The panel notification appeared, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
However, this was the first time an optional side quest had appeared.
In previous dungeons, progress was measured by a completion percentage, but in this ultra-tier dungeon, it had been split into main and side quests.
Xiang Longwu carried the dragon's body and the Nine Cauldrons back to land, and the others followed.
From the rear, a large group of professional medical personnel rushed forward to begin treatment.
Holy Light, Hydrotherapy, Rejuvenation Art... For a moment, various healing spells and Daoist arts rained down incessantly.
After the baptism of healing spells, professionals from Heavenly Crafts used instruments to check everyone one by one.
Once they had caught their breath, the group gathered to discuss the dungeon's aftermath.
"Old Xia, what's the plan? You're the general commander. Are we going to keep fighting?"
Seeing everyone turn toward him, Xia Qiming didn't rush to answer. Instead, he carefully examined the prompts on his panel.
【Optional Side Targets: 1. Huang Cang Imperial Court; 2. South Xuan Sects】
【Huang Cang Imperial Court: The Huang Cang Imperial Court is renowned for its military arrays. Having assisted the evil flood dragon's ascent, they have lost the people's support. Crusading against the court aligns with the heavens and answers the will of the people.
Drop preference: Military arrays, battlefield war machines】
【South Xuan Sects: The sects of the South Xuan Region are powerful, and years of operation have turned this land into an iron fortress. However, they suffered heavy losses while attempting to block the flood dragon, and the sect-guarding artifact of their leader, the Lihuo Sect, is rumored to have sustained severe damage. This is a heaven-sent opportunity to uproot the sects and unify the South Xuan.
Drop preference: Cultivation techniques, ancient divine beast relics】
【Note: Completing side quests will add their drop preferences to the final dungeon rewards, influencing the reward content. If you choose not to undertake side quests, the energy of the Dungeon Core will be increased, raising the spiritual energy concentration after fusion.】
It seemed side quests provided job-holders with more options.
If one was not satisfied with the rewards from the main quest, they could complete side quests to influence the final outcome.
However, if they were satisfied with the main quest's objective, they could choose to finish the clearing immediately, merge the Dungeon Core, and gain a higher boost to spiritual energy concentration.
The first side target, the Huang Cang Imperial Court, offered military arrays and battlefield war machines. Daxia didn't seem to have a pressing need for either.
The second side target, the South Xuan Sects, offered cultivation techniques, which were somewhat more appealing.
Xia Qiming could not make up his mind immediately.
He looked toward Wu Xiuyuan and Zhuge Xuanqi, seeking the help of his two teachers.
Seeing Xia Qiming's pleading gaze, Zhuge Xuanqi let out a sigh.
This student of his was excellent in every way except for his lack of independence. Whenever he or Wu Xiuyuan were present, the first thing Xia Qiming did was consult them.
But since he was his student, Zhuge Xuanqi shared his perspective.
"Daxia only prepared for the subjugation of the flood dragon. We have not made preparations for other targets. Acting rashly could lead to unforeseen risks.
Furthermore, we have just finished a hard battle. I, and the rest of you, are exhausted and not at full strength. Recovery takes time.
Besides, the focus of the two side quests isn't particularly urgent for Daxia right now."
Zhuge Xuanqi pointed at Xiang Longwu, who had returned to human form, and continued.
"Currently, those who practice self-cultivation, like Longwu, already have their own techniques. Others might not have top-tier ones, but they are sufficient. The real bottleneck is the cultivation environment and resources.
Therefore, I suggest completing the clearing now to maximize Daxia's spiritual energy concentration."
Wu Xiuyuan agreed. "I share Xuanqi's view. A boost in spiritual energy concentration will be immensely beneficial to the people of Daxia.
Whether it's cultivation or growing resources, everything depends on spiritual energy.
Unless the side rewards are exceptionally useful or urgently needed, I suggest sticking to the main quest to maximize the energy boost."
Xia Qiming turned to the others. "What do you all think?"
To his surprise, everyone shook their heads, indicating they had no objections.
Xiang Longwu lay on the ground, circulating his blood to regrow his lost limbs while grumbling, "Old Xia, we just did all the heavy lifting in a brutal fight. Now it's your turn to do some work.
Why are you trying to slack off and make us do the thinking too?"
"Exactly!"
"Old Xia, that's not very fair of you."
The others joined in, teasing Xia Qiming.
Xia Qiming rubbed his face with both hands, feeling helpless.
Wu Xiuyuan picked a large leaf from somewhere, folded it into a funnel, and asked Ye Bufan for some wine. He sipped it as he walked toward Xia Qiming.
"Qiming, since everyone chose you as the general commander, they trust you. Now that you're in this position, you should show some leadership. Unless it's something outside your expertise, you should make your own decisions."
"Alright then."
Xia Qiming looked at the group, about to announce his decision, when he caught sight of Chen Xu out of the corner of his eye.
"By the way, Chen Xu, do you need the military arrays from the Huang Cang Imperial Court?"
With those words, everyone's gaze shifted to Chen Xu.
Chen Xu was currently checking his gains on his panel. He hadn't expected the topic to suddenly shift to him.
"Me? I don't need them. Teacher Xia, that's a pretty clumsy way to shift the attention."
"It's not about shifting attention. I just thought of your skeleton army. Daxia doesn't have enough people to train in those military arrays, but for your skeletons, it shouldn't be a problem.
It would be quite a boost to your strength."
"No, I really don't need them. Teacher Xia, you should decide quickly. I'm afraid that if you wait any longer, I'll have finished Side Target 1 myself."
"Huh?"
Everyone uttered a sound of confusion in unison.
Chen Xu gave an embarrassed smile. "Well, I didn't have a role in the grand performance of fighting the true dragon. Since I had nothing to do, I sent my Black Knight and a portion of the undead army north to find the Huang Cang Kingdom's army.
I just got word—they've already reached the gates of the Huang Cang capital."
"Hahaha!" Xiang Longwu gave a thumbs-up with his newly regrown right hand. "As expected of Brother Chen!"
Following Xiang Longwu's lead, the others began praising Chen Xu.
Chen Xu chuckled awkwardly. "It was nothing, really. Just a small side project."
Xia Qiming shook his head and said helplessly, "In that case, let's just finish the dungeon clearing."
Xia Qiming opened his panel and clicked the button to settle the dungeon rewards.
Instantly, a beam of light descended from the sky, absorbing everyone inside the dungeon.
In the blink of an eye, they were back on Blue Star.
In the sky, a glowing meteor was slowly descending toward Daxia.
As the meteor streaked across the sky, it scattered stardust that drifted with the wind and merged into Daxia's territory.
【The clearing of Flood of the Flood Dragon is complete. The Dungeon Core has been merged.】
【World Announcement: Daxia has successfully cleared the first ultra-tier dungeon! Daxia has successfully cleared the first ultra-tier dungeon! Daxia has successfully cleared the first ultra-tier dungeon!
The world acknowledges this feat, and blessings descend upon Daxia. The spiritual energy concentration within Daxia's borders has significantly increased. Current concentration: Transcendent level. (Creatures within the borders can reach the Transcendent rank through instinctual breathing alone, without the need for active cultivation.)】
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