Chapter 8: The Tusked Elephant Mercenary Group
"To become a Mercenary, you must first register at the Mercenary Guild."
Walking down the streets of Soul Hunting Town, Tian Wenlong spoke while leading Zhao Liuyun toward a tavern.
"What are the requirements? How many gold coins are needed?"
This was Zhao Liuyun's question.
Based on what he had observed these past few days, Spirit Hall must charge money for Mercenary registration, right?
Free Spirit awakening benefits the increase in the number of Spirit Masters, while also allowing them to unify the Spirit Master hierarchy and use overt schemes to extract money from the two great Empires.
This money would eventually gather in the hands of Spirit Hall through various channels.
Tian Wenlong said, "One gold coin, just for show."
"Two extra conditions must be met: first, you must be at least a One-Ring Spirit Master, and second, you must join a Mercenary Group."
"Lone Mercenaries are not trustworthy; a Mercenary Group must vouch for them."
Zhao Liuyun was a One-Ring Spirit Master and had also joined the Tusked Elephant Mercenary Group, so all conditions were met.
The town was small, and it didn't take long for the two of them to reach the tavern.
Pushing open the heavy wooden door, a wave of heat mixed with the smell of charred roast meat, pungent tobacco smoke, and heavy sweat rushed toward them.
The tavern was very noisy.
"Clink! Clang!"
Wine glasses clinked continuously, and occasionally, loud bursts of laughter drew everyone's attention.
"Hahaha! You lost!"
There were also burly men slamming the tables, creating loud "Bang! Bang!" noises, which drew cheers and jeers.
Most were men; women were few and far between.
The light inside the tavern wasn't bright. Zhao Liuyun looked up and saw a layer of grease coating the Soul Guiding Lamp, clearly stained that way by years of smoke from roasted meat.
The creaking sound of the wooden door caused many people to turn and look.
Several Mercenaries familiar with Tian Wenlong saw the child accompanying him, and their eyes suddenly lit up:
"Oh, Scarred Tian, you just took in one newbie, and now you're bringing another?"
"Aren't you going to introduce him to us?"
"Scram, scram, scram! Drink your wine, and stop being annoying and getting in my way!"
Facing those reckless words, Tian Wenlong was not polite and cursed them back one by one.
He then led Zhao Liuyun directly to the bartender: "Brother Luo, do me a favor, register this young man as a Mercenary under our Mercenary Group."
The bartender named Luo glanced at Zhao Liuyun in surprise: "This kid?"
Mercenaries aren't restricted by age, but he truly had never seen anyone this young before.
A genius becoming a Mercenary too?
"Yes!"
The bartender named Luo nodded slightly: "Name, display your Spiritand spirit ring."
"Zhao Liuyun, Spirit Moon Secluded Epiphyllum, One-Ring Spirit Master."
There was no need to hide it, as he couldn't disguise himself and wasn't using a pseudonym; anyone with intent could easily find out.
Amidst the soft flowing light, a magnificent and dazzling large flower Spirit emerged from the radiance, quietly suspended above Zhao Liuyun's palm.
Accompanying its appearance was a refreshing, cool fragrance.
The fragrance was refreshing, actually quieting the noisy tavern somewhat.
Following the appearance of the Spirit, a yellow, shimmering spirit ringalso rose from beneath Zhao Liuyun's feet.
The bartender's eyes were shocked: "A Hundred-Year spirit ring?"
"Yes, but I'm only a support system Spirit Master." Zhao Liuyundeliberately said this.
The Mercenary Guild was an asset of Spirit Hall, and this person might report it and invite him to join Spirit Hall.
A support system Spirit Master wouldn't attract covetous attention.
"Brother Luo, hurry up, don't dawdle." Tian Wenlong knocked on the counter.
He didn't expose him, and casually helped fabricate a background: "He's the child of a relative of mine. His parents sent him to my Mercenary Group for some tempering and life experience, so I have to look after him."
The bartender's tone was leisurely: "Then you're in luck~"
These kinds of geniuses, who have connections and start messing around after reading a couple of storybooks, are the most troublesome.
Yet, they couldn't be offended; they had to be accommodated.
With a hint of pity, the bartender took a still-warm iron plate from the small window behind him: "Registration complete."
Zhao Liuyun rubbed it; the front had his name and the characters for 'Mercenary,' and the back bore the symbol of Spirit Hall.
