Chapter 848: Xiao Xu's Gang, Source Stone Monopoly

Points Leaderboard.

First, Chong Yuan, points: 1,175,000.

Second, Tang Zheng, points: 1,064,000.

Third, Xiao Wanfeng hurry to the east to find this young master, points: 884,300.

Sent!

More than two hundred Zongshi had directly boosted Xu Xiaoshou's points past the eight hundred thousand mark.

Once the entire procession had finished handing over their points, Xu Xiaoshou stared at the number, feeling a bit dazed.

It had happened so quickly.

These points had come far too easily.

The first wave of trial participants who had rushed into the inner reaches of Yunlun Mountains—most of their points had likely already transferred to his account, right?

"Who is this Tang Zheng?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, furrowing his brow as he looked at the second-place name.

Liu Changqing and Xin Gugu clearly didn't know anything about this suddenly appearing figure either.

But the Zongshi who had been plundered to the point of despair had heard of him.

Someone spoke up helplessly, "We don't know who Tang Zheng is, but this guy is fierce. He was the first to block the Fire Element Yuanshi landing spot, but he wasn't after the Yuanshi—he just hacked down anyone he caught, purely for points."

"Xiao Jing was the one he forced to flee. Most of us several hundred Zongshi came here to avoid that battlefield."

"But over there, there are probably still about as many Zongshi as here, and they're stuck, so their points will just end up in Tang Zheng's hands."

Xu Xiaoshou clicked his tongue in amazement.

This guy had done exactly what he himself had wanted to do.

But clearly, Tang Zheng didn't have any formations, so he couldn't hold onto the other half of the people fighting over the Yuanshi, leading to the points slipping away to this side.

Still, for an ordinary trial participant without formations to hack down hundreds of Zongshi and climb to second place, breaking past a million points—that made him quite a character!

"A Taixu successor or a Semi-Sage successor?" Xu Xiaoshou asked.

"Doesn't seem like it," someone replied. "No one knows where this guy crawled out from. He's only at Zongshi Heavenly Phenomenon Realm cultivation, but even Yin-Yang Realm trial participants can't withstand his great blade."

"What a talent pool!" Xu Xiaoshou sighed.

He was tempted to head back to the Fire Element Yuanshi appearance site and plunder the remaining Zongshi—maybe he'd even run into Tang Zheng if he was lucky.

But by now, the place was probably long deserted; the flowers would have wilted.

After all, this spot was already the second battlefield.

If the second battlefield was over, the first one must have ended even earlier.

"Forget it."

"I'll just stay here and wait like a spider in its web."

Xu Xiaoshou made his decision.

Holding the Fire Element Yuanshi, he felt a clear and penetrating sensation, knowing that if he sat down to cultivate, it would bring immense benefits.

But he couldn't.

If he broke through or got too absorbed in cultivation, exposing his Jin Zhao aura—that would be disastrous.

After all, his "Young Master Xu" identity only showed a highly special spatial attribute.

"What about storing it in my Yuanfu?"

Xu Xiaoshou eyed the Fire Element Yuanshi, tempted.

Though the trial jade pendant had warned that this thing couldn't go into spatial rings or storage items.

But his Yuanfu world was already formed. For a small treasure like this to enter and serve as a town-boundary treasure—it should be its honor, right?

Soon, though, Xu Xiaoshou dismissed the idea.

If he really put it in, the map coordinates would disappear, basically announcing to the world that Xu Xiaoshou had a Yuanfu world.

"Keep it in my pocket, as bait, and see how many little lambs it attracts."

The big matters were settled.

The two hundred-plus Zongshi around him looked on expectantly, waiting for Young Master Xu's final verdict.

Xu Xiaoshou gazed at the group and hesitated.

Absorbing them into the Xu Gang would increase the numbers and strength, but the Xu Gang would feel too bloated.

The key issue was that his Xu Gang members, over nine hundred strong, hadn't even reached the inner reaches yet—who knew where they were off slaughtering people?

After this battle, Xu Xiaoshou realized something.

Building a Xu Gang to earn nine million points was just the baseline.

The fastest way to rack up points was to use Yuanshi or items as bait, luring in hundreds of Zongshi at once and wiping them out.

That was the quickest way to harvest like wheat!

But you needed both high-risk and medium-to-low-risk options.

There would be times when the economy was bad, like if everyone got scared of being harvested and a single Yuanshi didn't attract as many people anymore.

"Young Master Xu, what's the plan next?"

Xin Gugu looked over, and with over two hundred Zongshi loose cannons, each fighting for themselves, who wouldn't be tempted by that force?

Xu Xiaoshou thought it over and came to a decision.

"Everyone."

