With the dual cooperation of the Meridian Opening Pills and the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Scripture, Liu Wanshi easily opened her fifth meridian.

Afterward, Jun Changxiao gathered the disciples who hadn’t reached the twelfth stage of Meridian Opening.

There weren’t many—only thirteen people.

Four at the tenth stage of Meridian Opening, nine at the eleventh stage of Meridian Opening.

It wasn’t that they weren’t working hard enough; their luck was simply too poor. Sometimes when attempting to open a meridian, even with the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Scripture’s increased success rate, they would fail repeatedly, so they gradually fell behind.

Seeing most of their fellow disciples advance to the twelfth stage, these thirteen disciples felt deeply guilty and dejected, believing they had failed to live up to their Sect Master’s support in providing various martial resources.

Jun Changxiao could see this, so he gave each of them three Meridian Opening Pills and encouraged them: “Temporary failure doesn’t mean permanent failure. Work hard in your cultivation—you can do this.”

The System said: “Host is becoming more and more like a Sect Master.”

What kind of comment was that?

Did that mean I wasn’t like a Sect Master before?

In the past, he had been quite weak, lacking the demeanor of a Sect Master. Now with his cultivation improved, his physique stronger, and his personal charisma on full display, he really did have a bit of that sect leader appearance.

But something was still missing.

What was missing was the imposing bearing of one who has long held a position of power!

This kind of temperament wasn’t easy to cultivate. First, Sect Master Jun needed to become a true powerhouse. Second, the sect also needed to be strong—not necessarily dominating the entire continent, but at least commanding respect in one region.

Long-held position of power? What nonsense.

Since I, Jun Changxiao, came to the Xingyun Continent, I will become that strongest Sect Master who commands the world’s power while awake and rests with beauties when drunk!

The System retorted: “Single dog, go wash up and sleep.”

…

After the thirteen disciples took the Meridian Opening Pills, the nine at the eleventh stage broke through to the twelfth stage, and the other four disciples also advanced from the tenth stage to the eleventh stage.

What was this?

A one hundred percent meridian opening success rate!

The next day, upon learning that all disciples had opened their meridians, Jun Changxiao said joyfully: “From now on, when recruiting new disciples, as long as they gather sufficient spiritual energy, opening meridians will be a small matter.”

“Zuiji and Xingchen are out gaining experience, otherwise I’d give them each a few pills. When they return, they’ll definitely have major improvements.”

The dual combination of the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Scripture and Meridian Opening Pills could allow martial artists at the Meridian Opening stage to achieve a one hundred percent meridian opening success rate. This was extremely terrifying—if word got out, it would definitely cause tremendous waves!

Unfortunately.

No one knew.

In the eyes of many high-level powers, the Tiegu Sect was still like a lowly ant, slowly climbing up a mountain that reached into the clouds.

…

On the eve of the battle appointment.

Li Qingyang sat cross-legged within the spiritual energy formation.

With his mind and spirit unified, he circulated the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Scripture. His entire body was enveloped in layers of spiritual energy, like a cocoon wrapping itself around him.

Su Xiaomo and the others knew Second Senior Brother was going to fight an inner disciple of the Holy Spring Sect, so for two days they hadn’t entered the formation, afraid of inadvertently disturbing him.

“Thud.”

After a while, the last spirit stone, having had its energy completely absorbed, fell to the ground in a dull color.

“Whoosh!” Li Qingyang took a deep breath, absorbing all the spiritual energy permeating his body. The moment he opened his eyes, two sharp glints flashed briefly.

“Fourth-rank Wutu. There shouldn’t be any problem now.”

During the sect competition, he had advanced to first-rank Wutu early on, then took some time after returning to reach second-rank. Now, with spirit stones and Qi Gathering Pills to assist him, he had advanced two levels in two days.

As Qingyang City’s number one genius, Li Qingyang’s aptitude was beyond question. However, the reason for his previously slow cultivation was that he had to help the Sect Master handle many internal affairs, which invisibly delayed considerable cultivation time.

He had no complaints, because this was the Sect Master’s trust in him. He could only do his best to handle every matter well.

Night fell.

Li Qingyang walked out of the formation and entered the training room, beginning the final physical conditioning for his battle with the Holy Spring Sect disciple.

On the great hall’s roof, Jun Changxiao sat on the roof ridge, elbows resting on his legs, palms clasped together, the backs of his hands supporting his chin as he said: “Qingyang, thank you for your hard work during this time.”

Lu Qianqian was cold and unapproachable, Xiao Zuiji was decadent and dispirited, Su Xiaomo was mischievous and carefree—each disciple was a talent in their own way.

