57: Chapter 57 Points Sprint

The Mission Hall was quite crowded, the bulletin board swarmed with Outer Sect Disciples.

Lin Muchen squeezed his way in, his eyes scanning over the posted mission sheets one by one.

"System, scan for high-point missions. Preferably gathering-type ones that can also collect ecological data."

[Scanning...]

[Mission 'Ding-203': Gather twenty segments of 'Purple Cloud Vine' and five 'Crimson Stripe Beehives'.]

[Location: Purple Cloud Valley in the Back Mountains.]

[Reward: 500 contribution points, six Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.]

[System-converted points: Approximately 900 points.]

[Mission Analysis: Purple Cloud Vine is a material for refining healing pills. Crimson Stripe Bees are First-Order Demonic Beasts that live in colonies. Their hives can yield beeswax and honey.]

[Ecological Association: Purple Cloud Valley is a valley ecosystem with abundant species.]

[Executing this mission allows for on-site collection of valley ecological data, providing reference for perfecting the Origin Star's ecology.]

[Risk Warning: Crimson Stripe Bee swarms are highly aggressive. Insect Repellent Powder or Fire Attribute Talismans are recommended.]

"This one it is."

Lin Muchen reached out to take the mission sheet.

Another hand reached out from beside him.

Both of them grabbed the mission sheet at the same time.

Lin Muchen turned his head to look.

It was Shen Yueru.

"Senior Brother Lin?" Shen Yueru was momentarily stunned, then released her grip. "You're taking this mission too?"

"Yes," Lin Muchen said, pulling the mission sheet down. "Need points."

Shen Yueru smiled. "What a coincidence, I need them too. This mission is a bit troublesome for one person; Crimson Stripe Bees aren't easy to deal with. How about... teaming up?"

Lin Muchen thought it over.

Shen Yueru was not weak, at the eighth layer of the Qi Refinement Stage, and she was reliable.

Teaming up would indeed be more efficient.

"Alright," he nodded. "Fifty-fifty split?"

"Agreed," Shen Yueru readily agreed.

The two went together to register.

The Registration Deacon looked up at them. "Purple Cloud Valley? That place has many Crimson Stripe Bees, be careful. For team missions, the rewards are divided based on contribution. Work it out yourselves."

"Understood."

After registering, the two left the Mission Hall.

"Go now?" Shen Yueru asked.

"Mm, finish it early," Lin Muchen said. "Did you prepare Insect Repellent Powder?"

"Brought it," Shen Yueru said, pulling a small paper packet from her Storage Pouch. "Also brought Fireball Talismans."

"That should be enough."

The two headed directly for the Back Mountains.

On the way, Lin Muchen opened the System Store.

"System, exchange for basic Insect Repellent Powder and healing pills."

[Exchange successful.]

[points consumed: 40 points.]

[Current points balance: 494 - 40 = 454 points.]

[Items have been issued.]

He tucked the Insect Repellent Powder into his robe and gave a bottle of healing pills to Shen Yueru.

"Thanks," Shen Yueru accepted the pills. "Senior Brother Lin, your cultivation speed has been so fast lately. You're already at the Foundation Establishment Stage."

"Just lucky," Lin Muchen replied casually.

"That's not just luck," Shen Yueru glanced at him. "I heard that Wu Hai and his group have been quiet lately. Does it have something to do with you?"

Lin Muchen didn't respond.

Shen Yueru didn't press further and changed the subject. "I've been to Purple Cloud Valley once. Purple Cloud Vines grow on the cliff faces. Crimson Stripe Beehives are usually on old trees deep in the valley."

"Mm, we'll see when we get there."

One hour later, the two arrived at Purple Cloud Valley.

The valley was misty, covered with purple vines everywhere, the air carrying a faint sweet fragrance.

"System, scan for Purple Cloud Vine and Crimson Stripe Beehive locations."

[Scanning...]

[Detected Spiritual Qi fluctuations from 'Purple Cloud Vine' at thirty-seven locations. Marked.]

[Detected life signatures from 'Crimson Stripe Beehives' at eight locations. Marked.]

[Ecological data collection ongoing... Conforms to 'Valley Ecosystem' characteristics. Preliminary species diversity assessment: High.]

Dozens of faint purple light dots appeared before Lin Muchen's eyes, marking the Purple Cloud Vines.

There were also eight faint red dots, marking the beehives.

"Gather the vines first," he said.

Following the markers, the two worked their way from one location to another.

Gathering Purple Cloud Vine wasn't difficult; just cut it with a dagger.

