“The day after tomorrow, the Iron Bones Clanging Sect is going to the Righteous Qi Gate for a martial exchange and discussion. This is huge news!”

“There’s been no movement for a while. I thought Sect Leader Jun had chickened out, but he actually dares to go!”

“Sect Leader Qin’s sect is Sixth-Rate. If Jun takes his disciples to challenge them, isn’t he afraid of getting beaten so badly he won’t know which way is north?”

Due to deliberate dissemination by members of the Drizzle Hall, martial artists across all eight cities of Qingyang Commandery quickly learned about the Iron Bones Clanging Sect challenging the Righteous Qi Gate.

Normally, cultivation and martial training were so monotonous.

With sudden excitement, they naturally had to discuss it thoroughly.

However, many people believed that in terms of strength, the Righteous Qi Gate had the upper hand. The Iron Bones Clanging Sect going to challenge them was clearly overestimating their own abilities.

Want to understand what happened at Spiritual Spring Mountain?

No need to understand. In many martial artists’ eyes, the Sacred Spring Sect had merely sent an ordinary inner disciple, and Li Qingyang’s victory was nothing more than relying on spiritual-type martial techniques.

Indeed.

One couldn’t determine that the Iron Bones Clanging Sect already had the qualifications to stand shoulder to shoulder with Fifth-Rate sects just because of one victory between disciples.

Moreover, since they were going for a martial exchange and discussion, they would definitely send quite a few disciples.

For the Iron Bones Clanging Sect to shake a Sixth-Rate sect relying on just Li Qingyang alone was undoubtedly a pipe dream.

Just as everyone was eagerly discussing the day after tomorrow’s challenge, another piece of news spread.

Not long ago, the Star Meteor Sect had gone to challenge the Iron Bones Clanging Sect. As a result, all five disciples were defeated, and Elder Song also lost to Sect Leader Jun.

“When did this happen? How come we never heard about it?”

“Seems like about a month ago. Someone has already confirmed that Elder Song of the Star Meteor Sect did indeed appear at the Iron Bones Clanging Sect’s mountain with disciples.”

“My god, is the Iron Bones Clanging Sect that powerful? They beat a Seventh-Rate sect six to zero!”

The news about the Star Meteor Sect challenging the Iron Bones Clanging Sect only spread now because the former had deliberately suppressed the information after their crushing defeat.

After all, they couldn’t afford to lose that much face.

If the Star Meteor Sect had won, the news would have spread a month ago, giving martial artists from various cities something to mock and laugh about.

Jun Changxiao also realized—why was there not a single bit of news from the outside world? So when spreading information, he exposed this. First, to embarrass the Star Meteor Sect a bit, and second, to build some momentum for himself.

Don’t mention it, the effect was quite good.

Upon learning that the Star Meteor Sect had been beaten zero to six, the martial artists who had originally unanimously favored the Righteous Qi Gate instead saw quite a few people now leaning toward the Iron Bones Clanging Sect.

“It seems the Iron Bones Clanging Sect has more than just Li Qingyang as a formidable disciple. Since Sect Leader Jun dares to challenge the Righteous Qi Gate, he must have come prepared.”

“Who cares who’s stronger or weaker, as long as the fight is intense.”

Most martial artists were purely in it for the excitement. As long as there was a spectacular battle, they didn’t really care who won or lost.

—

The Ai Family.

Ai Shangni also received news of the Iron Bones Clanging Sect going to the Righteous Qi Gate for martial exchange and was sitting in the main hall, pondering deeply.

“Family Head.”

Ai Shangfang said, “Sect Leader Jun going to challenge the Righteous Qi Gate—he’s stirring up trouble.”

Ai Shangke said gravely, “The Righteous Qi Gate is the headquarters of the Hundred Sects Alliance. Many member sects will also go then. When Sect Leader Jun goes up the mountain, he’s definitely going to face collective targeting.”

The matter of the Iron Bones Clanging Sect and the Hundred Sects Alliance falling out had spread throughout Qingyang Commandery.

Even fools knew that when Jun Changxiao took his disciples to challenge, regardless of victory or defeat, he would inevitably face targeting at every turn.

After brief consideration, Ai Shangni said seriously, “At Spiritual Spring Mountain, our Ai Family didn’t show up. This time for the martial exchange and discussion, we must go to support Sect Leader Jun!”

“What about the auction?”

“Postpone it!” The Family Head declared domineeringly.

Ai Shangfang and Ai Shangke had no objections whatsoever.

Not going to Spiritual Spring Mountain was because of the Sacred Spring Sect. If they didn’t show up this time, it would be somewhat unjustifiable.

The Ai Family voluntarily going to the Righteous Qi Gate to support the Iron Bones Clanging Sect showed that Jun Changxiao was an extremely important partner.

Also planning to show support was Qingyang City’s City Lord Xie Guangkun, who was already arranging affairs at this moment to free up enough time for the day after tomorrow.

