Back in Cloud Peak City, Lin Fan's mind was no longer preoccupied with the bustling markets or crowded streets. He was now a Trial Participant, shouldering the task of collecting Chaotic Force—a menace whose very existence was unknown to ordinary players.
The first quest, "Purify/Collect 10 units of Chaotic Force," pointed him back to the very place he had just escaped: the Silent Abyss. That place didn't just harbor Ghost Hounds; it was a latent den of Chaotic Force.
Before returning, Lin Fan decided to prepare more thoroughly. He used his remaining funds to purchase the best equipment available at his current level: a set of high-grade leather armor for increased physical defense and a small, sharp dagger, though he knew his physical combat skills weren't his strong suit. More importantly, he bought numerous MP and HP recovery elixirs, knowing that using the Devouring Jade consumed a significant amount of spiritual energy.
He also took the time to better understand Contribution Points. Within the "Trial Participant Project" interface, he found a special shop exclusively for Trial Participants. There, he could exchange Contribution Points for extremely rare items: advanced cultivation techniques, exclusive elixirs, and even resources that the normal market never had. This further solidified his resolve.
With full preparations, Lin Fan once again set off for the Silent Abyss. This time, he was no longer a bewildered novice. He was someone who understood the nature of this world better, and he carried a secret "weapon."
The journey to the abyss was unchanged, still filled with an eerie silence and an oppressive atmosphere. As he descended to the same depth where he had previously encountered the Ghost Hound, he felt a familiar chill. This time, he didn't shy away. He opened his interface, and a faint purple progress bar appeared below his HP/MP bars: [Chaotic Force in Area: 0.1%]
This was it—the Chaotic Force! Though very dilute, it was here.
He began his search. Before long, he spotted another patrolling Ghost Hound. Lin Fan hid himself, not rushing to attack. He wanted to better understand how the Devouring Jade worked. He pulled out the jade pendant.
The Ghost Hound lunged. Lin Fan didn't retreat. He raised the Devouring Jade. This time, instead of channeling all his spiritual energy, he only transmitted a small amount into the pendant.
The dark grey aura emanated from the Devouring Jade again, but it was weaker than last time. The Ghost Hound still froze, but didn't flee immediately. It shrieked, struggling to resist. At this moment, the Chaotic Force progress bar below Lin Fan's HP/MP began to increase: [Chaotic Force Collected: 0.5%]
After a few seconds, when the death qi on the Ghost Hound was completely drained, it disintegrated into dust, leaving behind a Death Qi Bone Shard and a few dropped items. The Chaotic Force progress bar displayed: [Chaotic Force Collected: 1.0%]
"Perfect!" Lin Fan internally cheered. The Devouring Jade not only had the ability to suppress, but it could also collectChaotic Force from infected creatures! This meant he could "farm" Chaotic Force from these monsters. And the MP consumption was far less than before.
He continued to hunt Ghost Hounds. Each time one was destroyed, the progress bar increased by 1%. After eliminating 9 of them, he had collected 9 units of Chaotic Force.
While hunting the 10th Ghost Hound, something unexpected happened. After it was destroyed and disintegrated, instead of just a Death Qi Bone Shard, another item dropped: a pitch-black stone, shimmering with faint purple light.
Chaotic Crystal (Basic): A crystal containing condensed Chaotic Force. Can be used for research or as a high-grade material.
Chaotic Force Collected: 10/10 units!
Congratulations! Trial Participant Quest - Stage 1 has been completed!
[System Notification]: New ability for the Devouring Jade unlocked: [Chaotic Purification] - Allows the Devouring Jade to directly absorb Chaotic Force from the surrounding environment (consumes large amount of MP).
Lin Fan took a deep breath. Chaotic Purification! This meant he no longer needed to hunt monsters infected with Chaotic Force. He could directly absorb it from the environment, just like he absorbed spiritual energy from a Spirit Vein! This would allow him to collect Chaotic Force much faster, but it would also consume a very large amount of MP.
He checked his Contribution Points: 500 points. He opened the Trial Participant shop. These 500 points could be exchanged for a "Lesser Spirit Pill"—a cultivation boosting elixir, or a low-grade "Stealth Cultivation Manual"—which helped reduce detectability.
Lin Fan didn't rush to exchange them. He would study them more thoroughly. He knew every decision here was crucial.
He decided to test the Chaotic Purification ability immediately. He went to an area where the Chaotic Force displayed in the air was quite high: 0.5%. He placed the Devouring Jade on the ground, focused his mind, and activated the new ability.
Immediately, the Devouring Jade emitted a faint dark purple glow. An invisible, chaotic energy flow began to be drawn into the pendant. Lin Fan's MP bar rapidly plummeted. In just a few minutes, his MP was completely depleted, and the Chaotic Force collected bar had increased by 2 units.
