CHAPTER 414: 226, THE THREE FIRES: HEAVEN, EARTH, AND HUMANITY.

Soon enough, these stowaway cultivators formed several small groups, with three to five people in each. The group leaders either possessed superior cultivation or had been the first and most aggressive in berating Kong Xing and the other Outer Hall Managers.

Every one of them is so cunning, always pushing others to do the work, Xu Xing observed. But being a leader has its perks. Everyone here has an Immortal Base cultivation; no one is inherently much nobler than anyone else. Becoming a leader allows one to leverage the group’s manpower for initial capital accumulation...

Xu Xing first shook his head at this scene, then nodded.

Where there are people, there is Jianghu.

Stowaway cultivators like these, with no background and little power, having just been squeezed of their last coin, found huddling together for warmth almost a necessity.

"Friend Yao, could it be that you look down on us? Are you unwilling to form an association with us?"

"That Kong Xing stole the heirloom your mother left you."

A moment later, these group leaders turned their gazes to Xu Xing and spoke in low voices, their words a mix of enticement and threat. Among those present, only Xu Xing had yet to join an association.

Xu Xing was one of the few cultivators at the Late Stage Immortal Foundation Cultivation. Being so young, his future seemed far brighter than that of ordinary association members.

"Form an association?"

Xu Xing narrowed his eyes, a smile touching his lips. He cupped his hands in a salute, "I, Yao, have always been accustomed to solitude and prefer not to get too close to others. I appreciate your kind intentions."

He tactfully expressed his refusal.

He generally wouldn’t resist joining a sect, whether it was the Immeasurable Sect in the Main World or the various sects in the Instance Worlds. An organized sect, no matter how corrupt internally, was still better than a Freelance Cultivator struggling alone.

But an association formed by a few Immortal Base cultivators... he was truly sorry, but the thought of joining them wouldn’t even cross his mind.

With Kong Xing providing him ’cover,’ he saw no need to join these associations formed by Bottom-level Cultivators. Joining them would be a pure waste of his time.

"Not planning to join an association..."

"Could it be that Friend Yao intends to report us to the Outer Hall Managers in exchange for an opportunity to advance?"

A group leader named Zheng Yang sneered upon hearing this, casually branding Xu Xing a traitor.

"That’s right! If you don’t associate with us, you intend to betray us," several cultivators chorused, their eyes instantly filling with wariness as they looked at Xu Xing.

Even though anyone could see the provocative intent behind Zheng Yang’s words, Xu Xing’s refusal to join an association did indeed mean he *could* report them. They had to be vigilant.

An ordinary man commits no crime, but possessing a treasure invites trouble.

"Indeed, if Friend Yao doesn’t join and decides to report us to the Outer Hall Managers..."

"The consequences would be dire."

"We need to keep an eye on him."

The dozen or so stowaway cultivators spoke one after another, thoroughly isolating Xu Xing.

Seeing this, Xu Xing remained unperturbed.

"Since Friend Zheng has invited me with such sincerity, and it is difficult to refuse such a warm offer... then I, Yao, can only agree," he said after a moment’s thought, sighing as he seemingly conceded to Zheng Yang.

Although his true intention was to avoid these squabbles, since Zheng Yang and the others seemed determined to court disaster, he didn’t mind fulfilling their wish. When it came to scheming, ten Zheng Yangs were no match for him. Furthermore, he was a Dao Pill Daoist, and his sheer power could overcome a multitude of schemes; Zheng Yang wouldn’t stand the slightest chance of victory.

"Since Friend Yao has agreed to join our Dragon Tiger Society, you are now a member of our Dragon Tiger Society!" Zheng Yang’s expression changed faster than one could flip a page, a broad smile quickly appearing as he welcomed Xu Xing. He believed that with his personal charisma, it wouldn’t be long before Xu Xing, even if there was some friction between them, would become completely obedient to his commands. He had an extraordinary background. He was from a collateral branch of the South Yue Nation’s Imperial family, held the title of Commandery Duke, and understood some techniques for managing people.

「The next day, at night.」

The stowaway cultivators, having finished their work in the Dinghefeng kitchen, returned to their Cave Mansions in the restaurant’s backyard. They prepared to enter seclusion and meditate to recover their Magic Power. Their task as assistants was to process the Spirit Materials required for preparing Spiritual Feasts. For example, using a Spirit Blade to remove the various Fish Bones from the Spirit Fish. This required extremely fine control over Magic Power. A full day of this work was as mentally taxing as a life-or-death battle.

These slivers of meat left over from filleting the Tinfoil Fish—the kitchen allows us to keep these. It all adds up, especially with five people in our Dragon Tiger Society...

In Cave Mansion Number 103 in the backyard, Zheng Yang sat cross-legged on a wooden pallet. He gazed at the translucent, pale pink fish meat in the Jade Box, his eyes gleaming with greed. This was tier-two Cave Spring Tinfoil Fish. Every sliver of its meat brimmed with abundant Spiritual Power. Inside the Jade Box, five slivers of Cave Spring Tinfoil Fish meat lay neatly arranged.

Given time, reaching the Returning Core Realm is certainly possible!

Zheng Yang prepared to consume the Tinfoil Fish Spiritual Meat.

However, just then, KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK came from the door.

Zheng Yang put away the Jade Box, rose from the wooden pallet, straightened his robes, and then opened the door to his Cave Mansion.

But just as he stepped out, a Golden Net ensnared him!

Immediately after, several Blue-robed Monks, identifiable by the tokens at their waists, clamped a wooden cangue and fetters on him. In less than a breath, Zheng Yang became a felon.

Kong Xing, with a retinue of Outer Hall Managers, stood before the kneeling Zheng Yang. He announced to the Blue-robed Monks, "Privately hoarding Spirit Materials! According to the rules of Dinghefeng, one hand is to be cut off!"

Following his order, a bloodcurdling scream tore through the air as a Blue-robed Monk ruthlessly chopped off Zheng Yang’s right hand at the wrist.

Then, Kong Xing addressed the other stowaway cultivators, "This is the consequence of secretly hoarding Spirit Materials. You have all seen it now. Not only must you see it, you must etch it into your hearts!"