The Decaying World-Chapter 109 - 104: Calm 4

"Forming an exploration team... what are the returns? What kind of treasures can you get?" Lin Hui asked again. He knew about exploration teams. He also knew that all the major powers in the Inner City were forming them, each with their own team. Since everyone was doing it, it must mean there were significant benefits involved.

"The returns depend on luck and strength. Generally, many of the items found don’t circulate publicly; they are only exchanged within private circles. You can buy some of them in the Inner City with Feather Blood, but not many. After all, no one is willing to sell truly good things. Most are kept to bolster their family’s foundation," Wang Yueheng said with a smile.

"That makes sense." Lin Hui nodded in understanding.

"For example, you know it’s impossible for an Outer Martial artist to break through to Circulation. But have you ever wondered how the original founder of your Qingfeng Temple, Ancestor Qingfeng, managed to break through to Circulation?" Wang Yueheng said mysteriously.

"Are you saying... treasures from the Fog Area might help us break our limits!?" Lin Hui was stunned.

"It’s just a guess. Of course, a treasure like that hasn’t appeared a second time in the last hundred years. Even if they exist, they must be extremely rare. Back then, besides Ancestor Qingfeng, several other Outer Martial artists from the same era also broke through to Circulation. They probably found some kind of Treasure Medicine from the Fog Area together. Nothing like that has happened since."

"So... there could be any type of treasure in the Fog Area?" Lin Hui’s heart stirred.

’This is a great idea. I don’t have to take the risks myself, and I can get a constant supply of good stuff. No wonder everyone’s creating exploration teams.’

"Yes. For instance, my family obtained several top-tier, not-for-sale Elixir Recipes that enhance one’s aptitude for Summoning that way. Also, because the Fog Area undergoes drastic changes at night, it’s full of uncertainty. Even a powerful Summoner from the Inner City can’t guarantee their safety there. So, if you don’t dare to risk it yourself, you just let others risk it for you. That’s how exploration teams came to be," Wang Yueheng said with a smile.

"Interesting... It seems Qingfeng Temple should form its own exploration team as well. How do you select the members? The Fog Area is dangerous, so not many people would be willing to go, right?"

"Just promise great rewards. As long as you keep your word, people will be willing to join," Wang Yueheng said with a small smile.

Lin Hui fell into deep thought. He needed a good sword, better equipment, and Treasure Medicines like the Yun Lingzhi to speed up his progress. If he tried to get these things by himself, there were too many uncertainties, and the Fog Area was too dangerous.

’So... forming an exploration team really needs to be put on the agenda.’

"I suggest you start by exploring the surrounding areas. Qingfeng Temple is weak, and its disciples are weak. Don’t venture too deep recklessly. It’ll be a huge problem if you lose everything and have to pay out a large sum for bereavement compensation," Wang Yueheng added.

"Mm, thank you for the warning."

After his conversation with Wang Yueheng, Lin Hui quickly found Wang Hongshi and brought up the matter of forming an exploration team.

"An exploration team? This... what kind of people would be willing to join?" Wang Hongshi asked hesitantly.

Previously, the Black Dragon Sect wasn’t large enough to form an exploration team. But now, Qingfeng Temple’s power was immense. With the three branches merged into one, the number of disciples had recently surpassed five hundred.

Among the surrounding towns, it was a major power, second to none.

They truly had the qualifications to form an exploration team now.

"It doesn’t matter who they are. As long as they’re willing to join, harvest resources and treasures from the Fog Area, and turn them in, they’ll receive Contribution Points upon their return. The points will be allocated based on the value of their contributions. A large haul can be counted as a high-level mission," Lin Hui replied. Contribution Points were linked to the sect’s Summoning slots. The top three disciples with the highest Contribution Points each year would earn a slot to go to the Inner City for Summoning. This exploration team would undoubtedly rip open the somewhat stagnant Contribution Point rankings, creating an opportunity to quickly surpass the top three.

"In that case, I expect many people will be willing to join. After all, under the old system, high-level missions were rare, and many required great strength to complete," Wang Hongshi nodded.

