What Jun Changxiao hated most was being threatened by others, so his expression grew increasingly unpleasant.

“Sect Master Jun.”

The masked person said: “This isn’t a threat, it’s a well-intentioned reminder.”

“Swoosh!”

Suddenly, Jun Changxiao raised his hand. The Jade Dragon Heaven-Questioning Sword appeared out of thin air. Infusing it with spiritual energy, he fiercely slashed forward.

“Whoosh—”

Sword energy tore through space, carrying terrifying sword power.

The masked person’s heart jumped in alarm. He hastily employed movement techniques to dodge. The sword energy barely grazed his scalp as it swept past, striking a distant mountain peak.

“Rumble!”

A sword mark appeared on the mountain body. The upper half of the peak directly slid down, the cut surface remarkably smooth.

Seeing this, the several masked people’s gazes immediately filled with shock.

This seemingly casual strike could directly slice off a distant mountain peak—that meant his… sword must be extremely powerful!

Though the Jade Dragon Heaven-Questioning Sword’s quality was only Saint-grade, as one of the Ten Great Ancient Swords, it was still extraordinarily formidable.

“Listen clearly.”

Jun Changxiao’s killing intent surged: “If you dare harbor ill intentions toward my Eternal Ancient Sect disciples, this mountain peak will be your fate.”

“…”

The lead masked person fell silent briefly, then said: “Sect Master Jun, as long as you accompany us to the Purple Bamboo Forest to meet our master, you might become friends.”

Jun Changxiao said indifferently: “This Sect Master is an upright seven-foot man. How could I befriend you sneaky, skulking fellows?”

“Ptui.” The system said.

“Swoosh!”

“Swoosh!”

Just then, Jiang Xie and the Ning brothers flew over. Their bodies instantly erupted with Emperor-level auras—clearly, as soon as the Sect Master gave the word, they’d immediately engage!

“Sect Master Jun.”

The masked person cupped his hands: “The message has been delivered. Whether you come or not is your business. We won’t disturb you further. Farewell!”

“Let’s go.”

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

The four black-robed masked people came quickly and left just as fast.

Jun Changxiao didn’t stop them either, because he knew these people had skill in fleeing. Forcibly intercepting them might not succeed.

“Where is Maple Flower Valley?”

“Within West Yun Province.”

“Let’s go.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Follow this Sect Master for a trip.”

The masked people who appeared this time had no killing intent—clearly they were specifically responsible for delivering messages.

Since the other party kept inviting him, it aroused his interest to meet this so-called master.

Of course.

Whether it was a Hongmen Banquet remained uncertain.

So Jun Changxiao didn’t bring the group of disciples, letting them continue returning to the Eternal Ancient Sect. He only brought the four elders.

…

Maple Flower Valley.

A famous 5A-level scenic area in West Yun Province. Throughout the year, countless scholars and poets came here for outings and recreation.

Most well-known was that years ago, Master Fan had built a thatched cottage in the valley where he lived for over ten years, successively forging many weapons renowned across the continent.

This day.

The sun shone brightly, the sky clear as azure.

In Maple Flower Valley, many sword-bearing scholars and head-bobbing poets were appreciating the scenery along the way, occasionally composing poems.

“Swoosh!”

“Swoosh!”

Suddenly, five streaks of light flew across the sky, startling everyone into widening their eyes.

“Martial Emperors!”

“Five Martial Emperors!”

Warriors with cultivation were even more wide-eyed.

“Sect Master.”

After flying for a while, Elder Ge pointed to a bamboo forest ahead: “This is the Purple Bamboo Forest.”

Jun Changxiao released his spiritual intent and discovered this forest had nice scenery, but no tourists entered. Even passing warriors would nervously avoid it.

The Purple Bamboo Forest wasn’t too large. In the central area stood a thatched cottage, with the four masked people who had left earlier standing outside.

“Swoosh!”

Jun Changxiao led the four elders down, sweeping up fallen bamboo leaves covering the ground.

“Sect Master Jun.”

The masked person smiled: “The master is waiting inside.”

“Mm.”

Jun Changxiao walked toward the thatched cottage.

Having now reached Peak Emperor level cultivation, he wasn’t worried about traps inside.

Elder Jiang Xie accompanied him but was blocked by the masked person: “Our master wishes to speak privately with Sect Master Jun alone.”

