Treasure Vault Exchange

Dugu Feng looked at Lin Yi curiously. "Brother Qingshan, are you really a newcomer?"

"I'm Level 1. Could my level be fake?"

After answering, Lin Yi looked over the militia uniform Gu Chenghu had issued him and could not help nodding. Its quality was far better than the beginner clothes he was wearing, without that same rough feel to the touch.

Seeing that Lin Yi did not seem inclined to say more on the matter, Dugu Feng smiled. "Then Brother Qingshan must be extraordinary. Looks like we'll be members of the same Militia Team from now on. Let's help each other and grow together."

"Sure, no problem."

Though they had known each other only a short time, Lin Yi did not have a bad impression of Dugu Feng. Building a good relationship might truly come in handy someday.

After agreeing with Dugu Feng on a time to log in tomorrow, Lin Yi parted ways with him and headed alone to a secluded willow tree beside a pond in Ancient Pool Village.

Once he confirmed that no one was nearby, Lin Yi took a shovel from his Spatial Backpack and began digging into the earth beneath the willow tree.

He had borrowed the shovel from Gu Yongqiang's home before going out today. As for why he had come here, it was naturally because he had happened to roll a new Talent today—a Green Talent related to treasure hunting.

Treasure Sense (Green Talent): You possess a special ability to sense ownerless treasures within a radius of ten li. Once this sensing ability is activated, it cannot be used again for three days.

To be honest, ever since permanently fixing the White Talent Astonishingly Good Bones, Lin Yi had only rolled White-quality Talents in his Talent Space.

It was not until today that he had refreshed a Green Talent. Considering its ability, Lin Yi had removed Astonishingly Good Bones and solidified Treasure Sense instead.

Just now had been his first time using the Treasure Sense Talent. He had then felt something beneath this willow tree drawing him in, so he had followed the feeling here.

The soil beneath the willow tree was difficult to dig through. There were too many roots, and Lin Yi did not dare make too much noise lest he attract attention.

After digging a hole about half a meter deep, Lin Yi suddenly unearthed a wooden box.

The box was covered in intricate patterns, but it seemed to have been buried in damp soil for many years. Its outer layer had already rotted away.

Lin Yi did not rush to open it. He directly placed the wooden box into his Spatial Backpack, filled the hole back in, and quietly left.

Only after returning to his firewood shed did Lin Yi open the wooden box and take out what was inside.

It was a smooth red jade stone that felt cool all over.

Strange Stone · Growth Soul Artifact: A Soul Artifact refined from the heart of the special Ghost Spirit known as a Spirit-Luring Doll. It can sense nearby Ghost Spirits. When placed over the user's heart, it can permanently bind the Strange Stone.

Note: This is a permanent Growth Soul Artifact. After absorbing enough Ghost Spirit Ashes, its sensing range can be increased.

After reading the description of the red jade, Lin Yi frowned slightly.

A Soul Artifact?

And a Growth Soul Artifact at that?

This thing also seemed different from a Spiritual Artifact.

Still, judging from the System's description, this red jade was undoubtedly a fine treasure. It could actually sense Ghost Spirits.

When Gu Chenghu had introduced the dangers around Ancient Pool Village today, he had specifically emphasized the existence of Ghost Spirits.

Ghost Spirits were different from Monsters. They were strange Spiritual Objects that could shift between physical form and soul form.

Ghost Spirits were dangerous because they could hide within and parasitize all manner of objects, making them difficult to detect.

If this Soul Artifact called the Strange Stone could sense nearby Ghost Spirits, then encountering one within Ancient Pool Village would become far less dangerous.

However, Lin Yi did not rush to bind the Strange Stone. This world was too dangerous, and too many things remained unknown.

Before figuring out exactly what a Soul Artifact was, Lin Yi did not dare recklessly use himself as a test subject.

The two most valuable items on Lin Yi now were the Strange Stone he had just acquired and the White Monster Blood material Gu Man had previously distributed to him.

He needed to understand what a Soul Artifact was before he could use the former. As for the latter, after becoming a reserve member of the militia, Lin Yi already knew how to use it.

Ancient Pool Village had a Treasure Warehouse exclusively for the militia.

The Treasure Warehouse was managed by Elder Gu Yuan, one of Ancient Pool Village's Three Village Elders.

Within the Treasure Warehouse, certain extraordinary items could be exchanged for Contribution Points, which could then be used to obtain other extraordinary items one needed.

Lin Yi was now practically half a militia member, so he naturally had the right to visit the Treasure Warehouse and exchange for what he needed.

Before coming, Lin Yi had learned that although his Low-grade Demonic Blood · White was only White-quality material, it could only drop from a small number of high-level Monsters and had a wide range of uses. Its value was therefore quite high, and it could be exchanged for 30 Contribution Points.

Of course, Lin Yi had no idea what 30 points could buy.

Following the address Captain Gu Chenghu had given him, Lin Yi arrived at the Core Zone of Ancient Pool Village.

Ancient Pool Village's Temple, inheritance ground, and Treasure Vault were all located here. It was the most heavily guarded place in the village.

When Lin Yi had first arrived in Ancient Pool Village, he had met Elder Gu He nearby.

Two members of the Militia Team stood guard outside the Ancient Pool Village Treasure Vault. Judging by the murderous looks on their faces, their levels were likely not low.

After learning why Lin Yi had come, the two checked his identity and allowed him through.

"Second Team is actually recruiting Newborns now, and he's even a newcomer. The sun must have risen in the west..."

"Looks like the news that Brother Man forged a Spiritual Artifact got to the Second Team captain. Heh, Newborns are probably going to become the prized favorites of our village from now on..."

