CHAPTER 41: 036 THE RING OF THE DEMON SPIRIT BOOKSTORE

In the afternoon, Du Yu took the dedicated shuttle bus and arrived at the Demon Spirit Realm in the south suburb of Ancient Pine Tower City.

Upon arriving here, Du Yu thought he had come to a forest park. Although there were few people here, the various facilities were particularly complete.

Demon Pet Center, Demon Pet Hospital, Demon Pet Store...and even a Demon Pet Beauty Salon? All kinds of magnificent shops made Du Yu quietly observe for a long time.

Finally, Du Yu found a standalone building with a wooden house style on the far right.

Demon Spirit Bookstore!

This is a nationwide chain brand by the Great Xia official, and also an institution used by many Demon Tamers to make a living.

Du Yu stepped forward and saw a line of small characters under the signboard: Ancient Pine Tower South Suburb Branch.

With two bows on his back, Du Yu opened the door and walked into the bookstore. As the sound of wind chimes rang from the door, the young guy behind the bar stood up.

Even though Sixth Brother Du was wearing a cloak and a hood, and also had two bows on his back, he didn’t arouse any strange looks from the young guy at the bar. He simply nodded with a smile, "Demon Spirit Student?"

Du Yu took out his credentials and handed them over.

"Oh, an unofficial student, I wish you a speedy promotion." The shop assistant handed back the credentials, smiling widely, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Du Yu took off his hood, curiously looking around the bookstore interior. The store had two floors, with the second floor partially visible, with only some bookshelves in sight.

The hall on the first floor was more like a coffee shop with a great environment. At the moment, a few Demon Tamers were resting there, feeding their Demon Pets.

"Is it your first time here?" The shop assistant noticed Du Yu’s curious expression and asked, "Would you like an introduction?"

"Yes, please."

The shop assistant said, "The upstairs is a library with computers, where you can look up information for free. Downstairs is the lounge, providing simple meals for Demon Tamers and Demon Pets.

The main function of the Demon Spirit Bookstore is to distribute tasks to Demon Tamers. The points earned from tasks are universally accepted in places like the Demon Pet Hospital and Demon Pet Store."

The young guy slightly turned to indicate the small blackboard on the wall: "Here are today’s bounty tasks. You can take as many as you want, but you should pay attention to the task deadlines. If a task is overdue, points will be deducted instead.

The names and phone numbers on the blackboard next to it are people looking for partners, as you can see, most of them are for the sixth task."

Du Yu glanced at the "Friendship Section" and then looked at the Tasks Section.

There were a total of 6 tasks, 4 Copper-level tasks, and 2 Silver-level tasks.

Actually, directly labeling "Copper-level Task" would be fine, but the board has to say "Heroic Bronze," making it look as though everyone is truly heroic...

"Here we are at the Newbie Demon Spirit Bookstore. There are only three types of tasks: Collection, Information, and Combat tasks. You’ll know when you look at the content."

1. Collect 1 Beard Tree Vine over 3 meters in length.

Task Level: Heroic Bronze. Deadline: 10 days. Reward Points: 1.

2. Collect 8 Demon Plant Fruits of any kind.

Task Level: Heroic Bronze. Deadline: 10 days. Reward Points: 1.

...

5. Last night, there was a loud insect chirping sound from Zone 1 of the Demon Spirit Realm. Investigate the source, collect accurate information, and leave clearer image data to be provided to the Demon Spirit Bookstore.

Task Level: Unyielding Silver. Deadline: 7 days. Reward Points: 5.

6. A double-leaf grass snake, eroded by cold qi, appeared in Zone 4 of the Demon Spirit Realm. It is estimated to be at the Peak of Mortal Level.

Kill the double-leaf grass snake and obtain the demon crystal polluted by cold qi, and submit it to the Demon Spirit Bookstore.

Task Level: Unyielding Silver. Deadline: 10 days. Reward Points: 10.

Du Yu asked in confusion, "Suppose I don’t accept a task, but during my training, I happen to complete it. Can I submit it directly when I return?"

The young guy immediately nodded, "Of course, as long as the task is still on the board that day."

