Chapter 120: Conflict

"Congratulations to player Wu Tian for leveling up. You have reached level 30 (tenth-level Martial Spirit). Instant kill value +50."

"Congratulations to player Wu Tian for unlocking the third seal of the Black Dragon Blade. The player's attack power is increased by 90%, attack speed by 80%, and critical hit rate by 30%. You now deal quadruple damage to demonic or divine beasts."

"Congratulations to player Wu Tian for mastering the third form of the Black Dragon Blade technique, 'Sky-Cleaving and Earth-Shattering.' By channeling true energy into the Black Dragon Blade, it manifests as a massive blade of energy, dealing devastating damage to all enemies within a radius of one zhang. It has a 50% chance to deal double critical damage. Costs 3,000 true energy."

"Congratulations to player Wu Tian for unlocking the third seal of the Dark God Armor. The player's defense is increased by 90% and evasion by 40%. The active skill 'Absolute Defense' and passive skill 'Dark Devour' have been fully upgraded. The duration of Absolute Defense is extended to one minute, and the damage absorption and reflection effects of Dark Devour are doubled."

Upon hearing the system prompts, even though he was mentally prepared, Wu Tian was still filled with shock.

Not only did he gain a level and 50 points of instant kill value, but both the Black Dragon Blade and the Dark God Armor had been rewarded with the unlocking of their third seals, with their attributes effectively doubling. He had even mastered the third form of the blade technique.

Wu Tian could hardly describe his excitement. If he had received such magnificent rewards for completing only one-fifth of this side quest, the final payout upon completion would surely be heaven-defying. He felt an even greater yearning to become the King of Mercenaries.

"Due to the player completing one phase of the side quest 'King of Mercenaries,' the system grants an additional clue regarding the Black Dragon Set. The clue is located within the ruins of the Ancient Battlefield."

While Wu Tian was basking in his ecstasy, the system chimed again, providing a clue about the Black Dragon Set.

"There's even this reward? The system is being too kind. I just obtained the Dark God Armor, and now there’s another clue. The Ancient Battlefield ruins... didn't I get a map at the auction house last time? Could it be related to this?" Wu Tian mused to himself.

"Hey, boss, doesn't that guy look a bit familiar?" At that moment, a group of mercenaries walked past Wu Tian. One of them looked puzzled and asked his leader.

"Now that you mention it, he does look quite familiar." The leader observed Wu Tian carefully, frowned slightly, and pulled a stack of papers from his pocket, flipping through them one by one.

"Found it! No wonder he looked familiar; he's a wanted criminal with a bounty issued by Xinye City across the entire nation!" The leader of the mercenary group found Wu Tian's wanted poster among the papers. "A bounty of ten thousand taels of gold! Our entire group would have to risk our lives on several missions to earn that much. We're in luck today, running into a ten-thousand-tael bounty right here."

Saying this, the leader prepared to strike.

"Boss, this is the Mercenary Union headquarters, and we're at Tianmen Pass. We can't just start a fight, or the City Guard will arrest us!" one of his subordinates quickly reminded him.

"I almost forgot because of you! Damn it, seeing such a fat piece of meat and not being able to eat it is so frustrating!" the leader grumbled, looking annoyed.

Watching the group of mercenaries, Wu Tian narrowed his eyes and said, "It’s fortunate you didn't act, otherwise you would already be corpses!"

"Damn it! You're quite arrogant for a wanted criminal. If this weren't Tianmen Pass, I'd kill you right here!" the leader pointed at Wu Tian and sneered.

"If that's the case, then come and try!" Wu Tian didn't back down in the slightest, looking down at the mercenary leader from a position of superiority.

"What do you want? Do you really want to fight? Fine, our 'Python Mercenary Group' will see this through to the end!" The members of the mercenary group stepped forward, surrounding Wu Tian.

"What are you doing? What is all this? If you want to fight, you have to get past me first to touch my boss!" Niu Wuji charged over and roared.

"And me!" Li Tiedan rushed over as well.

"No one touches the young master, or I'll shoot them dead with an arrow!" Li Qingqing raised her bow, ready to strike at any moment.

Xiao Hui didn't speak, but simply walked silently to Wu Tian's side—this was the greatest support she could give him.

The atmosphere between the two sides grew incredibly tense. Just then, a middle-aged man in leather armor walked over slowly and said calmly, "Are you intending to cause trouble at the Mercenary Union headquarters? If you wish to do so, please continue, but you will bear the consequences of being annihilated by the Mercenary Union or arrested by the City Guard yourselves!"

Hearing the middle-aged man's words, the expression of the Python Mercenary Group leader changed instantly. He glared at Wu Tian with fury and said, "Kid, you just wait. Offending our Python Mercenary Group means you're waiting for death!"

With that, the leader led his members away, all of them casting fierce glares at Wu Tian as they departed.

The middle-aged man in leather scanned Wu Tian, a flash of surprise crossing his otherwise indifferent eyes. He could not sense any cultivation from Wu Tian at all, yet Wu Tian held a mercenary token, indicating he had joined a group. Was it possible to be a mercenary without any cultivation?

"Young man, if I may be so bold, have you just joined the Mercenary Union?" the man asked curiously.

"Of course. I just established my own mercenary group," Wu Tian nodded.

"Welcome to the Mercenary Union. On behalf of the Union, I wish you a smooth journey ahead," the middle-aged man replied politely.

"Thank you, sir. I have other matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave." Wu Tian hadn't rested properly for days; even with his robust physique, he was beginning to feel fatigued.

"Oh, very well, go ahead."

Wu Tian nodded and left the Mercenary Union headquarters.

The middle-aged man looked at a staff member and asked, "Has that young man just joined the Union?"

"Reporting to the Deacon, yes, he just joined. His group is called the 'Wutian Mercenary Group,' and that young man is Wu Tian, the leader. It appears he is a wanted man with a bounty of ten thousand taels of gold."

A playful look crossed the Deacon's eyes. "He shows no signs of cultivation, yet has a ten-thousand-tael bounty. This young man must possess powerful equipment capable of masking his cultivation. It seems he is no ordinary person."

...

After Wu Tian left, many mercenaries in the area were whispering among themselves.

"I didn't expect to run into a ten-thousand-tael bounty. An Earth-grade piece of equipment is worth about that much. It seems we need to take action." Some mercenary groups were eager to try.

"We would have to take on several missions just to earn that much. Now, all we have to do is take down this kid. This is a profitable deal." Other groups were secretly calculating.