I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

Qingyun Dao Sect, Contribution Hall.

As the core venue for the sect's internal resource circulation, task issuance, and disciple exchanges, the main hall of Tianquan Peak, where the Contribution Hall is located, is always bustling with activity. Inside the enormous jade hall, countless light screens float, scrolling with dense task information and exchange lists. Disciples gather in twos and threes to discuss tasks, or shuttle between various exchange windows, using their hard-earned contribution points to exchange for their desired cultivation techniques, pills, magic weapons, and materials.

Lu Zhao, dressed in a blue robe and with his aura concealed, entered the main hall. He had come to use the remaining several thousand contribution points to exchange for essential supplies needed to enter the "Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range." Although a Golden Core elder was leading the team, the depths of the mountain range were fraught with danger, and the more prepared he was, the better his chances of survival.

He first went to the pill exchange area. The light screen there displayed pills of various grades. Lu Zhao scanned the screen, focusing on pills that could quickly restore spiritual energy, heal injuries, detoxify, and temporarily enhance explosive power or save his life. He was now quite wealthy (compared to ordinary outer disciples) and was about to undertake a high-risk mission, so he naturally wouldn't be stingy with his contribution points.

"Life-Creating Pill (Tier 1 Supreme Grade), a holy product for healing, can quickly repair severe injuries to the internal organs and meridians. It requires 1,500 contribution points to exchange."

"Heavenly Origin Qi-Returning Pill (Tier 1, High Grade): Quickly restores a large amount of spiritual energy. Requires 800 contribution points to exchange."

"Hundred Herbs Detoxification Pill (Tier 1 Supreme Grade) can cure all poisons and has miraculous effects on miasma, poisonous insects, and poisonous plants. It costs 1,200 contribution points to exchange."

"Blood-Burning Essence Pill (Tier 1 Top Grade, Forbidden): Greatly increases cultivation level for a short period, but will leave you weak afterwards, damaging your foundation. Use with caution! Requires 2,000 contribution points to exchange."

"Minor Teleportation Talisman (one-time use): Once activated, it can randomly teleport you to a location ten miles away. A life-saving tool, it costs 3,000 contribution points (one talisman) to exchange for!"

Seeing the price of the "Minor Teleportation Talisman," Lu Zhao was secretly astonished. This thing was extremely effective at saving lives, but the price was just too high. Nevertheless, he gritted his teeth and exchanged for one. He also exchanged for two "Life-Creating Pills," three "Heavenly Origin Qi-Returning Pills," and two "Hundred Herbs Detoxifying Pills." As for the "Blood-Burning and Yuan-Exploding Pill," although it had significant side effects, it might create a glimmer of hope in dire situations, so he exchanged for one as a backup. The pills alone cost him nearly seven thousand contribution points! This was even with the rewards from the secret realm and missions; otherwise, ordinary disciples simply couldn't afford it.

Next, he went to the talisman materials area. As a talisman master himself, although his main focus was on "talisman swords," he still needed to replenish his supplies of regular talismans and special materials for crafting high-level talismans. He exchanged for a large quantity of talisman paper and spirit ink for crafting mid-to-high-grade first-tier five-element talismans, as well as a small amount of rare materials that could be used to craft top-tier first-tier talismans, such as "lightning-struck wood powder," "ice soul sand," and "earth fire essence crystal." He spent nearly two thousand contribution points in total.

Then, he went to the area for magical artifacts and special items. His own [Azure Edge Sword] and [Mystic Turtle Shield] were adequate, but the "Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range" environment was complex, and he might need some magical artifacts with special functions. He took a fancy to a first-tier superior-grade magical artifact called the "Spirit Detection Compass," which could assist in detecting spiritual energy fluctuations, concealing restrictions, and detecting the tracks of demonic beasts. It would be very helpful in exploring unknown areas, and it cost 1,500 contribution points to exchange for. He also exchanged for several "Concealment Talismans" and "Swiftness Talismans" (first-tier superior-grade).

