Coming to the Eastern Sea Fisher Province required enduring various tribulations, so returning would naturally also require enjoying the same treatment.
Though Jun Changxiao, who had unsealed the Uncollectable Blade, entered a weakened period, with Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji and the others present, the journey was smooth sailing without encountering any major trouble.
Master Fan and Young Master Yuan were confused the entire way.
When they came, both had experienced near-death situations, yet traveling back on a flying ship the whole way was not only super fast but also super safe—it was just too simple and easy!
“Young master.”
Old Lin found an opportunity and finally spoke persuasively: “Actually, you could consider joining Eternal Sect. After all…”
Yuan Feng said: “Old Lin, I will not seek refuge with Jun Changxiao!”
The scene spiritually shifted—he was already wearing prisoner’s clothing, standing inside Eternal Sect’s prison.
“Creak!”
As the prison door closed at that moment, Young Master Yuan’s latter half of life was destined to be spent in prison.
Seeing another cellmate had arrived, Zhao Doudou walked over from the corner, then sat beside him, smiling: “Friend, how’d you get in?”
“…”
Young Master Yuan didn’t speak, his face full of bitterness.
After going round and round for so long, in the end he still couldn’t avoid becoming a prisoner!
“Don’t be dejected.”
Zhao Doudou patted his shoulder and began infusing chicken soup for the soul: “In this life, people have too many setbacks to face. A true man should become stronger with each setback!”
“As long as you have light in your heart, you’ll eventually break through all darkness and thorns…”
“Shut up!”
Dai Lü sitting in the distance forcibly interrupted.
During this time, Zhao Doudou infused chicken soup for the soul into him every day, his spirit on the verge of collapse at any moment.
Young Master Yuan looked toward Dai Lü, and Dai Lü also looked at him.
The prison seemed to be replaced by a snowy scene, the BGM of “A Spray of Plum Blossoms” gradually playing.
Snowflakes drifting, north wind howling.
Heaven and earth a vast expanse of white.
…
Eternal Sect, Great Hall.
Jiang Xie, Li Luoqiu and others were reporting on sect matters one by one.
Jun Changxiao, who had just returned, listened while nodding, a satisfied expression appearing on his face.
The sect had entered regularization. Even without him as Sect Master present, it could still operate very well—this was something worth feeling gratified about.
“Thank you all for your hard work.” Jun Changxiao said.
“Sect Master.” Jiang Xie said: “This is what we should do.”
Jun Changxiao said: “Then keep it up well. Let’s all work together to build Eternal Sect even better and stronger!”
After business matters were concluded, everyone withdrew.
“Hall Master Li, wait a moment.”
Li Luoqiu had just been about to leave the great hall when Jun Changxiao called out, so she turned and asked: “Sect Master, is there something else?”
Dog Survivor walked over: “Do you know the difference between you and the stars?”
“Stars?”
Li Luoqiu was puzzled: “I don’t know.”
Jun Changxiao’s expression suddenly became serious: “The difference is, stars are in the sky, while you’re in my heart.”
Li Luoqiu’s eyes widened.
The Sect Master went to the Eastern Sea Fisher Province once and got his brain kicked by a donkey? To suddenly say such cringey, goosebump-inducing mushy words?
Jun Changxiao asked: “How about it? Do you feel your heart moved!”
Because contribution points overflowed, on the return journey he’d browsed the shop and casually bought a book called ‘Complete Collection of Corny Pick-Up Lines.’ The opening line stated it was an essential tool for flirting, with a success rate as high as 99.99%!
That exaggerated?
Jun Changxiao was a bit skeptical.
So on the way back, when he had nothing to do, he’d flip through it. Today using Hall Master Li as an experiment to see if it was as miraculous as the book claimed.
Li Luoqiu was silent briefly, then covered her mouth and laughed: “Sect Master, don’t you think you’re being silly?”
Clearly, Dog Survivor had turned corny pick-up lines into corny jokes, successfully amusing the assassin-born Hall Master Li.
“…”
Jun Changxiao held his head, roaring internally: “As expected, books are all lies!”
System: “No, the host just belongs to the 0.01%.”
“Scram!”
…
After finishing the meeting, Jun Changxiao entered the Space-Time Secret Realm. When he emerged, his condition had completely recovered.
Next, he headed to the courtyard for hosting foreign guests.
“Master Fan.”
Jun Changxiao sat down, smiling: “Are the accommodations satisfactory?”
Fan Yezi’s face was speechless.
This Sect Master of an unheard-of Eternal Sect had saved him, and he’d repeatedly expressed gratitude. But after returning to the continent, he was never allowed to disembark, until being brought to Eternal Sect and settled here.
How did this feel like being placed under house arrest?
“Sect Master Jun.”
Fan Yezi cupped his fists: “Your sect has extremely strong heaven and earth attributes, and such fine environment—truly a blessed land that makes one reluctant to leave.”
“Since that’s the case, then don’t leave.” Jun Changxiao smiled.
Fan Yezi immediately went dumb.
“Master Fan.”
Jun Changxiao’s facial expression suddenly became serious: “My Eternal Sect’s Forging Hall lacks a Hall Master. If you don’t mind…”
“Sect Master Jun!” Fan Yezi hurriedly interrupted: “Fan is indifferent to fame and fortune, a wanderer of the four seas, unable to be competent for the position of your sect’s Hall Master. Please choose someone more capable!”
As a master immersed in forging, he yearned for freedom and unrestrained wandering, naturally wouldn’t join a sect force.
“Won’t you consider it?” Jun Changxiao said.
Fan Yezi cupped his fists: “Sect Master Jun saved Fan, for which Fan is extremely grateful. If there’s an opportunity in the future, I will definitely repay you well!”
This statement clearly declined, clearly had intentions to leave.
Having been trapped in the Eastern Sea Fisher Province for decades, now finally back, he still had many things to do, like visiting old flames, visiting relatives and friends.
“Very well.”
Jun Changxiao said: “Qingyang, Zuiji, escort Master Fan down the mountain.”
In recruiting talent, he always adhered to the principle of ‘not forcing people against their will.’
“Yes!”
Li Qingyang and Xiao Zuiji walked over, each holding an arm, lifting Fan Yezi up in a carrying manner.
“You two, isn’t the mountain gate in that direction? Where are you taking Fan?”
“You’ll know when you get there.”
“Oh.”
“Creak!”
“Creak!”
…
In the prison, Master Fan’s facial expression became spectacular.
Earlier he’d felt like being under house arrest, but now he was truly imprisoned—the reason being refusal of Jun Changxiao’s recruitment!
Zhao Doudou’s face showed delight: “Another new cellmate?”
“Old man.”
“How’d you get in?”
“…”
Master Fan stood up, came to the prison door and grasped the iron bars, shouting loudly: “Sect Master Jun, why have you locked me up!”
“Stop shouting.”
Zhao Doudou lay on the wooden plank bed: “Once locked in this prison, unless you agree to Sect Master Jun’s request or someone pays ransom, there’s a possibility of leaving. Otherwise, you’ll never see the day of release.”
What painful understanding!
Master Fan sat down dejected, looking up and sighing: “Just escaped the tiger’s mouth only to enter the wolf’s den!”
Thus.
Eternal Sect’s prison now held four prisoners.
Respectively: Chicken Soup for the Soul Zhao Doudou, Backbone of Steel Green Turban Brother, Strongest King Young Master Yuan, and Indifferent to Fame and Fortune Master Fan.
So the question arose.
Of the four talents, who would be released first?