It was just that some grew in tricky places, some halfway up a cliff face, requiring climbing.

With his Foundation Establishment Stage physique, climbing cliffs was child's play for Lin Muchen.

Shen Yueru wasn't slow either, agile and nimble.

In half an hour, the twenty segments of Purple Cloud Vine were gathered.

[Gathered 'Purple Cloud Vine' x20.]

[Mission 'Gather twenty segments of Purple Cloud Vine' completed!]

[points conversion: +450 points (estimated).]

"Half done," Lin Muchen said, storing the vines in his Storage Pouch. "Now for the beehives."

Of the eight marked beehive locations, five were deep in the valley.

The two proceeded carefully inward.

The deeper they went, the thicker the mist and the stronger the sweet fragrance became.

"We're here," Lin Muchen stopped.

Ahead, on an old tree, hung three massive beehives, each as large as a bucket.

Dense swarms of Crimson Stripe Bees flew around them, wings buzzing loudly.

[Target confirmed: First-Order Demonic Beast 'Crimson Stripe Bee'.]

[Characteristics: Colonial, highly aggressive, stinger carries fire poison.]

[Beehive structure: Tough outer shell, internally stores honey and beeswax.]

[Suggestion: Use Insect Repellent Powder to clear a path, quickly harvest the hives, and retreat swiftly.]

"I'll draw their attention, you harvest," Lin Muchen said to Shen Yueru.

"Okay."

Lin Muchen took out the Insect Repellent Powder and scattered it around himself.

Then he picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at the bee swarm.

The stone hit one of the beehives.

*Buzz—!*

The bee swarm instantly erupted, a dark cloud surging towards Lin Muchen.

Lin Muchen turned and ran, scattering Insect Repellent Powder as he went.

When the Crimson Stripe Bees reached the area with the powder, their speed noticeably slowed, but there were too many; some still broke through.

Lin Muchen activated the Five Elements Cycle, the Fire Attribute Node lighting up.

He threw a punch!

A crimson flame-fist wind swept out, incinerating the dozens of bees at the forefront into ash.

But more bees swarmed up.

Meanwhile, Shen Yueru seized the chance to rush to the tree. With a swipe of her dagger, she cut down one beehive and stuffed it into her Storage Pouch.

She cut a second.

Then a third.

"Done!" she shouted.

Hearing her, Lin Muchen stopped engaging. With a burst of full speed, he leaped several times, breaking out of the bee swarm's range.

The two regrouped and ran out of the valley without looking back.

Only after they had run out of the valley did the buzzing behind them gradually fade.

"That was intense," Shen Yueru gasped, taking out the three beehives. "Still need two more."

"The other two hives are near the valley entrance; should be easier to handle," Lin Muchen said.

The two stealthily made their way to the valley entrance and found the other two beehives.

This time, the bee swarm wasn't as large. Lin Muchen directly confronted them head-on, while Shen Yueru took the opportunity to harvest the hives.

In five minutes, the remaining two beehives were obtained.

[Gathered 'Crimson Stripe Beehive' x5.]

[Mission 'Gather five Crimson Stripe Beehives' completed!]

[points conversion: +450 points (estimated).]

"Mission complete," Lin Muchen sighed in relief.

[Mission 'Ding-203' fully completed.]

[Total points conversion: 900 points.]

[Current points balance: 454 + 900 = 1354 points.]

"Back to the Sect to hand in the mission," Shen Yueru said.

The two returned to the Mission Hall and submitted the Purple Cloud Vines and beehives.

The clerk inspected them and nodded. "Good quality. 500 contribution points, six Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

The rewards were received.

Lin Muchen and Shen Yueru split them fifty-fifty, each taking half.

Leaving the Mission Hall, Shen Yueru had other matters and left first.

Lin Muchen went straight back to his residence.

He closed the door and sat down cross-legged.

"System, I have enough points now, right? Recommend the final batch of species to push those indicators for Task Five over the threshold."

[Analyzing...]

[Current points balance: 1354 points.]

[Optimal solution: Exchange for 'Valley Ecological Species Package'.]

[Contains: Rock Squirrels (2 pairs), Cliff Grass (10 clumps), Crevice Moss (5 patches).]

[Estimated cost: 400 points.]

"Buy!" Lin Muchen didn't hesitate.

[Exchange successful.]

[points consumed: 400 points.]

[Current points balance: 1354 - 400 = 954 points.]

[Items have been issued: Rock Squirrels (2 pairs), Cliff Grass (10 clumps), Crevice Moss (5 patches).]

Lin Muchen guided these new species with his will, placing them into a newly formed valley region on the Origin Star.

