Falsifying sect grade certifications wasn’t unheard of.
Though those caught would eventually be exposed and severely punished by the Certification Hall, almost every so often, someone would take the risk.
If the Iron Bones Clanging Sect had hired people who suddenly came today for re-certification, and the disciples all turned out to be mediocre trash, not only would his career be finished—his very life would be in danger!
Thinking of this, Steward Zhao’s cold sweat flowed even faster, his heart growing more panicked.
“Everyone,” Jun Changxiao said. “The wind is strong outside. Please, come in.”
Elder Zhen took the lead.
Elder Zhou and City Lord Xie walked in one after the other.
Before entering, Steward Zhao whispered, “Sect Leader Jun, Zhao’s life is now in your hands. I hope this second evaluation doesn’t have any… unexpected problems.”
At this moment, he wanted nothing more than to kneel down, crying and begging that the evaluation must achieve a Second Grade rating.
Jun Changxiao looked puzzled. “How could there be any unexpected problems?”
Steward Zhao said, “What Zhao means is, please have your sect’s disciples take the certification seriously and absolutely not treat it as child’s play.”
Jun Changxiao walked inside with him, saying in a low voice, “Steward Zhao, if the Iron Bones Clanging Sect’s second certification fails to reach Second Grade, you’ll be in big trouble, won’t you?”
Steward Zhao whispered, “Extremely big trouble!”
“I understand.”
Jun Changxiao said, “For the second certification, this seat will definitely have the disciples take it seriously. However…”
He paused, then continued, “Steward Zhao is very close with Alliance Leader Qin, and Jun has grievances with Alliance Leader Qin. This is rather awkward.”
Sect Leader Jun clearly remembered how this person had been arrogant and overbearing at the Certification Hall, how he had made things difficult for him.
If not for Elder Ma stepping forward, certifying an Eighth-Tier sect would probably have required going to an outer prefecture.
Steward Zhao’s expression changed drastically.
He hastily lowered his voice: “Sect Leader Jun, Zhao only has a business arrangement with Alliance Leader Qin—we’re not close privately. Please don’t misunderstand!”
At this moment, even if he and Alliance Leader Qin were sworn brothers, he’d have to sever that tie—after all, this concerned his own life!
Jun Changxiao said, “Jun can tell that’s the case, so he also hopes Steward Zhao will show more care when handling certifications for the Hundred Sects Alliance in the future.”
This was definitely sarcasm.
This was definitely telling him to make things more difficult for Hundred Sects Alliance forces!
Steward Zhao affirmed, “Definitely, definitely!”
Elder Zhen, walking ahead, stopped and turned back. “You two muttering behind us—are you conspiring about how to commit fraud?”
Jun Changxiao said, “The Iron Bones Clanging Sect has always proven everything with strength and never engaged in deception.”
“Strength?”
Elder Zhen said coolly, “Only through certification can that be proven. Words alone don’t count.”
Oh my goodness.
This old fellow seems to have something against the Iron Bones Clanging Sect.
Elder Zhen didn’t actually have anything against the Iron Bones Clanging Sect—he had something against Elder Zhou.
In his view, if Zhao Xingming had accepted bribes privately, he must have conspired with the Iron Bones Clanging Sect, which meant Elder Zhou must be involved as well.
Sigh.
The scheming and plotting of the adult world was rather complex.
The Iron Bones Clanging Sect was wronged—simply because of existing grudges between two elders, they were caught in the crossfire for no reason.
If this were any other sect, being caught in crossfire would be that—but was Jun Changxiao the type to take a bullet lying down?
He was not!
Therefore, if Elder Zhen was displeased with him, he had to make Elder Zhen displeased too!
“Elder,” Jun Changxiao said, “Your certification headquarters is coming to the Iron Bones Clanging Sect for a second time. Does this mean you have doubts about the previous certification?”
“Whether there are doubts or not, Sect Leader Jun and Steward Zhao should be clear in your hearts, shouldn’t you?” Elder Zhen’s tone was cold.
This visitor came with ill intent!
Jun Changxiao said, “Are you saying the Iron Bones Clanging Sect deliberately conspired with Steward Zhao to falsify the sect certification?”
“Whether there was fraud or not, re-certification will reveal the truth.”
At this point, Elder Zhen’s expression froze, having already caught sight of the sect’s magnificent main hall.
Elder Zhou, who had been holding back and staying silent, also showed surprise in his eyes.
As important figures from the Royal City, they had seen buildings more luxurious than the Iron Bones Clanging Sect’s main hall, but for a Seventh or Eighth-Tier sect to construct something to this degree was quite rare.
City Lord Xie’s eyes widened as well.
My heavens!
Sect Leader Jun’s sect hall is so luxurious!
“Hmph.”
Elder Zhen said coolly, “Building such a luxurious hall while strength doesn’t improve—it’s nothing more than superficial effort.”
