“Whoosh whoosh—”
The momentum of advancement permeated within the secret realm. In a very short time, all hundred disciples broke through one grade.
Three months ago, clearing Simple mode increased one level. Three months later, clearing Normal mode increased another level. This was simply cheating!
Li Qingyang and others had experienced this once before, so they could adapt.
However.
Our Lord Ye was dumbfounded!
Realm advancement required comprehending the martial dao and personal effort. Now clearing a secret realm could accomplish it—truly inconceivable!
“Unbelievable!”
Ye Xingchen couldn’t calm down for a long time.
He couldn’t understand what reason caused him to suddenly gain higher comprehension of heaven and earth attributes and the martial dao, then confusedly advance!
Regarding this point, the author also had difficulty giving a reasonable explanation—just consider that they opened a cheat engine.
Sect Master Jun also broke through, smoothly advancing from third-grade to fourth-grade.
The entire process was very simple, no different from crushing experience symbols.
The Life and Death Secret Realm’s reward mechanism was that whoever contributed most gained the highest experience point rewards.
Without question.
Clearing Normal difficulty, Sect Master Jun made the greatest contribution, so the benefits were also greatest.
Of course.
Mainly because the third stage’s fire beast coincidentally matched his attributes, allowing him to easily resolve it. Otherwise, he would inevitably have to battle arduously.
“Excellent!”
Jun Changxiao brought his disciples out of the secret realm.
Sitting in the great hall, he began considering that if Normal mode was already this difficult, Hard mode would definitely be even more terrifying. If disciples didn’t have Emperor-level cultivation, entering would probably result in complete brutalization.
Combined with Lord Ye challenging Hell mode and encountering a sacred beast comparable to a Martial Emperor, one could roughly deduce that Hard mode would definitely be very difficult!
…
Jun Changxiao leading disciples to smoothly clear Normal mode built confidence for other disciples, who formed teams one after another to challenge.
Of course.
The number was still one hundred.
The result: two batches entered, two batches were eliminated.
The two batches of disciples encountered stages and scenes exactly the same as the first entry, even the levels were identical. Because they lacked such a domineering powerhouse as the sect master, they naturally sang their swan song.
The Life and Death Secret Realm’s biggest drawback was that stage difficulty was completely fixed, not making micro-adjustments based on entrants’ overall strength.
“If a hundred won’t work, then two hundred!”
Jun Changxiao changed strategy, having disciples challenging Normal mode expand to two hundred people.
Although they did clear it, the cost was also extremely heavy. Disciples eliminated numbered as many as one hundred thirty, with especially heavy casualties in the third stage!
“Can’t play like this.”
Jun Changxiao immediately ordered disciples forbidden from challenging Normal mode, instead continuing to train from Simple mode. When their realms were higher and they had sufficient confidence, then they could challenge.
“Should have done this long ago,” the system said.
The Life and Death Secret Realm’s mode options weren’t for challengers to conquer one by one, but for whatever level suited you, go to that level to train.
Beat Simple, beat Normal, then beat Hard—did they really think it was a game?
“Are there any fellow disciples challenging? Count me in—I primarily cultivate water attribute!”
“Five Elements Heaven Observation Art has comprehended earth attribute—sturdy meat shield, seeking position!”
“Need fire-attribute martial cultivator, preferably equipped with Cold Light Sword, 49 waiting for 1, come and we’ll start immediately!”
At the Life and Death Secret Realm entrance, disciples came to challenge every day, very orderly seeking teams to challenge Simple mode together.
This kind of gameplay similar to online games farming dungeons was definitely taught by Jun Gousheng.
With more and more Eternal Ages Sect disciples, many people didn’t necessarily all know each other. Without sufficient teammates, coming to the secret realm entrance to call out their advantages seeking teammates was undoubtedly very convenient.
In summary.
The opportunity to increase realm was placed within the sect.
Whether they could obtain it depended on their strength and team cooperation.