The Rock Squirrels darted into rock crevices, the Cliff Grass took root on the cliff faces, and the moss spread.

[Ecological data updating...]

[Coverage area: 66% → 70% (Target reached).]

[Biodiversity index: 3.38 → 3.52 (Target reached).]

[Ecological stability: 79.8% → 80.5% (Target reached).]

[Food web complexity: Level 5 (Maintained).]

[Long-term Ecological Task Five: All conditions achieved!]

"Success!" Lin Muchen's eyes lit up.

[Long-term Ecological Task Five completed!]

[Rewards being calculated...]

[Reward points: +1500 points.]

[Unlocked 'Creator's Blessing': All attributes increased by 10%.]

[Micro-Universe evolution speed +20%.]

[Unlocked 'Human Race exchange permission'.]

[Current points balance: 954 + 1500 = 2454 points.]

A warm surge of power instantly flooded through his entire body.

Lin Muchen felt his strength, speed, reactions, and Spiritual Qi all increase by a noticeable margin.

The five light spheres within his body also began rotating noticeably faster.

"All attributes +10%..." Lin Muchen clenched his fist. "This buff is powerful."

"System, what's this 'Human Race exchange permission'? Let me see."

[Human Race exchange permission unlocked.]

[Available exchange item: 'Human Race Refugees (One Hundred)'.]

[Cost: 10000 points.]

[Description: After exchange, one hundred ordinary Human Race refugees will spawn in a random area of the Origin Star. They possess basic survival intelligence, can establish settlements, and develop civilization.]

[Important restriction: Before the Host reaches the Condensing Liquid Stage and the Origin Star achieves full Spiritual Qi coverage, exchanged Humans cannot Cultivate.]

[All Origin Star lifeforms' cultivation Realms must be at least two major stages below the Host's.]

"Ten thousand points..." Lin Muchen clicked his tongue. "So expensive."

But thinking about it, it made sense.

Introducing an intelligent race was a qualitative change.

"Need to keep saving points," Lin Muchen stroked his chin. "2454 points now, still far off."

"System, are there any fast ways to earn points? Like... going out on expeditions?"

[Analyzing...]

[Suggestion: Accept long-term expedition missions issued by the Sect.]

[Such missions typically take longer (several months) but offer generous rewards. They also provide opportunities to explore unknown areas and collect new species data.]

[Risk: Far from the Sect's protection, may encounter stronger Yao Beasts or hostile forces.]

Lin Muchen pondered.

Staying within the Sect, mission points were limited.

If he wanted to quickly save up ten thousand points, going on an expedition was indeed a viable path.

Moreover, he also needed real combat experience to temper himself and consolidate his Foundation Establishment Stage Realm.

"It's decided then," he concluded. "I'll go to the Mission Hall tomorrow to see if there are suitable expedition missions."

"Oh right, I should tell Shen Yueru."

He got up and went out to find Shen Yueru.

Shen Yueru was practicing sword forms in her courtyard.

Seeing Lin Muchen, she sheathed her sword and stopped. "Senior Brother Lin, something the matter?"

"Mm," Lin Muchen nodded. "I plan to take on an expedition mission, be gone for a few months."

Shen Yueru was taken aback. "So sudden?"

"Lacking combat experience," Lin Muchen stated frankly. "Improving combat experience within the Sect is too slow."

Shen Yueru thought for a moment. "True. Well, be careful out there. It's different from the Sect."

"I know," Lin Muchen said. "You too, don't slack on your Cultivation."

"Don't worry," Shen Yueru smiled. "By the time you return, I might have reached Foundation Establishment."

"That would be good."

The two chatted a bit more, then Lin Muchen took his leave.

Returning to his residence, he closed the door.

His consciousness sank into his Dantian.

On the Origin Star, in the newly formed valley, Rock Squirrels were leaping between rock crevices.

On the grasslands, a lion pride patrolled its territory.

In the Wetlands, Swamp Crocodile eggs were about to hatch.

Forest, ocean, freshwater... all five ecosystems had met the standards.

The entire world was vibrant with life.

"Soon," Lin Muchen murmured to himself. "Once I save up ten thousand points and introduce the Human Race..."

"Only then will this Universe within my Dantian truly come alive."

He withdrew from Internal observation and opened his eyes.

He glanced at the "Human Race Refugees (One Hundred)" exchange item on the System panel.

Ten thousand points.

The goal was clear.

"I'll accept an expedition mission tomorrow."

He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.

His mind was already planning how to efficiently earn points during the coming months away.