"Too expensive!" Lin Fan exclaimed. Absorbing Chaotic Force from the normal environment in the city consumed hundreds of times more MP than absorbing it from the Silent Abyss, where Chaotic Force was concentrated. And the efficiency was too low.
This meant that, to effectively complete Trial Participant quests, he would still have to return to areas with concentrated Chaotic Force, or find sources of Chaotic Force like infected monsters. The MP issue became his biggest bottleneck.
Lin Fan meditated, trying to find a way to solve his MP problem. Increasing his cultivation level was the best way to increase his total MP, but that was a long process. He needed a more immediate solution.
He opened the Trial Participant shop. 500 Contribution Points. What should he exchange them for?
Lesser Spirit Pill: Increases cultivation level, and simultaneously increases HP and MP.
Stealth Cultivation Manual: Reduces detectability.
Lin Fan pondered. Currently, he needed to increase his MP to use the Devouring Jade more effectively. The Lesser Spirit Pill was the best choice. As for the Stealth Cultivation Manual, he felt he was already quite cautious, and there were no signs of him being exposed.
He decided to exchange the 500 Contribution Points for one Lesser Spirit Pill.
As soon as the Lesser Spirit Pill appeared in his inventory, Lin Fan immediately took it out and swallowed it. A warm, pure spiritual energy surged through his body. He felt his Dantian expand, and the spiritual energy within it became denser.
Congratulations! Your cultivation has significantly increased!
HP: 130/130 MP: 140/140
His MP had increased by 20 points! A single Lesser Spirit Pill had yielded far greater results than several days of normal cultivation. This exhilarated Lin Fan. The Trial Participant shop was truly a treasure trove.
With his improved MP, Lin Fan believed he could carry out the Trial Participant quests more effectively. He decided to leave Cloud Peak City and return to the deeper forest, searching for new Chaotic Force hotspots or higher-level infected monsters.
He left the inn, walking through the bustling streets of Cloud Peak City. This city was far larger than the novice village. Shops were crowded, high-level players constantly passed by, adorned in shimmering armor and wielding powerful weapons. Lin Fan tried not to reveal his surprise, maintaining the calm demeanor of a seasoned traveler.
As he was passing by a small market specializing in scrolls and maps, an unexpected voice called out from behind him.
"Hey, young man. That familiar feeling... are you a 'Lost One' too?"
Lin Fan flinched. He turned around. Before him was a middle-aged man with a scraggly beard, dressed shabbily, leaning against a wall, sipping from a liquor flask. Though his eyes seemed bleary from drink, they held a strangely keen glint.
[Name]: Old Man Feng [Level]: ???
Lin Fan became highly vigilant. This person wasn't an ordinary player. He knew about "Lost Ones"? And seemed to be able to see through him?
"Who are you?" Lin Fan asked, his tone as cold as possible.
Old Man Feng chuckled. "No need to worry. I mean no harm. Just felt a familiar aura about you. The aura of those noticed by the 'System'." He took another sip of wine. "You just joined the Trial Participant Project, didn't you? Brand new."
Lin Fan remained silent. This man knew too much. Was he also a Trial Participant? Or an Overseer?
"Don't be so tense," Old Man Feng said, a smile still on his lips. "I'm also a 'Lost One' like you, and a Trial Participant too. It's just that I've been here much longer than you." He pointed to an old ring on his finger. "This ring, it's also a 'variable,' just like your 'jade pendant'."
Lin Fan caught a fleeting glimpse of a faint light from the ring. So, he wasn't the only Lost One, and the Devouring Jade wasn't the only "variable." There were others like him, also carrying strange items and drawing the "System's" attention.
"Where are you off to? Looking for Chaotic Force?" Old Man Feng asked, his tone seasoned. "If so, I have a piece of advice for you. Don't trust everything the 'System' tells you. Chaotic Force isn't always evil. And your 'Devouring Jade'... it holds even greater secrets than you think."
He stood up, swaying slightly, then waved his hand. "Well, I must be going. Take your time exploring. This path isn't easy. See you around, 'Little Nameless One'."
Old Man Feng vanished into the crowd incredibly quickly, as if he had never been there. Lin Fan stood stunned.
Old Man Feng's words echoed in his head: "Chaotic Force isn't always evil" and "The Devouring Jade holds even greater secrets than you think."
This completely contradicted what Overseer Alpha had said, that Chaotic Force was "destroying the Nine Realms." Who was telling the truth? Or did both have their own hidden agendas?
Lin Fan looked down at the Devouring Jade in his hand. This item was becoming increasingly mysterious. It was not just a tool to help him cultivate and earn money, but also a key to unlocking greater secrets about the Nine Realms and about himself.
This unexpected encounter had opened up a new facet of the Trial Participant Project. He wasn't alone. There were other Lost Ones, carrying other "variables," and they could be allies, or rivals.
Lin Fan felt a strong sense of curiosity. He decided he wouldn't rush back to the Silent Abyss. He needed to learn more about "Lost Ones," about the mysterious Old Man Feng.