CHAPTER 49: MERCENARY GUILD

The afternoon was falling when Kyrian and Mu Yanyu crossed the Mu family gates, heading toward the city. The main street was full of people.

Cultivators in varied robes, merchants offering herbs, weapons, and other strange objects. Kyrian even saw a carriage being pulled by a spiritual beast.

Mu Yanyu walked firmly beside Kyrian, breaking the silence.

"We’ll stop by the Mercenary Guild first. That’s where you can sell the violet snake for the highest price."

"Mercenary Guild?" Kyrian said in doubt.

"It’s a force present in practically every city. Cultivators who aren’t part of sects or clans choose to register there.

Some don’t fit into greater forces, others prefer to be free. But even if you join a force later, you can still act as a mercenary," she said, glancing sideways at him.

"And what do they do?"

"Missions. Hunting beasts, escorting merchants, investigating ruins, protecting caravans... there are many types. The guild posts the missions, the mercenaries complete them in exchange for resources." She gestured as she spoke, which was obvious to many people.

"When there’s an emergency in the city, like a beast wave, all those registered are obligated to help. Outside of that, they’re free to do and live as they wish."

Kyrian reflected for a few seconds.

"So they are free..."

"Yes, but there are rules. If someone uses the guild’s name for their own benefit, they’re expelled with their cultivation crippled. A fate worse than death. Also, don’t expect protection, even if you’re killed at their doorstep, they won’t lift a finger."

Hearing this, Kyrian sketched a brief smile.

"That’s interesting. What is needed to become a mercenary?"

"If I remember correctly, a minimum strength compared to the 3° stage of the Qi Accumulation Realm."

Kyrian nodded, already decided.

"I will register. It’ll make selling beasts easier in the future... Besides, those missions should earn me good spirit stones when I need them."

Mu Yanyu nodded.

The headquarters of the Mercenary Guild dominated the central street. The building was made of black stone, with crimson banners on the balconies. The guild’s emblem waved in the wind. A blade driven through the head of a beast.

At the entrance, guards in light armor patrolled indifferently.

When Mu Yanyu and Kyrian entered, conversations ceased for an instant. Some eyes turned to them, and whispers arose. Many recognized Mu Yanyu, considered the number one genius of the city and niece of the Mu family patriarch.

Few dared to comment aloud, but curiosity fixed itself on the young man with unusual eyes beside her.

At the main counter, Kyrian pulled from his ring the body of the violet snake. Immediate silence spread.

"A violet snake... practically whole." The attendant murmured as the massive body fell onto the guild floor.

Even though it wasn’t an absurdly strong beast, Kyrian discovered it was somewhat rare.

The negotiation was quick. The sum of low-grade spirit stones he received was considerable.

Kyrian stored the pouch of stones in his ring, his face without emotion. But he was satisfied. That would help his cultivation grow.

He then raised his eyes.

"I want to register as a mercenary."

The attendant paused for a moment. The young man before her wasn’t only accompanied by Miss Yanyu, but his eyes were definitely something, she felt an unusual pressure. If it were any common cultivator of the 1° stage, she would have laughed and sent him away.

But she didn’t.

"Follow me." She said after that moment of hesitation.

They quickly crossed a corridor until reaching a spacious room. In the center, there was a metallic dummy made of a white iron. On the dummy’s chest was a translucent crystal.

"This crystal will measure your strength. Use your full power, and then we will confirm your level." The attendant explained.

Kyrian then approached, curious. He really wanted to see how far his strength would go. But he decided not to go all out. First, he contracted only the strength of his muscles, punching using only pure physical strength without a trace of Qi.

The metallic sound echoed dryly. The crystal glowed momentarily before going out.

"Strength equivalent to the 1° stage of the Qi Accumulation Realm." Declared the attendant.

Kyrian raised his eyebrow slightly. It made sense. His body had been tempered by the pure energy of his eyes and by the royal order technique. His physical strength alone already compared to the beginning of the realm.

The attendant said nothing, sensing he hadn’t used his full power. She hadn’t felt the slightest wave of Qi in the strike. She decided to wait in silence, after all, Yanyu was at his side.

Kyrian then took a deep breath, releasing his cultivation fully, Qi from his dantians flooding his body. He punched again.

The crystal shone brightly.

"Strength at the 3° stage of Qi Accumulation." The attendant said firmly, though a little surprised. Fighting above one’s level was something only geniuses could do.

"Congratulations! You passed." She completed.

But Kyrian didn’t move yet. His eyes suddenly glowed. The icy energy is overflowing.

"I’m not finished."

Suddenly, the temperature in the room plummeted. The crystal two meters away froze with a dry crack. Ice spread in the blink of an eye, covering the dummy entirely and creeping across the floor.

Mu Yanyu instinctively stepped back. Her eyes were wide in shock. The attendant also stepped back, her heart racing.

’This... is he in the Qi Liberation Realm!? No, this isn’t elemental Qi, elemental Qi can only be released through techniques, and he didn’t use any. A special physique ability?’

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to approach the crystal now covered in ice. She touched it carefully. The glow still pulsed. And the strength it displayed made her doubt her own perception.

"... this... 8° stage of the Qi Accumulation Realm." She murmured in disbelief.

Kyrian only nodded, understanding.

Without further discussion, she pulled from her pouch a bronze-iron plate, small but heavy. She extended it to him with both hands.

"You are now an Iron-rank mercenary. As you complete missions, you may rise in rank. High-level mercenaries receive discounts in establishments, especially with blacksmiths and alchemists, and have priority in missions."

Kyrian took the plate, examining it.

"Just drip a drop of blood to bind it to you."

Kyrian did so, then stored it.

"Understood."

The two soon left the guild, while the attendant hurried upstairs. Seeming in a rush to see someone.

After leaving the guild, neither of them spoke. Mu Yanyu seemed lost in thought, the image of the ice dominating her mind. She felt that, if Kyrian wished, he could kill her with just a glance.

That was, Kyrian was more terrifying than she had thought.

Kyrian, on the other hand, reflected on himself.

’My eyes absorb Qi at an absurd speed, but I remain at the first stage. The density I need to accumulate is greater than normal, this delays my advancement, but it will make me stronger at each stage.’

’With my Qi and my physical strength, especially with the advantages my eyes give me in battle, I could easily face cultivators of the 4° or 5° stage like Yanyu.’

’And if I use the intent of ice... only those at the peak of the Qi Accumulation Realm and above would have a chance to resist.’

But Kyrian also knew the weakness.

’Using intent at full force burns my Qi at a frightening speed. I can’t depend on it entirely.’

Even so, Kyrian was satisfied, a slight smile on his lips.

Finally, he broke the silence.

"Let’s go. I need new clothes."

Mu Yanyu blinked, waking from her thoughts.

"Alright. Follow me, I know the perfect shop."

Then, the two continued as night began to fall over the misty city.