The soft light of dawn crept into Lin Feng's modest room, gently pulling him from the depths of his recuperative slumber. As he stirred awake, the Chosen Overseer reappeared, its luminous form hovering just above him. The Overseer's presence felt calming, a reminder of the new path Lin Feng was embarking on.
"Good morning, Lin Feng," the Overseer greeted, its voice a soothing blend of warmth and authority. "Today marks your first day as an outer disciple of the Azure Dragon Sect. I have devised a training plan to enhance your mastery of the Gifting System and—"
Before the Overseer could continue, a sharp knock at the door interrupted its flow of information. With a flicker of light that seemed like a sigh, the Overseer vanished from sight, leaving Lin Feng to handle the situation on his own.
Curious and a bit cautious, Lin Feng rose to answer the door. Standing in the doorway was a man dressed in azure robes adorned with intricate silver lines that shimmered with every movement. His demeanor exuded authority and confidence.
"Disciple Lin Feng, as an outer disciple, you are required to fulfill certain duties," the man began without preamble. "Each month, you are expected to complete at least ten missions that correspond to your cultivation level. Out of these, at least two must be completed each week."
As he spoke, the man produced a small pouch from his sleeve and tossed it to Lin Feng. It contained a single Spirit Stone and five Basic Qi Gathering pills. "These are your monthly resources. Use them wisely to sustain your cultivation and mission duties."
Introducing himself, he continued, "I am Daoist Yun, the leader of this corridor. Each inner disciple is assigned a corridor, and as such, you are under my guidance—or more precisely, my command."
Daoist Yun's eyes narrowed slightly as he delivered his next instructions. "To maintain order and support the collective needs of our corridor, I impose a daily tribute that each outer disciple must pay from their earned contribution points. You will complete a mission today and ensure you have enough to contribute."
Lin Feng, still adjusting to the flurry of information and slightly overwhelmed, nodded in agreement. The concept of giving a portion of his hard-earned resources to someone he had just met didn't fully register as problematic.
With a harrumph and a dismissive sweep of his sleeve, Daoist Yun turned and left, leaving Lin Feng alone with the small pouch and a new sense of responsibility.
Shaking off the sudden encounter, Lin Feng decided to get moving. The details of the Overseer's intended discussion slipped from his mind as he focused on finding his first mission. He stepped out into the corridor, his thoughts now occupied with navigating the sect's mission board and not on the potentially exploitative demand Daoist Yun had placed on him.
Lin Feng made his way to the sect's mission hall, a place teeming with activity that pulsed with the energy of dozens of disciples, all eager to find their next challenge or opportunity. The hall was filled with the sounds of hurried footsteps, excited chatter, and the occasional argument over who saw which mission first.
Above the bustling crowd, several large panels hung, crafted from a durable, dark wood that fit well with the traditional aesthetic of the sect. These panels were etched with glowing script that constantly shifted and changed, displaying available missions. Each entry listed the mission's title, the recommended cultivation level, and the rewards—be it resources, contribution points, or both. Disciples of various ages and ranks pointed at these panels, their eyes scanning the rapidly updating content.
Lin Feng watched as some disciples sprinted towards the registry upon spotting a mission that caught their interest, nearly colliding with others in their haste. It was a chaotic dance of ambition and necessity.
Approaching one of the registries, Lin Feng stood before another panel, this one positioned right in front of the register for easier reading. He glanced over the missions, noting how they ranged widely in difficulty and reward. Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the options and not wanting to linger in the confusion, he decided to choose a mission somewhat randomly—a task that seemed manageable but also beneficial.
Selecting the mission, Lin Feng pressed his Identification Token against the panel. The token, made of a smooth, sturdy stone that shimmered slightly under the hall's lighting, vibrated briefly in acknowledgment. He then pressed the token against his forehead, and a flow of information streamed into his mind, detailing his chosen task.
Mission Details:
Title: Restoration of the North Field Walls
Recommended Cultivation Level: Qi Condensation Stage 3
Description: Manual labor required to repair and reinforce the dilapidated walls surrounding the sect's northern fields. This task involves heavy lifting and extensive use of basic earth manipulation techniques.
Duration: One day
Reward: 10 Contribution Points
The mission involved physically strenuous work that didn't seem to require much cultivation skill, focusing more on endurance and basic technique application. The pay, purely in contribution points, was modest but would contribute towards the tribute Daoist Yun had imposed.
With the mission details imprinted in his mind, Lin Feng made his way out of the bustling mission hall to prepare for the task at hand.
