Chapter 268 - 265: Clearing Out the Demon Beasts
After joining the Dragon Cloud Sect, Outer Disciples had a three-year study period.
During this time, Cultivators at the Soul Emergence Realm from the Sect personally guided and taught them, lecturing them on the Dao every month to help build a solid foundation.
Based on their performance, they would even select individuals with aptitude and potential. These chosen few were told about condensing a Spirit Body when advancing to Soul Emergence, preparing them as seeds to one day ascend to the Yuqing Immortal Sect.
However, this three-year study period didn’t mean one could just coast by on Cultivation after joining the Sect, without making any contributions!
In fact, even Outer Disciples within their three-year study period had 500 Sect Contribution Points deducted annually.
The way to earn Sect Contribution Points was by completing Sect missions.
Therefore, even during this three-year study period, all Disciples were required to complete a certain number of Sect missions to earn enough Contribution Points to cover the deduction.
Missions awarded varying amounts of Sect Contribution Points based on their difficulty.
For example, tasks like chopping wood and stoking fires, leveling land, planting Spirit Medicines, constructing buildings, and mining ore were worth anywhere from dozens to over a hundred Sect Contribution Points.
If one completed enough Sect missions to cover the annual 500-point deduction, the remaining Sect Contribution Points could be used to exchange for Spirit Elixirs and Medicines, Divine Skills and Secret Techniques from the Scripture Pavilion, and other such rewards.
Because of this, in addition to attending lectures and focusing on their Cultivation, the Outer Disciples often took on Sect missions to help build and maintain the Mountain Gate.
Shen Changchuan, however, was much better off than the others.
The Sect Leader, Master Wandering Dragon, had already accepted him as a Registered Disciple. This granted him the privilege of free access to the Scripture Pavilion, unlike the other Disciples who had to spend Contribution Points.
But while an exception could be made for the Scripture Pavilion, this particular Sect rule could not be broken.
This rule was adopted from the Yuqing Immortal Sect and was likely related to fostering a sense of belonging among the Sect’s Disciples.
In any case, not even Shen Changchuan’s status as a Registered Disciple could exempt him from the annual 500 Sect Contribution Points rule.
And that was precisely why Shen Changchuan was now out on a mission.
Due to his status as a Registered Disciple, Shen Changchuan’s Sect Contribution Point deduction had already been delayed for three months.
Senior Brother Hong, the one in charge of the External Affairs Hall, didn’t seem to mind. He simply said that Cultivation was the priority and that Shen Changchuan could make up for it later when he had time.
But dragging it out any longer would look bad.
...
Mission Content:
Recently, Demon Beasts have escaped from the Demon Beast Forest and are causing trouble in various areas. Disciples at the Qi Introduction Ninth Layer or above are required to patrol, slay the troublesome Demon Beasts, and bring back their heads as proof.
Reward: 30 Contribution Points/head for a Seventh Layer Demon Beast, 150/head for an Eighth Layer, 250/head for a Ninth Layer, 300/head for a Ninth Layer Peak.
Note: While clearing out the Demon Beasts, disciples can investigate the reason for this incident. Completing the investigation will be rewarded with 500-1000 Contribution Points.
Shen Changchuan sat cross-legged on Xiaofeng’s back, flying swiftly high above the ground.
At that moment, his mind was on the mission ahead.
He had chosen this mission for a simple reason: the rewards were high, and there was no upper limit.
Shen Changchuan had no intention of spending too much time earning Contribution Points through Sect missions.
If he could earn enough Sect Contribution Points to cover the next two or three years all at once, that would be ideal.
’The rewards are high, but this mission won’t be easy...’
Shen Changchuan lamented inwardly.
’An ordinary Outer Disciple of the Sect is a bit stronger than a Loose Cultivator from the outside world... After all, only talented elites can get in...’
’They can hold an advantage when fighting at the same Realm, but if their opponent is one or two minor levels higher, they’d be in trouble. And if they run into a creature with a powerful bloodline, they’d have to worry about escaping with their lives first.’
’It’s not like they can get lucky every time and only find Demon Beasts at or below their own Realm.’
’What’s more, these marauding Demon Beasts don’t have fixed lairs, so they have to be tracked down.’
’If you’re unlucky, you might not find a single trace for ten days or even half a month. And even if you do, finding only a single creature at the Qi Introduction Seventh Layer would be incredibly frustrating.’
At that moment, Shen Changchuan began to understand why such a lucrative mission had fallen to him.
’I don’t lack strength. I’m not being arrogant, but right now, no Demon Beast below the Soul Emergence Realm can touch me!’
’And with Xiaofeng, I can track them from the sky, making me far more efficient than anyone else!’
’A mission like this is practically tailor-made for me. I just need to take down a few Demon Beasts at the Ninth Layer Peak, and I won’t have to worry about Sect Contribution Points for years.’
The thought put Shen Changchuan in a good mood.
Composing his Heart Spirit, Shen Changchuan rode Xiaofeng, speeding toward a target on his map.
...
A short while later.
「Bai Shi Village.」
"All of Bai Shi Village respectfully welcomes the Upper Immortal!"
By the time Shen Changchuan arrived, the entire population of Bai Shi Village, led by an old man with a full head of white hair and a matching beard, had already gathered in the square to wait for him respectfully.
The sight of Xiaofeng initially caused a panic, as the villagers mistook him for an attacking Flying Demon Beast.
It wasn’t until Xiaofeng landed swiftly with Shen Changchuan that the panicked crowd bowed respectfully.
"Upper Immortal, we have prepared a banquet in the village. Please, grace us with your presence."
"Enough. Cut the pleasantries. Where did the Demon Beast attack? What species was it? Tell me every detail."
Shen Changchuan didn’t waste any words, getting straight to the point.
He was here to slay Demon Beasts, not to bother with social niceties.
"Ah, as expected of an Upper Immortal from the Upper Sect! So decisive and efficient!"
The old man said with a fawning smile.
He then quickly produced a Jade Slip, handing it to Shen Changchuan with both hands.
"This contains the information on the Demon Beast. We’ll be counting on you now, Upper Immortal!"
Shen Changchuan accepted the Jade Slip and sent his Divine Sense into it, beginning to browse the information within.
"Hm?"
Shen Changchuan raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the deferential old village chief and the group of Cultivators standing behind him in the square with their heads bowed.
In his peripheral vision, he also noticed the magnificent, ornate buildings built against the mountain behind the crowd.
’Interesting...’
’An attack from a Demon Beast at the Qi Introduction Ninth Layer Peak... and it looks like it didn’t cause them much harm. In fact, they seem to have repelled it.’
’Looks like this village is quite strong...’
’That’s definitely impressive for the Border Desolate Forest. Back when I was in Dawan Village, any local power with a Cultivator at the Qi Introduction Seventh Layer was considered a minor noble family.’
’An expert at the Ninth Layer Realm would be renowned throughout this entire remote region!’
’Huh,’
’Wait, no...’
’Bai Shi Village... I feel like I’ve heard that name before!’
"Isn’t this where the Family Protection Mutual Aid Alliance was based?"