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

Seeing that her persuasion was ineffective, the female staff member took a deep breath and began to explain skillfully, her tone unconsciously carrying a hint of scientific knowledge and warning:

"The Carando Plateau is one of the main settlements of the barbarians. The barbarians are a race with high reproductive rates and naturally strong physiques, and adult individuals generally possess the basic strength of an intermediate professional."

"But their level of civilization was relatively low, and their beliefs were complex and primitive. The most core and bloodiest of these beliefs was the worship of 'gods' and the spirits of their ancestors. They would use large-scale blood sacrifices and wars to please them in order to gain blessings and power."

She brought up a light screen, which displayed simplified diagrams of barbarian totems and sacrificial scenes, the images filled with a primitive, bloody atmosphere.

They believed that dying heroically on the battlefield and offering the flesh and souls of the enemy to the gods was the noblest act. The victorious side, through a large-scale sacrificial ritual presided over by a shaman, could transform the life energy of the fallen and the killing intent of the battlefield into a magical blessing—the "blood mark."

"After the war ends, the blood runes will merge into the bodies of the surviving warriors, generally enhancing their strength, and there is even a certain chance that the low- to mid-level members of the entire tribe will collectively advance one rank. During the sacrifice process, there is also a chance to condense a precious resource—blood crystals."

Speaking of blood crystals, her tone became more serious: "Blood crystals are a unique product of the barbarian race, containing pure life energy and a fragment of the law of slaughter. For non-barbarians, they are an extremely precious cultivation resource."

"Absorbing the energy of blood crystals can significantly enhance physical fitness, increase strength and endurance, and even slightly improve the absorber's affinity with the relevant attribute laws. Therefore, blood crystals are extremely rare and valuable in the outside world."

"What about the price of blood crystals?" Li Xingyao pressed, this was the key point of his curiosity.

"Depending on quality and purity, a standard unit of blood crystal typically fetches around 10 star coins on the black market or at major auction houses."

The staff member announced a number that sent a chill down Li Xingyao's spine. The exchange rate between Star Coins and Blue Star Credits was approximately 1:1000, meaning that a single Blood Crystal was worth 100 million Credits! He instantly understood why, despite knowing the danger, so many foreign mercenaries still came to risk their lives. All his assets couldn't buy even a single fragment.

The staff member continued, "However, the effects of blood crystals are not unlimited. A person can absorb about 100 blood crystals before reaching saturation. Moreover, the effects of blood crystals decrease rapidly. The first 5 crystals have the most significant effect, possibly increasing one's understanding of laws by less than 10%. After the 90th crystal, the effect becomes negligible. The vast majority of people will not be able to collect ten blood crystals in their entire lives."

She steered the conversation back to the current war: "Currently, the eastern edge of the plateau is mainly in a state of chaos due to three small tribes: 'Blood Skull,' 'Beast,' and 'Silver Blade.' Each of them has a population of around 100,000 and is guarded by several super-rank and legendary-rank powerhouses."

"The immediate cause of the war was the struggle for a region rich in star energy crystal veins, but in essence, it was an inevitable conflict that periodically erupted under their belief system, for the sake of sacrifice and power."

"The wars among the barbarians were not accidental," she added solemnly. "According to historical records and long-term observations, almost every few decades, large-scale conflicts would break out among the barbarian tribes on the plateau for various reasons."

"The victor will receive a generous reward from the gods—the entire tribe will benefit. Members below the advanced level will generally be promoted one level, advanced level practitioners will increase their star energy by 60%, super strong individuals will increase their star energy by 40%, and even legendary beings will increase their star energy by 20%! Moreover, the rewards of war allow them to avoid comprehending the laws themselves. This temptation is too great, enough to drive any tribe mad."

"The victorious tribe not only gains power, but also annexes the territory and women of the defeated, rapidly expanding before marching into the more fertile, energy-rich inland regions of the highlands. However..."

She abruptly changed the subject, her tone tinged with confusion and chill, "History seems to be caught in a cycle. No single clan has ever truly unified the plateau. Whenever a tribe grows powerful enough, terrible upheavals often occur within it."

"In pursuit of greater personal power or a closer resemblance to the so-called gods, tribal chiefs or high shamans will begin to engage in more frenzied and large-scale internal sacrifices, turning their swords against their own people. Ultimately, powerful tribes will collapse from within, splitting back into countless small and medium-sized tribes scattered throughout the plateau, awaiting the next clan that may unify the plateau... This cycle repeats itself endlessly, like an eternal curse."

Li Xingyao listened quietly, but his mind involuntarily drifted back to the analytical posts about the barbarians he had read on the Blue Star Network. At the time, many netizens, including himself, had speculated that there might be a hidden hand manipulating things behind the scenes.

