Chapter 604: Mission Selection
All sorts of missions were available, and even Xiang Shaoyun was astonished to see the variety of missions offered. Some could be completed in the academy, such as completing certain jobs the academy required to earn contribution points. Some had to be completed outside the academy, such as looking for treasures, or finishing some jobs for other organizations, and so on. In short, a large variety of missions were available, and each mission came with a time limit for one to be eligible for the reward.
When Xiang Shaoyun's gaze landed on a certain mission, he exclaimed in astonishment, "There's even a mission like this here? What an eye-opener."
He was looking at a notice saying: "Looking for a piece of Demon Saint feces for a reward of one million contribution points." A piece of feces for a million contribution points? That was completely inconceivable and odd. Of course, if one noted the "Demon Saint" keyword in the mission description, one would understand that the one million contribution points offered wasn't excessive.
A Demon Saint was equivalent to a Heaven Battling Realm human in strength. No ordinary person would dare to encroach upon the territory of a Demon Saint. Thus, just a piece of feces could be invaluable. Xiang Shaoyun, Tang Longfei, and company started browsing through the mission notices, trying to decide on a mission to take.
Finally, Xiang Shaoyun set his gaze on a certain mission: "Looking for dragon liquid. Each drop can be exchanged for 200,000 contribution points."
The so-called dragon liquid was a type of unique liquid formed after being polluted by draconic aura. It was also known as the emperor liquid and was extremely valuable to any Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator. It could increase the speed of the draconic aura's solidification, and it was extremely beneficial for the growth of one's cultivation base.
Apart from Xiang Shaoyun, the mission also caught the others' attention. For them, both contribution points and dragon liquid were important. If they could actually get their hands on some dragon liquid, they might not even be willing to exchange it for contribution points.
"This is it, then," said Xiang Shaoyun with absolute certainty.
At this time, Tang Longfei said, "Shaoyun, don't be in too much of a rush. The location of this mission is within the Dragon Phoenix Mountain Range. It looks like a great mission, but very few people have actually managed to find some dragon liquid."
"What do you mean?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.
"The Dragon Phoenix Mountain Range is an extensive region. Do you know where in the mountain range one can find dragon liquid?" Tang Longfei asked.
"You're saying that this mission can't be completed since the dragon liquid can't be found?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.
Tang Longfei nodded. "Yes. When looking for the dragon liquid, most people can only rely on luck. Thus, there is no time limit for this mission. Anytime you can bring some dragon liquid here, you will be rewarded for this mission's completion. Furthermore, failure of completion also won't cost you anything apart from the contribution points you pay when taking the mission."
"Uh, you need to pay contribution points to accept a mission?" Xiang Shaoyun blanked out and asked.
"Of course. Otherwise, everyone will take whatever mission they can and cause a big mess. The higher the mission's grade, the more contribution points you need to pay. If you can complete the mission, your deposit will be returned alongside the reward," Tang Longfei explained.
After more than a year in the academy, Tang Longfei had a basic understanding of the affairs within the academy, unlike Xiang Shaoyun, who still knew nothing. After the explanation, Xiang Shaoyun realized that the points he had to pay would only serve as a deposit. One would only part with the contribution points in the event of mission failure. As Xiang Shaoyun hesitated on which mission to take, Shou Xie, Jin Shui, and Ling Lin also appeared at the Missions Hall.
"Haha, it's great to see you here, Young Master Xiang," Shou Xie said with a hearty laugh. Jin Shui and Ling Lin also smiled cheerily. They came with a few other people. Evidently, they had formed a group.
"You're here to take a mission as well?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.
"Yes. It's not easy to earn contribution points, so we have to take on some missions," said Shou Xie. He then said to the two beside him, "Yan Gang, Zhong Xia, this is Xiang Shaoyun, Young Master Xiang, whom both of you admire. Yan Gang and Zhong Xia are respectively a crafter and an alchemist. They are similarly special-recruits and are my good brothers."
Xiang Shaoyun found that the two were indeed weaker than other disciples, as both of them were peak Kings. They probably hadn't even formed their draconic aura. Even some followers were stronger than them. However, they had unique skills, and their future would not be determined by their strength alone.
Shou Xie was a beast tamer, Yan Gang was a crafter, and Zhong Xia was an alchemist. For the latter two to be able to join the academy at such a young age, it was obvious they were very skilled in their vocations.
Xiang Shaoyun cupped his fists at the two and greeted, "So I'm looking at two masters here."
Crafters and alchemists were extremely rare. Wherever they went, they were respected. Thus, Xiang Shaoyun made sure to treat them with respect as well. Although both Yan Gang and Zhong Xia normally focused only on matters concerning their respective profession, they had still heard of Xiang Shaoyun's famous name. Thus, they responded politely as well.
"Young Master Xiang, have you picked your mission?" Shou Xie asked.
Xiang Shaoyun shook his head. "Not yet."
"Are you interested in doing a job with us?" Shou Xie asked.
"Tell me more. I have to see if it suits me," said Xiang Shaoyun without giving any promises.
"It will definitely suit you. That is the mission we're taking," said Shou Xie confidently as he pointed at a certain notice.
When Xiang Shaoyun looked over, he narrowed his eyes as astonishment flashed past his face. Shou Xie had selected the same dragon liquid mission. Tang Longfei repeated what he knew to Shou Xie, trying to reject the mission on behalf of Xiang Shaoyun.
"Young Master Xiang, Young Master Tang, don't be in too much of a hurry to reject me. I am taking this mission because I am confident about it. I only lack trustworthy companions to help with it. If it wasn't for the fact that Young Master Xiang once saved me, I would have kept the mission for myself," said Shou Xie with a lowered voice.
That moved both Xiang Shaoyun and Tang Longfei. If they really had an idea where the dragon liquid was, the mission would be worth taking.
"Since that is the case, I'm ok with it if your friends are fine with me joining as well," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"They won't have any issues," said Shou Xie.
When Xiang Shaoyun looked at Yan Gang and Zhong Xia, he found that they did not seem to mind at all. Thus, he agreed, "Ok. I'll go with you."
"Excellent! With Young Master Xiang's participation, I have even more confidence in completing the mission," said Shou Xie joyfully before he went on to accept the mission.