The Strongest Sect of All Times

“The Ironbone Sect will have a martial exchange with the Vast Spirit Gate the day after tomorrow! This is big news!”

“There was no sound for a while, so I thought that Sect Head Jun had been joking, but I didn’t expect him to really dare go!”

“Alliance Chief Qin’s sect is sixth-grade. Leading the disciples over to challenge, does he not fear being beaten so badly he can’t find north?”

Due to the dissemination of information by the Drizzle Hall members, the martial artists of all eight Qingyang Commandery cities soon learned the news about the Ironbone Sect challenging the Vast Spirit Gate. 

How dry it would be to cultivate on the martial path all day, every day. 

There was suddenly a commotion, so of course everyone had to talk about it. 

However, many people concluded that the Vast Spirit Gate’s strength was a tier higher, so the Ironbone Sect was overreaching with this challenge. 

How did they rationalize the events on Spirit Spring Mountain?

They simply didn't care about it. In the eyes of many martial artists, the Holy Spring Sect had sent anordinary inner court disciple; Li Qingyang’s victory had only been because of his energy-type martial skill. 

Indeed. 

Based on the victory and defeat between disciples, it was not possible to conclude that the Ironbone Sect had the qualifications to match a fifth-grade sect. 

Moreover, since it was a martial exchange, they would definitely need to send many disciples.

It was definitely a pipe dream for the Ironbone Sect to shake a sixth-grade sect with Li Qingyang alone. 

Just as the people were discussing the challenge, another tidbit of news entered their ears. 

Some time ago, the Star Cloud Sect had challenged the Ironbone Sect. The result was that all five disciples had been defeated, while Elder Song also lost to Sect Head Jun. 

“When did that happen? How come I never heard about it?”

“Probably a month ago. Some people confirmed that Star Cloud Sect’s Elder Song did lead some disciples up Ironbone Mountain.”

“My god, the Ironbone Sect’s pretty good, defeating a seventh-grade sect 6:0!”

News about the Star Cloud Sect’s challenge with the Ironbone Sect only spread now because after being routed, the Star Cloud Sect had intentionally cut off all news flow. 

After all, it was a humiliating defeat. 

But the Star Cloud Sect was unfortunate as they were only able to avoid it for long; hiding it only made the community ridicule them more. 

Jun Changxiao also realized that the outside world had no idea about the challenge. He thus spread the news at the best possible time, first disgracing the Star Cloud Sect, then drumming up support for himself. 

It didn’t have to be said, but the effect was as intended. 

Knowing that the Star Cloud Sect had been defeated 0 to 6, those that originally favored the Vast Spirit Gate suddenly switched to supporting the Ironbone Sect.

“It seems like the Ironbone Sect’s powerful disciples are not Li Qingyang alone. Since Sect Head Jun dares to challenge the Vast Spirit Gate, he’s definitely prepared.”

“Who cares who’s strong and who’s weak? It’s fine as long as the fights are exciting.”

Most martial artists only cared about how lively the show would be. So long as the fights were splendid, who won and who lost was unimportant. 

…

Ai Family. 

Ai Shangni had also obtained the report about the Ironbone Sect going to the Vast Spirit Gate for a martial exchange. He currently sat in the great hall thinking. 

“Patriarch.”

Ai Shangfang said, “Sect Head Jun challenged the Vast Spirit Gate, this is just looking for trouble.”

Ai Shangke solemnly said, “The Vast Spirit Gate is at the helm of the Hundred Sects Alliance. When the time comes, many of the alliance members will also go; Sect Head Jun will definitely be attacked on the way up.”

The matter about how the Ironbone Sect and the Hundred Sects Alliance no longer cared about formalites had also spread through Qingyang Commandery. 

Even fools knew that as long as Jun Changxiao led the disciples to challenge, victory and defeat aside, there would definitely be some verbal damage in store. 

Ai Shangni considered it slightly. He seriously said, “On Spirit Spring Mountain, our Ai Family did not act. This time, we must support Sect Head Jun!”

“What about the auction?”

“Postponed!” Patriarch Ai tyrannically declared. 

Ai Shangfang and Ai Shangke had no opinions. 

Regarding the Spirit Spring Mountain, they had not gone because of the Holy Spring Sect. This time, if they did not come out in support, it would be a little unjustifiable. 

The Ai Family voluntarily went to the Vast Spirit Gate to support the Ironbone Sect, showing that their partnership with Jun Changxiao was important. 

Someone who was similarly in support was Qingyang City Lord Xie Guangkun, who had already started to arrange his schedule to spare time for the day after tomorrow. 

