Xiongwei City prohibited flying, though True-rank sects were exempt from this restriction. So when the Nine Origins True Sect rode in on flying treasures, they immediately drew envious looks from everyone.
They seemed to enjoy it quite a bit, their faces displaying rather proud expressions.
Unfortunately, when it came to showing off, Jun Changxiao was far more professional. He directly piloted his ship into the city, not only stealing the Nine Origins True Sect’s thunder but also causing a massive sensation.
What’s called presence? What’s called status?
This was it!
Moreover, to achieve the most effective showing off, the Tonggu Warship burned several tens of thousands of Profound Stones just traveling the mere dozen or so miles from outside the city to within!
So let me ask you—convinced or not?
Convinced!
The martial artists in the city were genuinely convinced.
What they admired wasn’t the quality of the showing off, but rather that being able to pilot the Tonggu Warship meant he was a direct disciple of True Person Tonggu!
Combined with news that had spread through the martial world over the past two years, martial artists from all walks had already determined that the handsome young man standing at the ship’s bow—who looked somewhat deserving of a beating—should be the Myriad Ancient Sect’s Sect Master, Jun Changxiao.
When developing in the Lower Realm, Gou Sheng only gradually became known to the world after challenging the Holy Spring Sect, only then beginning to emerge.
Now, having just arrived in the Upper Realm for a few years, he was already a household name.
The reason was simple: the sect and his personal strength weren’t much, but he had an incredibly awesome master!
“Whoosh!”
“Whoosh!”
From the direction of the City Lord’s Manor, several streams of light rapidly approached.
The leader was Xiongwei City’s City Lord Tao Renyu. He stopped in mid-air and hastily cupped his hands, saying, “Sect Master Jun’s grand arrival brings radiance to our humble city!”
“My god!”
A martial artist exclaimed in surprise, “Even the City Lord came to greet him personally!”
“After all, he’s True Person Tonggu’s direct disciple. Even if he went to a Dao-rank sect, he’d be treated as an honored guest!”
The expressions on the faces of the Nine Origins True Sect experts became rather interesting.
We came all this way in grand procession, yet we didn’t receive treatment with the City Lord personally greeting us!
Comparing people will just anger you to death.
However, the Nine Origins True Sect wasn’t annoyed, because just based on status alone, he was qualified to have the City Lord greet him personally.
Without the usual contempt from martial artists or mockery from sects, Gou Sheng received the highest-level treatment at this competition.
“Oh?”
Jun Changxiao said in surprise, “You recognize this seat?”
“…” The system was speechless.
He deliberately brought out the warship to show off, and now he was playing dumb. How could one person be so shameless?
City Lord Tao smiled, “Sect Master Jun led his entire sect to resist the Ten Thousand Tribulation Thunder Array during ascension—who in the entire Upper Realm doesn’t know, doesn’t recognize this?”
This flattery was perfectly timed, also showing he had researched Jun Changxiao.
More precisely, after learning his master was True Person Tonggu, anyone with any ambition would proactively investigate.
“Fortunate, fortunate.”
While Jun Changxiao modestly spoke, he simultaneously stopped the warship at the city’s central plaza.
“Swish!”
“Swish!”
Li Qingyang, Xiao Ziji, and the others jumped down one after another.
Seeing this, City Lord Tao asked, “Could it be that Sect Master Jun has come to participate in the Sect Grand Competition?”
“Correct.”
Jun Changxiao put the warship into his spatial ring and cupped his hands, “May I ask where the registration point is?”
City Lord Tao smiled, “This Sect Grand Competition is being hosted by my Xiongwei City. As it happens, Tao is the city’s lord, so I can handle the registration for Sect Master Jun directly.”
“Oh?”
Jun Changxiao hastily cupped his hands again, “So you’re City Lord Tao—much respect, much respect!”
The two had now made each other’s acquaintance.
After some customary pleasantries, Jun Changxiao indicated he would first find an inn to rest for the night, then bring his credentials to the City Lord’s Manor tomorrow to handle the Sect Grand Competition procedures.
“Sect Master Jun.”
City Lord Tao hastily said, “Tao has already arranged accommodations for you and your disciples. If you don’t mind, please follow me.”
“How could I impose?”
Though Jun Changxiao said this with his mouth, his body honestly brought his disciples along.
Free benefits—not taking them would be a waste.
City Lord Tao arranged a large separate courtyard for him with many side rooms. The environment was impeccable.