"It’s settled then. The young and the daring are the talents our sect needs," Lin Hui said in a deep voice.

"Yes."

Wang Hongshi nodded.

"By the way, starting today, add the two Secret Techniques I’ve comprehended to the sect’s Contribution Point exchange list." Lin Hui had been observing and studying the Feathering Special Effects for a long time. Apart from the bizarre effect of halving one’s body weight, which he couldn’t replicate, the explosive bursts of speed were traceable.

After careful contemplation, he recorded the energy circulation routes and methods of muscle activation, compiling them into two Secret Techniques.

One was from the Special Effects of the Seven-Section Quick Sword: Light Body.

The other was from the Special Effects of the Nine-Section Swift Sword: Light Spirit.

"One Secret Technique is called Light Body. It allows a short burst of Sword Speed and Body Technique speed, increasing them by about thirty percent. The prerequisite is proficient mastery of the Seven-Section Quick Sword."

Compared to the original Light Body Effect’s exaggerated result of more than doubling Sword Speed, the version Lin Hui compiled could only increase it by thirty percent. However, this Secret Technique had very minor side effects. One could use it again after resting for two hours. Those with strong recovery could even shorten the rest time significantly.

"Yes!" Wang Hongshi’s eyes lit up. ’As expected of our genius Observatory Master. It hasn’t been long at all, and he’s already had another breakthrough.’

"The second Secret Technique is called Light Spirit. It’s more difficult. It can only be used after reaching Perfection in the Nine-Section Swift Sword. Its effect is to reduce the stamina consumption of Light Body, allowing it to be maintained for long periods as a constant effect."

Lin Hui pondered for a moment. "Set the exchange price at nine Contribution Points." Nine points corresponded to three high-level missions.

"Yes. In that case, Observatory Master, about posting missions... how should we handle the authority to post them? Who will be in charge? It can’t all depend on you alone, can it?" Wang Hongshi asked again.

"Participating in an exploration team mission counts as a medium-level mission. If they bring back anything, I will personally assess its value to the sect and calculate the additional Contribution Points," Lin Hui mused.

"As for other things, handling various troubles and disputes the sect encounters will also count as a medium-level mission. Those assessed as high-risk will count as high-level missions. For the specific assessments, please have Elder Xue Meng make the judgment," Lin Hui arranged.

"Understood." Wang Hongshi calculated the current situation at Qingfeng Temple. Various troubles and disputes cropped up every so often. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before someone accumulated enough points to exchange for the new Secret Technique.

"Let’s leave it like this for now. We can make changes later if any problems arise," Lin Hui said, setting the final tone.

After everyone had left, he stood up and walked to the mural in the main hall.

’An exploration team... this is the perfect chance to scout out the surrounding Fog Area... I hope they find something useful.’

Just two days after the announcement about forming an exploration team was made, Wang Hongshi reported to Lin Hui that too many people wanted to go... He asked Lin Hui what the team size should be capped at.

Lin Hui was a bit surprised. He personally checked the list and found that, besides Wang Hongshi, all of the top ten disciples wanted to go.

What surprised him even more was that all ten of these top disciples had now switched to practicing Qingfeng Temple’s Martial Arts. The disciples from the Ruyi Saber Sect and the Black Dragon Sect who had started from scratch had, in the case of the fastest ones, already reached the Sixth Grade of Body Tempering.

And the quick-moving Chen Sui had actually already redeemed the Secret Technique of Light Body.

After confirming the numbers, he began to feel optimistic about the exploration team’s development.

「In early March.」

Within Qingfeng Temple, on the Black Dragon Training Ground, Lin Hui watched the assembled exploration team, ready to depart, and nodded in satisfaction.

He sat in the main seat. To his left sat Xue Meng, and to his right were two new Inner Power Martial Artists who had recently joined: Flying Dragon Hand Lin Zaijun and Crazy Leg Zhang Dao.

These two were lone Martial Artists who had come over from Xingdiao’s side. Their original disciples and sect members were all gone, and they had no family, so they decided to join Qingfeng Temple to live out their retirement.