…
Normal difficulty was forbidden. Eternal Ages Sect disciples continued challenging Simple mode. Because they had prior experience, clearing became effortless.
Those who had been eliminated, after three months of bitter cultivation, all smoothly passed and gained large amounts of experience points, breaking through to higher levels.
Disciples clearing for the second time didn’t break through.
Repeatedly farming one level of secret realm reduced rewards relatively.
However.
It was still acceptable.
The spiritual energy within spirit cores increased considerably. With just a bit more cultivation, they could break through.
At least it was much faster than piling up various resources or doggedly cultivating alone.
More importantly.
Entering the secret realm would experience brutal fighting, undoubtedly improving practical combat experience, preventing disciples from becoming flowers in a greenhouse.
Just like this.
After the new round of secret realm restrictions refreshed, disciples formed teams at the secret realm entrance every day, gradually forming a culture.
“Someday, my Eternal Ages Sect will become the strongest existence,” Jun Changxiao stood on the back mountain’s peak, watching the disciples forming teams at the secret realm entrance, lips curving into a smile.
“Sect Master.”
Li Qingyang transmitted, “Young Master Tang has come to visit.”
“Oh?”
Jun Changxiao calculated the time—seemed like it had been almost a month. Presumably he should be here to deliver money.
…
Inside the great hall.
Tang Ren sat down radiantly.
During this period, the Tang Family Pill Shop’s sales were exceptionally hot, raising his weight in Old Master Tang’s heart considerably. Naturally, his spirits were high.
Although Tang Ren was one of the family head successor candidates, his foundation was too thin and his competitiveness very low.
Now having pills in hand, as long as he managed operations diligently and grew the business, he would definitely have capital to contend with other direct descendants.
“Young Master Tang.”
Jun Changxiao walked in, sitting in the head seat and smiling, “How have you been lately?”
“Sect Master Jun!”
Tang Ren stood up and said, “Your three types of pills have opened up the market in Central Honor State. Daily profits are enormous!”
Jun Changxiao said, “That’s also because of your esteemed family’s reputation.”
The two exchanged conventional pleasantries for a while, then entered the main topic—one sending money, one collecting money.
“Sect Master Jun.”
Tang Ren said, “Of the one hundred thousand Qi Gathering Pills you gave, eighty percent have been sold. The Healing Pills and Antidote Pills have also sold fifty percent, for a total profit of seven hundred million.”
With the pill market opened, he didn’t rush to sell everything, but implemented daily purchase limits, so after one month they still weren’t sold out.
As for Healing Pills and Antidote Pills, although verified, because prices were relatively expensive, not many bought them.
Moreover.
Martial artists usually only kept one or two as backup, so sales couldn’t compare to Qi Gathering Pills.
This already made Jun Changxiao very satisfied. If it were the Ai Family instead, they definitely wouldn’t have such great influence and couldn’t have opened the market in such a short time.
“Sect Master Jun.”
Tang Ren handed over several spatial rings and said, “Please accept these five hundred million.”
“Huh?”
Jun Changxiao said, “Wasn’t it a fifty-fifty split?”
Tang Ren said, “The pills refined by your esteemed sect definitely require high-quality medicinal materials, so you should rightfully obtain more profit.”
Whether more or less money, he didn’t care.
In the future, developing the Tang Family Pill Shop throughout Star Meteor Continent, profits would naturally rise with it!
What Tang Ren needed to do now was use sufficient sincerity to move Jun Changxiao and establish an unbreakable cooperative relationship.
“Very well then.”
Sect Master Jun didn’t decline, putting away the spatial rings.
The spatial rings Young Master Tang gave were all large capacity—might as well take the money out and distribute it to the disciples.
Earned five hundred million but still coveted spatial rings—this fellow was truly stingy!
However, then again.
Since transmigrating to Star Meteor Continent, Jun Changxiao really hadn’t specifically bought spatial rings. Either he casually obtained them when others delivered money, or he looted them from bodies.
