Of the forty students from Gathering Excellence Hall, thirty-nine left with Jun Changxiao.

The only one who didn’t go was Princess Red Lotus.

She stood on the academy’s main building, watching her departing classmates, her eyes revealing complex emotions.

“Red Lotus.”

Situ Haoyun said: “Still haven’t thought it through?”

“No.” Princess Red Lotus replied.

Situ Haoyun shook his head and said: “In my view, you want to stay behind to help your father manage the city.”

Princess Red Lotus fell silent.

City Lord Mu had no sons, only her as his daughter.

Now in his advancing years, his former ambitions and lofty aspirations had gradually faded. He only wanted to wholeheartedly pursue the martial dao, so all the large and small matters of the city had been handed over to Mu Honglian to handle.

“Managing a Royal City is not an easy matter.”

Situ Haoyun said: “City Lord Mu shouldn’t place such a heavy burden on you.”

Princess Red Lotus smiled and said: “Sect Leader Jun is young, yet can manage a sect impressively. How difficult could it be for me to manage a city?”

Could a sect be compared with a Royal City?

Situ Haoyun shook his head and said: “Actually, you could first go to the Iron Bones Sect to cultivate. After completing your training, you can return to take over the Royal City.”

Princess Red Lotus said: “My father still needs to decide.”

She also wanted to join the Iron Bones Sect and learn profound martial techniques, but without her father’s permission, she definitely couldn’t leave the Royal City on her own.

Situ Haoyun muttered in his heart: “If your father knew about Sect Leader Jun, he would probably personally take you to join the sect.”

What did this mean?

Both a Sword and Martial Twin King and a Martial Arts Master—even searching with a lantern, you couldn’t find such a perfect son-in-law!

He could perfectly fulfill the boast he made while drunk all those years ago!

…

After the Gathering Excellence Hall students were taken away by Jun Changxiao, the hearts of many students at Tianyu Academy followed along as well.

“Instructor!”

One student gathered his courage and said: “Can I apply for early graduation!”

“Why?”

“I also want to join the Iron Bones Clanging Sect!”

“…”

“Principal.”

In the council hall, the vice principal said with a tense face: “Many students are applying for early graduation to join the Iron Bones Clanging Sect.”

“Then let them go.” Situ Haoyun said.

The vice principal collapsed: “At least three thousand people have applied!”

Situ Haoyun said seriously: “Students have their own choices. As their teachers, we should support them.”

“…”

The vice principal said: “Fine.”

And so, all students who applied for early graduation were granted permission.

For a time, many young talents packed their belongings and headed toward Qingyang Commandery.

The various sect offices outside the academy received the news and collectively collapsed.

Many students were ones they had already selected in advance, using countless methods to recruit them. Now they were all joining the Iron Bones Sect—wasn’t this drawing water with a bamboo basket, all for nothing!

“Alas.”

One sect elder sighed: “With so many outstanding talents entering the Iron Bones Sect, once it rises it will be unstoppable!”

These words made it sound like…

The future strength of the Iron Bones Sect would be supported by academy students?

“Why are so many students carrying luggage out of the city?”

“I just received news—they all applied for early graduation to join the Iron Bones Sect.”

“You can apply for early graduation?”

The martial artists within the city were dumbfounded.

Tianyu Academy was the martial arts holy temple of Southwest Yangzhou. Countless talented youths desperately hoped to enter it for cultivation, and even after graduation hoped to stay and continue their studies.

Apply for early graduation?

What kind of outrageous operation was this!

Of course.

Some martial artists could guess that so many students choosing early graduation to join the Iron Bones Sect meant this sect could make them stronger!

What was intriguing was this:

Even the Gathering Excellence Hall students joined the Iron Bones Sect.

These people all came from great families, with strength no weaker than fourth or fifth-rate sects. Why would they be willing to send their direct descendants to a sixth or seventh-rate sect?

Undeniably.

The Iron Bones Sect’s leader was very formidable.

But the sect was just in its initial stages. Sending their direct descendants there to cultivate clearly had an element of gambling to it.

…

Just as the martial artists in the city were heatedly discussing this, another bombshell piece of news came out.

The Southwest Yangzhou Certification Headquarters released the latest Sect Potential Rankings, and the sect ranked first was none other than—the Iron Bones Clanging Sect!

What made everyone’s eyeballs pop out was that this sect not only directly airlifted to the top of the list, but its potential rating was actually Three Excellences!

“Three Excellences?”

“My heavens, the Iron Bones Sect is Three Excellences!”

The Royal City completely exploded!

Since the Certification Hall was established, the highest potential rating for Southwest Yangzhou sects had only been One Excellence!

Many martial artists, when chatting over meals, often joked: “I wonder if we’ll see a Two Excellences sect in our lifetime.”

What was once a joke had now become reality.

No.

Even higher than that!

Because it wasn’t Two Excellences, but Three Excellences!

A sect with this kind of potential would be rare even across the entire Xingyun Continent!

The Sect Potential Rankings released by the Certification Headquarters spread not only throughout the Royal City but was also disseminated at the fastest speed to every city in Southwest Yangzhou.

“The Iron Bones Sect is Three Excellences?”

“This… how is this possible!”

“The now-renowned Taixuan Sacred Sect was only given a potential rating of Two Excellences back then!”

Martial cultivators in all cities, upon seeing the rankings, felt monstrous waves rising in their hearts!

“Haha!”

In the Chu Family’s great hall, Family Head Chu laughed heartily.

Having his son join the Iron Bones Sect faced opposition from the entire family, but he persisted despite enormous pressure.

Now that the Iron Bones Sect’s potential was rated Three Excellences, it proved his decision was absolutely correct!

As for those elders who opposed him, they were now all silent as crows.

Those in great spirits also included Family Head Huo and the other family heads, because their family’s direct descendants had already become disciples of this Three Excellences sect!

The families that could establish themselves in the Royal City and remain prosperous for generations were no fools.

The Iron Bones Sect rose in such a short time. If Jun Changxiao didn’t have real ability, he absolutely couldn’t have achieved this. So having their direct descendants join the Iron Bones Sect was also taking a gambler’s mentality to try it out.

They bet correctly.

The Three Excellences Iron Bones Sect had an immeasurable future!

…

“Grand Helmsman!”

At the Demonic Sha Sect branch, a subordinate hurriedly came to report: “We just received news—the latest Sect Potential Rankings are out.”

The Grand Helmsman said impatiently: “Is this small matter worth reporting?”

The subordinate said: “Reporting to Grand Helmsman, the sect ranked first this time is the Iron Bones Clanging Sect!”

“Huh?”

The Grand Helmsman asked in surprise: “Is the potential Three Dings or Two Dings?”

In his view, a sect that could occupy the top spot on Southwest Yangzhou’s Sect Potential Rankings should at least be at this level.

The subordinate quickly said: “Reporting to Grand Helmsman, the potential given by the Certification Hall is… Three Excellences!”

“Three Excellences.”

The Grand Helmsman said: “Indeed…”

Wait!

His expression froze as he asked: “Did you say Three Excellences or Three Dings?”

“Three Excellences!”

The Grand Helmsman shot to his feet, asking incredulously: “The Iron Bones Sect’s potential rating is Three Excellences?”

“Correct!” the subordinate replied.

“Nonsense!”

The Grand Helmsman said: “How could this godforsaken Southwest Yangzhou possibly have a Three Excellences sect!”

The subordinate’s mouth twitched: “The rankings clearly state it’s indeed Three Excellences!”