79: Get the first pot of gold

Mo Fan walked with a sullen face, following Li Xinghe into the No. 23 Spirit Herb Garden.

He never expected that he would actually encounter Liu Jian's Junior Brother, Li Xinghe, here.

The token Liu Jian had given him earlier was still lying quietly in the system space.

Originally, he had been hesitating about whether to go find Li Xinghe after reaching the Outer Sect.

After all, something like Alchemy really requires someone to guide you; otherwise, it would take a massive amount of time.

However, due to certain reasons, Mo Fan always felt it was better to be cautious; even if he were to go to Li Xinghe, he would have to wait until his cultivation was stronger.

Yet he didn't expect to run into him directly in the Outer Sect today.

"He just posted a task and I happened to accept it; is this too much of a coincidence?"

While lost in these random thoughts, Mo Fan followed Li Xinghe to the control room at the very back of the Spirit Herb Garden.

Li Xinghe didn't waste any words, pointing at a pile of instruments in the control room and introducing them directly:

"These machines are products of Magic Array and technology; they can precisely simulate various environments and have detailed data records. They are very convenient to operate, so now I will teach you how to use them."

As he spoke, Li Xinghe turned on the power switch and began to fiddle with the mouse.

"This is the temperature and humidity regulation System. After clicking, input Spirit Energy according to the instructions to start it—"

Hearing this, Mo Fan couldn't help but be stunned.

You have to input Spirit Energy too?

Seeming to see Mo Fan's surprised expression, Li Xinghe explained:

"Magic Arrays only consume Spirit Energy. You wouldn't expect to be able to start various profound Magic Arrays just by using electricity, right?"

"The combination of Magic Arrays and technology just makes the data more intuitive and easier to control; its core still relies on Magic Arrays and Fields to function."

Mo Fan heard a new term: Field.

Although puzzled, he couldn't ask too much right now and could only listen attentively.

After explaining that, Li Xinghe continued to operate and explain at the same time:

"This side is the climate simulation area. By inputting the corresponding amount of Spirit Energy, you can simulate various climates. The No. 23 Spirit Herb Garden is not large, so a Spirit Energy intensity equivalent to Body Tempering Seventh Level is sufficient."

The machines were somewhat complex, and it took Li Xinghe a full hour to barely finish explaining all the basic operations once.

After finishing, Li Xinghe looked at Mo Fan: "How much did you remember?"

"I remembered everything," Mo Fan said directly.

Li Xinghe was stunned, extremely surprised, and looked at Mo Fan with some suspicion, saying:

"You really remembered it?"

Mo Fan nodded: "I remembered it."

"Alright then, you try operating it." Li Xinghe stood up directly and left the console, letting Mo Fan try to operate it.

"Okay, I'll try." Mo Fan nodded, sat at the console, and began to operate it quickly, following Li Xinghe's previous explanation.

"This—" Watching Mo Fan's skilled operation, Li Xinghe was taken aback.

He hadn't expected Mo Fan to be this proficient after only watching it once.

"Merely in the Body Tempering Realm, no matter how strong his Mental Energy is, it can't be that high. To think his memory is actually this good..."

Li Xinghe found it unbelievable.

A photographic memory?

This could be considered a natural gift, right?

Explaining it was slow.

But the actual operation was a bit fast.

In less than twenty minutes, Mo Fan had repeated all the basic operations.

During this process, his control over Spirit Energy was also quite precise, without a single error, which made Li Xinghe nod repeatedly.

If it were just a good memory, that would be one thing.

But the young man before him's ability to grasp Spirit Energy truly left him in awe.

It is truly rare for someone in the Body Tempering Realm to reach this level.

"Done." After finishing the last step, Mo Fan left the console and looked at Li Xinghe.

"Not bad, no errors at all. You passed; come to work tomorrow."

"Uh?" Mo Fan was a bit dazed.

So that was an assessment just now?

That was way too simple.

Is there a necessary connection between operating machines and cultivating Spirit Medicine?

Looking at Mo Fan's surprised eyes, Li Xinghe seemed to guess what he was thinking, smiled coldly, and explained:

"All you need to do is operate the machines; I will handle the rest.