It was crude and easily copied, but no low-level Mercenary cared.
Tian Wenlong led him out of the tavern. Seeing Zhao Liuyun staring at the iron plate representing his Mercenary status, Tian Wenlongaddressed him more warmly.
"Welcome to being a Mercenary, Liuyun."
"I can call you that, right?" he asked softly.
"Of course, Group Leader..."
Tian Wenlong feigned seriousness and frowned: "Aren't you being too formal?"
His serious expression instantly switched to a gentle one, "Just call me Uncle Tian, like before."
The scar twisted with his expression, making his face look somewhat ferocious.
However, Zhao Liuyun felt that this actually suited his own smooth and versatile personality.
"Uncle Tian."
The address was changed back.
Tian Wenlong felt relieved and laughed heartily: "Let's go, let's go! A newcomer has joined the group, it's time for a feast!"
"Uncle Tian will take you to taste a Spirit Beast feast!"
The details of the feast need not be elaborated.
Although the ingredients were only the meat of Ten-Year Spirit Beasts, the variety was rich and the cooking methods complete, naturally making it memorable.
After the meal, everyone gathered together, and the Mercenary GroupLeader Tian Wenlong officially introduced Zhao Liuyun to the crowd.
This was also to allow Zhao Liuyun to form an initial impression of them.
The one who had given him attitude earlier at his Martial Uncle's shop was a newcomer who had just joined a month ago.
His name was Ye Ye, his Spirit was the Bald Eagle, with one white and one yellow spirit ring. He was twenty-three years old, a Two-Ring Spirit Grandmaster, serving as the team's Scout.
He had quite a few complaints about a child with only one ring joining the team.
Zhao Liuyun acknowledged this and returned the favor with a Dream Creation—
Go to sleep first!
After establishing his might, just like Tian Wenlong instantly falling asleep at the Medical Hall, the rest of the people present recalled that embarrassing Spirit Hunting experience.
They instantly became respectful.
The minor interlude did not disrupt the introduction process.
The next person was the only female in the Mercenary Group, Zhu Qiaoqiao.
Forty-three years old, her Spirit was the Spotted Leopard, with Double Yellow spirit rings, a Two-Ring agility-attack system Spirit Grandmaster.
Although her Spirit was fierce, she treated people gently and was a nice Auntie.
Another agility-attack system Spirit Master was Bai Feng, thirty-two years old, his Spirit was the Water-Treading Deer, with two rings, One White One Yellow spirit ring.
His appearance, like his Spirit, gave people the impression that he was weak and easily bullied.
The three attack system Spirit Masters were also Spirit Grandmasters.
Wu Xu, forty years old, his Spirit was the Red-Haired Gorilla, with One White One Yellow spirit ring.
He had abundant hair and exuded an untamable wildness, like a newly civilized savage.
Wu Qianming, twenty-seven years old, his Spirit was the Vajra Brutal Bear, with One White One Yellow spirit ring.
His Spirit sounded strong, but in reality, the strongest thing about it was the name itself.
He was the one who was poisoned and near death last time. He was short, just over 1.6 meters tall, but sturdy and robust, serving as the team's Tank.
Finally, there was the Tall Thin Man, the Unlucky Fellow who fell asleep during watch duty last time due to the Dream Demon Spirit Ability and was reprimanded.
Named Fang Rui, twenty-nine years old, his Spirit was the Azure Mist Tiger, with Double Yellow spirit rings.
This was originally a Wind Attribute Spirit suitable for the agility-attack system, but unfortunately, a mutation removed the Wind element, making it now somewhere between attack and agility-attack.
Scout Ye Ye of the Bald Eagle was woken up. While he was blushing profusely, Zhao Liuyun calmly introduced himself to everyone:
"My name is Zhao Liuyun, eight years old, a One-Ring control systemSpirit Master. Everyone has seen the power of my first Spirit Ability."
"I am also a Physician."
Everyone nodded, no one doubted whether a One-Ring Spirit Masterwas qualified to join the Mercenary Group anymore.
"Please guide me in the future." Zhao Liuyun acted very humbly.
"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare."
"We'll learn from each other. We're counting on you to exert your powerful control." The Tall Thin Man and the others also had a filter of admiration for geniuses.
Zhao Liuyun chuckled twice and officially began his journey as a Mercenary.