Lin Feng made his way to the location specified for his first mission. The sect's northern field stretched out before him, a vast expanse of fertile land bordered by crumbling stone walls that once stood proud and strong. These walls, vital for the protection and demarcation of the sect's agricultural assets, now lay in partial disrepair, their stones loosened by time and neglect.
At the center of this pastoral landscape stood a quaint wooden hut, weather-beaten yet sturdy, surrounded by various tools and piles of raw materials. As Lin Feng approached, the door to the hut creaked open, and out walked a child dressed in simple farmer's attire. Despite his youthful appearance, the child spoke with the authority and tone of an experienced elder.
"Start repairing the wall immediately," the child commanded, pointing towards the dilapidated structure.
Lin Feng, unsure of the specific techniques required but eager to comply, began clumsily gathering dirt in his hands, attempting to form a mound near the damaged sections of the wall. His efforts were uncoordinated and ineffective, leading only to small piles of loosely packed earth.
The child watched Lin Feng's futile attempts for a few moments before interjecting sharply. "You're an idiot! Incapable! Do you not even know the basic Earth manipulation techniques?" The rebuke was harsh, the disappointment in the child's voice palpable.
Struck by the criticism, Lin Feng paused, realizing a fundamental flaw in his approach. I don't have any real communion with the Earth element, he thought, a fact that made such tasks far beyond his current abilities.
With a sigh and a wave of his small hand, the child demonstrated the correct method. Dirt lifted effortlessly from the ground, floating as if weightless, before compacting and aligning neatly against the wall. With another gesture, the child caused a portion of the newly placed earth to fall away, leaving the rest tightly adhered and shining with a hardened surface. Lin Feng tentatively touched the reinforced dirt, amazed by its transformed, rock-hard texture.
"You have one hour," the child said sternly, retreating back to the hut. "If you haven't reinforced the wall to this standard by then, consider yourself expelled from the sect."
As the child disappeared behind the door, Lin Feng's mind raced. He recalled every movement the child made, every nuance of his technique. It didn't seem that complicated. Maybe I can do this too, he thought.
Determined, Lin Feng mimicked the child's gestures, waving his hand as he had seen. Suddenly, a System Notification appeared:
[System Notification: Highest Communion with Earth (Stage 1) Acquired]
Startled yet elated by the sudden development, Lin Feng tried again, this time with a newfound confidence. The dirt responded to his command, mimicking the child's technique almost perfectly. He quickly worked, reinforcing the wall, his movements becoming more assured with each passing minute.
Exhausted and drenched in sweat, Lin Feng continued to manipulate the earth with his newfound skill, struggling to repair the long stretch of dilapidated wall. Each motion was painstaking, draining his Qi and physical energy rapidly. After an hour of intense effort, he had managed to cover less than 10% of the necessary repairs. The area he had fixed was solid and well-fortified, but the vast majority of the wall still lay in ruin.
As the hour mark passed, the child emerged from the hut, his eyes quickly assessing the progress. His initial impulse was to erupt in anger upon seeing the meager extent of the repairs, but his gaze softened as he noticed the quality of Lin Feng's work and his evident exhaustion. Lin Feng, oblivious to the child's scrutiny, continued his labor, every move a testament to his determination not to fail his first mission.
The child clicked his tongue, a gesture of reluctant admiration. "Help the stupid disciple," he muttered under his breath, directing his words to the unseen forces around him. Almost instantly, the air around Lin Feng thickened, becoming richer in Qi. A subtle, invigorating energy enveloped him, seeping into his body, unnoticed by Lin Feng himself. His fatigue began to ebb as his Qi reserves were quietly replenished, enabling him to continue with greater vigor.
Driven by an unyielding spirit, Lin Feng worked tirelessly for another ten hours. His movements became more fluid and confident as time passed, and gradually, the entirety of the wall stood restored, stronger than it had likely been in decades.
By the time he finished, night had fallen, and the field was bathed in moonlight. Lin Feng, now alone, took a moment to look over his work, a sense of accomplishment filling him despite his physical exhaustion. With no one around to report back to, he made his way back to the sect's mission hall.
At the mission register, Lin Feng placed his Identification Token against the panel. A notification confirmed the addition of 10 Contribution Points to his token. Satisfied but too weary to feel much elation, Lin Feng turned towards his quarters, eager for rest.
As he trudged back, Daoist Yun appeared from the shadows, his expression inscrutable. "Disciple Lin Feng," he called out, his voice carrying a hard edge. "Your tribute for today?"
Lin Feng paused, the day's fatigue clouding his judgment. Without much thought, he transferred the required contribution points to Daoist Yun via the system, not fully processing the implications of this daily tribute on his hard-earned rewards.
