Chapter 35: Becoming a Peripheral Member of the Mercenary Guild

“Now I need to introduce the importance of mercenary ranks. The first six ranks are free mercenaries, but starting from the seventh rank, one can be considered a peripheral member of the Mercenary Guild. After reaching one hundred million points and becoming a ninth-rank mercenary, one can be admitted into the Mercenary Guild and become an official member. Especially for young people like you who belong to no faction, you are the kind of talent our Mercenary Guild is most willing to absorb. Now the question I need to ask is, are you willing to become peripheral members of the Mercenary Guild?”

“If we become peripheral members, what benefits do we get, and what obligations and responsibilities must we fulfill?” Yang Tong asked calmly.

“Smart. As peripheral members of the Mercenary Guild, you naturally need to protect the Guild’s interests and must not do anything that harms them. Moreover, after becoming peripheral members, you naturally cannot join other factions. Our Mercenary Guild has its own system for member promotion. For example, I first became a peripheral member of the Mercenary Guild. After my awakening, I entered the inner ranks and, over the years, rose to become the Deputy Chief of the Luoyu County branch of the Mercenary Guild,” Li Fangxin explained. “Becoming a peripheral member not only grants you the protection of the Mercenary Guild but also allows you to exchange points and Spirit Coins within the Guild for high-level potions, high-grade Spirit Tools, and various rare treasures. Also, the higher-ups will not force you to do things you dislike; everything is voluntary.”

Yang Tong and Feng Xiaobo discussed quietly.

“Do you want to become a member of the Mercenary Guild?” Yang Tong asked.

“What about you?” Feng Xiaobo asked.

“I think if we really want to join a faction, a super-large faction is naturally best because these factions are vast and have abundant resources. Many good things that are hard to find outside or cannot be bought with money can be obtained through the internal channels of such major factions. This is very beneficial and harmless for future cultivation,” Yang Tong analyzed. “So, I am willing to join.”

“Good, let’s join together.” Feng Xiaobo did not want to miss this chance either. After all, coming from a grassroots background, it would be hard to find such an opportunity in the future besides being accepted by an open and free faction like the Mercenary Guild.

This was also why most grassroots martial artists were willing to become mercenaries, as it not only solved their livelihood but also provided a channel for upward mobility.

“Chief Li, we are willing to join the Mercenary Guild and become peripheral members,” Yang Tong and Feng Xiaobo responded.

“Excellent. Here are the Tokens for peripheral members of the Mercenary Guild that I prepared for you. Since you are only peripheral members, these Tokens only have identity verification functions. Through them, you can gain the qualification to exchange for treasures from the Guild’s internal channels. If one day you become official members of the Guild, you will receive a Spirit Communication Token issued by the Guild. This Token is not only proof of identity but can also connect to the Guild’s public spiritual energy network to check all information and mission introductions issued by the Guild, along with many other functions,” Li Fangxin said with a smile, asking Yang Tong and Feng Xiaobo to verify the Tokens with a drop of blood.

“Alright, young friends, from now on we are on the same side. If you have nothing else, I will take my leave,” Li Fangxin said with a smile.

Yang Tong and Feng Xiaobo digested the introductory information within the Tokens and understood the Token’s functions.

“Chief Li, we are very curious. Could we know the function of the Earth Soul Crystal?” Yang Tong asked politely.

“It’s fine to tell you. The Earth Soul Crystal is one of the unique products of the Fengxuan Continent. It has an extraordinary magical effect on the condensation and stabilization of the soul. Its main role is to assist Void Ninth-level experts in advancing to become Saint Domain Experts. However, you just need to know this and don’t need to spread it around,” Li Fangxin said generously, because in his view, the two youths were just curious and could not possibly have two Earth Soul Crystals in their hands. The Earth Soul Crystal was utterly useless to them.

“So that’s why. No wonder it’s so expensive,” Feng Xiaobo exclaimed.

Upon hearing this, Yang Tong felt a stir in his heart, but on the surface, he showed an expression of sudden understanding and asked, “Then, what are the requirements for Artificial Awakening?”

“What, you want Artificial Awakening? It’s fine to tell you. Official members of the Mercenary Guild can exchange for one Artificial Awakening by paying thirty billion Spirit Coins and two billion points. However, besides becoming a ninth-rank mercenary, peripheral members only need to awaken to become official members of the Mercenary Guild,” Li Fangxin spoke at length. “The cost is too great. I advise you not to think about it.”

Yang Tong and Feng Xiaobo looked at each other, faces full of surprise. Yang Tong was amazed at the enormous cost of Artificial Awakening—thirty billion Spirit Coins and two billion points. Not to mention his own family’s circumstances, even a wealthy family like Di Xuanluo’s, which was among the richest in the entire Luoyu County, could not afford it.

“You are still too young and haven’t awakened yet. I advise you to buy practical things if you want to buy anything, like Second-Grade top-tier defensive battle suits, D-type spiritual energy firearms, high-grade potions, and so on. As for Third-Grade and Fourth-Grade Spirit Tool armaments, you can’t use them; you need spiritual power to use them,” Li Fangxin said as he took out a list from his ring and handed it to the two. “There are many good things on this list that can’t be bought outside. Would you like to buy some?”

Yang Tong and Feng Xiaobo took a look. Wow, the list was categorized with many items. With Yang Tong and Feng Xiaobo’s permissions, they could buy Fifth-Grade spiritual pills, Fourth-Grade Spirit Tool armaments, and various D-type spiritual energy firearms.

It had to be known that in Luoyu County, being able to buy Third-Grade Spirit Tool armaments, Third-Grade pills, and C-type spiritual energy firearms was already considered rare. Without connections or enough money, one couldn’t buy them even if they wanted to.

Yang Tong really started a big shopping spree. He bought Second-Grade, Third-Grade, and Fourth-Grade potions and spiritual pills. He specially spent one hundred thousand on a Vitality Restoration Potion, a Fifth-Grade potion used to restore vitality after severe injuries. Consumables like pills and potions for oral intake or injection, especially healing medicines, did not have very strict usage restrictions. Of course, some high-level pills could cause low-level Martial Spirit Masters to explode if taken.

Yang Tong made extensive purchases, spending a huge sum of six million, and another two hundred thousand Spirit Coins to buy twenty Standard Crystals. This was basically equivalent to the entire wealth of Yang Tong’s family in the past. Feng Xiaobo was even more extravagant, spending ten million at once! He bought everything from inner armor and battle suits to transportation Spirit Tools.

With flushed faces, the two walked out of the Mercenary Guild. As they left, Yang Tong repeatedly emphasized the need to keep this matter secret. After discussing, the two rode their respective Flying Disc Motorcycles and each went home.