Emperor Tomb Mountain Range.
The rampant Black Tide began to withdraw their lines, reverting to a defensive developmental state where Evil Spirits are nurtured.
The appearance of the Iron Soul Warriors had clearly inflicted a significant spiritual shock on the Earth Thought Evil Spirits, forcing them to alter their expansion strategy.
Yet, the Player Corps showed no intention of letting the Black Tide off the hook, advancing toward the Heavenly Domain Node and other Domain Nodes.
At this time, in the region of the Blood-Colored Plain.
Suddenly, a pitch-black rift tore open in the sky, and a figure emerged from the spatial vortex.
The figure that arrived had a humanoid shape, bald-headed, nearly three meters tall, not covered with skin but a layer of faintly blue-glowing scales, looking extremely dominant.
Upon descending to the Blood-Colored Plain region, its gaze swept sharply toward the southwest, and its form flickered out of existence in an instant.
Several kilometers away.
Duan Xing was chewing on Furious Horn Meat with a Spirit Ore in hand, attempting to assemble a Communication Crystal Stone.
But his clumsy technique ended in failure after several attempts.
This attempt was no exception.
Accompanied by the clear sound of shattering, the Spirit Ore in Duan Xing’s hand crumbled, completely disintegrating.
Looking at the Crystal Stone in his hand, Duan Xing couldn’t help but sigh.
Just then, he suddenly perceived an intense energy fluctuation approaching.
He immediately pressed his hand against his left chest to the Energy Core connected to his heart, ready to enter combat mode.
But before he could activate the Energy Core, a towering figure appeared right in front of him.
This startled Duan Xing, but when he made out the figure of the newcomer, his caution turned to surprise, followed by a hint of shame.
"Elder You," Duan Xing stood up and greeted respectfully.
The imposing man standing before him was the chief examiner responsible for this trial, as well as the highest-ranking official of his Reserve Army.
"Duan Xing, where is the Evil Crystal?"
Faced with Elder You’s inquiry, Duan Xing felt embarrassed. After taking a deep breath, he said with a heavy tone:
"Elder You, unforeseen problems have arisen in my trial..."
Before Duan Xing could finish, the expressionless Elder You interrupted his explanation:
"I am not interested in the reasons. I’m asking you about the Evil Crystal."
"To tell me that your trial failed, when you are the strongest newcomer of the young generation of the Sky Talisman Clan and the strongest seed of the Reserve?," Elder You asked.
"Yes, I have failed," Duan Xing replied to Elder You with respect.
"Not only have you failed, but clearly, you have also lost your shuttle."
"Yes," Duan Xing bowed his head, like a child admitting wrongdoing before his elders.
"If I wasn’t acquainted with your ancestors, I wouldn’t have come to retrieve you. Come back with me to prepare for the second round of assessments."
As Elder You spoke, he raised his right hand and placed it on Duan Xing’s shoulder.
Realizing that Elder You was about to take him back, Duan Xing immediately spoke up:
Seeing Elder You looking at him with a puzzled expression, Duan Xing began to explain his findings after arriving in this area, with particular emphasis on the Player Clan, a force with mysterious abilities.
After hearing his account, Elder You’s eyes revealed a thoughtful look:
"If the Player Clan is as promising as you say, we could try inviting them to join the Reverse Tide Army, but it would require using an additional quota from your Sky Talisman Clan."
"Fine, let’s use my clan’s quota."
"You represent the future of the Sky Talisman Clan, with such a precious quota, just to be given away ?"
"For the Reverse Tide."
Seeing the determination in Duan Xing’s eyes, Elder You revealed a hint of a smile:
"I’ll wait here for you. Go and select ten members of the Player Clan to join the first batch of the Reserve’s training camp. If they can prove their potential there, I will consider inviting this racial force to join the Reverse Tide."
"Thank you for your trust, Elder. I will go now."
Hearing Elder You’s agreement, Duan Xing nodded respectfully and then turned into a stream of light, flying off into the distance.
Sweeping his gaze continuously along the way.
Eventually, Duan Xing’s figure stopped before a small team of players.
This ten-person player team was none other than the Liver Emperor Group that Duan Xing was fairly familiar with.
They were also what Duan Xing saw as the fastest-growing forces among the Player Clan.
Seeing Duan Xing, Chi Tu and the others, who were hunting, were first startled, but then their faces brimmed uncontrollably with smiles.
"God of Wealth, what brings you here empty-handed?" Chi Tu started to greet but then stopped halfway, eager to get to the point.
With a vein throbbing on his forehead, Duan Xing resisted the urge to punch the other party to death and spoke with a calm tone:
"Do you remember what I told you before about joining the Reverse Tide Army?"
"I remember," Li Zheng, who was leading, instantly nodded.
"I have ten invitation slots. I’m officially inviting you to join the first batch of the Reserve’s training camp of the Reverse Tide Army. Are you interested?"
As Li Zheng was about to answer, he heard the Challenger Tips ring in his mind:
[Challenger Tips: Special Task "Reverse Tide Warrior" triggered]
Task requirements: Join the test for the Reserve of the Reverse Tide Army and pass the assessment.
Task Rewards: Rewards will be distributed based on progress in the exam, with substantial rewards upon completion.
At this moment, Qi Sheng, pulling the strings from behind the scenes and learning of Duan Xing’s intention to recruit Li Zheng and other players into the Reverse Tide Army, decisively issued the task before Li Zheng could give a clear answer.
His reason for doing so was to use the Liver Emperor Group players to understand and probe the Reverse Tide Army, to ascertain whether this force was a friend or foe.
On the Pale Continent, it was important to know if the Reverse Tide Army was an enemy or an ally, which would determine his subsequent arrangements.
Li Zheng and the others, upon receiving the task prompt, did not disappoint him. Under Duan Xing’s puzzled expression, they suddenly expressed strong desire to join the Reverse Tide Army.