Having been starved for several days, Tao Yuan felt like he could almost fly after eating one heavenly meal!

But joining the Iron Bones Sect left him quite conflicted.

Honestly, his heart was set on military and government affairs—he had no thoughts of joining a sect.

But somehow, having been imprisoned in the dungeon and rescued by Sect Leader Jun, then treated as a returned soldier, he felt too embarrassed to refuse too directly.

“How about this.”

Jun Changxiao said: “General Tao can stay here for a while.”

He wasn’t in a hurry to recruit, hoping to slowly influence Tao Yuan with Liu Wanshi’s cooking and the sect atmosphere.

And indeed, it was quite effective.

Living at the Iron Bones Sect, Tao Yuan watched the Iron Bones Sect disciples happily doing morning exercises and happily cultivating each day, and inwardly marveled: “Such a joyful sect is truly rare.”

“General Tao.”

One day, Jun Changxiao said: “My Wolf Cavalry Hall members are having military exercises today—would you like to watch?”

Military exercises?

Tao Yuan was immediately interested.

He followed Jun Changxiao to Iron Bones Mountain, standing atop the peak.

Below, Xue Rengui waved his battle flag, and a thousand Wolf Cavalry Hall members appeared on the open grassland riding Hurricane Wolves.

“This…”

Tao Yuan exclaimed: “Hurricane Wolves!”

Jun Changxiao smiled: “This is my Iron Bones Sect’s Wolf Cavalry Hall, similar to the cavalry General Tao commands.”

Tao Yuan said gravely: “Your sect’s disciples riding such high-level wolf cavalry would be absolutely invincible in battle, unstoppable in assault!”

Jun Changxiao smiled, thinking inwardly: “Your Tiger Might Army was completely routed by me.”

“Whoosh!”

Xue Rengui waved his battle flag.

“Whoosh!”

“Whoosh!”

A thousand wolf cavalry charged forward, continuously changing formations in the process, leaving Tao Yuan so shocked his jaw dropped.

These disciples riding Hurricane Wolves could also skillfully employ formations—truly inconceivable!

If his own Tiger Might Army confronted them, they’d definitely be utterly defeated!

Of course, what Tao Yuan cared about more was Xue Rengui commanding the wolf cavalry.

Jun Changxiao said: “General Tao, that’s the hall master of my Wolf Cavalry Hall, a retired soldier with some research in military tactics. If interested, you could discuss with him.”

“Very interested!” Tao Yuan said directly.

Jun Changxiao thought the opportunity had come and arranged for him to discuss with Xue Rengui.

The two discussed until late into the night!

Tao Yuan was a rising star in military circles. Though talented and brilliant, compared to a Five-Star General, he fell far short.

Just one day of conversation left him completely won over by Xue Rengui’s understanding of the art of war.

Xue Rengui also greatly appreciated Tao Yuan.

The two chatted with increasing enthusiasm, even engaging in intimate conversation.

One day, after finishing their discussion, Tao Yuan cupped his fists: “Hall Master Xue is truly a great general’s talent—this junior has benefited immensely.”

Xue Rengui smiled: “General Tao is also humbly eager to learn. If you could meet a famous teacher for guidance, you’d definitely become a Five-Star General in the future.”

Five-Star General?

Tao Yuan’s eyes immediately filled with infinite longing.

As a general, what he cared about wasn’t breaking through to Martial King, Martial Emperor, or even Martial Sovereign, but rather whether he could achieve the military rank of Five-Star General in his lifetime, because that would be proof of his ability!

“General Tao.”

Xue Rengui said: “Pardon my bluntness, but though Bai Ruihu can be considered a famous general, his abilities are ultimately limited. Following him will only restrict your future talent.”

“…” Tao Yuan fell silent.

“Moreover.”

Xue Rengui continued: “From what I know, Bai Ruihu is narrow-minded with extreme jealousy. Once General Tao’s military talent is sufficiently demonstrated in Zhenyang Commandery, he’ll definitely sense danger.”

Jun Changxiao, who’d been secretly eavesdropping with his spiritual sense, stroked his nose: “Hall Master Xue’s counter-espionage tactics are wonderfully employed.”

Tao Yuan remained silent throughout.

He understood Bai Ruihu’s character.

