Chapter 108

Even if he wanted to, Timothy knew better than to enter into an area as an independent cultivator, especially not even reaching the Intermediate stage of cultivation. If Master Sei was even half right with his estimation and there were fifty groups present, it would be enough to completely dominate and possibly soak up those who would arrive as independent forces such as himself. Plus, if he was not in a group, he would be targeted by every other group, while if he were to join a group, at least some other groups would remain somewhat neutral towards him.

Soon enough, Timothy finally made his way and landed near the area that Cole marked on the map before he left. Within his sights, were at least four hundred experts present and they ranged from Intermediate stage all the way up to Master stage. Timothy's heart could not help but to be moved at such a sight. There were enough experts present to make a large and very dominant force capable of taking down a weak city if they so well wished.

However, to his master's estimations, these four hundred or so experts were separated in groups, and the largest of the groups were about eight or nine experts. Not just that, but not a single group had an Elementary stage expert or more than one Master stage cultivator. There were from what he could feel standing close to the area, about forty Master stage cultivators present and their groups definitely stood out the most with at least one Advance stage cultivator and two Intermediate stage cultivators.

After scouting the area, Timothy noticed that one group stood out the most, the reason was because the group was only of two people. One of them was a Master stage cultivator who seemed more mysterious compared to the others who were not shy of being seen, while next to him was a young looking Intermediate stage cultivator. It was strange to him that they did not have more members in their group, and something told him in the back of his mind that he should investigate them a little more.

Technically speaking, the group of two should have had many others wishing to team up with them due to one of them being of the Master stage of cultivation. However, as an hour had passed, Timothy noticed that the other groups were approached by others asking to join with them while the group of two were completely ignored. It was to the point where some groups that were close to them, began moving away, leaving them completely unapproachable.

Timothy after seeing this, decided that he would personally head over to take to the two cultivators because in this world there were only two reasons for them to be treated in this way. Either they had offended a large power which others were unwilling to offend, or their backgrounds were not so simple, and in order to make life harder for them, the other groups distanced themselves accordingly to also hope that they would not show them any hostility.

Both of these options were on the table, but the more he thought about it, the more Timothy actually did not mind whichever it would be or a third option he was not currently thinking of. As he continued walking into their direction, Timothy heard many of the groups actually discussing the two experts and who they were. There were many who seemed not from Stone Kingdom within these groups, but the very few mentioned at the very least that the two did not have simple backgrounds, and were associated with a large power.

"I was wondering if this spot was available for someone like myself?" as he approached the two, Timothy realized that there was now an even bigger space between the other groups and the two experts. The older man sized up Timothy as he simply remained silent while the young man next to him began to smile.

"See elder, I told you that I would be able to make some friends if we headed over to compete for the ancestor's inheritance!" the young man who looked to be a teenager but not quite an adult yet had told the older man next to him as he nodded his head towards Timothy in acceptance. Such a scene surprised Timothy, but he took the opportunity to stand next to the two. It was strange for a powerful force to send an elder out to accompany someone much younger, unless said younger individual had a high position within their force.

"My name is Timothy and I am the proud owner of the Golden Finger Merchant Group." he told the two as they were all now looking at one another. Timothy felt like he was being stared at by all of the other groups, but at the moment, it did not really affect him because he had decided to make a move while no one else did. Therefore, if there were any rewards he would receive for siding with the two, it would not have to be shared with anyone else.

"Oh? We have dealt with almost every merchant group within Stone Kingdom and Swamp Kingdom, but I have never heard of a Golden Finger Merchant Group. Could it be that you have just started your business recently?" the younger man asked Timothy, still with a smile on his face. It seemed that the young man was a little too talkative and accepting of Timothy, which was a red flag to Timothy.

"Yes, my merchant group was just founded last year, but we do have some affiliations." Timothy replied before handing over a small piece of paper that highlighted each and every one of their affiliations. Seeing some of the names on the piece of paper, caused the young man's eyes to widen as he nodded his head after passing the paper over to the older man to look at as he handed back the piece of paper to Timothy after nodding himself.