identity, a flash of astonishment appeared in her golden eyes.
"You actually managed to get it!" Xia Lian looked Shi Feng up and down. "I thought you'd bring back a fake to solve your little problem."
Shi Feng looked taken aback.
Only the fallen angel Serena had mentioned the fakes — he hadn't expected Xia Lian to know about them, too.
Xia Lian read his confusion and explained with a smile: "The Dark Bible is no ordinary item. It was crafted by the Lord of Destruction — a supreme treasure used to command all demons. Even in its damaged state, the Dark Bible still holds immense power, and countless powerhouses have sought to obtain it. Many strong players ventured into the Dark Black Cavern in the past, trying to claim the Dark Bible, but every copy they brought back turned out to be a fake."
"Although the fakes are counterfeits, they still carry a certain amount of power. Dealing with the minor inconvenience of a Greater Demon targeting you wouldn't be a problem at all. But a fake is still a fake — it's of some use to weak adventurers like you, but for high-tier powerhouses, it's essentially useless. You'd be better off discarding it."
"No wonder in my previous life, Qianhuan Wanmie stopped using the Dark Bible after reaching Tier 4 — so that's why." Shi Feng's expression cleared with sudden understanding.
In his previous life, Qianhuan Wanmie had risen to fame thanks to the Dark Bible, allowing the Illusory World Temple to overshadow the Dragon and Phoenix Pavilion branch. But after Qianhuan Wanmie advanced to Tier 4 as a Spirit Emperor, the Dark Bible was never used again. At the time, everyone assumed it had been dropped when he was killed.
Epic-tier items, especially special ones like the Dark Bible, were effective simply by sitting in your inventory. They had nothing to do with level — even peak Tier 5 players would keep using them. Legendary item fragments and full Legendary items were far too rare; even Tier 6 god-class players might not possess one. Owning this kind of epic-tier item was already a blessing.
Now it made sense. The fake could only help up to Tier 3, and once someone reached Tier 4, it became useless. Naturally, there was no point keeping it.
"Take it out," Xia Lian said softly, her beautiful eyes curving into a smile.
Shi Feng carefully retrieved the Dark Bible from his inventory and placed it on the nearby desk.
"Mm, it's the real thing. You're more capable than I expected. Do you have any idea how many powerhouses have tried to obtain the Dark Bible? Every single one came back with a fake. If they found out that a little brat like you actually got the genuine article, they'd probably lose their minds." Xia Lian examined the Dark Bible closely, then nodded with a grin. "Since you brought the real one, I'll give you two options."
"The first option costs nothing, and I'll resolve the matter of the Greater Demon's descent."
"The second option requires fifteen hundred gold plus one hundred Soul Crystals, but it will permanently eliminate the Greater Demon that's been targeting you."
"As I expected." Shi Feng couldn't help shooting Xia Lian a contemptuous look. His entire savings amounted to just over sixteen hundred gold — the earnings Torch Commerce had accumulated over this period. Handing it over to Xia Lian would make him broke all over again.
But even so, he gritted his teeth and paid up.
If he chose the first option, it might seem like the problem of the Greater Demon's descent was solved, but in reality it only weakened the demon that appeared, making it something a player could fight. That meant he'd have to face another weakened incarnation of the Greater Demon's will at regular intervals until the demon in its full, peak state was truly killed. Otherwise, it would go on forever.
In his previous life, Qianhuan Wanmie had been tormented by these Dark Descents as well, constantly having to deal with weakened Greater Demons whenever they appeared. It had turned the entire Illusory World Temple upside down.
The fact that he still had a second option was already a stroke of luck.
Perhaps this was the difference between a fake and the real thing.