Online Game: Evil Dragon Against The Heaven - 178
BattleZone Honor Rankings:
1st Place: Huaxia Battle Zone, Honor Points: 100.
Honor Overview:
On July 17, 2210, the player Xie Tian from the Huaxia Battle Zone successfully completed the mercenary system quest 『Relic of the Mercenary King』 , making the Huaxia Battle Zone the first in the world to unlock mercenary quests.
Opening the Battle Zone Honor Rankings revealed the solitary yet proud name of the Huaxia Battle Zone perched at the very top. Below it, there was nothing—no second place, no third, no fourth… only Huaxia stood there alone.
Every player who opened the Honor Rankings would see just one name: Huaxia. And in the Honor Overview, the name 『Xie Tian』 was prominently displayed.
From this day forward, there would no longer be anyone in the world who didn’t know the name Xie Tian.
For Huaxia players, the shock of this achievement was far outweighed by the pride of seeing their battle zone ranked first in the world. When players from across the globe opened the Honor Rankings, all they could see was Huaxia standing tall…It was a moment of immense pride and glory.
The name Xie Tian, once shrouded in mystery and known for strength, now carried the radiant luster of honor. Regardless of how he had done it or his intentions, it was because of him that the Huaxia Battle Zone had achieved a level of recognition and respect that the entire world now gazed upon in awe.
“Second Brother, you did it!”
On North Street in Tianchen City, Zuo Po Jun clenched his fists and looked toward the sky, his voice brimming with excitement.
“Oh, but isn’t this just another ordinary day? My dear Third Brother.”
Murong Qiu Shui replied, his lips curling slightly. Though his face remained calm, the brilliance in his eyes betrayed his inner exhilaration and unrest.
They shared in this victory, feeling the elation that came with collective glory.
Amidst the global uproar and fervor among players, the system notifications continued. To the astonishment of countless players, the attributes of the Badge of Honor of the Mercenary King—the reward Ye Tian Xie had received—were announced.
【Ding… Badge of Honor of the Mercenary King:
Basic Attributes:
Strength +5%
Constitution +5%
Agility +5%
Spirit +5%
Special Effect: The holder of this badge can establish the new Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group. Upon creation, the group’s level will immediately be set to Level 2. Rewards from mercenary quests, including money and experience, are increased by 30%.
Blessing of the Original Mercenary Group Members:
Warrior-class players: Blessed by War Soul (+5% Strength, +5% Health).
Shield Guardian-class players: Blessed by Immobility Soul (+5% Health, +5% Constitution).
Archer-class players: Blessed by Bow Soul (+5% Movement Speed, +5% Agility).
Assassin-class players: Blessed by Shadow Soul (+5% Attack, +5% Agility).
Mage-class players: Blessed by the Four Elemental Souls (+5% Spirit, +5% Magic Power).
Summoner-class players: Blessed by Summoning Soul (+5% to all attributes of summoned companions).】
When the system notifications finally ended, Zuo Po Jun and Murong Qiu Shui exchanged a glance. At the same time, they both shouted two identical words:
“Holy crap!!”
Zuo Po Jun immediately raised his wrist and yelled into his communicator:
“Second Brother! Get back here now! I want to join the Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group! I have to join the Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group!!”
No one had ever heard of a mercenary group that could directly boost a player’s attributes simply by joining. Yet, the Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group offered exactly that—attribute bonuses for any class that joined, not just one but two attributes, each increased by an impressive 5%!
A 5% boost to primary attributes—just imagine how many levels or how powerful of equipment it would normally take to achieve that!
Zuo Po Jun was not the only one excited. When the system, for reasons unknown, publicly announced the attributes of the Badge of Honor of the Mercenary King, it was as if a massive bomb had been dropped. The already chaotic player community was thrown into even greater disarray, while players in the Huaxia Region erupted as if the news had ignited an explosion.
Simply by joining the Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group, players could enjoy a 5% boost to their primary attributes. What kind of absurd advantage was this?! It made survival seem impossible for any other mercenary group.
It was easy to imagine that after this announcement, countless players would go to any lengths to find Xie Tian and join the Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group, sparing no expense in the process. The system had made it clear: joining the group required no specific conditions, and as long as players remained members, they would enjoy the attribute bonuses wherever they were. Unless they left the group or were expelled, these bonuses were effectively permanent.
If Ye Tian Xie were to set up a stall in town and shout, 『1 million gold to join!』 a terrifyingly long queue of wealthy, power-hungry players would undoubtedly form in pursuit of this advantage.
【Ding…The player you are trying to contact is currently in a special scenario and cannot communicate with the outside world.】
Zuo Po Jun:”………”
Lowering his communicator, Zuo Po Jun excitedly turned to Murong Qiu Shui and asked:
“Do you think Second Brother will let us join the Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group?”
Murong Qiu Shui gave him a look that could only be described as disdainful, replying:
“Please, don’t insult my noble intellect with such a stupid question. My dear Second Brother will always shower us with his radiant brilliance… Oh!! Why, oh why, was I not born a real woman? Why…”
Zuo Po Jun broke out in a cold sweat and nearly shivered. He hastily looked around to ensure no one was nearby…Thankfully, no one had heard Murong Qiu Shui’s eccentric outburst. Otherwise, they would surely be stared at like lunatics.
