Redeeming Points

The method of earning points was very simple. Items brought back from Time Fragments could be exchanged directly according to a set standard.

Knowledge, cultivation techniques, and the like earned points based on their uniqueness and how often they had already been submitted.

Finally, people could also earn points by providing information about their dungeon experiences. The amount depended on the information and its level of detail.

They could also apply to join the Special Affairs Department. Their benefits would follow the national civil-service system, and they would receive additional perks as well.

For example, they could buy cultivation techniques and materials collected by the state at an internal discount, and receive priority access to dungeons under state control, among other things.

This was supposed to be a simple registration. There was no need for a deputy director to get involved, but Ling Qing had been brought in by Tian Yong and Zhang Zhe, after all.

One was his old subordinate, the other his younger brother, so Director Zhang simply took out a form and handed it to Ling Qing. "Fill this out first.

"Don't worry. It's just a simple record and won't affect you in any way."

"I understand." Ling Qing took the form and looked it over. It was more or less like the résumé people filled out when applying for a job.

The only difference was that work experience and personal skills had been replaced with dungeon experience and abilities.

After Ling Qing filled in his information, Director Zhang smiled and said, "The only things the state asks of you are honesty, patriotism, and obedience to the law.

"Other than that, if you plan to travel far in the future, it'd be best if you could file a notice with us.

"Although we can access the Ministry of Transport's records at any time, filing a notice would save us the paperwork, wouldn't it?

"If you don't have any other questions, Tian Yong, take Brother Ling Qing to have a look at the exchange room."

"Yes, Company Commander."

After receiving a dose of patriotic education from Director Zhang, the three of them walked out of the office.

"Phew, Big Brother still loves to nag," Zhang Zhe said with a long sigh.

"Were you wondering why he didn't try to persuade you to join the Special Affairs Department?" Tian Yong asked. He had relaxed a little after leaving the office, and noticed the surprise on Ling Qing's face.

"A little. In novels, when something like this happens, isn't the state always eager to recruit everyone into government departments?

"At the very least, they'd bring them under their jurisdiction."

Ling Qing nodded.

"You said it yourself—that's in novels. Those scenarios don't take reality into account."

Zhang Zhe spoke first. "In real life, even after gaining abilities, most people are still willing to obey the law.

"They might just be more likely to act impulsively when faced with injustice, leading to consequences they'll regret.

"But the First Operations Division's job is mainly to help everyone resolve these conflicts. It's also responsible for contacting and guiding uninformed lucky ones like you.

"As for people who break the law, most already have a criminal record before gaining abilities. Once they gain powers, if they can't resist the urge to commit crimes, someone will naturally deal with them."

"You have to believe in the power of the state. On the land of the Hua Nation, no evil force can shake this country in the slightest."

Tian Yong continued, "How much can an ordinary person achieve by entering a dungeon once in a while and gaining a few abilities?

"After the state takes control of some dungeons, it can easily find a group of top talent and train them systematically.

"With state resources directed their way, it can easily cultivate a powerful force.

"What other power on this land could do the same?

"Under the current state of affairs, there are countless talented people willing to serve their country. You can find geniuses everywhere, too.

"Opposing the state is simply impossible. If you ever got that idea, the people who'd been loyal to you might turn around and drag you in themselves."

"Besides, it's not like just anyone can join the Special Affairs Department. You need a clean record, to begin with, and even then, you might only be accepted after multiple rounds of review."

Zhang Zhe cut off the conversation and steered it toward another topic that interested everyone.

"Anyway, we ordinary folks shouldn't worry about the state. Let's go see the exchange room."

Ling Qing thought it over. That made sense.

Even when he'd first heard about the department and Tian Yong had suggested he come forward to register, he hadn't felt any resistance.

Aside from concealing the Druid inheritance on the form and inventing a nonexistent dungeon, he had written down everything truthfully.

Even ordinary government jobs were fiercely sought after, let alone the Special Affairs Department, which had even higher standing.

"That's true. I spent most of the points I'd saved up last time on that Dragon Chant, so I couldn't exchange for the two sword techniques I had my eye on," Tian Yong said, sounding eager.

After all, as the first newly discovered dungeon, it usually earned a good number of points.

If investigation confirmed that it was a fixed dungeon, they could receive a large reward later on, and, depending on the circumstances, a permanent pass to enter it.

"This dungeon was discovered by all of us together, so the points related to it will be split evenly among the six of us."

They soon reached the exchange room. Knowing Ling Qing wasn't familiar with the process, Tian Yong explained, "Newly discovered dungeons are usually handled this way.

"Uncle Li and the others will have their shares transferred directly to their accounts. You can register for an account, too."

He pointed to the QR code stuck to the glass.

"Scan this with your phone, then download the app."

With a strange feeling, Ling Qing took out his phone and followed the steps one by one. Then he browsed through the contents with interest.

The interface was simple. The home page resembled a forum, with discussions, experience-sharing posts, and notices from people looking to buy special materials.

The next section listed the items the Special Affairs Department had available for exchange, divided into four categories: cultivation techniques, weapons, materials, and other.

The last section contained Ling Qing's personal information and settings. His points record could also be viewed there.

For now, though, his points total was still zero. Points for providing information about a dungeon would only be credited to an account after verification.

"Ling Qing, take out the original manuscript you were given and exchange it for points," Zhang Zhe suggested after they'd submitted the detailed information about the dungeon.

On the last day, they had divided up the spoils they'd obtained in the dungeon.

First, they'd each kept the money Old Master Liu had given them.

The remaining items worth dividing up were the Eight Divine Incantations manuscript, a stone, and a copper ring.

The manuscript had been written by Daoist Wenxi himself. Scriptures and cultivation manuals brought back from dungeons like this often helped people better understand the principles and knowledge they contained if they read them aloud regularly.

The stone was left over after they'd purified the tombstone. It contained pure yin energy and was extremely hard.

The copper ring was the Corpse-Suppressing Ring. Not only could it control zombies, it could also protect their minds from being corrupted by turbid energy during corpse refinement.

Later, after Daoist Wenxi took it and refined it, it became a magical artifact capable of protecting the mind. He gave it to them before they left.