Chapter 841: Heavenly Secrets Reward

The captain hadn't arrived yet?

Everyone was stunned. What was happening?

Rong Dahao felt a pang of reluctance. Although he didn't care about the captain position, a competitive spirit had now been ignited within him.

Yet, he still didn't speak.

Lei Ze glanced around, wanting to speak up for his own Rong Dahao and secure that position.

At that moment, Xu Xiaoshou saw that everyone was on the verge of speaking, so he exercised his single-sword veto power and decisively declared:

"Everyone, hold your tongues. I haven't finished speaking!"

"You can rest assured, although the captain hasn't shown up, he is under my command."

"My Tian Shang First Tower — pick anyone at random, and they're at a level that can crush all you zongshi. Taking the captain spot is child's play," his tone was casual.

But everyone was enraged.

His words were essentially pointing at their noses and saying, "I'm not singling anyone out — I'm saying everyone here is trash!"

"Xu Shao, that's a bit harsh."

Rong Dahao saw that the zongshi from his original team were all provoked, and he didn't want to stir up conflict, so he said quietly, "If Xu Shao wants me to take the captain role, I can do it. Whether I'm captain or not doesn't matter to me, but to get the team members on board, what you said might not be appropriate..."

"What's inappropriate about it?"

Xu Xiaoshou was completely straightforward, openly declaring to everyone: "I say what I mean — it's just stating the facts. Why beat around the bush?"

"All of you here are geniuses, but remember, beyond the sky there's another sky, and beyond people, there are other people. I'm putting you down to prevent you from getting arrogant."

"Just like before — who would have thought that to deal with all of you, I only needed one sword?"

Everyone bowed their heads in shame.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and turned to Rong Dahao: "When the captain arrives, if you don't trust his abilities, just go ahead and challenge him in a free-for-all. Whoever wins gets to be captain!"

Everyone was tempted.

Xu Shao was so confident — it seemed he truly believed in his subordinate?

This could be an opportunity?

They had all entered the Wang Cheng Trial for nothing more than a spot in the top thirty-six on the final points leaderboard.

And with Xu Bang being so massive, if someone became the captain of the Sixth Small Team and still couldn't make the top thirty-six, that would be a joke.

So, the captain position of the Sixth Small Team was likely a ticket to the Sheng Gong Trial.

Even Lei Ze was getting excited.

He looked at Rong Dahao, already cheering himself on inwardly.

Who wouldn't want to transform from a serf into a singer?

They were all geniuses — who would settle for second place when they could be first?

"There's still time..."

It would be a while before the real Sixth Small Team captain arrived.

During this period, without suppressing their cultivation, everyone had a chance to vie for the captain spot.

Xu Xiaoshou saw that with a few words, he had disrupted the unity of Rong's original team and stirred up everyone's competitive spirit, so he smiled with satisfaction.

He didn't even know who the captain was.

But in his mind, he had already set the rule: whoever found him first would be the captain.

If Xiao Wanfeng showed up...

Sorry, Xiao Wanfeng — you might have to face a bloody brawl.

But who knows, it could force out more potential from your Cang Jian Technique, right?

Xu Xiaoshou spoke like this without fear of his subordinates rebelling.

Fear was for the weak.

He was that strong.

With Cang Ku in hand, the world was his.

In Xu Bang, everyone might fight to the death for a second-in-command spot, but if you asked anyone...

Who would dare rebel?

"The six small teams — Rong Dahao and the Five Tiger Generals, integrate on your own."

"We have over nine hundred people now. Next, Xu Bang's goal isn't to recruit more members — it's to 'plunder'!"

Xu Xiaoshou continued announcing his major decisions.

"If you encounter Yun Zhu, absorb them yourselves — that's your opportunity."

"If you run into other trial participants, gang up on them — whoever wins gets the points."

"As for Yun Shou... oh, you probably can't handle Yun Shou — just leave it to me. From now on, I won't intercept your points midway."

Everyone's eyes lit up. Was there really such a good deal?

The big boss didn't want points? Had he hit his head?

"Xu Shao, this..."

Rong Dahao was shocked.

Something wasn't right!

If they played it this way, Xu Shao would be pushed out of the top thirty-six on the points leaderboard in no time.

"Stay calm."

Xu Xiaoshou suppressed the restlessness among the Xu Bang members and smirked with the smile of Xu the Great Demon King: "What I mean is, I won't intercept midway, but in the end, I want each of you to hand over ten thousand points. In other words, I'll only plunder exactly ten thousand points from each of you!"