Finally, he arrived at the Tome and Intelligence section. He wanted to see if there was any information or maps about the depths of the "Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range," especially areas possibly related to "dragons." This kind of information was often very valuable and not publicly available for exchange; it required special privileges or additional costs.

Lu Zhao walked to the deacon in charge of exchanging books and showed his identity token (which bore Elder Yun's mark, indicating his eligibility to participate in high-level missions). After examining it, the stern-faced old deacon became more respectful and handed him a jade slip.

"This is a simplified map of the outer perimeter and some known middle layers of the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range,' along with the distribution of demonic beasts and the marking of dangerous areas, which is held by the sect. You can make a copy for free with your token. If you want to learn more in-depth or specific information, you will need to pay additional contribution points and obtain approval from an elder."

Lu Zhao took the jade slip and probed it with his spiritual power, quickly scanning the map. The map was very basic, with many areas blank or vaguely marked "Unknown" or "Extremely Dangerous." However, near a region close to the core of the mountains, labeled "Dragon Bone Canyon," there was a description in small red text: "Legend has it that deep within this canyon lies the tomb of an ancient dragon, where rare spiritual plants such as 'Dragon Blood Grass' and 'Dragon Bone Flower' grow, and powerful dragon-descended demonic beasts guard it. A pseudo-Core Formation cultivator once ventured deep into it and never returned. Enter with caution!"

"Dragon Bone Canyon... Ancient Dragon Tomb... Dragon Blood Grass..." Lu Zhao's heart stirred. Dragon Blood Grass was precisely one of the main ingredients recorded in the "Cloud Sea Elixir Classic (Fragment)" for refining the "Five Elements Foundation Building Pill"! Moreover, its medicinal properties were potent, containing the essence of dragon blood, which was extremely beneficial for cultivating body-refining techniques, especially those with "dragon" attributes. If he could find it, not only would refining the pill be promising, but it would also greatly benefit his breakthrough in the "Hibernating Dragon Technique."

"As for the ancient dragon tomb..." Lu Zhao's eyes flickered slightly. He possessed the reverse scale of the Nether Dragon and a dragon-shaped mark within his body. If there were truly any dragon relics, he might be able to sense them and even obtain opportunities. However, at the same time, the danger would inevitably increase exponentially.

"It seems I have no choice but to venture into the depths of the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range'," Lu Zhao thought to himself. He copied the map and inquired about more detailed information regarding the "Dragon Bone Canyon." Unfortunately, the old deacon explained that the sect's knowledge of the place was extremely limited, consisting only of scattered rumors, without any definitive maps or information. Access to those uncertain rumors required extremely high privileges and contribution points. Lu Zhao decided to abandon the plan for the time being.

After exchanging the items, Lu Zhao's contribution points were almost completely depleted, leaving only a few hundred points for later use. However, looking at the newly added pills, talisman materials, and magical artifacts in his [Human Skin Pouch], he felt somewhat relieved. These were his means of survival in dangerous places.

He turned around, preparing to leave the Hall of Contribution and return to use the last two days to draw a batch of talismans and further familiarize himself with the newly exchanged magical artifacts.

However, just as he reached the entrance of the main hall, several figures blocked his way.

The leader, dressed in fine clothes, had an arrogant expression and cold eyes; it was Li Mu. Beside him stood two inner disciples with considerable auras, one at the eighth level of Qi Refining and the other at the ninth level, both glaring at Lu Zhao with hostility. Further away, several disciples who appeared to be followers formed a subtle encirclement.

"Oh, isn't this our famous Junior Brother Lu Zhao?" Li Mu said with a forced smile, deliberately raising his voice to attract the attention of many disciples around him. "I heard that Junior Brother Lu displayed his divine power in the Blackwater Swamp, even annihilating a late-stage Foundation Establishment Blood Pool Beast with a single finger. We are truly in awe of him!"

His words, seemingly flattering, were actually full of sarcasm and provocation. Sure enough, many disciples around him looked at Lu Zhao with strange expressions upon hearing this. A Blood Pool Beast? Annihilated with a single finger? How could this be? A mere Qi Refining Level 6 disciple?

