Du Wanyi pondered for a moment. "At first, this organization sprang up within the Water Dragon Sect. It started because some seniors from the many market wards of our Cloud-Rain Marsh weren't faring too well in the sect."
"Later, a few seniors who were on good terms banded together of their own accord, helping one another and exchanging resources and information. Only then did they manage to gain a foothold."
"Over time, the organization gradually spread to the market wards here in Cloud-Rain Marsh."
"Cultivators like us, who haven't yet had the chance to join the Water Dragon Sect, also band together in advance."
Ji Yuan listened intently, and when she finished, he asked:
"Does this Mutual Aid Society have any pledges or rules?"
If the rules were too strict, he would have to give it some careful thought.
Du Wanyi nodded slightly. "There are three pledges. First, if a member faces a life-or-death crisis, the others must do their utmost to help them through it.
"Second, if a member meets a tragic death, the others must do their utmost to avenge them.
"Third, members must not fight and kill one another. Any disputes should be mediated and resolved within the society."
Ji Yuan frowned slightly after hearing her out. "This 'do their utmost' in the first two pledges... what exactly does that mean? And the third—if members fight to the death, would the society really stop them?"
"It means doing what you can within your capabilities."
Du Wanyi fixed her lovely, peach-blossom eyes on Ji Yuan and blinked a few times. "Say someone in our society offended the Water Dragon Sect and was killed by them. We couldn't possibly go avenge that person, could we? The same reasoning applies to the first pledge."
"As for the third, if there