Samsara Paradise: Dream Weaver of Connections.

"These items are pretty good." Lin Yi shared the attribute panels of the two items with Gulu.

While the [Silent Gear] and [Silent Core] are not top-tier in quality, their accompanying "silence" and "dead silence" effects are indeed quite unique.

They do not cause direct, massive damage, but rather, in a way that is almost at the rule level, forcibly stifle the activity and energy flow of mechanical units.

In certain specific situations—such as when facing organized mechanical civilization legions, or individuals or barriers that rely heavily on precise energy operation—these two items can exert strategic value far exceeding their quality rating, and may even become the key to turning the tide of battle.

If their quality can be elevated to a higher level, and their influence expanded to cover a large war zone or even a small star system, then even when facing a cataclysmic entity like the "Purge Agreement" that feeds on civilizations and planets, its massive mechanical units and energy network will inevitably be severely disrupted.

The value of such a highly targeted effect often cannot be measured simply by its quality level.

Gulu glanced at the panel, curled his lip in disinterest, and casually tossed the gear he had been assigned back to Lin Yi.

"The effect is okay, but it's not what I need right now."

These tools, specifically designed to counter machinery, offer negligible improvement to her current growth path; they are neither useful nor worth discarding.

Lin Yi took the gear and put it away along with the [Silent Core].

He leaned back into the soft cushions of the sofa, closed his eyes, and took a short rest to help his mind recover in order to cope with the erosion brought by the Nightmare Realm.

"Let's take a ten-minute break. After that, how about we go check out the research institute's headquarters?"

"Let's go now!" Upon hearing this, Gulu immediately perked up, like a doll whose start switch had been pressed, and leaped off the bed with a somersault.

Perhaps due to the excessive speed of the movement, the toe of his boot slipped slightly on the smooth wooden floor when he landed, causing him to lose his balance and lurch to the side, almost falling to the ground.

She braced herself on the floor with one hand, used her waist to steady herself, and muttered something quickly in some dialect before standing up, looking slightly embarrassed.

She quickly changed out of her oil-stained clothes and took out a brand-new dark red Lolita dress from her storage space to put on.

She disdainfully tossed her dirty clothes into a palm-sized, flat, round metal box—a "portable cleaning pod."

According to her, this device can thoroughly clean, disinfect, and dry clothes using its internal high-frequency energy field in just half an hour, making it an essential item to carry when going out.

The two left the hotel and once again merged into the flow of people on the streets of the City of Sleep.

The research institute's headquarters are located in the city center, and the closer one gets to the black spire that pierces the distorted sky, the more orderly the surrounding environment becomes.

The buildings on both sides have a unified style, mostly constructed of solid, heavy gray-white stone and matte metal structures, which reduces the chaotic and piecemeal feel of the surrounding area.

This area is recognized as one of the safest areas in the Sleeping City. It is said that large organizations such as "Salvation", "Papal Court" and "Survivors" have set up their headquarters here, building a relatively stable order with their powerful strength and influence.

There are even some unfounded rumors that the headquarters of the most mysterious "Hell" organization is hidden in some shadowy corner here, but no one has ever been able to confirm this, or rather, those who have confirmed it have never returned.

Their arrival went largely unnoticed, but just as the two stepped into the unassuming gray-white building of the research institute, several figures in the shadows in the distance quietly pressed their communicators.

The interior of the school seemed to be two different worlds from the outside. The spacious hall was softly lit, the floor was so shiny it was like a mirror, and the air was filled with a smell similar to old books.

The hall was deserted, with only three elderly men with white hair and beards, dressed in what looked like long robes, sitting around a stone table. They were completely absorbed in a three-dimensional chess game that was changing shape and shimmering with light. They didn't even lift their eyelids when Lin Yi and Gulu entered, completely engrossed in their game.

Following the semi-transparent arrows provided by the Paradise of Reincarnation in his field of vision, Lin Yi walked through the empty hall and headed towards a counter on the side with a metal sign that read "Resource Allocation Department".

