Chapter 289: The Difficulty

Helag first searched for wizard array-related missions, but after browsing a few pages, he closed it with a sigh.

He hadn’t expected earning contribution points through array-related tasks to be so difficult.

While Seranthiel had posted plenty of array-related missions, the contribution point rewards were minimal. Some tasks didn’t even offer any points.

Most of the missions that did offer points only rewarded one or two points.

This was because these tasks were all related to first-level wizard arrays.

Only second-level and higher array-related missions offered significant contribution point rewards.

From Seranthiel’s perspective, first-level arrays were too simple and easy for array masters, so the rewards were either very low or nonexistent.

It was only second-level arrays that demonstrated a wizard array master’s true skill and power, and thus, higher contribution points were awarded.

After reading through the tavern forum, Helag sighed.

Second-level arrays were out of his reach for now, as they required at least a second-level wizard to set up. He was still far from that.

Helag then searched for potion-making missions but found that almost none of them offered contribution points.

Only major breakthroughs in potion research or publishing academic work in the field of alchemy would earn contribution points.

In short, if you were just good at making potions, you couldn’t rely on that to earn contribution points.

But if you made significant academic contributions to the field of potion-making, you could earn points.

Helag found this to be a potential opportunity for him.

Not only was he highly skilled in potion-making, but he also had Deep Blue, a powerful tool for academic research.

If he used it wisely, he could potentially earn some contribution points through research achievements.

However, this could only be used occasionally. It wasn’t something he could rely on regularly to earn points.

If you’re a genius, people will respect and value you. But if you’re constantly producing groundbreaking research, you’ll start to attract unwanted attention.

That’s a situation Helag wanted to avoid because he couldn’t afford to be scrutinized too closely.

Abyssal cultists were only suspected of colluding with the Abyss Plane. But Helag? He had Abyss Plane blood running through his veins.

If that secret were ever discovered, there was no way he’d survive.

Even if he did, it would only be because he still had some use, like Doren.

And once that usefulness was gone, it would be time for him to die.

So, while Helag planned to eventually publish some research in potion-making, he needed to be cautious about how he went about it.

After reviewing the array and potion-related missions, Helag realized just how strict Seranthiel was about awarding contribution points.

You really had to be doing something significant for Seranthiel to earn points.

Helag’s 50 points from tagging along with Pruis weren’t exactly “free” either.

After all, it was Helag who had first noticed the abnormality with the wooden sculpture, which led to Doren’s capture.

If Helag hadn’t participated in Doren’s capture and escort, he likely wouldn’t have earned the full 50 points.

At most, he would have been credited for providing a lead and discovering the anomaly, which might have earned him around 20 points.

Helag thought to himself that anyone who had accumulated 3,000 contribution points must have truly contributed a lot to Seranthiel and done many things for the organization.

In that case, Seranthiel providing them with something containing the power of rules wouldn’t be unreasonable. After all, once you became stronger, you could do even more for Seranthiel.

Equivalent exchange was one of the eternal truths that wizards lived by.

Seranthiel wouldn’t force you into a contract or bind you against your will.

The more you contributed to Seranthiel, the more Seranthiel would reward you.

Helag felt a bit stuck. Both array and potion-related missions weren’t reliable options for earning contribution points right now.

After browsing through the missions, he realized that accumulating points was going to be harder than he thought.

His goal of 3,000 contribution points suddenly seemed far off.

With no other options, Helag continued browsing other missions. If nothing else worked, he might have to consider the academic research route for potion-making.

Soon, Helag came across a mission that sparked an idea.

“Submit leads on Abyssal cultists, capture Abyssal cultists, or disrupt Abyssal cultist activities to receive rewards from Seranthiel. External members of Seranthiel will receive material rewards, while internal members will be evaluated for contribution points based on the situation.”

“This mission is ongoing and open to all residents of the Land of Dawn.”

“Note: Abyssal cultists are extremely dangerous. If you encounter them, contact your local city hall immediately. Do not act rashly if you are not confident, as this could alert the cultists.”

Helag stroked his chin as he read the mission, then headed to the tavern forum to search for more information.

Missions related to Abyssal cultists offered the highest contribution point rewards. Anything involving the Abyss Plane came with significant rewards.

This was because missions related to the Abyss Plane were crucial to the survival of the entire Wizard Plane. Not just Seranthiel, but other wizard organizations also placed great importance on any information related to the Abyss Plane.

Simply providing leads on Abyssal cultists could earn you a substantial amount of contribution points.

And if you managed to capture one, the rewards were even higher.

For example, Doren was just a third-class wizard apprentice.

But after capturing him, Helag, who had only tagged along, still earned 50 contribution points in the final evaluation.

Compared to other missions, the rewards for this one were quite generous.

However, missions related to the Abyss Plane were also some of the most difficult to complete.

Anything involving the Abyss Plane was usually complicated and not easily resolved.

The danger level was just as high as missions in polluted areas. Without sufficient strength, no one dared to take on such tasks.

While Abyssal cultists were generally weak, their connection to the Abyss Plane often gave them strange and unpredictable abilities.

Another issue was that Abyssal cultists were hard to detect.

On the surface, they appeared no different from ordinary people.

Their communication with the dark gods of the Abyss Plane was usually done through mental channels and in hidden locations.

Even though Seranthiel was powerful, it couldn’t monitor every corner of the world.

Many cultists simply locked their doors and communicated with the dark gods from the safety of their homes, making it nearly impossible to catch them.

Unless, like Doren, they made a mistake in public, leading to their discovery.