Unaware of what was going on around him, Hope kept focusing on his cultivation. The past few weeks had been intense, but he had almost consolidated his essence foundation. He could feel his strength surging through his body, now nearly double what it was when he first arrived at the sect.
Every muscle, every fiber of his being pulsed with energy. Yet, as he kept cultivating, he noticed his progress was gradually slowing to a halt. It was as if he had hit an invisible wall, and no matter how much effort he poured into it, the breakthrough he sought seemed just out of reach.
He sighed, opening his eyes. "I need to fight" he muttered to himself. "Sitting here meditating won’t be enough. My foundation is solid, but I’m missing something crucial."
Hope thought about his recent battles. He’d managed to win, but it wasn’t because of skill—it was sheer overwhelming power. His opponents couldn’t match his raw strength, but he knew that wouldn’t last forever. Eventually, he would face someone who was both strong and skilled, and when that day came, he needed to be ready.
“I need better techniques” he thought. His current arsenal was limited and crude. A proper sword technique would refine his combat ability, and a good movement technique could help him dodge attacks and control the battlefield. He grabbed the jade slip the sect had provided him and focused on it, searching for information on where to find cultivation techniques. In seconds, the answer appeared in his mind: the library. It was located deeper within the sect grounds, not too far from the reception hall.
The library, as described in the jade slip, was a treasure trove of knowledge. It housed everything a cultivator could need to survive and thrive, from books on the continent's history to guides on herbs, artifacts, and, most importantly, techniques.
Hope rose to his feet, dusting off his robe. Determined, he made his way toward the library. As he walked through the sect grounds, he noticed groups of disciples talking animatedly. Their voices carried snippets of an event that had apparently taken place recently. Curiosity piqued, Hope slowed his pace slightly, his sharp ears catching fragments of their conversation.
“The ceremony yesterday was incredible” one disciple said, excitement clear in his tone. “I’ve never seen so many people gathered in the sect for one event! Did you see Young Master Ren? That guy must have exhausted the luck of ten lifetimes to be accepted as a disciple by Grand Elder Xerath.”
“I know, right?” another disciple replied with a sigh. “The Grand Elder doesn’t take disciples often. Ren’s talent must be terrifying. I can’t imagine how strong he’ll be the next time we see him.”
Hope frowned slightly as he listened. “Ren took a Grand Elder as his master?” he thought. “That means he’s already a Legacy Disciple. Must be nice to have such a powerful backer.”
But Hope didn’t dwell on it. In his mind, even if Ren hadn’t become a Legacy Disciple, it wouldn’t have made a difference. He believed in his own potential. With or without a powerful master, he would carve his own path.
Lost in thought, he soon found himself standing before an imposing five-story building. Its architecture was grand, with intricate carvings adorning its walls and a majestic phoenix statue perched on the roof. The phoenix’s wings were spread wide, as if ready to take flight, its gaze proud and unyielding. Hope stood there for a moment, taking it all in. The building exuded an air of ancient wisdom, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a twinge of awe.
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Shaking off the feeling, he stepped inside. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior. Rows upon rows of shelves stretched as far as the eye could see, each packed with scrolls, books and jade slips. The scent of old parchment filled the air, mixed with the faint aroma of incense. At the center of the room was a counter where a clerk sat, busy organizing a stack of papers. Hope approached her.
“Hello” he began, his voice steady. “I want to look for some sword and movement techniques.”
The clerk looked up, her eyes briefly scanning him. She didn’t recognize his face and quickly concluded that he must be a new disciple. Keeping her expression neutral, she replied, “Hello! If you’re looking for Earth-grade techniques, they’re on the first floor. Heaven-grade techniques are on the second floor.”
Hope nodded. “How much do I have to pay to learn Earth-grade techniques? And how much for Heaven-grade?”
The clerk’s suspicions were confirmed. Only a new disciple would ask such basic questions. Keeping her tone professional, she explained, “Earth-grade techniques cost 500 contribution points, while Heaven-grade techniques cost 2,000.”
Hope frowned. Contribution points were the sect’s currency, and he didn’t have any. “How do I earn contribution points?” he asked.
The clerk patiently replied, “You can earn contribution points by completing missions. There’s also a tournament held every six months where participants can earn points, but there are still three months left until the next one. Outer disciples compete against other outer disciples, but you can also compete in the inner disciple tournament if you’re confident in your strength. Core disciples don’t have public tournaments since their numbers are small, and they prefer private battles. Besides missions and tournaments, you can also earn points by exchanging materials, herbs, or rare items.”
Hope absorbed the information, pondering his next move. “Missions seem like the fastest way” he thought. He thanked the clerk and turned to leave, his expression calm and unreadable. As he walked away, the clerk muttered under her breath, “What a weird guy. Most new disciples are either nervous or overly enthusiastic, but he’s so... indifferent.”
Hope made his way to the Mission Hall, guided by the directions from the jade slip. The hall was massive, as large as a mansion, and bustling with activity. It was a chaotic yet organized space, filled with disciples talking, lining up in queues, or displaying items they had obtained from their recent missions. The atmosphere was vibrant, almost like a marketplace.
Hope’s eyes scanned the hall, taking in the sight of disciples haggling over prices, exchanging goods for contribution points, and studying the mission boards. The boards were divided into sections based on difficulty and reward, each mission had a suggested cultivation level.
He approached one of the boards, his eyes narrowing as he read the descriptions.
The missions ranged from mundane tasks like gathering herbs in the nearby forest to more dangerous endeavors like hunting beasts or escorting caravans through treacherous territory. Each mission was marked with a difficulty rank and the corresponding number of contribution points it would reward.
Hope's eyes scanned the mission board until he came across a mission with a beast emblem embossed in red ink. The description immediately piqued his interest—it was a task that would not only challenge his combat skills but also test his strategic thinking and survival instincts.
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Mission Title: Hunt the Shadow Panther
Danger Level: High
Description: A Shadow Panther, a notorious Tier 4 beast, has been terrorizing the outskirts of the Azure Moon Forest. Known for its agility, intelligence, and shadow manipulation abilities, the panther has already claimed the lives of three inner sect disciples who ventured too close to its territory.
The mission requires you to eliminate the beast and retrieve its core as proof of the kill. The panther is a cunning predator, capable of blending into its surroundings and attacking from the shadows.
Reward: 3,000 Contribution Points + 1 Mystic-Grade Vital Core pill
Recommended Cultivation Level: Early Will Refinement