yers stared at the system notifications of their rewards, and only one thought was left in their minds:


    "This wave was an absolute win."


    They looked at Sterl with immense gratitude in their eyes. Any previous grievances against the Earth Human race were forgotten.


    "Sterl is practically our savior! He saved our lives and helped us get these rewards."


    Even if it meant betraying their own race to follow him, they would only think—


    "Really? Am I not getting too good a deal? Should I go kill a few more of my own kind to bnce it out?"


    Meanwhile, Sterl nearly crushed the wine ss in his hand, overwhelmed with excitement.


    System notifications flooded Sterl''s view:


    First—


    [Regional Main Quest: Empire''s Turmoil (Phase One) Completed]


    [Notice: You will receive the Phase Two quest in due course.]


    [Quest Evaluation: Perfect!]


    [You have received the following rewards: Level 5 Experience Points.]


    [You have gained 20,000 Divine Mountain Empire Reputation Points and 20,000 Divine Mountain Empire Contribution Points.]


    [Perfect Evaluation Bonus: +1 Legendary Status.]


    [For killing Constantine, you have received an additional +1 Legendary Status.]


    [You have received the Blood of Sacrifice.]


    [Hidden Quest: Power Game Phase Rewards Distributed.]


    [Due to your performance, you have received the following rewards—]


    [You have received the following rewards: Level 3 Experience Points.]


    [You have gained 20,000 Divine Mountain Empire Reputation Points and 20,000 Divine Mountain Empire Contribution Points.]


    [You have received the Blood of the Warrior.]


    [Notice: You will continue this hidden quest in due course.]


    After tallying the rewards from both quests, Sterl felt like he had hit the jackpot!


    First off, he reconfirmed that grinding mobs didn''t yield as high gains aspleting quests. This wave aloneted him Level 8 Experience Points! Although, for Sterl, given his lower level, this reward felt a bit underwhelming.


    He estimated that other true second-ss yers present would also gain a few levels frompleting the quest, but the experience required for them to level up was much higher than for Sterl.


    But it didn''t matter. Finishing this wave of tasks meant he still had main quests and hidden quests to do. So he wasn''tcking in experience points!


    Additionally, he gained 40,000 Divine Mountain Empire Reputation Points and 40,000 Contribution Points!


    His status panel now disyed [Divine Mountain Empire: Revered (15124/80000)], with a huge leap in reputation. The contribution shop would likely open up a wealth of new items!


    Of course, what thrilled Sterl the most was that the main quest lived up to its name, generously granting him two Legendary Status points, and that was just from Phase One. Continuing with this quest would likely yield even more significant rewards!


    This wave was an absolute win!


    As for the Blood of the Warrior, it remained a mysterious item that Sterl tucked into his backpack.


    At this point, he had no interest in small talk with the other yers and NPCs. All he wanted was to find a ce to sort through his gains and spendvishly in the contribution shop.


    Of course… While Sterl was rejoicing, the Fourth Prince, who had retrieved the golden chain from the Eldest Prince''s body, opened the sealed golden cab containing the [Arcane skill: Mountain]. He took out a specially crafted crystal and respectfully approached Sterl, holding it with both hands.


    "This is the reward for the champion of this trial. I didn''t expect that I would be the one to present it to you." The Fourth Prince''s expression was somewhat mncholic, sighing at the unpredictability of life.


    Previously, although he and his elder brother weren''t particrly close, they maintained a facade of harmony. Who could have predicted that it would end in fratricide?


    Thinking of this, the Fourth Prince looked at Sterl with gratitude. As the strongest contender for the throne, having the reputation of killing his elder brother would have been extremely detrimental.


    Even if he had transported the Eldest Prince back for execution, the Fourth Prince would have faced public bacsh, used of disregarding familial bonds.


    Thankfully, David''s intervention inadvertently resolved this dilemma for the Fourth Prince…


    "Mr. David, thank you for everything you''ve done for our empire."


    "In four days, the empire will be celebrating its founding anniversary. I sincerely invite you to our royal banquet. Would you honor us with your presence?" The Fourth Prince asked, showing a look of anticipation.


    Sterl waited for a moment, confirming that no new quest notifications had popped up, and then unhesitatingly declined.