Xue Rengui said earnestly: “General Tao, why not join the Iron Bones Sect? You and I can work together to build the wolf cavalry and make them Xingyun Continent’s strongest legion!”

Xingyun Continent’s strongest legion?

These words set Tao Yuan’s blood boiling instantly.

Any general hoped to create a continent’s strongest legion!

Xue Rengui continued: “General Tao should know the conditions for becoming a Five-Star General, right?”

“I know.” Tao Yuan said.

Those awarded the Five-Star General rank must have a carefully nurtured powerful legion.

Back then, Xue Rengui created a super legion in Zhongzun Province called the Benevolent Army. On Xingyun Continent’s legion combat power rankings, it consistently occupied third place, so he was awarded Five-Star General rank.

Bai Ruihu’s commanding White Tiger Legion also had considerable fame, earning him Three-Star General rank, but his limited abilities made even Four-Star General difficult, let alone Five-Star.

Tao Yuan’s Tiger Might Army, though decent, had its ceiling—it simply couldn’t help him achieve higher ranks.

Though the Wolf Cavalry Hall was a sect force, it could apply to become a legion, with enormous future potential!

“The Sect Leader said.”

Xue Rengui stated: “If General Tao joins the Iron Bones Sect, you can assume the position of Wolf Cavalry Hall Vice Hall Master.”

Tao Yuan paused briefly before saying: “Let me consider it.”

“It’s settled.”

Jun Changxiao grinned widely.

In his view, Tao Yuan was definitely tempted—joining the Iron Bones Sect was just a matter of a little time.

Indeed, after a night of consideration, Tao Yuan came to the great hall the next day and cupped his fists: “Sect Leader Jun, I’m willing to join the Iron Bones Clanging Sect.”

Jun Changxiao happily pulled out the enrollment form and filled in his name.

At this time, with the Ceasefire Token in effect, Tao Yuan had no burden joining the Iron Bones Sect. If the effect wore off and he turned and left, that would be very frustrating.

So Sect Leader Jun said: “I’ll officially appoint you Vice Hall Master after some time. For now, be a closing-door disciple.”

“Yes.”

Thus, standing before the main gate wasn’t just He Wudi but also Tao Yuan.

One person per door leaf—when night fell, they were responsible for closing the door. Quite fair and just.

“This…”

Tao Yuan said lifelessly: “This is a closing-door disciple?”

…

After recruiting Tao Yuan, Jun Changxiao began planning how to deal with Zhenyang Commandery and the two fourth-rate sects three months later.

Become stronger.

Become even stronger!

The next day, Jun Changxiao first installed the sect equipment, then began distributing spirit stones and high-grade Qi Gathering Pills to disciples in large quantities, enabling them to break through faster!

“Hall Master Li.”

Jun Changxiao said: “I’ll temporarily leave sect affairs to you. This Seat has decided to enter closed-door cultivation.”

“Mm.” Li Luoqiu said.

After arranging everything, Jun Changxiao first cultivated for one shichen in the Spirit Gathering Formation, then rose and headed to the Training Tower.

He didn’t temper his physical body on the first floor or his movement techniques on the second floor, but directly ascended to the never-before-visited third floor!

“Step!”

With one foot forward, he entered a region shrouded in heaven and earth attributes.

“Whew!”

Jun Changxiao took a breath and asked: “What’s the training theme on this third floor?”

“Host, try throwing a punch.” The system said.

Whoosh!

Jun Changxiao threw a punch and exclaimed in surprise: “Spiritual energy depletes very quickly!”

The system said: “The third floor’s training forces the host to rapidly deplete spiritual energy, then rapidly replenish it, repeatedly tempering the purity within the spiritual core through this cycle.”

“Is that so?”

Jun Changxiao began continuously throwing punches. With his two spiritual cores’ energy, outside he could fight for days and nights without problem, but here after just two hours of punching, he was completely drained.

Whew whew!

Sitting cross-legged, he circulated the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Classic.

The heaven and earth attributes existing on the third floor surged forth like tides—in just a few minutes, replenishment was complete!

Jun Changxiao said in surprise: “If I’m fighting someone and deplete my spiritual energy, then come here to replenish—wouldn’t I be able to keep fighting indefinitely?”

The system said: “Host is overthinking. The attributes here will only replenish at maximum speed after you’ve depleted them.”