The mornings in Clear Stream Valley always carried a unique blend of tranquility and busyness.

Su Ming didn’t rush to the Repair Hall. Instead, he first went to the medicinal herb field behind his cave dwelling, which was tightly protected by a formation.

What was planted here weren’t any rare spiritual herbs, but vast stretches of the most common Heart-Clearing Orchids.

However, in the very center of the herb field, a small area was cordoned off separately. There, over a dozen orchid plants grew that were different from the rest. Their leaves were covered in fine, scattered silver spots, as if a layer of starlight had been sprinkled upon them.

Silver-Spotted Heart-Clearing Orchids.

This was the new variant Su Ming had induced by utilizing the remnant vein of Sinking Star Iron. Although its grade only reached the Upper Yellow Rank, it possessed an extremely special effect—rapid recovery of divine sense.

For Su Ming, who now frequently used the “observation micro state” while also juggling formation deductions, this thing was even more precious than spirit stones.

Su Ming deftly formed hand seals, activating the “Minor Heavenly Cycle Water Rhythm Formation.”

The moisture in the air rapidly condensed, transforming into a continuous, fine drizzle.

Every single raindrop was infused with a trace of the uniquely gentle and moist spiritual energy from the “Like Water Art.”

Under the nourishing rain and dew, those Silver-Spotted Heart-Clearing Orchids unfurled their leaves, their silver spots shimmering, releasing a cool, serene fragrance.

Su Ming took a deep breath, feeling the fatigue from sitting in meditation all night within his Consciousness Sea dissipate noticeably.

“Tsk, this mutated variety is growing quite well.” Lin Yu floated above the herb field, resembling a landlord inspecting his work. “At this rate, we can harvest the first batch in another half month. By then, we can try refining a special ‘Mind-Awakening Incense’ targeting divine sense fatigue. Selling it to those unlucky souls who stay up all night practicing alchemy or drawing talismans would be absolutely, outrageously profitable.”

“Master, you’re obsessed with money.” Su Ming chuckled, shaking his head, his hands never stopping as he meticulously cleared the weeds from the herb field.

“Nonsense! Without money, how will you cultivate your Dao foundation? Without money, how will you buy Void Stone Powder to replenish your teacher’s health?” Lin Yu retorted righteously. “What we’re doing is called ‘supporting the Dao through commerce,’ scientific cultivation.”

Just as master and disciple were engaged in their usual banter, the restriction at the valley entrance transmitted a series of urgent fluctuations.

Su Ming straightened his back, patted the dirt off his hands, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

Who would come this early?

He waved a hand, sending out a hand seal. The mist and clouds at the valley entrance parted, opening a passage.

He saw Wang Defa rushing in, sweat pouring down his face. His usually slicked-back, shiny hair bun was now somewhat disheveled. The face that always wore a shrewd smile was now etched with anxiety.

“Hall Master!”

“Did something happen at the Repair Hall again?”

Su Ming looked at the panting Wang Defa, casually sending a stream of spiritual energy to help him catch his breath, all while still holding the Silver-Spotted Heart-Clearing Orchid he had just finished weeding.

Wang Defa didn’t even bother wiping his sweat, grabbing Su Ming’s sleeve instead. “Hall Master, the Administration Hall has erected a new stone stele! What’s written on it… you’d better go see for yourself!”

Su Ming’s fingers paused slightly. “A new stele?”

“Yes! It’s different from the usual mission boards. It’s a Blood Jade Stele!” Wang Defa swallowed hard. “It’s about the war at the Northern Border’s ‘Iron Wall Pass’… and the Earth Vein Spirit Milk you need!”

“Let’s go take a look.”

…

The square in front of the Administration Hall was now a boiling cauldron of noise and activity.

Many disciples were gathered around a blood-red jade stele the height of two men, pointing and discussing animatedly. Unlike the usual quiet around mission boards, disciples from various peaks had gathered before this stele, their expressions varied—some excited, some grave, some hesitant.

Su Ming activated the “observation micro state.” His gaze pierced through the crowd, landing on the stele’s inscription.

The inscription was divided into upper and lower parts.

