Chapter 288: Return, the Broker

【Transmission complete. Level-1 Dimensional Acolyte returned to Acolyte Personal Space】

【Beginning settlement of this Level-1 Dimensional Acolyte Trial Mission】

【Trial Zone: An Yong Dynasty】

【Trial Difficulty: C-Rank (Adventure）】

【Comprehensive Evaluation: S】

【Rewards Received: Paradise Coins ×10000, Attribute Points +4】

【Strategic Bonus: Mastery-Level Skill Crystals ×11 (S-Rank: 0.02%)】

【Arena Points Ranking Reward: 80354】

【Net Paradise Points Gain: 83266】

【Net Attribute Points Gain: 44】

After returning, Chu Danqing stretched his limbs.

The basic skill crystals from strategic bonuses had now become mastery-level skill crystals.

Yang Qianyuan’s strategic bonus had not yet arrived; it would settle only after the next trial.

Xiong Zhigang’s trial world had been the same—no settlement within the same cycle.

【Mastery-Level Skill Crystal】

【Type: Consumable】

【Quality: None】

【Effect 1: Use to raise a Mastery skill by one level】

【Effect 2: Ignore skill quality and type to raise any skill between levels 1–10 to level 10】

【Effect 3: Ignore skill quality and type to raise any skill between levels 11–20 by one level】

（Note: Ten Mastery-Level Skill Crystals can be synthesized into one ???-Level Skill Crystal）

（Note: Can be dismantled into ten Basic-Level Skill Crystals）

Mastery-Level Skill Crystals have stronger effects.

“Sigh, too bad I can’t trade them—if I could, I’d make even more.” Chu Danqing sighed.

Basic-Level Skill Crystals from the Arena Shop could be traded, but those from strategic bonuses could not be sold.

Otherwise, Chu Danqing could simply sell Basic-Level Skill Crystals and achieve not just wealth freedom, but skill-level freedom.

“Next, I’ll upgrade my attributes—this time I can raise them all to 29.” Chu Danqing glanced at his stats, then headed to the Attribute Chamber for enhancement.

【Strength: 20 → 29】

【Agility: 20 → 29】

【Constitution: 20 → 29】

【Spirit: 20 → 29】

【Perception: 20 → 29】

【Charisma: 12】

【Remaining Attribute Points: 27】

When Chu Danqing emerged after enhancement, his whole body trembled.

“The stronger you become, the more painful the enhancement,” Chu Danqing muttered, swallowing hard.

Could he reduce the pain by enhancing one point at a time? He had no time to waste.

After recovering, Chu Danqing prepared to return to his personal room to rest, then summon Guo Ming, Xiong Zhigang, and Yang Qianyuan.

There were two main matters: first, discuss Yang Qianyuan’s basic skill.

Chu Danqing needed to find a broker to help.

Usually, only major factions had stockpiles; lone wolves and small teams rarely held onto them overnight.

The second matter was cultivation.

As he walked back, the Paradise’s notification appeared.

【Detected: Acolyte has previously completed a bonus trial and has excess attribute points. Would you like to change the next trial mission to a War Mission?】

【If mission type is changed, the Acolyte will receive the following base rewards and compensation】

【1. S-Rank Comprehensive Evaluation】

【2. One randomly selected Special Skill Scroll】

【3. All reasonable expenditures and losses will be fully reimbursed by the Paradise】

【4. Additional rewards and compensation based on War Mission type】

Chu Danqing froze. He hadn’t expected the Paradise to offer him such a choice.

It meant he had already completed a sprint-bonus trial, collected the benefits, and had surplus attribute points.

But this was his rightful privilege, not a violation—the Paradise could not punish him.

Besides, another bonus trial would just be grinding weaklings; a War Mission was better.

The rewards and compensation were generous.

“Special Skills seem even more valuable than Basic Skills,” Chu Danqing narrowed his eyes, then accepted.

These four rewards were merely base—further bonuses would be added based on Chu Danqing’s performance in the War Mission.

What he truly valued was the third point: Paradise reimbursement.

It meant any loss of equipment, items, or consumables—including Paradise Points—would be covered.

The Paradise was indeed generous—paying for your ammunition in war.

But this was likely a special privilege, hence full reimbursement.

Regular War Missions probably reimbursed proportionally based on combat intensity.

Back in his personal room, Chu Danqing immediately summoned all allies.

【You summoned Alliance Partners #1, #2, and #3. Cost: Paradise Points ×1700】

【Alliance Partner #1 and #3 have responded】

【Alliance Partner #2 has responded】

【Alliance Partner recognition normalization completed】

Guo Ming stepped out of the vortex; Yang Qianyuan stood dazed, clearly receiving information.

Not just Yang Qianyuan—the Omen Spider had also come along, receiving the Paradise’s data.

