Lin Tian spent his first few days at Celestial Blade Pavilion with keen interest, wandering around the vast sect grounds, his curiosity guiding him. One place quickly became a frequent stop: the mission hall, a bustling area where disciples gathered to take on tasks, exchange information, and earn contribution points.
Upon entering, Lin Tian noticed several boards displaying tasks with various symbols and descriptions. Behind a large desk sat an attendant, a young man who efficiently handled disciples coming in and out. Deciding to get some information, Lin Tian approached the desk.
The attendant glanced up with a friendly nod. "New here, huh?" he asked, noting Lin Tian's curious expression. "Let me guess, you want to know about the missions?"
Lin Tian nodded, eager to learn more.
"Alright, here's the basics. Tasks here are divided into one to five stars," the attendant explained. "Each star level indicates the difficulty and danger of the task. So a one-star mission might be as simple as delivering a message within the sect, while a five-star task could involve life-or-death situations outside the sect boundaries."
He continued, "Contribution points are also tied to these stars. A one-star task might earn you ten contribution points, while a two-star could get you a hundred, and so on. As the difficulty level increases, the rewards multiply exponentially."
"Interesting," Lin Tian muttered, noting the rising opportunities with each level.
"You can exchange contribution points for various resources," the attendant went on. "Medicinal pills, martial arts techniques, access to exclusive training grounds, you name it. They're all available at a cost. Outer disciples like you and me, though... we start small."
Lin Tian thanked the attendant, feeling an eagerness to earn points. As he was about to leave, a voice called out, "Hey there, new guy!"
Turning, Lin Tian spotted a large, cheerful young man walking over. He had a broad grin, his round cheeks making his already large frame seem even friendlier. The fatty extended a hand. "Name's Fang Rui. I'm your next-door neighbor in the dorms."
Lin Tian smiled, shaking his hand. "Lin Tian. Good to meet you."
Fang Rui chuckled. "I see you're getting the lay of the land already. Smart move! Here, let me fill you in on the real details—the things that aren't officially on the record."
They found a nearby table, and Fang Rui began explaining with enthusiasm. "So, you know, contribution points are everything here. Everyone wants them, and that means the mission hall's always packed. But here's where it gets interesting: a lot of disciples go after higher-star missions in groups. It's safer and sometimes more rewarding. Plus, the higher the level you get, the more access you have to better missions and resources."
Lin Tian listened closely, realizing the value of these insights. Fang Rui leaned in closer, his tone lowering to a whisper. "In the sect, the outer disciples like us make up the majority, but we're not even close to the real power."
He raised three fingers. "You've got outer disciples, then inner disciples, who're usually in the high ranks of Qi Refining. Above them, there are core disciples, most of whom are at Spirit Condensation and are highly skilled. Then, there are the sequence disciples—a class of their own."
Lin Tian was intrigued. "Sequence disciples?"
Fang Rui nodded, his face lighting up with a hint of awe. "They're the elites of the sect, chosen directly by the sect leader or the grand elders. They have access to secret techniques, exclusive resources, and the best training grounds. Each of them is treated like a future powerhouse."
Lin Tian's eyes glinted with determination. The hierarchy Fang Rui described was both daunting and motivating. Fang Rui seemed to notice the look and grinned. "Well, let's focus on not starving before aiming for the stars, eh? You're new here, and missions are a good way to start building yourself up."
Over the next few days, Lin Tian took Fang Rui's advice to heart. He picked a few one-star tasks, simple errands around the sect or assisting with basic chores. Despite their low contribution points, each task gave him a better understanding of the sect's vast grounds and inner workings.
He learned how to navigate the enormous libraries, where martial arts techniques were recorded and safeguarded, as well as the training arenas where disciples honed their skills. Fang Rui tagged along sometimes, pointing out little-known areas where one could sneak in extra practice or rest without being disturbed.
One evening, as they finished up a task near the sect's medicinal gardens, Fang Rui turned to him with a knowing smile. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"
Lin Tian nodded, his gaze steady. "I want to make a name for myself here."
Fang Rui slapped him on the back. "Then keep working hard! One day, you might even find yourself challenging the inner disciples."
The thought of ascending the ranks and truly establishing himself within Celestial Blade Pavilion lingered in Lin Tian's mind as they returned to the dorms.