Chapter 106: The Belated Contribution Points

Upon entering the Sect Affairs Hall at the main peak of Lingyun Sect, Ji Yao did not rush to submit her task. Within her identity jade token was a reward of 500 contribution points granted to the top sixteen ranks in the previous sect competition.

This time, the task from the Law Enforcement Hall in the Qixian Secret Realm also came with corresponding rewards: a base reward of 20,000 contribution points, with a potential increase to between 30,000 and 35,000 points depending on task completion.

For instance, Yun Fei, the lead in this operation, earned 35,000 points, while ordinary disciples received the full 30,000 points. Of course, these contribution rewards applied to formal disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Ji Yao, however, was not even a probationary disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall due to her own circumstances. Despite her significant effort during the mission—she was even the one to bring back the sealing array diagram information—she could not claim the same rewards as the others.

Rules were rules; even though she entered under the identity of the Hall’s first seat’s personal disciple, she could not be treated the same as the others who executed the mission. Ultimately, she received only 6,000 contribution points.

If one were to indulge in conspiracy theories, Ji Yao was merely a junior member forcefully inserted by some high-ranking sect elder, tagging along to gain Law Enforcement Hall experience.

No matter how outstanding one’s performance, it only proved one’s own ability and could not represent others; otherwise, it would be unfair to the majority.

This was the matter of status. Every sect must have its proper system. Law Enforcement Hall disciples were a special group, selected through many rounds and hardened by dangerous missions, making them very different from ordinary disciples.

Ji Yao had no complaints; this was her choice, and regret was the most foolish response.

The most difficult line to define in the world was between justice and sentiment. While most enjoyed a peaceful era and superior living conditions, some bore heavy burdens in the shadows, facing life and death.

Whether things were fair depended on one’s understanding. Obsession was a double-edged sword, and judgment was subjective.

At this moment, Ji Yao’s identity jade token held 6,500 contribution points. For a Foundation Establishment disciple, this was not much. Compared to spiritual artifacts that could cost tens of thousands of points to redeem, it was barely enough to exchange for some pills, talismans, or forging materials.

Actually, Ji Yao carried more than two hundred stalks of Qixian Grass. To understand the value of contribution points more intuitively, she decided to visit the Contribution Pavilion nearby to see what she could use.

The catalog of exchangeable items was displayed on a three-dimensional holographic screen. It required no attendant to watch over; placing the identity jade token on it allowed self-operation. When ready to redeem, the token recorded the transaction, and an attendant disciple could be approached to complete the exchange.

The holographic screen featured everything from pills, talismans, materials, and tools to special function cultivation techniques. Items were categorized by quality and the required cultivation level for use. Each came with a brief description and the contribution points cost, making the process very convenient.

Ji Yao discovered that within Lingyun Sect, the item requiring the highest contribution points was the flying sword.

A top-tier growth-type spiritual artifact flying sword demanded no less than 100,000 contribution points. For Ji Yao, whose soul had experienced the digital age, it was like seeing a string of zeros dancing before her eyes.

No wonder sword cultivators insisted on relying on a single sword without dependence on external items. Ji Yao secretly thought a large part of the reason was simply that flying swords were prohibitively expensive.

Though flying swords were the most common weapon in the cultivation world, nearly everyone having one was only true for basic models. On the market, low-quality flying swords, not even reaching the official grade, cost at least three hundred low-grade spirit stones. Regular low-grade flying swords generally sold for five hundred low-grade spirit stones.

In fact, flying swords were the most expensive offensive weapons. A top-grade flying sword could fetch an astronomical price at auction.

Flying swords combined attack and flight in one. A good flying sword, to put it bluntly, even had an escape speed faster than ordinary flying swords—how could it not be costly?

Thinking of the pile of broken swords she had collected, Ji Yao’s heart burned. If she could repair them and auction them in the Xuan Sword City directly under Lingyun Sect’s mountain, it would be a huge sum of spirit stones!

It seemed she needed to discuss a partnership with Senior Brother. She wouldn’t mind a fifty-fifty split.

Recalling Modao Yan’s advice, since she already had defense, offense, and transportation secured, Ji Yao considered her remaining needs. After deliberation, she decided that improving speed would be a good choice.

Ji Yao had always used the “Startling Swan Step,” a movement technique usable from the Qi Refining stage. After reaching Foundation Establishment, the technique had a second part, and together they formed a complete method called “Startling Swan Soaring Dragon.”

The Startling Swan Step focused on dodging and agility. The latter part, called “Soaring Dragon,” was a long-distance escape technique known individually as "Cloud Dragon Roaming," meaning a dragon swimming the clouds unseen, soaring to the ninth heaven in a day—a comprehensive technique.

Strictly speaking, Ji Yao was not a sword cultivator. Even her sword techniques were more about maneuvering in formations rather than straightforward frontal attacks.

Thus, whether evading or rapid assault, speed was paramount. To enhance speed, unless the technique was fully mastered, short-term gains had to come from external tools.

Speed-enhancing magical treasures were rare, and even those available often had imperfect designs. After long searching, Ji Yao found a pair of spirit shoes called “Windwalker Boots,” classified as superior-grade spiritual artifacts, costing only 60,000 contribution points.

For offensive spiritual artifacts, that contribution cost would only buy a mid-grade item, so this superior-grade price was quite cheap.

The boots had a normal style but a dark purple color. Each shoe’s surface bore a cyan phoenix pattern, giving the boots a somewhat feminine touch, explaining why they remained within Lingyun Sect.

Ji Yao decided that if she had enough contribution points, she would exchange for these.

Back in the hall of the Sect Affairs Hall, she presented the task token given by Modao Yan. An attendant disciple informed her that one stalk of Qixian Grass could be exchanged for 300 contribution points.

Ji Yao did the math and chose not to submit the amount her master had suggested. Instead, she handed over 195 stalks at once. Adding her original contribution points, she had a total of 65,000 points. After exchanging for the Windwalker Boots, only 5,000 points remained.

Just after exchanging for her desired item and leaving the Sect Affairs Hall, the high-level communication talisman at her waist vibrated.

Upon activation, a melodious female voice, like a warbler’s song, sounded out.

“Ji Yao, you heartless one! You’ve been back so long without sending me a single message. I didn’t mind when you secluded yourself for Foundation Establishment, but now that you’ve emerged, you still don’t notify me. Have you found a new love?”

Ji Yao was at a loss for words—who was truly heartless here?

“Madam Ling Ru, it’s my fault for not being attentive enough to send you timely messages. Might I have the honor of your presence?”

Previously, when Ling Ru traveled, Ji Yao sent many messages but received no reply. Later, Ling Ru returned to the sect to begin Foundation Establishment cultivation, coinciding with Ji Yao’s own seclusion.

Unexpectedly, once Ling Ru completed her Foundation Establishment, she sent Ji Yao a message and happily went out traveling again. That was over two months ago, when Ji Yao began her own Foundation Establishment. Since then, they had not met for a long time.

“Alright, let’s meet at the South Gate of Xuan Sword City shortly. Since you’ve reached Foundation Establishment, be prepared to treat me with spirit stones!”

Ling Ru’s voice came again from the talisman. Ji Yao smiled brightly and agreed. Without returning to the Tianlu Peak, she headed straight down the mountain toward Xuan Sword City in Lingyun Sect’s market district.