Sect hall divisions typically consist of one hall master supported by multiple vice hall masters.

However, the Eternal Sect doesn’t follow conventional paths, because its Alchemy Hall has eight hall masters with not a single vice hall master!

Just ask—isn’t that impressive?

Actually, Jun Changxiao could designate one person as hall master and make all the others vice hall masters, but out of respect for the eight individuals, he decided to make them all full hall masters.

Moreover, whether full or vice, they all had to refine pills and serve as worker bees anyway, so it made no real difference.

After recruiting the eight chief alchemists, grandmasters and first through third-tier alchemists from the Alchemy Hall successively arrived at the sect, and thus the next phase of the plan began—opening branch stores in major cities!

“Sect Master.”

Li Luoqiu said, “Storefronts have been secured in all designated cities, and renovations are currently underway. They should be ready to open for business soon.”

“Mm.”

Jun Changxiao nodded.

Because the Alchemy Hall had sent quite a few talented individuals, his current small goal was to first open one hundred branch stores.

Elder Wei said helplessly, “With so many branch stores, the medicinal materials won’t be enough!”

With the Eternal Sect’s current stockpile of heavenly treasure-grade medicinal materials, supplying a few pill shops would be no problem, but supplying one hundred stores would definitely not work out.

“No worries, no worries.”

Jun Changxiao said, “The pill branch stores will also sell more common pills available on the market.”

They would definitely sell high-quality pills too, but absolutely not as regular inventory, because scarcity creates value.

Renovations were proceeding at full speed in storefronts across various cities, and due to the considerable distances, the alchemical talents who had successively arrived at the sect also began departing for their destinations.

If all went well, the Eternal Pill Shop enterprise would soon suddenly and unexpectedly blanket vast swaths of the Upper Realm, potentially dealing a heavy blow to the competition!

“This is just the first step.”

Standing in the great hall with his hands behind his back, Jun Changxiao said, “We’ll subsequently establish other enterprises to make the sect thoroughly wealthy!”

Dog Leftover’s current development strategy prioritized making money first, and once they had accumulated sufficiently massive resources and raised their overall strength, they could recklessly do as they pleased.

That being the case, during his period of developing conservatively, the Upper Realm should at least remain stable for a while.

No, no, no.

Without Dog Leftover’s interference, whatever was meant to be chaotic would still be chaotic.

For instance, the Burial Moon Pavilion hiding in the shadows, or Gu Chaoxi caught in the endless cycle of life and death and reincarnation—both were actively causing trouble for the Realm Hall, making the entire Upper Realm increasingly turbulent.

“Sect Master.”

Li Luoqiu said, “Recently there’s been a fellow called Gu Chaoxi who keeps targeting the Realm Hall. In just a few months, he’s already destroyed quite a few branches.”

The Drizzle Hall intelligence organization had developed over these two years, so first-hand information arrived daily. As hall master, she had resumed her practice from the Lower Realm—whenever the Sect Master was home, she would report on schedule.

“Can you find him?” Jun Changxiao asked.

Li Luoqiu shook her head. “This person hides in the shadows while opposing the Realm Hall. With my Drizzle Hall’s current capabilities, it would be quite difficult to locate him.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Then pay close attention to any news about him.”

He was basically certain that Gu Chaoxi was the tattooed man he’d encountered at the Starry Fortress, so he eagerly anticipated the day when the brothers could reunite.

“Little brother, where are you?”

Just as Dog Leftover was musing to himself, Gu Chaoxi, having just destroyed a Realm Hall sub-branch, stood alone atop a mountain peak, looking up at the sky. “Big brother, are you still in the Lower Realm?”

“Whoosh!”

Suddenly, a wisp of cloud mist quietly appeared behind him, accompanied by Empress Ling Yao’s dissatisfied voice: “Why haven’t you set out for the Eternal Sect yet?”

Gu Chaoxi said flatly, “Are you ordering me around?”

“No.”

Empress Ling Yao said, “I’m helping you.”

Gu Chaoxi sneered disdainfully. “I’ve already investigated this Eternal Sect—it’s merely just ascended to the Upper Realm, merely has Immortal Tonggu as its backer. How could it help me overthrow the Realm Hall?”

“Or perhaps.”

He paused, then said, “Your goal isn’t actually to have me seek the Eternal Sect’s assistance, but to deliberately drag Immortal Tonggu into this?”

“The Realm Hall has ten great Immortal-ranked sects backing it. With one person’s strength alone, it’s difficult to destroy them. Why not find more allies?” Empress Ling Yao said.

“Because…”

A somewhat ferocious smile appeared on Gu Chaoxi’s face. “That wouldn’t be interesting, wouldn’t be fun.”

Empress Ling Yao said, “Madman.”

“Don’t worry.”

Gu Chaoxi said, “Since I’ve promised you, I’ll naturally go to the Eternal Sect. However, before that, I definitely need to destroy a few more branches first and let the Realm Hall experience some pain.”

“The Realm Hall has already dispatched quite a few powerful experts. I hope you don’t slip up and get captured.” After Empress Ling Yao finished speaking, she transformed into cloud mist and gradually disappeared.

“Tch.”

Gu Chaoxi snorted coldly. “Women who act all mysterious are truly annoying.”

“Master.”

A subordinate said, “That woman definitely doesn’t have good intentions. We must be extremely cautious to avoid being sold out while still helping her count the money!”

“Smack!”