Tang Ren chatted with Jun Changxiao for a while before hurriedly leaving.
However, he didn’t leave empty-handed—he took another one hundred thousand Qi Gathering Pills, ten thousand Healing Pills, and ten thousand Antidote Pills.
As for Cold Edge Swords, Tang Ren still hadn’t started selling them.
Because he still hadn’t decided whether to sell them directly or auction them.
If they were ordinary mid-upper-grade weapons, Young Master Tang definitely wouldn’t consider selling them directly. But Cold Edge Swords were perfectly crafted, so he had to think carefully.
After sending Tang Ren off, Jun Changxiao handed the money to Li Luoqiu, having her definitely develop the intelligence organization as quickly as possible and purchase more martial dao resources.
“No problem.”
With sufficient funds, Li Luoqiu could work without any constraints.
Jun Changxiao leaned back in the great hall chair and said, “The sect also has more income sources. We can focus our attention on the upcoming Dragon Tiger Competition.”
Until the grand competition began, only two-plus months remained.
Currently, Li Qingyang and others had just cleared the Life and Death Secret Realm and broken through levels. It would be very difficult for them to break through again during this period.
“How about departing first to look at Black Mountain Cliff?” Jun Changxiao murmured.
He originally planned to leave one month early. Now that core disciples had all advanced, leaving another month early also wasn’t a problem.
Moreover.
He had just broken through too.
Even cultivating peacefully for one month wouldn’t bring substantial improvement. Better to leave early and see for himself the most prosperous state in Star Meteor Continent.
“Decided.”
Jun Changxiao finalized it, “Depart in three days.”
“Sect Master.”
Just then, Liu Wanshi walked in, pouting and saying, “The dining hall is more and more short-handed. When will you find a few more cooks?”
With her father Ouyang Jun’s arrival, although he helped the little girl shoulder much of the burden.
But with monthly fixed recruitment of disciples, the workload also grew greater and greater, keeping them so busy they had no time to research foods that improved martial dao.
“Little girl.”
Jun Changxiao said, “Everyone has grown accustomed to meals made by you and your father. If we changed to other cooks, they definitely wouldn’t adapt.”
“That’s not a problem. I can teach them!” Liu Wanshi said.
Li Luoqiu walked in from outside, smiling and saying, “Sect Master, I think we should establish a Culinary Hall, having the little girl manage dietary matters.”
“Makes sense!” Jun Changxiao said.
“Ah?”
Liu Wanshi stared with wide eyes and said, “Does this mean I’ll become a hall master?”
“Unwilling?” Jun Changxiao said.
Liu Wanshi hurriedly said, “Willing, willing!”
Jun Changxiao said, “Tomorrow I’ll announce establishing the Culinary Hall. You’ll be deputy hall master, with your father serving as head hall master.”
The originally happy Liu Wanshi’s small face immediately froze.
She didn’t care about head or deputy—she cared that her father would become her direct superior!
After the Culinary Arts Competition, although Jun Changxiao provided opportunities for the father and daughter to reconcile, ice frozen three feet deep wasn’t formed in one day. For them to completely break the ice still required time.
Moreover, during ordinary cooking times, Ouyang Jun constantly looked for opportunities to connect with his daughter, but the latter always deliberately avoided him.
“Have objections?” Jun Changxiao said.
“I…” Liu Wanshi paused, then said, “No objections!”
“That settles it then.”
Jun Changxiao worried Liu Wanshi was too young to competently serve as hall master, so he had Ouyang Jun serve as Culinary Hall’s head hall master position.
More importantly, this also provided an opportunity for father and daughter to repair their emotional bond.
…
The next day.
After morning exercises, Jun Changxiao announced establishing the Culinary Hall.
This department oversaw dietary matters.
Hall Master Ouyang Jun, Deputy Hall Master Liu Wanshi, members temporarily only Ma Yongning, One Black and Two Black.
