Back in her cave, Deng Qing changed out of her clothes, which were still stained with the alluring fragrance. She took out paper and pen, and was about to send her thoughts to her bracelet to find a new mission when suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Deng Qing opened the stone door, only to see Xia Daoyu standing outside, carrying two gift boxes in his hands.
"Brother Deng, I hope I haven't bothered you?"
Xia Daoyu had a big smile on his face.
Deng Qing cupped his hands and said, "So it's Brother Xia. Please come in."
Xia Daoyu entered the cave, placed the gift box on the table, and said with a smile, "I brought some Tea Leaves and snacks. Brother Deng works hard in his training, so it's a good time to change things up when you have some free time."
Deng Qing smiled and said, "You're here, no need to spend money."
"These are just a few small items, not worth mentioning."
Xia Daoyu waved his hand and then asked Deng Qing how he was doing here and whether his daily tasks were going smoothly, speaking very warmly.
Deng Qing answered his questions one by one, then brought him tea and invited him to sit down.
Xia Daoyu took the teacup and smiled, "I haven't even congratulated Brother Deng yet. You've only been in the academy a short time, and you've already climbed onto the Increase Ranking. That's no easy feat. Truly, the strong always get stronger."
Deng Qing said, "It was just a coincidence that I got a few suitable jobs."
"There aren't that many coincidences."
Xia Daoyu shook his head, "We all work in the same courtyard, so why don't others run into him? Ultimately, it's because Brother Deng is capable."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the books spread out on the table, then looked at the densely written drafts, and praised, "Brother Deng can even delve into the study of Numerical Arts, which is a popular field these days. I'd like to study it myself, but I just can't get into it. Brother Deng's talent is truly admirable."
Deng Qing laughed and said, "I've only gotten into a few pages, and I'm already having a headache."
The two chatted, and the atmosphere was quite pleasant.
So, there was a reason why Xia Daoyu came to visit today.
He first saw Deng Qing on the Increase Ranking, and then heard outsiders talking about what Xiao Jinglin had said. He realized that he had been short-sighted and shouldn't have treated Deng Qing that way.
He originally thought that once Jian Ruyu left, Deng Qing would have less support in the courtyard, and since Deng Qing had arrived too late, he would be sent to a remote place in a few months.
By then, even if Jian Ruyu returns, Deng Qing will most likely have already perished.
Therefore, befriending Deng Qing is no longer of any significance.
Unexpectedly, Deng Qing quickly secured a spot on the Increase Ranking, revealing his deep friendship with the Xiao Family in Maoling.
Xia Daoyu realized that even without Jian Ruyu, Deng Qing's future development would still be just as good.
Given this, he felt that he should naturally maintain his friendship with Deng Qing.
Having figured this out, Xia Daoyu immediately prepared a gift and rushed over.
Deng Qing was perfectly aware of Xia Daoyu's intentions.
Personally, he didn't like Xia Daoyu.
But rationally speaking, he felt that dealing with someone like Xia Daoyu was a necessary skill.
On the path of spiritual practice to come, there will surely be many like this, but few true gentlemen.
Therefore, when Xia Daoyu came, he still treated him with great hospitality.
The two exchanged gifts, and naturally, both host and guest enjoyed themselves.
After chatting for a while, Xia Daoyu put down his teacup and said, "By the way, there's something else I wanted to inform Brother Deng about today."
Deng Qing said, "Please speak."
Xia Daoyu said, "The fog barrier on the Spirit Abyss Sea is about to open. At that time, the Martial Dao Institute will definitely issue a mission. Brother Deng can make some preparations in the next few days. If there are no unexpected events, we should receive news in about three days at the latest."
" Spirit Abyss Sea?"
Deng Qing asked, "What place is that?"
Xia Daoyu said, "When the mission is announced, there will be detailed information. Brother Deng, take a good look at it then, and you'll know."
Deng Qing nodded. "Thank you for telling me. I will keep that in mind."
Xia Daoyu smiled and said, "Brother Deng, you're too kind. There's no need for such formalities between us. You have important matters to attend to, so I won't bother you any longer."
As he spoke, he walked out the door, but Deng Qing did not come to see him off.
Xia Daoyu didn't mind and strode away. After walking a hundred feet, Deng Qing chased after him.
Xia Daoyu was greatly surprised, but then he saw Deng Qing holding three envelopes and handing them over.
