Technological advancement begins with devouring.

Chapter 91 Creating Trouble with an Alternate Account, Goodbye Qinia (4th Update)

[Soul of the Heavenly Demon]: Allows free adjustment and modification of one's own mental and soul fluctuations. Soul attack/defense rank +1.

Valued at 999 Expertise Points.

A rather expensive, but also very special, skill.

In Jiang Chen's view, the value of the [Heavenly Demon Soul] is even greater than that of the [Three Souls Transformation].

Of course, this is also reflected in the exchange rate.

In the universe, the mainstream methods for determining identity are genetic characteristics, aura, and soul characteristics.

In more layman's terms, it refers to genetics, Force/psychic properties, and soul fluctuations.

Among them, the characteristics of primal force and mental power often have similarities among practitioners of the same lineage. For example, the mental power of the Meteorite Star lineage has very distinct characteristics.

This judgment is mostly used as an auxiliary measure.

Differences in genes and soul are the most important basis for determining a person's identity.

Whether it's citizen information registration, virtual universe registration, or even a powerful person judging whether someone they know is a person transformed or 'possessed', all of these rely on genes and souls for judgment.

The ability to freely change the body of a clone using the "Three Souls Transference" and the ability to freely modify one's own soul fluctuations mean that Jiang Chen's three clones can have three different 'identities'.

After awakening this specialization, the first thing Jiang Chen did was to 'reclaim' the clone that was wandering outside, find a new slave to possess, and adjust the soul fluctuations of this clone to be the same as the original, completely taking over the slave's 'identity'.

"From this moment on, this part of me is 'Erso' of the Dark Star Clan."

Jiang Chen's clone revealed a slight smile.

It's safer to use a 'short account' when you're causing trouble outside.

The Dark Star Clan is a nearly extinct branch of the human race.

According to the memories Jiang Chen obtained when he possessed 'Erso', the Dark Star Clan's home planet, which they call 'Dark Star', is a peculiar planet that is shrouded in darkness for most of the time.

Several years ago, the Dark Star was discovered by a space adventure team. The powerful people on the planet fought back desperately, which almost led to the extinction of the Dark Star race. Only a few hundred people with strength at the planetary level or above survived. They were implanted with biochips and sold to slave traders.

The remaining Dark Star Clan members were all wiped out by that space adventure team.

Tragedy like that of the 'Dark Star Clan' occurs almost every day in the universe.

Jiang Chen only promised to avenge the Dark Star Clan, and he received Erso's voluntary sacrifice.

"Now, I am going to play the role of a slave who has made a contribution, is liberated by his master, and is given freedom."

A thought flashed through Jiang Chen's mind, and he quickly formulated a series of plans.

'Erso' is not very strong, only at the planetary level. Jiang Chen took a liking to this clone mainly because the 'Dark Star Clan' is on the verge of extinction, so this 'identity' can be said to be free of any ties.

However, leveling up was an extremely simple matter for Jiang Chen's clone.

The main body is difficult to upgrade, as it is strictly restricted by the system and can only be upgraded through the system, but the clone does not have this restriction.

As long as the clone's level does not exceed that of the original body, the clone can quickly raise its level by consuming rare and precious materials.

It only cost Jiang Chen a pittance to upgrade the level of his 'Erso' clone to the third rank of the Stellar Realm.

This is also Jiang Chen's true level.

As for the strength of psychic power enhanced by free attribute points, that stuff doesn't even count.

The strongest member of the space adventure team that destroyed 'Dark Star' was at the cosmic level, and even 'Erso's' clone couldn't handle him.

Finding information about the other party also takes time, so Jiang Chen didn't rush to take action.

The first thing Jiang Chen did was to make 'Erso' a cosmic mercenary, so that he could explore and train in the universe.

Being a space mercenary allows one to take on a large number of highly difficult missions, and there is never a shortage of opponents to fight against.

Considering the importance of this identity to his future plans, Jiang Chen even left behind some of the genes from the 'Erso' body, preparing to clone a new 'Erso' and possess it in case this clone died, thus preserving this identity.

Jiang Chen is actually very strong.

While not particularly outstanding in combat, its advantage in the laws is immense.