But a sect couldn’t rely on the Sect Master alone.

The steady-natured Li Qingyang was undoubtedly what Jun Changxiao needed most and liked best.

Having him fight this time was also to help him gather sufficient prestige so he could better assist Jun Changxiao in leading the sect’s junior disciples.

…

The next day.

At the crack of dawn, Liu Wanshi rose early to cook, preparing a sumptuous breakfast that Ma Yongning and the two assassins carried out to the dining table one by one.

Shortly after, the disciples came to eat.

Li Qingyang also came. Although he had cultivated all night in the conditioning room, he looked full of energy.

Su Xiaomo walked over, raising his bowl and saying: “This junior brother wishes Second Senior Brother victory over the Holy Spring Sect disciple and glory for our Tiegu Sect!”

Saying this, he drained the soup in one gulp.

“Ah!”

He immediately stuck out his tongue, panting: “Hot! Hot!”

The other disciples also came to offer their wishes. The atmosphere in the dining hall immediately became warm and harmonious.

Liu Wanshi, wearing an apron, poked her little head out from the side of the kitchen, waving the ladle in her hand with a beaming smile: “Today I specially got up early to make Second Senior Brother a sumptuous farewell meal.”

“Thud!”

Everyone fell over in unison.

Li Qingyang staggered, supporting himself on the table, black lines appearing on his forehead.

Children speak without thinking, children speak without thinking…

Before long, Jun Changxiao walked in. After eating the sumptuous farewell meal with all the disciples, he brought Li Qingyang, Lu Qianqian, and several other main disciples and departed without any worries.

…

Yaoyang City, Lingquan Mountain.

The first time he came, Jun Changxiao had destroyed the Lingquan Sect. The second time was to answer the challenge.

“They’re here, they’re here!”

“The Tiegu Sect really accepted the challenge!”

“I thought facing the Holy Spring Sect, that guy wouldn’t dare come!”

As Jun Changxiao led several disciples up the mountain, he saw quite a few martial artists dressed in various styles gathered outside the Lingquan Sect ruins.

He hadn’t gone down the mountain these past few days, so he didn’t know that news of the Holy Spring Sect issuing a battle challenge to his sect had already spread throughout Qingyang Commandery.

The various sects and martial artists who received the news naturally wouldn’t miss this. They had come to Yaoyang City yesterday.

Quite a few sects from the Hundred Sects Alliance had also come.

For example, the Tiger Roar Sect’s Sect Master, and the Iron Fist Gang Leader who had been punched out by Xiao Zuiji.

When they saw Jun Changxiao and the Tiegu Sect disciples walking up, their lips curled upward without exception, revealing faint cold smiles.

Young man.

Lucky you withdrew from the Alliance.

The Holy Spring Sect is magnanimous and didn’t make an issue of it—otherwise, we would definitely not let you off!

“Hehe.”

Jun Changxiao smiled and said: “It’s just a challenge match, yet it’s more lively than the sect competition. This truly surprises this Sect Master somewhat.”

“Sect Master Jun.”

The Tiger Roar Sect Master said coolly: “The people from the Holy Spring Sect are waiting for you at the Lingquan Sect’s martial arts arena. After you go in, you might get a surprise.”

After the Qingyang City meeting, the Hundred Sects Alliance definitely didn’t think well of Jun Changxiao.

Coming here this time was naturally also to see how he would be bullied by a fifth-rate sect.

Thinking of that guy’s arrogance at the Star-Moon Tower, then imagining his panicked and flustered expression when facing the Holy Spring Sect shortly, the various faction leaders were immediately all smiles.

“The Lingquan Sect is nothing but ruins. How could it frighten this Sect Master?”

Jun Changxiao led his disciples forward with large strides. As soon as he entered, he saw three chairs placed where the great hall had collapsed in front.

Three people sat on the chairs.

In the center was a middle-aged man with a resolute face, arms folded together, head slightly lowered.

On the left was also a middle-aged man, one hand supporting his face, his expression somewhat gloomy.

On the right was a man with forehead wrinkles, one leg crossed over the other, raising his pinky finger to pick his ear, looking quite slovenly.

Although the three had completely different appearances, their common point was that they all radiated profound auras from their entire bodies. Their cultivation was definitely not weaker than the Cangshan Sect’s Elder.

Jun Changxiao rubbed his nose, thinking to himself: “If these three wore navy uniforms and draped themselves in long cloaks with ‘Justice’ written on them, they’d totally be the Navy’s Three Admirals.”