Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 634 - 617 Buy a Flying Sword

Chapter 634: Chapter 617 Buy a Flying Sword

"Alright, alright, it’s my first day joining the sect, so I won’t argue with you."

Chen Tingquan quickly calmed down.

Although the opponent was also a first-year disciple, it was obvious that there were differences among the first-year disciples. The gap might even be greater than that between first-year and third-year disciples.

The opponent casually used a magical artifact and knocked him out without even needing to rely on physical combat skills.

But Chen Tingquan felt that spells and magical artifacts were things he could eventually possess. By then, the gap between them should be quickly closed.

"Let’s finish today’s daily tasks and see what kind of gameplay the large map exploration offers."

The large map exploration, officially called "sect tasks,"

means that the sect will release some tasks daily for the disciples to complete.

Upon completing these tasks, not only can you receive basic relief rewards for the Cultivation Loan, but, if you’re lucky, just as Li Qiang mentioned, you might gain some treasures from the large map and sell them to the sect for a big profit.

Sect tasks come in many varieties and frequently change.

They include some relatively simple tasks like mining, gathering herbs, clearing bandits, and eliminating dangerous beasts, as well as extremely difficult ones, like hunting powerful ancient beasts, or even directly hunting the Nine Dragons that can be used for Alchemy.

There are warning messages above: Sect tasks carry risks, gains and losses are borne by oneself.

"Even clearing bandits is suggested to be completed by ten-year disciples?"

"Hunting the Nine Dragons is recommended only for Inner Sect Disciples or young mentors to attempt.

"Wait a minute, what are Inner Sect Disciples and young mentors? After becoming a hundred-year disciple, you’re promoted to Inner Sect Disciple? Then Inner Sect disciples can establish their own factions, thereby becoming young mentors?

"... Why does this sound like a university setting, with young lecturers and all?

"I, as a first-year disciple, can only go to the large map to mine and gather herbs, and even then only for low-level ores, not recommended for higher-level ones.

"I don’t care, I’ll take on a mining task recommended for ten-year disciples first.

"Mining doesn’t require fighting, and the rewards for these ten-year disciple level tasks are obviously better.

"Upon completing this task, I can directly earn 300 lower-grade Spirit Stones, and if rare minerals are found in the process, the price can be calculated separately.

"Li Qiang didn’t lie; there are indeed many ways to make money after becoming a cultivator."

After accepting a sect task, Chen Tingquan opened the large map and glanced at the target location.

"...This is a bit too far, isn’t it? How long will it take to walk there?

"This travel time will significantly delay my cultivation progress. I might as well stay in the sect and continue cultivating."

This large map exploration gameplay of sect tasks doesn’t actually advance the player’s cultivation progress.

Unless the player takes on some advanced tasks, like hunting demon beasts, to gain experience through combat.

If it’s just mining, herb collection, or fighting some low-tier bandits, then it’s merely about completing tasks for money.

For whales, who aren’t short of money, there’s no need to do these tasks; they can just immerse themselves in sect training, boosting attributes and keep grinding until mastering divine skills before emerging again. This is also a feasible gameplay strategy.

But Chen Tingquan is poor; he still wants to make money.

Although the Cultivation Loan on his back isn’t enough to crush him right now, the elixirs he buys decrease by one each time he consumes one. The Cultivation Loan will only grow larger over time, so he is eager to plug this hole as quickly as possible, or at least minimize it a bit.

But the mode of transportation became a problem. Without a mount, walking with such inefficiency is clearly not worth it, severely hindering the cultivation progress.

"Right, the flying sword!

"When the double-door master brought me to the mountain gate earlier, it was by flying sword, wasn’t it?

"Given that there are tasks for first-year disciples, it means first-year disciples can own flying swords too; it’s not something exclusively for high-level players at the Foundation Establishment or Core Formation stage.

"Sure enough, there’s a Treasure Pavilion here, let’s go check it out."

Chen Tingquan looked at the sect map and indeed found the Treasure Pavilion in a direction opposite the Elixir Room, the place where the sect sells magical artifacts.

After speaking with the senior brother guarding the gate, Chen Tingquan realized he’d come to the right place.

Because the option to purchase a flying sword automatically appeared in the conversation.

"Junior brother is planning to complete a sect task? That can be arranged. As a new disciple, you can enjoy a discount on your first flying sword.

"It’s not much, just 98 middle-grade Spirit Stones. You won’t suffer a loss, nor be deceived with this price."

Chen Tingquan’s face immediately turned dark: "How much? 98 middle-grade Spirit Stones!"

He only had a little over 2,000 lower-grade Spirit Stones left, which equates to just over 20 middle-grade Spirit Stones.

This 98 middle-grade Spirit Stone price feels like 98 dollars in real money.

