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

Leaderboard.

First, Chongyuan, points: 1,175,000.Second, Tangzheng, points: 1,064,000.Third, Xiao Wanfeng, hurry to the east to find this young master, points: 884,300.

He struck gold!

Over two hundred Grandmasters directly boosted Xu Xiaoshou's points past the 800,000 mark.

After the entire long line of participants had their points plundered, Xu Xiaoshou stared at the number, feeling a little dazed. It was too fast. These points came incredibly easily. He figured the points held by the first batch of trial participants to reach the inner perimeter of the Cloud-Grasping Mountain Range had likely all been transferred to his account.

"Who is this Tangzheng?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, frowning as he looked at the second-ranked name.

Liu Changqing and Xin Gugu clearly didn't know who this suddenly appearing figure was either. However, the Grandmasters who had been plundered into despair had heard of this person. Someone reluctantly spoke up, saying, "We don't know who Tangzheng is, but that guy is incredibly fierce. He was the first one to block the landing spot of the Fire-attribute Origin Stone. He wasn't even after the Origin Stone itself; he just chopped down anyone he caught, solely for points."

"Xiao Jing was among those he chopped down and drove away. Most of us, a few hundred Grandmasters, came here precisely because we retreated from that battlefield and followed him. But there, at that spot, there are probably about the same number of Grandmasters as here, who couldn't escape, so their points could only go to Tangzheng."

Xu Xiaoshou clicked his tongue in surprise. This guy had actually done exactly what he wanted to do. But clearly, Tangzheng didn't have a formation, so he couldn't hold onto the other half of the participants in the Origin Stone struggle, leading to point leakage as they fled to this side. Yet, an ordinary trial participant, even without a formation, managed to chop down hundreds of Grandmasters, plunder their points to rank second, and break the million-point mark. He's quite a figure!

"A Void descendant, a Half-Saint descendant?" Xu Xiaoshou asked.

"Doesn't seem like it," someone replied. "This guy appeared out of nowhere, incredibly fierce. He's only a Grandmaster at the Heavenly Phenomenon stage, but even Yin-Yang stage trial participants can't withstand his great saber."

"Talent abounds!" Xu Xiaoshou exclaimed.

He was tempted to return to where the Fire-attribute Origin Stone appeared to plunder the remaining Grandmasters there, and perhaps, if he was lucky, even encounter Tangzheng. But by now, he figured that by the time he got there, the opportunity would have long passed. After all, his current location was already the second battlefield. If the second battlefield was already finished, the first one had likely concluded much earlier.

"I won't go," he decided. "I'll just stay here and wait for more prey."

Xu Xiaoshou made his decision. Holding the Fire-attribute Origin Stone, he felt a clear understanding. He knew that if he sat cross-legged, this Origin Stone would undoubtedly provide immense benefits to his cultivation. But he couldn't. If he broke through, or became too engrossed in cultivation, he might expose his Burning Radiance aura. The consequences would be dire. After all, his 'Young Master Xu' persona exhibited extremely unique spatial attributes.

"Store it in the Elemental Mansion?" Xu Xiaoshou looked at the Fire-attribute Origin Stone, feeling somewhat tempted. Although the trial jade pendant had warned that this item couldn't be stored in spatial rings or other storage objects, his Elemental Mansion world had already formed. For such a small treasure to enter and become a world-stabilizing treasure, it should be its honor, right? Soon, Xu Xiaoshou dismissed the idea. If he really put it in, and its coordinates disappeared from the map, wouldn't that be announcing to the world that 'Young Master Xu' had an Elemental Mansion world?

"I'll just keep it in my pocket, use it as bait, and see how many little lambs it can attract."

