19: Clever Uses of Contribution Points

Jiang Donghua was so excited he nearly jumped up; this AFK speed was an incredible upgrade!

It soared directly from 2 points per hour to 5 points per hour, more than doubling the efficiency!

"Awesome!"

He couldn't help but let out a low roar and slammed his fist fiercely onto the ground, only for the formation array of the cultivation room to rebound the force, leaving his wrist numb.

"Hiss... this thing is really hard."

He shook his hand, but the smile on his face didn't fade in the slightest.

However, time was precious, and he couldn't waste this opportunity for a free trial.

He immediately sat cross-legged, circulated the Heaven Burning Art, guiding the Dou Qi to surge through his meridians and finally converge into his Dantian vortex.

Three hours passed in the blink of an eye.

When the formation array inside the cultivation room flickered slightly, signaling the time was almost up, Jiang Donghua slowly opened his eyes and eagerly checked the system panel.

[Host: Jiang Donghua]

[Realm: Two-Star Dou Zhe (196/2000)]

[Main Cultivation Technique: Heaven Burning Art (profound rank mid-level)]

[AFK Income]

Clone 1: 5 points/hour

Clone 2: 5 points/hour

Cultivation Room Bonus: +1 point/hour (Yellow Rank Cultivation Room)

[Current Total Income: 11 points/hour]

"What the hell?!"

Jiang Donghua's eyes widened into perfect circles, and he nearly leaped off the ground.

"A Yellow Rank Cultivation Room can actually add an extra 1 point?!"

He had originally thought that AFK income was only related to the cultivation technique's rank, but he never expected the cultivation environment could also affect efficiency!

"If I entered a Profound Rank Cultivation Room, wouldn't the income be even higher?"

Jiang Donghua licked his lips, a greedy glint flashing in his eyes.

But quickly, he calmed down again.

"A Profound Rank Cultivation Room costs three thousand gold coins per session..."

He touched his empty money pouch and sighed.

"It seems I need to find a way to earn money."

Just then, the formation array in the cultivation room flared brightly, and a gentle force enveloped him.

"Time is up, teleportation initiating!"

Jiang Donghua felt his vision blur, and the next second, he was already standing outside the cultivation room.

Not far away, Elder Zhao was squinting at him, gently tapping a dark wooden staff against his palm.

"Kid, how was the harvest?"

Jiang Donghua quickly composed himself and bowed respectfully.

"Thank you, Elder, for granting me this opportunity. This disciple benefited greatly!"

Elder Zhao grunted, but his gaze lingered on him for an extra moment, as if he had sensed something.

"Fire Attribute Dou Qi..."

He murmured softly, then waved his hand.

"Alright, scram. Next time you come, you'll have to pay, or you can use medicinal pills for deduction; the Academy isn't that rigid."

And just after he left, Elder Zhao looked at his retreating figure, the corner of his mouth curving slightly upward.

"An interesting fellow."

Jiang Donghua checked the parchment map issued by the Academy and walked across a small square paved with bluestone slabs.

A faint scent of pine wood drifted in the air, and several gray-brown stone buildings in the distance were neatly arranged.

"Block C, Unit Seven..."

He stopped in front of a three-story stone building, where a copper plaque nailed to the door frame shone with a steady luster under the setting sun.

Pushing open the heavy oak door, a scent mixed with sweat and ink rushed toward him.

Four bunk beds were arranged on either side, and three people were already organizing their belongings.

On the lower bunk by the window, a square-faced youth with bulging muscles was wiping a pair of fine iron gauntlets.

Hearing the door open, he spoke without raising his head.

"Zhou Mang, Seven-Star Dou Zhe."

There were faint dark red patterns on the gauntlets, resembling dried bloodstains.

"The new guy?"

A youth with a messy, bird's nest haircut suddenly leaned out from the upper bunk, pushing up the crystal lenses resting on his nose.

"My name is Wen Ziyu, specializing in Fire Attribute formations."

The parchment scroll spread open by his bedside was densely covered with complex runes.

Jiang Donghua noticed that the lower bunk near the door was still empty, though a bulging package rested on the bed frame. Just then, the bathroom door suddenly opened, and a shirtless youth with fiery red short hair dripping water walked out amid the steaming heat.

