Chapter 33: The Fruits of Contribution

The journey back from the Greenleaf Pavilion Outpost was swift and blessedly uneventful. Lin Fan pushed his enhanced Wind Step, the howling winds of the Blackwind Forest seeming less chaotic now that he wasn't racing against a deadline with a valuable package. He exited the forest and crossed the familiar terrain back towards the Azure Cloud Sect, arriving at the western gate sometime during the early morning hours of the following day.

Three challenging tasks completed in rapid succession – the Shadowfang hunt, the Old Willow Creek investigation, and the Sunstone Quarry defense – along with the brief but intense foray into alchemy. It had been an incredibly productive few days since he first received the system.

Back in the quiet solitude of his hut, Lin Fan took a moment to properly take stock. He sat in meditation, ensuring his Qi was full and flowing smoothly, his mind calm. He checked his disciple token again, confirming the crucial number: 1030 Contribution Points. He had surpassed his initial goal. He also mentally noted his System Points balance: 4200 SP. A healthy reserve for lottery draws or other system functions.

The question now was: what did reaching the 1000 CP milestone actually mean for an Outer Sect disciple? He knew it was significant, a threshold many disciples strived for years to reach, but the specific benefits weren't common knowledge, often only revealed to those who achieved it. Speculation was rampant, but he needed concrete answers.

He decided against another immediate trip to the Contribution or Exchange Halls. His goal wasn't to spend the points just yet, but to understand the opportunities they presented. The logical place for such information was the sect's repository of knowledge.

Leaving his hut, he headed towards a different part of the Outer Sect's central administrative area, seeking the Outer Sect Library and Information Pavilion. This building was less imposing than the Hall twins, built of sturdy grey stone with fewer disciples bustling around its entrance. It projected an aura of quiet study rather than frantic activity.

Inside, rows upon rows of tall shelves filled with scrolls and bound manuscripts stretched into the dim interior. Disciples were scattered sparsely throughout, reading quietly at sturdy wooden tables or Browse the shelves. An elderly disciple with reading glasses perched on his nose sat behind a main counter, acting as the librarian and information clerk.

Lin Fan approached the counter. "Senior Brother," he began politely, "I wish to inquire about the privileges or access granted to Outer Sect disciples upon accumulating one thousand Contribution Points." He presented his disciple token for verification.

The elderly librarian looked up, his eyes momentarily widening almost imperceptibly as he likely recognized Lin Fan's name or perhaps saw the CP total after scanning the token. He adjusted his glasses. "One thousand Contribution Points," he repeated, his voice quiet but clear. "A commendable achievement, Disciple Lin Fan. It signifies significant dedication and capability within the Outer Sect. Reaching this threshold indeed unlocks several benefits."

He consulted a large registry book on his counter. "Firstly, you gain Priority Access Status. This grants you priority consideration for limited-resource training facilities and slightly preferential selection for certain high-demand sect tasks, should you choose to pursue them."

Lin Fan nodded. Minor, but potentially useful.

"Secondly," the librarian continued, "you are granted access to the Enhanced Qi Training Rooms located beneath the main Training Grounds administration building. These rooms utilize low-grade Spirit Gathering Arrays to provide a richer cultivation environment than standard rooms or ambient sect energy. Access requires booking and costs 100 Contribution Points per twelve-hour session."

This was more substantial. While likely still inferior to using High-Grade Spirit Stones, cultivating in an array-enhanced room could offer synergistic benefits or be useful for prolonged, stable cultivation sessions focused on comprehension rather than raw breakthroughs. Worth keeping in mind.

"Thirdly, and perhaps most relevantly here in the library," the librarian gestured towards a guarded archway deeper within the building, "you gain access to the Intermediate Knowledge Pavilion. This section contains more advanced standard sect manuals, detailed bestiaries on regional threats up to the Foundation Establishment level, comprehensive maps, historical records, and introductory texts on auxiliary skills beyond the absolute basics."

