After a meal with the boss lady, Xiang Ning went to sleep unaffected by the Dancing Dragon Guild. There was nothing to be worried about—first, because of his ability, and second, because of Bo Yan’s attitude. 

After laying unconscious for a while, Li Youlong slowly woke up in lockup. Xiang Ning had apparently hit him very hard, enough for a tier five, seven-star martial artist to go unconscious for a while. When he checked the back of his head, he almost thought Xiang Ning had broken a hole in it. 

“Old Sun, what you did wasn’t right. We were just blocking their entrance for a while, was that enough for you to cause such a huge commotion?” Li Youlong knew his limits since he was still in a law enforcement institution. He only spoke after he had been discharged and all of the documentation had been completed. The guy he called Old Sun didn’t speak, merely glanced at him for a second, then turned to leave. He had warned Li Youlong not to trouble that person anymore. Even we in law enforcement had to do this! You’re smart enough to figure it out. It wasn’t easy for you to reach the level you’re at. 

But so what? Li Youlong knew that, too. The person he wanted to get close to was the young master of Jerry Constructions, whose status was out of everyone’s league. How many people could afford to offend that guy? He never stopped to consider why Bo Yan would throw his weight around over such a minor issue, nor did he wonder about the real status of the foreign kid. After all, Jerry Constructions was a significant member of JQ Alliance, which had the same status as the Hunters Guild. 

JQ Alliance was formed by the bosses of major corporations around the world. They controlled more than half of the world’s economies, and one of its core members was Jerry Constructions. 

…...

Very early the next morning, Xiang Ning woke up, made simple preparations, and got ready to leave. His objective was simple: to get a feel of the local situation. Although he had information available to him, he still had to personally experience it, since different species in different areas all varied in strength. 

At the counter, the boss lady was doing her bookkeeping and couldn’t help but remind him, “It’s so late and you’re still going out? Be careful.” 

Xiang Ning reassured her, then left. He got on his Permafrost and sped out of the city. However, to his surprise, there were many people like him leaving the city.  They were all true hunters who hunted for money, since many fierce and powerful beasts were nocturnal. Many great bounties were offered for those beasts or their cores. 

Nighttime was undeniably the most dangerous time to be in the wilderness. The environment was harsh and the beasts were fiercer than during the day. It was their hunting time. 

Xiang Ning was out looking for a team. According to the intel he bought at the guild, he would be able to find teammates there, though the number of people was more than he expected. 

“Tier four region, Tree Poison Frog hunting! Need someone experienced, best if you’re experienced in hunting poison frogs! Best if you’re a spiritual cultivator.” 

“Tier four region, Rhodochrosite ore collection! We need one more spiritual cultivator. No lower than tier three, five-star.” 

“Tier three region. We’re collecting thirty Night Cat claws. Need someone quick on their feet. Hopefully a spiritual cultivator.” 

Xiang Ning walked along the side of the city gates, listening to the various calls of each team. It sounded like a market. Most of them worked in the tier three and four regions, and the demand for spiritual cultivators was far greater than his expectations. 

“Government exploration mission, tier five region, we lack a tier four spiritual cultivator.” 

Xiang Ning perked up. He understood the need for government exploration missions. The Kunlun Mountains were vast, and there were many unexplored places that were often rich in resources. They were still unmarked locations on maps. 

Missions like that were simple, yet difficult at the same time. They were simple, because all they had to do was head to an unexplored area, then record the terrain, beast types, and strengths, as well as the resources available for a huge reward. 

The difficulty was in the fact that help wouldn’t be available in unexplored areas if they were in danger. Everything was an unknown factor. If it was a tier five area, it was still fine, but if it was tier six? Encounters with tier six beasts ended in either bitter battles or tragedies. 

They were just what Xiang Ning was looking for. 

He hurried over to the person who was calling out for spiritual cultivators and found that they were a trio with two men and a woman, all of them at least tier five, four-star. But they were all martial artists. 

While he was eyeing them, they naturally also studied him. They weren’t paying much attention to him, since he was so young. 

Xiang Ning ignored that and directly asked, “Are you guys lacking one spiritual cultivator?” 

“Uh… yeah, kid. What’s up?”

“I fulfill that requirement.” 

“You?” The three of them looked at each other. They weren’t to blame, since he didn't look like a tier four spiritual cultivator. 

Xiang Ning didn’t waste time, either, and thirty knives instantly appeared behind him. That attracted a lot of attention since spiritual cultivators were short in supply. Tier four spiritual cultivators were treasures. 

Seeing as he could control thirty knives very well, it was enough to prove his strength. 

The three of them were stunned, since they hadn’t expected to find one today. It was just their first day—and it was early in the morning too, which was the best time to leave the city. 

“Ah… hahaha, apologies, kid. You just look too young.” The leader was a bearded man 1.87 meters tall. He looked trim and neat, like a handsome man in his thirties. He had a calm demeanor, his figure robust. 

“Everyone says that.” Xiang Ning smiled, unbothered. It was good to hide his true strength in foreign lands, only revealing what he had to. 

“Welcome to the team. My name is Li Qimu.” The one who spoke was a gentle-looking, bespectacled man. If it weren’t for the skin-tight combat attire he wore, he would look like a corporate man. 

“Sorry, we were judging a book by its cover. Welcome to our team, I’m Zhou Yuanyuan.” 

“Welcome. I’m the leader of our team, Qi Longxiang.” 

“Nice to meet you, my name is Xiang Ning.” 

They introduced themselves, then linked the system on their devices so Xiang Ning was formally added to their team. 

It ain't much, just 30 knives