Looking up from the foot of Iron Bones Mountain, one could see clouds and mist faintly swirling around the mountainside.

This was spiritual energy released as the two hundred thousand medicinal plants gradually matured. Though it couldn’t compare with major sects, it had undoubtedly made a good start.

“Sect Leader.”

Standing on a boulder, Elder Wei pointed to the long, continuous mountain range and said: “As long as we continue planting medicinal materials, Iron Bones Mountain will definitely become a feng shui treasure land abundant with spiritual energy.”

“That costs money though.” Jun Changxiao said.

Elder Wei said: “How can we improve the environment without investment? Moreover, with Iron Bones Mountain abundant in spiritual energy, the quality of cultivated medicinal materials will be higher, and the effects when refined into pills will be more pronounced.”

“Good point.”

Jun Changxiao said: “This Sect Leader will continue purchasing seeds. I’ll trouble Elder Wei and the Medicine Hall with the planting matters.”

“This is part of my duties.” Elder Wei said.

Having joined the Iron Bones Sect and become Medicine Hall Master, everything he did was naturally for the sect.

“When can these medicinal materials be harvested?” Jun Changxiao asked.

Elder Wei said: “Wait another two days to let them release a bit more natural attributes.”

“Mm.”

Jun Changxiao delegated sect affairs to Li Qingyang and made a trip to Huyang City, purchasing four hundred thousand high-quality seeds from the Ai Family in one go.

“Family Head.”

Ai Shangke said puzzledly: “Sect Leader Jun is buying so many medicinal plant seeds—can he even plant them all?”

“If I’m not mistaken.”

Ai Shangni said: “Sect Leader Jun buying so many seeds is probably to improve Iron Bones Mountain’s spiritual energy environment.”

Planting spiritual energy-type medicinal materials to enhance a mountain peak’s natural attributes was very common on Falling Star Continent.

Ai Shangke said helplessly: “That nameless mountain peak has almost no spiritual energy at all. Rather than spending so much money to transform it, wouldn’t it be better to choose another mountain?”

Indeed.

Rather than spending money and effort on transformation, why not select a new mountain peak? Even if the spiritual energy was weak, it would still be better than pioneering on Iron Bones Mountain.

Jun Changxiao naturally knew he could choose another mountain peak and relocate the sect there.

However, starting with a ninth-rank commandery, a ninth-rate sect, and a desolate mountain, then slowly developing and ultimately achieving the strongest school—wouldn’t that be more challenging?

After learning of his thinking, the System had once said this: “Host has masochistic tendencies.”

……

Several days later.

Elder Wei harvested all two hundred thousand mature medicinal plants.

After Jun Changxiao distributed them accordingly, he managed to gather materials for over thirty thousand Qi Gathering Pills.

How satisfying!

Opening the Alchemy Pavilion, the medicinal materials automatically matched, and he decisively began refining.

Refining over thirty thousand Qi Gathering Pills would definitely take time, but hearing the ‘ding ding’ sounds, Jun Changxiao felt it was like heavenly music!

Two days later, all the pills were refined.

Looking at the Qi Gathering Pills piled together in his spatial ring, Jun Changxiao felt he was very happy right now.

Unfortunately.

Because these were medicinal materials from the first pioneering planting, the pill effects were only 10-fold.

Jun Changxiao was already quite content.

After all, over thirty thousand Qi Gathering Pills were temporarily sufficient for the disciples’ use.

Moreover.

Elder Wei had already led people to begin the second planting cycle.

With the ecological environment improved, the maturation period would shorten and quality would greatly increase.

It could be said.

As long as funding was sufficient and seeds were plentiful, forming a positive cycle, the ecological environment would gradually change and Qi Gathering Pills wouldn’t be lacking.

Thinking of Iron Bones Mountain in the future with spiritual energy swirling and an endless supply of Qi Gathering Pills, Jun Changxiao immediately felt completely comfortable throughout his body—climbing five floors in one breath wouldn’t be difficult.

“Sect Leader.”