He turned to the crowd with a smile. "I believe all of you here know just how powerful two hundred loose Zongshi could be if united."

The Zongshi in the crowd furrowed their brows, vaguely sensing what Xu Xiaoshou was about to say, and felt a deep resistance from within.

They would have joined a group if they wanted to.

It was because they were used to freedom that they'd been solo fighters up to now.

Little did they expect, Xu Xiaoshou had his eye on them.

Xu Xiaoshou ignored their thoughts and continued, "I have the Xu Gang, with nine hundred members on their way. But your timing is unfortunate—the Xu Gang is already at full capacity. I won't be taking in any more members."

He shook his head slightly, looking regretful.

Some of the Zongshi relaxed their brows, catching a whiff of freedom.

But others grew more conflicted.

The Xu Gang?

They'd seen Xu Xiaoshou's capabilities.

They hadn't joined a group before because they hadn't met a good leader.

But if Xu Xiaoshou was leading, who would dare touch the Xu Gang?

It was just a shame they showed up too late, and the Xu Gang wasn't recruiting anymore.

Xu Xiaoshou seemed oblivious to their expressions and went on, "Opportunities are for the fated. I don't want to lead too many people, but I can't just let go of you two hundred-plus individuals."

"So, what do you intend, Young Master Xu?" someone spoke up, clearly tired of his roundabout way of speaking.

Xu Xiaoshou said, "After all, most of you still have one or two chances left to be plundered. As the Yunlun Mountains trial enters its mid-to-late stages, Zongshi will gather in droves. You lone wolves will be doomed if you run into strong groups—total wipeout, plundered twice in one go, and sent packing in the worst way!"

This made everyone's hearts sink.

Xu Xiaoshou was right.

They'd all thought about it and seen it happen.

Who hadn't faced dangers when rushing to the inner reaches?

Too many Zongshi had witnessed big groups led by people like Jiang Shao or Xu Xiaoshou.

His words forced them into deep thought.

Solo fighting had felt fine before, but after meeting Xu Xiaoshou, they realized they'd been deluding themselves!

If they clashed with the strong...

Without anyone backing them up, they'd be stripped down to their underwear, losing face completely!

Now, more people started regretting why the Xu Gang wasn't recruiting.

If Xu Xiaoshou still wanted members, they'd join in a heartbeat and secure their future.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and said, "So, rather than letting you go and have your points handed over to other groups, I might as well take them now—let those people graciously accept your points and send you all packing."

The crowd was stunned, erupting into chaos.

Someone shouted angrily, "Young Master Xu, you said earlier you'd only plunder us once!"

"That's right," Xu Xiaoshou nodded. "So it's a shame I won't go back on my word. But if I let you leave, whether you run into my Xu Gang or other groups, it's a dead end anyway."

The crowd fell silent.

Xu Xiaoshou's words had torn open the truth they'd been avoiding and dreading.

"So, what now?" someone asked in a panic. "Young Master Xu, is your Xu Gang really not recruiting?"

Most eyes turned to him with hope.

Xu Xiaoshou understood, but he shook his head firmly. "Not recruiting means not recruiting. The Xu Gang already has over nine hundred members—any more and it'd be too bloated."

"Received regret, passive points: 165."

"Received curses, passive points: 43."

Xu Xiaoshou paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "But seeing you two hundred-plus Zongshi, I'm reluctant to let talents like you get sent home..."

The crowd, disappointed earlier, now looked back with renewed hope.

Xu Xiaoshou stroked his chin and tsked. "How about this? I'll establish an elite Xu Gang team, called the 'Xiao Xu Gang.' It'll only take in Zongshi members. You'll be the first batch, and as for the captain— he'll take that role!"

Xu Xiaoshou pointed, and everyone's gaze followed.

Xiao Jing!

Xiao Jing himself was stunned. He hadn't expected to be the captain.

He raised his severed hand and waved it. "Young Master Xu, are you sure?"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded affirmatively. "I'm sure! Don't you remember? I'm a fourth-grade alchemy sovereign, and I said I'd help heal your severed hand."

He flew over to Xiao Jing, pulled out a pill bottle, and handed it over solemnly.

"This is a top-grade Minor Body Restoration Pill that I refined at the East Heaven King City alchemy conference. Use it first—it should restore your injury completely."

Xiao Jing was dumbfounded.

A Minor Body Restoration Pill?

Just like that?

Xu Xiaoshou had mentioned refining one for him before, but they were strangers—more like enemies at the time. Who'd take his word for it?

But here was the bottle...

Xiao Jing didn't hesitate. He uncorked it and sniffed.

A rich medicinal fragrance wafted out.

Not just him—even the entire crowd could smell it.

Everyone showed doubt and anticipation.

