Chapter 12 : Chapter 12
Chapter 12: Second Place Has the Nerve to Ask for a Reward Too?
Underground base.
Lu Zhan saw quite a few Demon Beast carcasses, some with strong auras, others with weak ones.
However, all of those carcasses were sealed off behind glass enclosures.
Aside from that, there was also a tower used to imprison aberrant beasts. The tower looked extremely ancient.
Its architectural style clashed sharply with every other building in the base.
“So this is the Demon-Suppressing Tower?”
Wang Botao named the tower at a glance.
But the Demon-Suppressing Tower looked badly worn with age. Cracks were clearly visible on its walls, as though it might collapse at any moment.
If it were out in the open, it would definitely have been condemned and demolished as an unsafe structure.
Yet here in the underground base, a stretch of open ground had been deliberately cleared around it. That alone showed how much importance the higher-ups attached to this Demon-Suppressing Tower.
“The Demon-Suppressing Tower?!”
Lu Zhan had heard that name countless times in his previous life. He had never expected to see it appear before him in this world in such a way.
Seeing that Lu Zhan was interested, Wang Botao explained, “That is right. I heard the Demon-Suppressing Tower is a place specifically used to imprison Demon Beasts.”
“To imprison Demon Beasts? Aren’t Demon Beasts a scourge? Why not kill them all? Why build an entire Demon-Suppressing Tower just to watch over them?”
Lu Zhan could not understand what these people were thinking.
Were Demon Beasts not all supposed to die? Since when had there ever been a good Demon Beast? Were they keeping them around for the New Year?
But Wang Botao did not really understand the inner workings either. After all, he had only just joined the Demon Extermination Bureau himself.
“Maybe some big shot wants to tame Demon Beasts,” Shangguan Ling guessed at random.
The staff member walking ahead heard the three of them talking, so he smiled and said,
“You are Lu Zhan, right?”
Lu Zhan nodded.
“My name is Li Buran. Just call me Captain Li.”
“In truth, the aberrant beasts held here serve many purposes. For one thing, they can be used to train newcomers. Otherwise, where do you think the Demon Beasts in your assessment came from?”
When Lu Zhan thought about it, that made sense.
There had been so many Demon Beasts in the assessment. It would have been impossible to gather that many on short notice.
Li Buran continued explaining, “Besides that, they can also be used for experiments. For example, when new pills or talismans are refined and their effects are unclear, Demon Beasts are just right for testing them.”
“And of course, most importantly, Demon Beasts are valuable from head to toe. Many things are only effective when they are fresh, so the Demon-Suppressing Tower is needed for slaughtering them on the spot and harvesting the materials immediately.”
“Some Demon Beasts have extremely strong regenerative abilities. Even after part of their bodies is taken, they can regrow it. If they are kept in captivity, they can provide an endless stream of resources.”
...
Li Buran looked very gentle.
But anyone familiar with him knew he was famously arrogant and aloof, the sort of person who could not be bothered with anyone.
Even when facing a Demon-Subduing Guard at the Aperture Opening Realm, he remained cold and indifferent.
And yet this same cold and arrogant man was now patiently explaining things to a bunch of rookies who had only just entered the Demon Extermination Bureau.
This was the first time such a thing had ever happened in the Bureau.
Li Buran was very enthusiastic. Every time they passed a Demon Beast, he patiently explained its name and characteristics.
As Lu Zhan listened to Li Buran’s explanations, they gradually arrived at the storage room of the underground base without his noticing.
“We’re here.”
Then Li Buran took out his identity token, used it to communicate with someone, and the door to the storage room opened automatically.
“Go on in. Commandant Li is waiting for you inside.”
Lu Zhan offered his thanks.
“Thank you, Captain Li.”
Li Buran shook his head. “No need. These are all common basics of cultivation. You could learn them in the Scripture Pavilion for just two Contribution Points.”
Contribution Points were the common currency of the Demon Extermination Bureau.
Ordinarily, however, they could only be obtained by completing missions.
The storage room had been divided into many different sections: pills, talismans, weapons, and so on.
The area where they were standing was the lounge area. Clearly, they were not qualified to enter the inner sections.
Very soon, Li Cunguang handed out supplies to everyone.
There was not much, but every single item was extremely valuable.
