"Could you enlighten us?" The commentator smiled.
"We tested one's stamina, then their assessment ability, their mental ability and their survival skills. All that is left, is their strategic ability. I could take a wild guess and say that the next trial will rely on the cultivator's ability to use either tools or maybe some minions to achieve a strategic goal. But it's just a guess," Eccentric Long Shrugged.
Just as he finished his words, another object was thrown toward Eccentric Long, he grabbed it and found that it was once again, another treasury token, this one had the symbol of a Sun during an eclipse.
The commentator smiled as he said, "I guess you were right on the money, for even the Cryptic Sun to reward you with his token! Praise to be for the Cryptic Sun!" The commentator gave his regards and so did Eccentric Long with a long bow.
"I thank you for your reward, this humble one can barely contain his joy from such generosity," he said.
"And let us reveal the next trial!"
Suddenly the screen changed to that of a simple open terrain that spanned a very long distance.
On one side of this terrain was a simple-looking shack with hundreds upon hundreds of piled-up bricks and pieces of metal of all types and shapes.
There were a dozen or so people there who wore shabby clothes and had tools in their hands.
Around the shack were several plots of land with various types of foods planted on them. Then there were ore veins and a nearby forest.
On the other side of the terrain was a massive gate that had a swirling portal inside it.
"As you all can see, this is a simple shack where the cultivators will need to protect against waves of incoming enemies. However, there is a small condition that needs to be respected. All cultivators who will join this endeavor are not allowed to use their Qi or their powers. You must make use of the people given to you to build or defend against the incoming wave of enemies.
The cultivator partaking can though use their abilities to build and help making the base stronger. There will also be a merchant that you can exchange materials and points with to receive objects you can use to help you make a better fortress.
The waves will continue increasing in difficulty until the tenth wave, if the base collapses before the tenth wave, the cultivator will be considered to have lost and will be teleported out. Simple right?" The commentator said.
However, most people in the audience were confused as this was more info dump than they could comprehend. (Sorry about that)
***
After listening to the commentator, I began looking around to see how I could handle this trial.
It's simple enough, but at the same time requires a lot of effort. And I something is missing. For example, when is the wave starting?
But as if my mind was being read, a timer appeared on my bracelet. It said 72 hours.
It seems that I have about three days to work on these things before the first wave starts.
It's not enough time, but it is at least enough to get familiar with everything around me.
I tried to use my holding bag, but it was locked, even my Poison God's heritage was sealed. Though I could break the seal, if it was sealed it definitely means that I shouldn't be tampering with it.
I approached the people gathered on one side of the shack, and realize that they were simple puppets without a face or any organs.
"Interesting," I said.
Next to them was a well clothed man who was sitting comfortable on a carpet smoking from a pipe.
"You there," he said. "If you need any questions answered you can come to me," he said.
"I suppose you're the merchant," I said.
"Indeed," he replied.
"What is your name?" I asked.
He smiled and said, "Just call me the merchant, anyway if you need anything take a look at my wears," he said.
"Before I do that, tell me, can I tamper with the puppets over there?" I asked.
"Of course, you can work them to death if you wish or destroy them, there is no penalty for that. You just cannot use anything that isn't given to you by me personally."
"What about my personal Qi?" I asked.
"As long as you're not using it to directly kill or hamper with the advance of the incoming troops from the gate, you're free to use your Qi in the preparation time as much as you want."
"I noticed that my holding bag is sealed," I said.
"And it should remain so until the end of the trial, using external materials and treasures will get you disqualified," he said.
"Okay, then can I see your wears?" I asked.
He held a holding bag forward and inside it was an incredible amount of loot and materials that couldn't be described.
From simple gardening tools, to towers and turrets, to talismans and even herbs and spiritual pills.
"I guess each piece has its own price," I said.
"Indeed, you must pay a price in points. And the creatures you'll be defeating will reward you with points that you can use to upgrade your fort." He answered.
"Do I get a starting allowance?" I asked.
"You do, it is about a thousand points," he said.
"Show me all the things I can buy with the thousand points," I said.
The merchant then began rummaging through his holding bag and showed only the materials that were cheap and would probably be looked down upon by other cultivators.
I took a quick glance at some of the materials and then picked a few that I could use.
Anyone else would probably start buying and building fortifications to protect his fort. But that is rather inefficient. For me, with the presence of ore veins and a saint Qi vein in this area, all I need to do, is recreate my own power and my own force.
This game… I mean trial, will be fun.