Congyun Mutual Aid Association

"?!" The moment Ji Shaoli spoke, the entire room was struck dumb with shock. Five million contribution points—the grand prize from fish picking—was already an accumulation beyond what the vast majority of cultivators could ever achieve in a lifetime. Yet in such a short span of time, his net worth had actually doubled? He Zhenghao jumped to his feet in disbelief. "Brother Ji, you aren't joking, are you?" Ji Shaoli's expression shifted, turning solemn. "Would I, Ji, ever spout empty nonsense?" He Zhenghao also realized his reaction was improper. Cupping his hands in apology, he said, "Forgive my tactlessness." Having received Ji Shaoli's personal confirmation once more, the looks the gathered cultivators gave him burned with unspoken fervor. At least ten million contribution points. Never mind within the Congyun Sea, even in the Alliance's central core provinces, that was considered wealthy. "Brother Ji, don't keep us in suspense! Why did you summon us all here today?" "That's right, you couldn't have called us just to flaunt your wealth, could you?" The crowd buzzed with lively chatter. With a wave of Ji Shaoli's hand, absolute quiet fell over the room again. All eyes gathered upon him, waiting for him to speak. "A great war approaches, and the situation remains murky. We must make plans early." "Facing such upheaval with the strength of a single person will inevitably fall short. Therefore, we must band together," Ji Shaoli said decisively. The cultivators exchanged bewildered glances, uncertain what he meant by 'banding together.' "Mutual aid and mutual support, united as one. Sharing information, facing hardship together!" Ji Shaoli looked around the room, his words ringing out with forceful clarity. However, the people present were not green youths who could be easily swayed by a few inspiring words. Suspicion lingered in their expressions as they waited for Ji Shaoli to continue. "As an organization, the higher the cultivation realm of its members, the more advantageous it is for the collective. I know that some seated here cannot purchase suitable cultivation techniques due to empty pockets. Consequently, your realms have remained stagnant for ages." "And as it happens, I have more than enough surplus contribution points..." At this point, a few clever minds in the audience had already guessed what Ji Shaoli was about to say. Even so, they stared at him intently in sheer disbelief. "Therefore, to any brother willing to join our Mutual Aid Association, I can first lend him the contribution points required to exchange for techniques." "No interest will be charged; you need only pay it back slowly over time. What is more, you can offset or reduce a portion of the debt by completing tasks issued by the Mutual Aid Association." Although it was not a handout, an interest-free loan requiring no collateral stirred the hearts of everyone present. "Because my current assets are limited, and I must take into account all the brothers seated here, the preliminary cap each person may borrow is set at one hundred thousand!" "Naturally, as you complete more tasks within the Mutual Aid Association, the borrowing cap will increase in the future. There will even be other privileges..." Ji Shaoli spoke with effortless eloquence, laying out the association's various operational mechanisms. "Joining the Mutual Aid Association does not require signing any binding contracts. If you no longer wish to remain, simply clear your debts with the association and you may withdraw at any time." "Borrowing contribution points likewise requires no collateral or formal pledge." "However, if anyone maliciously breaches the rules, the brothers of the Mutual Aid Association will slay them together!" Ji Shaoli's expression turned grim, a sliver of killing intent leaking out. Quite a few cultivators in the hall visibly paled. "I knew you were no ordinary man, Daoist Ji. To think you would propose such a bold endeavor..." "Count me in for this Mutual Aid Association!" The first to step forward was the garrison commander of Haitong Island, Pei Tuo, who was at the peak of the Golden Core realm. In a previous reincarnation cycle, Li Fan had crossed paths with him once. This man had languished at Golden Core Perfection for over a decade. Yet he had never managed to save enough contribution points to exchange for a Nascent Soul technique, let alone locate a suitable grotto-heaven to devour. Wasting his prime years away for nothing, how could he not be anxious? Presented with such a godsent opportunity, he agreed on the spot without a second thought. Even if there were restraints or conditions involved in joining the Mutual Aid Association, he would accept them! Reaching the Nascent Soul realm a day sooner could change the entire course of his future! Ji Shaoli clapped in approval. "Splendid! Rest assured, Daoist Pei, as the second member of our Mutual Aid Association, I will certainly not mistreat you!" The first member, of course, was Ji Shaoli himself. Ji Shaoli's lips parted slightly, seeming to murmur something to Pei Tuo through a sound transmission. Upon hearing it, Pei Tuo's body shook violently. Disbelief covered his face as he stared fixedly at Ji Shaoli. Ji Shaoli smiled faintly and raised a hand, cutting off the words the man was about to blurt out. However, the ecstatic expression on Pei Tuo's face could not be hidden from the others. He stood, walked over, and sat down beside Ji Shaoli, turning his gaze back toward the cultivators who had not yet made their choice. Though the crowd was exceedingly curious about what benefit Ji Shaoli had just promised, they did not lose their heads and rush blindly into joining the association. After all, no one could guarantee that Pei Tuo and Ji Shaoli were not merely putting on a coordinated show. Amid the hesitation, not a second person spoke up. Ji Shaoli was in no hurry either. Instead, he said gently, "There is no need to rush. Whenever you reach a decision, you may come find me." "Still, some unpleasant truths are best stated upfront." "Those who join early will enjoy privileges across the board. The later you join, the more likely you will have to strive for what could have originally been received for free." Though his words remained vague, an undercurrent of pressure lingered behind them. When the banquet concluded that day, a total of six cultivators, including Pei Tuo, chose to take the lead in joining the Mutual Aid Association. "Daoist He, won't you reconsider?" Ji Shaoli asked with a smile as He Zhenghao prepared to take his leave. "Rest assured, Brother Ji. I'll give it more thought once I return and give you an answer shortly!" He Zhenghao pledged earnestly. Seeing this, Ji Shaoli did not press the matter. After the other cultivators dispersed, Ji Shaoli looked at the six who had stayed behind. Two Golden Cores, four Foundation Establishments. Reactivating the Primordial Eight Extremes Dragon Slaying Formation, he sealed off the island. Ji Shaoli surveyed the group and nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. You few are now the founding elders of our Mutual Aid Association." "Daoist Ji, does this association truly impose no binding contracts whatsoever?" asked the other Golden Core cultivator among the six, a man in the mid Golden Core stage named Xiang Xin. Ji Shaoli chuckled dismissively. "What constraint is firmer or more reliable than mutual benefit itself? As I have said, the original intent behind establishing the Mutual Aid Association is for all of us to help one another, benefit mutually, and weather the coming tribulations together." Xiang Xin nodded without answering. The rest remained quiet, offering neither agreement nor objection. Only Pei Tuo could no longer hold himself back. After receiving an approving glance from Ji Shaoli, he asked impatiently, "Brother Ji, what you told me earlier about providing information on an unowned Nascent Soul grotto-heaven... Is it really true?!"