"Oh! This dazzling golden light! And such smooth Resonance. It's a perfect match for you."
Little Cat tsked in admiration. "This is one of only three Legion Contracts in the game, and it's completely compatible with your attributes. You've even saved yourself the trouble of conversion and hiring someone to modify it... You're really lucky. Congratulations, congratulations."
Huai Shi responded vaguely but offered no further comment.
Huai Shi knew very little about the Legion Contract, having only heard fragments of information from Raven.
This strategic-level relic, which all the major organizations frantically collected and stockpiled, was definitely no ordinary item.
Although he didn't know the details, he was certain: this item was definitely closely related to the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy. No, it seemed as if it were specifically created to match his path of sublimation...
Drawing from long and bitter lessons of being thoroughly screwed over by teammates, he skeptically eyed Little Cat, sensing a catch.
"Hmm? Is there a problem?"
Little Cat seemed oblivious, looking at him curiously. "You look pretty pale. Do you want me to go to the kitchen and whip up a bowl of noodles for... Ah, I forgot you're an apprentice Chef Demon. Never mind."
"..."
Huai Shi carefully sensed the ring in his hand. It was indeed a very complex Border Relic, its internal structure layered and incomprehensible.
However, after it extracted some of his Source Substance, something seemed to be brewing in the darkness within, requiring a substantial amount of vitality to replenish.
Huai Shi would definitely not use his own life to feed it. He was just thinking of finding a forest after leaving to properly replenish it.
But something still feels off—this seems like...a half-finished product?
It was, however, undoubtedly the most suitable piece of equipment for him. There was no sense of awkwardness or resistance; it felt like an extension of his own body, resonating with his every breath.
Was I mistaken?
Soon, Huai Shi stopped dwelling on this and turned his attention to the final reward: an envelope.
He carefully picked up the envelope.
It felt ordinary, as if there was a Card inside. The Book of Fate sensed it and trembled slightly.
When Huai Shi cautiously opened the envelope, he found to his surprise that a... name badge fell out?
Yes, it looked like some sort of work ID.
It even had the Astronomical Society's emblem on the back.
When Huai Shi picked up the Card to examine the front, a thread of his Source Substance was unexpectedly absorbed. Instantly, his photograph materialized on the previously blank surface.
[Utopia · Test Zone No. 14 · Authority Credentials]
Below the photo, Huai Shi's name slowly emerged, indicating he had B-level clearance to access most areas.
Then, the Book of Fate trembled. As its pages turned, the letter 'B' on the Card was erased, and the blue Card turned pitch black, transforming from plastic to incredibly heavy iron.
And on the Card, Huai Shi's clearance abruptly upgraded from B-level to S-level. With the return of a wisp of Source Substance, a set of coordinates suddenly appeared in Huai Shi's mind.
After a brief moment of recognition, his eyes widened in disbelief.
It's in Antarctica!
"Unbelievable!" Huai Shi exclaimed, flipping the badge in his hand. "How did I end up with another chain quest?"
"The prize is just this; there's nothing I can do," Little Cat scratched his face awkwardly. "Do you want to exchange it? If you do, I can offer..."
"No need!"
Huai Shi decisively shoved the Card into his pocket and tossed it into the Book of Fate. "I think this is quite good."
This item held particular importance for the Book of Fate. If he missed this opportunity, he might deeply regret it later should a situation arise where it was needed.
Besides, he wasn't in need of equipment right now.
The last thing he lacked was equipment.
No matter what Little Cat could offer, it probably wouldn't be much of an improvement for him.
After grasping the essence of the Mountain Ghost, what Huai Shi lacked was the painstaking effort that required time. Insights from his Stigma indicated that, at this stage, he should focus on collecting life force from as many different plants as possible. The individual amounts from each plant didn't matter as much as the overall quantity—the more, the better.
Especially various plants from Hell; the more, the merrier.
The urgent task now is to get more plants and flowers. What do I need equipment for? And even if I accept this quest, can they force me to go? Worst case, I can just stay put in Xinhai.
Mulling this over, Huai Shi sat still, observing Little Cat.
"Hmm?"
Little Cat looked at him, puzzled. "Is there anything else you need?"
It's like he's asking why I'm still here now that the rewards are all handed out.
"Is that all?"
Huai Shi asked calmly, "I completed the death quest you issued, risking life and limb. Don't you think you should compensate me a little for your concealment?"
"Uh..."
Little Cat was momentarily stunned, like a heartless capitalist shocked by a worker demanding wages.
Is that even a thing?
Normally, in such situations, Little Cat would just flick his hand, and the demanding worker would be sent flying into the cat litter. But Huai Shi was now a Prince, an official member of Paradise. And though not meeting all the criteria, his authority was implicitly on par with Little Cat's.