Jun Changxiao was arranged to stay in the west wing room.

This was a separate area, with only him alone, as if isolated from the world.

The environment was quite nice, and the spiritual energy was abundant.

Sitting in the small pavilion, Jun Changxiao sensed the spiritual energy a bit, then murmured, “Worthy of being a fourth-tier sect indeed.”

As he spoke, he released his spiritual sense, spreading it outward to the surroundings.

Miaohua Palace was very large, with magnificent buildings that emanated a heavy and imposing aura—clearly a sect with deep foundations at a glance.

But there weren’t too many disciples.

Under Jun Changxiao’s spiritual sense, there were only about twenty to thirty thousand.

Since they mainly recruited female disciples, having few members was normal.

Although Miaohua Palace had few disciples, their strength was quite impressive. Wushi-level cultivators could be seen everywhere, and even Wuzong were not rare.

In the outer courtyard’s main hall, there were even several Wuwang-level experts. Judging from their attire, they should be elders.

Fifth-tier sects also had Wuwang.

Having so many in a fourth-tier sect was not surprising at all.

Jun Changxiao murmured, “Palace Master Xi is only at the Wuzong level. Can she really manage so many Wuwang?”

In his view, Xi Jingxuan was just a weak woman, and she had an eye condition. Controlling such a powerful fourth-tier sect would probably be very difficult to gain everyone’s respect.

The system said, “Whether she can manage them or not has nothing to do with you, does it?”

“…”

Jun Changxiao ignored it and wanted to continue probing, but discovered that some places had certain restrictions, and his spiritual sense couldn’t penetrate.

The system said, “Every faction has sides unknown to others. It’s very impolite for you to probe around so brazenly.”

“You’re right.”

Jun Changxiao withdrew his spiritual sense.

Just then, the Wuwang of Miaohua Palace seemed to have detected it, and they all released their spiritual senses, completely enveloping him with an unfriendly aura.

“Uh…”

Jun Changxiao immediately felt awkward.

Fortunately, the elders of Miaohua Palace, considering he was a guest, didn’t make an issue of it. After giving him a slight warning, they withdrew.

“Sect Leader Jun.”

Li’er walked in, saying neither coldly nor warmly, “The Palace Master requests your presence.”

…

Miaohua Palace main hall.

Eight elders sat in the lower seats.

Most of them were over fifty, some with aged appearances, some with lingering charm, all emanating auras at the Wuwang level.

As soon as Jun Changxiao entered, everyone’s spiritual senses pressed down on him, their brows showing faint displeasure.

A young man coming in was already unreasonable enough, and he had brazenly released his spiritual sense to probe around the sect, which naturally made them even more displeased.

“Sect Leader Jun.”

An old woman sitting closest to the Palace Master’s seat on the right said indifferently, “So young and accomplished.”

Her name was Changsun Fanghua, the current Grand Elder of Miaohua Palace. Her strength had already reached peak Wuwang, and she was responsible for presiding over most of the sect’s internal affairs. She was Xi Jingxuan’s most valued person.

The Second Elder’s cultivation was also at peak Wuwang.

She sat on the Grand Elder’s left, named Leng Xingyue, and was a middle-aged beautiful woman.

However, her gaze toward Sect Leader Jun held faint displeasure, and she said, “Sect Leader Jun, I wonder what brings you here today?”

It was your Palace Master who invited me to return the visit, and now that I’m here you’re asking what brings me here—this is rather frustrating.

Jun Changxiao muttered internally, but still smiled and said, “I’ve long heard that Miaohua Palace is one of the top prestigious sects in the martial world. Coming here today to visit is also to broaden my horizons.”

“I thought you came to issue a challenge,” Changsun Fanghua said.

Leng Xingyue said, “Sect Leader Jun first challenged Haoqi Gate, then challenged Sacred Spring Sect, later destroyed four evil sects in Huayang Commandery, and has been quite arrogant recently.”

These two have an issue with me? Speaking so passive-aggressively?

