68: Chapter 68 Trade-offs and Task Planning

In early spring, the Spirit-Taming Tower Space was filled with vigorous vitality.

Lin Xuan crouched by the side of the spiritual field, his gaze moving back and forth between two adjacent areas.

This was a controlled experiment he had conducted a month ago—a small patch of thunder-pattern grass on the left was planted in ordinary spiritual soil within the space;

while an equally sized patch on the right had been mixed with one jin of Low Grade thunder-patterned soil before sowing.

Now, the difference was clear at a glance.

The thunder-pattern grass on the left was about two and a half inches tall, with clear silver patterns on its leaves, and its growth could be considered good.

As for the thunder-pattern grass on the right, it was generally nearly an inch taller, its leaves were thicker and fuller, and those silver patterns were not only clearer but even shimmered with a faint metallic luster.

Even more obvious was the fluctuation of Spiritual Qi—the Spiritual Plants in the right area emitted a noticeably more lively and dense thunder-attribute Spiritual Qi overall.

"Plant height is thirty percent better, leaf quality is twenty percent better, and Spiritual Qi activity is... nearly forty percent better." Lin Xuan recorded the data in his notebook.

He stood up and walked to the very center of the spiritual field.

There, the thunder essence fruit tree seedling stood quietly.

A month had passed, and it hadn't changed much; its trunk was still slender, but its leaves were clearly more spread out, its color had shifted from deep purple to a restrained purple-black, and the silver light of its leaf veins was brighter.

Lin Xuan crouched down and carefully brushed away the soil around the roots of the seedling. Half a month ago, he had buried about one liang of the purest thunder-patterned soil here.

At this moment, he could clearly see the seedling's fine roots tightly wrapped around those slightly glowing soil particles, as if actively absorbing the essence within them.

Through the contract, he could even vaguely sense a feeling of satisfaction and joy transmitted by the seedling.

"The effect is significant," Lin Xuan muttered to himself.

He moved his mind slightly, and the Thunder-Light Bug flew down from the tip of the thunder-attracting vine and landed on his fingertip.

"This soil helps you, right?" Lin Xuan asked through the contract.

The Thunder-Light Bug vibrated its wings, transmitting an affirmative message, mixed with some vague imagery: the thunder Spiritual Qi emitted by the thunder-patterned soil was milder and more stable, like filtered rainwater, making it easier for the root Systems of Spiritual Plants to absorb.

Moreover, the soil particles themselves seemed to be able to slightly gather and increase the concentration of thunder Spiritual Qi in the small surrounding area; although the effect was weak, it was continuous.

Lin Xuan fell into deep thought.

For a long time, the thunder-patterned soil had been a stable source of income for him, an important pillar for exchanging Contribution Points and supporting his Cultivate.

One hundred and twenty jin per month, one thousand four hundred and forty points—this made him more affluent than the vast majority of Disciples in the Qi Refinement Stage.

But now, the experimental results and the feedback from the Thunder-Light Bug showed him another possibility.

The thunder-patterned soil was not just a commodity, but a key resource for promoting the upgrade of the space's ecology and accelerating the growth of rare Spiritual Plants!

Selling the thunder-patterned soil externally exchanged for "present" Contribution Points—used to purchase immediate consumables like Medicinal Pill, Talismans, and Cultivation Technique.

While using the thunder-patterned soil to Cultivate high-value Spiritual Plants within the space, especially the thunder essence fruit tree, was an investment in the "future"—once the thunder essence fruit tree grew up, the fruits it bore and the Materials it produced would be worth far more than the current profit from selling the thunder-patterned soil, and it would be sustainable.

"A balance is needed." Lin Xuan stood up and walked out of the space.

In the Quiet Room, he took out his identity jade token and checked his Contribution Point balance: nine hundred and eighty-seven points.

Of this, over four hundred points were from the basic Contribution Points and excess rewards for the medicinal garden mission issued this month.

He was still 213 points away from the one thousand two hundred points needed for the "Origin Returning Qi Concealment Formula".

"If I only rely on the monthly medicinal garden mission and the surplus from trading the thunder-patterned soil, it will take at least two or three months to save up enough," Lin Xuan frowned, "and I cannot have any large expenses during that period."

Lin Xuan's gaze fell on the notebook recording his daily expenses, and one line caught his attention: "Gravity Valley, ten points per day, about three hundred points per month."

Lin Xuan tapped his fingertip on this line of text.

Gravity Valley was of great help to Body Refining, but it was not irreplaceable.

The daily Cultivate of the "Thunder Body Refining Technique" and the tempering of medicinal baths were not slow either.

By pausing Gravity Valley, he could immediately save three hundred Contribution Points per month.

Using this time and energy to shift to higher-paying missions would accelerate his accumulation.

In the midst of weighing the trade-offs, he quickly made his decision.

"Temporarily stop Gravity Valley. Focus resources and secure the 'Origin Returning Qi Concealment Formula' first."

For the next three days, Lin Xuan spent most of his time in the mission hall next to the General Affairs Hall.

The hall remained bustling, and the mission information on the jade wall scrolled incessantly. He found a corner, took out a blank Jade Slip, and began to study it systematically.

Soon, he discovered a pattern.

Grade C missions with rewards exceeding three hundred Contribution Points almost always required leaving the Sect's sphere of influence to go deep into the wilderness, mountain ranges, or heading to affiliated Mortal kingdoms to deal with thorny Yao Beast infestations or evil spirits.

While daily tasks that kept one near the Sect, such as clearing pests in the medicinal garden, assisting the Artifact Refining Peak with Ore, or patrolling the mountain gate, generally had rewards below one hundred and fifty points—safe but low-yield.

His goal was clear: preferably a solo mission, with short travel time and controllable danger.

His gaze scanned back and forth between the "Top-tier Grade C" and "Lower-tier Grade B" areas.

Finally, he copied down three options:

1. [Top-tier Grade C] Exterminate the 'Gold-Eroding Ant' colony in the southeast mine cave of the Coniferous Forest

Location: Southeast of the Coniferous Forest, about two hundred li from the Sect, at an abandoned small metal Ore vein.

Objective: The ant colony size is about two hundred, and the queen is suspected to be Mid-Grade Tier 1. Must be completely eliminated to prevent further erosion of the Ore vein.

Reward: Three hundred and fifty Contribution Points; the queen's carapace, ant acid, and other Materials belong to the executor.

Note: The mine cave terrain is complex, with narrow sections that only allow one person to pass; beware of ant acid corrosion.

2. [Lower-tier Grade B] Collect 'Water Heart Lotus' from the depths of 'Blue Wave Pool'

Location: Blue Wave Pool, three hundred li from the Sect, located deep within a swamp.

Objective: Collect three mature Water Heart Lotuses (High Grade Tier 1 Spiritual Plant). The pool is guarded by a Yao Beast, the 'Iron-Back Crocodile', at least at the Peak of Mid-Grade Tier 1, with thick skin and flesh, and excellent swimming ability.

Reward: Five hundred Contribution Points.

Note: Recommended for Disciples who are good at water combat or possess means to suppress water-attribute methods. The Iron-Back Crocodile may have a mate.

3. [Top-tier Grade C] Investigate the population disappearance case in 'Qinghe Town' and eliminate the evil spirit

Location: Qinghe Town, a small town in an affiliated Mortal kingdom, one hundred and eighty li from the Sect.

Objective: Seven townspeople have disappeared consecutively in the last two months; Yin Qi remains at the scene, suspected to be the work of low-level ghosts or a demonic cultivator's corpse. Must investigate the cause and eliminate the source.

Reward: Three hundred and eighty Contribution Points.

Note: Need to coordinate with the local government and be vigilant against possible man-made traps.

Lin Xuan analyzed carefully.

The second mission had the highest reward, but the water environment limited the effectiveness of his thunder techniques, the Iron-Back Crocodile had strong defense, and the risks were uncontrollable.

The third mission involved Mortals and potential human treachery, with many variables.

The first mission, "Gold-Eroding Ant colony". The reward was moderate, and the location was an abandoned mine cave—the terrain was enclosed, which was favorable for area-of-effect thunder techniques and also limited the numerical advantage of the ant colony.

Although the Gold-Eroding Ants had poisonous acid, their carapaces had average resistance to lightning. The queen was Mid-Grade Tier 1, and he was confident in handling it.

"This is the one," Lin Xuan decided.

He walked to the counter and handed over his jade token: "I am taking the Top-tier Grade C mission, the Gold-Eroding Ant colony in the southeast mine cave of the Coniferous Forest."

The Deacon Disciple finished the registration and reminded him: "Junior Brother Lin, the Gold-Eroding Ant acid is highly corrosive; it is best to prepare some 'Acid-Clearing Powder'. Also, that mine cave has been abandoned for many years, its structure may be unstable, so watch your safety."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother." Lin Xuan took the mission voucher.

Leaving the mission hall, he went to the medicinal garden first.

Deacon Wu was organizing account books in the bamboo house; seeing Lin Xuan enter, he raised his eyes: "Something the matter?"

"Deacon, I may be going out on missions quite frequently for a period of time, so I have come to report it," Lin Xuan said respectfully.

Deacon Wu put down his pen and looked him over: "Have you chosen a mission?"

"Yes, the Gold-Eroding Ant colony in the Coniferous Forest mine cave."

"Gold-Eroding Ants..." Deacon Wu pondered for a moment, "The trouble with those things is their numbers and their nasty acid poison. Your thunder techniques do counter their carapaces. Bring enough antidotes and protective items. Remember, always act according to your capability; if there are abnormalities deep in the mine cave, do not be greedy for merit or rash. Preserving yourself is more important than anything else."

"This Disciple will keep it in mind." Lin Xuan bowed.

"Go on." Deacon Wu waved his hand and added, "If it is truly too thorny, retreat in time; there is no shame in that."

Leaving the medicinal garden, Lin Xuan sent a message to Chen Hao: "Going out on a mission, return date uncertain, do not worry."

Returning to his small courtyard, it was already late.

Lin Xuan sat in the Quiet Room and began making final plans for this solo operation.

The mission objective was clear, the location known; the key was to improve his ability to deal with sudden dangers.

His existing attack methods were acceptable, but his trump cards for saving his life... were slightly thin.

The startling thunder whip, Palm Thunder, Thunder Net Technique, and Thunder Spear Technique had sufficient attack power.

His self-made lightning strike talisman, Golden Light Talisman, and God-Speed Talisman were all Low Grade Tier 1, with limited effectiveness against enemies above Mid-Grade Tier 1. The High Grade Tier 1 Vajra Talisman and wind-speed Talisman were quite good, but he didn't have many of them.

"I need stronger life-saving means." Lin Xuan tapped his fingers on the table.

He still had nine hundred and eighty-seven Contribution Points left.

The "Origin Returning Qi Concealment Formula" cost one thousand two hundred points.

Successfully completing the mission would recover three hundred and fifty points.

Then... he could use most of his existing Contribution Points to invest in life-saving trump cards.

As long as he returned alive, he could always earn more Contribution Points.

His gaze gradually became firm.