Though he had so maliciously speculated about the motives of the Golden Core Society's rule-makers, Xu Yi actually quite liked these regulations. They let people follow their desires and decide for themselves. Even if they had weighed human nature and lured people into a trap without their realizing it, that was still more comfortable than being bound and dragged into a pit.
With that thought, Xu Yi said, "If I wanted to join the Golden Core Society, what would I have to do?"
At first, he had been interested in Kong Qi's secret alchemical techniques. Now, he simply admired the Society's open-minded, inclusive atmosphere, where ideas could collide and people could pursue their studies.
Even if one day he really was assimilated and developed a deep sense of belonging to the Golden Core Society, he wouldn't regret it.
He silently told himself, That day probably won't come. After all, who's as selfish as I am?
Suddenly, Kong Qi spread his hand. A Five-Pointed Star badge appeared in his palm. The badge was about two inches across, its color a dull gray. On the front were two intertwining cold-eyed flowers, also known as the flowers of wisdom.
Kong Qi raised his hand slightly, turning over the Five-Pointed Star in his palm to reveal its back. A line of rust-colored text was engraved there: "The collision of ideas sparks the flame of wisdom."
Xu Yi accepted the badge Kong Qi offered and dripped some blood onto it. The blood seeped in, and a ball of light entered the badge. No storage space appeared, unlike what he had expected.
Kong Qi said, "This is a gray badge, also called the Initiate's Chapter. It's the only badge issued by the missionaries. This time, we'll only issue three in Modou City. Based on past assessments,