Merit Points Split Evenly

As time passed, Long Haochen's thoughtful nature gradually came to the fore. As the squad leader, he naturally had more to consider than his companions.

"The second matter is more important to everyone. I'd like to discuss it properly. Although we haven't investigated yet, judging from the battle just now, the ones who earned the most Merit Points should be Cai'er, Sima Xian, Wang Yuanyuan, and me. But in terms of contribution to the squad, Han Yu, Lin Xin, and Yinger contributed no less. Yet the Merit Points we earned are unevenly distributed. I think a squad's strength doesn't just depend on individual growth. Improving our overall strength is what matters most. And Merit Points are tied to our future advancement. If only those of us charging at the front earn more Merit Points, while the companions responsible for support can never accumulate enough, that wouldn't be fair to them. Moreover, what if one of our companions gets injured in the future and needs time to recover, making them completely unable to earn Merit Points? Wouldn't they fall behind because of that? This is an issue we must face. The sooner we establish a solution, the better. Everyone, tell me what you think."

This was the most important thing Long Haochen wanted to discuss. There were only two main ways to obtain Merit Points: completing missions issued by the Demon Hunt Mission Tower and killing demons. Without a doubt, the latter was the simplest and most direct. Over the next three months, they would all need to earn Merit Points this way. If their different roles within the squad affected how many Merit Points they could obtain, then even if the companions handling support said nothing, they would not feel good about it.

This time, Cai'er, who rarely spoke, was the first to voice her opinion. "I agree with Haochen. His decision is my decision."

Cai'er's position as vice-captain was practically ceremonial, but no one dared disregard her opinion. Whether against the Emerald Twin Blade Demon or the Beta Flying Demon, she had killed them in a single strike. Long Haochen was the squad's central pillar, while she was its sharpest weapon.

Sima Xian chuckled. "Captain, I was just about to bring this up myself. Medicine Brother has been handling defense in the back the whole time. This guy can't even attack. If we don't figure something out, how the hell is he supposed to earn any Merit Points? I don't have any objections. Merit Points are certainly good, but killing demons is what I like best."

Wang Yuanyuan nodded as well. "The bald guy is right. We're a squad, a whole. Haochen, tell us how to handle it. Let's set down some rules and follow them from now on. I only have one request: try to make it fair for everyone."

Han Yu naturally would not express any opinion on this matter. He was Long Haochen's retainer, and he was also chiefly responsible for support. Lin Xin and Chen Yinger likewise found it difficult to say much. Everyone's gaze gathered on Long Haochen once more.

Long Haochen secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "I really have thought about this before. Sister Yuanyuan is right—we are one whole. My suggestion is simple: pool all Merit Points together and split them evenly among everyone. If someone makes an especially great contribution to the squad, then the other companions can collectively award them additional Merit Points. Injured members will also be included in the split."

Split evenly? At those words, everyone's expressions changed. Wang Yuanyuan was somewhat surprised, while Sima Xian looked impressed. Lin Xin revealed a grateful expression. Chen Yinger impatiently shouted, "Long live the captain!" Although she had summoned an Iron Arm Demon Bear to join the battle earlier, it had been too clumsy and bulky. Before they withdrew, it had already been torn apart by the demons. It had not actually killed many Twin Blade Demons, so the Merit Points it earned for her were probably only a little over ten. That was only because the first ten Twin Blade Demons had each been worth one Merit Point.

"Master, I can't be included." Han Yu spoke at that moment.

Long Haochen stared blankly. "Why not?"

Han Yu's expression remained calm. "I am your retainer. And when calculating squad Merit Points, I cannot be counted as part of the squad. It would affect the squad's advancement. As your retainer, serving you is what I should do. Besides, under the effects of the Retainer Contract, I have already gained enormous benefits. How could I take everyone else's Merit Points as well?"

As Han Yu came to understand Long Haochen better and better, he had placed himself firmly in the proper role. It was no wonder he felt this way. With the help of the Retainer Contract, his Innate Internal Spiritual Power had risen to eighty. From a little over sixty to eighty might appear to be an increase of only twenty-odd percent, but in reality, he could clearly feel that his cultivation speed had doubled. His perception and understanding of the Light Element had improved by an unknown amount. Having already received so many benefits, he naturally would not ask for more.

"No. You're one of us. Retainer or not, you fight alongside everyone, and everyone has seen the contributions you've made. If we split them, then everyone splits them together. Otherwise, I won't accept it either."

