Even when sects train their disciples, they make them work like cattle for three years in the Outer Sect. The leaders of the Heroic Assembly aren’t saints, so how could they selflessly train others?

Under normal circumstances, the Dawn Association truly doesn’t exploit its members by collecting fees and such.

But when others discover ancient ruins or a Treasure Land and invite you to explore it with them, it’s no longer a free ride.

To put it bluntly, this organization was just a group of hired thugs for some Inner Sect experts. They’d give you a few benefits to keep you around, and when they found ruins or a Treasure Land that needed manpower to explore, they’d have you charge into the fray.

It sounded more high-class than the Dawn Association, but in essence, it was the same. They could claim it wasn’t compulsory, but when ancient ruins or an unknown Treasure Land really appeared, who wouldn’t be tempted?

Well, Xu Yang wasn’t tempted. He wouldn’t do anything adventurous.

’So if I were to join the Heroic Assembly, I’d end up in a situation where I only take benefits without contributing. The result would be angering the organization’s leadership.’

Xu Yang considered for a moment, then said, "Thank you for the high praise, Senior Brother Shi, but I currently have no intention of joining any organization. It’s not that the Heroic Assembly is bad, but that I personally have no such inclination. I can assure you, Senior Brother Shi, that if one day I do decide to join an organization, I will definitely choose the Heroic Assembly."

’I’ve already offended the Dawn Association; I can’t afford to offend the Heroic Assembly too. But I don’t want to be used as someone’s blade, so I can only refuse tactfully.’

’This is the downside of revealing my talent. It’s fine if no one notices you, but once you’re targeted, it’s always by people you can’t afford to provoke.’

A look of surprise first appeared on Shi Yong’s face, as if he hadn’t expected anyone to refuse an invitation from the Heroic Assembly. After all, not just anyone was qualified to join the Heroic Assembly; in most cases, people were begging to get in.

He wasn’t angry, either. He smiled and said, "Good. Junior Brother Xu, if you ever change your mind, you can come find me at any time."

The Heroic Assembly wasn’t a low-class outfit like the Dawn Association, so in Shi Yong’s eyes, Xu Yang’s refusal was Xu Yang’s loss, not the Heroic Assembly’s.

It wasn’t as if the Heroic Assembly absolutely had to have Xu Yang. The only reason he came was because of the organization’s rules.

Xu Yang stood up and cupped his fists. "Thank you for your understanding, Senior Brother Shi. I will take my leave."

’The Heroic Assembly’s magnanimity really is on another level compared to the Dawn Association.’

’I was genuinely tempted. If it weren’t for the panel, the Heroic Assembly would have been my first choice. Ruins, Treasure Lands... those are places Martial Artists would break their heads to get into. It’s just that I don’t need to take risks.’

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Xu, on becoming a member of the Heroic Assembly!"

The moment he stepped into the courtyard, Sun Tao came forward, his face wreathed in smiles, to offer his congratulations. He had already heard that Shi Yong of the Heroic Assembly had come looking for Xu Yang and assumed he had surely joined.

Nearby, Jiang Ping, Wan Hai, and the others cast envious glances his way. Having joined the Heroic Assembly, one might not be able to swagger around the Outer Sect, but basically no one would dare to cause them trouble.

Xu Yang shook his head. "Senior Brother Sun, I didn’t join the Heroic Assembly."

The smile on Sun Tao’s face froze instantly, replaced by a look of dismay. "Junior Brother Xu, you’re being foolish!"

Previously, he had thought Xu Yang had looked down on the Eagle Society and the Sharp Wind Hall, which was why he hadn’t joined. He never expected Xu Yang to reject even a top-tier Outer Sect organization like the Heroic Assembly.

"Doesn’t know what’s good for..."

Jiang Ping subconsciously wanted to sneer, but he suddenly realized that the current Xu Yang was not someone he could provoke, and he hastily shut his mouth.

Wan Hai, Xu Cheng, and the others were dumbfounded, never imagining someone would refuse an invitation from the Heroic Assembly. They all wore expressions that screamed, ’Is there something wrong with your head?’

"Senior Brother Sun, to each their own!" Xu Yang didn’t explain further.

’The Heroic Assembly is good, but it’s not suitable for me.’

"Brother Xu has great courage!" Jiang Fan praised.

Without a certain amount of courage, it would be impossible to refuse the Heroic Assembly’s invitation.

Xu Yang shook his head. "Brother Jiang, you flatter me. I’m just a coward."

Jiang Fan shook his head. "If you were a coward, you would be even less likely to refuse."

Xu Yang looked at Jiang Fan seriously. Aside from his issues with women, this person saw things very clearly.

「The next day!」

[Refused the Heroic Assembly, Points +5]

[Martial Arts Longevity Points: 62]

’Refusing the Heroic Assembly really did give a point reward.’

As usual, he added one point to his lifespan and one to the Vajra Skill, only then getting out of bed to cultivate.

Time passed slowly. Xu Yang spent his days leaving early and returning late, refining Profound Iron on Li Fire Peak. Twenty days flew by in the blink of an eye, and the Profound Iron refining task came to an end.

The task was originally supposed to last only a month, but due to a persistent shortage of manpower, it took forty days to complete.

As the last piece of Profound Iron was refined, Xu Yang, Chen Chao, and the others put down their hammers and went to find Gao Lin to tally their contribution points.