There was an uproar — everyone was stunned.

Ten thousand points?

That was enough to rank in the top twenty on the leaderboard!

This Xu the Great Demon King had a huge appetite — wanting so much?

"What's the rush?"

Xu Xiaoshou frowned and quieted the murmurs: "Can't you do the math? We're just at the start of the Wang Cheng Trial, not even two days in, and some people have already racked up over a hundred thousand points."

"We're still in the barren eastern region. Once we head to other areas, to the Jiu Long Mai, will points be hard to come by?"

"What I want is just half of your points when you reach twenty thousand each — to repay the protection Xu Bang provided."

"Protection fee — get it?"

"Doesn't it tire me out to swing my sword?" Xu Xiaoshou was getting a bit parched from talking: "I dare say, other teams will pool all their points to a few people in the end. We're different — at least, I'm giving you hope and safety, aren't I?"

Everyone thought it over carefully and realized he had a point.

Soon, someone spoke up: "But Xu Shao, what if we end up with just over ten thousand points and can't reach twenty thousand? The trial jade pendant only allows plundering half, not voluntary transfers!"

This person was clearly up to no good.

Xu Xiaoshou looked at him and scoffed disdainfully: "You're all geniuses from the Five Domains. If you can't get twenty thousand points in a month, I'd even think you're too weak — I'll just give you that extra bit and tell you to pack up and get out of Yun Lun Shan Mai!"

"Pfft, hahaha..." The crowd below burst into laughter.

The one who asked the question was so embarrassed he wanted to disappear into the ground.

True enough, they were all geniuses.

Before joining Xu Bang, each one thought they could challenge the heavens.

But after joining, they were worried about not even reaching twenty thousand points and started scheming.

"You're quite the talent!"

Xu Xiaoshou said sincerely, laughing: "If anyone else wants to hide points, go ahead. As long as you don't hit twenty thousand, I won't even bother hunting you down to take them. But opportunities are yours to seize — you decide!"

Amid the roaring laughter below, some people laughed while deep in thought.

Xu Shao had given them so many chances.

Hand over just ten thousand points per person, and the rest was all yours.

On top of that, he didn't want any Yun Zhu's spiritual energy or dao principle insights...

What a good boss!

Where else could you find one like that?

Even the zongshi in the Sixth Small Team started feeling quite fond of Xu Shao.

Ten thousand points was a breeze for them, and besides, they still had a shot at becoming captain.

"Charge!"

In an instant, the Xu Bang members were energized.

Before, everyone felt lackluster, like they were just working for Xu Shao.

Now, it was different — as long as they hit the quota, the rest was theirs.

Forget women, gourmet food, spiritual medicines... all of that could wait!

Points were king!

Hit twenty thousand, break through to zongshi, fight for captain, grab a top thirty-six spot, secure the Sheng Gong Trial spot... and achieve sainthood!

Some even let their imaginations run wild to sainthood.

Xu Xiaoshou saw everyone was eager and waved his hand, letting the team leaders lead them to farm Yun Zhu wildly, hunt Yun Shou, and head toward Jiu Long Mai.

"Not bad!"

Xin Gugu saw the change in everyone's spirit and marveled, "How did you make everyone change with just a few words? Is this what they call a silver tongue?"

"What silver tongue? That's called wisdom!"

Xu Xiaoshou gave him a sidelong glance and said, "You're still not thinking straight — didn't you see the real genius in this move?"

"Where's the genius?" Xin Gugu asked curiously.

"Look."

Xu Xiaoshou pointed at the Xu Bang members and smiled: "I'm giving them their own future gains, using the future of nine hundred people to earn me nine million points — and they think they're getting more, so they're desperate to make money for me."

Xin Gugu's eyes widened. Thinking about it, he realized it was true — that was brilliant!

"But that's not even the best part." Xu Xiaoshou smiled mysteriously.

Xin Gugu leaned in closer, bumping shoulders with Xu Xiaoshou, and humbly asked, "Don't keep me in suspense — teach me."

"What did I put in?" Xu Xiaoshou spread his hands.

"You..." Xin Gugu looked at his empty hands, hesitating, "What did you put in?"

"I put in nothing."

"Ah?"

"This move..." Xu Xiaoshou grinned like a fox, "is called 'empty-handed wolf snatching'!"

Xin Gugu thought it over — it really was! Xu Xiaoshou had only used his breath...

That was incredible!

Xin Gugu was stunned as he realized where the real genius lay.

A few words to make nine hundred people fight for you.

Wasn't that genius?