The major task was done. The two hundred-plus Grandmasters surrounding him eagerly awaited Young Master Xu's final ultimatum. Xu Xiaoshou looked at the group, falling into hesitation. Absorbing them into the Xu Gang would indeed increase their numbers and strength, but the Xu Gang would feel too bloated. The crucial point was: the existing members of the Xu Gang hadn't reached the inner perimeter yet; they were probably butchering people somewhere else. After this battle, Xu Xiaoshou also understood. Forming the Xu Gang to earn nine million points was just the baseline. The fastest way to farm points was still to use Origin Stones or similar items as bait, attract hundreds of Grandmasters at once, and simply slaughter them. This was the fastest way to 'harvest the leeks!'

However, he needed both high-risk and low-to-medium risk strategies. There would always be times of 'economic downturn,' for example, if everyone became too scared of being harvested, an Origin Stone might not attract as many people.

"Young Master Xu, what's the plan now?" Xin Gugu also looked over. Two hundred-plus Grandmasters, all unaligned individuals, fighting independently – who wouldn't be tempted by such a force?

Xu Xiaoshou pondered for a moment and made a decision. "Everyone." He looked at the crowd and said with a smile, "I believe everyone present understands how powerful the combined force of you two hundred unaligned Grandmasters is."

The Grandmasters present frowned, vaguely understanding what Young Master Xu was about to say, and feeling some resistance in their hearts. If they wanted to join a faction, they would have done so long ago. They were used to their freedom, which was why they had fought solo until today. Who would have thought Young Master Xu seemed to have taken an interest in them?

Xu Xiaoshou ignored their reactions and continued, "This young master has the Xu Gang, with nine hundred members already on their way. However, your timing is unfortunate; the Xu Gang is already at full capacity, and I will not be recruiting any more of you into it." He shook his head slightly, a hint of regret on his face. Some of the Grandmasters' brows relaxed, as they detected a hint of freedom. But for others, their eyes showed more struggle. The Xu Gang? They had already witnessed Young Master Xu's abilities. They hadn't joined factions before because they hadn't encountered a good leader. But if Young Master Xu were to lead, who would dare touch anyone from the Xu Gang? It was just a pity they appeared too late; the Xu Gang was no longer recruiting.

Xu Xiaoshou seemed oblivious to their expressions and continued, "Opportunities are for those who are fated. I don't wish to lead too many people, but I find myself unable to simply abandon you two hundred-plus individuals."

"What do you intend, Young Master Xu?" someone spoke up, clearly impatient with Xu Xiaoshou's roundabout speech.

Xu Xiaoshou said, "After all, each of you still has one or two opportunities to be plundered, whether more or less. As the Cloud-Grasping Mountain Range trial enters its middle to late stages, I am certain that Grandmasters will gather. You unaligned individuals, when you encounter those powerful factions, will undoubtedly face certain death – the worst possible outcome, being plundered twice at once and then eliminated from the trial!"

At this, everyone's hearts tightened with panic. What Young Master Xu said was true. Everyone had anticipated this point, and some had even witnessed it. Who hadn't encountered danger when rushing into the inner perimeter? Too many Grandmasters had seen large factions led by figures like Young Master Jiang or Young Master Xu. Xu Xiaoshou's words made them fall into deep thought. Fighting alone, they had felt fine before, but after encountering Young Master Xu, they realized that they had been far too self-assured! If they really ran into a powerful one, without anyone backing them up, they'd be utterly humiliated and lose everything!

By this point, even more people began to regret that the Xu Gang was no longer recruiting. If only Young Master Xu still needed people, they would naturally join the Xu Gang, and their future would be secure.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, saying, "So, rather than letting you leave and then foolishly handing over your points to other factions, why not let this young master accept your points on their behalf right now, and directly eliminate you from the trial?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the field changed dramatically, and the crowd fell into an uproar. Someone shouted indignantly, "Young Master Xu, you just said you would only plunder us once!"

"Yes," Xu Xiaoshou nodded. "That's why it's so unfortunate. I don't intend to break my word, but if I let you leave, whether you encounter my Xu Gang members later or other factions, it will undoubtedly lead to a dead end."

