The Mercenary Alliance, referred to as the "Mercenary Association" by some, can be understood as a kind of organization built around a central core. Joining the "Mercenary Alliance" offers numerous advantages. Members can tackle highly difficult tasks as a cohesive unit, and they can engage in sparring matches against other "Mercenary Alliances." Furthermore, a grand ranking battle is held every five years.
The people aggressively soliciting new members do so because they receive a commission for every individual they successfully introduce to the Alliance, which is why they pursue this task with such tireless enthusiasm!
To establish one's own "Mercenary Alliance," a mercenary corps must achieve the rank of $\text{S-rank}$.
When Xia Luo first began explaining, Zhong Shenxiu had indeed considered building his own "Alliance" because he thought battling other "Mercenary Alliances" would be a thoroughly entertaining prospect! However, it now seemed that realizing this ambition would have to wait until they had been promoted to the rank of $\text{S-rank}$ mercenary corps!
Perhaps due to the recent conversation, the mercenaries inside noticed Zhong Shenxiu and his group. Among these individuals were several who had previously exchanged items with Zhong Shenxiu!
Zhong Shenxiu ignored the gazes of the crowd, walking directly toward the new mission bulletin board.
Indeed, as Xia Luo had mentioned, the difficulty of the missions posted here was significantly higher than those outside; $\text{A-rank}$ and $\text{S-rank}$ missions were already appearing! However, the only disappointment was the continued absence of any $\text{SS-rank}$ missions!
Yet, this hardly mattered anymore, as Zhong Shenxiu was instantly captivated by an $\text{S-rank}$ mission posted above. The content involved rescuing a person named "Harimanfu" from an ancient underground tomb located a hundred li west of the city!
According to the mission's special description, this underground tomb was extremely perilous, not only inhabited by unknown magical beasts but seemingly riddled with traps and mechanisms!
In direct contrast to Zhong Shenxiu's excitement, Gandalf’s expression froze upon seeing this mission, then immediately shifted to one of stark horror. He had visited that underground tomb before, and its dangers were beyond description. Had he not used "Spatial Magic" to escape back then, this world might no longer have him in it!
Even now, the memory of his ordeal sent shivers down his spine!
Finally, Zhong Shenxiu accepted the mission without hesitation. He was keenly interested in exploring unknown things and places, harboring a subtle feeling that there might be an unexpected harvest waiting inside!
Zhong Shenxiu was indifferent to the mission's reward; he certainly wasn't short of money now. As for the person named "Harimanfu," he cared even less. If he happened to run into him, he might as well rescue him; if not, he wouldn't exert himself searching. This was precisely what was meant by "the drunkard's purpose is not the wine"!
Once Zhong Shenxiu and his group accepted the mission and left, the mercenaries inside erupted in chatter!
"Hey, hey, I’m not seeing things, are they? They actually took that mission! Isn't that a guaranteed suicide run?"
"Exactly. That mission has been up there for ages. Every mercenary who took it never came back."
"I heard that mission has already reached the '$\text{SS-rank}$' level; they just haven't formally updated the notation yet."
"Ugh, I say they're doomed this time. What a waste of those beautiful ladies, though."
"That 'Misty Mercenary Corps' is too reckless. They've only been established for a short time and dare to challenge an $\text{S-rank}$ mission. They must be absolute idiots!"
"What do you know? Even though the 'Misty Mercenary Corps' is small, they have superior equipment. They were willing to trade limited-edition gear from the 'Darkness Chamber of Commerce' with others! I bet they have even stronger gear—maybe everyone is carrying countless scrolls! Do you know the power of scrolls? I heard that the 'Geli Gan Arcane Academy' was conquered by scrolls just over a month ago!"
Regardless of the others' discussions, Zhong Shenxiu and his party, after completing the necessary procedures, set off towards the underground tomb a hundred li west of the city!
Because the distance was far and there were many people, walking would be slow, so Zhong Shenxiu's group rented two horse-drawn carriages.
The sun sank in the west, the moon climbed the branches, and before they knew it, night had fallen. The carriages finally stopped at their destination.
Alighting from the carriages, they gazed around. All they saw were withered grass and dead branches—as desolate as could be imagined!
After paying the coachmen, the group slowly started walking forward.
Fortunately, the moon was exceptionally bright tonight, allowing them to see far by its light!
Yet, the long, slow wind blowing made everyone feel a bit chilled, and the surrounding atmosphere only intensified the coldness in their hearts!
As for this environment, Zhong Shenxiu was naturally unafraid. His expression remained as placid as ever. He had seen everything; even if ghosts were drifting back and forth here, his expression wouldn't change!
Stanley and Faraday felt no aversion to the surroundings; as necromancers by origin, this environment was perfectly suited for them!
