Chapter 29 Finally arrived
The luminous fungi cast a soft, ethereal glow across the chamber where Zhao Lingfeng sat alone, his back against his sleeping Stone Claw Bear's warm flank. It felt like a rocky bed, but he had become accustomed to it. The bear's steady breathing provided a comforting rhythm in the otherwise silent space, broken only by the occasional distant echo of shifting stone or murmured conversations from the resting cultivators.
Many hours had passed since their intense battle with the Twin-Horned Yellow Beetle. Despite mounting concern over a possible appearance of the beetle's mate, nothing had happened so far. Still, the cultivators diligently maintained their watch rotations while taking much-needed rest.
Zhao Lingfeng had managed to secure 80% of the Thunder Silk, largely due to his Stone Claw Bear's unique ability to harvest it properly. The bear's earth-attribute spiritual energy and natural stone-breaking abilities made it the only one capable of excavating the silk while preserving its properties.
Without the bear's help, even 30 cultivators working together would have struggled to harvest a fraction of what they obtained. Most of them would have proven to be a liability than a source of aid.
However, keeping such a large share wasn't simple. Despite the bear's crucial role, the fierce battle had left many feeling entitled to compensation. Which was very valid point, especially since Zhao Lingfeng was an outsider and had practically stolen it under their noses.
Through careful negotiation, with Qin Yi and Tan Rei as witnesses, Zhao Lingfeng worked out a deal. He traded some of his previously gathered spirit herbs as collateral and took on certain debts to maintain his claim on the Thunder Silk. His recent treasure hunting with Lin Tian had left him well-supplied, making this arrangement possible.
The negotiation highlighted interesting differences between Qin Yi and Tan Rei's approaches.
Tan Rei showed wisdom in prioritizing relationship-building over immediate gains, seeming genuinely pleased to arrange future drinks together outside the realm. Qin Yi took a more businesslike stance, driving a harder bargain while still accepting the social invitation, clearly recognizing networking value. The three ultimately promised to meet for drinks after leaving the secret realm.
Most cultivators present came from modest backgrounds, making them more amenable to accepting valuable herbs in hand rather than risking conflict over the rarer Thunder Silk. In the secret realm, having valuable herbs that could heal or increase one's strength was much more desirable than a silk that had limited use.
Zhao Lingfeng's diplomatic handling of the situation helped smooth over potential tensions while establishing useful connections for the future.
After all, in the cultivation world, wealth could become a death sentence if one lacked the power to protect it. Better to trade immediate gains for long-term connections and manageable debts.
The Stone Claw Bear shifted in its sleep, one massive paw twitching as it dreamed. Zhao Lingfeng smiled faintly, remembering their ridiculous stealth mission.
Who would have thought that his companion's clumsy attempts at hiding would actually work?
Zhao Lingfeng thought back to the carefully crafted explanation hours back.
When explaining the incident, Qin Yi, Tan Rei, and Zhao Lingfeng presented a carefully crafted narrative suggesting this secret realm was an ancient training ground, perhaps used by immortal cultivators to test their disciples. This explained both the hidden formations and the unusual concentrations of spiritual energy in certain areas. They were meant to be 'trial grounds' where disciples would cultivate and undergo tests of strength.
The golden seals and patterns were described as remnants of these trials, automatically activating when spirit beasts grew too powerful or corrupted by long exposure to concentrated spiritual energy.
As for the strange behavior of beasts dragging cultivators and other beasts to specific locations, they explained this as an effect of the realm's trial nature. The beasts had been conditioned over centuries to forcefully guide people toward 'cultivation spots' where spiritual energy gathered most densely. When it came to this discussion, the three of them glossed over it since it had many suspicious points.
As for the poisonous treasure that the 'brave brother' ate? Naturally, this was merely a temptation 'test'.
The explanation of an ancient training ground was particularly effective because it dangled the promise of incredible opportunities before the cultivators. After all, if this was truly an immortal sect's training ground, wouldn't there be extraordinary treasures and cultivation techniques waiting to be discovered? The strange spiritual energy fluctuations could be signs of hidden legacy grounds or sealed inheritance sites.
Their story provided reasonable explanations for everything witnessed while stoking the cultivators' ambitions. Even the beetle's corruption could be explained as a result of absorbing too much concentrated spiritual energy from these 'trial grounds' over time. Many beast's wild behavior was because they simply couldn't handle the energy.
