Chapter 7: Faction Shop
The next morning, after Chu Danqing and Dabao finished the breakfast brought by the maid, someone came to lead them away.
They were escorted from the guest rooms to a residential compound that resembled a small villa, complete with a retinue of house servants and laborers. This was the area reserved for the estate's retainers and guest experts; it featured its own courtyard and a small garden—a testament to the status of a powerful, long-standing clan.
"A D-rank trial mission is no easy feat," Chu Danqing mused. While he couldn't grasp the full scope of the difficulty, the treatment he received spoke volumes. Including himself, there were only seven retainers in the Lu household. Each was provided with a private villa within the estate and a dedicated office space known as the Cloud-Water Pavilion. They were pampered with fine food and drink and held an exceptionally high status, but if the Lu family faced a crisis, these retainers would be expected to lay down their lives to resolve it.
Upon settling in, Chu Danqing successfully completed his initial trial mission. There was no formal registration or logging of information; as long as the people in charge knew he was there, it sufficed.
[Mission complete. You have received: Paradise Points x1000, Attribute Point +1]
[Next mission phase activated]
[Trial Mission: Obtain 1000 faction contribution points within seven days]
[Trial Difficulty: D-rank (Normal)]
[Trial Reward: Qualification for early return, Paradise Points x1000, Attribute Point +1]
[Trial Failure: Paradise Points -2000, forced return]
Although both outcomes involved returning, they differed significantly. "Qualification for early return" allowed one to choose when to depart within the time limit. Not all Apostles could complete trial missions as quickly as Chu Danqing, so this qualification was based on the total mission duration—a total of seventeen days (3+7+7). A "forced return," however, meant that if the mission wasn't completed within the allotted time, the system would simply send you back.
The extra time could be used to improve one's performance rating, engage in cultivation, or trigger additional side missions. It was an implicit reward for completing tasks ahead of schedule.
"I wonder how long it will take to earn a thousand contribution points," he pondered. "It shouldn't be too difficult—at most, perhaps slightly harder than wiping out the Qingya Stronghold." For Chu Danqing, it wasn't a high bar, but for other Apostles, that might not be the case.
He then took Dabao to the Cloud-Water Pavilion, a place bustling with staff dedicated to serving the retainers.
"Master Chu, why have you come in person? You only need to send word if you require anything," a steward said, approaching him with a fawning smile.
"I just came to see if there is any way I can be of service," Chu Danqing replied.
"You have just arrived; you should rest a while longer," the steward urged, leading him to his private parlor within the pavilion. He ordered fine tea, fruits, and pastries to be brought in, providing attentive service.
Chu Danqing picked up a directory left on the table, and the Dimension Paradise projected a list of exchangeable items.
[Faction Shop: Lu Clan of the Noble Families]
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[Heavenly Fire Prairie Scripture]
[Type: Legacy Skill]
[Quality: Excellent]
[Effect: Grants the Heavenly Fire Prairie legacy skill tree. Energy is replaced by Mana, and Mana gains fire-attribute properties.]
[Quantity: 1]
[Exchange Cost: Contribution Points x10000]
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[Notes of the White Crane Adept: Volume I]
[Type: Knowledge-based Item]
[Quality: Superior]
[Durability: 100/100]
[Effect: Reading this improves the level of Basic Summoning and Basic Summoning Techniques.]
[Quantity: 2]
[Exchange Cost: Contribution Points x3000]
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[Lu Clan Body-Refining Secret Medicine]
[Type: Consumable]
[Quality: Superior]
[Effect: Increases Health by 300 upon consumption.]
[Quantity: 3]
[Exchange Cost: Contribution Points x1500]
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[Note: The first three items are shared across all three faction shops.]
[Note: The first three items vary depending on the faction.]
Chu Danqing’s gaze locked onto the second item. To him, this knowledge-based item was worth its weight in gold. It wasn't that he was inherently special, but because he already possessed basic summoning skills, the system had automatically replaced the standard reward with an item that bolstered those existing skills. Otherwise, it would have been a consumable or a different item to grant those skills.
He immediately dismissed the first item; the contribution cost was too high, and accumulating that amount seemed unlikely. He also coveted the Body-Refining Secret Medicine, but the White Crane Adept's notes had to take priority. These top-tier rewards were not intended for the average Apostle, but for the elite few—like Chu Danqing—who achieved high ratings. The items further down the list cost less than a thousand points; as long as the mission was completed, there would be gains to be had. Since the Paradise required him to earn—not necessarily maintain—a thousand points, spending them was perfectly fine.
"No need to rest. It is precisely because I am new here that I must make a good impression on my hosts," Chu Danqing said, his mind already set on earning the 3000 points needed for the notes. He was certain his progress was the fastest; if he remained efficient, there was a good chance he could secure the Body-Refining medicine as well.
Seeing his resolve, the steward didn't press the matter and handed over a ledger. "These are the affairs within the estate that require your assistance. Please, have a look."
Chu Danqing flipped through the ledger, and the Dimension Paradise flickered into view:
[Maintain order at the porridge distribution: 150 points per day]
[Procure grain: Points based on quantity]
[Suppress beast infestation at the mines outside the city: 1000 points]
...
The list was extensive, and he didn't need to formally "accept" them; completion was enough for credit. After a quick scan, he closed the ledger and asked casually, "Are you familiar with the Ji family in the prefecture?"
The steward replied immediately, "I am. They are the wealthiest merchants in Yangxian. In terms of lineage, they are no match for the Lu clan, but in terms of sheer wealth, they far surpass us."
Chu Danqing’s expression remained unchanged. He recalled that the cargo Ji Yun had been transporting earlier seemed to be grain.
"I will handle these three matters. I have some acquaintance with the Ji family," Chu Danqing said, checking off the first three tasks. The contribution points for tasks further down the list dropped off a cliff, similar to the faction shop. The key lay in the quantity of grain. Otherwise, the remaining two tasks would only yield 2050 points, and that was only if he waited until the very last day.
Chu Danqing wanted the rewards sooner, which meant he needed a large amount of grain. The Ji family was the perfect breakthrough.
The steward hesitated as he looked at the three tasks Chu Danqing had selected.
"Is something the matter?" Chu Danqing asked.
"Nothing, sir," the steward replied cautiously. "It is just that the Ji family is known for being arrogant due to their wealth. I fear they may not be easy to deal with."