Having crossed the threshold of laws in multiple fields, although lacking the two most powerful 'superior laws' of time and space, such mastery of laws is still an extremely terrifying prodigy for a star-level being.

In fact, Jiang Chen doesn't need to use the laws at all for normal stellar-level mercenary missions.

It can resolve issues by showcasing at most two or three domains with overwhelming force.

Jiang Chen only needs to use stronger power when unexpected events occur during a mission, or when he encounters a powerful enemy beyond the mission's level.

However, even an attack from a group of ninth-level stellar beings wouldn't force Jiang Chen to use his laws to deal with it.

The field itself is more than enough.

No matter how difficult the mercenary missions were, Erso could handle them with ease.

Even if the mission takes a huge turn and a powerful figure beyond the mission's level appears, it will not be an exception.

Gradually, Erso's reputation began to spread among the mercenaries in the Black Dragon Mountain Starfield, and soon attracted the attention of many people.

-

Virtual universe, Black Dragon Mountain Island.

In a quiet room.

Jiang Chen's 'Erso' clone naturally deceived the virtual universe system, possessing an independent identity.

Jiang Chen, dressed in black armor, sat at the coffee table and looked across at the person opposite him.

Opposite Jiang Chen was a woman wearing bright silver armor and with beautiful short silver hair.

Although in the virtual universe, except for a few special places, everyone's physical fitness is at the same apprentice level.

However, the aura emanating from the silver-haired woman made Jiang Chen's heart tremble slightly.

The oppressive aura of a Domain Lord is not something Jiang Chen, a mere Stellar-level being, can easily withstand.

However, the other party was merely testing the waters, withdrawing their presence as soon as they made contact.

“My name is ‘Qinya’, a special envoy of the Qianwu Universe Kingdom branch of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance. You may address me as ‘Lady Qinya’.”

The newcomer was none other than Qinia, the core genius of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance and the disciple of the Third Military Commander of the Qianwu Cosmic Kingdom, who had blocked the entrance to the 'World Within a World' some time ago.

"Lord Qinya."

Jiang Chen leaned forward slightly, making a gesture of greeting, and asked softly, "Lady Qinya invited me to meet. Is there some task for me to do?"

Actually, Jiang Chen had some suspicions when he received the email before this meeting.

Of course, the five giants have more than just the methods of selecting geniuses, such as the battle of geniuses and the battle of the strong.

In the branches of various universe nations, there are many high-ranking officials or geniuses sent abroad for training, with the mission of 'discovering geniuses'.

If we find any promising talents, we will recruit them.

However, the vast majority of them start from the periphery, and only those who can make it all the way to the end are absorbed into the core layer and become key talents to be cultivated.

The best way for the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance to select geniuses is naturally through the vast number of mercenaries in the universe.

Jiang Chen guessed that 'Qinya' probably invited him to meet this time in order to recruit him into the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance system.

It's not just about being a mercenary on a contract basis, but about officially joining the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance.

As expected, 'Qinya' got straight to the point: 'In just three months, you have completed 26 difficult and dangerous missions at the stellar level, including two 'temporary mission upgrades,' which is an amazing achievement. I hope to recruit you into the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance and make you an elite genius within the alliance.'

The Cosmic Mercenary Alliance has its own set of standards for assessing the difficulty of missions.

After comprehensively considering factors such as the strength of potential enemies and the level of danger of the mission, a level is assigned.

Depending on the level, the range of rewards and contribution points involved will naturally vary.

However, things in the universe are constantly changing, and it's hard to say whether unexpected situations might arise that could drastically alter the difficulty of the mission.

For example, in a conflict between two factions, one faction hires mercenaries to eliminate the other, and it is expected that they will encounter enemies at most at the star level.

As a result, his opponent went bankrupt and hired a cosmic-level expert, which was an unexpected turn of events and led to a temporary upgrade in the mission's rating.

According to the rules of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance, if a mission is upgraded in this way, the mission can be abandoned without punishment.

But if completed, the reward will be substantial.

This kind of thing happens quite often.

Jiang Chen encountered this twice out of more than twenty missions, a probability of nearly one in ten.

Of course, it's not like a stellar-level enemy becoming a cosmic-level enemy; it's just that the enemy's strength and number have increased, but it's still within the stellar-level range.