Simultaneously, Yang Qianyuan and the Omen Spider’s power surged due to Chu Danqing’s buffs.

When they regained their senses, they were overwhelmed by the sudden surge.

“Hah! This is just the beginning—when Grand Coordinator Xiong arrives, your power will surge again,” Guo Ming chuckled.

“I still need time to adapt,” Yang Qianyuan beamed, glad he’d made the right choice, then hesitated: “So my father once experienced this too?”

“Yes, but his case differed—he became an Acolyte’s follower, but his Acolyte lost,” Chu Danqing replied, then recounted the story of Yang Qianjing, the Saddle King.

Upon hearing this, Yang Qianyuan accepted it instantly.

His father had been dead many years, and he had been a child then—his emotional connection was faint.

“Grand Coordinator Xiong will take a while longer to arrive. Let’s first discuss your basic skill, Qianyuan.”

“You and I are both Summoning-type. My suggestion is—” Chu Danqing began listing suitable basic skills.

But before he finished, Yang Qianyuan interrupted: “Brother Chu, that won’t let me leverage my strengths.”

“Feidi is a Heaven’s Mechanism type—I specialize in Heaven’s Mechanism divination. I recommend a Prophecy or Heaven’s Mechanism-type skill.”

Chu Danqing frowned: “It’s possible, but you won’t have enough power to protect yourself.”

“Unsurprisingly, Yang Qianzheng will choose you as his successor.”

“Even if he lives a full year, he won’t have time to fix An Yong Dynasty’s mess.”

Yang Qianyuan smiled: “Brother Chu, don’t worry—Feidi hasn’t evolved yet.”

“Heaven’s Mechanism types lack self-defense early on, but not forever.”

Guo Ming chimed in: “Self-defense? Easy. It just depends on whether Brother Chu is willing to spend.”

“In a Level-1 trial world, my Guo family’s wealth can handle it easily.”

For Guo Ming, Yang Qianyuan taking the Heaven’s Mechanism path was ideal—Summoning already had Chu Danqing.

More importantly, if Yang Qianyuan chose Summoning, allies gained nothing; if he chose Heaven’s Mechanism, they did.

So both urged Chu Danqing, who finally said: “Fine. I’ll get you a Heaven’s Mechanism basic skill from a broker.”

Since Yang Qianyuan insisted, Chu Danqing respected his choice.

He rose and stepped out.

After finding a broker, the man quickly contacted his network.

“A Heaven’s Mechanism basic skill takes time—it’s hard to find,” the broker said, evaluating the value of three items Chu Danqing offered.

“Is that so? But I’m offering two top-tier True Spirit armors and one growth equipment. Even if rare, there’s a market—I’m not asking you to lowball me,” Chu Danqing didn’t believe him.

With the Paradise’s massive population, how could it be impossible to find?

Chu Danqing never used brokers before—he didn’t want them taking cuts.

Now, lacking connections and unwilling to wait, he had to pay.

“I have limited time. How long until results?” Chu Danqing asked.

“Wait a moment—I’ll inquire.” The broker knew Dimensional Acolytes didn’t have the luxury of time like Life Acolytes—they had only thirty days of rest, which included cultivation and recovery.

Time was extremely precious.

The skill book for Heavenly Mechanism basics has been secured, but it’s still in transit; based on past experience, it’ll take no more than half an hour.

The three pieces of equipment Chu Danqing provided were not what the owner of the Heavenly Mechanism basics skill book needed, so the broker’s network continuously rotated and exchanged them through personal connections.

“It’s an individual apostle? I thought you were looking for a major faction.” Chu Danqing was slightly surprised.

If it were a major faction, direct exchange would suffice.

“Major factions make little profit—only I get a taste. But if it’s an individual, it can activate an entire trading chain.”

“So unless absolutely necessary, we prefer to broker deals between individuals,” the broker said with a smile, showing no hesitation about revealing this industry secret.

During the rotation, A needed an item for a weapon, B needed a weapon for armor, C needed armor for an item—each link was connected by the broker, ensuring everyone received what they needed.

The broker profited from the transaction fees generated by this information-driven rotation.

This is also why the Paradise permits brokers to exist and profit—they provide apostles with sufficient convenience.

“So you’re still earning hard-earned money.” For this single deal, the broker earned only 1,000 Paradise Points, yet mobilized his entire broker network to serve Chu Danqing.

He even arranged some snacks and drinks for him.

“By the way, I have something else here—contact the Regional Grand Coordinator of the Dragon-Tiger Alliance and arrange a meeting when he’s free.” Chu Danqing then displayed the full attributes of the Spirit Beast Atlas: Jade Spirit Dragon Set.

“You pick the time—I’ll arrange the meeting!” The broker’s face lit up with uncontainable delight—he clearly saw profit ahead.

(End of Chapter)