The next day, Jun Changxiao brought Lu Qianqian, Li Qingyang and others to Qingyang City.

Xiao Zuiji also came along, the Type 88 sniper rifle on his back wrapped in black cloth, giving off a very mysterious feeling.

“A sniper must always pay attention to his surroundings and cannot relax in the slightest.” Jun Changxiao said.

“Mm.”

Xiao Zuiji maintained absolute vigilance throughout the journey.

Even when an occasional wild rabbit darted through the grass, he could capture it in the first instant.

He had already accepted his positioning as a sniper, but lacked more bullets for shooting practice.

While a genius’s talent was certainly important, to truly achieve perfect accuracy with every shot still required bullets to feed his muscle memory.

Several hours later.

The group arrived at Qingyang City.

As soon as they entered, they attracted the attention of the city residents. The contempt and mockery in their eyes naturally gave way to respect and awe.

During this time, Iron Bone Sect’s performance had long been recognized.

Indeed, as Jun Changxiao had said, common folk love to follow trends. When you’re weak, everyone wants to come kick you when you’re down. When you’re strong, they can’t wait to come kowtow to you.

“Where is the sect certification?”

“In the southern part of the city.”

Following the wide street to the city’s south, Jun Changxiao led his disciples to stop in front of a building bearing the sign “Sect Certification Hall.”

“Why is Iron Bone Sect here?”

“Are they getting their sect level certified?”

“Although Sect Master Jun defeated the Sect Master of Long Blade Sect on the Grudge Stage, individual strength isn’t enough. The disciples must be strong to pass certification.”

“The Sect Certification Hall has a cooperative relationship with the Hundred Clans Alliance. Since Iron Bone Sect withdrew from the alliance, getting certification might be a bit difficult.”

Hearing the passersby’s discussion, Jun Changxiao frowned and thought to himself: “The Certification Hall actually has a cooperative relationship with the Hundred Clans Alliance. Going in for certification will inevitably involve some difficulties.”

Sure enough.

Upon entering the Certification Hall and stating their sect name, the steward said indifferently: “According to sect certification rules, you must present a Hundred Sects Alliance certificate to be eligible for certification.”

“Slap.”

Su Xiaomo slammed the table and said angrily: “We’re already here in person. Just certify us and be done with it. What certificate do we need!”

The steward said coolly: “This is the Sect Certification Hall, an authoritative institution of Xingyun Continent that is just and fair. Sect Master Jun, please have your disciple show some respect.”

What a load of just and fair.

If Jun Changxiao weren’t mindful of his position as sect master, he would have long since pulled out the “Records of the Grand Historian” and smacked it hard across his face.

“Without a certificate, we can’t get certified?” he said calmly.

The steward said indifferently: “If you have a recommendation certificate from a fifth-rate or higher sect, you can also proceed with certification.”

“Of course, with a lowly sect like your Iron Bone Sect that hasn’t even joined the Hundred Clans Alliance, no major sect will recommend you, so you might as well go back where you came from.”

“Holy shit!”

Li Fei couldn’t help slamming the table and saying: “Say ‘lowly’ one more fucking time and see if I don’t kick you to death!”

The disciples who joined Iron Bone Sect, aside from a very few with some status, mostly came from humble backgrounds. Unable to stomach being humiliated themselves, let alone their sect being insulted, they naturally cursed.

The steward folded his arms and sneered: “What? Is Iron Bone Sect going to cause trouble in the Certification Hall?”

Jun Changxiao signaled his angry disciples to calm down and said: “This master would like to ask, what are the conditions for certifying an eighth-rate sect?”

The steward swept a glance at the Iron Bone Sect disciples, whom he considered a bunch of country bumpkins, and said coolly: “Five Wutu disciples, five disciples at Meridian Opening twelfth stage.”

Jun Changxiao understood and said: “Farewell.”

Watching the Iron Bone Sect group leave, the steward said disdainfully: “Withdrawing from the Hundred Sects Alliance and still wanting sect level certification—is this guy an idiot?”

…

“Sect Master, that guy was deliberately making things difficult for our Iron Bone Sect!”

Walking out of the Certification Hall, Su Xiaomo said through gritted teeth.

“Not giving us certification is one thing, but he fucking humiliated us too!” Tian Qi was so angry his body trembled.