It was Lin Xin who said this. He immediately voiced his support for Han Yu. For the entire squad, Lin Xin's greatest current role was still in refining pills. Han Yu's role, however, was even greater. For the sake of the squad, he had chosen to learn healing skills to make up for their lack of a true priest. At the same time, he remained calmly in the rear, guarding and supporting them. There was also his magical beast companion, Evil Eye. With Han Yu's strength, if he joined another newly formed Demon Hunt Squad, he would surely occupy the position of core knight. Yet here he was, conscientiously performing support duties in the Soldier Grade One Demon Hunt Squad. Everything he did had been seen by everyone.

"That's right, if we split them, then we all split them together. Big Brother Han Yu, we're family." Chen Yinger waved her little fist. She had benefited the most from Han Yu's presence. After completing the summoning of the Gate of Living Beings, Han Yu had stayed by her side without taking a single step away, afraid that she might suffer any harm. The little girl had seen it all.

Sima Xian burst into laughter. "Well said. If we split them, we all split them together. At the very least, my Merit Points must be shared with you. With you around, how much complaining have I been spared? Let's do as the captain says. We split the Merit Points evenly. Come on, take mine first." As he spoke, he directly rolled up his sleeve.

Wang Yuanyuan shrugged. "I have no objections. Merit Points and all that are just passing clouds. Haochen, you decide."

Long Haochen smiled at Han Yu. "You heard them. I don't need to say any more, do I? We'll do it this way. This is an order. Objections are invalid."

Han Yu had originally wanted to say something more, but upon hearing Long Haochen's final words, he ultimately swallowed his refusal. He pressed his lips together and said nothing in thanks, but something extra appeared deep in his eyes. For a man, proving himself through actions was far better than empty talk.

Long Haochen took out the Merit Test Gem. The gem was bright yellow and hexagonal.

He rolled up his sleeve, exposing his Merit Token. A trace of spiritual energy entered it, and the round Merit Token immediately lit up. Long Haochen pressed the gem against it, swiftly revealing his Merit Points.

"Forty-seven." This was the total number of Merit Points he had earned in the battle just now. He had long since spent the Merit Points awarded during the competition. Almost all the demons Long Haochen killed had been Twin Blade Demons. These Merit Points also included Haoyue's achievements. Nearly three hundred and eighty Twin Blade Demons had been killed in the roughly two-hour battle.

Cai'er proactively extended her arm before Long Haochen. "Transfer mine over." Through the Merit Test Gem, as long as the tested person agreed, Merit Points could be transferred directly.

Spiritual energy flowed into it, and light rippled across the Merit Token on Cai'er's arm, white as lotus root. Long Haochen pressed the Merit Test Gem against it, then placed his own arm against the other side.

"Twenty-five." This was Cai'er's Merit Point total, and in the next instant, it was transferred into Long Haochen's Merit Token.

It had to be known that Cai'er had killed only two demons in total: the Emerald Twin Blade Demon and the Beta Flying Demon. The Emerald Twin Blade Demon had been worth ten Merit Points, while the flying Beta Flying Demon had been worth as many as fifteen. Clearly, higher-ranking demons yielded more Merit Points.

Next, everyone transferred their Merit Points to Long Haochen.

Wang Yuanyuan had thirty-six Merit Points, while Sima Xian had thirty-one. It had to be known that neither of them had magical beasts assisting them. Those numbers had been earned through kills they had personally fought for.

Chen Yinger had eleven points. Han Yu had also picked off three or four demons. Lin Xin, naturally, had gained nothing at all.

Long Haochen had the most Merit Points, and nearly all of them had been Haoyue's achievement. Its three heads had cast magic together, granting it formidable long-range killing power.

In the end, their Merit Points totaled one hundred and forty-three. Divided equally, each person received twenty Merit Points, while the extra three were temporarily held by Long Haochen to be distributed next time.

"Cultivation, cultivation! I need to break through to the Fifth Rank soon. Then I can learn so many skills." Sima Xian shouted as he headed straight to his bed. He sat down cross-legged and immediately began cultivating.

The others also returned to their own beds. Wang Yuanyuan and Chen Yinger tidied up their temporary little room. Though it was somewhat crude, it could at least block the others' line of sight.

Long Haochen took Cai'er's hand and returned to their "home."

"Let's cultivate too," Cai'er said softly. After speaking, she sat cross-legged on the inner bed and began cultivating.

Long Haochen was slightly taken aback, and he could not help feeling somewhat disappointed. He really liked the feeling of holding Cai'er in his arms.

"Fool, cultivation is what matters most. We... we can later..." Cai'er's voice, soft as a mosquito's buzz, reached his ears. Her final few words were so quiet that even with Long Haochen's excellent hearing, he could not make them out clearly.

Long Haochen sat beside her and gently stroked her hair. Taking in the sweet fragrance Cai'er gave off, he sat cross-legged and began cultivating.