Xiao Jing hesitated a bit.

Xu Xiaoshou laughed. "If I wanted to kill you, would I waste poison?"

Xiao Jing: "..."

He was straightforward—tilted his head back and swallowed the pill.

In just a few breaths, the flesh at his severed hand began to writhe.

Then, bones, skin, nails... everything regenerated rapidly.

"Truly miraculous!"

Even Xu Xiaoshou, seeing the effects of a Minor Body Restoration Pill for the first time, felt amazed. No wonder it was so hard to find on the market.

With this, it was like having an extra life!

Xiao Jing flexed his new hand—it was identical to before, except for a slight difference in skin tone. No discomfort at all.

He sighed in wonder.

Such a divine pill, even in his family, required massive contribution points to exchange for. On the market, it was priceless.

Yet Xu Xiaoshou had just casually given one away.

"Is this what a fourth-grade alchemy sovereign is like..."

It wasn't just him.

All the Zongshi who witnessed this felt envious.

The value of a Minor Body Restoration Pill was immense.

And right before them stood a fourth-grade alchemy sovereign who could produce such treasures—Xu Xiaoshou!

If anyone had doubted his alchemy identity before, no one did now.

He could just pull out a Minor Body Restoration Pill like that.

This Semi-Sage successor was the real deal!

Suddenly, everyone thought back to Xu Xiaoshou's proposal: establishing the Xiao Xu Gang, only for Zongshi members.

"If I join, maybe I can get pills like this, as long as I pay the price."

"Or, if Young Master Xu takes a liking to me..."

There were women among the Zongshi, and all sorts of thoughts crossed their minds—even some bold ones.

"Young Master Xu! About this 'Xiao Xu Gang...'" someone couldn't help but ask.

Xu Xiaoshou turned and smiled. "What I say is what goes. The Xiao Xu Gang will be established, with Xiao Jing as captain. As for you all... it's up to you!"

"Anyone who wants to join, I give you the chance now. Those who don't, I won't force."

He shrugged, acting casual.

Everyone knew where his confidence came from.

With a fourth-grade alchemy sovereign's status, what Zongshi wouldn't come knocking?

They realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Young Master Xu was starting the Xiao Xu Gang, and they—the first batch who got plundered—had suddenly become the lucky ones.

"I can serve as captain, but I have a question for Young Master Xu."

Xiao Jing stepped forward seriously. "May I ask, what is the Xiao Xu Gang's goal? It seems you don't lack points?"

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled. "Of course I don't lack points. Good question—that's exactly what I wanted to say next."

He scanned the surroundings and lifted his chin slightly. "The Xiao Xu Gang's sole purpose isn't to farm points. It's to gather all the trial elites and monopolize every Daoze Yuanshi that appears in the Yunlun Mountains!"

His words were firm and resolute, paired with Xu Xiaoshou's commanding presence, hitting everyone like a thunderbolt.

They all felt a tingle on their scalps.

While they were still worrying about points, someone their age was already eyeing every Daoze Yuanshi in the Yunlun Mountains—past, present, and future!

If anyone else said that, they'd scoff.

But coming from Xu Xiaoshou...

No one dared doubt it!

Xu Xiaoshou was overwhelmingly dominant, his gaze sweeping arrogantly as he said coldly, "I want not just the Fire Element Yuanshi, but also the Metal Element, Ice Element, Space Element... and so on."

" Wherever a Daoze Yuanshi appears in the Yunlun Mountains, the Xiao Xu Gang and I will be there!"

"Of course, I won't use all these Yuanshi myself. During this one-month trial, as long as my members need them..."

He paused.

Everyone's eyes suddenly lit up, even Xiao Jing's.

From the sound of it...

Xu Xiaoshou raised the Fire Element Yuanshi and declared, "This will go back to my clan after the trial, but now, your chance is here!"

"During the trial, for ten thousand points, you can gain one day of insight from it."

"And throughout, you'll have elite Xiao Xu Gang Zongshi, the Xu Gang's nine hundred members, and my own protection—no one will disturb you!"

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

At first, they thought ten thousand points was steep, but then they realized:

This was risk-free enlightenment, fully immersed in cultivation without any threats!

Xu Xiaoshou watched the changing expressions around him and smiled.

From the initial scarcity tactic of a full Xu Gang with no new recruits, to the Xiao Xu Gang's surprise formation and turnaround; topped off with the Minor Body Restoration Pill to win hearts...

He didn't believe any of these Zongshi would stay independent.

Wheat was always wheat—it could only flip in the pot, never escape it.

A team was pointless if it didn't bring profits to the leader.

And a person who only toiled without leveraging his followers would always have limited achievements.

As the saying goes...