The counter was made of some kind of dark wood and polished very smooth.

His steps faltered almost imperceptibly when his gaze fell upon the person sitting behind the counter.

The man sitting behind the counter, meticulously wiping a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, was none other than Bliss, the old man who had sold him the dream-entering device in the black market alley.

Bliss had changed into a slightly wrinkled white research robe, with an exquisitely crafted gear-shaped badge pinned to his chest. He looked more serious, even a bit pedantic, than he had in the black market, and less mercenary and sneaky.

He sensed someone approaching and looked up.

When his gaze swept over Lin Yi's conspicuous priest's robe, his action of wiping his glasses visibly paused, and a hint of surprise and embarrassment flashed in his eyes, which was quickly concealed. He clearly recognized this "big customer" who had just completed a transaction not long ago.

He quickly put on his glasses, using the action of adjusting the frames to conceal his expression. He coughed, leaned forward slightly, rested his elbows on the counter, and said to Lin Yi in a low voice, "Ahem, what a coincidence, young man. I didn't expect to see you again so soon. That... well, small business deal from before, you and I both know about it, right? It's all in the past, no need to mention it again."

He pointed very discreetly to the row of display shelves behind him, forcing a somewhat friendly smile: "Since you've come from afar, I'll do you a favor. Anything you like here, I'll give you a 20% discount! Consider it... well, to make friends, and to come back and patronize my business often."

Lin Yi remained calm, nodded slightly, and accepted the "kindness."

Almost the instant he nodded, the virtual exchange panel projected onto his retina refreshed, and a conspicuous green 20% discount sign appeared next to the "Research Society Contribution Value" price listed below all items, along with the discounted price.

[Note: The faction contribution shop is now open.]

The Contribution Shop is now open, and the following items can be redeemed.

1. Soul Crystal (Complete): A complete crystal of high-purity soul energy, with wide applications and significant effects. Requires 30000 contribution points to exchange. (After 20% discount: 24000)

Stock: 15 pieces.

2. Soul Essence Crystal: High-purity soul essence, used to repair soul damage or for deep enhancement. Requires 10000 contribution points to exchange. (After 20% discount: 8000)

Stock: 10 piece.

3. Soul-Soothing Incense: A special item that, when lit, stabilizes the mind, slightly increases sanity recovery speed, and resists low-intensity mental pollution. Requires 1500 contribution points per serving to exchange. (After 20% discount: 1200)

Inventory: 100 units.

4. Mind-Strengthening Elixir: An alchemical potion that significantly enhances mental resilience and resistance to moderate mental influences for a short period after consumption. Requires 5000 contribution points per vial. (Discounted price: 4000)

Inventory: 50 units.

5. Soul Energy Orb: A special container that seals in a slowly absorbed stream of soul energy. Wearing it for a long time can slightly nourish the soul.

Redemption requires 20000 contribution points. (After 20% discount: 16000)

Stock: 1 piece.

6. Epic Equipment Random Box (Weapon/Armor/Accessory): Open to randomly obtain one piece of epic quality equipment. Requires 40000 contribution points to redeem. (After 20% discount: 32000)

Stock: 3 piece.

7.“地火之心”套装（传说级，重甲5/5）：大幅提升力量、体力、火焰抗性，套装效果可引发区域性岩浆喷发。兑换需85000贡献值。（八折后：68000）

Inventory: 1 set.

8. Star Steel: A rare metal containing faint starlight, it is the basic material for forging high-end weapons. Exchange requires 800 contribution points per unit. (After 20% discount: 640)

Inventory: 1000 units.

9. Nightmare Core Fragment: A fragment dropped by low-tier Nightmare Creations, containing chaotic energy. Requires 100 Contribution Points per fragment to exchange. (After 20% discount: 80)

Inventory: 300 units. 10. Basic Research Society Access: Unlocks partial access to the internal database and entry into specific areas. Requires 60000 contribution points to redeem. (After 20% discount: 48000)

In addition to the list of exchangeable items at the top, there is also a recycling list at the bottom.

