CHAPTER 189: CHAPTER 77 THE GODS BREAK FREE_2

The reason why Blue Star explorers are set as Lords at the beginning of the "Era of Civilization" is because of their unparalleled flexibility. These high-tier troops are ineffective in the hands of the decaying local forces, but once recruited by explorers, they can play various constructive roles, maximizing their value.

"But there must be a precondition for all this, at least you have to win. Battles are perilous, and outcomes are uncertain. Why don’t you train soldiers yourselves and break through ranks?"

Dongg Qingxue’s expression instantly collapsed as she spoke painfully, "I don’t know why ’Era of Civilization’ has such mind-numbing settings! Rank advancement requires defeating the mirror image of their predecessors. How is this possible? The mirror image is elite-level, with even stronger traits. Tier Two units have much higher Life Value, Spiritual Energy Value, Defense Value, and Attribute Value than Tier One challengers. More absurdly, they have one additional trait. How on earth can one beat them?"

"My goblins have already died three times in rank advancement battles, frightening us explorers into being stuck at Tier One Level 15, afraid to advance."

Lin Rui glanced at the Knight King/Gulper Violet who had just completed advancement, sitting there without the slightest speck of dust, seriously and attentively eating Life Fruit, and nodded lightly in agreement, "You’re right, this rank advancement challenge is indeed too difficult."

Audrey turned her head from the mirror and looked at Lin Rui, amazed at Lord’s skill in feigning agreement without flaw. Is the rank advancement challenge too difficult because you looked at the mirror once, and the mirror was frozen by the frost aura? That must have been so difficult, needing you to look again!

Dongg Qingxue cautiously asked, "Master, I noticed that you have many high-tier troops in your territory. Is it convenient..."

"What?"

"I mean... Excuse me for being presumptuous, but do you have any exclusive rank advancement secrets because all your soldiers successfully advanced? Could you introduce something to us? Of course, if it involves the secrecy of your territory, please consider me not asking."

Lin Rui waved his hand and said, "No need to be so restrained. There are no special methods, just directly smashing the mirror image to advance smoothly."

"Oh, oh, oh, I see." Dongg Qingxue nodded quickly.

Lin Rui smiled faintly, knowing she misunderstood his concealment but did not explain, asking, "Is it that difficult for you to advance?"

Dongg Qingxue’s brow twisted in pain, saying, "It’s not just difficult, it’s practically life-and-death, dancing on the edge of a knife. From the world’s information exchanges, even one or two successful advancements out of ten is considered under system mercy. Many people are stuck at Tier One Level 15, desperately upgrading soldiers with gear and skills, amassing strength."

Lin Rui could not help but glance again at the newly advanced Violet.

So you all are really challenging the same rank advancement task?

After a moment of quiet reflection, Lin Rui calmly said, "I can help you all advance."

Dongg Qingxue shot up from the sofa with surprise, eagerly looking at Lin Rui and asking, "Really? Master, how can you help? What do we need to pay?"

Lin Rui leaned back to avoid her leaning body, calmly saying, "It’s true, just like I said before, no special methods, simply smash the mirror image and advance. You let the soldiers who meet the advancement conditions be handed to the hero, Commander Terion, of my territory. Then just proceed with the rank advancement challenge task."

"Is it really that simple?" Dongg Qingxue’s tone was full of disbelief. She had never seen a hero and totally had no concept of their power.

"Just that simple." Lin Rui lightly nodded. This tactic could also test whether other Lords truly accept his leadership. If they are willing to hand over their core soldiers to Commander Terion, joint operations might be possible in the future.

Dongg Qingxue hadn’t considered this aspect at the moment, fully immersed in the joy of possible advancement, asking, "Master, what’s the success rate of this advancement method? Is the fatality rate high?"

"Success rate, one hundred percent for excellence-level and above troops. Below excellence-level I am unsure, my territory has no such soldiers. You need to explore it yourself. But certainly much higher than your self-advancement chances."

Dongg Qingxue trembled with excitement, success rate one hundred percent? Does this mean the strength of every territory will skyrocket, with everyone imminently possessing a large batch of Tier Two troops?

"Master, how is this priced? Is it free?"

Lin Rui firmly said, "Absolutely not free, even if it charges just one Realm Coin, it has to cost."

Dongg Qingxue sturdily restrained her excitement, solemnly nodding, "Master, your idea is correct. Free things for a long time will make everyone assume it’s taken for granted. Great favors, small grievances. It’s best to set everyone’s mentality right from the start for longevity. How do you see the pricing?"

Lin Rui thought for a moment and said, "The hero of my territory has busy tasks and cannot help with advancements sporadically. Let each Lord gather a small squad of soldiers for advancement. Each advancing squad must leave one Tier Two soldier as the price for advancement. But, which soldier specifically, the Lord decides."

Dongg Qingxue clenched her fist excitedly, meaning as long as it’s one Tier Two soldier. The Master won’t select other Lords’ most elite, elite-level soldiers.

This way, others can mix and match for advancement, leaving ordinary level soldiers for the Master. Excellence-level, elite-level troops can be taken back to their respective territories.

Dongg Qingxue impatiently asked, "Master, can we bring troops over now?"

"You can."

"Then I’ll go back now and notify everyone, aiming to advance a batch of Tier Two troops for everyone before the novice period ends. Master, I’ll take my leave first."

This seemingly gentle and graceful woman was actually tough and resolute inside, departing swiftly after negotiations.

Lin Rui said to Violet, "Ask Lusen to hand the Extreme Battle Banner to Terion later, increasing a bit of the success rate for other Lords’ advancement tasks."

Violet nodded, her eyes fixed on Lin Rui, saying, "Always helping the weak, maidens and virtuous women, for the people’s benefit, brave knights only participate in just wars. Lord, your actions are commendable and deserving of praise."

"Still remember your vows?" Lin Rui smiled faintly, saying, "Live easily; helping others is a light and satisfying fulfilment within one’s power, leaving fragrance on one’s hand like roses shared, not turning it into one’s own heavy burden."

Audrey picked out casual clothes, saying, "You two stop talking about justice, roses, missions now. Relax, Lord, does my outfit look good? I’ll change it for you."

Lin Rui reclined on the sofa, tidying his backpack, glancing up at her and saying, "After you change, go to the Earth-bound Spirit, kill the Vengeful Spirit, and bring back the Treasure Chest. I plan to open the chest before the protection period ends for a final complete strengthening of territory."

"Got it, I’ll head there now."

Audrey hasn’t returned yet, but suddenly the sound of a system announcement arises.

A magnificent and grand voice instantaneously draws the attention of every explorer in the civilization.

"Civilization Announcement: Countdown to the end of the contact protection period with Azure Civilization in ’Era of Civilization’ is 10 hours remaining. After the protection period ends, all explorers will face the following changes."

"One: Territory safety zones will cease to exist, and territories will directly face various erosion, wars, and conspiracies."

"Two: Gods will drastically reduce the deployment quantity of recruitment scrolls, with acquisition probability now ten-thousandth as current."

"Three: Equipment blast fall probability significantly decreases, and territory armament support will shift from primarily combat blast fall to armory and weapon depot production as primary sources."

"Four: Survival environments become significantly harsh, all explorers will directly face the true terrifying world."

"Five: Local forces will increasingly contact explorers, caution and care must be exercised with every interaction."

"Six: Gods will progressively withdraw intervention with the local world, making projected influence more difficult."

"Seven: Terror impact is imminent, all explorers, must survive in the unavoidable!"