Lu Zhao remained calm, seemingly oblivious to the barb in his words, and simply said, "Senior Brother Li, you flatter me. If it weren't for Elder Yun, Elder Tie Xing, and all my fellow disciples fighting so fiercely, how could I have had such a lucky escape? If there's nothing else, please make way; I have important matters to attend to."

"Make way? No problem." Li Mu didn't move, but instead stepped forward, lowering his voice, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes, "Lu Zhao, don't think you can be so smug just because Elder Yun is protecting you. The tents in the secret realm, the 'scenery' of the Blackwater Swamp, are all remembered. I heard you're also going to participate in the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range' exploration mission?"

Lu Zhao's eyes turned cold: "So what if it is? What does it have to do with Senior Brother Li?"

"Heh, it's nothing." Li Mu sneered. "I'm just kindly reminding Junior Brother Lu that the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range' is not a small place like the Blackwater Swamp. It's teeming with demonic beasts and fraught with danger. Anything can happen. Although Junior Brother Lu is 'exceptionally strong,' you still need to be careful. Don't accidentally perish there; that would be a huge loss for the sect."

His words were a blatant threat, implying that he would take action against Lu Zhao in the "Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range".

Lu Zhao slowly raised his head, his gaze icy, and looked directly at Li Mu: "I appreciate Senior Brother Li's kindness. However, I've always been a tough guy. Senior Brother Li, you should also take good care of yourself. I've heard that in the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range,' there are not only ferocious demonic beasts, but also... fellow disciples who like to stab you in the back. You should be careful."

"You!" Li Mu's face darkened instantly after being retorted by Lu Zhao. The inner disciple behind him, who was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, snorted coldly, stepped forward, and unabashedly unleashed a spiritual pressure belonging to the ninth level of Qi Refining upon Lu Zhao.

"Junior Brother Lu, watch your words. Senior Brother Li kindly reminded you, and not only do you not appreciate it, but you also dare to speak rudely?"

The atmosphere instantly became tense. Many disciples stopped and watched curiously. Private fights were forbidden in the Hall of Contribution, but verbal disputes were not uncommon.

Facing the spiritual pressure of a ninth-level Qi Refining expert, Lu Zhao remained unfazed. With a slight movement of the Qi and blood from his "Hibernating Dragon" cultivation technique, he easily dissolved the spiritual pressure. He didn't even move an inch.

"What? You want to make a move before the hall, Senior Brother Li?" Lu Zhao's tone remained calm, but the coldness in his eyes sent a shiver down the spine of the ninth-level Qi Refining disciple. He suddenly recalled the rumors about Lu Zhao in the Blackwater Swamp, especially the eerie and terrifying "gray finger force," and his aura weakened by three points.

"Hmph, sharp-tongued." Seeing Lu Zhao's calm demeanor and apparent lack of fear of the pressure from a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator, Li Mu was filled with suspicion and uncertainty. He knew Lu Zhao possessed some strange methods, and that fighting in front of the Contribution Hall would not be advantageous for him, regardless of victory or defeat; on the contrary, it would violate the sect rules.

"Let's go." Li Mu took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and glared fiercely at Lu Zhao. "Lu Zhao, we'll have our fun in the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range.' I hope you'll still be this stubborn then."

After saying that, he led his men to step aside and make way, but the resentment in his eyes was almost overflowing.

Lu Zhao didn't even bother to glance at them again, walking straight past them and leaving the Hall of Contributions. He didn't take Li Mu's threat to heart. If this kind of scum dared to cause trouble during the mission, he wouldn't mind taking care of him. However, he needed to do it cleanly, leaving no evidence.

Stepping out of the Hall of Contribution, sunlight bathed him. Lu Zhao looked up in the direction of the "Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range," his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"Dragon Blood Grass...Ancient Dragon Tomb...Li Mu...And the unknown dangers and opportunities..."

"This time, let me see what secrets are hidden deep within the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range'."

He didn't linger; his figure transformed into a faint blue shadow, and he sped off towards the Yunmengze villa. He needed to use his remaining time to make thorough preparations.