Xia Daoyu took the envelopes and saw that they contained his own name, the name of the person in charge Zheng Bei, and the name of Chef Fei.
With just a glance, Xia Daoyu knew that the three envelopes contained merit Merit Voucher.
Xia Daoyu was taken aback. "Brother Deng, what's going on...?"
Deng Qing cupped his hands and said, "Back in the Desolate Soil Liangshan, I was greatly grateful for the kindness of the three of you. Now that I'm at the Martial Dao Institute, although I've earned some Merit Voucher, I've been tied up with all sorts of duties and haven't been able to visit my old friends. I really feel bad about it."
This is a small token of my appreciation; please convey my regards to Steward Zheng and Chef Fei through you, Deacon Xia.
Xia Daoyu quickly pulled out the envelope with his name on it and handed it to Deng Qing, saying, "Brother Deng, I accept this on behalf of Steward Zheng and Chef Fei."
I don't need this one. Brother Deng is at the point where he should be Merit Voucher; there's no need to spend so much.
Deng Qing pushed the envelope back, saying, "Since I'm thanking everyone for their past kindness, I should treat everyone equally. I especially remember Deacon Xia's kindness back then."
"This..."
Xia Daoyu looked troubled.
Deng Qing laughed and said, "If Brother Xia refuses again, it means he doesn't consider me a friend."
"Alright, then I'll shamelessly accept it."
Xia Daoyu straightened the three envelopes, put them into his pocket, and patted his chest. "Brother Deng, rest assured, I will personally deliver the other two to them, and I will definitely convey their messages."
After exchanging a few more polite words, Xia Daoyu took his leave, his steps noticeably lighter than before.
Deng Qing watched Xia Daoyu leave, then turned back into the house, sat down at the table, and pondered the current situation.
The mission from the Spirit Abyss Sea will be announced in the next two or three days, so he's not in a hurry to find another job.
After all, according to the information he had, the tasks issued by the Martial Dao Institute generally gave far more Merit Points than the Merit Points the research group did as a laborer.
So he decided to put his work at Cloud and Water Residence on hold for the time being.
After all, watching too many movies isn't good either.
Even if he can control his Qi-Blood, it is difficult for him to subdue his restless mind every day.
Lately, Deng Qing has been having all sorts of wonderful dreams, and she feels that if she doesn't rest soon, she will definitely suffer from a deficiency of vital energy.
At that moment, Deng Qing focused his mind and continued studying and practicing his boxing.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
For the past three days, apart from going to the cafeteria for a free meal, Deng Qing has hardly left the house, continuing to live in a cycle.
He finally managed to grind his Tiger-Subduing Fist technique to 95%.
However, progress in Numerical Arts is not so intuitive; on the contrary, the more one learns, the more confused one becomes.
That day, after practicing his boxing, Deng Qing wiped away his sweat, sat back down at his desk, found a draft, and compared it with the annotations in the book, preparing to continue his deductions.
The pen had barely touched the paper when Clear Radiance appeared before his eyes, and the control panel materialized on its own. Below the various sections, a new line suddenly appeared: [ Elementary Mathematics, 1% ( Initiation )]
Deng Qing was stunned. He stared at it for a long time before he was sure he wasn't seeing things.
But he was still deeply shocked. Since he obtained the panel, he had only entered the techniques he practiced. He never entered anything unrelated to martial arts.
Why was the Elementary Mathematics entered today?
Deng Qing thought about it again and realized that Numerical Arts and martial arts might not be completely unrelated.
The Collapse Step he cultivated himself was inextricably linked to Numerical Arts.
Although Deng Qing couldn't understand it, she was overjoyed.
Based on his understanding of the panel, once the data is entered, comprehension and innate talent can be disregarded, which means that his path in Numerical Arts will become smoother.
Deng Qing put away the control panel and continued reading.
After reading just a few sentences, Deng Qing's eyes lit up.
As the words entered his mind, it seemed as if a lot of new information was added to it.
Several deductions in the book that were not very clear at first now connect naturally.
Deng Qing couldn't help but laugh out loud. He turned the page and continued reading.
Although there are still difficulties, they are not as difficult as before. Some obscure truths gradually become clear and profound as you read on.
It felt as if someone had dissected the key points and directly inserted them into his mind.
Deng Qing became more and more interested as she read, and her pen moved faster and faster.
The time that had seemed so long before now slipped away without me even noticing.