The Sacred Spring Sect is a bit scary, but you, Righteous Qi Gate, are on Qingyang Commandery’s territory—this City Lord fears nothing!

Young man.

This is a fierce battle.

Lose the gamble and you’ll be ruined. Win the gamble and your reputation will soar.

But don’t worry, and don’t chicken out!

The three million six hundred thousand people of Qingyang City are your—are the Iron Bones Clanging Sect’s—strong backing!

—

The Righteous Qi Gate was situated in the east of Qingyang Commandery, in a mountain range with clear waters and beautiful scenery. Although the challenge would begin the day after tomorrow, various families, sects, and independent cultivators were already surging toward this area in advance.

The next day.

Jun Changxiao changed into a clean sect leader uniform, tied a band around his wrist at the sleeve, then with a flourish of his bundled black hair, he strode dashingly out of his study.

In the inner courtyard’s small training ground.

Nearly two hundred disciples stood in neat rows with their hands clasped behind their backs, their spines held straight and proud like iron bones. Each person’s face bore an air of pride.

Today, the Sect Leader would take seven senior brothers to the Righteous Qi Gate for martial exchange and discussion. Though they couldn’t follow along, they had to display their most spirited bearing to send them off!

Li Qingyang and the other inner disciples stood in the front row. After a night of rest and preparation, they were in excellent condition.

“Sect Leader!”

When Jun Changxiao appeared in their field of vision, all the disciples called out in unison.

Over the past few months, their cultivation had improved tremendously. Except for the most recent new disciples, all the others had entered the Wutu stage. Shouting together, their momentum was like a rainbow!

“Just going to wreck a place, why so serious?” Jun Changxiao waved his hand. “Everyone relax, relax.”

Everyone eased up but still kept their backs straight.

Jun Changxiao didn’t say any morale-boosting words. In his view, the Righteous Qi Gate was really just a small monster on the road to challenging the big boss.

Those passionate, blood-boiling words—he’d save them for when they went to Sacred Spring Mountain.

“Sect Leader.”

Zhou Hong said, “I also want to go.”

“Not practicing the sword anymore?” Jun Changxiao asked.

Zhou Hong said, “Practicing the sword is only to improve sword intent. A sword cultivator also needs more experience.”

“You can follow along.”

Jun Changxiao said, “But you won’t participate in the exchanges.”

“Mm.” Zhou Hong nodded.

“Sect Leader, senior brothers and junior brothers, time to eat!”

From the inner courtyard’s temporary dining hall, Liu Wanshi waved a ladle and shouted loudly.

Knowing that the Sect Leader and senior brothers were going to the Righteous Qi Gate to wreck the place, she had gotten up early with Ma Yongning, Little Black, and Big Black to busily prepare a large table of sumptuous farewell meal.

After eating the farewell meal, Jun Changxiao took eight disciples and set out steadily on the road.

Li Luoqiu stayed at the sect to handle affairs and didn’t follow, but dispatched ten gold-ranked assassins to hide in the shadows and accompany the Sect Leader.

Going out with professional assassins for protection—now that’s impressive!

—

Righteous Qi Gate.

In the imposing and magnificent great hall.

Qin Haoran placed the challenge letter he had just received on the table and sneered coldly, “Jun Changxiao, I was worried you wouldn’t dare to come.”

In the seats below.

The bigwigs from the Hundred Sects Alliance member sects who had rushed over early upon receiving the news were gathered together.

Their gazes were filled with nothing but contempt.

“Does that Jun Changxiao think that just because he defeated one inner disciple from the Sacred Spring Sect, he’s invincible? He dares to challenge Sect Leader Qin!” The Long Sword Gate’s sect leader said coldly.

This fellow’s face was still somewhat pale.

It seemed that after being pummeled by Jun Changxiao on the Grudge Platform, his injuries hadn’t completely healed.

“We rushed here early to cheer for Sect Leader Qin.”

The Tiger Roar Sect’s sect master sneered, “Tomorrow when that brat arrives, he’ll definitely be scared into trembling by the momentum.”

The momentum was indeed frightening, because there were fully over fifty sects coming to cheer for the Righteous Qi Gate. When they all targeted him together tomorrow, it would definitely be overwhelming like a landslide and tsunami.

Someone said with considerable worry, “That Jun Changxiao has a sharp tongue. When he arrives, everyone shouldn’t converse with him. Just use momentum to suppress him.”

Everyone nodded, expressing agreement.

After all, many people vividly remembered the scene of Situ Wang being berated until he vomited blood!

“Jun Changxiao.”

Qin Haoran rubbed his fingers and smiled coldly, “Tomorrow, as long as you come to my Righteous Qi Gate, in front of countless people, you’ll leave like a mangy dog slinking away!”

“Achoo!”

Jun Changxiao on the road sneezed and rubbed his nose. “There must be quite a few people badmouthing me in secret.”