They were both over seventy years old. Sitting in their chairs, their vitality and spirit seemed withered, a far cry from Xue Meng. It was clear they were suffering from old injuries, which had caused their Cultivation to decline.

But Lin Hui had no choice. Qingfeng Temple had too few Inner Power Realm Martial Artists. Truly powerful ones wouldn’t be willing to serve under someone else; wouldn’t it be better for them to find a corner and start their own sect?

At this moment, the four of them were seated up front, flanked by the top thirty disciples.

The members of the exploration team had all changed into gray and white fitted uniforms with brown leather vests. They carried two longswords on their backs and walked forward in a line.

Leading them was none other than Chen Sui.

In this exploration team, his Cultivation was the highest. After redeeming the Secret Technique, his increase in strength was even more apparent. He was the definitive main force.

"This is Qingfeng Temple’s first time exploring the surrounding area. Therefore, your first task is to draw a basic topographical map of the nearby Fog Area. The required scope is written on the mission scroll. Since this is the first expedition, everyone participating will have it counted as one high-level mission for Contribution Points," Elder Xue Meng announced from the side.

"Yes, sir!" Chen Sui and the others responded in unison, clasping their fists in a salute.

"Have you all brought your supplies?" Lin Hui asked.

"We have, Observatory Master. Rest assured, we will not advance recklessly. We’ll scout the situation and move on immediately. Many monsters in the Fog Area are territorial. As long as we’re fast, the danger isn’t great. And if there’s one thing Qingfeng Temple excels at, it’s that our Body Technique speed is second to none!" Chen Sui replied in a deep voice.

Lin Hui nodded. He was confident on that point.

He looked up at the sky. Warm light shone down through the fog. There was no rain and no wind—perfect weather for entering the Fog Area.

"I will await your good news here. I wish you all a safe return." He rose and clasped his fists toward the group.

"Thank you, Observatory Master!"

The twenty members of the exploration team all returned the salute and shouted in unison.

After the formalities, someone else came forward to check their equipment and supplies again. Once everything was confirmed to be in order, the exploration team officially set off.

Under the watchful eyes of several hundred people, Qingfeng Temple’s first exploration of the Fog Area officially began.

Lin Hui watched them leave through the main gate, walking further and further away until they completely disappeared from sight. Only then did he let out a breath and wave his hand, signaling for everyone to disperse.

He got up and left, returning to his residence in the rear. He had barely sat down when a disciple came to report.

"Observatory Master, a woman named Yan Wanqiu has come to visit. She said you would know who she is by her name."

"Yan Wanqiu?" Lin Hui truly hadn’t expected her to visit. "Have her come see me here."

"Yes." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The disciple on duty clasped his fist and departed.

Currently, at Qingfeng Temple, disciples with poor aptitude, low strength, and no backing could earn Contribution Points by taking on duties within the sect. Tasks like guarding the sect, acting as escorts, or serving as messengers could be counted as one normal mission per month, and they also received a salary. Many disciples from poor families actively vied for these jobs.

Lin Hui was flush with cash anyway. The income provided by the Baihua Sect at regular intervals was more than he could spend, not to mention the profits from Qingfeng Temple’s own enterprises. So, with a wave of his hand, he hired over thirty people for guard duty and odd jobs within the sect.

Contribution Points were a valuable commodity now. They could be exchanged for Elixirs, Secret Techniques, direct guidance and teaching, and even for a training slot to become a Summoner.

As a result, everyone was very motivated to complete missions.

Soon, a young woman wearing a black veil and wrapped in a black outer robe was led into the courtyard of the residence by a disciple.

"Yan Wanqiu greets Observatory Master Lin. Regarding the last incident, thank you for reasoning with your sister. What I did was out of line... thankfully, it didn’t cause any major trouble..." Yan Wanqiu said with a wry smile, thanking him as soon as she saw him.

Lin Hui waved away the on-duty disciple, who was straining his ears to overhear some gossip, and looked at Yan Wanqiu.

"It was nothing. I also felt my sister’s temper was too extreme. Anyone else would have reacted the same way."