Chapter Forty-One: The Generous Rewards Bestowed by the School

As a mid-sized instance, the Golden Wilds encompasses far more complex storylines, factions, and significant indigenous powerhouses than the Black Sail Pirates. Four main factions dominate here: the Crusader Fortress, the Orcs, the Centaurs, and the Goblin City. The Crusader Fortress represents humanity, the Orc and Centaur tribes are allied, and the Goblins are neutral.

The central plot revolves around the alliance of Orcs and Centaurs opposing humanity. Within this instance, two major storylines unfold. The first is a large-scale battle between human forces and the tribal alliance at the banks of the Blackwater River, slated for two months hence. The second divides into two branches: one where humanity loses at Blackwater River and the tribal alliance assaults the Crusader Fortress, and another where humanity triumphs and launches a counterattack against the Orc tribe.

The pivotal event is the battle at Blackwater River two months from now. Normally, without interference, the tribal alliance wins this battle. However, as the Descenders are all human and naturally inclined toward the human side, their intervention could very well alter the outcome, granting humanity victory.

“The joint examination lasts three months. You must stay at least two months before you’re permitted an early return,” Assistant Instructor Liu Weifei announced, standing atop the steps of the castle’s training ground before the assembled students. “The school has codified all bosses and plot events within the instance into task formats. Anyone may claim tasks according to their ability. Aside from the spoils you earn, there will be extra points and privileges. At the end of the instance, you may exchange your points for various rewards.”

He gestured in the air, and Chuchen immediately received a new message. Upon opening it, he found a table.

“This is the table for point and privilege exchanges. Have a look, so you know where you stand.”

Elite Boss level 30+: 1 point
Terror Boss level 30+: 2 points
Elite Boss level 40+: 5 points, 1 privilege
Terror Boss level 40+: 10 points, 2 privileges
Lord Boss level 50+ (three in total): 100 points, 5 privileges
Major plot event, significant influence: 50 points, 3 privileges
Major plot event, decisive influence: 200 points, 10 privileges

Chuchen’s gaze lingered on the so-called plot influence line. A brief explanation appeared. Plot influence measures personal impact on the storyline. Significant influence means your actions greatly affect the overall plot, changing its course. Decisive influence means you single-handedly dominate the plot, completely overturning it—turning inevitable defeat into victory, for example.

Just as Chuchen had previously, in the Battle of Brad Town, slain five or six hundred pirates alone, entirely ruling the battlefield—that was decisive influence. Plot influence doesn’t directly correlate with plot rating, though generally, the greater the influence, the higher the rating. Whether significant or decisive, both usually earn a five-star rating, as five stars is the highest possible, even if one single-handedly annihilates the opposing faction.

Despite the cap, higher ratings yield better rewards: increased experience from kills, more skill points, and additional free attribute points. Looking further down, Chuchen saw the point exchange list.

3 points may be exchanged for 1 skill point.
4 points may be exchanged for 1 free attribute point.
20 points plus 2 privileges may be exchanged for a rare item.
100 points plus 5 privileges may be exchanged for an epic item.

Additionally, this joint examination features a ranking system based on accumulated points. The top ten players will receive substantial rewards from the school and be placed on the priority cultivation list.

“Impressive!” he thought. The rewards were generous, but the difficulty of earning points was daunting. Only 1 point for a level 30 elite boss, and just 1 privilege for a level 40 elite boss.

“If you want real benefits, you must influence the storyline,” Chuchen mused, rubbing his chin. “I won’t aim for decisive influence, but significant influence is worth a try. My talent is like a divine skill in large-scale warfare. If I can reverse the tide on the battlefield, I’ll definitely achieve significant influence.”

“Five-star ratings for major events in a mid-sized instance yield far greater rewards than in smaller instances. A five-star rating plus 50 points for significant influence—that’s enough to exchange for a dozen skill or attribute points. Plus, there are plenty of bosses on the battlefield. Killing one or two in a fight is easy. Combining both, the points from a single storyline event will easily place me among the exam’s top contenders.”

“Yes, this is the way!” The more Chuchen considered it, the more feasible his plan seemed.

The key advantage was that this approach didn’t require competing with other teams for bosses. Of course, this didn’t mean he’d be idle for the first two months; he already had a plan.

After Assistant Instructor Liu Weilong finished explaining the tasks and basic benefits of the instance, he announced free activity. Before he’d even left, Chuchen received a message from Homeroom Teacher Duan Yuqin:

“This time, the school has invested extra resources in this instance, so the rewards are much higher than usual. In certain places, there are hidden treasure chests and special bosses activated by source energy that don’t respawn after the initial exploration.”

“I have two suggestions: one, team up with Zhang Chunlei and others to hunt bosses. Two, forgo boss hunting and focus on the Crusader Fortress reputation system. If you’re the first to reach Revered reputation, the gains will rival those from slaying a lord-level boss.”

“Hmm, I’ll take the reputation route,” Chuchen replied promptly after Duan Yuqin’s explanation.

“Your choice!” came the response.

Closing the communication, Chuchen grinned and turned to find Zhang Chunlei approaching, asking quietly, “Have you considered teaming up for boss hunts?”

“Hmm…” Chuchen had already decided on the reputation route and didn’t need to team up for boss grinding, so he shook his head. “I’d rather go solo.”

Zhang Chunlei looked at him, surprised yet understanding. “True, your talent is quite unique—you can manage alone. Alright then, I won’t disturb you.”

“Mm.” Chuchen watched as Zhang Chunlei went to join Cheng Mingyue and Zhang Qing, both casting complex looks his way. He smiled slightly and walked away.

The teacher’s advice matched his own plans perfectly. He’d already considered focusing on reputation—raising Crusader Fortress reputation before the first major event, aiming to reach Honored before the Blackwater River battle, and then, by exerting significant influence in that clash, push his reputation to Revered. At that point, he could purchase Revered reputation items from the Crusader Fortress.