飘零影音

Chapter 145 - Arc 11: The Sect\'s Grand Competition | Chapter 145: Credit Points

Translator: Lynn

<<Start of Arc 11: The Sect’s Grand Competition>>

Upon returning to the sect, Yun Lie headed to Xiaolu Peak, while Xu Ziqing turned and made his way to Shifang Pavilion.

Shifang Pavilion comprised various sections, including the Gongde Pavilion, the Library Pavilion, and the Treasure Pavilion, among others. These sections catered to the convenience of the disciples and offered facilities like the Pill Pavilion, the Qi Pavilion, the Tiangong Pavilion, and the Baozhen Pavilion.

Xu Ziqing’s first destination was the Gongde Pavilion. This pavilion served as a hub for resource exchanges within the sect, requiring disciples to use merit points. These points were acquired by trading various items collected through tasks and were designed to encourage the enterprising spirit of the disciples. They were also a means of preventing certain items from circulating freely within the sect.

Xu Ziqing’s intention was to convert the crystal cores he had acquired into merit points first before moving on to other matters.

As he descended, many eyes focused on him. Xu Ziqing felt a mixture of wry amusement and determination, choosing to continue walking.

The curious glances were not unexpected.

Xu Ziqing donned a somber black brocade robe, which initially appeared quite elegant. Despite being cinched at the waist with grass stems, it still lacked the fitting grace. This attire was typically worn by Sixing Peak officers during mundane tasks. Yet, Xu Ziqing, a mere foundation stage cultivator, was far from qualified to wear such garments.

Luckily, the clothing itself was just a formality. The black dragon token he held was the true mark of Sixing Peak; otherwise, his appearance might have led to his apprehension and presentation before Sixing Peak.

Swiftly, Xu Ziqing entered the Gongde Pavilion through its main entrance, leaving the prying gazes behind. Taking a deep breath of relief, he scanned his surroundings.

On the left was a side hall, adorned with the characters “Gongde Hall.” This location was where merit points were exchanged.

Stepping inside, Xu Ziqing noticed several stewards diligently recording transactions. He approached an available steward and courteously inquired, “Excuse me, senior, may I exchange merit points here?”

The steward, a middle-aged monk with a higher cultivation level than Xu Ziqing’s, deserved the title of “senior.” He was engrossed in perusing an account book, but at the sound of Xu Ziqing’s words, he looked up. “Certainly, you can simply display what you intend to exchange.”

Xu Ziqing didn’t hesitate. He promptly extracted the numerous demon cores he had collected and placed the storage bag on the table, gently sliding it forward. “Senior, please inspect these.”

The steward accepted it and started to respond, “I’m not sure what these…” He paused abruptly, his expression transforming into one of astonishment. “You’ve actually hunted down this many crystal cores!”

Xu Ziqing modestly grinned. “It’s just an accumulation over time that led to this.”

Having spent years in the Hall of Merit, the steward had encountered numerous individuals from all walks of life. Although initially taken aback, his surprise quickly subsided upon realizing that Xu Ziqing was the source. The youth’s age and cultivation, which stood at the middle stage of foundation establishment, played a role in tempering the steward’s astonishment. Examining the quality of the crystal cores, he regained his composure.

The young man had come bearing a substantial collection of crystal cores. Among them, the Blue Sky Demon’s strength was equivalent to Qi Refining cultivation, and the Indigo Sky Demon’s power matched that of Foundation Establishment. Overcoming these two would not pose a significant challenge. However, the real intrigue lay within the thirty-two Red Sky Demon crystal cores, equivalent to Golden Core Transformation stage cultivation, and the three Yaksha Sky Demon crystal cores, matching the Golden Core stage. These crystals caught the steward’s attention. Yet, after brief contemplation, he deduced that Xu Ziqing had likely stumbled upon these during his time in the Heavenly Devil’s Nest. Such occurrences were not uncommon in the past, making it a non-remarkable situation.

Upon swift calculation, the steward offered his assessment, “Each Blue Sky Demon crystal core can be exchanged for ten credits, Indigo Sky Demon cores for two hundred, Red Sky Demon crystal cores for two thousand, and Yaksha Sky Demon crystals for fifty thousand. The total comes to 234,500 credits.”

Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but be taken aback by the significant sum he was to receive. The notion that the Heavenly Demon Crystals Core he had hunted and vanquished could yield such a substantial amount of merit points was truly astonishing. Without further thought, he produced the sect’s letter talisman he had been given. Emitting a spiritual radiance, the palm-sized token displayed the characters etched onto its surface.

Considering his sizeable accumulation of merit points, Xu Ziqing decided against trading the crystal cores gifted to him by his senior brother. He reasoned that he might require them in the future. However, his youth and relative inexperience were apparent. The steward, a seasoned expert in the Hall of Merit, promptly recognized this, advising, “If you still possess crystal cores, it’s advisable to exchange them for credit points sooner rather than later. Storing them for an extended period can lead to an overflow of demonic energy, which might prove troublesome for you.”

Xu Ziqing hesitated upon hearing the steward’s counsel.

Upon viewing Xu Ziqing’s actions, the manager quickly deduced that the young man possessed limited knowledge about crystal cores. Hence, he patiently took the time to explain the various uses of these crystals, putting forth his best effort to ensure understanding.