Or perhaps these female martial cultivators who train in martial arts year-round have hormonal imbalances and are all like Abbess Miejue?

Jun Changxiao clasped his hands behind his back and smiled, “The principle of my Iron Bones Sect is: if people don’t offend me, I don’t offend them. Those destroyed factions simply brought it upon themselves.”

The Miaohua Palace elders all cast disdainful looks.

This absolutely wasn’t the protagonist’s natural talent for attracting mockery, but rather that the people of Miaohua Palace had an extremely strong aversion to men. Even if other male compatriots came, they would receive the same treatment.

As a keyboard warrior, Jun Changxiao was confident he could battle with them for three hundred rounds, but thinking that he had come to establish good relations, he gave an awkward smile.

“Sect Leader Jun.”

Changsun Fanghua said indifferently, “Miaohua Palace never entertains men, so you’d best leave the mountain today.”

Jun Changxiao’s temper immediately flared.

He said coldly, “This seat came by invitation, haven’t even met Palace Master Xi yet, and you’re already driving me away. Is this Miaohua Palace’s way of treating guests?”

I’m being considerate because you’re women and not stooping to your level—are you pushing your luck?

Changsun Fanghua said sternly, “Sect Leader Jun, please watch your words and your tone.”

“This seat’s tone is exactly like this.”

Jun Changxiao’s temper rose as he said, “If you don’t like hearing it, you can cover your ears.”

“Outrageous!”

Leng Xingyue shouted coldly.

The seated elders also glared at him angrily.

The atmosphere in the main hall immediately became serious.

So many Wuwang glaring at him, but Sect Leader Jun showed no fear. Instead, he said coldly, “Palace Master Xi, it seems your Miaohua Palace doesn’t welcome this seat, so I’ll take my leave first.”

“Swish!”

With that, he flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.

“Sect Leader Jun, please wait.”

From a side door of the main hall came Xi Jingxuan’s voice.

She was seen wearing a clean long dress, walking with lotus steps, supported by Li’er as she entered.

She was already a peerless beauty, and now with light makeup applied, she looked even more like a fairy untainted by worldly dust.

“Palace Master!”

The elders who had been so aloof quickly stood up, respectfully saluting, their gazes showing awe.

“Elders.”

Xi Jingxuan stopped at her seat and gently reprimanded, “Sect Leader Jun is an honored guest I invited. You must not be so rude.”

“Yes.”

Everyone responded in unison.

A group of Wuwang showing such reverence to a Wuzong made Jun Changxiao quite surprised, and he thought to himself, “This woman cannot be judged solely by her appearance.”

“Sect Leader Jun.”

Xi Jingxuan smiled, “I apologize for the earlier offense. I’ll apologize on their behalf, please don’t take it to heart.”

The Grand Elder and others furrowed their brows.

According to what Li’er said, the Palace Master cared greatly about this young man, and now it seemed that was indeed the case!

“That’s more like it.”

Jun Changxiao turned around and said, “If you’re as courteous as Palace Master Xi, this seat will naturally be equally harmonious.”

Xi Jingxuan sat down. In this setting, she didn’t seem like a delicate woman at all, but rather emanated the aura of someone long accustomed to a position of authority.

After all, she was the Palace Master of a fourth-tier sect, so she naturally had the dignity of a Palace Master.

Jun Changxiao inwardly marveled, “Completely different from when she was at Mount Hua.”

“Sect Leader Jun.”

Xi Jingxuan said, “I heard that war has frequently erupted in the southwestern Yang Province recently. Has your Iron Bones Sect’s Qingyang Commandery been affected?”

To be honest.

She was completely different from how she had looked when she first learned Jun Changxiao had arrived—like she had become a different person!

“It has been affected.”

Jun Changxiao said helplessly, “Not long ago, Zhenyang Commandery even attacked us.”

Xi Jingxuan said, “If that’s the case, why do you still have the leisure to return the visit to my Miaohua Palace?”

Jun Changxiao glanced at the elders present and said, “Palace Master Xi, this seat has an important matter. I wonder if others could avoid us for a moment?”