Even so, it was still a very impressive performance.

In particular, Jiang Chen has never formed or joined any mercenary group or mercenary team, and has always completed missions alone, which makes him all the more remarkable.

It's quite normal for 'Qinya' to notice Jiang Chen.

Even if it weren't for 'Kinya', with such a performance, the other high-ranking members of the Qianwu branch of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance would eventually notice Jiang Chen's outstanding performance.

"Lord Qiniya..."

Jiang Chen hesitated only slightly before asking directly, "If I agree, what do I need to give up? And what will I get in return?"

"I'm giving you two choices. First, become an outer member of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance. You'll receive fewer resources but have more freedom. As long as you don't betray the alliance, they won't force you to take on any missions. There will just be a certain number of mission quotas within a certain period. As for which specific missions to take on, that's up to you."

"Second, become a member of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance. You will receive more resources, but your identity will be tied to the alliance, and you will not be able to join other forces. While the alliance trains you, it will also assign you various tasks, and there will be certain penalties if you fail to complete them."

After quickly explaining the two options, 'Qinya' paused and added, "Regardless of which option you choose, the resources you receive will be based on your 'evaluation level.' Currently, I rate you as 'Level 3 Elite.' If you believe you deserve better treatment, you can apply for a higher-level assessment, but you only have one chance."

"Level 3 elite?" Jiang Chen asked curiously, "Could you tell me the specific criteria for Level 3 elite?"

"Qinya" said bluntly, "A nine-star rating in the Killing Arena qualifies you as a Level 3 Elite. Although you haven't achieved a rating in the Killing Arena, based on your mission experience, I determine that you have the strength of a Level 3 Elite."

Nine-star rating...

Jiang Chen roughly understood the concept of Level 3 Elite.

If limited to the stellar level, mastering some powerful secret techniques, having a higher level of psychic power amplitude or force exertion, and possessing excellent combat skills, it is possible to achieve this without mastering a domain.

Even if they are lacking in other aspects, as long as they have a domain, they will definitely be able to get a nine-star rating in the killing field.

"It seems that the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance still has a rather low opinion of me."

A thought flashed through Jiang Chen's mind.

But this is normal.

Geniuses with the ability to create a field at the stellar level are extremely rare, even in the entire Black Dragon Mountain Star Region; there are hardly any like them.

Most geniuses are actually trained by various powerful organizations.

'Wild' geniuses, without background or resources, cannot have their talents fully developed, so they cannot be held to too high a standard.

If the standards are too high, how can we select geniuses to train?

"Let's put aside the evaluation issue for now." Jiang Chen thought for a moment and asked the question that concerned him most: "I heard that the Genius Battle, which is held once every ten thousand years, is coming up in the next few years. If I join the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance, can I still participate in the Genius Battle of the Virtual Universe Company? If I achieve good results in the Genius Battle, can I still join the Virtual Universe Company?"

"A battle of geniuses? You seem to know quite a bit, but isn't that a bit too ambitious?"

'Qinya' scolded him briefly, but quickly calmed down and answered Jiang Chen's question seriously: "If you choose the identity of 'outer member,' then you can pay a certain price to terminate your contract with the Alliance and join the Virtual Universe Company. But if you are an 'internal member,' trying to leave will result in relentless pursuit by the Alliance. As for participating in the 'Genius Battle,' you can participate freely, but if you choose to become an 'internal member,' even if you pass the preliminary selection, you must abstain and cannot participate in the subsequent competition. Of course, if your performance in the Genius Battle is good enough, the Alliance will also grant you a high reward and improve your treatment."

"That's it..."

Jiang Chen nodded.

"I don't know where you heard about the 'Battle of Geniuses'. But my Cosmic Mercenary Alliance is a giant on par with Virtual Universe Company, and our efforts in cultivating geniuses are by no means inferior."

"Qinya" patiently advised, "Which of the five giants you join will not be overlooked as long as your talent is outstanding enough. Although our Cosmic Mercenary Alliance does not have a Genius Battle or a Strongman Battle, it has a very complete assessment and promotion mechanism. As long as your performance is outstanding enough, you will be valued by the alliance's higher-ups and become a core genius."