Joining the Spirit Cultivation Society (Only one chapter today)

Taking the elevator straight to the tenth floor, Xiao Hen knocked on the door of office 1003.

Bang bang bang...

"Come in!"

Xiao Hen pushed the door open and stepped inside, seeing Ying Caihong seated in her executive chair. Her hair was a mix of gray and white, one eye black and the other yellow, a gentle smile on her face. As Xiao Hen entered, her gaze locked onto him, and she asked softly, "Who are you?"

"Ms. Ying, hello. Let me get straight to the point—I'm here to join the Spirit Cultivation Society!" Xiao Hen said directly. This was his side quest, and he had to join the society to complete the subsequent tasks.

"Join the Spirit Cultivation Society?" A cold glint flashed in Ying Caihong's eyes. Her public identity was the chairman of Global Mining Group, while the Spirit Cultivation Society was an organization she had founded in secret. For someone to know about such a hidden matter, they clearly knew quite a bit.

"Who are you? Do you think you can just join the Spirit Cultivation Society whenever you feel like it?" Before Ying Caihong could speak, a young girl with dyed hair beside her sneered coldly.

Xiao Hen turned to look. He recognized this girl from the movie—she had protected Ying Caihong multiple times, saving her life on several occasions. She was a personal bodyguard brought from Japan, named Yoko.

"I've heard of the Supreme Master's great name and admired it for a long time. I've come specifically to pay a visit and hope to join the Spirit Cultivation Society. Ms. Ying, I am sincere," Xiao Hen said earnestly.

"Hmph!" Yoko scoffed. "Do you think the Master would let a stranger like you just waltz into the organization?"

Ying Caihong smiled faintly. "I don't know where you heard about the Spirit Cultivation Society, but Yoko is right. Not just anyone can join. Those qualified are either wealthy heirs or descendants of the powerful. And you? What do you have?"

Xiao Hen slipped his hands into his pockets and smiled. "I've studied some martial arts. I hope to join the Spirit Cultivation Society and receive the Master's guidance to gain greater strength."

Hearing this, Ying Caihong didn't respond, but the girl beside her stood up. "You? Studied martial arts?" She looked utterly unconvinced.

"I hear Miss Yoko is quite the fighter, Ms. Ying's personal bodyguard?" Xiao Hen pulled his hands out and looked at Yoko. "In that case, why not give it a try?"

"Of course!"

With that, Yoko leaped forward, lashing out with a leg whip.

Bang!

Xiao Hen raised his arm to block, feeling the immense force from the impact. This girl had good strength and fast attack speed—no wonder she could be Ying Caihong's bodyguard.

Realizing her attack was blocked, Yoko switched tactics, throwing punches, palm strikes, leg whips, kicks, and even knee strikes.

Bang bang bang...

But every move was blocked by Xiao Hen. With a sudden push, he sent Yoko's follow-up kick flying back. Xiao Hen smiled faintly—after defending for so long, he was finally going on the offensive.

"I'm attacking now. Watch out!"

He stomped hard on the ground, surging forward in a flash, closing in on Yoko just as she steadied herself. He reached out with a claw-like grip, aiming for her shoulder.

"Damn it..."

Yoko's expression shifted. Xiao Hen's arm shot out with incredible speed, leaving her no time to defend or block. Forced into a retreat, she ducked low and rolled backward on the ground, barely dodging his claw strike.

"Running? You can't escape."

Xiao Hen swept his leg along the ground. Yoko planted her hands on the floor, flipping her body nimbly into a somersault, then caught her breath and stood to the side, glaring at Xiao Hen.

But Xiao Hen attacked again, fists and palms flying in rapid succession. Yoko blocked step by step, until Xiao Hen exploited an opening, grabbing her arm and halting her defensive rhythm. He punched her in the stomach, then seized her neck with a claw—the fight was over.

"Ms. Ying Caihong, what do you think of my skills? I'd have no problem serving as your bodyguard, right?" Xiao Hen turned to Ying Caihong. "Though you already have Miss Yoko protecting you, having another expert by your side shouldn't be something you'd refuse, should it?"

Ying Caihong masked the shock in her eyes. Yoko was already formidable, yet Xiao Hen had defeated her with ease. Such strength was impressive. Having someone like this to protect her was excellent. A surge of delight rose in her heart, but she still needed to clarify a few things.

"Of course I wouldn't refuse. But I have one last question." Ying Caihong stood up. "How do you know about the Goddess Tomb?"

Xiao Hen released his grip on Yoko's neck. The moment she was free, she lunged at him again, throwing a punch at his head. Xiao Hen stepped back half a pace, caught her arm, and with a sharp toss, sent her flying onto a nearby sofa.

Yoko flipped back up, ready to attack again, but Ying Caihong called out, "Enough, Yoko!"

"Yes, Master!" Yoko shot Xiao Hen a glare, then turned and stood by Ying Caihong's side.

"How do I know about the Goddess Tomb? There's a reason for that."

Xiao Hen clapped his hands, slipped them back into his pockets, and paced a few steps. "I'm from the mainland. I've loved martial arts since I was young and enjoyed studying ancient texts. Once, I stumbled upon a record of strange events on the prairie's Goddess Mountain. After extensive research, I uncovered the legends of Princess Augu and the Flower of the Other Shore. Princess Augu, known as the Goddess, could wield the power of the Flower of the Other Shore. Legend says she was a priestess with special abilities. And you, Master, must also be able to use that power. So I came to Hong Kong, hoping to join the Spirit Cultivation Society you founded. I only ask that once you obtain the Flower of the Other Shore, you guide me to gain greater strength."

As he spoke, Xiao Hen's face burned with fervor.

Ying Caihong's eyelids twitched. She had been fixated on the Goddess Tomb for a long time, but without its exact location, she couldn't find a way in. A sharp pain seemed to stab through her mind. She knew she had no time to waste. Just as this young man pinned his hopes on the legendary Flower of the Other Shore, Ying Caihong clung to it as her last lifeline, desperate to obtain it as soon as possible.

"Fine, I agree to let you join the Spirit Cultivation Society. Your task is to protect me!" Ying Caihong ultimately couldn't let go of a martial artist as powerful as Xiao Hen. No one would ever have too many bodyguards of this caliber. Besides, finding the Flower of the Other Shore would require entering the tomb. If danger arose, Yoko alone might not be enough. With this young man joining, her safety would be far more secure.

"Thank you, Supreme Master!" Xiao Hen smiled faintly, bowing his head slightly in a respectful salute.

The side quest was half-complete. Now, all he had to do was stay by Ying Caihong's side and wait for the plot to unfold, naturally leading him into the Goddess Tomb.

'Maybe I can even use Ying Caihong to replenish my missing firearms and ammunition.'

Xiao Hen thought to himself.

Just one chapter today. I have some errands to run. I'll make up for the missing chapter tomorrow—yes, three chapters tomorrow!