However, just as he was about to decide, King Qian Cang, who represented the Universe Mercenary Alliance and had offered terms roughly on par with the others, suddenly spoke again.
He looked straight at Hu Yanbo, a trace of solemnity in his eyes.
"Hu Yanbo, the Universe Mercenary Alliance has changed its mind. If you agree to join us right now, I, King Qian Cang, pledge my personal reputation and authority to secure you the alliance's highest-tier 'special-grade King Rank seed' training contract."
He paused briefly, then offered an even more enticing condition. "Furthermore, our alliance understands the habits of lone powerhouses."
"As long as your strength is still growing, and your actions neither harm the overall interests of the Human Race nor violate the alliance's basic principles, the alliance will never interfere unnecessarily with any of your actions or choices! You will enjoy far greater freedom of action than any other faction can offer!"
This sudden increase in his offer, especially the promise not to interfere lightly with his actions, struck like a ray of light, reaching the need buried deep in Hu Yanbo's heart.
Hu Yanbo's eyes abruptly lit up.
He longed to grow stronger, but he did not want too many constraints, either.
The Virtual Universe Company was excellent, but it was bound to have numerous rules; the Giant Axe Arena was straightforward, but it might demand frequent combat missions.
The Universe Mercenary Alliance, however, truly lived up to its reputation as an alliance that drew in 99% of humanity's powerhouses. It understood lone powerhouses all too well.
Granted, King Qian Cang's promise of maximum autonomy only applied while his strength was still growing.
But what if my strength keeps growing forever? Wouldn't that mean maximum autonomy forever, too?
Not to mention the promise of an even better special-grade contract...
King Qian Cang's sudden move not only tempted Hu Yanbo, but also instantly changed the expressions of the other King Rank Immortals.
The starlight flowing around Star Radiance King faltered slightly, and his gaze seemed to sharpen.
Rift-Splitting King's thick brows knitted together, and he gave a soft snort of displeasure.
A barely perceptible flicker of surprise crossed the double pupils on Silver Radiance King's indistinct face.
They knew all too well how enormous the gap was between a "special-grade King Rank seed contract" and a "high-grade contract."
Some of the benefits within it simply could not be bought, no matter how many hunyuan units one offered!
Why was the Universe Mercenary Alliance being so unexpectedly generous this time?
Only King Qian Cang, after sweeping his gaze over the other slightly stunned King Rank Immortals, sent a voice transmission into Xu Zhen King's mind through void divine power, seeking confirmation. "Xu Zhen, was what you said really true? He actually perfected 'tower soul returns to truth,' the seventh level of your Void Tower? In that short time right after hearing your explanation?"
Those casually spoken words had shaken King Qian Cang far more deeply than the earlier revelation that Hu Yanbo possessed a Marquis Immortal servant!
As Void True King's friend, King Qian Cang had learned about the Void Tower in detail. Void True King had created it after studying a soul-type valuable treasure and pouring endless effort into it. It was extraordinarily difficult to cultivate, and its demands on talent were harsh to an outrageous degree.
Void True King's face remained as calm as a still lake as he transmitted back with certainty, "Absolutely true! I verified it myself. There's no mistaking it! This kid's talent in the soul is enough to keep pace with him when he reaches King Rank!"
Soul masters were not uncommon in the universe, but the vast majority faced a fatal bottleneck-their mastery of the soul often stalled at a certain realm.
Someone who could be called a soul master as an Immortal Army Lord might find his use of void divine power becoming mediocre after advancing to Marquis;
when a Marquis Level soul master reached King Rank, the threat his methods posed to opponents of the same rank would also diminish dramatically.
Cultivating the soul path only grew harder the further one progressed. Keeping the power of one's Soul Attack equal to, or even beyond, one's own level of law comprehension required truly heaven-defying talent.
Otherwise, if every Immortal could wield void divine power with dazzling skill, how could high-level soul masters enjoy such an exalted status?
With Void True King's renewed confirmation, King Qian Cang instantly felt reassured!
Provided such a promising prospect received enough resources, even if he only reached Initial King in the future, he would undoubtedly be a soul master at the Initial King level!
His actual combat strength would be enough to face an ordinary High King head-on!
Worth it!
A soul master who would very likely possess High King combat strength in the future was absolutely worth fighting for!
Enough! King Qian Cang no longer hesitated in the slightest. A special-grade contract in exchange for a High King was a fair enough deal.
Besides, the Universe Mercenary Alliance's training system was different from those of the other factions to begin with.
The Virtual Universe Company and the Giant Axe Arena used the "genius battle" and "strongest battle," which covered all of Human Territory, to systematically select promising prospects, bringing a constant stream of the very best geniuses into their core training programs.
The Universe Mercenary Alliance, by contrast, was more like an enormous, loosely organized platform, relying on countless mercenaries hovering on the edge of life and death to hone themselves and grow on their own.
Its Core Members were more often "sifted out" from the vast sea of mercenaries by those with a discerning eye!
They were true elites, naturally selected through countless missions of blood and fire!
King Qian Cang swept a smiling gaze over the other four King Rank Immortals, a hint of challenge in his voice. "Everyone, our alliance's terms are on the table. A special-grade contract, plus the greatest possible freedom. Do you... still intend to raise your offers?"
Starlight flowed around Star Radiance King as he fell silent for a moment.
The Virtual Universe Company had countless geniuses, and its internal competition was extremely fierce.
Awarding a precious "special-grade contract" to an outsider would require overcoming far too much internal resistance.
And Hu Yanbo's performance so far was not enough for him to stake all his influence on forcing it through.
A "high-grade contract" was already the greatest show of sincerity he could offer within his authority.
In the end, he merely shook his head impassively.
Rift-Splitting King folded his arms, his thick brows tightly furrowed.
The Giant Axe Arena's situation was similar.
Hu Yanbo was, after all, a latecomer from outside. His loyalty and value as a training prospect required a longer period of observation.
Was he supposed to argue himself hoarse with those old fellows inside the arena to secure a special-grade contract for Hu Yanbo?
Not worth it.
He gave a heavy snort, tacitly withdrawing from the competition.
Silver Radiance King of the Universe First Bank exchanged a glance with the representative of the Universe Galaxy Bank, and both shook their heads as well.
They could tell that, beyond the contract itself, Hu Yanbo seemed to care deeply about the right to remain unfettered.
Even if it only applied to the several thousand eras during which his strength would be growing, the two banks, with their tight organizational structures and procedure-driven operations, would find it difficult to offer terms so permissive that they bordered on complete freedom.
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