Going to the market allows one to exchange goods only for common-use gold coins. If one wants to obtain spirit stones, which are needed by cultivators, most mercenaries choose to take missions from the Alliance of Unaffiliated Cultivators.
As its name suggests, the Alliance of Unaffiliated Cultivators is an organization formed by cultivators without sects or masters, uniting together for self-protection. Joining is very simple—just report your name and receive a plaque to prove your identity. Leaving is even simpler—just discard the plaque.
This plaque mainly identifies the cultivator’s skill level. For example, a wooden plaque is the lowest level, indicating that the person has at most completed ordinary-level missions, whereas a golden plaque is the highest, indicating the completion of golden-level missions.
“The Alliance of Unaffiliated Cultivators,” Li Tan murmured, standing up and contemplating whether he should take on missions from there.
While completing missions, he could also fight against ferocious beasts to improve himself.
It seemed like a good idea. Thinking thus, Li Tan headed toward the Alliance of Unaffiliated Cultivators.
Compared to places like Norland Auction House and Pill Pavilion, the Alliance’s location was quite shabby. It was essentially a large tent hastily constructed from a few wooden poles and coarse cloth. However, its humble appearance did not dampen the enthusiasm of the unaffiliated cultivators.
Though it was already dusk, the inside was still bustling with people.
“Make way! Make way!”
Li Tan struggled to push his way to the front. There were many wooden notice boards, all covered with papers detailing various missions.
Glancing briefly, Li Tan filtered out some boring notices like finding missing elders and investigating the relationship between Old Wang and his wife next door. His gaze finally settled on a silver-level mission.
Mission: Urgently seeking a beast core from a ferocious beast of second grade or higher with a fire attribute.
Reward: Fifty spirit stones, exchangeable for items of equal value.
“This one will do.”
The spirit stones Li Tan had borrowed from the Lin family’s treasury were long gone, devoured by Xiaobai. Before advancing to the Xiantian stage, he hadn’t truly required spirit stones. But now, after his breakthrough and due to the formation of an inner world within the Primordial Starry Sky Cultivation Technique, his demand for true energy had surged drastically—nearly three times that of an ordinary cultivator. Without spirit stones, if he secluded himself somewhere to cultivate, it might take more than a decade just to break through to the Master stage.
And that was only the current situation. Considering that each stage of cultivation exponentially increases the demand for true energy, with his current level of consumption, if he followed the same path as before his rebirth, Li Tan estimated he would be stuck at some level beyond Master.
This was also one of the reasons he had come to Chize at this time—not only to apprehend Liu Yong and investigate the matter concerning the Feather Flight Sect, but more importantly, because he was aware that an ancient sage’s relic would soon be unearthed here. If he could obtain some of the resources within, he wouldn’t have to worry about cultivation at least during the Innate Stage.
Fifty spirit stones might be a drop in the bucket, but it would suffice for a few days.
However, just as Li Tan was about to take the mission, a thick hand pressed down on his.
“Young man, you want to take this mission?”
A burly man stepped out from the side.
Li Tan shook off his hand and asked with slight suspicion, “Is there a problem? Can’t I take it?”
“That’s not it,” the man replied, somewhat surprised that his hand had been shaken off, and thus reevaluated Li Tan. “Of course you can take it, but this is a silver-level mission. A second-grade ferocious beast is no pushover. Even someone like me, who has already reached the Xiantian stage, might fail. I’d advise you to choose another one—it’s too dangerous.”
“I understand.”
Li Tan replied insincerely, already tearing down the mission notice from the board.
“It’s really dangerous, young man. You must think carefully. Dying here, you probably wouldn’t even have anyone to bury you.”
The big man frowned, but Li Tan ignored him and disappeared into the crowd.
“Ah, these young people these days, all so arrogant and proud.”
The man sighed regretfully, “If only he had listened to me. In this rundown place called Chize, a delicate young master like him is quite rare. Well, I hope he doesn’t meet any beasts. Then the mission will expire automatically in a few days.”
After taking the mission, Li Tan went to register.
Registration signified acceptance of the mission. Whether he succeeded or failed, it would be recorded, and only after registration could he receive the mission reward.
The registration was handled by a middle-aged man.
Though he was actually only around forty, his bald head always gave people the impression of being old.
He examined the mission slip Li Tan handed him closely, hesitated for a moment, and then shook his head. “Kid, you’d better choose another mission.”
Li Tan asked somewhat annoyed, “Do I look incapable of handling a second-grade ferocious beast?”
The man shook his head. “Ahem, that’s not what I meant. The employer who posted this mission just changed the requirements.”
“What’s the change?”
“Just cores from third-grade beasts.” First and second-grade beasts corresponded to human cultivators at the Houtian level, while third-grade beasts were at the Xiantian level.
“If it’s third-grade beasts, then the reward should have increased too, right?”
Li Tan asked.
The man nodded. “Yes, from fifty to five hundred spirit stones.”
Perfect.
Li Tan smiled and said, “Then please help me with the registration. I still want to take this mission.”
“Wait, did you not hear what I just said clearly? Third-grade beasts! Many silver-plaque cultivators wouldn’t dare challenge them casually!”
The man was greatly surprised.
Li Tan replied firmly, “I heard clearly. That’s why I want to take this mission. Any problem?”
“There’s no problem according to the rules, but kid, this is no joking matter.”
Li Tan nodded.
“I’ve thought it through. Please hurry up and finish the registration for me.”
The man sighed helplessly, “Since that’s the case, I won’t say anything else.”
He quickly completed the registration for Li Tan and then asked curiously, “You haven’t registered in the Alliance of Unaffiliated Cultivators before, right?”
“Indeed not.”
Li Tan replied.
The man frowned and said seriously, “Then you must think carefully. If your first mission fails, it will affect your future promotions within the alliance.”
Li Tan nodded impatiently again, “I understand.”
After a moment of silence, the man handed Li Tan a wooden plaque. “This is your current identity plaque. If the mission fails, it’ll probably stay with you for a long time. If you succeed, you’ll be promoted directly to silver plaque.”
Li Tan took the wooden plaque, turned around, and walked out, saying to the man without turning back, “Thanks.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage