Blood Spring Society

Silence.

If one had to describe the scene, it was as if a pack of hungry wolves had entered a sheepfold; for a moment, no one dared to speak.

Many people present recognized this fierce and imposing group as adventurers.

Su Ke had some understanding of them.

Adventurers mainly came from a massive human organization—the Universe Mercenary Alliance!

This was a powerful, formidable, and highly respected group.

Over 99% of powerful warriors and Psychic Masters joined the Universe Mercenary Alliance.

Although the Universe Mercenary Alliance was relatively loose in structure, in the vast universe, no Universe Rank nation dared to offend them.

Planetary Rank individuals could only be considered adventurers. Only those at the Stellar Rank were qualified to take the assessment to earn the title of "Universe Apprentice Mercenary"! And only those at the Universe Rank were qualified to participate in the "Universe One-Star Mercenary" assessment!

That was merely the qualification to take the assessment! Whether one actually obtained the title depended on passing the test! The difficulty of the "Universe Mercenary" assessment was extremely, extremely high!!

The emblem of a Universe One-Star Mercenary featured a planet over blood-colored waves.

The emblem of an apprentice mercenary featured only the blood-colored waves.

The lowest-level adventurers had an emblem of a single blood drop.

Su Ke observed carefully; the emblems worn by the adventurers before him lacked the blood-colored waves, proving that not even one of them was a Universe Apprentice Mercenary.

Adventurers did not need to take an assessment; they simply registered to become one. However, apprentice mercenaries needed to pass an assessment, and one-star mercenaries needed to pass an assessment... every title required passing an exam!

This team, carrying an oppressive aura, walked directly toward the Streamer Elevator on the upper levels of the hotel. People along the way kept retreating, watching them leave.

Only after they had completely gone upstairs and were out of sight did the sound of discussion arise.

"Where did these adventurers come from? They all look like strangers; I have no impression of them at all."

"Those people gave me a fierce and terrifying feeling. They don't look like people you want to mess with."

"Could this adventurer team be the one belonging to Eloy's uncle?" Su Ke thought to himself. Through his smart optical computer, he had detected that the strongest in the group was the bald, muscular man at the fifth level of the Stellar Rank, followed by one at the third level, two at the first level, and the rest at the eighth or ninth level of the Planetary Rank. Placed on this planet, they were an incredibly terrifying force.

Su Ke walked toward the elevators. Ordinary people below the three-hundredth floor took the standard elevators; the Cloud Ladder started above the three-hundredth floor, and the Streamer Elevator was only for the six-hundredth floor and above.

"Zuo Mu, I've arrived."

Inside the rising Streamer Elevator, the adventurer squad was also talking.

"The goods have already started to be offloaded."

The bald, pointed-eared man, whose skin resembled metal, had eyes that seemed to flicker with electric light. He said in a low voice, "We were lucky this time and made a huge profit—bigger than any haul we've had before. But I feel a bit uneasy. We should leave this planet as soon as possible; we can't stay long."

"After this, I might consider taking the Apprentice Mercenary assessment."

Those around him were stunned.

The Apprentice Mercenary assessment could be taken once one reached the Stellar Rank. The elimination rate was extremely high. Its purpose was to weed out those not suited for this life-or-death path! The method of elimination... was mostly death. Only those with good luck could keep their lives. Thus, the high mortality rate of the Apprentice Mercenary assessment was notorious.

"If something happens to me, this team will be led by A Sai. You can decide for yourselves whether to stay or go," the bald, pointed-eared man said, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable firmness.

"Boss, I believe you will definitely succeed."

"That's right, it's just an Apprentice Mercenary assessment; it won't stop you, Boss."

"You will continue to lead us in the future."

Regardless of their true thoughts, the team members all expressed their loyalty on the surface.

A trace of a smile appeared on the bald, pointed-eared man's rock-hard face.

He nodded and looked at a thin man with gray-blue hair in the team. "Although there shouldn't be any danger on this planet, we cannot forget the rules. Everyone, stay vigilant. Also, Wagner, handle your business as quickly as possible. Remember, do not leak any information about the team. Knowing too much about certain things won't do your relatives any good." His words sounded like advice, but they held a hidden warning.

"I know, Boss," the thin man replied with a serious expression, nodding slightly.

The bald, muscular man looked at the Streamer Elevator, which had begun to slow down, and smiled as he clapped his hands. "Alright, I've booked the entire 999th floor. Everyone, have a good time today."

From the 600th floor upward, every visit required booking an entire floor, using the space of the whole level to serve the guests. The cost was enormous.

However, this was nothing to this group of adventurers.

"Su Ke."

"Brother Su Ke."

Upon reaching the 127th floor, Su Ke was already surrounded by two beautiful girls who looked nearly identical.

They both had red hair and large, azure eyes, but unlike Zuo Mu, their skin was as white and tender as milk.

Tight-fitting clothes showcased their curvaceous, long, and toned figures to the fullest.

Zuo Mu stood there snickering; he loved seeing his brother in such a predicament.

Beside Zuo Mu stood a slender figure in white clothes with soft blue hair. She was an icy girl, her skin fairer than snow, exuding a cold and elegant beauty. Her eyes were ice-blue, like the purest ice crystals; her nose was high and straight, and her lips had almost no color, like an ice sculpture. Only upon seeing Su Ke appear did a trace of emotion flicker in her eyes.

"You broke through to the Planetary Rank?" The girl walked over and looked at Su Ke carefully before speaking.

"Huh? What?" Zuo Mu, who had been smiling, suddenly stiffened. He was rather careless and hadn't immediately noticed the change in Su Ke, but Eloy, being a girl, was more observant and had sensed something.

Zuo Mu looked at Su Ke in disbelief. "You really broke through?" His voice trembled slightly.

Su Ke gave a faint grunt of affirmation. This understated reaction struck Zuo Mu like a bolt of lightning, forcing him to take a step back as he stared at his close friend in utter shock.

"You... you both broke through? Does that mean I'm the only one left behind?" Zuo Mu's expression shifted uncertainly. Having been the group's primary combat force for years, was he actually dragging them down now?

"Su Ke, you're so amazing, even stronger than my brother." The two younger sisters gazed at him with adoration, making Zuo Mu feel even more dejected. He scratched his head and muttered, "That's impossible. We were tested just last time, and I was clearly progressing faster than you... How did you end up like Eloy? Could it be that you have an uncle at home too?"

Ignoring him, Su Ke greeted Zuo Mu's family and presented gifts to Zuo Mu's sisters.

"Little ones, sit down and eat." Zuo Mu's father, a tall, handsome man with red hair, said with a smile.

He was Zuo De, a decent man, though the way he looked at Su Ke carried a strange nuance that made the boy feel somewhat unnatural.

It was as if he were saying, when are you going to take my useless daughters home?

Su Ke sat down, with his two best friends flanking him on either side.

Su Ke glanced at Eloy, recalling the encounter with the adventurers earlier, and considered asking about it, but ultimately held his tongue.

Meanwhile, in the space outside Moon River Planet, a massive blood-colored spaceship bearing a unique insignia streaked through the void, heading toward the planet.

Inside the ship, a group of people clad in various combat uniforms stared coldly at the azure planet, the air thick with a murderous aura.

A cold voice rang out.

"Headquarters has sent word. The target has been tracked to this planet, and our squad has been assigned the extermination mission."

"The President has given the order: not a single one is to be spared."

"Anyone who dares to kill members of the Blood Spring Society... must die!"