Free Web NovelChapter 35: Chapter 35: Dawn Settlement
The dawn of Foggy Bone Forest was pale and quiet.
As the first gray light spread across the skeletal trees beyond Bone Lantern Camp, the fog retreated like a living thing forced back by an unseen command. The blue lanterns around the camp burned steadily now, no longer flickering under pressure. The broken walls remained damaged, but they had not fallen. The central fire still burned with a calm blue flame, reflecting in the tired eyes of the four young climbers standing before it.
Qin Yuheng’s right arm still felt numb from channeling lantern fire and thunder together.
The pain was deep, not merely muscular. The blue flame had brushed through his meridians and left a cold burning sensation behind. If not for the Primordial Thunder Emperor Body and the newly learned Origin Thunder Emperor Body Scripture, that final strike might have damaged him seriously.
Even now, he knew he would need rest before attempting anything similar again.
But the result had been worth it.
The mission settlement panel unfolded before them.
[Floor 2: Foggy Bone Forest]
[Main Mission: Reach Bone Lantern Camp within 12 hours — Completed.]
[Side Mission: Collect 10 Bone Fog Flowers — Incomplete. 6 / 10 collected.]
[Side Mission: Defeat 15 Fog Bone creatures — Completed.]
[Side Mission: Keep all team members free from deep fog corrosion — Completed.]
[Rescue Event: Prevented deep fog corrosion in another climber — Completed.]
[Optional Mission: Defend Bone Lantern Camp until dawn — Completed.]
[Boss Defeated: Fog Bone Wraith.]
[Team Survival: All members alive.]
[Emergency Withdrawal: None.]
[Final Evaluation calculating...]
Qin Mo stared at the panel.
"If this is not SSS, I will complain to the Tower."
Qin Lian glanced at him.
"The Tower does not accept complaints."
"That is why it is unfair."
The panel flashed.
[Final Evaluation: SS]
Qin Mo froze.
Then slowly turned toward Qin Yuheng.
"Can I complain now?"
Qin Yuchen looked at the incomplete Bone Fog Flower side mission.
"We missed four flowers. That lowered the evaluation."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
"Also, camp integrity fell too much."
The settlement continued.
[SS Evaluation Rewards]
EXP +650
Tower Coins x4,000
A Grade Fog Bone Trial Chest x1
C Grade Spirit Fruit x3
C Grade Perception Fruit x3
B Grade Bone Lantern Cloak x1
B Grade Skill Book: Fog Step x1
B Grade Spirit Stabilizing Stone x1
A separate message appeared.
[Optional Defense Bonus]
A Grade Bone Lantern Heart x1
C Grade Fog Bone Commander Core x1 frёeωebɳovel.com
C Grade Fog Bone Wraith Fragment x1
Qin Yuheng’s eyes sharpened slightly.
A Grade Fog Bone Trial Chest.
A Grade Bone Lantern Heart.
Wraith Fragment.
Even though they did not reach SSS, the rewards were extremely good for Floor 2. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
More importantly, the reward types were different from Floor 1. Floor 1 had strengthened body, movement, and physical foundation. Floor 2 gave spirit, perception, fog resistance, and defensive utility.
That balance was valuable.
The settlement light descended.
[Returning to Heavenly Gate Tower entrance.]
Blue-white light covered them.
When Qin Yuheng opened his eyes, they stood once again on the return platform inside Heavenly Gate Tower.
This time, the return light was silver-blue instead of golden.
Still eye-catching.
The academy staff checked the evaluation crystal.
"Qin Yuheng Team. Floor 2: Foggy Bone Forest. Final Evaluation..."
The staff paused.
"SS."
The entrance hall stirred.
"SS again?"
"After SSS on Floor 1?"
"They defended Bone Lantern Camp?"
"Is that the optional defense mission?"
"Most teams choose to end after reaching camp!"
Han Shuren, standing not far away, looked at Qin Yuheng’s injured arm.
"You accepted the defense mission."
"Yes, Instructor."
"Wraith?"
"Yes."
Han Shuren’s expression became more serious.
"Go to the healers."
Qin Yuheng did not refuse.
This injury was not something he should ignore.
Yu Qingmei was not present this time, but her assistant recorded the result immediately. Qin Yuheng knew the report would reach her soon.
As the academy healer examined his arm, her expression changed.
"Lantern fire backlash and thunder meridian strain. What did you do?"
Qin Yuheng answered calmly, "I used the camp lantern formation to interrupt the Wraith’s final skill."
The healer stared at him.
"That was reckless."
"It worked."
"That does not make it less reckless."
Qin Mo, sitting nearby while drinking a recovery tonic, nodded vigorously.
"I agree with the healer."
The healer applied a cool salve infused with spirit energy and wrapped Qin Yuheng’s arm with a pale bandage.