“Elder Zhen, that’s not right.”
Elder Zhou seized the opportunity to rebut: “Sect Leader Jun constructing the hall so magnificently shows he has the ambition to make his sect even stronger.”
“Correct.”
Jun Changxiao said, “Since establishing a sect, Jun naturally wants to make the Iron Bones Clanging Sect stronger, which is why the hall was built better—to avoid having to constantly rebuild it later as our grade increases.”
Elder Zhou raised his thumb. “The Starfall Continent lacks young people like Sect Leader Jun who have dreams and ambition.”
Praising Jun Changxiao so highly—if the two had no relationship, Elder Zhen absolutely wouldn’t believe it.
He said coldly, “Having dreams is certainly good, but if one unrealistically fantasizes or takes shortcuts through crooked paths, that’s merely self-deception.”
What the hell!
This guy has already decided the Iron Bones Clanging Sect committed fraud?
Fine! Fine!
I’ll gather all the disciples and test them seriously, let you witness what it means to prove things with strength!
Jun Changxiao wanted to keep a low profile, but since the other party had already decided he committed fraud, he had to slap their face with high-profile results!
“Qingyang!”
He called out, “Gather all the disciples who participated in the last test. Let this elder test them thoroughly again!”
“Yes!”
Before long, all five hundred and fifty disciples assembled on the training grounds.
Steward Zhao immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
These disciples were the same group from the previous certification.
Even if Sect Leader Jun really had hired them, as long as they were still here, Second Grade was guaranteed!
“Excellent, excellent.”
Looking at the Iron Bones Clanging Sect disciples, Elder Zhou praised, “Judging from the aura they emanate, they’re all promising talents!”
As an elder from certification headquarters, his eye was naturally sharper than Steward Zhao’s.
Elder Zhen said coolly, “Though these disciples are decent, at most they’re First Grade. For Steward Zhao to give a Second Grade evaluation is rather excessive.”
Steward Zhao said, “Reporting to Elder Zhen, this subordinate gave the Second Grade evaluation after the Iron Bones Clanging Sect disciples completed their testing.”
“Is that so?”
Elder Zhen said coolly, “Then let’s begin re-certification.”
As he spoke, he summoned the testing stone. “Sect Leader Jun, you should know the rules. Please have your disciples test their strength one by one.”
Jun Changxiao said, “All disciples, listen to my command! These two elders are from the Southwest Yang Province Certification Headquarters and are here to conduct a second certification for the Iron Bones Clanging Sect. Everyone test seriously!”
“Yes!”
The disciples responded in unison.
“Swish!”
Cui Bujian stepped forward first, mobilizing his qi spiral spiritual energy and gathering it in his fist before fiercely striking out.
This time, he was absolutely serious, with no deliberate suppression of his strength!
“Boom!”
The strength display showed 13,000 pounds!
Gah.
Steward Zhao was dumbfounded.
This disciple had only produced 3,000 pounds of force during the last certification!
The difference between 13,000 and 3,000 was enormous!
Elder Zhou and Elder Zhen were also somewhat stunned, because producing ten thousand pounds was comparable to an ordinary First-Rank Wushi!
“Boom!”
The next to step forward was Sima Zhongda. One punch on the testing stone—the strength display showed 14,000 pounds.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Li Shangtian, Yang Yuhua, and others took their turns.
These Wutu who had joined earlier all tested at over ten thousand pounds of force.
When Yang Kong and the new disciples tested—having just advanced from Meridian Opening Twelfth Stage to Wutu—their strength was generally around 4,000 pounds, but still far exceeded their previous test values!
Steward Zhao’s heart surged with tremendous waves!
The last fifty disciples had still been at Meridian Opening Twelfth Stage during the previous test. How long had it been? How had they all broken through to Wutu!
“Bang!”
Jun Changxiao struck with one fist, and the ordinary testing stone shattered once again.
Elder Zhen and Elder Zhou’s eyes went round, and City Lord Xie nearly lost his footing, shocked almost to the point of falling to the ground.
Shattering the testing stone with one punch—this strength was definitely over one hundred thousand pounds!
For a Seventh or Eighth-Tier sect leader to produce force comparable to a First-Rank Wuzong was simply terrifying!
“Elder Zhen, is it?”
Jun Changxiao withdrew his fist, turned back, and said coolly, “Jun and his five hundred and fifty disciples have completed testing. Does this match the previous evaluation or not?”
“It does not match!” Elder Zhou was first to speak.
“Oh?”
Jun Changxiao looked surprised.
Elder Zhou’s expression turned solemn. “Based on Sect Leader Jun’s and the disciples’ test performance, it should be—Third Grade!”
“Third… Third Grade…” City Lord Xie’s body swayed, and he staggered back two steps, his eyes filled with shock and astonishment!