Chapter 79: The Beginning of the Contract

"Not bad—twenty Paradise points built me two sets."

"With Paradise support, Life Apostles get truly affordable prices." Chu Danqing fitted one set of equipment over the altar’s outer layer, granting it portability and stability.

It also provided minor protection and shock absorption.

The low cost came from ordinary materials; labor alone likely accounted for fifteen Paradise points.

Chu Danqing, worried about damage, ordered an extra set as backup.

Then he spent ten Paradise points buying items needed to worship the Family Immortal—electronic candles, incense, etc.—things he hadn’t prepared.

Since these were ordinary goods, Paradise point consumption was low, and the vendor even threw in maintenance tools and materials for the altar.

Such items still had decent demand in Paradise; some Apostles specialized in raising beasts or raising ghosts.

"I still have 9,000 Paradise points left—glad I bought supplies ahead of time."

"Now I’ll upgrade the two Summoning Enhancement skills."

Most skills cost one thousand Paradise points per level before LV.10.

Beyond that, it depends on the skill—some increase in cost, others stay the same.

It all hinges on the skill itself.

Chu Danqing had never experienced Paradise’s skill-upgrade process.

Previously, he’d always upgraded himself; his first impression of skill advancement was exhaustion.

But it had its benefits: solid grounding.

These two Summoning Enhancement skills were passive and affected only the summoned entity—upgrading them himself was cumbersome.

First, use the Skill Chamber to enhance them; next time I return, I’ll visit the Cultivation Room and ask an instructor for guidance on other potential uses.

For now, just boost the attributes onto the summoned entity.

Upon arrival, Chu Danqing followed the manual and operated the Skill Chamber, directly selecting Summoning Enhancement · Life / Mana.

He didn’t need to level up one by one—he could choose instant multi-level upgrades and apply multiple enhancements at once.

He could even preview upgrade costs, though only based on his current Paradise points.

With 9,000 points, he could raise one skill directly to LV.9.

But he didn’t consider boosting just one—he chose to raise both skills by two levels each.

【Upgraded Summoning Enhancement · Life to LV.3, Cost: 2,000 Paradise points】

【Upgraded Summoning Enhancement · Mana to LV.3, Cost: 2,000 Paradise points】

Paradise deducted the points; the Skill Chamber activated.

Chu Danqing didn’t notice how much time passed—only that knowledge flooded his mind, all from these two skills.

"I understand now. This is interesting." Chu Danqing stepped out of the Skill Chamber, surprise on his face.

Upgrading via the Skill Chamber skipped the learning and thinking phase, implanting the fully understood answer directly into your mind.

But how to use it? That’s up to you.

At LV.1, the knowledge was basic; at LV.3, it touched on specialized Summoning theory.

It overlapped perfectly with his Summoning Basics—making comprehension easier and, to some extent, aiding his further advancement in Summoning Basics.

【Summoning Enhancement · Life (Passive) LV.3: Increases summoned entity’s HP by 300】

【Summoning Enhancement · Mana (Passive) LV.3: Increases summoned entity’s MP by 300】

"More importantly, I feel subtle changes within myself—these passive skills have become my anchors."

But compared to Legacy Skills, these changes were minor.

"No wonder separating passive skills from Legacy Skills causes irreversible damage—learning them alters you."

"Paradise has no skill slot limits, but learning every skill you encounter would have serious consequences."

Active skills are less problematic—most are techniques or energy applications, and low-tier ones don’t reach deeper levels.

So removing them causes no irreversible harm.

Of course, there’s some effect—it’s just extremely minor, and the body can self-repair.

"Alright, I can’t touch the remaining 5,000 Paradise points."

For the next few days, he wouldn’t leave his room—study, cultivate, until the mission started.

The Spirit Hunger: Hundred Grains Qi skill book simply wouldn’t sell—he’d have to store it away and try again later.

Back home, Chu Danqing took out the altar and, with his own blood, wrote the character “Chu” on the surname slot.

Instantly, the altar’s name changed from □ Family Family Immortal Altar to Chu Family Family Immortal Altar.

This was vital—if he worshipped without this, whose family would the Immortal belong to?

Then, Chu Danqing placed the Serpent Soul Amber inside the altar.

Upon entering, the amber melted and reshaped before his eyes, becoming a divine tablet that settled on the altar stand, inscribed: Chu Family Family Immortal Divine Seat.

Simultaneously, the serpent soul within the amber opened its eyes, gazing curiously at Chu Danqing from within the tablet.

In that moment of mutual gaze, a faint connection formed between them.

Then, the altar’s two small doors revealed a pair of vertical couplets.

Upper line: In ancient mountain caves, one attains immortality.

Lower line: Protects home and hearth, bringing fortune and peace.

Horizontal banner: Invite the Immortal to the Altar.

The serpent soul had no body, only a weak spirit—it could not yet leave the divine tablet, and could only be nurtured within.

Chu Danqing pondered, then arranged the offerings as required, powered the electronic candles, and lit the incense.

After setting everything up, he felt the serpent soul’s joy through their faint connection.

Like a drought-stricken land finally receiving rain.

After a moment’s thought, Chu Danqing took out Ghost Dew.

As he neared the serpent soul, the spirit clearly sensed its usefulness and vibrated excitedly within the tablet.

Chu Danqing reached out, touched his own head, then poured all the Ghost Dew onto the amber divine tablet.

The Ghost Dew was instantly absorbed—none dripped down.

The serpent soul within the tablet radiated a sense of bliss.

"Something unknown has occurred between the Family Immortal and the serpent soul."

"No body isn’t entirely bad." Chu Danqing was certain: as worship deepened over time, his bond with the serpent soul would grow stronger.

Until the contract was complete, and the serpent soul became his Family Immortal.

"Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise." Chu Danqing smiled; judging by his Summoning knowledge, the serpent soul had high potential.

"I wonder if the next trial mission will let me complete the worship contract. I hope it goes smoothly."

He had no idea—trial missions were assigned by Paradise, not chosen by him.

(End of Chapter)