Gu Chaoxi struck the subordinate’s forehead with his fist and roared, “Do you think I’m stupid and naive?”

…

Various forces targeting the Realm Hall were stirring restlessly—truly a case of “brook-clouds rise as the sun sets from the pavilion, mountain rain approaches as wind fills the tower.”

Whatever chaos occurred outside had nothing to do with Jun Changxiao. At this moment, he was properly and peacefully sketching out his commercial empire.

“Tsk tsk.”

The System sighed. “Coming to the Upper Realm without causing trouble—Host’s character design has collapsed.”

“Screw off.”

Jun Changxiao cursed internally. “I’m not a troublemaker. Coming to the Upper Realm, just four words: develop conservatively!”

Not bragging.

If he hadn’t accidentally upgraded the Spirit Beast Pavilion, attracting various major groups to attack the Eternal Sect, Dog Leftover had indeed been very low-key since arriving in the Upper Realm—at least the troubles he’d caused could be counted on one hand.

Mainly with Immortal Tonggu as his backer, everyone tactfully avoided him. Otherwise, scenarios of being mocked when going out, female disciples being harassed, and beating up the young only to have the old show up would have already played out countless times.

…

“Sect Master.”

Young Master Yuan asked puzzled, “Why did you summon me here?”

“In a couple days there’s a guest coming to visit. I need you to host them properly.” Jun Changxiao said.

“Oh?”

Young Master Yuan immediately became serious. “This guest must have quite an identity?”

“Quite significant.”

Jun Changxiao said, “An Alchemy Hall master.”

Young Master Yuan hurriedly clasped his hands. “I will definitely host this guest well!”

A few days later.

Bai Chaoyang arrived.

He had already learned that Chen Xiyao and the others had joined the Eternal Sect as hall masters, so his current mood was quite pleasant.

According to their previous verbal agreement, since these individuals had become part of the Eternal Sect, both sides could properly negotiate the commission arrangements.

Simply put.

Bai Chaoyang had personally traveled all the way from Matchless City to the Eternal Sect for one reason—to secure maximum profits for the Alchemy Hall.

When guests arrived, they naturally had to be properly hosted, so Jun Changxiao ordered Liu Wanshi to prepare a sumptuous meal and entertained them in his own residence hall.

“Please!”

“Please!”

Bai Chaoyang took his seat and looked toward the accompanying guest, Young Master Yuan. “And who might this be?”

“My Eternal Sect’s Vice Sect Master, Yuan Feng.” Jun Changxiao said.

Young Master Yuan was immediately stunned.

Previously when the Sect Master introduced him, he always used ‘support’ to describe him, but today the tone had changed to ‘vice’—did this mean he was being acknowledged?

Moved, wanted to cry!

“I see.”

Bai Chaoyang stood up and clasped his hands. “Vice Sect Master Yuan, my respects, my respects!”

“Hall Master Bai has traveled from afar. If there’s anything lacking in our hospitality, please forgive us.” Young Master Yuan also stood up, immediately radiating the bearing of a vice sect master.

The two exchanged some pleasantries before sitting down.

“Hall Master Bai.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Business and commercial matters of my Eternal Sect have always been handled by the Vice Sect Master, so if you have anything to discuss, you can speak with him.”

Young Master Yuan was dumbfounded again.

Dog Leftover had summoned him from Linyu City without telling him they’d be negotiating business with the Alchemy Hall, so he had absolutely no mental preparation.

Bai Chaoyang said, “Since Sect Master Jun has mentioned business, this old one won’t beat around the bush.”

After speaking, he looked toward Young Master Yuan.

“This old fellow’s eyes are radiating extremely strong bargaining power. He must be a very formidable opponent.” Thinking this, Yuan Feng placed both hands at his temples, smoothly sweeping them back toward his head, and smiled. “Please speak freely!”

…

“Thud!”

Half an hour later, Jun Changxiao collapsed drunk on the drinking table.

It wasn’t that his alcohol tolerance was poor, but rather after Young Master Yuan and Bai Chaoyang began their confrontation, the entire process was so intense that his head throbbed in pain. In the end, he simply chose to let the alcohol rage through his system, using drunkenness as an escape.

“Vice Sect Master Yuan…”

“Hall Master Bai, although your hall has provided alchemical talent, my Eternal Sect is providing heavenly treasure-grade medicinal materials, which are the key factor determining pill quality. Therefore, this price is completely reasonable and without any issues.”

“That’s not…”

“The Alchemy Hall also operates its own enterprises and has considerable influence in the Upper Realm. However, you must know that if my Eternal Pill Shop spreads throughout the entire Upper Realm, the daily profits can only be described as terrifying. So even giving just one-tenth would still be a massive sum!”

“We should still…”

“There’s no need to discuss further. Having said this much, my Eternal Sect can make no further concessions. If your hall feels it’s unfair, then regrettably, we cannot do business but the friendship remains.”

“My Alchemy Hall has eight chief…”

“Feng Guichen and the others all sincerely joined the Eternal Sect. If Hall Master Bai uses them as negotiating leverage, that would truly be disheartening!”

…

Another half hour passed.

“Creak!”

The door was pushed open. Young Master Yuan walked out stylishly, placing both hands at his temples and sweeping them back. “How lonely invincibility is.”

The camera panned to the side, and through the limited view into the hall, Jun Changxiao could be seen collapsed drunk on the table while Bai Chaoyang lay under the table with his eyes rolled back, foaming at the mouth.

From their respective states, it was obvious—K.O.!

—