7: Listing the Techniques
"So how much SP do you have now?" PCliver asks. "Is it over 100?"
"Almost. At this point I'm at 89." CoDestiny answers. "Why? What's so special about 100 SP?
"That's how much the Basic Cultivation Technique costs. It's the only technique we can buy at the first stage of Qi-Gathering."
"And that's what we'll use to increase our cultivation stage." CoDestiny nods.
"To start with." PCliver says. "Once you reach stage 2 you can buy the Impurity Cleansing Technique, which does the same thing but is apparently more efficient in most circumstances."
"And then an even better technique is available at stage 3?" CoDestiny guesses.
"No." JadeBea answers. "Cliver, why don't you just go over all the techniques."
PCliver nods. "Stage 3 is the Parallel Consciousness Technique , which will apparently give us the ability to stay awake while playing the game. I'm very sceptical of how this could work, but considering how much we've already seen is possible, I at least want to try it."
"Even if it does work, it wouldn't help much." CoDestiny agrees. "It's not like you can control two bodies at once. Not well at least."
"Stage 4 is the Spare Vessel Refining Technique, which is how we can unlock respawning. We should probably avoid straying too far from the sect until we achieve this."
"Definitely agree there." CoDestiny nods. "It was cool how I survived against the boar, but I wouldn't want to go through that again without the chance of respawning."
"Stage 5 is the Observing Orb Technique, which creates a floating orb near you that you can see through and can even share what it sees with other people."
"Sounds like a streaming tool. I'm currently stuck showing everything in first person, so it'll be nice giving the viewers a different perspective."
"Stage 6 is the Polyglot Technique, allowing to to quickly learn other languages. I think it just means the things local NPC's say will be translated, because apparently they all speak a different language."
"They are definitely going pretty far in the worldbuilding." CoDestiny considers. "Seems a bit pointless to create a language barrier and then remove it so early."
"Stage 7 is the Unassigned Vessel Refining Technique. This is how we introduce new players to the game. If you leave an Unassigned Vessel in one of the sects unclaimed dorm rooms, a VR Headset will be sent out to someone who will eventually be our fellow disciple."
"I've never heard of an MMO that does that." CoDestiny says. "I'd be a big problem if we all decided to keep the game just between us."
"Well I intend to help as many people join as I can." JadeBea says. "This is a job we're being paid for remember. If you don't want to lose it then I'd recommend not getting in my way."
"Moving on, Stage 8 is the Personal Storage Technique. Basically it'll grant us an inventory.
Stage 9 is the Cleanse Other Technique. The name is all I was able to find about it.
Then finally at Stage 10 there's the Breakthrough Elixir Recipe. It's meant to help you break through to the next cultivation realm." PCliver ends his explanation.
"So mostly it's essential utility and production techniques. I guess that means we're still in the tutorial." CoDestiny says.
"That appears to be how the Qi-Refining Realm is designed." PCliver agrees. "I think it's also meant to give us time to get accustomed to the way things work before we become powerful enough that reckless actions can cause major problems for the sect."
"Fine, so how can we earn the most SP?" CoDestiny asks.
"That's what I spent most of my time checking." JadeBea says. "If you have the skill then you can try extracting the pearls from Sky Pearl Tulips, but it's a very delicate process, and if you fail then it destroys the plant, which reduces the SP you earn by half for a real world day."
"Before you ask, its because the pearls regrow quickly and the sect doesn't want to lose a renewable resource." PCliver explains.
"I guess we don't want to ruin things for future players." CoDestiny sighs. "I found a lot of sky blue tulips though, which are probably what you're talking about. Perhaps we can try creating a dedicated farm for them?"
"That sounds life something to consider in the future." JadeBea says. "In terms of simpler, less risky ways of earning SP, I would advise just chopping down trees and bringing their timber to the sect."
"That's what I'll be doing." PCliver says. "I'd doubt I'd be able to avoid destroying the plants, and I have some experience working with timber."
"I'll be attempting to extract the Sky Pearls." JadeBea says. "I'm quite good at these kind of delicate tasks, so if any of us have a chance it'd be me. What about you CodesTiny?"
CoDestiny groans. "Please just call me Destiny, and I guess I'd like to watch you extract the pearls before making a decision."
"I still wouldn't recommend trying yourself though." JadeBea says. "I don't think I've made it clear just how difficult it is."
"Let him at least watch." PCliver says. "If anything it'll be a way of showcasing it to his viewers."
"Fine... meet back here in an hour? That way we can compare the actual rate we earn SP?"
"I'll be here anyway, but sure." PCliver accepts.
"So, why are you so intent on earning SP and inviting new player to join?" CoDestiny ask as he and JadeBea walk towards the nearest known location of Sky Pearl Tulips.
"Honestly, because it seems like the best way to stay employed." She explains. "I have a sister with... circumstances. Ones that make it very difficult for her if there isn't someone constantly there to help her. But I still need to earn a living."
"And this is the only job that allows you to help her during the day, and work at night." CoDestiny deduces.
"That's what I think. If after logging out I still need some proper sleep then... I honestly don't know what I'll do."
"Well, Sect Tech has delivered on their promises so far. Here's hoping that'll continues."
She smiles. "Thanks. And it looks like we found the tulips." She crouches down at some blue tulips.
"So what do you need from me?" CoDestiny asks.
"Just stay quiet and watch." JadeBea say, taking out two pairs of strangely curved scissors.
...
He does watch, and honestly.
There's no way he can pull this off.
It took almost ten minutes for her to extract a single pearl, and every moment of it she seemed close to failing.
"So, you still want to try?" JadeBea asks, though her smug look gives away the fact she already know the answer.
"No, you're right. I can't do that." CoDestiny admits. "Where did you get the scissors from?"
"There's some mundane tools stored in the sect building. You can use them as long as it's for the sects benefit." She explains. "I'm sure Cliver will show you where to find an axe to help him with."
"Actually, I was thinking I'd do more exploring." CoDestiny says. "Not going far, but there are still some gaps in the map I'm confident I can safely fill in without encountering any danger."
"That's fine, take the map gem with you then." She tosses it over.
"Careful!" He barely manages to catch it.
"Don't worry, It's actually very durable. Not something you can break by accident."