Zhong Shenxiu and Xia Luo talked for a long time. It felt like a good two hours had passed. At this moment, Xia Luo's expression was strange. She seemed burdened by some sort of guilt, keeping her head down, lost in thought.

Subsequently, Zhong Shenxiu led the group toward the place—the "Mercenary Association." As for their purpose, everyone had likely already guessed!

The attendant on duty was the same counter clerk from before. When she saw Zhong Shenxiu and Robin again, she couldn't help but freeze for a moment.

But when she noticed Kenny and the others, she quickly regained her composure. "May I ask what assistance you require?"

She couldn't help but wonder if Zhong Shenxiu had brought his entire family; why was there such a mix of old and young?

"We wish to apply to establish a mercenary group!" Zhong Shenxiu stated calmly once more.

The clerk looked at the others in astonishment, and only after seeing Kenny nod did she say, "Please wait a moment!"

With that, she retrieved a stack of forms from beneath the counter and handed them over to Kenny and the rest. "Please fill out these forms first, and then submit the application fee of fifty gold coins!"

Kenny took the forms as a matter of course, distributing them to the others before examining her own.

These forms required personal information. Fields marked with an asterisk were mandatory; other fields were optional.

While everyone was busy filling out their paperwork, Xia Luo addressed the counter clerk. "I need to process my withdrawal from my current group."

"Oh, certainly. Right away." The clerk was almost too stunned to react. After confirming, she swiftly retrieved a different set of forms.

Withdrawing from a group was a simple matter. It took effect immediately upon application, and it was a unilateral action requiring no one's approval.

The clerk took the completed form from Xia Luo and reviewed it. "Please hand over your former mercenary group's insignia and certificate."

Looking at the badge that had been with her for several years, Xia Luo felt a genuine reluctance to part with it. But there was no other way now; to join Zhong Shenxiu's mercenary group, she had to leave her old one!

From the moment Xia Luo surrendered that insignia and certificate, she had absolutely no connection left with the 'Cloud Splitter Mercenary Group.'

Her departure would not lead to the disbandment of the 'Cloud Splitter Mercenary Group.' According to the association's regulations, if the leader resigned, another member would assume command.

Immediately after withdrawing, Xia Luo set about applying to join the new group—her speed in changing allegiance was truly rare!

Soon, everyone had finished their forms and submitted them to the clerk. The clerk then produced yet another new form and presented it to the group. "Your group leader needs to fill out this form."

She handed the form to Kenny again. However, to her surprise, Kenny casually passed the form directly to Zhong Shenxiu!

Heavens! She almost cried out loud and quickly reiterated, "This form is for your group's leader to complete."

"Mm, I know that!" Kenny smiled at her.

You know that, yet you give it to him? The clerk stared at Kenny in shock, then finally understood. Good grief, were they suggesting this little child was the leader?

She had already been astonished that Zhong Shenxiu, a child so young, was even joining a mercenary group; that was barely acceptable. But for such a small child to be the leader? She absolutely could not accept that!

The position of leader carried significant authority, requiring personal approval for appointing vice-leaders and accepting new members. Furthermore, the leader had to face numerous critical issues. For such a vital role to be held by such a small child seemed utterly farcical!

Although Kenny understood the clerk's shock, she offered no explanation.

If Zhong Shenxiu wasn't the leader of this mercenary group, then their joining would be meaningless. All of them revolved around Zhong Shenxiu; in their hearts, he had long since become a figure of leadership.

Zhong Shenxiu didn't rush to fill out the form. Instead, he was pondering one crucial question: what should they name their mercenary group?

After careful deliberation, Zhong Shenxiu finally settled on an excellent name: the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group'!

The name perfectly matched Zhong Shenxiu's personality. He himself was inherently elusive and unpredictable, and to outsiders, his actions seemed utterly unfathomable. This name was too fitting!

Once the name of the mercenary group was decided, the rest was much simpler to complete!

Zhong Shenxiu filled out the form in one smooth flow and handed it to the clerk via Kenny.

The clerk was still somewhat dazed; she hadn't fully recovered from the previous shock.

After a brief wait, the clerk finally finalized all the procedures. When she presented the insignia and certificate to the group, it signified the formal establishment of the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group'!