Among the group, only Gandalf's expression was the most tense and peculiar, as if every step forward accelerated his heartbeat!
"Hey, old man, have you been here before?" Zhong Shenxiu suddenly asked Gandalf, having already guessed something from Gandalf's reaction.
Gandalf was momentarily stunned, then nodded. If Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, those two "super-invincible freaks," hadn't been there, he would never have agreed to come back here!
"Are there any fun things inside?" Zhong Shenxiu asked casually.
Fun? Gandalf nearly laughed in exasperation. He had nearly lost his life here last time; how could it possibly be fun?
Zhong Shenxiu merely observed Gandalf's expression and smiled, saying no more.
With Zhong Shenxiu's mental wave exploration ability, they quickly located the tomb. However, this entrance was not the one Gandalf had used previously, suggesting this ancient tomb likely had multiple entry points!
Pushing aside the weeds and pulling up the stone slab on the ground, a narrow stone staircase was revealed, leading down.
The instant the slab was moved, an icy cold aura surged out, penetrating straight into the marrow of their bones!
Angelica shivered violently; facing the entrance directly, the chilling air passed completely through her body!
Then, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. Just as she nearly staggered, a warm current surged through her abdomen, not only dispelling the icy chill but also giving her spirit a jolt, making her feel indescribably comfortable all over!
Looking down, she saw Zhong Shenxiu's small hand resting on her abdomen. Just as Angelica was about to cry out, Zhong Shenxiu withdrew his hand!
Angelica stared blankly at him, finding her mind momentarily empty!
No one knew that the chilling aura that rushed out was "Corpse Qi," which was extremely damaging to the human body!
This single exposure indicated that the dangers within would be immense; ordinary people truly faced a "nine deaths, one life" scenario here! However, Zhong Shenxiu only grew more interested!
"Hey, who wants to go down first?" Zhong Shenxiu looked at everyone with a leisurely air.
These people instantly recognized that Zhong Shenxiu was teasing them, and every one of them shook their heads like rattle drums!
Zhong Shenxiu was only speaking casually; even if these people wanted to go first, he wouldn't have agreed.
"Here, take a bottle of medicine each. Take one pill first; it will prevent the poison from harming you!" Zhong Shenxiu said while distributing the bottles of medicine in his hand.
"Each pill's effect lasts only ten hours. You should take another one every nine hours," Zhong Shenxiu instructed.
Since there was "Corpse Qi" here, it implied that there would be plenty of toxic creatures inside. The medicine Zhong Shenxiu gave everyone not only had an anti-toxin effect but would also cause creatures like snakes and scorpions to automatically keep their distance!
Even though Zhong Shenxiu was there to protect their safety, caution was always wise!
Knowing the miraculous nature of the pills Zhong Shenxiu refined, everyone accepted the medicine immediately and swallowed a pill!
Afterward, Zhong Shenxiu finally began his descent to explore the tomb. The person taking the vanguard position was naturally Zhong Shenxiu. This time, Robin did not stay by Zhong Shenxiu's side but walked at the very rear of the group! Caine and the others walked in the middle—this formation was undoubtedly the safest!
Descending the stone steps, the interior was pitch black. With Zhong Shenxiu’s current strength, darkness could not obscure his vision. However, for the sake of the others, he cast an improved version of the Illumination spell.
This illumination spell manifested as five or six softly glowing orbs, spaced out at regular intervals around the group. Moreover, these orbs moved with the group, maintaining their original spacing.
Thanks to the light from these orbs, Angelica and the others could finally see their surroundings clearly. No one knew when this tomb was built; all the stones used were hard bluestone, polished smooth as ice. The effort in manpower and resources expended must have been immense at the time.
This staircase was long and extended downward in a spiral, with the space growing larger the further they descended!
Feeling their way forward like this for nearly an hour, the group finally reached a wide area that strongly resembled a stone hall!
This stone hall was vast; from the floor to the ceiling, it measured nearly twenty meters high! Around the hall stood several stone pillars as thick as millstones, engraved with strange patterns.
The surrounding walls were also peculiar, carved with numerous ferocious-looking beasts!
Gandalf, initially wary and alert to his surroundings, gradually became engrossed by the bizarre stone carvings!
These were symbols of an ancient civilization. He had previously found a disk related to "War" in this tomb, indicating that this place held significant research value. These stone carvings and inscriptions might help unravel the secret of "War"!
"War" was the most profound secret the inhabitants of this world wished to uncover, a pursuit for which many were willing to risk their lives!
As everyone was curiously examining the surroundings, a quiet remark from Zhong Shenxiu drew everyone’s attention:
"The life forms here are truly surprising!"