***
Heavenly Soul Graveyard.
Holding the golden badge in his hand, Ye Tian Xie listened to the system notification that had broadcasted without his consent. For a moment, he was speechless. He realized that once the announcement spread, the flood of people searching for him would be overwhelming—all for the chance to join his Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group.
Ye Tian Xie couldn’t help but wonder if the system was playing some kind of prank on him. Because there was one extremely important detail it hadn’t disclosed.
【The attributes of the 『Badge of Honor of the Mercenary King』 clearly stated that the total number of members in the Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group, including the leader, could not exceed 13.】
No more than 13 members…
At the same time, the system had also omitted another powerful attribute of the badge.
『Badge of Honor of the Mercenary King』 :
A badge imbued with the partial souls and wills of the deceased members of the Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group. The holder of this badge is recognized by the Mercenary King, Ren Zhan Qing and is granted the authority to establish a new Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group. Upon creation, the group’s level is immediately set to Level 2. Rewards from mercenary quests, including gold and experience, are increased by 30%.
Blessings of the Souls:
Warrior-class players: Blessed by War Soul (+5% Strength, +5% Health).
Shield Guardian-class players: Blessed by Immobility Soul (+5% Health, +5% Constitution).
Archer-class players: Blessed by Bow Soul (+5% Movement Speed, +5% Agility).
Assassin-class players: Blessed by Shadow Soul (+5% Attack, +5% Agility).
Mage-class players: Blessed by the Four Elemental Souls (+5% Spirit, +5% Magic Power).
Summoner-class players: Blessed by Summoning Soul (+5% to all attributes of summoned companions).
Additional Attributes:
Equipping this badge grants: Strength +5%, Constitution +5%, Agility +5%, Spirit +5%.
Additional Skill:
Honor of the Mercenary King: Releases the sealed will and soul power within the badge, reviving all fallen members of the Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group on the same map. Revived members will have their health fully restored. Usable once every seven days.
Special Restriction:
Owner-bound: Xie Tian. Cannot be traded, sold, or stolen.
The Badge of Honor of the Mercenary King had an astonishing resurrection skill—a large-scale, group revival. Such a resurrection ability was impossible even for the final-tier profession of a priest, the Holy Archbishop. Although its cooldown time was as long as seven days, its overwhelming power could not be overshadowed.
【Ding…】
Another voice sounded in Ye Tian Xie’s ears.
【For successfully completing the hidden branch of the system quest 『Relic of the Mercenary King』, you have received an additional reward: Heavenly Absolute-level Scroll – Divine Blessing.】
A grayish-white scroll descended from the sky, gently landing in Ye Tian Xie’s hand. Holding the Heavenly Absolute-level scroll, he could hear the pounding of his own heartbeat.
Divine Blessing:
Heavenly Absolute Scroll. A mystical scroll imbued with the blessing power of the God of Creation. It is said that receiving the God’s blessing grants the user the ability to unlock an additional profession.
An additional profession?!
The concept was so powerful and incredible that Ye Tian Xie tightened his grip on the scroll, hardly daring to believe such an attribute could exist.
What would it mean for someone to have two professions?
It meant a warrior could gain the assassin’s speed and stealth. An archer could switch weapons and fight in close combat if engaged. A shield guardian could summon various companions while maintaining full defense.
Two professions meant more profession-specific attributes, more comprehensive skills, and a fusion of abilities that would create an overwhelmingly powerful player, one that would break the balance of the game.
Ye Tian Xie fell silent, realizing that yet another item that should not exist—a tool capable of disrupting balance—had fallen into his hands. After a moment’s pause, he gripped the scroll tightly and crushed it.
The grayish scroll disintegrated into specks of ash-colored light, which flowed into Ye Tian Xie’s body through his arm and disappeared completely.
【Ding… You have used the Heavenly Absolute Scroll – Divine Blessing. You can now select an additional profession different from your existing one.】
Only after hearing the notification did Ye Tian Xie truly believe it—he now had the ability to possess two professions, thanks to this powerful item.
The terrifying scenario of 12 members reviving simultaneously to launch a combined attack was enough to drive ordinary players to utter despair. Such a difficult branch quest naturally promised extraordinary rewards. Even so, the level of this reward—a Heavenly Absolute scroll with unparalleled and unique attributes—exceeded even Ye Tian Xie’s expectations.
The Mercenary King stood silently in place. There was no longer any movement, and even his gray eyes, though open, had become lifeless, like the eyes of a dead fish. Around him, the twelve members of the Heavenly Soul Mercenary Group lay scattered on the ground, their stillness enveloping the scene in an eerie silence.
With the Relic of the Mercenary King—the Badge of Honor of the Mercenary King—in hand, the quest was complete.
A beam of white light descended from the heavens, enveloping Ye Tian Xie’s body and carrying him out of the dark, underground tomb.