Most cultivators accepted this explanation readily, relieved to have a rational framework for the unsettling events they'd witnessed. In fact, many of them wanted to continue exploring as soon as possible! A few showed skepticism, but the combined authority of Qin Yi and Tan Rei, along with Zhao Lingfeng's confident demeanor, helped quell deeper questioning.
Privately, both Qin Yi and Tan Rei expressed their intention to depart once they'd gathered sufficient resources. As wise cultivators, they recognized the signs of escalating danger. However, Zhao Lingfeng's insistence that leaving might prove impossible gave them pause. His certainty bordered on suspicious, yet his earlier insights had proven accurate enough to make them hesitate.
They ultimately agreed to remain, though reluctantly, swayed partly by Zhao Lingfeng's conviction and partly by their own observations of the realm's increasingly strange behavior.
What truly convinced them was Zhao Lingfeng's quiet confidence. Not the desperate certainty of someone trying to keep allies close, but the calm assurance of one who had already confirmed his theory.
In the dim light of the chamber, Zhao Lingfeng silently contemplated the system notifications that had appeared after the death of the Twin-Horned Yellow Beetle:
[You have survived a close life and death crisis.]
[You have gained: +1 Endurance +1 Perception +1 Dexterity]
[You have obtained + 30 Reputation]
[You have obtained +100 Achievement Points]
The message puzzled him.
He had obtained something similar when facing the wolf boss, but that was understandable. However, during the near-burial during the wall collapse, he did not receive such a message.
Perhaps the system required actual combat involvement rather than mere survival of deadly situations. Yet he hadn't directly fought the beetle. His role had been focused on harvesting the Thunder Silk while others engaged in battle.
Surprisingly, the Party Formation still linked him to Lin Tian, its subtle enhancement flowing through his meridians like a gentle current. But gathering experience proved challenging. Most beasts in this realm far exceeded his capabilities, making combat lengthy and dangerous even with his Stone Claw Bear's assistance.
The priority of stopping the ancient evil's return left little time for grinding levels.
Reputation and Achievement Points remained mysterious metrics. He didn't want to draw any conclusions yet. Though he suspected they would prove significant once he unlocked more System features.
Ding!
The sudden chime made his heart race. After what felt like an eternity of waiting, watching that progress bar slowly fill, the moment had finally arrived.
[Progress toward the arrival of new System Features: 100%]
[The RPG System's "Store" and "Dao" features have now been unlocked.]
Two new icons materialized in his peripheral vision:
Store: An ancient-looking shop front symbol that pulsed.
Dao: A swirling yin-yang symbol that seemed to contain infinite depth.
His fingers trembled slightly as he reached out to explore these new features. Perhaps here, finally, lay the power he needed to survive what was coming.
Setting aside the mysterious "Dao" feature, he tapped the Store feature first.
Mudstone Alchemy Pot
Price: 200 Achievement Points
Description: A small alchemy pot crafted from Mudstone, known for its durability and ability to regulate heat efficiently. While not suitable for high-level concoctions, it's perfect for Qi Refining cultivators to brew basic medicinal pills and simple elixirs. The pot is easy to handle and reliable, making it ideal for beginners or those refining their alchemical skills.
Effect:
Increases the success rate of basic alchemy concoctions by 10%. Reduces the risk of impurities in low-level medicinal pills and elixirs. Suitable for crafting minor healing elixirs, Qi-enhancing pills, and basic detoxification remedies. Can be used up to 10 times before needing minor maintenance (requires cleaning and occasional recharging with Qi for optimal performance).
Lesser Cleansing Jade Elixir
Price: 30 Achievement Points
Description: A diluted version of the Cleansing Jade Elixir, made with fragments of semi-purified jade. It effectively removes minor toxins and aids in stabilizing the Qi flow for low realm cultivators.
Effect: Clears minor toxins and impurities. +5% Qi Cultivation Efficiency for 12 hours.
Minor Health and Energy Elixirs (x5 each)
Price: 50 Achievement Points
Description: A small set of beginner-grade elixirs, each bottle containing enough energy to provide a modest recovery for Qi Refining level cultivators. The health elixirs accelerate the healing of minor injuries, while the energy elixirs restore a small amount of depleted Qi, suitable for Qi Refining cultivators.