"No intense thunder circulation with this arm for two days. If you ignore this, the recovery time becomes longer."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
"I understand."
He meant it.
There was no need to damage his foundation for impatience.
After medical treatment, the team submitted a simplified report. Qin Yuheng described the false lantern paths, Fog Bone Soldiers, Bone Lantern Camp, reinforcement methods, Fog Bone Commander, and Fog Bone Wraith. He did not mention the exact details of evolved medicines or how much he had relied on enhanced items.
The academy accepted the report and granted additional merit points.
[Academy Merit Points gained: 180]
Combined with previous merit and bonuses, Qin Yuheng now had a strong academy resource base.
But his real focus was the reward chest.
That night, after returning to the Qin Estate and reporting the general situation, Qin Yuheng entered his private room and activated every privacy formation available.
He took out the A Grade Fog Bone Trial Chest.
It was pale gray and blue, made from bone-like crystal, with a small lantern symbol on the lid.
The panel appeared.
[A Grade Fog Bone Trial Chest]
[Type: Floor 2 SS Evaluation Reward]
[Eligible for Primordial Origin Evolution.]
[Please select evolution direction.]
1. Quantity Multiplication
2. Quality Enhancement]
Qin Yuheng chose without hesitation.
"Quality Enhancement."
Origin light covered the chest.
The pale bone crystal transformed into silver-blue jade. The lantern symbol became more refined, and a faint soul-stabilizing aura spread from it.
[Evolution successful.]
[A Grade Fog Bone Trial Chest]
↓
[SS Grade Soul Lantern Fog Trial Chest]
[Open?]
"Open."
The chest dissolved into silver-blue light.
[Obtained:]
[SS Grade Soul Lantern Heart x1]
[S Grade Skill Book: Mistless Spirit Step x1]
[S Grade Clear Soul Perception Fruit x1]
[A Grade Fog Immunity Talisman x3]
[A Grade Spirit Inventory Expansion Stone x1]
Qin Yuheng’s gaze stopped on the Clear Soul Perception Fruit.
A fruit.
Not a Talent Fruit, but likely a rare stat or spiritual enhancement fruit.
He inspected it.
[S Grade Clear Soul Perception Fruit]
[Type: Rare spirit-perception fruit]
[Effect: Greatly increases perception, mental clarity, fog/illusion resistance, and danger awareness.]
[Eligible for Evolution.]
This was extremely suitable for Qin Lian or Qin Yuchen.
Also suitable for himself.
Perception was one of the most important stats for hidden missions, traps, and survival.
Then he inspected the skill.
[S Grade Skill Book: Mistless Spirit Step]
[Type: Movement and perception skill]
[Effect: Allows user to maintain direction and footwork stability under fog, illusion, or sensory disruption.]
[Eligible for Evolution.]
This could complement Void Thunder Shadow Step, but learning too many movement skills might split focus. It might be better for Qin Lian.
He stored it for now.
Then he inspected the Soul Lantern Heart.
[SS Grade Soul Lantern Heart]
[Type: Rare spirit treasure]
[Effect: Stabilizes soul, resists mental intrusion, strengthens spirit flame, can serve as formation core or protective artifact material.]
[Eligible for Evolution.]
Qin Yuheng became silent.
Soul stabilization.
Mental intrusion resistance.
Could this help his father’s wound?
The earlier system had said Qin Zhengyuan’s injury included Blood Sun Corrosion, Broken Seal Backlash, and Ancient Qin Bloodline Suppression. A Soul Lantern Heart might not cure it, but it could possibly stabilize one aspect.
He did not use or evolve it immediately.
This required caution.
The next day, Qin Yuheng brought the SS Grade Soul Lantern Heart to Qin Wanshan privately.
He did not reveal that it came from an evolved chest. He only said it was a special reward affected by his "reward resonance."
Qin Wanshan’s expression changed when he saw it.
Qin Zhengyuan was summoned.
Mu Qinglan arrived moments later.
When Qin Yuheng asked whether it could help his father, the room fell silent.
Qin Zhengyuan looked at the Soul Lantern Heart for a long time.
"It may stabilize the spirit backlash," he said. "But it cannot cure the root."
Qin Yuheng’s eyes sharpened.
"Then we use it to stabilize first."
Qin Zhengyuan looked at his son.
"You want to spend this on me?"
Qin Yuheng answered calmly.
"You are my father."
No further explanation was needed.
Mu Qinglan turned her face slightly away.
Qin Wanshan closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them.
"We will not use it recklessly. I will prepare a sealing chamber. Qinglan, you assist. Zhengyuan, no refusal."
Qin Zhengyuan smiled helplessly.
"I did not refuse."
Qin Yuheng looked at the Soul Lantern Heart.
For the first time, his Tower rewards were not merely increasing his own strength.
They were beginning to touch the old wounds of the Qin family.
