When system cheat becomes rampant!

"What faction do you think Xiang Beifei will join?" a member of the Yi Trib murmured quietly.

"It's hard to say. With Jiao Shkai on the Moon God Race, I don't think he'll join them. It's likely a choice between the Demon Tentacle Race and the Heavenly Demon Assembly."

"I'm leaning towards the Demon Tentacle Race, after all, their strength is witnessed by all."

Many cultivators of the Yi Trib were discussing fervently. Not every race chose to join the three major camps; quite a few were still observing. There were various reasons for this, such as a particular race having three mortal enemies, each having joined a different faction. This made it difficult for them to make a choice; they had to opt for the lesser hatred.

However, most of the Yi Trib cultivators tended towards the Dawn Alliance led by the Demon Tentacle Race because a male from the Demon Tentacle Race repeatedly passed through the Giant Spirit Village unharmed. Relative to others, this race seemed quite powerful; following them meant sure security if they could ever leave this place.

All cultivators were awaiting Xiang Beifei's answer, eager to know which of the three major powers would gain such a powerful master.

Xiang Beifei was silent for a moment before he slowly spoke, "I appreciate everyone's kind intentions, but so far, I have no plans to join any faction."

This statement surprised many cultivators!

In this situation, he actually chose not to join any of the three powers?

They looked at one another. Not joining one of the three powers at this time didn't seem like a smart move. Especially since they had personally sent envoys to invite him. Other races didn't get such treatment; they had to apply to join on their own.

"Daoist Xiang, won't you reconsider? At this time, joining an alliance is much more important than fighting alone," Sapu spoke up.

"Who told you he's fighting alone? Can't you see me?" Li Qianluo asked, hands on her hips.

Sapu was slightly taken aback; he couldn't quite gauge Li Qianluo's depth and felt a hint of wariness in his heart.

"Still, I hope Daoist Xiang will reconsider. If you change your mind, you can always look me up. I'll be able to introduce you."

Sapu wasn't aggressive about it, nor did he look down on Xiang Beifei for not joining the Heavenly Demon Assembly. He was only a messenger, and if Xiang Beifei refused, there was no point in insisting.

After all, he had initially clashed with Jiao Yingguang and got no benefit from it. His strength was only on par with Jiao Yingguang's. Since Xiang Beifei had killed Jiao Yingguang, he could surely kill him as well. Sapu was responsible for doing his job which was advocacy; success or failure was out of his control.

Meanwhile, the Demon Tentacle man with a stern face coldly snorted, "Really ungrateful. Do you actually think that just because you defeated Jiao Yingguang, you're invincible in the world?"

"Do you have any face yourself?" Xiang Beifei retorted.

"Impudent! How dare you speak to me that way?" the Demon Tentacle man barked angrily.

Calmly, Xiang Beifei said, "What need is there for words with a parasite?"

"You're seeking death!"

The Demon Tentacle man growled, and his aura skyrocketed!

Boom!

The surrounding aura surged violently, startling all the cultivators.

"Zhi! Stop!"

The woman with a cracked mouth narrowed her eyes and spoke out.

Compared to the volatile Demon Tentacle man, the cracked mouth woman was obviously more prudent; she restrained the man, preventing his outburst.

After a moment, she announced clearly, "We're all trapped in this place, and since we have formed powers, random attacks are unreasonable, as we all have our own supporters. As supporters, we should safeguard against chaos. So we've established a rule, should there be any unresolved grievances that must lead to battle, one can simply apply for a duel to the death. But private attacks are not allowed. Zhi, as a high elder of the Dawn Alliance, you should adhere to this most of all."

The Demon Tentacle man suppressed his scorn and snorted coldly.

Xiang Beifei asked, "When were these rules decided?"

"Just now, as a result of a joint discussion between the leaders of our three organizations," she replied.

The cracked mouth woman lifted her gaze to sweep around the other Yi Trib cultivators who were watching the commotion, saying, "I hope all friends will remember, by joining their respective alliance powers, one is protected by those powers. If there are unsolvable grievances, one can propose to resolve them on the life-or-death stage. If anyone violates this rule, initiating a private attack, the one who acts first will be attacked by the collective! This is also to ensure that this region doesn't fall into too much chaos."

The reason everyone joined other powers was to ensure that their race had a protector. As a result, the three sides naturally did not permit private conflicts, as it would be awkward for the leaders to not deal with such trifle issues. Hence, this rule was born.

After the cracked mouth woman had spoken, she looked at Xiang Beifei with a smile, "I hope Daoist Xiang will also remember this."

The Demon Tentacle man beside her asked darkly, "Xiang Beifei, you just had the audacity to disrespect me, violating my dignity! I now issue you a life-or-death challenge. Do you accept?"

Xiang Beifei asked pointedly, "So if I kill you on the life-or-death stage, the Dawn Alliance won't trouble me any further?"

"Heh, as if you could?" the Demon Tentacle man laughed coldly.

"Answer my question directly," Xiang Beifei said.

The cracked mouth woman spoke up, "Of course! Rules are rules, as long as you accept the challenge, then the losing side on the life-or-death stage, even if killed, their supporting power cannot seek revenge. That's the consensus reached by the leaders of our three groups."

"Fine then."

