CHAPTER 184: CHAPTER 75 BLACK BANNER GUARD_2

Terion, this hero, is a rarity among the entire human race.

Among eight billion Explorers and nearly a hundred billion citizens, the heroes are just a few, not exceeding two handfuls. They are truly powerful.

Basically speaking, Elite-level soldiers under his command can exert Rare-level combat power. Especially his soldiers, in the Red Blood State, have enhanced attack, defense, damage reduction, and healing effects. If a critical strike is triggered, the damage transforms into Divine Damage, stunning the opponent for 0.1 seconds.

Once he unleashes his Radiant Hymn skill, the entire army enters a state of Momentum like a Rainbow.

In such a situation, the troops he commands can crush ordinary armies with ease.

The current problem is that the territory’s soldiers are still a bit few, and the legion is not yet formed.

While Lin Rui was thinking about how to solve this issue, Lusen hobbled before Lin Rui, inhaling sharply and said, "Lord, you have to manage Audrey, this crazy woman. Her Dark Temple Warriors chased me slashing all the way."

Lin Rui laughed and said, "Lusen, you’re something now. Chased by two Rare-level Undead but still returned intact. Did you bring back the goblins outside?"

Lusen supported his waist and said, "Lord, I brought the people back for you. Would you consider giving me some stitches?"

As Lusen made way, Lin Rui finally saw the goblin behind him. Compared to the Knights, now inflated to a robust two meters, the goblin was scrawny and only 1.4 meters tall, appearing very petite, riding on an eight-legged spider the size of a donkey, holding a bow and arrow, looking completely fragile.

It was indeed so; this goblin with only Tier One strength shivered all over within the shadow of the Knights’ tower-like bodies, fearing that an amused opponent might casually twist off his head.

Lin Rui dismissed Lusen and turned to look at the weak goblin, asking, "What’s your name? How do you know me?"

The goblin quickly withdrew its greedy gaze from Audrey’s slim and straight legs, replying to Lin Rui, "Salute to the esteemed Lord Lin Rui, I am a soldier from Lord Dongg Qingxue’s territory, named Keneda Toe-breaker."

Lin Rui realized, remembering the young mother riding an eagle; she had brought a goblin last time and even embraced its waist intimately.

Now, does she already have a team of goblins under her?

"What’s your Lord planning, having you wander outside my territory?"

Keneda quickly replied, "Our Lord Dongg Qingxue has something she wishes to discuss with Lord Lin Rui."

"Oh?" Lin Rui glanced at the timid little goblin, opened the communication panel, confirmed he had added Dongg Qingxue as a friend, and directly messaged her privately: "Is there something you need to discuss with me?"

An immediate reply came: "Great, finally news from you, master."

"..." Lin Rui asked, "Didn’t I add you as a friend? Just private message me if there’s something."

"Mainly, I was afraid that impulsively messaging you might disrupt your serious affairs."

Communicating with this young woman, it was hard not to overthink. Would what she called "serious affairs" really be serious?

Lin Rui set aside his perplexity and said, "No need to be so reserved. Contact me directly if there’s anything, what is it you want to discuss this time?"

Dongg Qingxue respectfully replied: "Okay, okay, I’ve noted that, master. This time, I contacted you because of a war involving the forces of this world. Do you know Count Frans?"

"I know. What’s up with him?"

"He owes the Templar Order the worth of half a kingdom, but clearing the debt, as you know, can be done in more than one way."

Lin Rui glanced at the distant Knight King Violet.

It involved a difference in thinking towards the Knight Order.

Like a Chinese mindset: "Your Majesty, the Templar Order recognizes only the commander, not the Majesty, may it become a hidden danger that..."

Japanese mindset: "Your Majesty, the female cavalry leader has led people to crusade against goblins again..."

And this world’s mindset: "Your Majesty, we owe the Templar Order half a kingdom, but there is more than one way to clear the debt..."

Lin Rui asked: "So Count Frans plans to clear the debt by eliminating the Templar Order?"

"Yes. We’ve had contact with Count Frans; he plans to initiate a power war, and we want to participate."

Lin Rui frowned; getting involved in the local forces’ war, was it indeed beneficial? He asked seriously, "What’s your plan? It’s too slow to discuss here, can you come to my territory to talk in person?"

Dongg Qingxue immediately replied: "I’ll be there in ten minutes."

After handling Dongg Qingxue’s matter, Violet walked over to Lin Rui, saying: "Lord, I can already break through to Tier Two. Yesterday I was afraid of disturbing your rest, so I waited until today."

Such a gentle knight, Lin Rui smiled amiably and replied, "Then you can immediately break through. I believe for you, a breakthrough challenge is trivial."

"Mm." Violet flicked her Longsword, initiating the challenge.

As soon as the Tier Two Elite Mirror Image appeared, a dazzling golden light flashed and vanished, the Mirror Image dispersed like dust in the air. Sure enough, Lord-level against Elite-level is like a big boss against small mobs, instant kill.

"Ding, congratulations Explorer’s subordinate soldier Violet has successfully broken through to Tier Two. Soul +10, Life Value +500, Spiritual Energy Value +200, Physical Defense +80, Spiritual Resistance +60."

Lin Rui opened Violet’s Attribute Panel to have a look; she added a Lord-level Trait.

"Star Crown: Lord-level Trait: The so-called king is noble and sacred, unattainable. However, times will change, life will shift. The king’s rule will eventually lead to destruction. The crown knows all yet continues to shine on the head. Willpower +10. Every 15 seconds, immune to one targeted control skill. During this trait’s cooldown, Physical Armor +50%, Spiritual Resistance +50%, Physical Penetration +15%."

So tough.

Lin Rui genuinely doubted if in a battle between two armies, in close combat, there would be situations where her hardiness made opponents unable to cut through. The opponent launching a full-force assault that resulted in mere scratches, her Life Bar almost unmoved.

After looking over Violet, Lin Rui also opened his own Attribute Panel, and at the bottom of the panel, there was a line that stirred excitement.

"Pending Trait Extraction *1"

This was the reward given by this plane for Lin Rui killing the Epic-level Ghost King, meaning he could extract one suitable Epic Trait.

Epic-level, the more time passed, the more Lin Rui understood the power represented by this level.

Lin Rui took a deep breath, deciding to seize the opportunity to extract it. This time he must extract a combat-oriented trait.

[Ding, Epic Trait extraction successful. The Explorer can choose one trait from the following three to solidify as their own trait. (Strong warning: Choose carefully, once selected, it cannot be changed.)]

[Epic Trait: Palace of Truth: Truth is always veiled, for we cannot gaze upon its radiance, just as we dare not gaze upon the blazing sun. All attacks will reduce the opponent’s Spiritual Energy Value by a value of (Wisdom + Willpower), and inflict corresponding True Damage.]

[Epic Trait: Graceful as a Startled Swan: With speed like a bolt that leaves no time to cover ears, with swiftness like lightning that leaves no time to shut eyes. Thus, those who know the way of Gods, have no equal in the fields, stand without a rival. Close Combat Attack Speed increased by 100%, Critical Strike Rate increased by 15%, Critical Strike causes weapons to carry 100% Thunder Damage for 3 seconds, with each hit having a 10% chance to blind the opponent for 0.5 seconds.]

[Epic Trait: Silver Light on Snow: Hope is the second soul of the unfortunate, soul is the last line of defense for humans. Based on Soul Value, adjust the maximum Life Value and Spiritual Energy Value. Can resurrect in full state by permanently consuming 50 Soul Value after death]