He was a bit afraid of the Holy Spring Sect, but the Vast Spirit Gate was within the boundaries of Qingyang Commandery — this City Lord wasn’t scared at all!

Brat. 

This will be a fierce battle. 

If you lose, you will lose everything. If you win, your reputation will soar. 

However, do not worry, do not fear!

Qingyang City’s 3.6 million citizens are your, are the Ironbone Sect’s, powerful supporters!

…

Vast Spirit Gate was situated on the east side of Qingyang Commandery, in a beautiful and scenic mountain range. Although the challenge would only start the day after tomorrow, many families, sects, and rogue cultivators had started to gather. 

The next day. 

Jun Changxiao changed into a clean sect head uniform, organized his sleeves, flung his black hair over his shoulder, and naturally took a step out of his study. 

On the inner courtyard’s training field. 

More than 200 disciples stood with their hands behind their backs, their backs unyieldingly straight and proud looks on their faces. 

Today, the sect head would bring seven of their senior brothers to the Vast Spirit Gate for a martial exchange. Although they could not follow, they would bring out all of their energy in order to see them off!

Li Qingyang and the other inner disciples stood at the front. After a night of rest and reorganization, their conditions were excellent. 

“Sect Head!”

When Jun Changxiao appeared, the disciples shouted at once. 

Over the past several months, the average cultivation of the sect had seen a huge increase. Besides the newest members, everyone else had entered the ranks of Martial Apprentice — their shout was loud and resonant!

“It is just crashing a sect, why are you all so serious?” Jun Changxiao waved a hand, “Relax, relax.”

The people turned down their vigor, but remained stiff and valiant. 

Jun Changxiao did not say any words of encouragement. In his opinion, the Vast Spirit Gate was just a small mob on the way to challenging the big boss. 

This fervor, the words to inspire, could be saved for when they left for the Holy Spring Sect. 

“Sect Head.”

Zhou Hong said, “I also want to go.”

“You aren’t going to practice the sword?” Jun Changxiao asked. 

Zhou Hong said, “Cultivating is but increasing sword intent. A sword cultivator also needs experience and life stories.”

“You can come.” 

Jun Changxiao added, “But you will not go on stage.”

“Mhm,” nodded Zhou Hong.

“Sect Head, senior brothers and junior brothers, the meal is served!”

In the temporary cafeteria of the inner court, Liu Wanshi shouted loudly as she brandished the ladle. 

Knowing that the sect head and the senior brothers were about to head off to the Vast Spirit Gate, she bustled about early in the morning with Ma Yongning and the twin Blacks, making a large table of food for the road. 

After having the send-off food, Jun Changxiao steadfastly led the eight disciples off. 

Li Luoqiu stayed in the sect because she was responsible for handling the sect, but she sent out ten gold-plaque assassins to secretly follow the sect head. 

They had specialized assassins to protect them on the road — how terrifying!

…

Vast Spirit Gate. 

In the majestic main hall. 

Qin Haoran placed the challenge letter he had just received on the table, smiling coldly. “Jun Changxiao, I was also worried that you did not dare come.”

Beneath his seat. 

Other members of the Hundred Sects Alliance had assembled ahead of time. 

Their eyes were all exuding hatred. 

“That Jun Changxiao thinks that just because he can beat the Holy Spring Sect’s inner disciples is his invincible? He dares to challenge Alliance Chief Qin?!” the Long Sabre Gate’s master huffed. 

This friend’s complexion was a little pale. 

“We came here ahead of time to root for Alliance Chief Qin!”

The Tiger Roar Sect Master joked, “When that brat comes tomorrow, he will definitely be frightened by the momentum until he’s trembling.”

The momentum on this side was indeed quite scary, because more than 50 sects had come in support of the Vast Spirit Gate. Like this, by tomorrow, they might even have the potential to move mountains. 

Someone anxiously said, “That Jun Changxiao’s fangs are sharp and his tongue sharp. After he arrives, don’t talk to him. Just oppressing him in an imposing manner is enough.”

The others nodded, expressing support. 

After all, many of them still vividly remembered how Situ Wang had spat blood in resentment!

“Jun Changxiao.”

Qin Haoran rubbed his hands together, coldly laughing. “As long you arrive at my Vast Spirit Gate tomorrow, before the eyes of countless people, you will be worth less than a mole cricket!”

“Achoo.”

On the road, Jun Changxiao sneezed and rubbed his nose. “Someone is definitely speaking about me behind my back.”