As for handling the sect competition registration procedures, he didn’t even need to go to the City Lord’s Manor—the next day, someone was specially sent over. The treatment was so excellent it made people jealous, envious, and resentful.
“Having backing is truly wonderful.”
Sitting in a small pavilion, Jun Changxiao contentedly sipped his tea.
Having backing was indeed nice, but similarly, no one dared provoke trouble. Even when going out shopping, martial artists watched from afar. There were absolutely no spoiled young masters or sect disciples blind enough to come pick fights with him.
After staying in the city for a few days, Jun Changxiao said helplessly, “Dull, boring.”
Because everyone gave Gou Sheng no opportunities, the author had no conflicts to write about, so they directly used the Spring and Autumn technique to skip to the day the Sect Grand Competition began.
This day.
The sun shone brightly, the wind was gentle for ten thousand miles.
The viewing seats at Xiongwei City’s southern district outdoor venue were already filled with martial artists from all walks.
Jun Changxiao was placed in the VIP section with the best viewing angle. As soon as he was specially guided over, the sect leaders who had arrived early all stood and cupped their hands, calling out “Sect Master Jun.”
No!
You don’t need to be so polite!
Openly mock me, let me slap some faces!
“Hmm?”
Just then, Jun Changxiao noticed an old man sitting at the very front who remained seated. While lamenting that an opportunity had come, he said coolly, “And you are?”
The old man cupped his hands with a smile, “This humble one is Shao Xinfeng. Due to a leg ailment, I cannot stand. Please forgive me, Sect Master Jun!”
“…”
Jun Changxiao nearly fell to the ground.
All the sect leaders at the venue were polite and courteous to him, with only one who didn’t stand up—and that was due to illness. This damn situation gave him no opportunity to show off or slap faces!
…
Inside the venue.
The competitors from various sects were rubbing their fists and palms together.
Their mindset differed from the sect leaders. Though they knew the Myriad Ancient Sect was competing, they didn’t think much of them. After all, they had just ascended to the Upper Realm, and their sect master merely had an impressive master.
Indeed.
This kind of sect competition didn’t depend on who had higher status or stronger backing—it depended on real strength.
Severing Emotions True Sect’s area.
A disciple around twenty years old smiled, “In this Sect Grand Competition, Senior Brother will definitely take first place!”
“Exactly!”
His fellow disciples expressed agreement.
And they were precisely the group that Ye Xingchen had encountered during outdoor training in the wilderness.
“The other three True-rank sects have all sent strong competitors. I’ll give my all in this Sect Grand Competition,” the Senior Brother said seriously.
No pride, only caution.
This was the attitude a competitor should have!
However.
The Senior Brother and his fellow disciples probably never would have dreamed that in the adjacent area, Li Qingyang, Xiao Ziji, and the others were performing pre-competition warm-up exercises, their gazes gradually sharpening like wild beasts breaking free of their seals!
…
“Now!”
On the high platform at the venue, after an impassioned speech, City Lord Tao announced loudly, “Please welcome the competing disciples from each sect to enter!”
“Finally starting!”
Su Xiaomo stopped stretching her legs, a smile rising at the corners of her mouth.
“Let’s go.”
Lu Qianqian led everyone toward the dark tunnel. When they stepped into that mass of light, they appeared inside the venue.
Competitors from other sects also emerged from different tunnels, then instinctively looked over. They were quite curious about the Myriad Ancient Sect disciples who had smuggled their way up—just what was different about them?
“Senior Brother!”
A Severing Emotions True Sect disciple pointed at Ye Xingchen, exclaiming, “It’s him!”
Everyone looked over. When they clearly saw that coldly proud face, they immediately remembered that fierce person they’d encountered in the mountains and wilderness who killed a demonic beast comparable to a First Revolution like reaching into a bag!
“No way!”
“This guy is actually a Myriad Ancient Sect disciple!”
The Severing Emotions True Sect competitors’ faces immediately showed despair.
The Senior Brother thought to himself, “Though this person has no aura emanating, instinct tells me his strength is absolutely extraordinary!”
“Hmm?”
Walking along the path, Ye Xingchen noticed someone watching him. He turned his head to look, and because he slightly frowned, his gaze inadvertently revealed extremely strong killing intent, immediately startling the Severing Emotions True Sect competitors into backing away.
One glance, disrupting the formation.
Night Emperor—impressive!