"True enough. Newborns are far too special. When they kill Monsters and Ghost Spirits, finished materials actually drop. If we kill them, even with militia specializing in processing Monster corpses, the materials we get lose much of their spirituality..."

The two grumbled right in front of Lin Yi without the slightest concern that he was standing there.

Lin Yi rubbed his nose, then walked into the Treasure Vault.

The Ancient Pool Village Treasure Vault had been built underground. After entering, Lin Yi followed a pitch-black passage forward for more than ten meters before arriving at a brightly lit Cellar.

The Cellar was large and filled with furniture: a bed, wardrobes, wooden tables...

It looked like someone's living quarters.

Just as Lin Yi was wondering about it, a gray-haired old man slowly rose from a dark corner and walked out.

"A Newborn? What have you come to exchange at the Treasure Vault?"

The old man was stooped, his face pale. He seemed to have been injured not long ago.

No wonder the Cellar smelled so strongly of medicinal herbs.

Lin Yi paused, then asked, "Are you Elder Gu Yuan?"

Gu Yuan looked at Lin Yi. "I am. Newborn, what is your name?"

Lin Yi directly explained his purpose. "My name is Green Mountains Never Age. I came to exchange Monster Blood for Contribution Points, then trade those points for some useful items."

Seeing Lin Yi take out the somewhat fishy-smelling Low-grade Demonic Blood · White, Gu Yuan nodded slightly and retrieved a Parchment Scroll.

"Judging by the smell, this should be Monster Blood dropped by a Ghost Fiend. Its spirituality is abundant, though the quality is a little poor. It can be exchanged for 33 Contribution Points. This Parchment Scroll contains the catalog of items available in the Treasure Vault. Look through it carefully. If there is anything you need, tell me. If not, the Contribution Points can be recorded under your name for you to use later."

Lin Yi took the Parchment Scroll and examined it closely.

It contained a great deal of information and many treasures, dazzling Lin Yi's eyes.

Demon Skin Full Body Armor: Protective gear made from the Wolf Hide of a Heart-Devouring Wolf. Its exterior is tough and difficult to damage with blades or swords. Includes a helmet, armor... This item is not a Spiritual Artifact. Value: 100 Contribution Points.

Spirit Fire Candle: A candle containing Divinity. Once lit, it can drive away darkness and suppress and repel Ghost Spirits. Its raw materials are special and scarce. Value: 150 Contribution Points.

Copper Coins: Currency used within the Tianshui City Region. Also accepted throughout Ancient Pool Village. One Contribution Point can be exchanged for 100 Copper Coins.

Adamantine Sword: A treasured sword smelted and forged from special mineral metals. Its blade is sharp enough to cut through the hides of most Monsters. This item is not a Spiritual Artifact. Value: 350 Contribution Points.

Red Heart Fruit: A Spiritual Fruit that grows in the Wilderness. It can only sprout and bear fruit after being nourished with Monster Blood over a long period. Consuming one can increase Strength slightly. (Newborns gain 1 point of Strength.) This fruit is difficult to acquire and can only be obtained outside Ancient Pool Village. Current stock: 3. Each costs 300 Contribution Points.

Ghost Spirit Ashes: Basic material dropped after a Ghost Spirit dies. One gram can be exchanged for 50 Contribution Points...

There were many exchangeable items listed on the Parchment Scroll, and quite a few would be greatly useful to Lin Yi.

Besides defensive gear and weapons like the Demon Skin Full Body Armor and the Adamantine Sword, what Lin Yi wanted most was the Red Heart Fruit that could increase Strength. Unfortunately, it required 300 Contribution Points, far beyond what he had now.

There were not many treasures he could exchange for with 33 Contribution Points. Lin Yi continued reading and finally found some decent items, all of them Protective Talismans.

Defense Talisman: A Divine Talisman personally refined by the Village Chief. Crushing the talisman paper activates a protective barrier that lasts two seconds. This talisman can withstand attacks from Monsters below Eighth Rank, but it is ineffective against some Monsters and Ghost Spirits of Eighth Rank and above. Because drawing Divine Talismans requires Monster Blood, this talisman costs 80 Contribution Points.

Spirit-Seeking Talisman: A Divine Talisman personally refined by the Village Chief. Burning the talisman paper allows the user to sense Ghost Spirits within a hundred-meter radius.

Note: This talisman can sense at most one Ghost Spirit, and burning the Divine Talisman will provoke the Ghost Spirit's desire to attack.

This talisman costs 50 Contribution Points.

Strength Talisman: A Divine Talisman personally refined by the Village Chief. Once activated, it grants the user a small amount of additional strength. (Newborns gain 5 points in the Strength attribute.) The Divine Talisman lasts one minute, after which the user will fall into a weakened state for a period of time.

This talisman costs 30 Contribution Points.

Amulet of Extreme Speed: A Divine Talisman personally refined by the Village Chief. Once activated, it grants the user a small amount of additional speed. (Newborns gain 5 points in the Agility Attribute.) The Divine Talisman lasts one minute, after which the user will fall into a weakened state for a period of time.

This talisman costs 30 Contribution Points.

There were four types of Protective Talismans in total. Lin Yi naturally could not afford the first two, while his Contribution Points were just enough to buy either the Strength Talisman or the Amulet of Extreme Speed.

As for which one to choose, Lin Yi considered it briefly before decisively choosing the Amulet of Extreme Speed.

After all, when facing Monsters and Ghost Spirits, even gaining 5 points of Strength would be useless with Lin Yi's current attributes.

But if he could run faster, that would solve the problem.

After all, when he had encountered the Ghost Fiend last time, Lin Yi had escaped danger by sheer luck only because he ran a little faster and had a villager behind him to die in his place.