Daoist Yun gave a curt nod, accepting the tribute. "Ensure you continue to meet your obligations, Disciple Lin Feng," he said before sweeping away into the night, leaving Lin Feng to ponder the weight of his duties and the cost of his position within the corridor.
As Lin Feng collapsed onto his sleeping mat, utterly drained from the day's labor, he was abruptly roused by the familiar presence of the Overseer. The ethereal entity had been conspicuously absent throughout his ordeal at the northern wall, yet Lin Feng, too wearied to ponder its absence, listened attentively as it began to speak.
"Lin Feng, to properly commence your journey with the Gifting System, you need to engage in an act of giving. I have analyzed all your skills, and I suggest gifting the Basic Elemental Integration. This skill enhances one's ability to commune with the elements they are connected to, but you have a unique capacity to acquire such communions directly through another skill," the Overseer explained, its tone firm yet enigmatic as it deliberately omitted the details of the other skill.
"It would be most beneficial to gift this to the young woman you met during the entrance exam. She will make extensive use of it, and the more she relies on it, the more Gift Points you will accrue over time."
Lin Feng processed this information silently. He had never questioned the mechanics of the Gifting System deeply, but the Overseer's plan seemed to unfold with a logical precision. Trusting in the wisdom of his guide, Lin Feng accessed his Status Panel. He navigated to the Basic Elemental Integration skill, and with a moment of concentration, he willed the skill to be gifted. He didn't need a name or location; his intent alone was enough.
Immediately, the skill vanished from his panel, marked as transferred. In its place, Lin Feng found an increment in his Gift Points—5 points now registered where there had been none before.
In a distant, sealed chamber of the sect, the young woman Lin Feng had met during the exams, Yue Xi, sat in deep meditation. Colorful lights swirled around her, a visual manifestation of her intense focus on sensing and manipulating the elements. Despite her profound ability, she struggled; the elements felt elusive, almost resistant, their voices muffled and their touches fleeting.
She was reaching a point of frustration, the elusive breakthrough she so desperately sought seeming just beyond her grasp. Then, unexpectedly, a shift occurred. It was subtle at first, like a soft whisper of wind, a gentle caress of warmth, a faint ripple of water. Suddenly, it felt as though a door had been flung open in her mind, the elements now vivid and vibrant, caressing her skin and whispering directly into her soul.
Surprised and momentarily overwhelmed, Yue Xi opened her eyes, her breathing steady yet quick with excitement. "Could it be... a breakthrough?" she wondered aloud, her heart racing with the possibilities this new clarity presented. She had no way of knowing the source of this sudden enhancement, attributing it to her own latent potential unexpectedly coming to the fore.
After making the significant decision to gift his Basic Elemental Integration skill to Yue Xi, Lin Feng monitored his status panel closely. The initial 5 Gift Points he received were just the beginning. As he sat on his sleeping mat, still weary from the day's efforts, he noticed the numbers on his panel subtly increasing—first by two and then, after a few moments, by another one. The numbers ticked upwards, a quiet testament to the active use and reliance on the skill he had transferred.
Lin Feng watched the numbers change, but the significance of what was happening didn't fully sink in. His mind, fatigued and overwhelmed by the day's physical and emotional exertions, struggled to grasp the implications of these increments in his Gift Points.
Seeing Lin Feng's distraction and recognizing his exhaustion, the Overseer knew it needed to discuss the next steps of their plan. "Lin Feng," it began, its voice a gentle prompt in the quiet room. "The points increase as the skill you gifted is utilized. This is just the beginning of understanding the profound impact of your decisions within the Gifting System—"
Before the Overseer could continue, Lin Feng's eyes drooped heavily, and his body slumped. Exhaustion finally overtook him completely, and he collapsed onto his mat, asleep almost before his head touched the thin pillow. The intense focus required to learn and adapt to the Gifting System's demands, combined with the physical toll of his mission work, had drained him entirely.
The Overseer paused, its light dimming slightly in response to Lin Feng's collapse. It hovered over him, a silent guardian in the dim room. "Rest now, young one," it murmured. "There will be time enough to learn and adapt."
As Lin Feng slept, his breathing deep and even in the grip of profound exhaustion, the Overseer remained vigilant. It continued to monitor the subtle fluctuations in Lin Feng's Inner Sea.
In the quiet of the night, with only the soft glow of the Overseer illuminating the small room, Lin Feng's sleep was deep and restorative. The sect outside continued its nocturnal rhythms, oblivious to the small yet significant shifts occurring within the life of one outer disciple. Lin Feng's journey through cultivation, marked by the invisible threads of destiny and choice, had taken another crucial step forward—even if he was not yet fully aware of its scope.