108: Chapter 108 Stationing Outside

One day, after morning practice concluded.

Jiang Hanzhou stood before his bamboo house, gazing at the rising sun in the east as he pondered.

"A month has passed; it is time to accept a Sect duty."

It was a rule of the Dragon Abyss Palace Outer Sect that one had to complete at least one duty every month, or else face punishment.

Although he could pay resources to offset this, those resources were better kept for other uses.

Moreover, he wanted to go out and see what the sea area under the control of the Dragon Abyss Palace actually looked like.

He did not need to pack much—all his belongings were in his sumeru pouch.

Jiang Hanzhou walked straight to the island dock, untied a small boat, and rowed toward Ancestral Dragon Island.

...

The Duty Hall was located in the eastern part of the Ancestral Dragon Island Outer Sect area; it was a spacious three-story palace.

With green tiles and white walls, it possessed a solemn Aura.

The plaza in front of the hall was currently crowded and unusually noisy.

When Jiang Hanzhou arrived, this was the scene he beheld: hundreds of Outer Sect Disciples crowded the plaza, forming several winding queues, their faces filled with anxious, irritable, or helpless expressions.

The lines moved at a snail's pace.

"Make way! Make way! I'm in a rush!"

"Stop shoving! Do you know how to queue?"

"Damn it, I should have come at the beginning of the month. Dragging it out until the last day, it's packed!"

"Tell me about it! But that task... putting it off for even one more day is worth it!"

Complaints, urgings, and arguments were incessant.

Jiang Hanzhou paused, then chuckled.

How familiar this scene was.

It was just like the mass outbreak of "procrastination" patients rushing to finish homework and reports at the end of the month in his previous life.

It seemed that procrastination was indeed a common affliction for intelligent beings; even Martial Artists were no exception.

He shook his head, walked to the end of the line, and waited quietly.

Glancing over the crowd, he spotted a few familiar faces.

Not far away, the weathered figure of Wu Huo was also in the line.

He appeared unhurried, leaning against a pillar with his eyes closed to rest, holding that heavy black fishing rod in his hand as if he had truly come to fish.

On the other side, Zhao Yuanjing and his three followers were speaking in low voices with a deacon Disciple, wearing the reserved smile typical of a noble family Disciple, seemingly trying to pull some strings.

Zhao Yuanjing also saw Jiang Hanzhou.

Their eyes met for a moment, and he nodded slightly as a greeting before turning back to continue his conversation with the deacon Disciple.

Jiang Hanzhou didn't mind and turned his attention to the massive jade wall hanging above the entrance of the Duty Hall.

The jade wall shimmered with light, displaying lines of scrolling text—the list of tasks available for acceptance that day.

【Daily Patrol: Ancestral Dragon Island East Coastline, one shift every three days, requires two people, reward: 1 Contribution Point】

【Herb Garden Weeding: Hundred Herb Garden C-grade herb field, requires proficiency in Wood-type Cultivation Technique, ten days, reward: 1 Contribution Point】

【Assist Alchemy: Alchemy Cauldron Hall No. 3 Alchemy Room, processing medicinal materials, requires meticulousness, half a month, reward: 1 Contribution Point】

【Mine Guard: Black Iron Island No. 7 mineral vein, requires outstanding combat power, one month, reward: 2 Contribution Points】

【Sea Area Patrol: Star Continent Anchorage surrounding area, requires a team of five, ten days, reward: 1 Contribution Point per person】

The tasks were varied, but the Contribution Point rewards were scarce.

This was not surprising; Contribution Points of the Dragon Abyss Palace were very valuable, especially for Outer Sect Disciples.

If Contribution Points were that easy to earn, Bai Tianxiao would not have been unable to obtain the True Intent Map.

However, most tasks were marked with "Accepted" or "Full."

Jiang Hanzhou looked carefully and discovered that Zhao Yuanjing and his group had accepted "Herb Garden Weeding," while Wu Huo had accepted "Sea Area Patrol."

These were all relatively safe, short-term tasks.

Just then, Jiang Hanzhou's gaze sharpened, falling on a few lines of inconspicuous small text at the bottom of the jade wall.

There, several "Long-term Tasks" were listed.

【Long-term Garrison: West Sea · Star Continent Anchorage Fishing Ground No. 4, responsible for Spirit Fish care, anti-theft, daily management. Duration: One year. Requirements: Viscera Burning Realm Middle Stage or above, proficient in water, meticulous and responsible. Reward: Annual salary of 30 Contribution Points, can receive one basic Medicinal Pill every month. Note: No need to accept other duties within one year after acceptance.】

【Long-term Garrison: North Sea · Ice Crystal Mineral Vein No. 3 Outpost, supervising miners, defending against sea beast attacks. Duration: Two years. Requirements: Viscera Burning Realm Late Stage or above, strong combat power, cold resistance. Reward: Annual salary of 40 Contribution Points, can receive one piece of Cold Iron every quarter.】

【Long-term Cultivation: South Sea · Coral Forest Cultivation Area, taking care of coral polyps, recording growth data. Duration: Three years. Requirements: Proficient in Water-type Cultivation Technique, patient. Reward: Annual salary of 30 Contribution Points, can prioritize exchange for water-type resources.】

A flash of light appeared in Jiang Hanzhou's eyes.

Long-term task!

After accepting one, he wouldn't need to worry about monthly duties for a year or even several years, allowing him to focus on Cultivation!

Moreover, the annual salary of Contribution Points was quite considerable.

