97: Exchange Contribution, Soul Fragment

Three days later, Guiyuan Island.

This medium-sized island, controlled by the Starfall Gate, was filled with a solemn and bustling atmosphere.

The harbor was packed with battleships and flying boats adorned with the flags of various powers, and the number of Cultivators was noticeably several times greater than usual, most of them hurrying along with grim expressions.

The air was thick with tension and the scent of an impending great war.

Outside the Starfall Gate stronghold in the center of the island—a magnificent black palace known as the “Starfall Hall”—a long queue had formed, mostly consisting of Cultivators who had come to inquire about news, receive assignments, or report situations.

Lin Feng, riding a sword light, landed directly on the square in front of the Starfall Hall.

He wore a tattered Magical Robe, but his Aura was steady and refined; his Foundation Establishment Third Layer cultivation was not particularly eye-catching in the crowd, but the calm demeanor forged from struggling back from the brink of death, as well as the Starfall Gate conscription token hanging at his waist, still drew some attention.

He quickly walked towards the side hall specifically for handling conscription missions.

The hall was also crowded, with several Steward Disciples scrambling frantically.

Lin Feng silently joined the end of the queue.

“Name, mission number, identity token.” When it was his turn, a tired-looking middle-aged Steward behind the counter asked routinely without lifting his head.

“Lin Jiu.

Conscription number: Dinghai 763.

Qianshan Island garrison mission.” Lin Feng calmly reported the information and handed over the bronze token.

“Qianshan Island?” The middle-aged Steward’s numb movements suddenly halted, and he abruptly looked up, his tired eyes widening instantly, staring intently at Lin Feng as if he were looking at a ghost that had crawled out of Hell!

His voice suddenly rose, filled with unbelievable shock: “You… you are a survivor from Qianshan Island?!”

This shout was like throwing a huge rock into a calm lake!

Whoosh!

The entire side hall instantly fell silent!

All the Cultivators who were queuing or handling affairs fixed their gaze on Lin Feng!

Shock, curiosity, scrutiny, and even a hint of awe… various complex expressions intertwined.

“Qianshan Island? That place polluted by true Devilish Qi?”

“Heavens! Didn’t they say that except for Elder Zhao and a few Purple Mansion Seniors, all the other garrison Cultivators… had perished?”

“This person… Foundation Establishment Third Layer? How did he survive?”

“Lin Jiu? That name sounds a bit familiar… Oh, right!

The announcement seemed to mention that the one who finally lured away the three demonic monsters to buy time for others was named Lin Feng, wasn’t he?”

Discussions spread through the hall like a tide.

The Qianshan Island incident, due to the chain reaction of the true Devilish Qi and Nascent Soul battle, had already spread throughout the Star Sea, becoming the most sensational event recently!

And a Foundation Establishment “survivor” standing here alive was undoubtedly a huge surprise and a mystery!

The middle-aged Steward also realized hisgaffe, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart, he took Lin Feng’s token and quickly swiped it across a special, Spiritual Qi-glowing Jade Plate.

Buzz!

The Jade Plate glowed brightly, projecting a light screen that clearly displayed Lin Feng’s identity information, mission records, and… a striking red annotation: “Qianshan Island garrison mission survivor, status: alive, pending verification.”

“Con… confirmed!” The middle-aged Steward’s voice carried a subtle tremor, and his gaze towards Lin Feng completely changed; it was no longer the numbness of facing an ordinary conscripted Cultivator, but carried a hint of solemnity and curiosity.

“Lin… Fellow Daoist Lin, please follow me!

Your situation is special and requires Steward Wang to personally handle the merit settlement and inquiry matters!”

The middle-aged Steward respectfully led Lin Feng into a more spacious and exquisitely decorated quiet room at the back of the side hall.

Inside the quiet room, an old man with graying hair, a gaunt face, and dressed in the Starfall Gate Steward Elder robes had already received the news.

He sat upright behind a table, his gaze sharp as lightning, carefully examining a Jade Slip in his hand, which clearly contained Lin Feng’s basic file.

“Sit.” Steward Wang’s voice was calm, yet carried an invisible pressure, his Purple Mansion Initial Stage cultivation subtly radiating.

He put down the Jade Slip, and his profound gaze fell on Lin Feng, as if to see through him inside and out.

“Lin Jiu? Foundation Establishment Third Layer.

Qianshan Island garrison Cultivator.

Tell me, how did you survive that catastrophe?

From the Formation’s collapse to your final escape, the more detailed, the better.