Du Yu nodded repeatedly, "If it’s not on that day, I’ll just sleep here on the floor for a day and wait for the board to change tasks the next day."

The shop assistant laughed, "You want to farm tasks? The same task can only be completed once a day. Also, what will you do if the task you want isn’t available the next day?"

Du Yu replied, "Then...then I’ll sleep for a few more days until it appears?"

The young guy was speechless, "..."

Du Yu blinked, "I’ll collect 100 Beard Tree Vines in one go! Then I’ll sleep here for a year, surely I can farm 100 Beard Tree tasks, right?"

The shop assistant took a deep breath and tried to speak gently, "First of all, you can’t carry 100 Beard Tree Vines all at once. Secondly, my young friend, your time is very valuable."

Du Yu waved his hand, "Eh~ Don’t say that! By the way, how much money can 1 point be exchanged for?"

The shop assistant replied, "1 point can be exchanged for 50 yuan."

Rip-off! Just 50 yuan to run an errand?

And it’s still a risk to run around in the Demon Spirit Realm for several days, only to surrender the collected items at the end!

With my investiture with the Yellow Robe and delivering takeout with Xiaoyan, I could earn much more.

There might even be many generous customer ladies giving tips...

Noticing Du Yu’s dissatisfaction, the shop assistant smiled, "If you exchange 1 point for 50 yuan, outside you can only buy 1 premium lunchbox. If you use 1 point directly to purchase here..."

Du Yu blinked, "What good food can you buy?"

The shop assistant raised two fingers, "You can buy 2 lunchboxes!"

Du Yu was speechless, "..."

At this point, Du Yu really wanted to dance to "Thank you, because of you, the world is more beautiful!"

Du Yu thought for a moment and ultimately accepted 5 tasks, but not the last one. He didn’t intend to take on a Peak of Mortal Level creature just yet.

After all, there were small tiers in between, so it would be tough now. The Demon Breath in the Demon Spirit Realm is dense, and there is still time for him to grow.

"Here is the map of the Demon Spirit Realm, and as a newbie, you get a free healing potion."

The shop assistant handed over the items, "The method of use is to apply it on wounds, which can alleviate the elemental damage caused by various attributes of Demon Breath. It has a healing effect on both Demon Tamers and Demon Pets.

There are free lockers over there, you can organize your equipment. Since you have accepted all 4 collection tasks, you’ll need to leave space in your backpack."

Du Yu hefted the palm-sized red potion, said a word of thanks, and then walked toward the storage locker.

While organizing his backpack, Du Yu seemingly casually asked, "By the way, how can one obtain a Library Ring from this Demon Spirit Bookstore?"

Obtaining a Library Ring from a Demon Spirit Bookstore can also allow an external student to become a regular member. However, for 99.99% of the external students, this task is merely something to fill up the task list.

The difficulty of obtaining a ring from any Demon Spirit Bookstore is exceptionally high.

The Library Ring is not only a symbol of honor.

If Du Yu owned a ring from this bookstore, he could enjoy discounts at all the surrounding shops in the Demon Spirit Realm. Some items might even be provided for free to the ring holder, like meals for ordinary humans!

If Du Yu could really get his hands on a ring, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about meals for the rest of his life.

As for the origin of the Library Ring...

You should know that not all bounties can be perfectly resolved.

For tasks that have existed for more than three years without completion, if you can properly solve them, after a series of strict reviews by the bookstore, they might grant you the ring of that bookstore at their discretion.

The store clerk smiled; he had seen countless novice Demon Tamers like this and was used to these kids who overestimate themselves.

He pointed in the direction of the store door: "It’s hanging right there."

Du Yu looked over and saw a small blackboard hanging above the door with a task written on it: "In Zone 5 of the Demon Spirit Realm, there are two ancient Twin Trees that bloom every summer and bear fruit in the fall.

Task Objective: Pick a complete Twin Tree Flower or a complete Twin Tree Fruit.

Task Level: Glory Gold. Reward: Demon Spirit Bookstore - Ring of the Ancient Pine Tower South Suburb Branch."

