22: Chapter 22 Puppet

The early summer sunlight filtered through the dense bamboo leaves, casting mottled shadows on the bluestone path.

As Lin Xuan walked out of the General Affairs Hall of Emerald Bamboo Peak, the contribution points on the jade token at his waist finally jumped to "81".

He stood on the stone steps in front of the hall and took a deep breath.

A month of work in the medicinal garden, sorting in the pill room, plus the three extra Grade C tasks he had completed, had finally accumulated enough points—not a fortune, but enough to kickstart the next step of his plan.

"The Cloud Mist Valley opens in five months; there are now four months and ten days left." Lin Xuan calculated in his heart, his footsteps already turning toward the direction of the Sect market.

The Sanyang Sect market was located in an open valley at the junction of the outer Sect peaks.

There were no permanent shops here; it was mostly Disciples from various peaks setting up stalls to trade, along with a few official exchange points established by the Sect.

It was just past noon, and the market was bustling with people; the sounds of hawking and haggling rose one after another.

Lin Xuan did not linger too long in front of the stalls selling Magical Artifacts and Medicinal Pills—the prices, which easily reached over a hundred contribution points, were not something he could consider right now.

His goal was very clear: Talismans and essential medicines.

He stopped in front of a stall hanging a wooden sign that read "Talisman Specialty."

The stall owner was a Disciple from Sharp Metal Peak, about thirty years old, who was bowing his head and wiping a small sword.

"Senior Brother, how much for a Golden Light Talisman?" Lin Xuan asked.

The stall owner looked up, sized him up, and seeing the light green attire of Emerald Bamboo Peak, replied in a flat tone: "A Low Grade Tier 1 Golden Light Talisman is five contribution points each. Once activated, it can block a full-strength strike from a Qi Refining Stage 3 Cultivator and lasts for ten breaths."

"What about a God-Speed Talisman?"

"A Low Grade Tier 1 God-Speed Talisman is four contribution points. Stick it on your leg, and your speed increases by thirty percent for a quarter of an hour."

The prices of Magical Artifacts and Talismans in the market were generally cheaper than those within the Sect, but the effectiveness depended on one's own discernment.

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment.

His Wind Control Technique was already quite proficient, but a God-Speed Talisman was still necessary as an emergency speed-boosting measure.

As for the Golden Light Talisman, it was even more critical for saving his life.

"I want three Golden Light Talismans and three God-Speed Talismans." He unhooked the jade token from his waist.

The stall owner took the jade token, swiped it across a square Formation Plate, and twenty-seven contribution points were deducted.

He then took six yellow paper Talismans from a wooden box on the stall, which had intricate patterns drawn in cinnabar.

"Tier 1 Talismans are afraid of moisture and fire, so keep them wrapped in a jade box or oil paper," the stall owner reminded him, a rare gesture.

Lin Xuan thanked him, took them, and carefully tucked them into his robes.

He wandered around the market again, and at a stall set up by a Disciple from the Medicine Peak, he spent nine contribution points to buy three "Miasma-Repelling Pills"—Cloud Mist Valley was famous for its miasma, so this item was essential.

He also spent six contribution points to purchase essential medicines like detox powder and hemostatic ointment.

Finally, his gaze fell on a deep yellow Talisman in the corner of the stall.

The Talisman paper was thicker than ordinary Talismans, and the patterns on it faintly glowed with a red light.

"Explosive Flame Talisman, Medium Grade Tier 1." Seeing his gaze linger, the Medicine Peak Disciple introduced it proactively: "Once activated, it can unleash a flame blast equivalent to a full-strength strike from a Qi Refining Stage 5 Cultivator, with a coverage area of three feet. Twenty-five contribution points each."

Lin Xuan's heart stirred. This power was enough to threaten a Medium Grade Tier 1 Yao Beast, but the price was indeed quite high.

He touched the jade token in his robes—after deducting the previous expenses, thirty-nine contribution points remained.

"I'll buy one." Lin Xuan gritted his teeth. One always needed a trump card.

When he emerged from the market, the sun was already setting in the west.

The contribution points in Lin Xuan's possession were down to only fourteen, but he had gained seven Talismans and a pile of medicines.

He calculated his next plan: although these life-saving items were ready, they still seemed thin in the face of potential dangers.

"I heard that Tiangong Pavilion has Puppet rentals..." Lin Xuan recalled a rumor he had heard from an older Disciple when he completed a task a few days ago.

Tiangong Pavilion was located at the junction of Houtu Peak and Sharp Metal Peak; it was a nine-story stone building with intricate gears and Puppet patterns carved onto its flying eaves and brackets.

Before he even got close, he could hear the sound of mechanisms whirring and the chatter of Disciples coming from inside.

Lin Xuan walked into the hall, and it was more spacious than he had imagined.

On the wooden shelves against the wall were dozens of miniature models of Puppets, ranging from palm-sized reconnaissance types to half-human-sized combat types, a dazzling array. Several Disciples were gathered at the counter consulting.