    "Sorry, I have a quiet personality and am not interested in banquets."


    No rewards and you still want to waste my time?


    After Sterl spoke, the people of the Divine Mountain Empire showed no particr reaction. They were used to dealing with warriors from other worlds and knew that their behavior often differed from ordinary people. Many of them disliked socializing.


    After a brief exchange with Sterl, the Fourth Prince respectfully said, "I have another matter to announce. Mr. David, if you don''t mind, I will disturb youter."


    In theory, the Fourth Prince should be Sterl''s liege, but he was acting extremely humble.


    Sterl found it amusing and exasperating. If you have something to do, just do it. Do you really need my permission?


    He nodded reluctantly.


    Only then did the Fourth Prince look relieved. He walked to the center of the hall.


    "Warriors from another world, the reason our empire recruited you and even took out treasures like the Mountain is because we have our own interests at heart."


    "Our Divine Mountain Empire, part of the Dark Moon Alliance, has discovered a unique otherworld."


    "ording to our investigations, the energy concentration in this otherworld is low, meaning only yers below level 100 can operate normally. yers above level 100 or those who havepleted their third ss change will have their energy suppressed and worn down by the world''s will."


    "Not only would you be limited to level 100bat power in this otherworld, but any progress beyond level 100 andpleted ss changes would be forcibly reset, requiring you to train them back up."


    "So, the Dark Moon Alliance has informed each country to select yers below the second ss to enter this otherworld."


    "Our Divine Mountain Empire has obtained some intelligence indicating that this otherworld once had a high energy concentration. However, after an apocalyptic war, its civilization was shattered, and the world''s core was damaged, leading to its current state."


    "As a result, this otherworld is said to contain a plethora of advanced arcane skills, skills of golden quality and above, and even fragments of divinity required for ascending to demigod status."


    "The top twenty yers from this trial will be allowed to enter the otherworld under the guidance of the Dark Moon Alliance."


    "Of course, if any of you do not wish to participate in this operation, you are free to opt out."


    The Fourth Prince slowly revealed the information he had, although his eyes flickered, suggesting he was withholding some details.


    The yers below, especially the twenty who qualified to enter the otherworld, listened with growing excitement.


    Entering another world! Advanced arcane skills, golden-quality skills??


    And this ce conveniently limits power to below level 100??


    That means we second-ss yers also have a chance to obtain these precious resources!


    Their eyes practically glowed red with anticipation.


    Only Sterl was utterly confused.


    Fortunately, Felicia, ever understanding, walked over.


    In the mind of the Water Blue n''s saintess, Felicia urgently shouted, "As expected, Earth Human yers are missing some vital information. This is your chance to stand out!"


    "Go on!"


    Meanwhile, Faye began to exin: "What the Fourth Prince mentioned about the Dark Moon Alliance and the otherworld is actually…"


    As the girl exined, Sterl started to piece together some of the intel.


    The so-called Dark Moon Alliance was the governing body of the Divine Mountain Empire and over 70 surrounding nations. They managed to subdue over 70 countries because the Dark Moon Alliance was controlled by a true deity.


    The goddess Gloria, who wielded the powers of shadow and moon, demanded that the Divine Mountain Empire and the surrounding nations offer one-tenth of their annual ie in precious resources as tribute to her.


    In return, the Dark Moon Goddess would protect these countries from being invaded by nations under other deities'' dominion.


    Though Sterl found it somewhat fishy—it sounded like these gods were just ying a coordinated game. If you didn''t follow one god, others woulde after you…


    The so-called otherworld was essentially an instance, but an enormous one that had be a real world.


    yers entering it wouldn''t need toplete any tasks or conditions to leave.They could exit using specific items.


    Unlike Starfall Wastnd, which used rules to restrict yers above level 20, theoretically, yers could force their way in using items.


    The otherworld mentioned by the Fourth Prince had a world core that could only support yers below level 100. Even a god entering it would see their power rapidly dissipate.


    "Unless one is at a level beyond a god, but such a level may not exist in the entire main world of [Transcendence]," Faye said in an unusually strange tone, which Sterl knew was likely Felicia speaking through her.