"Wait a second, Xiaofei my friend!" Torvin called out, his voice carrying easily despite the distance Zhang Xiaofei had already covered. He didn't bother trying to match the cultivator's speed; instead, he maintained a steady, controlled pace, conserving energy.
By the time Torvin arrived at Trading Peak, Zhang Xiaofei was waiting near the entrance to the largest structure, shifting his weight impatiently. The journey, which would have taken a cultivator mere moments, had stretched into a tedious half-hour due to Torvin's deliberate pace. Xiaofei clearly wanted to complain but held his tongue, likely remembering the Grand Elder's public humiliation and Torvin's newly cemented, even if baffling, status as Consort-to-be.
'Heh, my reputation precedes me.' Torvin noted with detached interest. Fear and status provide leverage, even without demonstrable cultivation.
He scanned Trading Peak. It was a bustling hub, far more active than the serene upper peaks or the isolated Spirit Herb Peak. Disciples of various robes – Outer, Inner, even a few Core disciples identifiable by finer materials and subtle energy signatures – moved purposefully through the plaza, congregating around stalls or heading into the main hall.
"This place has a lot of people..." Torvin observed, more to himself than to Xiaofei. "Comparable to that of the Central Pavilion grounds. Tell me, my friend, what is the purpose of this place?"
"Yes, Esteemed Consort!" Zhang Xiaofei boomed, making Torvin wince internally again. "This is where disciples receive sect tasks from the Mission Hall and trade resources!" Torvin captured this information and that gleaned from Bai Ji with his own observations. 'So this is a centralized point for resource allocation and task distribution. Logical.'
"Excellent," Torvin nodded. "Lead the way to the Mission Hall." He needed tasks – not for contribution points necessarily, but for information, geographic familiarization, and potentially, access to resources or locations like the Gravity Crag. Stagnation was unacceptable.
He followed Zhang Xiaofei into the cavernous Mission Hall. The interior was dominated by a massive wall crafted from polished black obsidian. Rows upon rows of glowing silver script shimmered across its surface, detailing available tasks.
'Information display. The energy source is likely an embedded array.' Torvin analyzed. 'Organization method: Tiered by required cultivation realm, descending order. Efficient.' He immediately bypassed the higher-level sections – Golden Core, Nascent Soul, etc. – due to his current capabilities. His gaze settled on the lowest section: Qi Nurturing & Qi Refining tasks.
[Data Scan Initiated: Low-Tier Task Parameters. Keywords: Duration, Location, Resource Type.] The Bio-Interface passively logged the displayed information.
He scanned the low-level listings. 'Gather Ten Strands of Green Shadow Grass - Reward: 10 Contribution Points.' He paused. 'Green Shadow Grass? Vague designation. Requires clarification.' He then spotted another: 'Collect Five White Fragrance Fruits - Reward: 15 Contribution Points.' He continued scanning, prioritizing tasks that seemed less time-consuming or required travel to different areas of the sect grounds – ideal for reconnaissance.
He noticed several counters along one side of the hall, staffed by disciples or perhaps low-level Elders, processing task acceptances and completions. Several disciples were already queued at one counter. Torvin joined the shortest line, maintaining a low profile. He motioned for Zhang Xiaofei, who looked ready to announce his presence, to remain silent. Unnecessary attention is inefficient.
The interactions at the counter were… abrupt.
"Task request?" the female disciple behind the counter asked brusquely.
"Number Three, Senior Sister!" a hopeful disciple replied.
"Qi Refining Stage Five required. You are Stage Three. Denied! Next!"
Another disciple stepped up confidently. "Task Number Two!"
"The prerequisite for this mission is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and your cultivation is insufficient. Denied! Next!"
Torvin observed the process. 'Strict adherence to prerequisites. No exceptions granted. System appears rigid.' He mentally reviewed the lowest tier tasks again. The 'Green Shadow Grass' task had no listed prerequisite, implying suitability for even Qi Nurturing levels, or perhaps non-cultivators entirely. Optimal starting point.
As the line shortened, he stepped forward. "Excuse me," he stated calmly. "I would like to apply for the mission: 'Gather Ten Strands of Green Shadow Grass'. And I would also like to request clarification on target specimen identification parameters."
The female disciple looked up, her initial impatient expression freezing as she recognized him. 'The Consort-to-be!' Her demeanor shifted instantly, a mixture of surprise, caution, and perhaps curiosity replacing her earlier brusqueness. "Esteemed… Consort," she stammered slightly.
Torvin noted the change in her reaction. 'Status confirmed as impactful variable in social interactions.' He maintained his neutral expression, waiting for the information. He happened to be idly chewing on something – a fibrous, vaguely feather-shaped green stalk he'd absentmindedly pocketed from Bai Ji's ravaged herb patch earlier. It had a strangely refreshing taste.
The female disciple stared at him, then at the stalk hanging from his lips, her eyes widening slightly. A blush rose on her cheeks. "Esteemed Consort… the specimen… is the one you are currently chewing on." She lowered her gaze shyly.
Torvin paused, processing her words. He slowly removed the stalk from his mouth, examining it. 'This? This common-looking weed is 'Green Shadow Grass?' He compared it mentally to the herbs Bai Ji had lamented. 'High probability this is another of Elder Bai's 'spirit herbs'. Truly an accidental acquisition.'
He held the stalk out towards her. "This specific plant?"
She nodded quickly, face averted. "Yes, Esteemed Consort. That is Green Shadow Grass."
'Interesting.' He made a mental note. He had pockets full of the stuff, gathered initially just because he liked the texture. "I accept the task: Gather Ten Strands of Green Shadow Grass," he stated.
"Ah? Yes, Esteemed Consort!" She quickly processed the acceptance through a jade token array on the counter.
[External Task Accepted: Gather 10 Green Shadow Grass. Reward: 10 Contribution Points.]
Torvin immediately reached into his robe pocket (provided by Bai Ji along with the spatial ring) and produced ten identical stalks, placing them neatly on the counter. "Task completion submission."
The female disciple stared, blinked, then quickly verified the items. "Submission accepted. Task complete." She fumbled slightly as she registered the completion and handed him a small, plain jade token. "Esteemed Consort, this is your contribution token where contribution points are recorded within."
[External Task: Completed. Reward Integrated: 10 Contribution Points (External System: Lanyue Palace). Bio-Interface Log Updated.]
Torvin accepted the token, feeling the faint energy signature within. 'Ten points. Currency system established.' He put the token away and pointed to another low-level task on the obsidian wall. "In that case, I would like to inquire about the mission: 'Collect Five White Fragrance Fruits' and their identification parameters."
The female disciple, slightly more composed now but still flustered, described the fruit: "Milky white appearance, roughly spherical, emits a faint, sweet, milk-like aroma…"
As she spoke, Torvin casually pulled another item from his pocket – one of the small, white fruits he'd also sampled from Bai Ji's patch. He held it up. "...like this one?"
The female disciple's jaw dropped. "White… Fragrance Fruit! Esteemed Consort, you already possess one?!"
Torvin nodded internally. Elder Bai's 'private patch' was apparently a repository for low-to-mid tier task components. 'Convenient, even if ethically dubious, hehe.' He made a mental note to thank Elder Bai later. Perhaps offer condolences for his… misfortune.
He pocketed the fruit again, not accepting the task yet. 'Information gathered. Resource locations partially identified.' He gave the flustered counter disciple a curt nod and turned to leave, Zhang Xiaofei scrambling to follow. Time to find a quiet place and plan the next phase of strength training and information gathering.