Redeeming Sect Contributions

"Why would she come to our Outer Sect Affairs Hall?"

"Who knows? Maybe she was sent here for training."

Feng Nianyue wore the white robes of a personal disciple, marked with intricate array patterns along the sleeves and hem. Upon closer inspection, it appeared that layered formations were inscribed into the fabric, greatly enhancing its defensive power.

Petite in stature, she stood around one meter sixty. With a round face, almond-shaped eyes, and cherry lips, her cultivation had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

Jian Dan only glanced at her from afar before refocusing on the attendant: "Does the Affairs Hall exchange pills and artifacts? Are purchases made with spirit stones or contribution points?"

"Senior Aunt jests. Most sect resources are exchanged with points. Items purchasable with spirit stones are… rather ordinary."

"Here's the exchange jade slip. You may browse first."

"Good."

Jian Dan swept the jade slip with her spiritual sense and was taken aback by the comprehensive offerings.

From minor items like Bigu Dan, all the way to Huasheng Pills suitable for Mahayana cultivators—everything was listed. Even something as small as a single needle or an entire set of compound formation plates could be exchanged.

However, as her eyes moved to the cost column, her heart gave a slight tremble.

Lu Se, the attending deacon, stood respectfully to the side, waiting for her inquiry.

"I need a defensive robe," she said.

"Any preferences in style, Senior Aunt?"

"None."

"Then may I suggest the 'Seven-Colored Feather Garb', ranked 75th in the robes section? Despite its plain name, it's highly practical."

"This robe is woven from five-colored vines of Rainbow Bay, spun into thread by master weavers. Then, Artificer Shi infused it with roc feathers, making it lighter while enhancing movement speed. It also bears top-tier defensive formations, capable of withstanding a Nascent Soul strike."

"Exchange cost?"

"900 points."

Jian Dan was almost certain the moment she stepped into the Hall, these people had already set their eyes on her points. They probably wouldn't stop until they'd drained her dry. She wasn't lacking in treasures (thanks to her space and Mei Ji's legacy), but she couldn't reveal them. Her persona was a rogue cultivator—consistency was key.

"If it's so good, why hasn't anyone exchanged for it until now?"

"Well... the style is plain. It doesn't appeal to the current generation of immortal maidens. It can only change its color, nothing else. The materials are costly, so the point requirement is a bit steep. That's why it's been left on the shelf."

"Fine. I'll take it."

Since she was already here, she saw no reason to leave empty-handed. Jian Dan handed over her identity token, allowing the young deacon to deduct the contribution points for the robe.

Deacon Lu could hardly hide his glee. At last, he had offloaded that troublesome piece—and even earned some spirit stones in the process. With a cheerful heart, he went to retrieve the item.

Jian Dan held her identity token, letting out a sigh. Earning points wasn't easy. Just nine Purple Heart Fruits had been traded for this. On the surface, it looked like a loss, but privately she knew it was a solid gain. The robe was essentially a mid-tier artifact, and it would serve her well up to the Nascent Soul stage.

Before long, Deacon Lu returned holding a tray. A plain white robe with narrow sleeves lay neatly atop it.

The robe bore no embroidery, no embellishment—it was almost austere. No wonder no one had touched it for so long.

Female cultivators found it too plain, and male cultivators wouldn't want a robe that changed color.

Jian Dan waved her hand, sending the robe into her storage pouch. She asked a few more questions about sect tasks, then left the Affairs Hall without lingering.

Her next destination: the Scripture Pavilion.

The Scripture Pavilion was located halfway up Jian Yue Peak. Built from dark jade stones, it had an air of solemn dignity. Though named a pavilion, it was more like a towering pagoda, with nine floors in total—each floor accessible only to cultivators of a matching realm.

—Qi Refining

—Foundation Establishment

—Golden Core

—Nascent Soul

—Divine Transformation

—Divine Soul

—Void Refinement

—Unity

—Mahayana

All information within required contribution points to access or copy into jade slips.

Jian Dan suspected that any manuals above the Nascent Soul level would not be accessible to outer sect disciples like herself.

At the entrance stood a silver-framed mirror, engraved with floral motifs. Jian Dan took out her identity token and inserted it into the slot beneath the mirror.

A ripple of light passed across the surface, followed by a line of characters:

[Shan Yunzu, Outer Disciple of Jian Yue Peak, late-stage Foundation Establishment. Access: Floor 2.]

She retrieved the token, hooked it back onto her belt, and gave the mirror a respectful nod before stepping inside.

Passing through the protective barrier, Jian Dan entered an expansive space lined with towering bookshelves that reached the ceiling. Each row was labeled with categories such as Cultivation Methods, Sword Arts, Footwork, Spells, and more.

Currently on the first floor, all Qi Refining manuals were available to her. Without wasting time, she began scanning through the foundational texts to reinforce her basics.

These common references were tucked in the least noticeable corner. As she looked up at a shelf where her target jade slip sat on the highest level, Jian Dan reached toward her storage pouch, intending to summon her flying sword and rise.

But just as her hand touched the pouch, a low male voice came from behind her.

"Senior Aunt, spellcasting is forbidden in the Scripture Pavilion. Summoning flying swords is not allowed."