When Yu Sanliang heard the quiver in Fang Xing’s voice, he believed the boy was finally showing some fear and felt a bit relieved. As far as Yu Sanliang was concerned, Fang Xing’s reckless behaviors would have gotten the two of them into much more trouble if it wasn’t for his interference up to now.

"Of course it’s not allowed according to sect rules... but those are just the rules. If a talented A-Rank disciple is robbed of their belongings, someone from the sect will intervene. Now, if we as D-Rank disciples were to be robbed, who do you think would actually care?

"Even if we’re robbed, the elders would only think it’s some small grudge we have towards each other—nothing important enough for them to actually care. There was even a time when a newly-recruited shidi was beaten to death, only for the elders to declare it to be an accident. Do you know what happened to the murderer? He was sentenced to only one year of confinement..."

Fang Xing’s eyes lit up even more. Contrary to Yu Sanliang’s impression, Fang Xing wasn’t afraid at all—he was excited. ‘This sect is just.. so understanding!’

However, Fang Xing wasn’t stupid enough to act rashly. He knew his mastery of only tier one didn't leave him in a strong enough position to prey on the other disciples; he'd need to utilize careful evaluation as well to make up the difference in strength.

Yu Sanliang wanted to get back to their cottages as soon as possible. There was an unwritten rule that a disciple would be safe once they were back at their own districts, and that such robberies would only happen outside of them. It was fortunate they’d gotten there quite early and not many disciples had received their Spirit Stones, as there weren’t too many people loitering about searching for easy targets.

Just as Yu Sanliang and Fang Xing walked past a mountain stream to the side of a bamboo forest and were only a few blocks away the safety of their living quarters, three men came into view. The group included the feeble disciple and the beefy man Fang Xing had verbally abused just moments ago, and all three seemed to be waiting for someone.

Fang Xing immediately understood the situation. "These bastards want to get their asses kicked for real this time, huh?" Fang Xing muttered to himself while cracking his knuckles.

Just as Yu Sanliang was about to stop Fang Xing from such impulsive actions, a fourth man raised his cold voice, "It seems Shidi Yu is up early today!"

Yu Sanliang turned around with a bitter expression after hearing those words, his face at odds with his polite greeting, "Good morning, Shixiong Liu. I wish Shixiong a good fortune...."

A man in his twenties—who Fang Xing could see was within the second tier—walked out from the shadows of the bamboo forest, his lips curled up in the shape of a false smile and his eyes filled with disdain and ridicule. His gaze swept past Fang Xing for a moment before landing on Yu Sanliang instead. "Where’s your tribute this time?"

The feeble man and his friends had come to cause trouble, but they stopped once they saw someone else blocking Fang Xing and Yu Sanliang’s path. At first they thought the newcomer was a friend of the duo, but when they noticed the terrified look on the plump Daoist’s face, they were filled with the satisfaction of seeing a show.

"Haha, Shidi Tzu, looks like we don’t even need to get our hands dirty. They’ve already gotten themselves in trouble with someone else," the beefy man laughed as he patted the feeble disciple’s shoulder.

"Now this is what I call karma!" All three of them laughed and prepared to watch the scene unfold...

—

Yu Sanliang's face was full of despair as he faced Shixiong Liu, and he bent down directly while practically begging, "Please, Esteemed Shixiong Liu. I have given you every Spirit Stone I earned from working at the Miscellaneous Department for the past three months, so can I please keep the one from the sect distributions? I gave you one just a few days ago..."

Shixiong Liu’s eyes narrowed with dissatisfaction. "You dare to bargain with me?"

Startled, Yu Sanliang quickly began to plead once more, "I would not dare to... Please, have mercy..."

Shxiong Liu slowly looked over Yu Sanliang. "Yes, those were the rules before, but rules can always be changed." He then looked towards Fang Xing next to Yu Sanliang and cleared his throat before continuing, "It was just you before, but now I see you’ve gotten yourself a little monkey tag-along. Since there are two of you now, it’s only natural the Spirit Stone contributions must also double. I expect two stones every three months from you from now on."

