Chapter 27: The Sunstone Watch

The allure of alchemy, with its intricate processes and potential rewards, was strong, but Lin Fan firmly pushed it to the back of his mind for now. The single, impure pill sitting in his storage ring was a testament to the time and dedication required – time he currently felt was better spent accumulating the Contribution Points needed to unlock more tangible benefits within the sect structure. With 540 CP banked and a goal of 1000, he needed roughly two more successful high-reward tasks.

Decision reaffirmed, he left his hut, the afternoon sun warming the courtyard. His frequent trips to and from the Contribution Hall, often returning successful from difficult tasks far quicker than expected, were solidifying his image. He was no longer just the "rich kid" or the "lucky disciple"; he was becoming known as ruthlessly efficient and frighteningly capable. The path cleared before him almost automatically as he strode towards the Hall.

Inside, he ignored the lower-level boards and focused again on the fifth and sixth layer listings. He scanned past hunting missions and potentially time-consuming investigations, looking for something in the 150-250 CP range that offered a different kind of challenge. His eyes landed on a task pinned to the 'Defense & Guard Duty' section.

Task: Defend Sunstone Quarry Outpost (Remote Sector Epsilon) Location: Sunstone Quarry Outpost (Map Coordinates Provided) Description: The remote Sunstone Quarry Outpost has reported escalating nightly attacks from coordinated packs of Rock Biter Lizards (primarily fourth layer, led by fifth layer variants). The outpost's minimal mining crew is unable to repel the attacks effectively, hindering vital Sunstone extraction. Task requires one capable disciple to reinforce the outpost and defend its perimeter for one full day/night cycle (24 hours), repelling all lizard intrusions. Identification of the main nest/burrow entrance is a secondary objective. Recommended Cultivation: Minimum sixth layer Qi Refinement (Solo) due to swarm tactics and required endurance. Fifth layer with 'Excellent' combat rating accepted. Reward: 200 Contribution Points for successful 24-hour defense. Bonus: 50 Contribution Points if primary nest entrance location is identified and reported accurately. Time Limit: Task active until outpost is secured or abandoned. Defense cycle starts upon arrival and confirmation with outpost crew.

A defense mission. 24 hours straight. Against swarming beasts known for burrowing. It tested endurance, defensive skills, and awareness. The potential 250 CP reward was excellent. It was different, and it fit his qualifications perfectly.

Lin Fan took the task slip and approached the counter. The clerk on duty looked vaguely familiar – perhaps one who had witnessed his previous submissions. He processed the request with notable efficiency, barely glancing at Lin Fan's cultivation level on the record display. Lin Fan's 'Excellent' rating and his rapidly growing list of successfully completed high-difficulty tasks apparently spoke for themselves now.

"Sunstone Quarry defense," the clerk confirmed, stamping the token. "Rock Biter Lizards are tough-skinned and can burrow rapidly through loose rock and soil. Be watchful for attacks from below as well as overland assaults. Report back after the 24-hour cycle is complete, confirmation will be required from the mining crew chief via communication talisman upon your departure." He handed the validated token back.

Lin Fan accepted the token and left the Hall. The quarry was located in an arid, rocky region several hours travel east of the sect. He set off immediately, Wind Step once again turning the journey into a blur of passing scenery. The terrain shifted from the sect's relatively fertile grounds to dusty plains, then to rolling hills covered in sparse, tough vegetation, finally giving way to barren, rocky badlands baked by the sun.

By late afternoon, following the map coordinates, he saw the outpost nestled amidst low, sun-baked mesas. The Sunstone Quarry Outpost was rudimentary at best. A low perimeter wall constructed from piled rocks and rough-hewn timber encircled a collection of simple wooden barracks and tool sheds, situated near the gaping entrance to the quarry itself – a dark pit descending into the earth. The air was dry and dusty, carrying the faint, warm scent of sun-baked rock and a subtle energetic hum characteristic of Yang-attribute stones.

As Lin Fan approached, three disciples emerged warily from the largest barrack. They looked utterly exhausted, their simple mining clothes stained with dust and sweat, their faces pale with fear. Their cultivation levels were low – two at the second layer, one barely at the third layer of Qi Refinement. They were clearly miners, not fighters.

The oldest of the three, likely the crew chief mentioned by the clerk, stepped forward hesitantly as Lin Fan displayed his disciple token. "Senior Brother... you are the reinforcement from the Contribution Hall?" he asked, hope warring with exhaustion in his voice.

"Disciple Lin Fan," Lin Fan confirmed. "I've accepted the 24-hour defense task."

Relief washed over the faces of the three miners. "Thank the heavens!" the chief exclaimed. "Senior Brother, the attacks have been getting worse each night. Those damned lizards... they burrow right under the weak points in the wall sometimes! We lost half our Sunstone haul last night just driving them back. We haven't had proper rest in days."

"Show me the perimeter and tell me about the attacks," Lin Fan instructed, his gaze already sweeping over the crude defenses.

The crew chief quickly walked Lin Fan around the small outpost. The wall was barely two meters high in places, easily scalable by the agile lizards. Several sections showed signs of recent damage, hastily patched with loose rocks. The ground both inside and outside the perimeter was riddled with disturbed earth and collapsed burrow entrances, confirming the lizards' digging capabilities. The attacks, the chief explained, usually started shortly after sunset and continued sporadically throughout the night, with the lizards probing for weaknesses, attempting to overwhelm defenders through sheer numbers and surprise underground assaults.

Lin Fan nodded, his mind already formulating a defensive strategy. He used Basic Appraisal on the wall sections – [Rough Stone & Timber Wall. Quality: Poor (Structurally Weak in sections). Effect: Minimal Physical Deterrent.]. Pathetic.

"Retreat to your barracks and rest," Lin Fan told the miners. "Barricade your doors. I will handle the defense from sunset today until sunset tomorrow."

The miners looked at him, a single disciple proposing to defend the entire perimeter alone against nightly swarms, but seeing the calm confidence in his eyes and likely hearing rumors of his capabilities, they didn't question him. They offered heartfelt thanks and quickly retreated to the relative safety of their barrack, leaving Lin Fan alone with the outpost and the impending twilight.

Lin Fan walked the perimeter one more time, identifying the most likely breach points. He chose a position atop the sturdiest section of the wall near the main gate, offering a good vantage point over the surrounding rocky terrain and the quarry entrance. He sat down cross-legged, his Flowing Shadow Sword across his lap, his spiritual sense extended, alert. His Iron Skin Art remained active, a necessary precaution.

As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, painting the badlands in fiery colors, the temperature dropped slightly, and an expectant silence fell over the quarry. Then, it began. Faint scratching sounds echoed from the rocks outside the wall. More sounds joined in, growing closer, accompanied by the occasional clatter of displaced pebbles. From the darkness near the quarry pit, pairs of small, beady eyes began to glow faintly.

The Rock Biter Lizards had arrived. The siege was about to begin. Lin Fan opened his eyes, a calm, predatory light gleaming within them. He stood up on the wall, ready.