“Wait outside for me.” Jun Changxiao said.

“Yes.”

The four from Jiang Xie stopped.

However, from start to finish they remained vigilant of the several masked people, fearing they might do something unfavorable to the Sect Master.

…

“Creak.”

Jun Changxiao pushed open the door and entered. The view revealed a rather simple room with no excess decorations—only a chair and a tea table.

Long, thin gauze divided the room in two. One could vaguely see someone sitting cross-legged inside.

“Sect Master Jun.”

“We’ve finally invited you here.”

A refined and elegant voice came through, sounding quite young.

Jun Changxiao sat carelessly in the chair specially prepared for him, habitually crossing his right leg over his left, and said: “Your Excellency has repeatedly sent people to trouble my Eternal Ancient Sect. What exactly do you mean?”

“Sect Master Jun misunderstands.”

The person smiled: “This humble one merely wishes to befriend you.”

Jun Changxiao said indifferently: “Sending people to abduct my disciples in West Yun Province—Your Excellency’s method of making friends is truly incomprehensible.”

The person said: “About this matter…”

“Don’t explain.”

Jun Changxiao interrupted: “Since you invited this Sect Master here, constantly hiding behind the curtain is somewhat improper.”

“Swoosh!”

As the words fell, the gauze blocking the front was pulled aside.

A young man with sword-like brows, bright eyes, and tender white skin came into view, a smile on his face that looked very comfortable.

At this moment.

Jun Changxiao had to admit that there actually existed on the Starfall Continent a man more handsome than himself, so he questioned: “Your Excellency isn’t cross-dressing as a woman, are you?”

The system: “…”

Is it so hard to admit someone is more handsome than you?

“Sect Master Jun.”

The young man said: “I am a man.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Take off your pants and let this Sect Master see.”

He absolutely had to break the protagonist’s mandatory plot-armor blindness that prevented seeing through women disguised as men!

However, having just met and barely exchanged a few words before asking someone to strip their pants for proof—this operation was a bit scandalous!

The corner of the young man’s mouth twitched: “Sect Master Jun, this humble one invited you here for serious business.”

“Speak then. What is it?”

Jun Changxiao thought to himself: “Everyone more handsome than me must be cross-dressing women. I accept no objections!”

The young man adjusted his slightly collapsed mentality and smiled: “Despite your young age, Sect Master Jun developed a sect from nothing to its current scale. This humble one truly admires you.”

“Skip the flattery and get to the point. This Sect Master is in a hurry to return.” Jun Changxiao said.

“In that case, let’s keep it brief.”

The young man said: “I wonder if Sect Master Jun would be willing to cooperate with this humble one?”

“Cooperate?” Jun Changxiao said.

The young man said: “Judging from Sect Master Jun’s recent behavior, you’re clearly not a law-abiding type. Why don’t we join forces and accomplish great undertakings in the jianghu?”

Why did these words sound so familiar?

Right—Sect Master Jun had once similarly bamboozled the Purple Scale Demon King.

“What constitutes a great undertaking?”

“Very simple…” The young man paused, smiling: “Break the current rules and establish entirely new rules.”

Jun Changxiao froze: “Your Excellency’s undertaking is truly grand. This Jun cannot play along. Please seek others.”

His idea of a great undertaking was merely building the strongest sect. Breaking existing rules and establishing entirely new rules had never crossed his mind.

“Is Sect Master Jun afraid?” the young man said.

Jun Changxiao shrugged: “This Sect Master simply doesn’t wish to become enemy to the entire world.”

The young man shook his head: “Sometimes, if you don’t become enemy to the entire world, the world will become enemy to you. Because in the eyes of righteous sects, uncontrollable power cannot exist—like the Demon Emperor Sect from ten thousand years ago.”

“You mean my Eternal Ancient Sect will become the next Demon Emperor Sect?” Jun Changxiao said.

The young man said: “Sect Master Jun’s sect hasn’t been taken seriously by top-tier sects yet, but this humble one can assert that in the future, it will inevitably become a target for all.”

“Why?” Jun Changxiao frowned.

“Because…”

The young man narrowed his eyes, smiling: “Your sect has disciples who shouldn’t exist. Once news leaks out, you’ll inevitably become enemy to the entire world.”