What "divine favor"? This is clearly a meticulously designed game of raising poisonous insects! A superior being may be feeding on the slaughter and lives of the barbarians, using "promotion" and "unification" as bait to constantly incite them to kill each other, thereby obtaining a continuous stream of high-quality sacrifices.

The so-called traditions and beliefs might just be a cruel deception. This thought sent a chill down his spine, but it was quickly replaced by a stronger determination—blood crystals and soul power were exactly what he needed right now, and even if it was a trap set for the barbarians, he would still extract enough benefits from it.

She showed Li Xingyao the current recruitment conditions of the three tribes:

Bloodskull Tribe: 1 Blood Crystal can be exchanged for every 500 enemy warriors killed.

Savage Beast Tribe: You can exchange 1 Blood Crystal for every 600 enemy warriors killed.

Silverblade Tribe: 1 Blood Crystal can be exchanged for every 560 enemy warriors killed.

"You already know the value and difficulty of obtaining Blood Crystals," the female staff member emphasized at the end, looking sincerely at Li Xingyao, "but we strongly suggest that you don't just focus on the reward... survival should be your top priority."

Li Xingyao quickly weighed his options. Although the Beast Tribe was currently the strongest, followed by the Silver Blade Tribe, his goal wasn't victory. Fewer kills meant more battles, and more battles meant… more soul power! That was exactly what he desperately needed right now.

The advancement of the Myriad Soul Banner, the strengthening of the undead, and even the new abilities that may be unlocked in the future all depend on a massive amount of soul power. The Bloodskull Tribe is currently on the defensive; defensive battles are often more effective at killing the enemy and also more conducive to his control of the undead in combat and soul collection. As for danger… he has Flamel as his trump card; as long as he doesn't get surrounded by legendary powerhouses, he should be safe. Fortune favors the bold! Other things are not his current concerns.

"I choose to join the Bloodskull Tribe," Li Xingyao decided.

The female worker didn't seem surprised by this choice; she had seen many take on tasks beyond their capabilities just to seize an opportunity. However, the regret in her eyes deepened.

She skillfully completed the formalities and handed Li Xingyao a stone tablet about the size of a palm, cold to the touch, with intricate blood-red patterns engraved on its surface.

"This is your employment token, blessed by a barbarian shaman. It automatically records targets you and your team kill that bear the aura of specific enemy tribe warriors. Remember, the token must not be lost, otherwise your battle record will be reset, and the tribe will not recognize your contribution. It also serves as your identity certificate and token within the Bloodskull tribe camp."

Li Xingyao took the stone tablet and could feel its cold touch; it seemed to be just an ordinary stone.

"Thank you." Li Xingyao nodded in thanks and carefully put the stone tablet away.

As he turned to leave, the female staff member couldn't help but whisper quickly, "Sir, please be extremely careful... According to some escaped mercenaries, the situation with the Bloodskull Tribe is... not good, even bordering on madness. If things go wrong, please evacuate the battlefield immediately; your life is the most important thing!"

Li Xingyao paused slightly, turning back to look at her. Seeing the genuine concern in her eyes—a concern that wasn't driven by professional obligation—a slight tremor ran through him. In this chaotic place, such kindness was rare and precious. He nodded solemnly, saying, "Thank you for the reminder. I will keep it in mind."

Leaving the bustling reception hall, Li Xingyao didn't linger in the town. He only had less than 200 star coins on him, so he had no desire to spend any. Following the signs, he headed towards a huge platform at the back of the town.

Several roughly constructed elevators, primarily pulled by large star beasts, were parked there. These elevators, built along the near-vertical cliff face, served as the main and convenient means of transportation to the upper plateau.

After paying a small fee, Li Xingyao and his "team members" boarded a lift filled with supplies and personnel. As it ascended, the lift creaked, making people worry that it might fall at any moment.

Accompanied by the sounds of gears turning and chains rubbing, the elevator slowly ascended. The town below gradually shrank, like a sand table model, while the vast plateau ahead became increasingly breathtaking.

The plateau's surface is not flat; instead, it is covered with undulating hills, deep canyons, dense primeval forests, and exposed red rock formations. In the distance, one can even see the majestic peaks above the snow line, shimmering with golden light under the sun.

The wind at the edge of the plateau grew stronger, carrying a biting chill, and the strange smells mingled with it became increasingly distinct. Li Xingyao gripped the handrail tightly, watching the summit approach.

His training in Zhongzhou officially began a new phase on this vast and mysterious barbarian plateau.

The elevator shook violently before finally arriving at a huge platform built of massive stones on the edge of the plateau.