Silent Gear: 150 contribution points/piece for recycling.

Silent Core: 2000 contribution points/each for recycling.

Intermediate Nightmare Protection Rune: 5000 contribution points/rune for recycling.

Eternal Spring Water: 8000 contribution points/drop for recycling.

……

Lin Yi's gaze quickly swept across the exchange list. Most of the items at the top were soul-related or mental resistance materials such as "Soul Condensation Crystals," "Soul Soothing Incense," and "Mind Strengthening Agent." These items were considered rare and valuable even in the Paradise of Reincarnation, but the contribution points required for them were also astonishingly high.

Based on the small amount of contribution points they gained from completing a recent exploration mission, they would run out of points after purchasing only a few basic items.

His gaze continued downwards, eventually landing on a particular item.

【Kiss of the Night】(Class Inheritance Item)

Origin: City of Slumber - Research Society

Quality: legendary
Type: Dagger / Class Key
Equipment Requirements: This item is only available to Assassin-type classes who possess the traits "Shadow Affinity" and "Psionic Touch" and have completed the relevant prerequisite trials.

Item effect: After activation, it will guide the user to complete the "Night Hunter" class inheritance ceremony.

Rating: 530+
Introduction: Silent footsteps, invisible blades, chasing the ripples of the soul. Every flash is a gentle greeting to life.

Exchange requirement: 100000 Research Society Contribution Points. (After 20% discount: 80000)

Lin Yi realized almost immediately that this was Gulu's core objective for this trip.

He turned his head and found that Gulu had also come over at some point, staring intently at the projection of the item. Her eyes were so intense that they seemed to be burning, and her breathing was slightly rapid.

When her gaze moved down to the dizzying string of zeros following the price, the excited expression on her face instantly vanished, and the corner of her mouth twitched uncontrollably. Clearly, she had used immense willpower to force back a curse that was already on the tip of her tongue.
One hundred thousand contribution points—this is indeed a number that would make most contractors despair, like a huge chasm between ideals and reality.

The Blissian was a seasoned veteran who took in both men's reactions, especially Gollum's changing expression from extreme longing to instant despair.

He chuckled twice, lowering his voice even further, with a seductive undertone: "Good things naturally have their price, that principle applies everywhere. Unfortunately, good things are always expensive, that's an age-old truth."

He paused, then changed the subject, "However... contribution points are hard to earn, but easy... well, they're also easy. Rules are rules, but people are flexible."

He looked at Lin Yi meaningfully, his eyes flashing with the shrewdness of a businessman: "If you... well, you also have that 'specialty' that we missed from the last transaction, however much you have, I'll buy it all. The price... 300 contribution points per pack, absolutely fair, I guarantee you'll be satisfied, how about it?" He rubbed his fingers together, making a counting motion.

The industrially produced cigarettes in Lin Yi's personal space are stocked in quantities of hundreds of cartons, and the cost is almost negligible for high-level contractors.

Originally just something I habitually stocked up for emergencies or used for small exchanges with certain characters or contractors, it unexpectedly became a kind of hard currency highly sought after by a certain group of people in this strange nightmare world.

Upon learning this news, Lin Yi's anxiety about his contribution level immediately lessened considerably.

If this path is truly feasible, then perhaps earning those seemingly astronomical contribution points isn't entirely an unattainable fantasy.

“We’ll consider it,” Lin Yi replied calmly, without immediately offering cigarettes for the transaction.

He needs more information to assess the potential risks and unnecessary attention that large shipments may bring, and in this place, it would be unwise to reveal his hand and the adequacy of his supply too early.