Li Qingyang said calmly: “The Sect Certification Hall has ties with the Hundred Sects Alliance. If we want to advance our sect, we can only go to an outer commandery for certification.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Jun Changxiao said.

Coming to Qingyang City was to buy bullets; certification was just something to do along the way.

Since the other party was deliberately making things difficult, worst case they wouldn’t get certified. After all, having the qualifications to become an eighth-rate sect was enough.

“Sect Master Jun!”

Just then, a vigorous and resonant voice came from the distance.

Jun Changxiao turned to look and said with considerable surprise: “Elder Ma?”

That’s right.

The newcomer was none other than Elder Ma of Cangshan Sect. From the aura emanating from his entire body, he had clearly broken through to Wuzong.

He had been stuck at peak Wushi for a long time. Two months ago, Jun Changxiao’s guidance on cultivation methods had enlightened him, allowing him to finally smoothly take that step forward.

Elder Ma stopped before them and bowed his hands in gratitude: “Thanks to Sect Master Jun’s previous guidance, this old man was able to advance to Wuzong.”

Wuzong?

Li Qingyang and the others’ eyes filled with envy and respect.

In Qingyang Commandery, those who reached the Wushi level were already top-tier experts. Wuzong was undoubtedly an existence to look up to.

Jun Changxiao said modestly: “Elder Ma was caught up in the situation. As long as the confusion was resolved, even without Jun here, you could have easily advanced to a higher level.”

Elder Ma’s eyes showed appreciation.

During the Hundred Sects recruitment, he thought this young man was full of nonsense, but now it seemed he was actually a humble fellow.

“What’s this?”

Glancing at the Sect Certification Hall, Elder Ma said: “Is Sect Master Jun here to certify the sect level?”

“Correct.” Jun Changxiao said.

Elder Ma swept a glance at the several Iron Bone Sect disciples behind him. Seeing the aura they displayed, he bowed his hands with a smile and said: “Congratulations on your sect’s promotion to eighth-rate.”

Jun Changxiao shook his head helplessly and said: “They won’t certify us, so where’s the joy in that?”

“Won’t certify?”

Elder Ma said in surprise: “What do you mean?”

As an authoritative institution of Xingyun Continent, the Sect Certification Hall allowed any sect to come for certification. Not giving certification—this was the first he’d heard of it.

Jun Changxiao told him everything.

After learning the situation, Elder Ma said solemnly: “The Hundred Sects Alliance is merely a privately established organization, yet they can actually get the Sect Certification Hall to require their certificate. This is utterly preposterous!”

“Sect Master Jun, come.”

He made a gesture of invitation and said: “This old man will take your sect to get certified!”

…

Jun Changxiao led his disciples into the Certification Hall again. That steward stood up with a dark expression and said: “Sect Master Jun, why are you back again?”

“To certify the sect.” Jun Changxiao said.

The steward rolled his eyes and said irritably: “I’ve already made it very clear. If you want certification, either produce a Hundred Sects Alliance certificate or have a fifth-rate—”

“Steward Zhao!”

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Elder Ma walking in: “Ma here, representing Cangshan Sect, recommends Iron Bone Sect to you. This should comply with certification rules, shouldn’t it?”

“Elder Ma!”

Seeing Cangshan Sect’s elder walk in, Steward Zhao hurriedly came out from behind the counter and said with an ingratiating smile: “Why would you have time to come to the Certification Hall?”

His face changed really fast.

For such an obsequious person, Su Xiaomo, Tian Qi and the others cast disdainful looks.

Elder Ma said coolly: “Steward Zhao, if Ma remembers correctly, you’ve been a steward for ten years now, haven’t you?”

“Yes, yes.”

Steward Zhao smiled and said: “Exactly ten years.”

Elder Ma’s eyes turned cold as he said: “Steward Zhao is also an old hand. Ma here must ask—sects coming for certification requiring certificates from local private organizations, has the Certification Alliance headquarters authorized this?”

“This…” Steward Zhao’s expression changed dramatically.

He only represented the Qingyang Commandery Sect Certification Hall, and cooperating with the Hundred Sects Alliance for benefits was a personal act—the higher-ups certainly didn’t know about it.

Jun Changxiao said: “Hearing Elder Ma put it this way, this master cannot help but suspect that Steward Zhao and the Hundred Sects Alliance have some unspeakable dirty dealings going on.”