After the steward just left, six men who had been standing under a tree not far away approached the new outer disciples. Wicked expressions reflected on their faces.
"Hi! Everybody! Since you are new here, let me tell you two things. First, I would like to extend a warm welcome. You are now members of the family of outer disciples."
A man who appeared to be around twenty years of age said loudly to the new outer disciples. He seemed high-spiritedly and enthusiastic.
In contrast, the six men standing beside him still wore sly smiles. They didn't seem to be as nice as the speaker.
Still, just to avoid trouble, the new outer disciples showed their gratitude.
"Ah," the speaker said," You don't have to thank me. There's no need to be so formal. It is my pleasure to welcome all of you."
The young man continued talking.
"The second thing I wanted to share was that every new outer disciple is required to pay us ten vital energy crystals."
The young man paused and waited for his audience to react.
Hearing what he had said, the new outer disciples were stunned. After a moment's silence, they began whispering and discussing among themselves. As outrage grew, their voices soared. Soon, the residential area was filled with noise.
"What? What do you mean?"
"Is this a sect rule?"
They clamored to have their questions heard.
"The ten vital energy crystals are a sort of 'getting to know you' gift. You can also call it a protection fee or routine money. As long as you pay us the vital energy crystals, no one can harm you. If anyone tries, you can mention that you are under Billy Tan's protection!"
Protection fee!
The new disciples were not foolish. They understood at once that the six disciples were blackmailing them. It was the six disciples who were threatening the new disciples now!
"Be quick! Pay us the crystals. Only then can you leave. If you are not willing to... Hmmm!"
The young man paused, and his expression turned cold. He glared intimidatingly at all the new outer disciples.
"One thing you should know is that our leader, Billy Tang, is ranked fifteenth among the outer disciples. Whether you want to or not, you have to give us the crystals. And this is Mr. Billy Tang's brother, Barton Tang."
While the young man was speaking, he pointed to another young man who was dressed in purple. He looked arrogant and wore a cold smile on his face.
Hearing what the first young man had said, the new outer disciples, who looked indignant a moment ago, became silent.
Billy Tang was ranked in the top 15 from thousands of outer disciples. Of course, the new outer disciples could not be as powerful as he.
If they did not pay, they would offend Billy Tang. The new outer disciples didn't want to provoke a higher ranked disciple on their first day in the outer part of the sect.
On the contrary, if they paid, this would be their opportunity to build a good relationship with Billy, and they might get help from him in the future.
So more than one disciple started to take action.
Some of the new disciples reacted quickly. They took out ten vital energy crystals and passed the crystals with two hands to Barton Tang. Since they had lived on the meager salary of a grunt disciple, the amount was almost like a small fortune for them. They cringed at having to pay, but they smiled while offering the money to Barton Tang.
"Mr. Tang, please accept my gift and speak on my behalf to Mr. Billy Tang. I am Booth."
"Good. You are doing excellently. I will ask my brother to protect you from now on."
Barton felt glad and looked more arrogant when he heard the new outer disciple flatter him.
Booth's smile expanded to his whole face. He felt as though it was totally worth his ten vital energy crystals.
Influenced by Booth, other disciples started to pay the protection fee to the six young men.
Matias looked dispirited as he stood among the new outer disciples. He didn't say anything. Instead, he considered his options carefully before reaching a decision.
He walked forth from the crowd and stopped in front of Barton. Taking out fifty vital energy crystals, he put them in Barton's hands. "Mr. Barton Tang, this is my gift for Mr. Billy Tang," he said with a flattering smile.
Then he took out a pile of vital energy crystals and passed twenty to Barton, and ten to each of the other five young men.
"This is my gift to each of you. I hope you do not refuse it."
Matias demonstrated such generosity that it delighted Barton and the other five men. Of course, they would not refuse Matias's gift and accepted it happily.
"Okay. Good. You are very good. What is your name?"
"I am Matias," Matias replied immediately.
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