Everyone fell silent simultaneously. Young Master Xu's words brutally tore open the layer of reality they least wanted to, and dared not, think about.

"What do we do then?" Someone, already panicking, asked, "Young Master Xu, is your Xu Gang really not recruiting anymore?" Most people cast hopeful glances. Xu Xiaoshou understood, but he shook his head resolutely, saying, "Not recruiting means not recruiting. My Xu Gang already has over nine hundred members; any more would make it too unwieldy."

Received regret, Passive Points, 165.Received curse, Passive Points, 43.

Xu Xiaoshou paused for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up: "However, seeing you two hundred-plus Grandmasters, I find myself eager to recruit talent and unwilling to let you be directly eliminated..."

After their initial disappointment, everyone looked at him with renewed hope, as if reborn. Xu Xiaoshou stroked his chin and clicked his tongue, saying, "How about this: I'll establish an elite Xu Gang team, named 'Little Xu Gang.' Its members will only consist of Grandmasters. You will be the first batch of 'Little Xu Gang' members, and the captain of the 'Little Xu Gang' will be none other than him!"

As Xu Xiaoshou spoke, he pointed, and everyone's gaze collectively followed. Xiao Jing! Xiao Jing himself was bewildered; he hadn't expected to be the captain. "This..." Raising his severed hand, Xiao Jing waved it slightly: "Young Master Xu, are you sure?"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded affirmatively: "I'm sure! Have you forgotten? This young master is a Fourth-Grade Alchemist Grandmaster. I just said I would help you heal your severed hand." As he spoke, he flew to Xiao Jing, took out a pill bottle, and solemnly handed it over. "This is a high-grade Minor Body Restoration Pill that I refined earlier at the Alchemist Assembly in Eastern Heaven Royal City. Use it first; it should fully restore your injury. After that, you will assume the position of captain."

Xiao Jing was dumbfounded. A Minor Body Restoration Pill? Just given away like that? Young Master Xu had indeed mentioned refining a Minor Body Restoration Pill for him before, but they were mere acquaintances, and still in an antagonistic state. Could such words be trusted? But this bottle in front of him... Xiao Jing didn't hesitate, pulling out the stopper and taking a sniff. A rich medicinal aroma wafted forth. Not to mention him, everyone present could smell it. The crowd's eyes showed both doubt and anticipation. Xiao Jing, however, was a little hesitant.

Xu Xiaoshou was amused: "If I wanted to kill you, would I need to waste poison?"

Xiao Jing: "..."

He was also direct, tilting his head back and swallowing the pill. In just a few breaths, the flesh of his severed hand began to squirm. Then, bones, skin, fingernails... rapidly formed.

"Truly miraculous!" Xu Xiaoshou himself was witnessing the effects of a Minor Body Restoration Pill for the first time. He sighed with emotion, no wonder such a pill was so hard to find on the market. Having this item was equivalent to having an extra life!

Xiao Jing squeezed his completely new hand. It was identical to his previous one, with no discomfort whatsoever, apart from a slight difference in skin tone. He was a little wistful. Even for him, such a divine pill would require a large number of contribution points to exchange within his family, and it was even harder to find on the market. But Young Master Xu just pulled one out and gave it to him effortlessly.

"Is this... a Fourth-Grade Alchemist Grandmaster?" It wasn't just him. All the Grandmasters witnessing this scene simultaneously grew envious. The value of a Minor Body Restoration Pill was immense. And standing before them was a Fourth-Grade Alchemist Grandmaster—Young Master Xu—capable of producing such valuable pills seemingly without end! If anyone had harbored doubts about Young Master Xu's identity as an alchemist before, now no one disbelieved it. He could even casually pull out a Minor Body Restoration Pill. This Half-Saint descendant is truly awesome!