Xu Xiaoshou patted his head and continued, "Say, if one spirit crystal equals one point, would anyone trade?"

"No way!" Xin Gugu shook his head vigorously, "Who'd be that foolish to trade points for spirit crystals?"

"What about ten thousand spirit crystals for one point?" Xu Xiaoshou asked again.

"Well..." Xin Gugu hesitated, "I don't think it's worth it, but maybe someone would."

Xu Xiaoshou laughed: "Alright, so let's say one point equals ten thousand spirit crystals. Once you master this trick, you can make a few hundred people work for you and earn you... nine hundred billion!"

It hit Xin Gugu like a thunderbolt.

He wanted to save up for a house the most, and after converting it, he realized Xu Xiaoshou had really made nine hundred billion — he was dumbfounded.

Xu Xiaoshou turned and walked away.

Liu Changqing followed, impressed, as his guardian.

Left behind, only Xin Gugu stood in the cold wind, counting on his fingers, completely bewildered.

"Heavens, nine hundred billion?"

On the third day since the Wang Cheng Trial began.

"Ding."

All trial participants received the latest message from their trial jade pendants at the same time.

This thing had been silent since everyone first entered Yun Lun Shan Mai and engraved their names.

Now, with a new directive, everyone quickly pulled it out to check.

"The first trial participant to enter the inner region of Yun Lun Shan Mai has appeared, triggering a heavenly reward. Dao Ze Source Stones will randomly appear in the inner region — please head there to acquire them."

This simple message caused a massive uproar among all trial participants.

"Dao Ze Source Stone?"

A few participants were confused.

But most, with their impressive backgrounds, immediately grew envious and abandoned any plans to linger in the outer region killing for points, rushing straight toward the inner region.

"Source Stone?"

In the eastern region, Xu Xiaoshou had just slain his third Yun Shou and was looking at the prompt on his trial jade pendant, feeling puzzled.

As they moved from the east, resources were increasing.

In the first two days, he had only slain one Yun Shou at Luo Yun Peak.

On the third day, he encountered two.

And after his Huan Mie One Finger charge reached "10," Xu Xiaoshou couldn't stand the mental attack's nausea anymore and finished off the Yun Shou.

Heart Sword Technique.

This was the latest skill he mastered after "Sword Technique Mastery" ascended to the throne.

He hadn't comprehended the Nine Great Sword Techniques, but by imitating Ba Zun An's abilities, he managed to replicate a bit of the spiritual attack essence of Heart Sword Technique, successfully slaying the Yun Shou.

Beside him, Liu Changqing also put down his trial jade pendant and explained: "Dao Ze Source Stone is a great treasure — even wangzuo covet it. It lets you directly touch the essence of the dao and enter deep enlightenment, sort of like..."

Liu Changqing looked at the handful of divine water in Xu Xiaoshou's hand and smiled: "Like an endless supply of 'Fu Yuan Essence'."

Xu Xiaoshou was moved.

He had drunk two portions of Fu Yuan Essence, greatly enhancing his space rule insights.

And this source stone was like an infinite version?

"It's a bit different."

Liu Changqing saw Xu Xiaoshou's expression and realized the misunderstanding, adding: "Source stones have attributes, like fire source stone, water source stone, and so on... For you, Xu Shao, you'd need a space source stone to get that endless 'Fu Yuan Essence' effect."

"Is it hard to get?" Xu Xiaoshou asked.

"Very hard!"

Liu Changqing nodded: "Space-type treasures are always rarities — any that appear get snatched up by the strong immediately. But in the Yun Jing World, it's hard to say — it depends on how generous Cheng Dianzhu is with the rewards."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded, understanding.

In other words, it was difficult, but possible.

And since it might appear, he, Xu Xiaoshou, had to get it.

Whether by fate or by force from other participants.

"Ding."

The trial jade pendant alerted again.

Everyone flipped it open and checked with their spiritual sense.

"Source stones cannot be stored in space and will display the holder's location and attributes on the trial map. Please remain vigilant."

It exploded!

This message stunned everyone.

If you got a source stone, your position would show on the trial map — that meant...

"A storm of blood is coming!"

A flash of light gleamed in Xu Xiaoshou's eyes. For the weak, this was a disaster; for the strong, the source stone was both a treasure and a points farming tool.

After all, come one, kill one; come a thousand, slaughter a thousand!

"Ding."

The trial jade pendant didn't stop — it struck again without warning.

"The first to enter the inner region of Yun Lun Shan Mai, Chong Yuan, is rewarded with one fire source stone and one million points. Please keep it safe."