Another World: When a Necromancer Possesses the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls

The screen before him was instantly filled with dazzling light! Star cores of various shapes and sizes, each radiating different attribute fluctuations, floated and rotated, like stars plucked from the universe and displayed here. Each one emitted an energy light that captivated Li Xingyao, and the listed price was breathtaking for ordinary people.

[Star Core]: A star energy crystal formed when the energy core inside a star beast is highly condensed and hardened at the moment of death.

It contains pure and refined star energy, and is the most advanced energy source and skill power enhancement resource known from otherworldly sources on Earth.

It can be embedded into the body to directly increase the damage output of skills of the corresponding level (low-level star cores increase the damage of low-level skills by about 20%), and after the user's level reaches the limit level, a higher-level star core can be used to activate the star core source and awaken an additional powerful skill.

Alternatively, one can choose to directly absorb the immense star energy it contains to quickly increase their own star energy level (conversion efficiency varies from person to person, approximately between 70% and 85%). A maximum of 15 stones can be embedded in a human body (2 for beginner level, 4 for intermediate level, 6 for advanced level, 8 for super level, 10 for legendary level, and 12 for saint level).

Removal requires at least 6 hours of re-condensation. After separation, the star core will lose its activity and become ineffective (a special sealing technique can preserve it temporarily). Only star cores that reach the transcendent level or above can be removed without damage. Legends of Star God-level beings can be created by themselves.

Li Xingyao's gaze was drawn as if by a magnet, fixed on the most basic item, which was also the only one he could afford to buy:

[Low-level Star Core] Unit Price: 200,000 Federal Credits

Description: Extracted from the energy core of the Star Beast "Crystal Armored Earth Lizard". Contains approximately 150±200 points of pure star energy (fluctuations due to individual differences and condensation process). Can be socketed to increase low-level skill damage by approximately 20%. Can also absorb and convert star energy.

200,000 credits each! Li Xingyao's heart felt as if it had been gripped tightly by an invisible hand, a sharp, agonizing pain almost suffocating him. He only had 79,000 credits left in his account! Not even enough to buy half a credit! A profound sense of loss overwhelmed him like a cold tide.

Was he really going to give up like this? Use the money to buy some miscellaneous potions and equipment? He was unwilling! The star energy contained within the star core was the key to his rapid advancement to the late intermediate stage or even the peak! It was the most crucial part of his current plan!

A thought flashed through his mind like lightning—"Federal Martyrs' Families' Preferential Treatment Policy!" His father, Li Hai, died in the Expeditionary Legion's interdimensional exploration mission and was awarded a third-class merit. According to federal law, the immediate family members of a martyr (minors or students) can apply for interest-free education/growth loans.

He also had his own individual credit limit, and after awakening to the intermediate level of a professional, there was also a corresponding credit limit for professionals. Li Xingyao quickly selected the relevant loan options, and after combining the various credit limits, the system finally gave him the maximum amount he could currently borrow.

Credit limit: 600,000 federal credits! This is the maximum amount he can currently afford.

"Apply for a loan! Maximum amount!" Li Xingyao's eyes were resolute, without the slightest hesitation, his fingertip landed on the confirmation button on the virtual screen!

Identity verification (iris scan, fingerprint recognition), martyr's electronic medal, loan agreement terms scrolling rapidly (he quickly scanned the key terms: interest-free, ten-year term, purpose for resource purchase), final confirmation... a series of operations performed smoothly.

A few seconds later, the watch vibrated violently, and a striking gold notification popped up on the pale blue screen:

[Federal loan approved]

Credit Limit: 600,000 Federal Credit Points (Interest-Free) Term: 10 years

Note: This funds are specifically for the purchase of career development resources and may not be used for any other purpose. The funds have been credited to the account in real time.

The account balance instantly became: 79,000 + 600,000 = 679,000 credits!

The sheer number delivered a dizzying impact. But Li Xingyao's gaze hardened, hardening like tempered iron. Now, he was qualified!

Target: Low-level star core, general-purpose type x 3!

Total price: 600,000 credits!

Account balance: 672,700 - 600,000 = 79,000 credits

Looking at the notification that the purchase was successful and the three low-level star cores had been shipped and were expected to arrive within 48 hours, Li Xingyao was overwhelmed by a profound sense of emptiness. The 3 yuan loan had evaporated instantly, like sand slipping through his fingers! Only a cold, negative number representing a massive debt remained in his account!

"The money... I haven't even had a chance to warm it up yet..." he muttered to himself with a bitter smile, his voice dry, a sense of heartbreak and absurdity making it almost impossible for him to breathe. But the next second, the three star core projections on the screen, which were virtually rotating and emitting an alluring eerie light, regained their calm, cold and resolute gaze.

Li Xingyao planned to use the remaining money as a deposit and rental fee for a means of transportation in the wild. He had previously planned to travel on foot, but now that he had the money, he intended to rent a suitable vehicle when he reached the camp to save travel time. After all, he was a mage, and physical strength and speed were still his weaknesses.

