Brokeback Mountain F4, the Miserable Ye Qing

After the Pavilion Master's attack missed, his expression instantly turned grave.

This guy... is indeed far stronger than I imagined. His Destiny Rank must be above mine—probably on par with the seniors from the Earth Pavilion.

"Your strength is truly formidable... I am thoroughly convinced," the Pavilion Master conceded, backing down now that he knew he couldn't win.

But Loan Hero paid him no mind. Though invincible during debt collection, this was merely a passive skill!

In the next second, he vanished from the spot, taking Ye Qing with him.

Watching the two disappear, the entire Destiny Association descended into chaos.

For the newcomers who had just joined, the shock was overwhelming.

Someone had barged into their headquarters, snatched a person right under their noses—it was like getting slapped in the face, yet they could only smile helplessly, powerless to retaliate.

Their once awe-inspiring impression of the Destiny Association plummeted to rock bottom.

They’d thought they’d joined some badass organization, only to realize it was a paper tiger?

Once seeds of doubt were sown, they sprouted rapidly. Those who joined the Destiny Association were all proud individuals.

If there wasn’t something to gain, why would they even work here?

"Alright, everyone, stop staring. You’ve all seen that man’s power. If you encounter him in the future, do not provoke him," the young Pavilion Master warned.

"Memorize his face. And if he ever offers you a loan... refuse. Otherwise, not even the gods can save you."

He paused, then turned his gaze to Deputy Pavilion Master Xu Rong.

"I’ll be away for a while. Gates are awakening worldwide—Ye Qing is proof of that. He came from beyond one. Soon, the number of Destined Ones on Blue Star will explode. Keep an eye out."

"Xu Rong, you’ll act as interim head of headquarters. Here—these are prehistoric genetic data. Absorb them. They’ll boost your strength."

With that, he tossed Xu Rong a crimson vial, its contents as unsettling as blood.

But Xu Rong’s face lit up with excitement. To others, this might be useless, but for someone with Super God Genes, it was priceless!

It could grant him truly overpowered abilities.

"Thank you, Pavilion Master!"

After a few more instructions, the young man vanished on the spot.

"Pavilion Master...?" Xu Rong called out tentatively.

Once certain the Pavilion Master was gone, his lips curled into a smirk.

With the Pavilion Master away, he was now in charge!

"Did you all hear? The golden age is coming. More Destined Ones will emerge—hurry up and grow stronger!"

"Headquarters’ exchange mall is now open. Spend your points wisely..."

...

Chen Hao followed the other Destined Ones to the so-called "Headquarters Mall" in a daze.

The Destiny Association was essentially a massive commune, pooling the golden fingers of all Chosen Ones. Headquarters helped protagonists with system malls earn points, sourced goods from their systems, and centralized them in a shared marketplace.

"Gulp—"

Chen Hao swallowed hard. Headquarters had awarded him an extra 3,000 points this month—a reward for being a system holder.

Plus, his 40% cut from the "Scumbag Value" earnings... he was rolling in it!

He counted on his fingers: 3,000 points at the mall equaled 30,000 Scumbag Value. Over the past half-month, he’d squeezed nearly 100,000 Scumbag Value from Ye Qing and other members.

40% of 100,000 was 40,000—meaning he’d made 70,000 Scumbag Value in just two weeks!

Thinking of Ye Qing, Chen Hao sighed.

"Ah... Brother Ye Qing was a decent man. Pity he crossed the wrong person."

...

Meanwhile, Ye Qing was panicking.

"Stay back... I’m warning you!"

Bound tightly in millennium-cold iron shackles, his cultivation was sealed, leaving him helpless.

Before him stood a gleaming, bald-headed man—Brother Qiang.

Earlier, the suited man had brought him here, exchanged a few words with this brute, and left.

"Heheh, heard you’re a Grandmaster-level martial artist?" Brother Qiang grinned like a blooming chrysanthemum, advancing slowly.

"Get away from me—!" Ye Qing’s backside clenched. He tried to summon his power, but the restraints rendered him powerless.

Clap clap clap! Brother Qiang signaled with a few sharp claps.

Three figures emerged from the shadows: Dugu Linyu, the show-off prince Ye Liangchen, and stock market whiz Qin Tian. Together with Brother Qiang, they formed the "Brokeback Mountain F4"—now welcoming Ye Qing as their fifth member.

"What do you want? I have 18 masters! If you kill me, they’ll hunt you down!" Ye Qing seethed with frustration. These four were weaklings—the strongest only a mid-level Grandmaster. Normally, he could crush them with a slap.

But shackled by the millennium iron, he couldn’t even use 1% of his power.

Brother Qiang chuckled, rubbing his shiny scalp.

"Kill you? I’d never. I’ll take good care of you..."

"NOOO—!!!"

A blood-curdling scream echoed as the door to the dark room slammed shut.

......

"So... Ye Qing got taken?"

Jiang Che—the ultimate lurker—watched everything unfold from the shadows.

As a master of stealth, patience was his creed.

This "Loan Hero" intrigued him. Using the "Book of Calculations," he attempted a quick divination.

"Huh? No trace at all? This guy’s got some serious backing."

Jiang Che smirked. He wasn’t worried—the world had plenty of odd talents, and Loan Hero was just mildly interesting.

With his current wealth, even Loan Hero would leave in tears.

What truly piqued his interest was the Destiny Association.

Thanks to Chen Hao, his human surveillance camera, Jiang Che now understood the Association inside out.

And quietly, he’d siphoned nearly a million points from them—all thanks to Chen Hao’s unwitting efforts.

"That idiot Pavilion Master said gates worldwide are opening? A flood of Chosen Ones is coming?"

"Is this the start of a spiritual revival?" Jiang Che mused aloud.