Qin Feng instantly understood the key to it all.

A pained wince involuntarily appeared on his face, but it was overshadowed by an undeniable sense of joy.

’The "Special Mental Power Recovery Potion" drastically increased the speed at which I can channel Spiritual Energy. That was the most critical step. Before, I had to restore my Mental Power through long periods of Meditation or sleep. But now, this Potion allows me to slowly recover my mental state while my physical body is repairing itself. The two processes run in parallel without conflict, greatly shortening the interval between my training sessions.’

’Then there were those two "Premium Deep Recovery Medicated Bath Packets." They allowed my body to recover to its peak state at the fastest possible speed after being tempered by rampaging Spiritual Energy. This reduced my body’s rest time, allowing me to dive into the next round of breaking through acupoints much faster.’

’The two combined forcibly increased my overall cultivation speed by at least a quarter! Those twenty Contribution Points were well spent!’

Qin Feng quickly reviewed the process in his mind and began making more precise calculations.

’When I was breaking through the seventh Acupoint, I’d already used up the Mental Power recovery Potion. My speed clearly slowed down after that.’

’If I had two special Mental Power recovery Potions, combined with four Premium Deep Recovery Medicated Bath Packets, my cultivation speed could increase by at least another half! Of course, the further I get, the greater the strain on my body and mind for each Acupoint, and the more recovery resources I’ll need.’

A clear resource allocation model instantly formed in his mind.

’Calculating carefully, to maximize efficiency, for every 100 Contribution Points worth of Spiritual Resources, I need to pair them with 40 Contribution Points worth of recovery-type resources. That’s the most cost-effective and efficient way to cultivate.’

This discovery gave him a completely new understanding of how to plan his "Contribution Points."

’Ten years...’

He once again thought of that distant yet pressing deadline.

’I have to be faster!’

After finishing his seclusion, Qin Feng didn’t slack off in the slightest, immediately contacting his S-rank Intelligent Assistant.

"Hammer, filter for the most suitable and efficient methods for me to acquire Contribution Points right now."

"Command confirmed."

Hammer’s voice was as cold and efficient as ever. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Conducting comprehensive assessment based on user’s current data..."

[Life Force Index: 110.58]

[Martial Artist Level: Fourth-Level Awakening Martial Artist (8/360 Acupoints)]

"Assessment complete. Filtering for optimal Contribution Point acquisition plans..."

Soon, two clear lines of large, golden text appeared on the light screen before Qin Feng.

[Plan 1: Imperial Arena]

[Details: Your current official rank is ’First Rank.’ According to Starry Sky Martial Arts University rules, reaching ’Second Rank’ for the first time will earn a reward of 100 Contribution Points. Based on your current Comprehensive Combat Power Assessment, the success rate for achieving this goal is 18.7%.]

[Plan 2: Canaan Tower]

[Details: Your current challenge record is the first floor, Battle 32. The first floor of the Canaan Tower has a total of 72 battles. For each successfully challenged battle, you will receive a reward of 1 Contribution Point. Successfully clearing all stages on the first floor will grant an additional ’Floor Clear’ reward of 50 Contribution Points. Total potential gain: 40 + 50 = 90 Contribution Points.]

[Plan 3: Empire Missions]

[Details: Accepting Empire missions can earn a large number of Contribution Points, but they are accompanied by danger.]

Looking at these first two plans, Qin Feng’s gaze flickered.

’The Imperial Arena has a huge reward—a full 100 Contribution Points, almost equivalent to the payout for a high-risk mission. Unfortunately, my strength isn’t there yet, and the probability of promotion is too low.’

The Canaan Tower, on the other hand, was just as tempting.

It wasn’t just because of the 90 Contribution Points, but more importantly...

’The Canaan Tower is also a Trial Ground.’

Qin Feng made his decision in an instant.

He had just finished his seclusion, and his strength had skyrocketed, but his foundation felt somewhat unstable.

The new "Dragon Snake Spear" technique he’d learned was still only at the stage of theoretical understanding, yet to be tested in actual combat.

Furthermore, the Gatekeepers in the Canaan Tower were all Green-skinned Strongmen with vastly different fighting styles, making them perfect "sparring partners" for honing his combat techniques and solidifying his cultivation level.

’I’ll choose the Canaan Tower.’

Consciousness connected. Space shifted.

When Qin Feng opened his eyes again, he was already inside the familiar, primitive hall of the Canaan Tower, constructed from bronze and rock.

He didn’t hesitate for a moment, walking directly toward the Light Gate leading to the 33rd Battle.

A flash of light passed, and the scene before him transformed into a massive cavern filled with piles of scrap metal and abandoned pipes.

"CHITTER! CHITTER!"

The moment he appeared, seven or eight short, scrawny figures with sickly green skin scurried out from behind a junk pile like startled rats.

They were clutching rust-spotted daggers and crude, homemade firearms, staring intently at Qin Feng with cunning and greedy eyes.

They were the lowest existence in the green-skinned ecosystem—Grots.

Their Life Force Index was generally only around 40 points, but their strength lay in their large numbers and agility.

Qin Feng’s eyes were calm. Instead of retreating, he advanced.

A standard-issue Long Spear materialized in his hand. Facing the Green-skinned kids surrounding him from all directions, his spear technique seemed sluggish, almost clumsy.

He wasn’t using the Thousand Army Spear or the "Fierce Bird Fist Style," which he had already brought under his Control. Instead, he was meticulously executing a completely new spear technique.

It was the Dragon Snake Spear!

His spear moved like a snake. He tried to imitate the movements of a Spiritual Snake, employing Yi Rou Ke Gang as the tip of his spear traced smooth arcs to deal with attacks from multiple directions simultaneously.

But his movements were clearly still unrefined.

"CLANG!"