Chapter 469: Chapter 275: Cultivation World 65
Si Lingle walked resolutely down the jade stairs of the Book Collection Peak, surrounded by an invisible aura that made several low-level disciples she encountered instinctively step aside.
In Si Lingle’s hand was a cool, dark fragment, its mysterious ink patterns resonating subtly with her fingertips, conveying a silent yet unfathomable tremor.
Si Lingle’s destination was the "Wanxiang Hub" located at the side wing of the main peak— the core hall dedicated to Contribution Points exchange, task releases, and various sect errands.
The interior of Wanxiang Hub was spacious, with noticeably more people compared to Book Collection Peak, a kind of sect-specific order underlying the bustling atmosphere.
One side featured the tall Crystal Stele for task submission and release, the immortal power glistening and gleaming;
On the other side were a dozen windows made of Mo Chen Wood, each manned by a steward with expressions ranging from solemn to weary, with clear function labels hovering above: Materials, Elixirs, Magic Artifacts, Literature Exchange, Task Settlement...
Si Lingle, without glancing sideways, headed straight for the window labeled "Literature·Fragments·Illustration Exchange".
Behind the window was an elder with graying hair, wearing a single crystal lens, who was engrossed in perusing a thick register. Compared to the other windows’ noise, this place was exceptionally quiet.
Si Lingle stopped in front of the window, her voice clear and calm, with a touch of the chill of jade clashing:
"Elder, I wish to exchange for this item."
Saying that, she placed the dark, non-metal, non-jade, edge-chipped fragment on the exchange platform without hesitation.
The elder, Elder Hua Bai, looked up upon hearing this, his gaze penetrating the crystal lens to fall on the dark fragment, his previously weary and cloudy eyes suddenly focused.
His actions paused for a moment; instead of immediately checking the register, he scrutinized the seemingly inconspicuous yet eerily tranquil item intently.
Si Lingle waited patiently, the exploratory flame in her eyes was not extinguished; instead, it appeared even deeper due to the elder’s cautious attitude.
The elder’s gaze lingered on the fragment’s chipped edges and those profound ink patterns for a long time before slowly shifting back to the heavy volume of the "Yunlan Collection·Fragmented Atlas and Contribution Points Record" on the desk.
His actions were noticeably slower, abandoning the usual routine, his fingers carefully flipping through the pages, even summoning a slight Divine Sense Power for assistance, as an unusual solemnity filled the air.
The passage of a few breaths seemed rather long in the otherwise silent window setting.
Finally, the elder’s fingertips stopped on a certain page of the register, his aged brow deeply furrowed, as if verifying, yet filled with confusion.
He looked up at Si Lingle again, glanced down at the records in the atlas, and finally focused back on the item.
"This item..." the elder’s voice was somewhat deep, with an incredulous huskiness, "recorded, named ’Void Valley Fragment’, categorized under Star Array Remnant category, origin... unknown. Material... unknown. Efficacy... unknown. Notes: Severely incomplete, its surface Array Patterns suspected to be remnants of an Ancient Forbidden Array, yet too eroded, with extremely high replication risk."
He paused for a moment, deeply looking at Si Lingle, as if trying to see through her calm exterior and discern her intent in choosing such a "worthless" item.
Si Lingle’s expression remained cold and unmoved.
The elder adjusted the lens on his nose bridge and then recited a number that would instill awe in ordinary Inner Sect Disciples:
"The exchange requires... eight thousand Contribution Points."
Within the sect, eight thousand Contribution Points was indeed a considerable fortune. A single elixir assisting an ordinary Immortal Soldier might only cost a few dozen points, a Low Grade Immortal Artifact might require only one or two thousand points. That this ’unknown efficacy, high risk’ fragment should be priced near that of a high-level Immortal Artifact!
The atmosphere in front of the window instantly became subtle. The disciples at nearby windows, there for resource exchanges, seemed startled by this number, casting curious glances over.
However, upon hearing the price, Si Lingle’s eyes showed no wavering light.
Eight thousand?
This number did not evoke surprise or retreat in her heart but rather a kind of validation — of the "extraordinary" contained within the item.
Eight thousand Contribution Points, fortunately, did not exceed her expected range.
Without the slightest hesitation, she deftly unfastened the Identity Jade hanging at her waist and handed it over.