The upper part was concise and to the point:

[The Northern Border’s Iron Wall Pass is in critical condition. A coalition of three demon tribes is assaulting the defensive line. The sect hereby summons disciples at Qi Refining fifth layer and above to serve rotational duty at the Northern Border for a period of one year. This is not a mandatory conscription; it is a voluntary mission. Participating disciples will receive triple the usual sect contribution points, with additional access to the ‘Military Merit Exchange System.’]

“Voluntary mission…” Su Ming’s heart stirred.

His gaze moved down, falling on the lower part’s “Military Merit Exchange List.”

The list was dazzling, ranging from magical implements, elixirs, and cultivation methods to rare natural treasures. Many were treasures from the sect’s vault that were usually not open to disciples.

Su Ming’s eyes swept rapidly over the list, suddenly freezing on a line of small text near the top.

[Earth Vein Spirit Milk: Extracted from the core of the earth vein spirit lines beneath the Northern Border. One drop is equivalent to ten years of arduous cultivation. It can also reshape meridians and repair damage to the Dao foundation. Exchange requirement: 50,000 points of military merit.]

Thump.

Su Ming clearly heard the heavy beat of his own heart.

Earth Vein Spirit Milk!

“Fifty thousand points of military merit…” Su Ming narrowed his eyes, quickly looking at the accompanying explanation for earning military merit.

[Slaying a first-rank late-stage demon beast awards ten points of military merit; second-rank initial stage, one hundred points; second-rank mid-stage, three hundred points…]

[Completing designated logistical tasks, formation maintenance, elixir refinement, etc., awards between fifty and one thousand points of military merit based on difficulty.]

[Special contributions receive additional commendations.]

It wasn’t purely a kill count.

This meant that even those not skilled in combat had opportunities to accumulate military merit.

“Master.” Su Ming spoke silently in his heart.

“I see it.” Lin Yu’s voice carried a trace of gravity. “Earth Vein Spirit Milk… the sect is really bringing out the treasures they’ve kept at the bottom of their chests this time.”

“But this is an opportunity.” Su Ming stared at that line of text, his gaze gradually firming. “Staying in the sect, I don’t know how many years I’d have to wait to save up enough spirit stones to buy Earth Vein Spirit Milk. But going to the Northern Border, as long as I earn fifty thousand military merit—”

“Fifty thousand military merit, easier said than done.” Lin Yu interrupted him. “Do you know what that means? By the kill count, you’d have to slay five hundred Foundation Establishment level demon beasts! By tasks, you’d have to complete dozens of high-risk logistical missions! You’d be gambling with your life.”

Su Ming fell silent for a moment, but his gaze didn’t waver.

Risk and reward were always directly proportional.

If he didn’t go, perhaps in ten or twenty years he could afford it, but by then, the cracks in his Dao foundation would likely have worsened.

Going to the Northern Border, while dangerous, at least offered a clear target—fifty thousand military merit in exchange for a drop of spirit milk, in exchange for the path to the Great Dao.

“This risk must be taken.” Su Ming’s voice was hoarse yet resolute. “But we can’t do it recklessly.”

He continued reading down. In the most inconspicuous corner of the stele, he found a line of notes:

[Those proficient in the four arts of Alchemy, Artifact Crafting, Formations, and Talismans may register for the special assessment for the ‘Technical Support Battalion.’ Those who pass will be assigned to logistical sequences, primarily engaged in non-frontline tasks such as position maintenance and resource processing. Military merit acquisition will be based on task completion.]

Technical support roles.

Su Ming’s pupils contracted slightly.

This was practically tailor-made for him.

“I’m not good at killing enemies, but I’m good at fixing things.” Su Ming took a deep breath. “And the logistical sequence… while the spoils might be less, the safety factor is higher.”

“Don’t celebrate too soon.” Lin Yu poured cold water on his enthusiasm. “Many people will definitely be eyeing such a good position. Alchemists, Artificers, Formation Masters—who wouldn’t want to hide in the rear? You, an outer sect Repair Hall Master, what makes you think you can compete with them?”

Su Ming touched the storage pouch at his chest.

Inside lay a bluish-gray jade slip—the “Eight Gates Lost Trace Incomplete Formation” given by Elder Qingquan, as well as that token from Elder Qingquan.

“Because I have the skills in hand, and I have backing.”

Without hesitation, he turned and walked towards the side hall of the Administration Hall—that was the special talent registration office.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep