The comments said I was deeply affectionate, I just added points by using an alternate account.

He walked to the control panel in the center of the laboratory, where several items were placed.

An irregularly shaped piece of golden ore, a section of dried vine that faintly glows with green light, a rusty bronze compass covered with runes, and a projection model of a black iron coffin.

"Today, let's start with the most basic concepts of affinity and repulsion."

Situ Ming pointed to the golden ore: "This is Radiant Gold Stone, which has an extremely strong affinity for light and fire elemental energy, and is one of the main materials for crafting corresponding magical artifacts."

He then pointed to the withered vine: "This is an ancient living vine. Although it has died, spiritual energy still remains in its fiber structure, which can be used to study the decay and revival of life energy."

Then, he pointed to the bronze compass: "This is a fragment of the Spirit Finding Compass. Ancient superhumans used it to explore the earth's veins and find spiritual objects. Its rune structure resonates with spiritual energy fluctuations of a specific frequency."

He then explained the uses of the three items one by one, and finally, his gaze fell on the projection of the black iron coffin.

"And your coffin is made of ten-thousand-year-old black iron."

Situ Ming said in a calm tone: "Its greatest characteristic is its repulsion of spiritual energy, or rather, its extremely high barrier to most conventional spiritual energy. This makes it almost impossible for it to be driven, strengthened, or eroded by spiritual energy, and it is also extremely difficult for it to resonate with the external spiritual energy environment."

Chen Guan listened attentively.

"However, everything in the universe is interconnected and mutually restraining; things will inevitably turn into their opposites when they reach their extremes."

Situ Ming then changed the subject: "Extreme repulsion is also a kind of extreme stability. It is like an absolutely solid shell that completely isolates the inside from the outside. This characteristic makes it the top-level sealing container and defensive barrier."

Situ Ming continued, "Since you insist on carrying this coffin, you will naturally become estranged from the surrounding spiritual environment. Your path of cultivation is destined to be different from others."

He walked up to the coffin, his gaze deep: "You cannot easily absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to strengthen yourself like others. Your power growth can only rely more on the tempering of your own body, and... the non-spiritual connection that may exist between you and this coffin."

Non-spiritual connection!

This coincided with Chen Guan's own guess.

"I have observed that your spiritual qualities also seem to be related to this coffin, exhibiting a rare gray-mist state."

Situ Ming slowly said, "This kind of spiritual power doesn't seem to completely follow the traditional spiritual power growth pattern; it's more like a symbiotic state."

Chen Guan held his breath, waiting for the next part to continue.

"My advice to you is," Situ Ming said in a deep voice, "First, continue to strengthen your physical and mental foundation; this is fundamental."

"Second, try to understand your coffin, not just as a tool. Feel its weight, its coldness, its silence. Perhaps you can gain your own spiritual power from it."

"Third, regarding the gray mist of your spiritual power... Try using the most basic cultivation method, let it happen naturally, and record its changes. If there are any abnormalities or progress, you can ask me for advice at any time."

"Thank you, teacher." Chen Guan replied respectfully. Situ Ming's words had pointed him in a clear direction for cultivation.

"That concludes today's lesson." Situ Ming nodded. "Next week, I will explain some basic methods for array mapping and material property testing."

"The student understands."

Leaving the research building, Chen Guan was filled with new thoughts. Situ Ming's guidance gave him some new ideas.

Physical tempering, spiritual cultivation, understanding the coffin, observing the gray mist...

Although he had no clue about coffins, he could understand other things.

On Monday afternoon, after physical training class, Chen Guan received a team invitation from An Changqing on his personal terminal, along with a shared team mission message:

[Team Mission (Rank D): Clear the abnormal rock beetle swarm in the abandoned mine in the eastern suburbs]

[Description: Recently, a large number of mutated rock beetles have appeared in the old mine in the eastern suburbs, posing a threat to the surrounding environment and occasional scavengers. Task requirements: Clear the beetle swarm in the main passage of the mine, assess the threat level, and collect a small number of beetle shell samples.]

Recommended group size: 3-5 people

[Task Rewards: 50 base points per person, with additional points awarded based on performance and the quality of the collected samples.]

Team members: An Changqing (captain), Su Yuehe, Chen Guan (to be confirmed)

A D-level mission to clear out a swarm of insects doesn't seem too difficult, making it suitable for newbies to practice.

An Changqing's choice of him and Su Yuehe was clearly well-considered. Su Yuehe's abilities lean towards support, while he himself is a reliable melee and defensive unit.

Without hesitation, Chen Guan clicked to confirm joining.

Soon, An Changqing sent the meeting time and location: meet at the east gate of the college at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.

……

The next morning, as dawn broke.

Chen Guan got up early, and after completing his daily care of his main body, he changed into a set of dark gray outdoor combat clothing that was easy to move in. This was a standard uniform that he had exchanged for at the academy's equipment shop with the initial points he received when he enrolled. It had a certain degree of wear resistance, scratch resistance and weak spiritual energy cushioning function.

After communicating with Tongzi, the weight of the coffin was no longer as light as a feather, but was adjusted to a weight that Chen Guan could accept. Feeling the heavy weight, Chen Guan felt much more at ease.

After storing the necessary items in his storage ring, Chen Guan pushed open the door to room 304 and went down the stairs.

The campus air was crisp and clear in the early morning, and there were few pedestrians on the road. When he arrived at the East Gate carrying the coffin, An Changqing and Su Yuehe were already waiting there.

An Changqing was also dressed in a well-fitting field combat uniform, with an unsheathed longsword at his waist. The scabbard was simple and unadorned, with a faint shimmering light within it.

He had an upright posture and a calm demeanor; even just standing there, he gave people a sense of reliability.

Su Yuehe, dressed in a light green outfit with a jade flute hanging at her waist, was looking around nervously. When she saw Chen Guan approaching, her eyes lit up, and she waved, "Chen Guan! Over here!"

"An, Su, thank you for waiting." Chen Guan approached and nodded in greeting.

"We just arrived too." An Changqing smiled and his gaze lingered on the coffin behind Chen Guan for a moment. "The objective of this mission is to clear out the mutated rock beetles. They usually live deep in dark and damp mines. They have hard shells and are good at burrowing and spewing acid, but they are not very fast and have low intelligence. Our strategy is to advance steadily. Yuehe will provide support, and Chen Guan and I will take the lead."

He assigned tasks concisely, clearly having done his homework beforehand.

"Okay," Chen Guan replied simply. Su Yuehe also nodded vigorously, gripping the short flute in her hand tightly.

"Set off."