Effect:
Minor Health Elixir: Restores minor wounds and replenishes 10% of physical vitality. Minor Energy Elixir: Restores 10% of Qi reserves and slightly increase Qi regeneration. Glowleaf Lantern
Price: 70 Achievement Points
Description: A simple lantern with a Glowleaf inside, which emits a soft green light. Not bad for night-time cultivation or exploring dim areas.
Brown Essence Sand
Price: 65 Achievement Points
Description: A fine, brown sand infused with spiritual energy. When sprinkled on a cultivator's cultivation area, it enhances the ambient Qi, amplifying the effects of meditation and training. Lasts only for 1 session. Only affects Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Effect: +15% Qi Cultivation Speed for 6 hours in an area of 5 meters.
★Special Week Item★:
Minor Spirit Qi Burst Talisman (Limit 5)
Price: 100 Achievement Points
Description: A small, thin talisman infused with a layer of absorbing Qi. This talisman continuously draws in ambient Qi from its surroundings, storing it until it's fully charged. It can be activated and consumed to deal an explosive strike.
Effect:
Absorbs ambient Qi from the environment, storing up to 100% of its capacity. When activated, it releases the stored energy in a powerful explosive strike, comparable to a full-on attack between the peak of the Qi Refining realm and the first level of Foundation Establishment realm.
Zhao Lingfeng carefully studied the newly unlocked store interface, analyzing each item with the critical eye of a veteran gamer. On the top right of the screen, he could see that he had 472 Achievement Points. His initial excitement was tempered by practical considerations.
The [Mudstone Alchemy Pot] caught his attention first. A solid starter item for aspiring alchemists. However, without any alchemical knowledge or ingredients, it would be nothing more than dead weight in his inventory.
The cheap [Lesser Cleansing Jade Elixir]'s 5% cultivation efficiency boost seemed appealing at first glance, but his D-grade talent meant such minor enhancements would barely impact his progress. At the very least, it could still be used as an antidote.
The [Brown Essence Sand]'s cultivation boost faced the same issue as the Jade Elixir, his talent bottleneck meant marginal efficiency increases weren't worth the investment.
"I can just level up after all," Zhao Lingfeng mumbled.
He dismissed the [Glowleaf Lantern] almost immediately. At 70 Achievement Points, it was overpriced for what seemingly amounted to a magical flashlight, especially when the luminous fungi and basic light talismans served sufficient.
The [Minor Health and Energy Elixirs were tempting]. Having backup healing items was crucial for survival, especially given the realm's escalating dangers. Still, he forced himself to consider his priorities.
His gaze kept returning to the week's special item. The [Minor Spirit Qi Burst Talisman]. A weapon that could unleash an attack comparable to a peak Qi Refining cultivator was invaluable in their current situation.
Without hesitation, he purchased three talismans, immediately setting them safely hidden in his sleeves to charge.
"Uhh..."
Zhao Lingfeng was baffled by what he saw.
Through the system's lens, it helpfully displayed their charging progress as the talisman absorbed the ambient Qi, looking absurdly like a mobile game's power meter.
"It's convenient I guess?"
His satisfaction at acquiring such powerful trump cards quickly soured as he watched his Achievement Points plummet. Three talismans at 100 points each had devoured most of his savings, leaving him with a mere 172 points.
The sight of such a sudden depleted balance made his heart ache.
[Remaining Time until Store Refresh: 13 days, 23 hours, 47 minutes]
"At least the prices are fair," he muttered, trying to console himself.
Unlike the predatory pricing he'd encountered in countless games, these items seemed reasonably valued for their effects. Considering it was an "RPG System," he was worried that it would follow the classic formula of having a bullshit garbage in-game shop.
Especially if one visited a weapon store.
The real issue wasn't the cost when it came to the [Store]. It was the difficulty of earning Achievement Points at his current strength. Fighting weaker beasts would yield negligible points, while stronger ones could kill him before he earned anything.
The charging talismans pulsed softly in his inventory, slowly filling with power. Zhao Lingfeng could only hope they would prove worth their steep price when the moment came to use them.
Zhao Lingfeng gazed towards the swirling yin-yang symbol…