After handing over the mission report, the disciples expected the usual quick calculation and distribution of contribution points.
But instead—
They were stopped.
The deacon in charge of the mission hall, an elderly man with sharp eyes, raised his hand.
"Wait."
The group paused.
Lu Yanshi frowned slightly. "Is there a problem, Deacon?"
The old man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he carefully rolled up the mission scroll, his gaze sweeping across the group lingering briefly on the faint bloodstains that even washing hadn't fully removed.
"…This mission," he said slowly, "will require recalculation."
The words caused a stir.
"Recalculation?" one disciple repeated.
"But why? We completed the task"
"Silence."
The deacon's tone wasn't loud
But it carried weight.
He tapped the scroll lightly against the table.
"This was originally classified as an ordinary high-risk hunting mission."
His eyes narrowed.
"But what you encountered…"
"…was far beyond that."
The room grew quiet.
Everyone understood what he meant.
Foundation Establishment enemies.
A life-and-death battle.
Casualties narrowly avoided.
This was no longer a simple mission.
"It will be reported to the elders," the deacon continued. "Your contribution points will be reassessed based on actual danger, performance, and… special circumstances."
He paused again
this time, his gaze turning meaningful.
"…including matters that should not be written down openly."
A few of the more perceptive disciples stiffened slightly.
They understood.
The Mei Clan incident.
Lu Yanshi's grip tightened slightly but she said nothing.
Good.
The less spoken, the safer they were.
After a moment, the deacon waved his sleeve.
"For now—each of you may withdraw 500 contribution points in advance."
This time, the reaction was immediate.
"500?!"
"That much?!"
Even the senior disciples were visibly shocked.
That amount was not small. Normally one low-grade spirit stone is equivalent to one contribution point.
It was enough to exchange for high-quality pills, cultivation manuals, or even low-grade spirit weapons.
The deacon snorted lightly.
"Hmph. Do you think the clan is blind?"
"You walked into death and came back alive."
"…that alone is worth something."
His tone softened just a little.
"Take it."
"Recover."
"And keep your mouths shut."
The last sentence was quiet
but carried unmistakable meaning.
Everyone straightened immediately.
"Yes, Deacon!"
One by one, they stepped forward to register their temporary withdrawal.
As Lu Yanshi received her token—
a cold, metallic plate engraved with her identity
she felt its weight.
Not just the points.
But everything that came with it.
Responsibility.
Danger.
Secrets.
Beside her, Lu Yanhai let out a low whistle.
"Looks like we hit the jackpot… though I'd rather not repeat that kind of 'luck.'"
Lu Yanxi shot him a look.
"Be quiet. You nearly died back there."
He scratched his head awkwardly.
"…Fair."
A few others chuckled weakly.
The tension hadn't fully left them
But there was relief.
They had survived.
And been rewarded.
But as they began to leave the mission hall
The deacon watched their backs silently.
His expression slowly turned serious again.
"…Recalculation," he muttered.
Then he picked up the scroll once more—
and headed toward the inner hall.
Because this mission
was no longer something he could decide on his own.
Lu Yanshi did not linger after leaving the mission hall.
The weight of fatigue was beginning to settle into her bones, and the faint ache in her meridians reminded her
she had pushed herself too far.
"Resource Repository Hall," she said quietly.
Without wasting time, she turned and headed toward one of the most important buildings in the Lu Clan.
Resource Repository Hall
The hall stood tall against the mountainside, built from dark stone, its surface engraved with formation patterns that faintly glowed.
Disciples came and went constantly
some excited,
some frustrated,
some burdened.
Inside, the air was filled with the faint scent of herbs and pills.
Behind the counter stood a middle-aged steward, his expression calm and practiced.
He glanced at Lu Yanshi as she approached.
"Injured?" he asked directly.
Lu Yanshi didn't bother hiding it.
"Yes."
She placed her identity token on the counter.
"I want healing pills… and Qi recovery pills."
The steward picked up her token, scanning it briefly.
"Temporary withdrawal… 500 contribution points."
He nodded.
"Enough for decent supplies."
He turned and gestured toward the shelves behind him.
"For external and internal injuries, I recommend Vital Restoration Pills."
"They stabilize blood flow, mend flesh injuries, and accelerate recovery of damaged meridians."
Lu Yanshi listened carefully.
"How effective?"
The steward replied calmly,
"For Qi Refining cultivators—very effective."
"For Foundation Establishment… limited."
She nodded.
That was expected.
"And for Qi?"
The steward's hand moved to another section.
"Spirit Replenishing Pills."
"They restore spiritual Qi quickly and are gentle on the meridians."
He paused, then added:
"Better than the common Qi Gathering Pills, with less impurity buildup."
Lu Yanshi thought for a moment.
Her condition
Internal strain from overexertion.
Minor injuries.
Spiritual Qi depletion.
And
her tiger.
"My beast needs recovery too," she said.
The steward raised a brow slightly.
"Type?"
"Tiger. Mid-stage Qi Refining."
The steward nodded.
"Then you'll need Beast Vitality Pills."
"They are refined specifically for spirit beasts to restore stamina, heal injuries, and stabilize their internal energy."
He glanced at her again.
"Your beast fought hard?"
Lu Yanshi's eyes flickered slightly.
"…Yes."
The steward didn't ask more.
Instead, he began calculating.
"Three Vital Restoration Pills…"
"Three Spirit Replenishing Pills…"
"Two Beast Vitality Pills…"
He looked up.
"That will cost… 320 contribution points."
Lu Yanshi frowned slightly.
"Too much."
She thought for a moment.
"…Reduce one Spirit Replenishing Pill."
"I can recover naturally after stabilizing."
The steward nodded without argument.
"Revised total: 280 contribution points."
Lu Yanshi nodded.
"I'll take it."
The exchange was quick.
She handed over her token—
and received a small jade box containing the pills.
Each pill was smooth, faintly glowing, carrying a rich medicinal fragrance.
"Use them properly," the steward said calmly.
"Don't waste their effects."
Lu Yanshi gave a slight nod.
Then she turned and left.
Back at Her Cave Dwelling
The cave was quiet.
Familiar.
Safe.
The moment she entered
Her tiger let out a low, tired rumble.
Its body still bore faint wounds.
Lu Yanshi crouched beside it, her expression softening slightly.
"You did well," she said quietly.
The tiger huffed lightly
as if responding.
She took out one Beast Vitality Pill and fed it to the tiger.
The effect was immediate.
A faint glow spread across its body—
its breathing gradually stabilizing.
Only then did Lu Yanshi sit down.
She took one Vital Restoration Pill—
and swallowed it.
A warm current spread through her body.
The pain in her meridians eased.
The strain slowly melted away.
She closed her eyes
and began circulating her Qi.
Time passed quietly.
After stabilizing her condition—
She opened her eyes again.
This time
Her expression was no longer tired.
But serious.
She began to summarize the battle.