Rich Rewards (Part 1)

Behold the items that the Golden Battle Bear Chalala has dropped:

2 bottles of Grand Red Potion and 2 bottles of Grand Blue Potion.

A large Life Recovery Potion that restores 100 health points per second for 15 seconds.

A large Mana Recovery Potion that restores 100 mana points per second for 15 seconds.

Grand Red and Grand Blue Potions are quite valuable items, sold for 5 gold coins each in shops.

There's also a pile of gold coins, around 30 pieces.

And what is this? A half-person-high shield, shimmering with purple light.

Could it be an artifact, given the purple glow? My heart starts to race uncontrollably. Can't believe I am so lucky.

Behold the Diamond Giant Shield, a purple artifact that requires 100 strength. Its effects are unknown and cannot be applied.

Wow, an artifact! Indeed, it is an artifact. I can hardly contain my excitement.

The Diamond Giant Shield is more than a meter high, broad and thick. If I crouch behind it, it would cover my entire body, making it a truly stylish accessory.

I have no idea what attributes it has. I can't wait to return to the village to have it identified.

I stash the Diamond Giant Shield in my backpack and take a look at the remaining items.

There are 3 Tianmeng Gems and 1 Blessing Gem (which was introduced earlier).

What? Gems are so easy to come by? Are they not valuable in the world of "King of Glory"? Tianmeng Gems are amazing, though.

In fact, my good fortune today and my limited understanding have led me to believe that Tianmeng Gems are precious and rare. But as I journey beyond the beginner village, I will surely discover their true value.

The Golden Battle Bear Armor is a golden equipment that requires level 20. Its effects are unknown and cannot be applied.

Wow, there are so many amazing items! By defeating a higher level Golden Battle Bear Chalala, I not only obtained an artifact, but also a golden armor. This is truly a breakthrough for me.

The remaining items were some basic level 10 blue equipment, all useless and not suitable for knights. I casually took a look and threw them into my backpack, planning to sell them later for some quick cash.

When I picked up the last item, I was surprised to find that it was a skill book.

The skill was called "Somnambulism": an advanced skill that allows non-combat movement, with a requirement of level 10.

Although the skill seemed to be of little use, like a chicken rib, it was still an advanced skill. I imagined that the black bear Charala probably used this skill to move instantly to the Heavenly Pivot Spring. I examined the skill book thoroughly, but it didn't seem to have any unique properties. I guessed it wouldn't sell for much to other players, so I decided to keep it for myself. As the saying goes, "having more skills can never hurt." Plus, I was already level 10, so I could learn this skill.

As I opened the skill book, a system prompt asked me if I wanted to learn the high-level skill "Somnambulism". The skill book could only be used once, and would disappear after learning the skill.

I chose to learn the skill.

Somnambulism: a max-level active skill that allows non-combat movement. It costs 100 mana and sets up a fixed teleportation point based on the player's level. The number of teleportation points is equal to the player's level divided by 10.

This was a powerful skill. No wonder it was considered an advanced skill. I was already imagining using it to take down bosses that spawn in fixed locations.

Although I had killed the black bear Charala, the quest was only half complete. I still needed to collect water from the Nine Urns Heavenly Pivot Spring to fully complete the quest.

As I approached the clear spring water, I noticed how crystal-clear it was, with a sparkling green color under the faint sunlight. It didn't seem different from any other spring water.

This was the Heavenly Pivot Spring, one of the five major divine springs of the Tianmeng Continent, as mentioned by the hunter Wang Wu. It was just an ordinary spring, conveniently located next to an empty water urn that was set up by the system for players to fill up. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known how to bring the spring water back to the beginner village without it.

I filled up an empty water urn with water from the Heavenly Pivot Spring and took a curious look at it. I could hardly believe my eyes.

Heavenly Pivot Spring Water: a magical spring water produced by the Heavenly Pivot Spring, one of the five major divine springs of the Tianmeng Continent. Its exact origin is unknown, but drinking a jug of it increases basic attributes by 10.

"Not only that, the Heavenly Pivot Spring is so powerful that it is no wonder it is one of the Five Great Divine Springs of the Tianmeng Continent. Its incredible effects completely exceed my expectations, leaving me utterly stunned.

Seeing its properties, I couldn't help but be dazzled by its brilliance. Two barrels, three barrels...I kept filling empty water barrels with enough Heavenly Pivot Spring water to fill nine barrels. The remaining spring water would be ours.

Two barrels, three barrels...nine barrels.

My goodness, I'm going crazy. Why is it like this?

After filling the ninth barrel with Heavenly Pivot Spring water, the spring was completely dry, not a drop of water left.

It was clear that the Heavenly Pivot Spring would no longer produce any spring water, leaving me feeling miserable.

