Chapter 228: The Villhart Family Token (Fixed)
After a few moments, Zich finally suppressed the emotions in his heart before extending his hand and placing it on the silver gray scroll.
A cold sensation spread across his palm.
[Do you wish to learn the skill: Spirit Exchange?]
"Learn."
Buzz!
The silver gray radiance covering the scroll instantly erupted.
The entire scroll dissolved into countless tiny particles of light that flowed into Zich’s body through his arm, while a complete stream of unfamiliar knowledge fused into the depths of his consciousness at the same time.
Lock onto a target through the summoning contract, use one’s own mana as the medium, and exchange positions with a summoned creature within an instant.
There were no complicated incantations, nor was there any need to prepare a magic formation beforehand. As long as the target remained within the range of the summoning contract, the exchange could be completed instantly.
[Skill Learned Successfully.]
[Obtained Epic Skill: Spirit Exchange.]
Arthur looked at Zich, whose expression remained almost unchanged, and couldn’t help asking,
"How does it feel?"
"Very good."
"Only very good?"
Zich withdrew his hand and answered calmly,
"My summons aren’t here, so I can’t determine its maximum range, mana consumption, or whether obstacles interfere with the exchange. I can’t give a more accurate evaluation yet."
Arthur nodded and thought it made perfect sense.
Zich was already considering where he should go after leaving the Association to properly test Spirit Exchange.
Arthur did not continue questioning him. Instead, he raised his hand once more.
The spatial runes on the table lit up, and three equipment boxes emerged from slightly distorted space before landing steadily in front of Zich.
"Next are the epic grade equipment rewards."
"The Association didn’t choose one for you directly. Instead, we selected three pieces from the treasury that are relatively compatible with your class. You may choose one."
All three boxes opened simultaneously.
The first item was a black metallic chain capable of strengthening a summoner’s control over their summons while increasing Strength and Spirit attributes.
The second was a set of dark purple light armor that enhanced both defense and movement speed while automatically generating a spatial barrier once whenever the wearer suffered a fatal attack.
The third item was a dark silver ring resting quietly upon a black velvet cushion.
The ring contained no gemstone, yet its surface was engraved with countless delicate patterns resembling souls endlessly chasing one another.
[Ring of the Soul Commander]
[Rank: Epic]
[Description: Summon Slot Limit +10. Summoning Speed +20%. Mana Cost of Summoning Skills -15%. Additional Effect: Soul Recall. Once per day, instantly recall all summoned creatures back into the summoning space.]
Zich glanced at the first two pieces before reaching out and picking up the ring.
An additional ten summon slots, together with increased summoning speed and reduced mana consumption, were already enough to surpass the value of the other two items in his eyes.
Not to mention Soul Recall.
If his summons were trapped inside a collapsing secret realm or scattered across a battlefield where retreat had become impossible, he could instantly retrieve every single one of them.
At critical moments, this seemingly simple effect could very well preserve his entire summoned legion.
As soon as the ring touched his finger, it automatically resized itself before fitting securely onto the index finger of his right hand.
[Equipped: Ring of the Soul Commander.]
[Summon Slots: 10/70.]
Looking at the updated summoning interface, a trace of unmistakable satisfaction finally appeared within Zich’s pale golden eyes.
"You barely considered the other two," Arthur couldn’t help saying.
Zich lowered his head and looked at the ring.
"I’m a summoner. I have no intention of becoming a warrior who merely happens to possess summoned creatures."
His summons, and the summoning legion he would personally build in the future, were the true core of his strength.
Arthur remained silent for a moment before nodding lightly.
"At least you’re very clear about the path you’ve chosen."
With the Association’s rewards officially delivered, the representative of the Vilhart Family, who had been quietly seated to one side, finally stood up and placed a slender platinum colored wooden box before Zich.
There was not the slightest trace of hostility on his face because of Lucien’s defeat, and his tone remained perfectly calm.
"This is the additional reward prepared by the Vilhart Family for this year’s Human Champion," the Vilhart representative said. "Our young master lost fairly, and the Vilhart Family has never been in the habit of refusing to acknowledge defeat."
Zich opened the box.
There was no equipment inside or any precious material radiating overwhelming energy.
Only a palm sized golden token lay quietly in the center.
The front of the token bore the carving of a rising sun, while the back displayed the ancient Vilhart Family crest that had been passed down for countless generations.
[Vilhart Sun Token]
[Description: The holder may use this token to request one reasonable favor from the Vilhart Family.
The request must not violate the family’s laws, harm humanity’s interests, or threaten the family’s foundation.
Once the request has been fulfilled, the token will automatically become invalid.]
Even Zich’s gaze paused for a brief moment after reading its description.
An epic grade piece of equipment certainly possessed astonishing value, but its limits were ultimately measurable.
A single promise from the Vilhart Family, however, was something that ordinary resources could hardly quantify.
As one of humanity’s oldest player families, the secret realms, intelligence network, connections, and special resources under their control were beyond comparison with ordinary factions.
When the time truly came, this token might prove even more valuable than another epic grade piece of equipment.
The representative spoke again.
"This Sun Token is normally reserved only for those who have rendered extraordinary service to our family."
"Although you defeated our young master, you also secured this year’s Chosen Tournament championship for humanity and became the first person to repeatedly shatter the Nameless Race’s undefeated record."
"The Family Head believes that ordinary soul stones and equipment are insufficient to express the Vilhart Family’s respect for a champion."
Zich stored the token inside his storage space.
"Tell Lucien I’ve accepted it."
The representative waited for a moment before realizing Zich had no intention of saying anything else.
Unable to resist, he asked,
"Nothing more?"
Zich looked at him.
"What else needs to be said?"
The representative fell silent for several seconds before shaking his head helplessly.
"...Forget it."
As he returned to his seat, the representative of Green Group also stood up.
Instead of taking out another storage box, he placed a silver green key engraved with an ancient tree emblem onto the table.