Gandalf and the others looked at the small badges in their hands with deep emotion. Though light in weight, the meaning they represented was profound. They could now legitimately follow Zhong Shenxiu into the world. This also meant their bond with him had deepened! Xia Luo felt the change most acutely; one moment her badge belonged to the 'Cloud Splitter,' and now it looked like this!

Next, the clerk handed the group a guide manual detailing basic mercenary knowledge. However, even without this manual, it hardly mattered, as Xia Luo was an experienced mercenary, even a former leader. With her guidance, the others could ask her anything they didn't understand!

"Give me the instruction manual for item exchange," Zhong Shenxiu told the clerk.

The clerk didn't ask questions and brought out several thick manuals. Fearing Zhong Shenxiu—who seemed to have a habit of tearing things—might damage them, she stood close by, watching intently.

Zhong Shenxiu ignored her, focusing intently on flipping through the manuals.

It had to be said that the records of the items were incredibly detailed, including descriptions of shape, color, and characteristics, allowing one to visualize them clearly even without seeing the physical object!

Next to each item description was a large blank space reserved for those interested in trade. They could write down the characteristics of the goods they wished to exchange, along with contact information, and an expiration date if necessary.

Zhong Shenxiu discovered many items of interest and quickly wrote down what he wished to exchange: limited edition equipment from the "Dark Guild," listing his contact address as the "Huddled-At-Home Martial Arts Academy," with Ris as the contact person!

He was certain that anyone seeing Zhong Shenxiu's message would be ecstatic, because anyone remotely sensible would grasp the immense value of 'Dark Guild' limited edition equipment!

After handling these matters, a significant amount of time had passed, and the day was over!

In truth, Zhong Shenxiu created the mercenary group not just for item exchange. He had also been deeply moved by the discussions he'd overheard about possibilities like several mercenary groups uniting for dragon slaying, or joining larger mercenary alliances for ranking battles!

The current Zhong Shenxiu was vastly different from before. He no longer lived solely for 'research'; he was slowly beginning to savor life!

The very next morning, the reception area of the "Huddled-At-Home Martial Arts Academy" was already swarming with mercenaries. They had all come seeking one person: Ris!

Upon seeing the message in the manual, they were so excited they nearly lost their bearings. Someone was willing to trade for 'Dark Guild' limited edition equipment? If this wasn't a windfall from heaven, the other party must be insane!

They had doubted if it was real, but operating on the principle of 'better safe than sorry,' they decided to come and check it out. After all, it was just a short walk!

Ris was startled by the sudden influx of people, but he didn't lose his composure. Following the exact script Zhong Shenxiu had given him, he ushered them toward an empty courtyard not far from the academy. This courtyard was actually property of the "Dark Guild," though outsiders didn't know it.

There were many similar properties hidden around; all of this was thanks to Old Danny's efforts!

These mercenaries waited anxiously in the courtyard. The longer they waited, the more suspicious the situation felt. Who would be foolish enough to trade 'Dark Guild' limited edition equipment?

"Hey, do you think this might be a scam?"

"I can't say for sure. I checked, and this 'Ethereal Mercenary Group' seems to have only been established yesterday."

"To be honest, if it weren't for the 'limited edition equipment,' I wouldn't have bothered coming."

"I hope this isn't some kind of trap."

"What's there to fear? There are so many of us; are we afraid of being eaten?"

"If this is real, I'll be set for life. I hear the 'limited edition equipment' from the Dark Guild is incredibly valuable—something money can't buy!"

"You should try to keep your expectations realistic; the higher you hope, the greater the disappointment!"

Just as the crowd was chattering, three figures finally appeared in the distance. These three were none other than Zhong Shenxiu, Robin, and Kenny!

"Huh? Isn't it one woman and two kids?"

"Let me see... yeah, it really is."

Under the surprised gaze of the crowd, Zhong Shenxiu and the two others approached.

Zhong Shenxiu didn't speak immediately; he surveyed the area. Finally, his gaze settled on a spacious spot near a wall.

"Um... are you the one intending to trade items with us?" one of the mercenaries asked Kenny.

"It's not me," Kenny smiled, then pointed toward the approaching Zhong Shenxiu with her finger. "The person intending to trade with you is him!"

"What?" Everyone was stunned, and all eyes immediately fixed on Zhong Shenxiu.

That little brat?

Just as the crowd felt they had been duped, an incident suddenly occurred that nearly stopped their hearts!