Back in Cloud Peak City, Lin Fan's mind was no longer on the bustling markets or crowded streets. He was now a Trial Participant, shouldering the task of collecting Chaotic Force—a menace whose very existence was unknown to ordinary players.
The first quest, "Purify/Collect 10 units of Chaotic Force," pointed him back to the very place he had just escaped: the Silent Abyss. That place didn't just harbor Ghost Hounds; it was a latent den of Chaotic Force.
Before returning, Lin Fan decided to prepare more thoroughly. He used his remaining funds to purchase the best equipment available at his current level: a set of high-grade leather armor for increased physical defense, and a small, sharp dagger, though he knew his physical combat skills weren't his strong suit. More importantly, he bought numerous MP and HP recovery elixirs, knowing that using the Devouring Jade consumed a significant amount of spiritual energy.
He also took the time to better understand Contribution Points. Within the "Trial Participant Project" interface, he found a special shop exclusively for Trial Participants. There, he could exchange Contribution Points for extremely rare items: advanced cultivation techniques, exclusive elixirs, and even resources that the normal market never had. This further solidified his resolve.
With full preparations, Lin Fan once again set off for the Silent Abyss. This time, he was no longer a bewildered novice. He was someone who understood the nature of this world better, and he carried a secret "weapon."
The journey to the abyss was unchanged, still filled with an eerie silence and oppressive atmosphere. As he descended to the same depth where he had previously encountered the Ghost Hound, he felt a familiar chill. This time, he didn't shy away. He opened his interface, and a faint purple progress bar appeared below his HP/MP bars: [Chaotic Force in Area: 0.1%]
This was it—the Chaotic Force! Though very dilute, it was here.
He began his search. Before long, he spotted another patrolling Ghost Hound. Lin Fan hid himself, not rushing to attack. He wanted to better understand how the Devouring Jade worked. He pulled out the jade pendant.
The Ghost Hound lunged. Lin Fan didn't retreat. He raised the Devouring Jade. This time, instead of channeling all his spiritual energy, he only transmitted a small amount into the pendant.
The dark grey aura emanated from the Devouring Jade again, but it was weaker than last time. The Ghost Hound still froze, but didn't flee immediately. It shrieked, struggling to resist. At this moment, the Chaotic Force progress bar below Lin Fan's HP/MP began to increase: [Chaotic Force Collected: 0.5%]
After a few seconds, when the death qi on the Ghost Hound was completely drained, it disintegrated into dust, leaving behind a Death Qi Bone Shard and a few dropped items. The Chaotic Force progress bar displayed: [Chaotic Force Collected: 1.0%]
"Perfect!" Lin Fan internally cheered. The Devouring Jade not only had the ability to suppress, but it could also collectChaotic Force from infected creatures! This meant he could "farm" Chaotic Force from these monsters. And the MP consumption was far less than before.
He continued to hunt Ghost Hounds. Each time one was destroyed, the progress bar increased by 1%. After eliminating 9 of them, he had collected 9 units of Chaotic Force.
While hunting the 10th Ghost Hound, something unexpected happened. After it was destroyed and disintegrated, instead of just a Death Qi Bone Shard, another item dropped: a pitch-black stone, shimmering with faint purple light.
Chaotic Crystal (Basic): A crystal containing condensed Chaotic Force. Can be used for research or as a high-grade material.
Chaotic Force Collected: 10/10 units!
Congratulations! Trial Participant Quest - Stage 1 has been completed!
[System Notification]: New ability for the Devouring Jade unlocked: [Chaotic Purification] - Allows the Devouring Jade to directly absorb Chaotic Force from the surrounding environment (consumes large amount of MP).
Lin Fan took a deep breath. Chaotic Purification! This meant he no longer needed to hunt monsters infected with Chaotic Force. He could directly absorb it from the environment, just like he absorbed spiritual energy from a Spirit Vein! This would allow him to collect Chaotic Force much faster, but it would also consume a very large amount of MP.
He checked his Contribution Points: 500 points. He opened the Trial Participant shop. These 500 points could be exchanged for a "Lesser Spirit Pill"—a cultivation boosting elixir, or a low-grade "Stealth Cultivation Manual"—which helped reduce detectability.
Lin Fan didn't rush to exchange them. He would study them more thoroughly. He knew every decision here was crucial.
He decided to test the Chaotic Purification ability immediately. He went to an area where the Chaotic Force displayed in the air was quite high: 0.5%. He placed the Devouring Jade on the ground, focused his mind, and activated the new ability.
Immediately, the Devouring Jade emitted a faint dark purple glow. An invisible, chaotic energy flow began to be drawn into the pendant. Lin Fan's MP bar rapidly plummeted. In just a few minutes, his MP was completely depleted, and the Chaotic Force collected bar had increased by 2 units.
"It really works!" Lin Fan was astonished. This ability was incredibly powerful, but also incredibly MP-hungry. This meant he needed to raise his cultivation to increase his MP, or find more efficient MP recovery elixirs.
As he was meditating to recover MP, another notification appeared on his screen.
[Private Message] From: [Overseer Alpha]
[Content]: Trial Participant Nameless One. You have completed your first mission excellently. Remember, Chaotic Force is not just a threat, but also an opportunity for development. It is a pure form of energy that can be 'tamed' and utilized. Your Devouring Jade is the key.
[Overseer Alpha]? It seemed he was being watched and guided by a specific "Overseer." And this message also revealed another secret: Chaotic Force could be "tamed" and utilized?
This surprised Lin Fan. He had always thought it was something purely evil, only to be purified. But what if it could be used? Could the Devouring Jade help him do that?
Lin Fan looked at the basic Chaotic Crystal in his inventory. It seemed this adventure was even more complex than he'd imagined. He wasn't just dealing with monsters, earning money, or even fighting a cosmic threat. He also had to learn how to interact with entirely new forms of energy, and perhaps, change himself.
He didn't stay in the Silent Abyss any longer. The quest was complete, and a new ability was unlocked. He needed to return to Cloud Peak City, study what he had learned more thoroughly, and prepare for the next stage of the Trial Participant Project.