Especially… the details about the true Devilish Qi outbreak, and how you eventually lured away those three demonic beasts.”

His gaze was as sharp as a knife, carrying scrutiny and a hint of inquiry.

Lin Feng already had a draft in his mind.

He took a deep breath and began to narrate calmly.

The content of the narration was ninety percent true and ten percent false.

Steward Wang gave Lin Feng a deep look.

His fingers unconsciously tapped the table, his gaze profound, occasionally pausing slightly when Lin Feng mentioned key points, seemingly to judge their veracity.

When Lin Feng spoke of luring away the three pseudo-Purple Mansion demonic beasts alone, a subtle hint of surprise and admiration flashed in Steward Wang’s eyes.

“Luring away three pseudo-Purple Mansion monsters demonized by true Devilish Qi…”

Steward Wang slowly spoke, his voice tinged with emotion, “Foundation Establishment… to be able to achieve this, regardless of the methods used, courage, adaptability, and luck are all indispensable.

If Iron Sword Fellow Daoist knew, he would surely be relieved.”

When he mentioned Iron Sword, his tone carried respect and a hint of regret, “Iron Sword Fellow Daoist’s Origin was severely damaged, and he was brought back to the Sect’s secret location by Elder Zhao for healing, and has not yet awakened, but his life should be out of danger.”

Hearing that Senior Iron Sword was safe, Lin Feng also felt relieved, and a genuine look of joy appeared on his face at the appropriate moment: “Senior Iron Sword being safe is truly a great fortune!”

Steward Wang nodded, took a new Jade Slip, meticulously recorded Lin Feng’s narration, and cast several spell formulas into it.

A moment later, he handed the Jade Slip and a new, more exquisite cyan Jade Token to Lin Feng.

“Your narration is largely consistent with the partial information brought back by Elder Zhao, and the initial testimonies of several other surviving Fellow Daoists such as Zhao Tieshan, Liu Qing霜, and Wu Ming.

Your merits have been initially verified.” Steward Wang’s tone became serious.

“Qianshan Island Garrison Mission (Failed): Basic Contribution Points: 500 points.”

“Assisted in guarding the core area, delaying until reinforcements arrived: Contribution Points: 1000 points.”

“Killed 3 Demonic Path Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivators: 300 points each, total 900 points.”

“Killed 7 Demonic Path Qi Refining Middle Stage Cultivators: 150 points each, total 1050 points.”

“Interfered with and assisted in severely injuring Demonic Path Purple Mansion Middle Stage Cultivator Blood Bone (Critical Assistance): Contribution Points: 3000 points!” (Steward Wang specifically glanced at Lin Feng)

“Lured away and successfully evaded three demonic creatures, whose strength reached the pseudo-Purple Mansion Realm due to true Devilish Qi erosion, buying escape time for other Fellow Daoists (Major Contribution): Contribution Points: 5000 points!”

“Total: Contribution Points: 11450 points!”

Even though Lin Feng was mentally prepared, his heart couldn’t help but pound fiercely when he heard this astronomical figure!

Over eleven thousand points!

This far exceeded his previous estimates!

Especially the two items: “Interfering with and severely injuring Blood Bone” and “Luring away pseudo-Purple Mansion demonic creatures,” which were highly rated!

“Additionally,” Steward Wang added, “given the special nature of the Qianshan Island incident and your contributions, the Sect will issue an additional condolence contribution point: 2000 points.

Total usable contribution points: 13450 points.

This is your identity Jade Token; the contribution points have been recorded, and with this token, you can exchange resources, issue, or accept missions at any Starfall Gate outpost.”

Lin Feng suppressed his excitement and took the warm, cyan Jade Token with both hands.

It felt heavy, not just with contributions, but with his hope of breaking free from his shackles!

“Steward Wang,” Lin Feng put away the Jade Token, and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting, “This Disciple has one more request.”

“Speak.”

“This Disciple is bound by the Conscription Tracking Art.

This art is needed during wartime, but now that the Qianshan Island mission is concluded, this Disciple also wishes to find a place to cultivate in seclusion, stabilize his Realm, and prepare for the future.

May I… use contribution points to remove this art?” Lin Feng directly stated his core request, looking at Steward Wang with a clear gaze.

Upon hearing this, a hint of understanding flashed in Steward Wang’s eyes.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly said: “The Positioning Tracking Art is indeed a means of wartime conscription, and upon the mission’s conclusion, it should be revoked.

However, to lift this art, a Golden Core Elder is required, and the ‘Star Guiding Plate’ must be used, incurring a significant cost.

According to Sect rules, contribution points must be paid… 5000 points.”

Five thousand points!

That was almost more than a third of his total contribution points!

But Lin Feng didn’t hesitate for a moment!

“This Disciple is willing to pay!” he said resolutely.

Nothing was more important than freedom!

These five thousand points were well worth it!

“Good.” A hint of approval appeared in Steward Wang’s eyes, as if he quite appreciated Lin Feng’s decisiveness.

“Follow me.”

Steward Wang led Lin Feng to a heavily guarded secret chamber deep within the Starfall Hall.

In the center of the secret chamber, a gigantic compass, a zhang in diameter, entirely cast from star sand and intricately carved with complex star trajectories on its surface, floated—the Star Guiding Plate.

A stern-faced Golden Core Initial Stage Elder, whose Aura was as deep as the sea, was already waiting there.

There was no unnecessary talk.

Elder Li motioned for Lin Feng to stand at a specific runic position in the center of the Star Guiding Plate.

“Focus your mind and Qi, do not resist.” Elder Li’s voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable power.

He formed hand seals, muttering incantations, and streams of pure, majestic stellar power poured into the Star Guiding Plate.

Buzz—!

The Star Guiding Plate suddenly lit up with brilliant starlight!

Countless fine threads of starlight shot out from the plate’s surface, wrapping around Lin Feng’s body like living things, finally converging beneath his left shoulder blade!

Lin Feng felt a gentle yet incredibly vast power invade his body, precisely locking onto and enveloping the invisible tracking rune.

The rune struggled and flickered violently, as if unwilling to be stripped away.

But under the vast stellar power of the Star Guiding Plate and the absolute control of the Golden Core Elder, its struggle was futile.

Hiss…

An extremely faint sound, like a popping bubble, echoed within Lin Feng’s body.

That tracking rune, like a persistent bone-marrow parasite, constantly hanging over his head, melted away like ice and snow, completely disintegrating and vanishing!

An indescribable sense of lightness instantly swept through his entire body!

It was as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted!

From now on, the sea was vast and the sky boundless, no longer needing to constantly worry about being pinpointed!

“Done.” Elder Li withdrew his power, and the Star Guiding Plate’s light dimmed.

He merely glanced at Lin Feng before turning to leave, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

“Thank you, Elder Li! Thank you, Steward Wang!” Lin Feng deeply bowed towards their retreating figures, his voice filled with sincere gratitude.

These five thousand contribution points were well worth it!

… …

Holding the identity Jade Token with a remaining 8450 points of massive contributions, Lin Feng walked briskly into the grand “Myriad Treasures Pavilion” of the Starfall Hall.

The pavilion’s interior was vast, with dazzling treasures displayed within light shields, shimmering with brilliance and exuding Spiritual Qi.

Cultivation Technique Jade Slips, Medicinal Pills, Spiritual Plants, Magical Artifacts, Magic Treasures, Talismans, Formation Plates, rare Materials… the variety was immense, making one’s eyes feast.

Lin Feng had a clear goal, heading directly for the Cultivation Technique and Materials areas.

He first found the Divine Sense Cultivation Technique section.

His gaze swept across, finally settling on a white Jade Slip that was warm to the touch and emitted a faint moonlight luster.

“Divine Soul Nurturing Art” (Incomplete Manual · Can be cultivated to Golden Core Stage): A High Grade first-tier secret method for Divine Sense refinement and growth.

Cultivating it can condense Divine Sense, enhance its strength and range, and has miraculous effects against illusions and Heart Demons.

Exchange requires: 3000 Contribution Points.

“This is it!” Lin Feng did not hesitate.

A powerful Divine Sense was the Foundation of cultivation, and even more crucial for controlling Puppets, and for precise Alchemy and Talisman crafting!

Although this art was an Incomplete Manual, it was enough for him to use until the Golden Core Stage.

Next was the miscellaneous arts area.

“Elementary Puppet Arts Detailed Explanation”: Contains complete crafting blueprints, material lists, control spell formulas, and core rune carving essentials for three basic combat Puppets (Stone Puppet, Ironwood Guard, Swiftwind Falcon) and two auxiliary Puppets (Mining Puppet, Alert Puppet).

Exchange requires: 1800 Contribution Points.

Puppet Arts could greatly compensate for one’s lack of combat power, and were also excellent aids for exploring dangerous areas and handling miscellaneous tasks.

Lin Feng was determined to acquire it.