"Yo, the last roommate."

He casually draped the towel over his shoulder, revealing a flame tattoo on his back.

"My name is Shi Lei, and I'm responsible for the weekly dormitory duty."

He pointed to the duty roster on the wall and added.

"You'll take the bunk by the door."

Zhou Mang finally put down his gauntlets and said in a rough, deep voice.

"The rules are simple: don't pry into other people's secrets, and absolutely do not bring any shady characters into the dorm."

"The person who ranks last in the monthly assessment is responsible for cleaning the toilet."

Jiang Donghua sat cross-legged on his bunk, listening as his three roommates took turns describing the Academy's situation, finally gaining a clear understanding of the Jia Nan Academy's dormitory classification system.

"Block A is filled with monsters,"

Shi Lei said, gesturing wildly while wringing out his towel.

"I heard the weakest ones are Seven-Star Dou Masters, and there are even Great Dou Master level freaks."

Wen Ziyu pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting the light.

"Block B is also tough; they are basically all Senior Students who are Dou Practitioners or above."

Zhou Mang snorted coldly, his fists unconsciously clenching.

"During last year's year-end competition, a guy from Block B broke my ribs with one punch, and he only used thirty percent of his strength."

He lifted his shirt, revealing a hideous scar on his chest.

Jiang Donghua sucked in a cold breath.

Only then did he realize how lucky he was to be assigned to Block C, Unit Seven.

It should be known that, according to Shi Lei, most New Students spent their first year crammed into sixteen-person rooms in Block D, without even a place to cultivate alone.

"Wait a minute,"

Jiang Donghua suddenly thought of a question.

"Since dormitories are allocated based on strength, why was I assigned directly to Block C? I'm only a Two-Star Dou Zhe."

The room suddenly fell silent. The three roommates exchanged meaningful glances.

Finally, Wen Ziyu broke the silence.

"You don't know?"

He lowered his voice.

"Either your potential is extremely high, or the power behind you is not to be underestimated."

"In any case, whether it's related to you personally or your background, there must be an existence that warrants the Academy doing this."

Jiang Donghua sat cross-legged on his bunk, listening as his three roommates took turns describing the Academy's rules.

"The monthly assessment is the real life-or-death hurdle."

Zhou Mang's voice was low and rough. He was wiping the pair of fine iron gauntlets with a soft cloth, the calluses on his knuckles looking dull yellow under the light.

The dark red patterns on the gauntlets looked like dried blood, sending shivers down one's spine.

"Last year, there was a guy who ranked last for three consecutive months and was directly kicked down to Block D."

He sneered, suddenly clenching his fist, causing his knuckles to crack.

Jiang Donghua's eyelids twitched.

"What about the assessment content?"

He couldn't help but ask.

"It varies from person to person."

Wen Ziyu pushed up the crystal lenses on his nose; the reflections of the light concealed his eyes.

"Realm advancement, combat practice, alchemy, formations... The Academy doesn't restrict which path you take, but you must prove your worth."

Shi Lei was shirtless, his fiery red short hair still dripping water. He casually tossed the towel onto his shoulder, revealing the flame tattoo on his back, and grinned.

"But Block C is still decent; at least we won't be like those unlucky bastards in Block D who don't even have a place to cultivate."

"If you end up in Block D, few people will discuss things like Contribution Points with you."

"Newcomer, you have good luck."

Jiang Donghua gave two dry laughs, but his mind was rapidly calculating.

"So... how do we earn Contribution Points?"

He asked tentatively.

"Ha!"

Zhou Mang scoffed.

"Finally, you ask the right question."

"Contribution Points are the real hard currency!"

Wen Ziyu slowly added.

"Gold coins have limited use in the Academy. High-rank cultivation techniques, Dou Technique, and medicinal pills... all must be exchanged using Contribution Points."

"How do we earn them?"

Jiang Donghua pressed.

Shi Lei plopped down next to him, the bed frame groaning under the weight.

"Hunting magical beasts, collecting medicinal ingredients, escorting caravans... the Academy's job list is full of them."

He flashed a grin, revealing his stark white teeth.

"Of course, if you have special skills, like alchemy or artifact refining, you'll earn them even faster."