Chapter 7 Contribution Points

The outer sect contribution board stood in the middle of a wide stone platform near the administrative buildings. Dozens of wooden slips hung from the board, each describing a task and the contribution points it offered. Disciples crowded around it, some arguing over the better assignments, others looking resigned as they took the leftover chores.

Lin Feng stopped in front of the board with his hands tucked into his sleeves. His hair had finally started to settle a little, though it still had a slight upward defiance at the ends. Lu Cang stood half a step behind him, scanning the area for some reason.

"Look at this," Lin Feng said, reading one of the slips. "Sweep the west courtyard. Three contribution points. Truly the path to immortality."

Lu Cang whispered urgently, "Just take something simple and quiet. Please. And no talking ir smiling at people. Or causing any trouble "

Lin Feng ignored him and continued scanning. Most of the decent tasks were already gone. What remained were low value chores and a few delivery jobs.

A group of outer disciples nearby were talking loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"I heard the assessment got moved up because of all the recent noise in the outer sect."

"Yeah. Certain people don’t know how to keep their heads down."

"If they fail the assessment, maybe the sect will finally clean out the trash."

One of them glanced in Lin Feng’s direction while saying it.

[Minor collective irritation detected]

[Rage Value +27

Lin Feng turned his head and gave the group a friendly nod, as if they had just praised him. One of them visibly scowled and looked away.

After a moment, Lin Feng reached out and took a wooden slip from the board.

[Task Accepted: Deliver three boxes of spirit herbs to the Outer Sect Medical Pavilion]

[Reward: 8 Contribution Points]

"Look Little Lu. Delivery, That seems simple enough for you?" He said

Lu Cang looked at the slip like it might explode. "The Medical Pavilion is near the better dormitories. There will be a lot of people..."

"Then that’s what we going to do."

They collected the three small wooden boxes from the task office and started walking. The boxes were light, filled with common herbs used for basic recovery medicines. Lin Feng carried two of them under one arm. Lu Cang clutched the third one to his chest like a shield.

Halfway along the path, they ran into Zhou Ming.

The class monitor was walking in the opposite direction with two other badge wearing disciples. He slowed when he saw Lin Feng, eyes immediately narrowing.

"Lin Feng," Zhou Ming said. "I see you’re actually doing a task. Surprising."

Lin Feng stopped and adjusted the boxes in his arms.

"Monitor Zhou. Good morning. Your words from yesterday really moved me. So i’m turning over a new leaf. From now on i will be very responsible and contribution oriented."

Zhou Ming’s gaze flicked over him with clear doubt.

"See that you finish it properly. And don’t create any incidents on the way."

"I’ll do my best not to disappoint your expectations," Lin Feng replied with a calm smile.

The two disciples behind Zhou Ming exchanged glances. One of them, a thin young man with a sharp face, looked at Lin Feng with open disdain.

"Some people only start acting obedient after they’re put under observation," the disciple said. "But it doesn’t change what they are underneath "

Lin Feng turned his smile toward him.

"And some people talk a lot when they’re standing behind someone stronger. It’s a very consistent pattern isn’t it?"

The disciple’s expression stiffened.

[New target’s pride has been pricked]

[Rage Value +55]

Zhou Ming raised a hand slightly, stopping his companion from speaking further.

"Enough. We have matters to handle." He looked at Lin Feng one last time. "Five days, Lin Feng. So once again I’m saying, don’t make any trouble "

They walked past. The disciple made sure to bump Lin Feng’s shoulder on the way by. The herb boxes shifted, but Lin Feng kept them steady.

Lu Cang waited until they were out of earshot before hissing, "Why did you have to say that? He looked like he wanted to fight you right there!"

"He did. That’s why it was worth saying."Lin Feng said

They reached the Medical Pavilion without further trouble. It was a long, clean building with the smell of dried herbs drifting out from the open windows. A few disciples in pale robes moved in and out, carrying trays and records.

Lin Feng handed over the boxes to a bored looking attendant, who stamped his task slip and tossed eight contribution points onto his outer sect token with a flash of light.

[Task Completed]

[Contribution Points +8]

[Remember Rage Points remain available for use]

As they turned to leave, d disciple from earlier was standing near the entrance with two others. He had clearly circled around. His expression was already clouded.

"You talk too much for someone who was a trash." he said. "Don’t think a few contribution points and a lucky breakthrough make you special."

Lin Feng stopped and looked at him with mild interest.

"Are you following me? I’m flattered, but I don’t swing that way."

The disciple’s face flushed.

"You—!"

One of his companions grabbed his arm and muttered something about the Enforcement Hall and observation status. The disciple clenched his teeth, glared at Lin Feng for a long moment, then turned and left with stiff shoulders.

[Rage Value +70]

Lu Cang looked like he was about to cry from pure stress.

Lin Feng watched the group leave, then glanced down at his outer sect token where the small number "8" now glowed. The assessment in five days was going to be very interesting.

Lin Feng started walking back toward the dorms, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Come on, Little Lu. We’ve got four days left to become model disciples."

Lu Cang stared at his back in pure despair.

"We’re not going to become model disciples, are we?"