Looking at the nine barrels of divine spring water beside me, I was torn between whether or not to drink it. The thought of drinking it was tempting, but I knew the water was not for consumption. I could only regretfully pack the nine barrels of divine spring water into my backpack and prepare to return to the novice village to complete the mission.

"Stone City, you really killed that despicable black bear and recaptured our divine spring, the Heavenly Pivot Spring. You have my admiration and respect."

The hunter Wang Wu suddenly appeared behind me, startling me.

What's with the "really"? Do you doubt my strength? What kind of look is that?

Hearing that hunter Wang Wu had doubted my strength, I couldn't help but mutter to myself inwardly, but of course, I couldn't show it on the outside.

"Hehe, this black bear was truly formidable. I was just lucky. Otherwise, I would have been done for."

"Stone City, you're too modest. This black bear was a thousand-year-old bear spirit. Even with good luck, you wouldn't have been able to kill it without adequate strength."

After hunter Wang Wu finished speaking, he walked over to the corpse of the black bear and rummaged around, finding something and handing it to me."

"Behold, this black bear is truly remarkable," he exclaimed.

He picked up a dark object and examined it closely.

"It's a millennium bear gallbladder, a rare medicinal herb. It contains the essence of bear gall and can be used to make medicine. If taken directly, it can increase one's health by 100 points."

"This is incredible, I never would have guessed that the black bear carried such a treasure," he said, astonished.

"Uncle Wang, how did you obtain this precious item? Why didn't I notice it before?" he inquired.

"Well, this is a skill called 'collection art.' You can collect useful items from the bodies of monsters. The items you collect are related to your level of collection art. To obtain such a rare herb, you must have at least an advanced level of collection art," Uncle Wang explained.

"You are truly talented, Uncle Wang. I wonder how I can learn this skill," he said, eager to learn.

"Well, this is a basic skill. When you reach level 10 and leave the novice village, the village chief will teach you this skill," Uncle Wang replied.

"I see, it's a common skill. I won't use any cheesy lines," he said, relieved.

"Collection art is very difficult to practice. It took me over 40 years to reach the advanced level last year. If not, I wouldn't have been able to collect this millennium bear gallbladder today," Uncle Wang said, reflecting on his experience.

He felt hesitant to give the millennium bear gallbladder back to the hunter Wang Wu, but after hearing his words, he felt compelled to return it.

"You killed this evil black bear, rescued our novice village's sacred spring, and redeemed our village's honor. I will give you this millennium bear gallbladder as a reward. Besides, since you killed the black bear, the millennium bear gallbladder belongs to you," Uncle Wang said generously.

"Wow, Uncle Wang, you're so straightforward and loyal," he exclaimed, deeply moved.

Just as he was about to return the millennium bear gallbladder to Uncle Wang, he heard these noble words, making him overjoyed.

"Stone City, this millennium bear gall is not easily obtained. If your medicine-making skills reach an advanced level, using the millennium bear gall can produce even better results."

"Thank you very much for your guidance, Uncle Wang. I will certainly remember it." I quickly expressed my gratitude.

"Stone City, when I first met you, I thought you were outstanding, and your performance was even better. You will surely become a legendary warrior in the future, slay the demon and save the troubled Tianmeng Continent. Besides, you helped the Novice Village solve this big problem. I have some insights into 'Gathering' skill, would you like to hear them?"

This sounds promising, was my first reaction.

"Uncle Wang, I greatly admire and envy your 'Gathering' skill. I hope you can teach me."

"Stone City, Hunter Wang Wu is going to teach you intermediate 'Gathering' skill. Do you accept?" the system suddenly prompted.

Intermediate 'Gathering' skill, just as I expected.

"I accept."

Only a fool would refuse.

"Ding Dong, congratulations to player Stone City for learning intermediate 'Gathering' skill'."

'Gathering' skill: auxiliary skill, intermediate 0/50000

Auxiliary skills are indeed difficult to level up. After all, forging and medicine-making skills only require 10,000 experience points to advance from beginner to intermediate, and 30,000 experience points from intermediate to advanced. This 'Gathering' skill is truly difficult to practice.

"Alright, Stone City, I need to process the body of this black bear and set up a few formations next to the Spring to prevent other monsters from taking over. You should hurry back to the Novice Village Chief to deliver the Spring of the Gods water and share this good news with them."

"Uncle Wang, no need to hurry. I can help you."

I don't want to go back now. I'm even planning to use the 'Dreamwalk' skill I just learned to set up a teleportation point here, so I can come back and check on the Heavenly Pivot Spring in a while. If there is any spring water, I can steal a barrel.

The super attributes of the Heavenly Pivot Spring water are absolutely powerful, it's hard to part with it.