As Du Yu asked, a few scattered students in the quiet bookstore glanced over, looking at the small blackboard on the store door.

The store clerk showed a look of nostalgia: "I’ve been working here for seven years. This task was already here when I first started, and it’s still here to this day, without being erased."

At the dining table, a girl holding a Wolf Lake Dog asked, "There are so many experts in Great Xia, can’t they pick the Twin Tree Flower and the Twin Tree Fruit?"

The store clerk: "This Demon Spirit Realm only allows Demon Tamers to enter, not higher-level Demon Tamers.

Additionally, there are troops stationed around the ancient Twin Trees. Whatever power level you have, they’ll see clearly how you pick the flowers or take the fruit. You can’t fake it."

The girl nodded, looking at the task on the blackboard with longing in her eyes.

The store clerk looked at Du Yu, jokingly saying, "You don’t need to rush to accept this task. It’ll be here whenever you come."

Du Yu nodded: "I guess I won’t be able to complete it."

The store clerk comforted, "Don’t be discouraged, this task is extremely difficult and not something the average person can complete."

Du Yu shook his head: "No, what I mean is I’ve been advancing too quickly. Maybe in a few days, I’ll become a Demon Warrior, and they won’t even let me in the door."

Clerk: ???

He looked at Du Yu and said softly: "There’s a reason this task is always here. Frankly speaking, even if you are a Demon Warrior, you still won’t be able to complete this task.

Didn’t you see the task level is Glory Gold?

The bookstore’s difficulty assessment won’t be wrong; you’d have to be at least a Third Level Demon Tamer to possibly complete this task by luck."

Du Yu didn’t say anything more, he simply stored away his items, traveling light, and waved goodbye to the clerk.

"Du Yu, Du Yu~" As soon as he stepped out of the door, he heard Little Fen Yang’s voice in his mind.

"Hmm?"

Little Fen Yang’s voice was very excited: "Are we going to peel tree bark?"

Du Yu: "..."

My little loli has a lifetime obsession with tree trunks!

He thought about it for a while and reminded, "You must be careful, okay? Once you enter the Demon Spirit Realm, there are soldiers patrolling on duty. You must hide well."

Little Fen Yang seemed a bit reluctant: "Hmm, okay then..."

Du Yu headed straight to the entrance, his backpack much lighter, bringing only the Demon Soldier Silver Fire.

In fact, the Demon Soldier Black Wood could be returned, as it still had more than 20 days of usage left.

Though Du Yu lacked money, he had no intention to sell it, as the Black Wood Bow had been a big contributor to earning him the title of Outstanding Student.

Once he makes some money and rents a place, he plans to hang this Merit Demon Soldier Bow up as a memento.

Du Yu, holding his external student ID, passed smoothly through the entrance, taking in the full fragrance of vegetation, his expression somewhat intoxicated.

Little Fen Yang suddenly said, "So many trees."

In a mysterious sense, Du Yu had a premonition that if he hadn’t stopped her, Little Fen Yang might peel the bark off every tree in the forest!

As for why during the exam Little Fen Yang wasn’t interested in that forest, it was likely because those were ordinary trees?

With this thought, Du Yu took out his phone and, like a tourist, began taking pictures and scanning around.

"Beard Tree, Earth Element, Wood Element dual-type Demonic Plant.

Naturally drooping branches are called ’Beards,’ low-level demonic plant material, widely used.

Power level assessment in progress...

Mortal Level·Initial Stage~Mortal Level·Minor Achievement Stage, specific power level based on actual conditions; picture inspection is for reference only."

Du Yu’s mouth dropped open, seeing the trees before him all bare, branches all snapped off, standing like a big thick stick. Where’s the beard?

Goodness~ My Demon Tamer friends are going all out! Look at how they peeled it...

This Beard Tree is really unlucky. Why’d you grow right at the entrance?

Du Yu stepped forward, gently patted the Beard Tree, and casually tore off a small piece of bark.

Little Fen Yang couldn’t help but cheer: "Hmm~ So happy! Du Yu is the best!"

Du Yu: "..."