「值了！」他几乎是从牙缝里挤出这两个字。3颗星核！哪怕每颗只蕴含最低的130点星能，按最保守的70%转化效率吸收，也能提供至少273点星能！加上他现有的560点，星能总量将直接突破830点大关，稳稳踏入中级后期（500-2000点）的门槛！

This would be a qualitative leap! It would be his greatest source of confidence and reliance during his journey through the wilderness! He chose to directly absorb star energy instead of embedding it. This was because the Myriad Soul Banner and the summoned undead were his core combat strength, and for him at present, increasing skill damage was far less cost-effective than a leap in star energy level!

What he wants is a surge in basic strength! A leap in star energy reserves! A dual guarantee of protracted warfare and explosive power!

For the next two days, Li Xingyao remained secluded like a hermit, not stepping out of his apartment. He guided his stellar energy through deep meditation, making its flow more fluid and effortless, as if it were his own arm, while simultaneously accumulating soul power. At the same time, he used the soul power stored in the Myriad Soul Banner to carry out a new round of strengthening and structural adjustments to the undead army.

1. Skeleton Swordsman Legion (x 20): Evolve and upgrade all remaining ordinary skeleton warriors in the Undead Space. He connects with the Myriad Soul Banner through his mind, and pure soul power flows into the Undead Space like a stream, enveloping the grayish-white skeletons. This is his core melee weapon, his sharpest offensive tool. Evolution Cost: 20 Soul Power/skeletal. Total Cost: 280 Soul Power.

2. Skeleton Hunter Squad (x 10): Evolved from Skeleton Spear Throwers. Infused with soul power, their size increases by 20%, their joints become more flexible, and their movements are faster. The biggest change lies in their weapon system—they now carry five bone spears crossed on their backs!

The projectile arm bone has also been strengthened, resulting in greater power and higher accuracy. Long-range firepower output has undergone a qualitative leap. Evolution cost: 30 Soul Power/each.

Total consumption: 300 Soul Power.

3. Crocodile Armor Zombie Heavy Armor Guard (x 10): This is a brand new, powerful tank and assault unit! Originating from a special undead species he discovered in the edge of the dead world. When summoned, its initial form is about 1.9 meters tall, hunched over, and covered with a gray-black, rough and tough keratinous layer like lizard skin.

Total consumption: 500 Soul Power.

Li Xingyao directly invested soul power to evolve them! 50 soul power per animal! The evolution process was like dissolving and reshaping; the keratin layer on their bodies became thicker, covered with tumor-like protrusions, and the color deepened to almost pitch black, greatly increasing their defensive power! Their hands transformed into huge, terrifying claws completely covered with the same material of carapace, the fingertips like hooks, gleaming with a chilling light!

Its height eventually exceeded 2 meters, and its originally hunched back muscles became bulging, exuding a sense of power! When the evolution was complete, the zombie raised its head and let out a silent roar, its sharp claws slashing fiercely, leaving several clear air currents in the gray mist of the undead space!

Looking at the legion in the undead space, whose style was becoming increasingly "villainous" and exuded a strong aura of death and destruction—twenty chilling and murderous white bone swordsmen, ten silent archers carrying bone spears, and ten ferocious and terrifying crocodile-armored zombies.

Li Xingyao's lips twitched slightly, and a few black lines slid down his forehead. "Skulls and zombies... If some passing 'righteous messenger' saw this, it would definitely look like a major villain, and he wouldn't be able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River..." He shook his head helplessly, but pragmatism quickly overwhelmed all his aesthetic fastidiousness and moral burdens.

In the defensive tests conducted in the training room, the Crocodile Armor Zombie withstood a simulated intermediate-level (600 star energy) physical impact with only white marks appearing on its keratin layer. Its massive claws, capable of easily tearing through alloy plates, also greatly satisfied him. What does appearance matter in the face of strength and power?

"Next, I need to find a way to find and contract a lich-type undead." He pondered to himself, his fingertips unconsciously tracing patterns on the alloy floor. "Spell damage is still a weakness. My current summons are at a disadvantage against creatures with high defense or elemental creatures."

He had previously attempted to search the depths of the dead world, but had not yet found any suitable spell-based undead creatures. Those beings emanating powerful mental fluctuations were either too far away or their auras were too terrifying for him to provoke in his current state.

The equipment and star core arrived on time the following evening. Li Xingyao's fingers trembled slightly with excitement as he signed for them; this was his biggest expense in this life so far. He first solemnly put on his "Wind Chaser-III" tactical boots. The memory foam instantly conformed to his feet, providing an excellent sense of support.

The alloy ankle support provides a stable and secure feel. He tried moving quickly, changing direction, and jumping in the training room; it was light and agile, and the anti-gravity cushioning from the soles of his feet upon landing negated the impact. The 15% all-terrain speed bonus made him feel lighter.

Next, he inserted the "Hummingbird" electromagnetic pistol into the quick-draw holster on his leg. The streamlined gun fit snugly against his thigh, without any sense of bulk. Drawing the gun, aiming, and simulating firing were all done in one smooth motion, with excellent handling.

Finally, his gaze fell upon the three storage boxes sealed in lead containers. Opening the lids, a cold white mist dissipated, revealing four multifaceted crystals, each the size of a pigeon egg, shimmering with a liquid, eerie blue luster—low-level stellar cores!