’It’s a shame this can’t go on forever!’ 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Xu Yang felt it was a real shame; by continuously circulating his True Qi while hammering, his progress in the Vajra Skill had been rapid.

’Now that this job is over, the Vajra Skill will slow down again.’

"Chen Chao, twenty-six contribution points!"

"Xu Yang, fourteen contribution points!"

...

As Gao Lin tallied the points one by one and announced each person’s earnings, Chen Chao and the others couldn’t help but be astonished.

An ordinary Qi Gathering Martial Artist wouldn’t even be able to last doing this task. Not only had Xu Yang endured, but his contribution points weren’t that much less than theirs.

They, after all, were all disciples from the previous batch, every one of them with Marrow Cleansing cultivation.

"Not bad!"

Gao Lin looked up at Xu Yang. After doing the calculations, he too was a little surprised that Xu Yang had actually earned fourteen contribution points.

Xu Yang cupped his fists. "I must thank Senior Brother Gao for his care. Otherwise, I would never have had the ability."

Gao Lin shook his head. "This was all your own ability. I just added flowers to the brocade. Keep up the good work. I’ll be waiting for you in the Inner Sect. If you meet the conditions for promotion someday, you can choose my Li Fire Peak."

A look of joy appeared on Xu Yang’s face. "Thank you, Senior Brother Gao!"

Now, Chen Chao and the others were truly shocked.

Normally, for an Outer Disciple to advance to the Inner Sect, besides meeting the harsh requirements, the most important thing was having someone willing to take you in. Sometimes, because one peak doesn’t want you and another looks down on you, you can’t get promoted even if you meet the conditions.

Gao Lin’s words had solved this problem for Xu Yang in one fell swoop.

Moreover, among the Four Peaks of the Purple Sun Sect, Li Fire Peak’s strength was second only to the main peak, Tianquan Peak. Its benefits were second only to Medicine King Peak, and its popularity was comparable to the main peak’s.

Gao Lin nodded, quickly wrote out a slip for everyone, and said, "Take these slips to the Task Hall to turn in the task."

One by one, everyone went forward, took their respective task slips, said goodbye to Gao Lin, and descended Li Fire Peak to the Task Hall.

Everyone was eager to turn in the task and leave, and for a moment, the scene became a bit chaotic.

Xiao Hua appeared, holding a register. Seeing the chaotic scene, he immediately scolded, "What is this mess? All of you, line up properly and come forward one by one."

Startled, the crowd hastily formed a line.

Soon, it was Xu Yang’s turn to step forward and present his slip.

Xu Yang!

Xiao Hua found the name somewhat familiar. He looked up, and a long-forgotten memory surfaced. He was a little surprised. "You’re that disciple of Lin Cheng?"

Xu Yang cupped his fists. "Greetings, Steward Xiao."

Looking again at the task slip, he saw that Xu Yang had earned fourteen contribution points. Xiao Hua’s face darkened. "How audacious! You dare to alter the task slip?"

A mere Qi Gathering Martial Artist, even if he could endure, could absolutely not earn so many contribution points. The only explanation was that he had altered the task slip.

He had also done the Profound Iron refining task before. For a Qi Gathering Martial Artist, six contribution points in a month was the absolute limit. Fourteen contribution points... it was practically an insult to his intelligence.

"Why does Steward Xiao say such a thing?" Xu Yang’s expression didn’t change.

Xiao Hua sneered, "Do you think I don’t know how difficult it is to refine Profound Iron? With your cultivation, seven or eight contribution points would be the absolute limit. Fourteen contribution points? Why didn’t you just change it to one hundred and forty?

"You’d better confess the truth now, and you might receive a lighter punishment. Otherwise, by the time the Task Hall investigates, it will be too late for you to talk."

Xu Yang’s tone was calm. "I did not alter it. These are the contribution points I earned. All the senior and junior brothers around me can testify. If Steward Xiao has doubts, he can also go to Li Fire Peak and verify it with Senior Brother Gao."

"That’s right, we can all testify that Junior Brother Xu did not alter the task slip."

"Senior Brother Gao Lin announced in front of everyone that Xu Yang earned fourteen contribution points."

...

Chen Chao and the others spoke up one after another, testifying for Xu Yang.

Now, Xiao Hua was in an awkward position. If Xu Yang hadn’t altered it, didn’t that mean he had wrongly accused someone?

But how could a Qi Gathering Martial Artist possibly earn so many contribution points? Could it be that Xu Yang had latched onto Gao Lin of Li Fire Peak?

"Fine. I’ll settle the contribution points for you for now, but I will personally go to Li Fire Peak to verify this matter. If I find you’ve altered anything, you can wait to have your cultivation crippled and be expelled from the Sect."

Xiao Hua picked up Xu Yang’s Identity Waist Token, swiped it to make the record, and immediately gave him fourteen small spheres.

These were the contribution points. They were crafted from a special material and engraved with a pattern that only internal personnel could verify, becoming the currency for Outer Disciples to settle tasks.

"Steward Xiao, please, be my guest. I didn’t alter anything, so I’m not afraid of an investigation."

’This old dog is still trying to act tough.’

Xu Yang made a mental note of the incident, then took his contribution points and left with Chen Chao and the others.