Chapter 133: Battle of Listening Wind City (Part 3)

Every city unlocks its temple after surviving the first monster siege. The temple serves many functions, but thus far, the only one available is the exchange system. During a monster siege, players earn corresponding contribution points based on the number of monsters they slay.

The exchange feature of the temple is essentially an alternative shop. However, all the items it sells are of superior quality or higher, alongside numerous strange and unusual props.

No one knows where these items come from. Yet, as long as you have enough contribution points, you can trade for countless things within the temple—though, naturally, the price tags for these items are quite steep.

For instance, the invincibility potions that Huang Kun and his companions used earlier were high-end PvP items produced by the temple.

Having only experienced a single monster siege so far, most players do not possess many contribution points. Even though the items inside the temple are tantalizing, having insufficient contribution points makes looking at them entirely useless.

Unlike other systems, the temple's items do not require a character to reach a certain level stage before they can even be viewed. Naturally, life-restoring items such as Resurrection Gems were discovered by players quite early on, but their asking price is absurdly high. Still, a person only has one life; in Zhao Nan’s memory, there were many players who survived several monster sieges and stubbornly refrained from spending any contribution points, hoarding them solely to exchange for a single Resurrection Gem.

Naturally, the situation of the eight individuals led by Huang Kun could only be considered an exception. After the first monster siege concluded, almost everyone would visit the temple once and never return, leaving them with only silent resignation.

Therefore, when Zhao Nan and Ye Anya arrived at the temple in Listening Wind City, apart from the temple’s internal personnel, not a single player was to be seen.

The temple is located right in the center of Heavenly Wind City, surrounded by a massive moat, with eight straight bridges extending outward. As Zhao Nan walked across the bridge, his gaze had long since flown ahead toward the temple.

When the two of them crossed the straight bridge and reached the outer perimeter of the temple, a cleric dressed in white robes hurried over and asked politely, "How may I help you, Lord City Lord?"

Ever since the position of City Lord was established, all the indigenous people within Listening Wind City knew of it, even in a peculiar place like the temple.

"I need to exchange items."

"Very well, please follow me."

The temple is a massive structure, currently the most majestic building in Listening Wind City. However, as the city's level increases, the scale of the temple will become increasingly grand and awe-inspiring.

There are rooms specifically designated for item exchanges.

Standing before the door, Zhao Nan lowered his voice and said, "Anya, wait here for a moment. Big Brother is going to perform a magic trick for you, and I'll bring the big sister right back, okay?"

Ye Anya tilted her head, then nodded, swiftly writing on her slate: "Do your best!"

Zhao Nan smiled, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open to step inside. Yet, his slightly trembling back remained deeply etched in Ye Anya's sight, impossible to shake off.

Until the door closed, Ye Anya looked around and then sat down on the steps ahead. Resting her chin in her hands, she gazed steadily forward.

Counting the time, ever since the events at the Dust-Transcending Palace concluded, half a day had already passed, and the burning clouds of sunset were now approaching dusk.

...

"You possess: 29,874 contribution points."

Inside this exchange room, right in the center, stood a one-meter-tall round stone pillar. Atop the pillar rested a bright red cushion, and upon the cushion sat a huge, off-white sphere, resembling an oversized pearl.

As Zhao Nan touched the sphere, he heard the prompt regarding his current contribution point balance.

"Search for all character-summoning type items," Zhao Nan murmured softly.

"Search initiated... There are 27 types of items matching this search category."

There were as many as 27 purely summoning-type items, each with different functions. Zhao Nan only needed to find the prop capable of summoning a designated individual.

Countess Rose had taken Finina into the thick fog zone. In an environment where anyone who entered would instantly become lost, Zhao Nan stood no chance of conducting any kind of tracking.

Although contribution points were precious, Zhao Nan had originally intended to save them. After all, he currently had no pressing need to exchange for items from the temple. But this time was different; how could any number of contribution points compare to the importance of Finina, especially when her safety was unknown?

Zhao Nan’s brow suddenly twitched as he exclaimed softly, "Found it! Greater Summoning Scroll!"

Greater Summoning Scroll: Can be used to specifically summon any character interacted with within the past ten days. Once summoned, there is no master-servant relationship with the summoned character. Use with caution. Contribution points: 10,000.

Presumably, no one would ever spend 10,000 points to exchange for such a seemingly useless item. Yet, it fit Zhao Nan's exact needs. Deducting 10,000 contribution points, Zhao Nan did not even frown.

The moment the Greater Summoning Scroll materialized in his hands, he could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart, his face breaking into an expression of ecstatic joy.

With no one else around, Zhao Nan directly unfurled the Greater Summoning Scroll right there, silently reciting Finina's name in his heart while recalling every smile and frown of hers.

The summoning scroll sensed what Zhao Nan desired in his heart, and from the opened parchment surface, a pillar of golden light soared straight into the sky.

Within moments, the entire room was bathed in golden radiance, and a peculiar magic array appeared before Zhao Nan.

The magic array rose, ascending by a foot, before the phantom outline of a pair of lower legs came into view.

One meter. Two meters.

The magic array finally vanished at a height of two meters, scattering into tiny golden light particles as the phantom gradually grew clear.

Once the figure became completely distinct, Zhao Nan whispered, "Welcome back... to my side."

Finina blinked her eyes open, only to find herself looking directly at Zhao Nan. Yet, just a breath prior, she had clearly encountered a strange enemy, leaving her filled with confusion. "Nan, what on earth happened?"

This was the Finina Zhao Nan was familiar with, not the other one from the Dust-Transcending Palace. Although Zhao Nan was equally bewildered by this sudden change, he did not show it.

Judging by Finina's expression, she seemed completely unaware of what had happened to her.

The version of her with long black hair inside the Dust-Transcending Palace felt like nothing more than a dream.

...

Regardless of whether it was a dream, as long as Finina could return safely, that was enough.

Zhao Nan no longer dwelt on other matters, reaching out to pull her into his embrace. The feeling of regaining what was lost was infinitely precious.

He deeply inhaled the scent of her hair, his voice growing even gentler. "Don't worry about what happened... I will never let you leave me again."

Finina was momentarily stunned, still entirely in the dark... yet, held tightly in his embrace and feeling that powerful heartbeat, her arms naturally wrapped around his back, holding him just as tightly in return.

"Mm." (To be continued...)