Deng Qing was startled when the bracelet on her wrist vibrated slightly. Remembering Xia Daoyu's words, she immediately focused her mind on it.
Sure enough, the Martial Dao Institute issued a new mission, with the words " Spirit Abyss Sea " standing out prominently.
Deng Qing focused his mind on the three characters " Spirit Abyss Sea " and tapped them lightly. Immediately, rows of catalogs appeared before his eyes.
Most of them are gray, with very few emitting a green glow.
Deng Qing knew perfectly well that the grayed-out directory was because he didn't have enough permissions to access its contents.
Green is what he likes.
Deng Qing looked through the green catalog one by one, but instead of choosing a task, he first found a document called " Overview of the Spirit Abyss Sea " and clicked on it.
Upon unfolding the materials, the first thing that catches the eye is a simple nautical chart.
Deng Qing looked at it for a while, then went to look at the text next to the nautical chart.
According to the text description, this Spirit Abyss Sea is shrouded in miasma year-round.
The miasma was formed from the condensation of the Earthly Baleful Intent the seabed. When it was thick, it was like a wall covering the sea surface. Ordinary people, let alone going deep into the sea, were in danger of being invaded by the Sha Qi even if they stayed on the shore for a while.
Only for a few months of the year does the fog and miasma that shroud the sea recede.
Only at this time is the Spirit Abyss Sea truly open.
However, even if the fog and miasma recede, it does not mean that there is no more miasma in the sea.
In the low-lying areas, sheltered caves, and some deep bays on the island, miasma still accumulates.
Some seemingly clear seas conceal deadly pits; once they surge, they can instantly seal off the surrounding waters again.
The document refers to this condition as "miasma return".
In addition to these, there is also an introduction to some sea Qi Beast.
As Deng Qing was carefully observing, a commotion arose outside the wide-open stone gate. Soon after, Xiao Jinglin appeared in front of the gate.
Deng Qing greeted him with a smile, "Brother Xiao, what brings you here today? Is it also about the mission in the Spirit Abyss Sea?"
Xiao Jinglin nodded and said, "With the opening of the Spirit Abyss Sea, all sorts of missions have come, and we students will inevitably have to compete for them. However, I have some news to share with you in advance. The Baleful Veins in my Lineage's mausoleum is going to be sealed."
Deng Qing was taken aback.
"At the latest, two months."
Xiao Jinglin said, "According to rumors, the Imperial Court is currently extracting the power of the earth's veins on a large scale for some unknown reason, and the extraction is too drastic."
If this continues, our small-scale Baleful Veins Baleful Veins will eventually dry up. The clan has decided to seal it off before it is damaged, and then reopen it after this calamity has passed.
Therefore, Brother Deng, you should hurry up and prepare the True Condensation Pill as soon as possible. After the next results are announced, we will return to the Clan Mausoleum together to refine the Earthly Baleful Intent and break through to the Furnace Realm.
Deng Qing said, "Thank you, Brother Xiao. I understand the importance of this."
Xiao Jinglin patted him on the shoulder, stood up and said, "I also have a ton of things to do, it's hard to even have a meal with Brother Deng. Brother Deng, give it your all, let's try to break through the Great Furnace together."
Thank you for your kind words, Brother Xiao.
"Ha ha..."
After seeing Xiao Jinglin off, Deng Qing returned to his cave dwelling, put away the Numerical Arts manual on the table, found paper and pen, and focused his mind on the bracelet to begin reviewing the tasks of the Spirit Abyss Sea one by one.
The more Deng Qing looked, the more his brows furrowed. Among those green missions, those with slightly higher Merit Points all clearly stated the prerequisite for accepting the mission: the Furnace Realm was required.
As a result, after some reflection, he concluded that the tasks he could take on were basically all related to near-shore exploration.
The lower the Merit Points, the lower the risk.
After looking at it over and over for a long time, he settled on one task: to collect the Variant Clam.
He carefully reviewed the materials.
This Variant Clam is widely distributed in the nearshore waters of the Spirit Abyss Sea. It lies on the seabed year-round, possesses great strength, and is extremely bloodthirsty. If ordinary fish and shrimp get too close, they will be dragged into its shell.
The task requirements are simple: collect Variant Clam; one Merit Points is awarded for every ten Variant Clam collected.
Although the pay is low, it seems to be the only relatively easy path he can take right now.
However, he was confident that he had accumulated too many buffs, so even in a mediocre task, he could still achieve top-tier results.