He elaborated that crystal cores were vessels of accumulated magical energy, akin to the beast pill for Heavenly Demons. These crystals represented a convergence of life’s gate and a crystallization of power. In the hands of those on the path of darkness, the crystal cores facilitated magical skill cultivation and overall advancement. On the other hand, for practitioners of the immortal way, though they couldn’t employ them for martial arts practice, crystal cores held different utilities.

For instance, certain powerful magic circles couldn’t be operated with the true essence of those on the immortal path. Yet, when supplemented with a crystal core, the array could manifest various changes. Additionally, some magic tools brimming with positive energy required a touch of magic energy for neutralization, extracted from crystal cores. Moreover, when immortals refined puppets, body avatars, or similar methods, crystal cores played a pivotal role in advancing these creations to higher levels.

Crystal cores found application in numerous contexts, explaining why they fetched substantial credit points in exchange. However, the manager emphasized that due to the inherent purity of magic energy in these crystals, they posed a threat to the physical bodies of immortal practitioners. Notably, given Xu Ziqing’s unique single-tree constitution, demonic energy infection would be more arduous to expel than for individuals possessing a water-type physique. It was for this reason that the steward had offered his cautionary advice.

Comprehending the nuanced significance, Xu Ziqing hesitated briefly before retrieving another storage bag and handing it to the steward. “In that case, I’ll exchange these.”

Observing Xu Ziqing’s modesty, the steward was pleased. He peered into the storage bag, only to be utterly dumbfounded in an instant.

“All of this… is yours?” He exclaimed, shocked. His voice inadvertently drew attention from onlookers. Even if the term “Yaksha Sky Demon” was cloaked in his words, the volume of his exclamation was enough to pique curiosity. Recognizing his lapse in decorum, he lowered his tone, “Young friend, these crystal cores…”

Having just learned the substantial value of the crystal cores, Xu Ziqing understood why the steward was so taken aback. He responded, “I didn’t hunt these myself; they were a gift from my senior brother.”

The steward breathed a sigh of relief. “Ah, I see. May I ask who your Shixiong is?”

Mentioning his senior brother, Xu Ziqing’s gaze softened. “My brother is Yun Lie of Xiaolu Peak, a recent Golden Core cultivator. He hunted these crystal cores himself.”

The steward was taken aback, realizing the identity of the person involved.

Yun Lie’s early practice of ruthless swordsmanship had garnered him fame among those who paid attention to such matters. His ascension to the rank of a Golden Core Stage Daoist was marked by impressive momentum, even causing a stir among the top figures within the sect. His subsequent recognition on the Tianlong List only amplified the attention he received, solidifying his already prominent position.

The steward, having heard of Yun Lie’s reputation, deemed it natural for him to achieve such feats considering his accomplished sword intent. Consequently, the steward’s attitude towards Xu Ziqing exhibited a slight softening. “In that case, I’ll credit these points to your account as well.” This time, the trove of crystal cores was exclusively sourced from the Yaksha Sky Demon, totaling around three to four hundred crystals, not to mention the smaller varieties. Upon calculation, it amounted to over twenty million credit points.

In an instant, Xu Ziqing found himself endowed with a considerable fortune, bestowing him with a stable foundation.

Even in the experienced eyes of the steward, the sight of Xu Ziqing’s wealth evoked a tinge of envy. A foundation-building cultivator possessed more credit points than ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivators. Xu Ziqing could acquire countless resources within this ten-square pavilion if he so desired. With a sigh, the steward managed to overcome his greed and envy, proceeding to credit Xu Ziqing’s account.

Xu Ziqing bid a gentle farewell and exited the scene. He felt a bit lightheaded, contemplating his future plans, which brought a sense of relief. He had heard that refining tools, practicing alchemy, and crafting talismans all demanded substantial expenditures. With his ample credit points, he wouldn’t need to worry excessively about resource scarcity. However, his immediate priority was visiting the Zangbao Pavilion to acquire a set of cassocks. Replacing the borrowed black brocade robe from his senior brother was essential to avoid continuous conspicuousness in front of everyone.

With this in mind, Xu Ziqing turned away from the gate and made his way to the opposite pavilion.

Clad in a gentle blue cassock adorned with subtle moiré patterns at the cuffs and hem, Xu Ziqing’s attire was a departure from the green shirt he previously wore. A closer examination of his eyes revealed a sharper and more resolute demeanor than before. The months spent honing his skills in the sword cave and engaging in numerous battles within the Tianmo cave had significantly shaped his disposition. With purposeful steps, he headed straight for a pavilion.

Lifting his gaze, the pavilion’s signboard bore the clear inscription, reading “Tiangong Pavilion.”

At this juncture, the most accessible path for Xu Ziqing to embark upon was the field of alchemy. His profound understanding of flora, combined with his inherent interest, rendered alchemy a natural starting point. However, in the interest of swiftly equipping himself with protective capabilities, he opted for a more expedient option: the study of talismans. This choice would allow him to enhance his defensive arsenal before the imminent Sect’s Grand Competition.

After a contemplative moment, Xu Ziqing cast his eyes at the plaque and entered the pavilion without hesitation.

Inside the Tiangong Pavilion, an elderly steward reclined in a rattan chair, his eyes half-closed as he engaged in a moment of repose.

A group of dashing monks were bustling about, and as Xu Ziqing entered, one among them stepped forward and inquired, “What brings you here, senior?”

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