For example, that fishing ground task offered 30 Contribution Points a year, enough for Jiang Hanzhou to exchange for two Earth Rank martial arts containing True Intent.

What excited him even more was "West Sea · Star Continent Anchorage Fishing Ground No. 4."

Spirit Fish!

The fishing grounds controlled by the Dragon Abyss Palace did not breed ordinary fish, but Spirit Fish, which contained spiritual energy and were of great benefit to Cultivation!

One of the main ingredients of "Eight Treasures Dragon Tiger Stew" was eight types of Spirit Fish.

If he could have close contact with them, or even have a chance to obtain some Spirit Fish resources, it would definitely be of huge benefit to his Cultivation.

Almost without hesitation, Jiang Hanzhou had already made his decision.

He waited in line for about half an hour, and finally, it was his turn.

Inside the hall, several deacon Disciples sat behind a long desk, busy registering and issuing task tokens.

"Name, token, accepted task number."

A middle-aged deacon said without raising his head.

"Jiang Hanzhou." Jiang Hanzhou handed over his white jade token. "Accepting a long-term task, number: West Sea · Star Continent Anchorage Fishing Ground No. 4."

The middle-aged deacon heard this, finally raised his head, and looked at Jiang Hanzhou with some surprise.

"A long-term task? Are you sure? You cannot go back on this once accepted. You must stay at the fishing ground for one year, unless there are special circumstances approved for you to leave."

"I am sure." Jiang Hanzhou's tone was calm.

The middle-aged deacon said nothing more. He took Jiang Hanzhou's token, swiped it across a jade plate, and handed him a palm-sized bronze token engraved with fish-shaped patterns.

"This is the Fishing Ground Garrison Token. With this, you can enter and exit the fishing ground area, and it also serves as proof of your duty. Task details, the location of the fishing ground, and information about the handover personnel have been recorded in your Disciple token; check it yourself."

"At noon today, a cargo flying boat bound for the West Sea will depart from the 'Welcome Wharf.' You may take it. It will not wait for you if you are late."

Jiang Hanzhou took the two tokens, bowed to express his thanks, and turned to leave.

As he walked out of the Duty Hall, he happened to run into Wu Huo, who had just finished accepting his task.

"Kid Jiang?" Wu Huo saw Jiang Hanzhou and grinned, revealing teeth stained yellow by smoke. "What task did you accept? You look like you're in such a rush."

"Long-term garrison, West Sea fishing ground," Jiang Hanzhou answered simply.

Wu Huo was stunned, then his eyes showed realization and a trace of admiration.

"A long-term task... you kid is quite decisive. That place is quiet and suitable for Cultivation. It's just a bit far and a bit boring."

He patted Jiang Hanzhou's shoulder.

"Work hard. This old man accepted a patrol task to earn some Contribution Points. In our batch, you and that girl from the Teng family are the most unfathomable. Cultivate well; maybe one day you can truly make a name for yourself."

"I'll take your kind words, Brother Wu," Jiang Hanzhou smiled.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries and then parted ways.

Jiang Hanzhou did not stop and walked straight toward the "Welcome Wharf."

On the way, he sank his consciousness into his Disciple token to check the detailed information of the fishing ground task.

【Star Continent Anchorage Fishing Ground No. 4】: Located in the West Sea Star Continent Anchorage sea area, with an area of about eight hundred mu, mainly breeding three types of Spirit Fish: "Silver Scale Knife Fish," "Green Wave Shrimp," and "Crystal Eel." Currently, there is one garrison Disciple (about to be rotated) and twelve miscellaneous workers.

You need to guard against sea beast attacks and thieves, regularly inspect the fishing net Formation, record Spirit Fish growth data...

【Handover Personnel】: Current garrison Disciple "Chen Song," Viscera Burning Realm Late Stage, has been in office for twelve months.

The fishing ground is equipped with a basic defensive Formation, but the area is vast and requires daily patrols. The West Sea area occasionally has storms, which need to be guarded against in advance. Beware of professional fish-stealing groups...

The information was very detailed.

Jiang Hanzhou felt confident.

As noon approached, he quickened his pace.

The Welcome Wharf was located on the west side of Ancestral Dragon Island. It was a huge floating platform supported by dozens of thick jade pillars, rising more than ten feet above the sea.

Several flying boats of various sizes were docked on the platform, some gorgeous, some simple.

Jiang Hanzhou found the cargo flying boat heading to the West Sea.

It was a large flying boat about twenty zhang long, gray all over, looking quite old, with the words "West Sea · C-class No. 7" painted on the hull.

More than a dozen people were waiting by the boat, mostly workers in miscellaneous clothing, moving some crates and goods.

Only two or three people were wearing Outer Sect Disciple tokens, with their Auras at the Middle Stage of the Viscera Burning Realm.

Jiang Hanzhou showed the Fishing Ground Garrison Token.

A middle-aged Cultivator who looked like a manager checked it and waved his hand to let him pass.

"Get on the boat; there are seats in the corner. The voyage takes about five days, and there will be no stops on the way."

Jiang Hanzhou jumped onto the deck, walked to a quiet corner at the stern, and sat down cross-legged.

The flying boat started quickly, its Formation runes lighting up. It slowly rose into the air, adjusted its direction, and then, with a "swish," turned into a gray stream of light, speeding toward the western horizon.

The gale roared. Ancestral Dragon Island rapidly became smaller in his field of vision, finally turning into a green shadow upon the blue waves.