This piqued Lin Fan's interest the most. Knowledge was power, especially knowledge the system might not directly provide. Clues about his mystery items, deeper understanding of cultivation principles, information on Foundation Establishment – it could all be invaluable.

"Finally," the librarian concluded, lowering his voice slightly, "accumulating one thousand Contribution Points is a key, non-negotiable prerequisite for applying to participate in the annual Inner Sect Assessment Trials, alongside meeting the minimum cultivation and age requirements. It demonstrates the necessary diligence and contribution expected of potential Inner Disciples."

So, it was a gateway. Acknowledged capability, access to better training and information, and a necessary step towards the Inner Sect. Reaching 1000 CP truly was a significant milestone.

"Thank you for the information, Senior Brother," Lin Fan said. "I would like to access the Intermediate Knowledge Pavilion now."

The librarian nodded, making a notation after verifying Lin Fan's token again. "Proceed through the archway. The attendant within will guide you."

Lin Fan walked towards the archway, passing through a subtle energy field that likely checked his credentials. The Intermediate Knowledge Pavilion was smaller, quieter, and felt more scholarly than the main library. Instead of open shelves of scrolls, information here seemed primarily stored on jade slips, requiring spiritual sense to read, resting neatly in indexed racks. Only a handful of other disciples were present, all looking studious and carrying an air of seniority. An attendant, a stern-faced sixth-layer disciple, gave Lin Fan a brief nod after confirming his access.

Lin Fan began to browse the indexes, his eyes scanning the categories: 'Advanced Qi Refinement Techniques', 'Foundation Establishment Insights', 'Regional Bestiary (Qi Refinement)', 'Regional Bestiary (Foundation Establishment)', 'Herbology & Alchemy (Intermediate)', 'Formations & Arrays (Introductory)', 'History & Lore', 'Ancient Seals & Artifacts'.

His gaze lingered on the last category. He approached the rack, scanning the titles of the jade slips. He found slips detailing common artifact identification, basic array-breaking principles, and histories of famous sect treasures. Then he saw it – a slip titled 'Compendium of Ancient Locking Mechanisms and Seals (Vol. 1 - Qi Refinement Era)'.

His heart beat slightly faster. Could this hold clues about the Three Essence Lock on his box? He picked up the jade slip. He also noted other promising titles like 'Introduction to Yin Energy Phenomena' and 'Catalogue of Unidentified Artifacts Recovered by Outer Sect Expeditions'.

He didn't have time to read them all now, but he needed to see if the information was truly accessible or just a tease. He focused on the 'Ancient Locking Mechanisms' slip, sending his spiritual sense into it.

Information flooded his mind – descriptions and diagrams of various old-fashioned mechanical locks, simple Qi-based seals common during the Qi Refinement level development hundreds of years ago, basic warding runes... but nothing matching the complexity or name of the 'Three Essence Lock'. The slip concluded with a note: "For discussion of seals requiring multi-elemental keys or Foundation Establishment level Qi manipulation, consult Inner Sect Archives or specialized Formation Hall records."

Lin Fan withdrew his sense, a faint frown on his face. Just as he suspected. The Intermediate Pavilion offered better information, but the truly deep or specialized knowledge was still restricted, likely requiring Inner Sect status or significantly more Contribution Points, maybe even specific permissions. This 1000 CP threshold was a door, but it led to a corridor with more doors, not the final room.

Still, knowing where to look eventually was progress. He had access now, and the knowledge that deeper answers existed within the sect structure. He replaced the jade slip carefully.

He left the Intermediate Knowledge Pavilion and the library, his mind processing the new information. He had options: spend CP on the Enhanced Training Room, spend time here researching the basics, or continue the CP grind towards the next threshold or save up for specific high-cost items/access later. He also had over 4000 System Points – could the lottery provide a shortcut to the knowledge or keys he needed?

The path forward had several branches. Which one should he take first?