One Apprentice Demon Exterminator identity token, ten Qi Condensation Pills, and a pitch-black bronze bell that would issue a warning whenever a demonic creature came within a hundred meters.
There were also three Lightning-Summoning Talismans, which were said to release a bolt of lightning with considerable power.
“Lu Zhan, come here.”
After everyone had received their supplies, Li Cunguang smiled and beckoned to Lu Zhan.
“Greetings, Commandant Li.”
Lu Zhan stepped forward and greeted him.
Commandant Li nodded, seemingly very satisfied.
As long as Lu Zhan did not draw his saber, he looked perfectly normal.
“Come, come, come. This is your extra reward for taking first place in the assessment.”
Li Cunguang cheerfully handed over three bottles of pills and three green talismans.
The others looked at Lu Zhan with a bit of envy.
There was no need to think about it. Lu Zhan’s talent had clearly attracted the Commandant’s attention, so Commandant Li was giving him special treatment.
“These are Qi-Gathering Pills. They can speed up cultivation from the Qi Condensation Realm to the Aperture Opening Realm. But with your extraordinary talent, they will only be icing on the cake.”
“The other ones are Rejuvenation Talismans. After use, they can restore thirty percent of your injuries.”
...
“Take them. Both Commandant Zhao and I think very highly of you!”
For a genius like Lu Zhan, they naturally had to do everything they could to keep him.
And what were they supposed to use to keep him? Mere words and ideals? Would that not just be feeding him empty promises?
If they wanted to keep a genius, they had to give him special treatment and benefits other factions could not offer.
Besides, this was not misusing public funds. This was called cultivating talent. Once Lu Zhan rose to prominence, the Demon Extermination Bureau would probably be thanking him for it.
“Commandant Li, what about second and third place? Do they get any special rewards?”
Shangguan Ling stood to one side, watching with burning envy.
The first-place reward was so generous that surely he, as second place, would not fare too badly either, right?
Just as Shangguan Ling was indulging in that pleasant fantasy, Li Cunguang looked at him in puzzlement and said, “Second place? What reward does second place need?”
“Besides, do you not already have your assessment points? Ten points can be exchanged for one Contribution Point. You already have nine Contribution Points, and you still want a reward?”
“Young man, you should learn to be content.”
Shangguan Ling stood there in a daze, looking utterly wronged.
No, Commandant Li, that was not the attitude you had just now. Was the difference in treatment between first place and second place really this huge?
The others did not show any dissatisfaction at all.
What a joke. Had they not just seen Shangguan Ling, who was at the Eighth Heaven of the Qi Condensation Realm, get defeated by him in an instant?
Who would dare provoke him?
Besides, they were genuinely convinced by Lu Zhan.
After all the supplies had been distributed, Li Cunguang finally said to everyone in a solemn tone, “Alright, everything has now been handed out. Next, all of you may go to the Scripture Pavilion and choose one martial art or cultivation method.”
“Let me remind you first: when it comes to martial arts and cultivation methods, higher rank is not always better. What matters most is whether it suits you.”
“Li Buran, take them to the Scripture Pavilion.”
“Yes, sir!”
The group exited the storage room.
At the same time, a system screen lit up before Lu Zhan’s eyes.
【Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have completed the mission—Join a Faction】
【Issuing reward...】
【Congratulations, Host. Mission completed. Reward issued: talent—Strength of Nine Oxen and Two Tigers】
Fixed Talent: Strength of Nine Oxen and Two Tigers
Talent Grade: Rare
Growth Potential: ★★★☆☆
Duration: Permanent
Status: Fixed
【Effect: Physical strength increased by 50%】
【Detected that the two Innate Talents, Gluttony and Strength of Nine Oxen and Two Tigers, have a fusion compatibility as high as 80%. Would you like to spend 3000 Slaughter Points or 10 Blank Talent Fragments to fuse them?】
【Friendly Reminder: After fusion, the talent grade and growth potential can be increased. The higher the fusion compatibility, the lower the Slaughter Points cost.】
Lu Zhan had not expected talents to be capable of fusion.
“Do not fuse them for now.”
He did not rush to do it. His Slaughter Points looked plentiful, but they were the foundation of his rapid increase in realm.
He would wait until he had Blank Talent Fragments before discussing this again.