Li Luoqiu entered the great hall and said: “Just received intelligence that Southwest Yang Province Certification Headquarters dispatched two elders who arrived in Qingyang City. They’re heading toward our Iron Bones Sect together with City Lord Xie and Steward Zhao.”

Jun Changxiao said: “What’s the meaning of Certification Headquarters sending people over?”

“In my view.”

Li Luoqiu deduced: “Our Iron Bones Sect being evaluated as Second Grade A has alarmed Certification Headquarters. This time sending elders, they should want to carefully audit us.”

“Sect Leader.”

Li Qingyang said: “Steward Sun is here to visit.”

Having just learned the news, Jun Changxiao wasn’t surprised, so he said: “Please invite them in.”

Li Qingyang said: “Steward Sun has brought two elders with profound auras—at least Wuzong cultivation.”

They’re not here to cause trouble, are they?

The System said: “Host not only has masochistic tendencies but also persecution tendencies.”

“Scram.”

Li Qingyang said: “City Lord Xie is also accompanying them and is very respectful to the two elders. In this disciple’s view, they should be important personages.”

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be a bit rash for this Sect Leader not to personally go out to welcome them?” Jun Changxiao said.

Li Luoqiu said: “I feel that, considering City Lord Xie’s face, there’s nothing improper about Sect Leader going out to welcome them.”

“This disciple thinks the same.” Li Qingyang said.

“Fine.”

Jun Changxiao stood up and said: “Considering City Lord Xie’s status, this Sect Leader will personally go out to welcome them.”

……

“Hmph.”

Standing outside the Iron Bones Sect gates, Elder Zhen said impatiently: “Does making an announcement take this long?”

“Or could it be.”

“That this Iron Bones Sect leader has such airs he won’t personally come out to welcome us?”

As elders of Southwest Yang Province Certification Headquarters, when they took the initiative to visit a sect for certification, they should naturally be welcomed with lined streets.

Xie Guangkun smiled: “Elder Zhen’s visit was sudden without prior notice. Sect Leader Jun definitely had no preparations, so please forgive any lack of hospitality.”

Our lovable City Lord Xie was truly looking out for Jun Changxiao at every turn.

Of course.

The effort wasn’t wasted.

Jun Changxiao, who originally hadn’t planned to come out to welcome them, came out for his sake.

“Creak.”

The vermilion gates opened wide.

Jun Changxiao strode out from inside. Without even glancing at the two Certification Headquarters elders, he cupped his hands with a smile: “How does City Lord Xie have time to visit my Iron Bones Sect?”

“Uh…”

City Lord Xie was somewhat dumbfounded and said: “Sect Leader Jun, this Xie has come accompanying two elders from Southwest Yang Province Certification Headquarters.”

The six words “Southwest Yang Province Headquarters” were said especially loudly, clearly hinting that these were important personages who absolutely must not be neglected.

“So they’re elders from Certification Headquarters.”

Jun Changxiao cupped his hands, speaking polite words: “My apologies, my apologies.”

Elder Zhen said coolly: “Making us wait outside for so long—Sect Leader Jun truly has great airs.”

Elder Zhou said: “Sect Leader Jun still has to handle sect affairs. He can’t stand at the gate every day waiting to welcome people. Someone shouldn’t be so petty.”

Look.

They were at it again!

Elder Zhen said coolly: “Elder Zhou, if we come to certify this time and the Iron Bones Sect’s potential doesn’t reach Second Grade A, the problem will be significant.”

“This old one trusts Steward Zhao’s evaluation. How could there be a problem?” Elder Zhou said.

During their verbal sparring, the atmosphere appeared rather solemn, making City Lord Xie, caught in the middle, feel somewhat awkward.

Cold sweat arose on Steward Zhao’s back.

Elder Zhen’s visit was clearly targeting him. If the Iron Bones Sect’s potential wasn’t Second Grade A, he would definitely be in big trouble!

At that moment, a terrifying thought suddenly arose in his mind.

When previously certifying the sect’s rank for the Iron Bones Sect, could those Wutu disciples with solid auras have been hired by Jun Changxiao with money!