A fleeting hint of disappointment crossed Bliss's eyes, but it was quickly masked by an even warmer smile. The wrinkles on his face gathered together, like a dried chrysanthemum: "No problem, no problem. I work here most of the time. You're welcome to come and chat anytime, whether it's a serious exchange or some small business."

Lin Yi nodded, said no more, and turned to signal Gulu, whose eyes were still glued to the [Kiss of the Night] projection and who looked pained, to leave.

Gulu glared at the projection and Bliss with extreme resentment before following Lin Yi out of the unusually quiet gate of the research society, glancing back every few steps.

Back on the street, Gulu couldn't help but complain, "One hundred thousand! Why didn't that old man just rob him!"

"Robbing? Too inefficient and too risky. It's much faster to sit here and wait for someone to come and exchange it."

She choked on her words, rolled her eyes in annoyance, but knew that Lin Yi was telling the truth. The feeling of having her lifeline held by a clear price tag made her very unhappy.

“Let’s go check out the ‘Survivors’ stronghold. Since contribution points can be ‘exchanged’ in some way, we need to figure out the value of the hard currency here first.”

"Go and contact them, using the excuse of needing to replenish exploration supplies, and find out the market prices for various basic supplies, especially recovery items and special materials. Pay special attention to whether there is any information on the trading or recycling prices of unconventional but potentially high-value items like 'cigarettes'."

Gulu immediately understood Lin Yi's intention—he was going to conduct market research to provide a reference for pricing and strategies for potential large-scale "specialty" transactions, and to avoid being pressured to lower prices by old foxes like Bliss.

She suppressed her resentment over the exorbitant price of [Kiss of the Night], nodded, and her expression became serious: "Understood."

Unlike the quiet and academic atmosphere inside the research society, the lobby of the "Survivors" organization was much more lively, but also orderly, with a sense of simplicity reminiscent of military management.

Many people of different appearances and with signs of travel came and went here, either handing over tasks or exchanging supplies, and the air was filled with an atmosphere of pragmatism.

Gulu asked Lin Yi to wait aside while she straightened her dark red Lolita dress, trying to make her expression look more like an ordinary explorer in dire need of supplies, before walking toward a counter labeled "Supplies and Intelligence".

Lin Yi stood in a corner not far away, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the list of exchangeable items and price tags displayed in the hall, especially those fragments involving barter or special item transactions.

The Survivors' organization's resource exchange list was projected onto the light wall beside the counter. The content was more complex and direct than that of the Research Society, and was closer to the needs of survival and combat, covering everything from basic food and water, ammunition, and medical kits to standard equipment, engineering parts, and special ammunition.

Lin Yi's gaze swept quickly and systematically across the light wall, and soon he finally found the information about his target under a less conspicuous category of "Luxury Goods and Special Items" on the side.

【City of Slumber Special Cigarettes】(Mild): Produced in Cultivation Garden No. 37, rolled with purified Nightmare Moss leaves, it has a mild calming effect. Requires 400 contribution points per pack to redeem.

Inventory: 22 packs.

【City of Slumber Special Cigarettes】(Strong): Produced in Cultivation Garden No. 37, rolled with purified Nightmare Moss leaves, offering a significant energizing effect and a strong flavor. Requires 850 contribution points per pack to redeem.

Inventory: 15 packs.

[Cigarettes of Unknown Origin]: Imported cigarettes of unknown origin, with a unique taste and excellent flavor, suspected of having a higher effect on mental relaxation, and highly sought after. Buyback price: 120 contribution points/cigarette.

Upon seeing the last message, Lin Yi's eyes twitched slightly.

The "unknown origin cigarettes" label on this thing is clearly the same kind he sold to Bliss before.

Surprisingly, here, the recycling price for a single piece is as high as 120 contribution points.

That old guy Bliss bought them for 300 a pack, which is only 15 per stick. He made eight times the profit in the process.

Lin Yi mentally labeled Bliss a complete shrewd businessman, but he only kept this crucial price information firmly in mind. (End of Chapter)