Jun Changxiao specifically instructed the Ning brothers that during the next mountain gate opening to recruit disciples, applicants with culinary skills could also be admitted through special selection.
This way.
The Eternal Ages Sect had another department enriched.
“Junior Sister Liu, congratulations on your promotion to hall master!”
“Alas, makes people quite envious!”
“When will I also be able to mix myself a hall master position?”
In the dining hall, Li Fei, Tian Qi, and others surrounded Liu Wanshi with congratulations while showing envy.
“You guys have too little ambition.”
Su Xiaomo sat to the side, legs crossed and said, “If you’re going to do it, become an elder!”
“Makes sense!”
Li Fei and Tian Qi’s eyes immediately brightened.
The Eternal Ages Sect currently lacked nothing except elders, because currently there were only four.
In terms of rank.
Elders were definitely higher than hall masters.
“But…”
Li Fei said, “Senior Brother Su, how can we become elders?”
“Don’t rush.”
Jun Changxiao walked in, smiling and saying, “Later when the sect is powerful, anyone will have the opportunity to become an elder.”
“Swish!”
Everyone stood up in unison and said, “Greetings, Sect Master!”
“Sit down,” Jun Changxiao indicated.
“Sect Master.”
Su Xiaomo moved closer, excitedly saying, “Will we really have the opportunity to become elders in the future?”
“Mm.”
Jun Changxiao said, “But it depends on your performance.”
Actually, with Li Qingyang and others’ cultivation, serving as elders was no problem, but he temporarily didn’t consider it because disciples still needed to focus on cultivation.
…
That night.
Lu Qianqian stood alone on the mountain peak, white clothes fluttering, like a fairy descended from the Nine Heavens.
“What are you thinking about?”
Jun Changxiao appeared behind her at some unknown time.
Lu Qianqian didn’t turn around and said, “Does Sect Master truly intend to participate in the Dragon Tiger Competition?”
“Since I already promised Pavilion Master Yi, naturally I cannot go back on my word,” Jun Changxiao said.
Lu Qianqian said, “The Dragon Tiger Competition is the continent’s highest-standard sect grand competition. Participating sects are also extremely powerful.”
“The more powerful, the more challenging,” Jun Changxiao said.
At first, he decided to take disciples to participate in the Dragon Tiger Competition for the spirit stones Master Yi offered. After successively learning relevant intelligence, he realized such a grand event must be participated in no matter what!
Going to various states to cause trouble could no longer satisfy Sect Master Jun. He needed a bigger stage for his disciples to show off!
Dragon Tiger Competition.
Was undoubtedly very suitable!
Moreover.
Based on his judgment of the system, participating in this kind of large-scale sect competition would definitely trigger missions and earn sufficient contribution points!
Lu Qianqian said, “Many first-rate sects will participate.”
“Even better then,” Jun Changxiao said.
They’d already fought second-rate Hundred Blossom Sacred Sect. He now really wanted to see if first-rate sect disciples had one more leg or one more eye than his own disciples.
Lu Qianqian said, “First-rate sects have deep foundations. If our sect enters competition, we must prepare for the worst.”
Jun Changxiao shook his head and said, “As senior disciple, you cannot boost others’ morale while destroying your own prestige.”
“…”
Lu Qianqian fell silent.
Having once been a Supreme Profound Sacred Sect disciple, she deeply understood first-rate sects, which is why she spoke these words—definitely not because she looked down on fellow disciples’ strength.
“Since Sect Master intends to participate in the Dragon Tiger Competition, this disciple will definitely give her all,” Lu Qianqian said.
After speaking, she left.
Watching the graceful figure disappear into the night, Jun Changxiao rubbed his chin and said, “This woman seems to understand first-rate sects very well.”
The system said, “So as stated, disciples who can enter Host’s sect—none are ordinary people.”
…
The next day.
Liu Wanshi prepared travel provisions early, because today the sect master was taking senior brothers to Central Honor State!