At once, everyone recalled Young Master Xu's previous proposal: establishing an elite Xu Gang, recruiting only Grandmaster members. "If I could join, perhaps I could exchange for pills like these, for a certain price." "Or even, if Young Master Xu took a liking to me..." There were quite a few female Grandmasters present. For a moment, everyone harbored their own designs, with some even having more personal ambitions.

"Young Master Xu! This 'Little Xu Gang' you mentioned..." someone couldn't help but ask.

Xu Xiaoshou turned his gaze, smiling: "What I say goes. The Little Xu Gang will be established, Xiao Jing will be the captain, and as for you... it's up to you! Those who wish to join, I'm giving you the opportunity now; those who don't, I won't force you." He shrugged, looking nonchalant.

Everyone naturally understood Young Master Xu's confidence. With the identity of a Fourth-Grade Alchemist Grandmaster openly displayed, was there any fear that Grandmasters wouldn't come knocking? At once, everyone understood that they had encountered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Young Master Xu was forming the 'Little Xu Gang,' and these poor souls, who were the first to have their points plundered, suddenly, in the blink of an eye, became the fortunate ones.

"I can serve as captain, but I'd like to ask Young Master Xu a question." At this, Xiao Jing stepped forward and asked seriously, "May I ask, Young Master Xu, what is the goal of the Little Xu Gang? It seems you are not lacking in points?"

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled: "I naturally don't lack points. Your question is excellent, and it's precisely what I was about to say." He looked around, raised his head slightly, and declared, "The sole purpose of the 'Little Xu Gang' is not to farm points, but to gather all the elite trial participants and completely monopolize all the Dao Origin Stones that appear in the Cloud-Grasping Mountain Range!"

These words were uttered with absolute conviction, and coupled with Xu Xiaoshou's awe-inspiring presence, they delivered a heavy blow to everyone's hearts.

Everyone felt their scalps tingle. While they were still worrying about points, someone of their own generation had already set their sights on all the Dao Origin Stones that had appeared, and even those yet to appear, in the Cloud-Grasping Mountain Range! What was more, if anyone else had uttered such a boast, everyone would have scoffed. But coming from Young Master Xu, no one dared to disbelieve!

Xu Xiaoshou's aura was unparalleled, his gaze disdainful, as he coldly stated, "This young master not only wants Fire-attribute Origin Stones, but also Metal-attribute, Ice-attribute, Space-attribute... and so on and so forth. Wherever Dao Origin Stones appear in the Cloud-Grasping Mountain Range, the Little Xu Gang and I will be there! Of course, I won't use all of these Origin Stones. So, during this month-long trial, as long as my gang members need them..." He paused after speaking.

Everyone present suddenly had their eyes light up with intense brilliance, even Xiao Jing was no exception. From the sound of it...

Xu Xiaoshou held up the Fire-attribute Origin Stone, declaring magnanimously, "This item, I will return to my clan after the trial ends. But right now, your opportunity has arrived! During the trial, for ten thousand points, you can comprehend it for one day. Furthermore, throughout this period, you will be protected by the elite Grandmasters of the 'Little Xu Gang,' the nine hundred members of the 'Xu Gang,' and this young master's personal guardianship – no one will be able to disturb you!"

The crowd erupted in an uproar. At first, everyone thought ten thousand points was too expensive, but then they had a change of heart. This was comprehension without burden, without being chased by others, allowing them to fully and completely immerse themselves in cultivation!

Xu Xiaoshou watched the changing expressions of those around him and smiled. From the initial 'no new recruits, Xu Gang is full' scarcity marketing; to the establishment of the 'Little Xu Gang,' a sudden turn for the better; to the appearance of the 'Minor Body Restoration Pill' as a means to win over hearts... He didn't believe the Grandmasters present would continue to remain unaligned. Leeks, after all, will always be leeks; even if they flip, it's only within the pot. If a team cannot bring benefits to its leader, then it has no reason to exist. And if a person cannot monetize the human resources under them, only burying their head in hard work, then their achievements will always be limited.

It all came down to one phrase...