Xiang Beifei sized up the man with the split hairstyle who was invoking the Heavenly Dao Laws. This was a mid-Heavenly Connection realm expert, far stronger than Jiao Yingguang.

But in front of Xiang Beifei, there was no difference; he was merely a mid-Heavenly Connection realm spiritual power crystal.

Speaking of which, he was in dire need of Heavenly Connection realm spiritual power crystals.

——

Xiang Beifei rejected the invitations from the three factions and even set a life-and-death battle with the man from the Demon Tentacle Race with the split hairstyle. This news quickly spread to the ears of all cultivators in the Land of Inheritance, and for a while, everyone was discussing it.

"Am I hearing things? Xiang Beifei is actually going to fight with Zhen from the Dawn Alliance?"

"That Zhen is not someone Jiao Yingguang can compare with. No matter how powerful Jiao Yingguang is, he's only at the early Heavenly Connection stage, but Zhen is a genuine mid-Heavenly Connection realm master who entered and exited the Giant Spirit Village five times still unharmed. How could Xiang Beifei from Congji Abyss dare to accept his challenge?"

"It's said to be because Xiang Beifei spoke with a harsh tone, offending Zhen and infuriating him. Everyone from the Demon Tentacle Race is not easy to provoke, you know!"

The Yi Tribe cultivators were all discussing this matter. These days, they came to understand the strength of the man with the split hairstyle. When they passed through the Giant Spirit Village, it was a near-death experience for them, yet the split-haired man crossed the Giant Spirit Village many times alone just to scout if the exit was unsealed.

The Giant Spirits, which shocked all Yi Tribe cultivators, could not do anything to the man with the split hairstyle, making them deeply revere his strength. Many races chose to join the Dawn Alliance precisely because of the split-haired man, thinking they could follow him out once the seal was broken.

Therefore, many cultivators were even more optimistic about the split-haired man's chances.

On the other hand, Fu Qiuzi was very troubled. He had originally come to discuss this matter with Xiang Beifei, intending to join a certain faction with him, so they wouldn't end up on opposing sides in the future. But he never expected Xiang Beifei to refuse all three factions!

"Daoist Xiang, by rejecting all three factions, you have really put me in a tough spot!" Fu Qiuzi said with a wry smile.

Xiang Beifei said, "Don't worry. Considering your own people, if you want to join any faction, just make your own choice. If conflicts arise in the future, I'll refrain from harming your people."

Fu Qiuzi was a rather principled man from the Yi Tribe. Although saving him was an unintentional act, he always remembered that favor and didn't want to trip Xiang Beifei up in secret, so Xiang Beifei wasn't going to make things difficult for him.

But Fu Qiuzi helplessly said, "Daoist Xiang, have you considered that I don't have many options now? They are all interested in you right now, and these past few days, I've been close to you. If I join any race, I'm afraid I will be used as a gun to target you."

"That is true." Xiang Beifei nodded slightly. Fu Qiuzi was indeed forward-thinking, considering all aspects thoroughly. In the end, Fu Qiuzi might have no choice but to stand against Xiang Beifei.

Li Qianluo interjected, "Then you might as well join our camp. We've already established our own faction."

"Huh? When did we establish our own faction?" Xiang Beifei asked, puzzled.

"There's no time like the present, right now!" Li Qianluo said with a hint of a sly smile, rubbing her hands together. "I've always wanted to create a faction for fun."

She seemed eager, as if she relished the idea of stirring up chaos.

"For fun? Daoist Li, do you realize who we're up against?" Fu Qiuzi said, sweating inwardly.

"I know, a bunch of shrimp soldiers and crab generals," Li Qianluo said disdainfully.

Fu Qiuzi: "..."

He couldn't gauge Li Qianluo's depth, but he knew this girl was far from simple.

"Then have you thought about what our faction's name should be?" Xiang Beifei asked.

"Let's call it 'Zha Jiang Stronghold'!"

"Zha Jiang Stronghold?" Xiang Beifei was taken aback.

Li Qianluo chuckled, "We met through that Fried Sauce Rat you mentioned, so naming it Zha Jiang Stronghold is more than appropriate!"

Xiang Beifei felt somewhat at a loss for words.

He thought he was casual enough with names, but apparently, there was someone even less reliable.

"Xiang Beifei, you'll be the leader, Fu Qiuzi, if you're willing, you can be our strategist," Li Qianluo said.

"If I'm the leader, then what are you? The leader's wife?" Xiang Beifei asked.

"The leader's wife? That title sounds kind of strange…"

Li Qianluo mused while touching her chin, then waved her hand dismissively and said, "Never mind, I've been so bored this month that setting up a stronghold for some fun isn't a bad idea. Anyway, go and finish off that split-haired man later. I've been finding him irritating for a long time. Didn't you notice that they deliberately said those things? They clearly came to force your hand, as if they want to get rid of you first—anyway, seal the deal after you take care of him, and establish the stronghold with blood oaths!"

Li Qianluo saw through the intentions of the Demon Tentacle Race very clearly.

"Do you have that much faith that I can take him down?" Xiang Beifei asked.

"Of course, otherwise why would I suggest you be the leader of Zha Jiang Stronghold?" Li Qianluo retorted with a curl of the lip.

Xiang Beifei shrugged indifferently. The name Zha Jiang Stronghold didn't matter to him much, but indeed, he had no intention of letting the split-haired man off easy.