Startled, Yu Sanliang began to beg even more desperately, "Shixiong Liu, please don’t do this. Shidi Fang joined the outer court only a few days ago. Please, don’t do this to him..."

"Why? Why would I listen to the request of someone like you?" Shixiong Liu’s expression grew cold before he landed a harsh slap against Yu Sanliang’s fat face. "I think I’m already quite reasonable to allow you to keep one stone between the two of you! If you continue on like this, you’ll be left with none!"

Yu Sanliang’s face immediately swelled up after receiving the blow. He wanted to say more, but after seeing Shixiong Liu’s expression, he handed over his Spirit Stone and guiltily looked towards Fang Xing, motioning for him to do the same without causing any trouble...

"Shixiong Zhu, why didn’t you tell me you were friends with such a good man like Shixiong Liu? You should have introduced me earlier!"

Fang Xing had acted like a bystander the entire time until the moment Shixiong Liu’s gaze crossed with his. Fang Xing was all smiles, and he took out his Spirit Stone without a hint of hesitation. "Shxiong Liu, I only needed one look to tell you’re not only extremely powerful, but also a very good man with a righteous spirit. I’m new to the outer court and would like to meet my shixiongs, so it would actually be my utmost pleasure to gift you with this Spirit Stone as a sign of my admiration. Please do kindly take this."

Seeing the bright red Spirit Stone handed over so easily left Shixiong Liu surprised.

Fang Xing’s behavior before now had been closer to that of a mountain bandit’s than a disciple of a well-respected sect, but Shixiong Liu couldn’t help but to be happy with the offering and felt this little monkey was quite entertaining. Perhaps Fang Xing mistook him for a big name within the sect and wanted to get on his good side for protection?

Seeing this turn of events, the feeble disciple and his friends were filled with disdain; this kid had talked the talk, yet he’d immediately bowed his head when faced with someone stronger. A kid like this was truly despicable, and they decided they’d have a go as well once Shixiong Liu was finished.

Fang Xing’s smile was very sincere, and his young appearance made it seem even more innocent than usual—it was hard for anyone to question his sincerity.

Shixiong Liu immediately showed a smile and laughed. "This little shidi here understands a lot more than you, Shidi Yu. You should have introduced us earlier! Haha, don’t worry, little shidi; with my protection, no one will be able to bully you here..." He smiled wider and moved to pick up the stone without standing on politeness.

However, just as Shixiong Liu’s fingertips were within reach of the stone, Fang Xing suddenly shivered and dropped it to the ground. "Ahh— don’t break..." the boy said in shock while hurriedly bending to pick up the Stone.

‘Sure enough, he must be really new. Never heard of a Spirit Stone breaking..’ Shixiong Liu thought to himself while smiling and waiting for Fang Xing to pick up the Stone for him.

The contempt of the three men looking from afar grew even more after such a display, but this was only because they didn’t notice Yu Sanliang’s expression at what he saw.

"Shixiong Liu, please kindly accept my offering to you..." Fang Xing stood back up with a small smile right before his wrist abruptly thrusted forward.

Just as Shixiong Liu was about to reply, he felt something cold on his abdomen. His Spirit Shield subconsciously tried to deflect something to no avail, and before he even knew what it was, Fang Xing pulled a shiny dagger out of Shixiong Liu’s stomach. With some peculiar footwork, Fang Xing then moved forward and landed a small yet fierce fist to Shixiong Liu’s torso.

" Eht ..." Shixiong Liu’s body suddenly folded at the waist as he broke out in a cold sweat. Fang Xing’s second blow hadn’t only shattered his Spirit Shield, but had also landed right against the dagger wound. The pain he felt was beyond description.

The three onlookers slowly began to realize what had happened, and their expressions twisted into shock and fear. The feeble disciple was so frightened by the display that he nearly dropped to the ground himself, as though he was the one being stabbed instead.