Lin Fan stepped through the tall archway into the Contribution Hall. The cavernous interior buzzed with activity, a stark contrast to the relative quiet he'd grown accustomed to around his hut. Hundreds of Outer Sect disciples moved purposefully through the large hall. The air was thick with mingled scents – medicinal herbs, beast blood, sweat, and the faint metallic tang of Spirit Stones being exchanged.
Dominating the walls were massive boards, taller than three men, plastered with countless scrolls and inscribed wooden slips detailing available sect tasks. Disciples clustered before these boards, their faces etched with concentration, hope, or frustration as they scanned the listings. To one side, long counters were staffed by sect clerks – mostly senior Outer Disciples or occasionally impassive Deacons – handling task registration and submission.
Lin Fan took a moment to absorb the scene. He saw disciples haggling with clerks over Contribution Point rewards, groups of three or five animatedly discussing strategy for a difficult mission, and solitary figures carefully selecting tasks that matched their meager strength. It was the engine driving the Outer Sect's ambition – the endless cycle of risk and reward in pursuit of Contribution Points and a chance to climb higher.
He bypassed the lower-level boards crowded with disciples seeking tasks suitable for the second, third, or fourth layers of Qi Refinement – mostly tedious herb gathering, pest control within the sect grounds, or manual labor assisting various workshops. His 'Excellent' rating from the Training Grounds, coupled with his solid fifth layer cultivation, opened up more challenging, and hopefully more rewarding, options.
He moved towards the boards listing tasks recommended for the fifth and sixth layers. Here, the crowd thinned slightly, the disciples generally older and their expressions more serious. The tasks listed were noticeably more dangerous: hunting moderately powerful spiritual beasts, escorting caravans through monster-infested territories, exploring potentially hazardous ruins on the sect's periphery, or investigating minor disturbances reported by mortal communities under the sect's protection.
Lin Fan scanned the listings, evaluating them based on several criteria: Contribution Point reward, potential for demonstrating strength (and thus earning System Points organically), feasibility for a solo operative, and clarity of objective. He ignored tasks requiring large teams or specialized knowledge he didn't possess.
Several caught his eye:
"Investigate Strange Fog in Misty Creek": Recommended fifth layer team or solo sixth layer. Reward: 60 CP. Too vague, potentially time-consuming.
"Gather Fire-Resistant Scales from Molten Lizards": Recommended sixth layer. Requires heat resistance. Reward: 75 CP + material bonus. Not suited to his current skills.
"Escort Merchant Caravan to Stone Ridge Town": Recommended fifth layer (group of 3+). Duration: 5 days. Reward: 50 CP per person. Too long, required group.
Then, he saw it, marked with a red tag indicating urgency:
Task: Urgent - Eliminate Shadowfang Wolf Pack LeaderLocation: Silent Woods, Sector Gamma (Map Coordinates Provided)Description: A pack of Shadowfang Wolves, numbering approximately 15-20 individuals (mostly fourth/fifth layer strength), has become increasingly aggressive, led by an unusually large and cunning Alpha. The pack has injured three herb-gathering disciples in the past week. Task requires eliminating the Alpha to disrupt the pack's coordination. Caution advised: Alpha estimated at peak fifth layer, potentially possessing strength nearing the sixth layer.Recommended Cultivation: Minimum sixth layer Qi Refinement OR fifth layer with proven 'Excellent' combat rating.Reward: 80 Contribution Points. Bonus: 50 Low-Grade Spirit Stones upon presenting the Alpha's primary fang or intact core as proof.Time Limit: 3 Days (Urgency Tag).
This was perfect. A clear combat objective, solo feasible given his capabilities, directly addressed the level of challenge suggested by his completed system mission, and offered a solid Contribution Point reward plus a minor (to him) stone bonus. Hunting a beast Alpha also provided ample opportunity to utilize his skills and potentially impress any unseen observers (or the system itself). The Silent Woods were known Outer Sect hunting grounds, not excessively far.
Decision made. Lin Fan detached the task slip from the board – a smooth wooden token inscribed with the task details – and headed towards the 'Task Acceptance' counter.
The clerk on duty was a tired-looking woman who seemed to be in her late twenties, likely a senior Outer Disciple handling administrative tasks. She glanced at Lin Fan, then at the sixth-layer recommended task slip he placed on the counter.
"Disciple Lin Fan?" she asked, raising an eyebrow slightly as she cross-referenced his name with his fifth layer cultivation listed in the sect records accessible through her terminal. "This task requires a minimum sixth layer cultivation, or..."
Lin Fan simply placed the 'Excellent' rating proof slip from the Training Grounds next to the task token.
The clerk's eyes widened almost imperceptibly as she read the slip. An 'Excellent' rating, especially one involving defeating a sixth-layer calibrated puppet, was rare for a fifth-layer disciple. Her professional demeanor returned quickly.
"Acknowledged," she said, stamping the task token with Lin Fan's disciple identification imprint and updating the records. "Task accepted. Map coordinates for Silent Woods Sector Gamma and known pack hunting grounds are detailed on the reverse of the token. Remember the three-day time limit for the urgency bonus. Report back here for submission upon completion. Proof of Alpha elimination is required for full rewards."
She handed the validated task token back to Lin Fan. No deposit was required for this type of elimination task. The process was efficient, impersonal. Lin Fan nodded, tucking the token away securely within his storage ring.
He turned and walked out of the Contribution Hall, ignoring the curious glances his interaction with the clerk had drawn. Some disciples likely recognized the urgent task slip for the Shadowfang Wolf pack and were surprised to see a lone fifth-layer disciple taking it, even with rumors of his prowess spreading.
Outside, the sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows across the plaza. The Silent Woods were a few hours' walk from the main sect grounds. He could reach the designated sector by nightfall if he utilized his enhanced Wind Step.
A hunt under the cover of darkness? Perhaps. Shadowfang Wolves were known for their stealth and nocturnal activity, but Lin Fan possessed Night Owl Drops from his lottery winnings if needed. More importantly, the challenge excited him. It was a chance to truly unleash the skills he'd acquired, to push himself against a genuine threat rather than programmed puppets.
An Alpha wolf nearing the sixth layer... Lin Fan thought, a faint smile touching his lips as he started towards the Outer Sect gate leading to the wilderness. Let's see if your fangs are sharper than my sword.
The hunt was on.