And this is a discounted price? This is too much!

The senior brother guarding the Treasure Pavilion wasn’t surprised: "Junior brother, you’ve just joined the sect, right?

"If so, let me give you some advice.

"For the first two years, there’s no need to undertake sect tasks. Even mining tasks have certain dangers, and any mishaps mean pure loss.

"It’s better for you to enhance yourself with the Nine Dragon Training Method first, and then complete the sect tasks when you’re stronger.

"Of course, if junior brother insists on doing it, you can. If you lack Spirit Stones for the flying sword, just take out a loan. Whose first flying sword wasn’t bought with a loan?

"With 98 middle-grade Spirit Stones, if junior brother gets lucky, it’s just a matter of finding a rare Spirit Stone mine."

Chen Tingquan thought for a moment: "Alright, I’ll take out a loan then!"

At this point, he was left with two choices, either loan or recharge.

He could recharge 98 dollars, but that’s real money, it’s better to just use the in-game loan.

He’d already taken the Cultivation Loan; a few more loans don’t bother him, any more debts don’t worry him.

For other things, Chen Tingquan might hesitate, but a flying sword is essential for large-scale map transportation, similar to fast travel points in other games. Without it, his movements would be severely restricted in the future.

Speaking of which, this "Reverse Heaven" game is truly greedy. What other games offer as a standard travel feature, here it’s repackaged as a flying sword sold to players for 98 bucks.

The basic functions are all monetized, and they don’t even try to hide it.

After signing the loan, Chen Tingquan added another chunk to his Cultivation Loan debt.

But he got the flying sword.

Chen Tingquan opened the inventory and equipped the flying sword in the corresponding slot.

The flying sword counts as a magical artifact but doesn’t occupy an artifact slot; it has its own separate slot. Moreover, the flying sword can also be used in battle, providing linked attacks or automatic attacks for the player.

"Alright, it increases combat power, so it’s worth it."

Following the game’s prompts, Chen Tingquan prepared for sword flight.

However, the next second, a prompt appears on the screen: "Mana insufficient, unable to wield the flying sword!"

Chen Tingquan was furious and instantly returned to the Treasure Pavilion: "This flying sword is unusable!"

The senior brother in the Treasure Pavilion seemed to anticipate his return and said with a smile: "Oh dear, junior brother, why are you angry at me? There’s nothing wrong with the flying sword. If it can’t be used, it’s because your mana is insufficient. Have you not been cultivating diligently? Can you blame me for that?"

Chen Tingquan was taken aback: "What should I do?"

The senior brother at the Treasure Pavilion smiled and said: "That’s easy. In fact, it’s not uncommon for situations like yours. We have supplementary services here that can help you quickly master the flying sword."

Speaking here, he lowered his voice: "Ten Sword Spine Dragon pills, ten Spring Dragon pills, consume them all and you’ll be able to command the flying sword immediately."

Chen Tingquan’s mouth twitched slightly: "So many?"

He meant that so many elixirs must be expensive, but the senior brother at the Treasure Pavilion seemingly misunderstood, thinking he was worried about toxicity.

"Junior brother is worried about the high toxicity of taking all these Nine Dragon Elixirs at once? Don’t worry, junior brother, you’ve only just begun cultivating, your organs are healthy, and the Sword Spine Dragon and Spring Dragon Elixirs have relatively low toxicity.

"I’ll even throw in two small elixirs for liver protection, no issues there."

Chen Tingquan sighed silently, good grief, is everyone here a pill pusher?

Looking at this senior brother at the gates of the Treasure Pavilion, with his healthy physique, he’s probably taken plenty of these Nine Dragon Elixirs himself.

Since he carries a bunch of Nine Dragon Elixirs, it seems reasonable to resell some.

Though it’s unclear how many new disciples’ Spirit Stones he’s already pocketed with the backing of the Treasure Pavilion.

Chen Tingquan had no other option but to buy them.

He was already a bit regretful, but the sunk cost of the flying sword was already paid. What choice did he have?

If he didn’t buy these elixirs, it might take three or five days to wield the flying sword naturally through Qi Refinement and meditation.

Could he wait?

Chen Tingquan couldn’t wait; he wanted to experience sword flight right away.

After consuming the elixirs, Chen Tingquan found a place to meditate.

Truth be told, the effects of these Nine Dragon Elixirs were indeed impressive. Chen Tingquan consumed the newly bought Spring Dragon pills and the Spring Dragon pills from the previous discount package one after another. The growth rate of his mana value was phenomenal.

In a short amount of time, it increased by over tenfold, much faster than natural cultivation.

Combined with the Sword Spine Dragon for enhanced Sword Intent control, he directly reached the threshold for manipulating the flying sword.

"Alright, after so much hassle, I can finally go mining on the large map to make money!"