Before Xu He could reply, a mocking laugh came from beside them.
Sikong Jing saw a group of brightly dressed men and women approaching.
The man walking at the front was clad in a golden Martial Arts uniform, with an aura of supreme arrogance, acting as if he was above everyone else.
At that moment, this man laughed at Sikong Jing and said, "Of course there’s a problem, because the Da He Association is the worst society in the Apprentice School Region, full of country bumpkins from the borderlands."
As soon as the words were out, the people behind the man in golden clothes burst into uproarious laughter, looking at Xu He with contempt.
Xu He’s face turned red immediately, and he retorted furiously, "Tao Huai, do you think just because your family has some filthy money you can do whatever you want? So what if we’re not from the Long Night Imperial City proper?"
"Holy Dragon Palace is a place where Martial Arts are valued, not money."
Having said that, Xu He then turned back to Sikong Jing with a less angry face.
"Brother, don’t listen to their nonsense."
"Although we in the Da He Association might not be rich, we have many members, and not a few among us are experts. As long as you join us, you are sure to gain a lot, and it won’t take long for you to become an Official Student."
"Besides, we have Official Students to rely on, so you don’t have to worry."
Having said this, Xu He looked at Sikong Jing anxiously, fearful that he would go back on his word and reject the invitation.
However, before Sikong Jing could speak, the man in the golden Martial Arts uniform, Tao Huai, laughed preemptively, "I admit you have a lot of members, but they’re all rejects from other societies who had no choice but to join yours."
Then a woman added, "You do have Official Students, but they’re all struggling."
"Being rich does let you do what you want, like right now..."
Another man stepped forward and said to Sikong Jing, "New Apprentice, our Ancient Locust Society was established by none other than this Young Master Tao Huai, and his sister is an Inner Palace Student of the Holy Dragon Palace."
"If you join us, I guarantee no one will dare to bully you."
"In addition, you’ll get two hundred Light Crystals each month as Cultivation Resources, and for the three standard apprentice tasks, the Ancient Locust Society will help you complete them smoothly. Even if you don’t become an Official Student, staying at the Holy Dragon Palace for a few years won’t be a problem."
With these words, Tao Huai and his people puffed out their chests and looked at Xu He with a look that said, ’What can you offer to snatch this New Apprentice from us?’
Xu He’s face turned even redder, and his whole body trembled with rage, yet he was helpless.
In the end, he looked anxiously at Sikong Jing, for the temptation of the Ancient Locust Society was really too great.
Sikong Jing finally understood, upon the arrival of New Apprentices, the older apprentices in the Apprentice Institute would compete for them. They needed fresh blood to bolster their ranks and to fight over Cultivation Resources.
At this thought, Sikong Jing looked at the man who had introduced the Ancient Locust Society and asked, "What are the conditions to join your society?"
Upon hearing this, Xu He’s mouth twitched, and then his gaze dimmed.
This was not the first time today that he had been rejected by a New Apprentice. When they heard that the Da He Association was made up of country bumpkins, one after another had run off. While many joined the Da He Association each year,
As the people opposite had said, they were all Last Resort New Apprentices discarded by other factions.
These people, generally, were quite poor.
"You don’t need anything, even if you come from the borderlands it’s okay, you just need to greet Young Master Tao Huai every morning, that’s all," said the man.
Upon the man’s words, Tao Huai’s lips slightly curled, displaying immense pride.
Xu He was ready to turn away. The newly established Ancient Locust Society recruited widely, offering two hundred Light Crystals a month just for a greeting—such a simple matter.
He had yet to see an apprentice who had refused him.
"Oh? Then I refuse," Sikong Jing raised his eyebrows slightly, then without hesitation, he moved to stand beside Xu He and said lightly, "Senior Brother Xu, I think I’ll join the Da He Association."
Upon hearing these words, Xu He’s whole body shuddered, looking at Sikong Jing in disbelief.
Tao Huai’s face sank, and his voice came over eerily, "You dare to refuse me?"
"Do you know my the Tao family is also a famous big family in the Long Night Imperial City? Even if you can’t become an official student later on, you can still find a job at my house, guaranteed to have no worries for life."
"But if you refuse me, you won’t last a month in the Apprentice School Region."
"I will make sure that you will fail all three regular tasks."
The last few sentences were full of intimidation... For no other reason than Tao Huai did not like to be refused.
At that moment, Xu He came to his senses, stepped in front of Sikong Jing, and said coldly, "You dare to threaten a brother of the Da He Association, believe it or not, I will bring people to fight you."
As he spoke, Xu He’s Martial Scripture Realm peak aura emanated.
The laughter of the crowd greeted him. Tao Huai said, "Who else from your Da He Association dares to fight with us? Several old members have already left; what can the rest of you misfits do against us?"
As soon as his words fell, Xu He’s momentum weakened significantly, and his face looked ugly.
These few days marked the recruitment season, which meant that some old apprentices had become official students, cautiously cultivating, while others had to leave the Holy Dragon Palace due to their age.
The Da He Association’s ranks thinned, with members rising or leaving... Now there were hardly any notable members left, resembling scattered sand.
After Tao Huai finished laughing, he looked back at Sikong Jing, "Now this young master is benevolent and generous, giving you another chance to choose."
Still the picture of calm composure, with threats and temptations, he didn’t believe Sikong Jing would dare to be ignorant of what was good for him.
"I still choose to join the Da He Association."
Sikong Jing shrugged, secretly sighing that he had inadvertently invited trouble again, but how could he possibly wake up each day and go bow to someone? His bones were not that soft.
More importantly, he was born with a dislike for those who bullied the weak and could not stand their haughty demeanors.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Tao Huai angrily said, "You’re clueless about what’s good for you; don’t even think about passing your first month’s regular task."
After speaking, he was about to turn around and leave...
But Sikong Jing’s voice rose quietly, "Sorry, I’ve already passed my first month’s regular task."
Everyone incredulously turned to look at Sikong Jing, including Xu He...
The three regular tasks could be very easy, but for new apprentices with no prior experience, they were quite challenging, especially in the Martial Arts Hall; many new apprentices would go in and simply faint and not be able to get out.
"Impossible," a woman next to Tao Huai reacted, exclaiming loudly.
But Sikong Jing casually tossed his Apprentice Token, pointing at the points and said, "I’ve already got 1000 points; as long as I want, I can level up now. Do you think I haven’t completed the regular tasks?"
All of a sudden, everyone’s mouths were agape, staring intently at Sikong Jing’s Apprentice Token.
"You’re not a new apprentice, are you?" the woman asked.
New apprentices had only just arrived today; how could they possibly have earned 1000 points so quickly?
Shrugging his shoulders, Sikong Jing couldn’t be bothered to explain, simply saying, "Genuine guarantee."
Then, turning to Xu He, he added, "Senior Brother Xu, I’m off to the Task Hall; I will officially join the Da He Association when I come back."
Sikong Jing turned and headed towards the Task Hall.
Xu He opened his mouth, then quickly came to his senses and hurried to catch up, saying, "Brother, I’ll go with you, just in case someone, feeling humiliated, decides to take revenge on you."