"At that time, I will make a list; when to start which mode, you just follow it.

"Specifically, it includes the simulation duration, as well as data such as rainfall, snowfall, frost amount, condensation amount, etc. I will list them all out in detail.

"You just need to follow the list, operate the machines, and fulfill my settings.

"Don't worry, some simulation periods will be very long, so your rest time will still be guaranteed; the work intensity is not high."

"I see." Mo Fan nodded to show he understood.

To put it bluntly, he was just a tool person similar to an excavator operator.

However, earning these Spirit Stones was indeed comfortable.

Just tapping the machine a few times, it was very easy.

And some modes only need Spirit Energy injected to maintain them for several hours.

During these several hours, Mo Fan could do whatever he wanted; it couldn't be better.

Just like this, he could actually earn fifty Spirit Stones in half a month.

If he could always accept such easy and high-paying tasks, Mo Fan wouldn't have had to take the task of going outside the defense line to collect medicine.

"Alright, you go back first; just come before nine tomorrow.

"Remember to bring some daily necessities; you will need to live here for this half month."

After speaking, Li Xinghe waved his hand to dismiss Mo Fan, and at the same time took out his phone and started tapping away.

"Alright, Senior." Mo Fan nodded and turned to leave.

However, just then, he noticed his phone vibrate.

Puzzled, he took out his phone and found a message.

[Your account 2022963341 received 5000 merit points on November 14th at 10:30. The balance is 5088 merit points.]

Seeing the text message, Mo Fan was stunned for a moment.

Obviously, these 5000 merit points were the payment for this task.

He didn't expect Li Xinghe to transfer the merit points to his account so quickly.

The remaining 88 merit points were what he had earned in the Menial Service Yard.

As for how it was specifically calculated, Mo Fan didn't know; he had never paid attention to it.

At the same time, Li Xinghe's voice rang out: "The task payment has been transferred to your account. Work hard for the next half month."

"Many thanks, Senior!" Mo Fan thanked him.

The Yuxu Academy's tradition of paying before working is truly great.

Bidding farewell to Li Xinghe and walking out of the No. 23 Spirit Herb Garden, Mo Fan breathed a sigh of relief.

Just now, he had been paying attention to Li Xinghe's reaction.

At least on the surface, Li Xinghe did not know him.

Mo Fan felt that Liu Jian hadn't mentioned him in front of Li Xinghe.

Sometimes Mo Fan even felt he was overthinking things.

Perhaps Liu Jian didn't have any ill intentions?

Taking Han Tang away when running away might just have been purely valuing his talent?

Shaking his head, Mo Fan stopped thinking about it.

A few minutes later, he arrived at the Logistics Department and exchanged 5000 merit points for 50 Spirit Stones.

Leaving the Logistics Department, Mo Fan put the whole bag of Spirit Stones into the system space, then used his mind to control it and opened it.

Immediately, the Virtual panel lit up, and a prompt box popped up.

[Found 50 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, can be absorbed and converted into attribute points. Absorb?]

Mo Fan chose yes, and the bag of Spirit Stones disappeared into thin air.

With a swish, the Virtual panel lit up, and the attribute panel changed.

[Name: Mo Fan]

[Cultivation: Body Tempering Peak (+)]

[Cultivation Technique: Basic Body Tempering Art, Breath Concealment Art, Sword Nurturing Art (Complete Version) (Entry Level)]

[Martial Skill: Vajra Fist - Body Tempering Scroll, Golden Body Art (First Layer)]

[Storage Space: 1 cubic meter]

[Available attribute points: 103]

The available attribute points broke through to three digits again, and Mo Fan smiled happily.

"The first pot of gold in the Outer Sect is secured!"

Next, he checked the map and headed towards the Scripture Hall.

As someone who performed excellently in the Promotion Assessment, he and Xu Jing had extra benefits.

Besides the Spirit Stone subsidy that was three times that of a regular Outer Sect Disciple, there was also an opportunity to exchange for one Cultivation Technique and one Martial Skill for free.

Taking advantage of the remaining time, Mo Fan decided to exchange for the Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill first to enhance his strength.

This way, he would have more security for next month's tasks outside.