"...So, the daily rental fee for this 'stone golem puppet' is thirty contribution points, with a deposit of two hundred. The minimum rental period is three days." The Deacon Disciple behind the counter was a round-faced youth who spoke very quickly, "Damages will result in deductions from the deposit according to the severity; for serious damage, the entire deposit will be forfeited, and compensation for Materials will also be required."

Lin Xuan listened silently, calculating rapidly in his heart: a daily rent of thirty, so if he rented it for five days, that would be one hundred and fifty contribution points, plus a two-hundred deposit, totaling three hundred and fifty points. And this was just for the cheapest combat Puppet with Qi Refining Level 4 strength.

"Senior Brother," Lin Xuan stepped forward after the previous Disciple left, "What is the specific combat capability of this stone golem puppet?"

The round-faced Deacon gave him a look: "It is equivalent to a Qi Refining Level 4 Cultivator, but its agility is poorer; it excels in defense and frontal resistance."

"Operation is simple; after injecting Qi, it can execute three basic commands: 'attack,' 'defend,' and 'follow.'" He paused, "Is Junior Brother planning to go to Cloud Mist Valley?"

Lin Xuan nodded.

"Then I suggest you rent it for at least five days. Although the outer perimeter of the valley is large, exploring the truly valuable areas will take three to five days." The Deacon said, taking a booklet from under the counter and opening it, "These are the detailed terms of the rental contract; take a look."

Lin Xuan took it and read it carefully. The terms were rigorous, the standards for compensation for damage were clear, and the process for refunding the deposit was well-defined.

Everything was in accordance with Sect rules, which also meant there were no loopholes to exploit.

"I need to save up at least four hundred contribution points within four months." As he walked out of Tiangong Pavilion, Lin Xuan already had a clear goal in his heart. This did not even include the points reserved for purchasing other supplies.

The pressure was like a mountain.

In the following days, the pace of Lin Xuan's life accelerated once again.

He accepted Grade C tasks with higher rewards—these tasks usually meant higher risks, but also more contribution points.

On the seventh day of the sixth month, Lin Xuan accepted the task of "clearing out the restless ape colony at Black Wind Cliff."

Black Wind Cliff was located at the junction of Emerald Bamboo Peak and Qingmu Peak, where a group of "Iron-Bone Apes" lived. Although this type of Yao Beast was only Low Grade Tier 1, its bones were hard, it had immense strength, and it was quite troublesome when moving in groups.

The task required clearing out twelve of them, with a reward of 40 contribution points.

In the early morning, Lin Xuan arrived at the foot of Black Wind Cliff with his qingyun sword and essential items.

The cliff face was steep and craggy with strange rocks, and the screeching of apes could be heard among the sparse trees.

He activated the Breath Concealment Technique, his form seeming to merge with the environment as he climbed upward silently.

On a platform halfway up the mountain, he saw his target—eight Iron-Bone Apes were fighting over a few wild fruits.

These apes were slightly smaller than an adult, but their muscles were knotted, and their fur was iron-gray.

Lin Xuan did not act rashly. He observed for a moment and selected two that were isolated on the edge. He took out his qingyun sword from his Storage Pouch and formed a seal with his left hand.

"Lightning Strike Technique!"

A streak of pale purple lightning shot out, accurately hitting the back of one of the Iron-Bone Apes.

"Awoo!" The Iron-Bone Ape roared in pain, its back scorched black. The other ape turned its head at the sound, its scarlet eyes immediately locking onto Lin Xuan's position.

The two Iron-Bone Apes charged over with a roar, their speed astonishingly fast.

Lin Xuan retreated rapidly, pushing his Wind Control Technique to the limit, his form flickering uncertainly among the jagged rocks.

He was reluctant to use his Talismans—these had all been exchanged for with contribution points, and this battle was intended to hone his practical combat skills.

"Swish!" The qingyun sword grazed the arm of an Iron-Bone Ape, but it only left a white mark on its fur. Lin Xuan's heart skipped a beat; this defense was truly well-deserved of its reputation.

He changed his strategy, no longer seeking a one-hit kill, but instead using his movement techniques to maneuver around them.

He unleashed the Lightning Strike Technique repeatedly; although the damage from a single strike was limited, through accumulation, the two Iron-Bone Apes were already scorched black in many places.

The battle lasted for the time it takes to burn a stick of incense. Sweat appeared on Lin Xuan's forehead, and nearly half of his Qi was consumed.

Although the two Iron-Bone Apes were covered in wounds, their ferocity had not diminished but rather increased, and their attacks became even more violent.

Just as he was considering whether to use his Talismans to end the battle quickly, a slightly familiar voice came from above the cliff:

"Yo, isn't this Junior Brother Lin Xuan? What's the matter? Are two Iron-Bone Apes making you this miserable?"

Lin Xuan looked up and saw that Chen Yufei was standing on a protruding rock, having appeared out of nowhere.