Chapter 222: Valor Contribution Points and Ordinary Contribution Points

After inquiring, Sterl quickly received a response. As he looked at the new text appearing on his panel, he began to understand.

In simple terms, any product in the Hall of Valor related to a demigod or higher level could only be exchanged using Valor Contribution Points. Only a few consumables could be purchased with ordinary contribution points.

Sterl pondered this restriction and found it quite reasonable. After all, with his status, he received 3,000 contribution points each month, amounting to 36,000 points a year. If he waited for three years, he could get a platinum-level skill for free?

Not everyone advanced as quickly as Sterl. For many legendary or demigod-level warriors, staying at one level for decades or even centuries was not uncommon.

The Hall of Valor wasn't a charity, after all.

Therefore, ordinary contribution points could only be used to exchange for resources below the demigod level. During those times, players' status levels were not high, and the monthly contributions they received weren't excessive.

For resources above the demigod level, Valor Contribution Points were required. As for earning these points, one had to complete difficult challenges to prove themselves as the brave warriors the Hall of Valor needed. For instance, Sterl had earned 20,000 Valor Contribution Points by passing an extreme trial.

Normally, members of the Hall of Valor had to complete high-difficulty missions to earn Valor Contribution Points.

Ordinary contribution points could be directly exchanged for Valor Contribution Points, but each player could only exchange 500 points per year, requiring 50,000 ordinary contribution points.

Taking the platinum-level skill Sterl had his eyes on as an example, relying solely on his monthly contribution points from his status wouldn't be enough to get it for free. Even if he wanted to exchange ordinary contribution points for Valor Contribution Points, it would take 200 years.

For someone with a status like Glorious, the monthly contribution points wouldn't be enough to cover the 500 Valor Contribution Points exchange quota each year. Additional tasks would be required to meet the quota.

Sterl realized that the huge difference in the exchange rate forced players to strive and fight, a consistent theme in the Hall of Valor's style.

Of course, if you really worked for the Hall of Valor for 200 years, they wouldn't mind you getting a platinum-level skill for free.

However, Sterl soon found himself in a dilemma.

The problem now was that he couldn't use his 20,000 Valor Contribution Points frivolously; he had to save them for something like a platinum-level skill.

With only 4,000 ordinary contribution points left, it seemed he couldn't afford any significant items or equipment.

But soon, an idea struck Sterl. Generally speaking, as long as a skill has potential, it can often be enhanced with points, and even multiple enhancements are possible.

So, if he wanted a platinum-level skill, he didn't necessarily have to go for the expensive 100,000 contribution point version. Could he find a cheaper one and then enhance it gradually?

With this thought, Sterl's eyes lit up. He quickly began searching, with one piece of information after another flashing across his panel.

[Sea of the Dead (Platinum)]

[Description: A special technique symbolizing the powers of shadow and death. It is said that this skill is the legacy of a demigod who mastered both forms of Law Power but failed to ascend to godhood, leaving their life's essence condensed in [Transcendence].]

[Effect: You can use corpses to resurrect the dead, resulting in the following effects—

Sea of Bones (Basic)

Underworld Beasts (Perfected Death Law)]

[Activation Requirement: Mastery of either Death Law or Shadow Law]

[Purchase Price: 50,000 Valor Contribution Points]

...

Seeing the price of the Rain Curtain Sword skill, Sterl couldn't help but smile. This platinum skill was considered one of the least valuable in the Hall of Valor's skill shop, but it resonated perfectly with Sterl's Flowing Water Law.

When Sterl examined the details, he found that the Sword Curtain created multiple blades using Flowing Water, which would surround the user. The blades floated in mid-air, attacking automatically and providing a protective effect as they moved.

Although this skill significantly enhanced the offensive and defensive capabilities of the Flowing Water Law, it was still weaker than other platinum skills. Additionally, this platinum skill only had a basic form and could not be enhanced further with the improvement of Law Power.

Hence, the price of the Rain Curtain Sword was just 25,000 Valor Contribution Points, making it the cheapest platinum skill available.

Sterl was only 5,000 Valor Contribution Points away from acquiring this skill...

"In a few days, I'll find a way to take on some tasks, and that should do it..." he mused. "Wait, I still have a Trial of the Brave. Completing it should also yield some Valor Contribution Points." With a plan forming in his mind, Sterl quickly had a strategy.

Reluctantly, Sterl closed the Hall of Valor's contribution shop.

Next, he focused on his secluded training, improving his arcane skills and studying formations.

Sterl's proficiency in arcane skills increased rapidly, thanks to the supportive environment of Valhalla Mountain in the Hall of Valor. In just two days, he maxed out his proficiency. Unfortunately, he was still far from reaching the next stage of his arcane skill.

During these two days, Sterl finally took the Flower of All-Seeing Wisdom. He had previously refrained from consuming it, fearing the unknown effects of its potent properties might temporarily incapacitate him.

As he had anticipated, the Flower of All-Seeing Wisdom's effects were intense. He felt as though countless blades were piercing his body. However, Sterl was accustomed to enduring pain during significant power-ups, and he accepted it calmly.

Afterward, he used two enhancement points on the [Gate of Hell (Incomplete)], a skill he had been trying to perfect for some time.

Eventually, the skill Sterl acquired evolved into—

[Gate of Hell]+

[Category: Special]

[Description: Many races believe that the gateways they construct in imitation of the Gate of Hell possess incredible magic, capable of creating a real Gate of Hell at specific times. Due to unknown influences, what was originally a mere trick has undergone a strange transformation.]

[Effect: On the thirteenth day of each month, activating this skill will open an unstable Gate of Hell.]

[Warning: Entering the unstable Gate of Hell will randomly teleport you to an unknown region, with no possibility of return.]

"As expected, this skill has great potential," Sterl nodded. However, the evolved Gate of Hell was still quite problematic. Limited activation times were one thing, but the inability to return after entering? That was just too much!

Fortunately, there was still a symbol indicating that the skill could be further enhanced. Sterl could only hope that the next enhancement would fix the flaws of the Gate of Hell, at least ensuring a way to return.

He knew a bit about Hell. It was a bizarre world divided into different layers, and it was said that Hell's layers were infinite, connecting to all major worlds and the Crystal Barrier Galaxy within [Transcendence]. Some layers of Hell were extremely dangerous, making survival difficult even for gods.

Opening a one-way portal to Hell? No way Sterl was going to risk that!

After finishing his arcane skill training, Sterl got busy once again. He opened the Hall of Valor's shop, choosing to purchase a [Spirit Gathering Array (Basic)] and four sets of materials for the array.

The effect of this array was to gather ambient energy within a small area, accelerating cultivation. However, it was useless for Sterl since his estate, a reward from completing an extreme trial, already had the highest-level Spirit Gathering Array inscribed.

This array was said to come from an Array Master known by the great Divine Power who created the Hall of Valor and had been effective for countless years without diminishing.

At Sterl's current level, he couldn't even detect where the array inscriptions were. He was simply practicing the basics of array formation to meet his class change requirements.

About an hour later, an NPC with golden hair, fair skin, and wings on their back arrived, delivering the items Sterl had ordered. The NPC was remarkably beautiful.