With only thirty to fifty steps remaining to the summit.

After careful assessment, the Shangqian Sect Master confirmed he could make it up, and couldn’t restrain his emotions, venting his grievance of being perennial second place with a great shout.

However.

Just at that moment, Jun Changxiao supported Xi Jingxuan, walking up the steps past him.

The Shangqian Sect Master turned to stone on the spot.

His resolve loosening internally, his body immediately gave out, staggering and swaying before collapsing powerlessly onto the stairs.

“Im… impossible…”

Watching the man and woman continue ascending, the Shangqian Sect Master said in disbelief: “Absolutely… impossible…”

Someone overtaking him, he could accept.

After all, he’d been overtaken by third-rate sects plenty of times before.

But that man and woman ascending completely as if nothing was wrong—this was impossible to accept!

The Shangqian Sect disciples behind had long since collapsed.

Sect Leader Jun and Palace Master Xi brought them such intense shock that they simply couldn’t maintain mental stability.

“Step step.”

Shortly after, Li Qingyang, Xiao Zui, and the others ascended past the Shangqian Sect disciples.

They still showed no change in expression, their bodies still only somewhat warm.

The Shangqian Sect disciples’ mouths twitched violently.

Who exactly were these people?

On the verge of reaching the summit, yet still so relaxed and composed!

The originally certain-to-win Shangqian Sect was overtaken one by one by Jun Changxiao and Tiegu Sect disciples, could only continue from their ‘perennial second place’ perspective to witness them reach the summit.

Truly—tragically sorrowful.

“Step.”

At the summit, Jun Changxiao supported Xi Jingxuan, finally setting foot on the smooth stone ground. The slightly cold breeze that greeted them made his mood extremely pleasant.

“Ding! Congratulations Host for completing hidden quest [Coming from Behind], obtaining 500 contribution points.”

“Ding! Contribution points: 5461/5000.”

“Ding! Sect contribution points overflowing…”

Jun Changxiao thought in surprise: “This… also counts as a hidden quest?”

“Sect Leader Jun.”

Xi Jingxuan said: “Have we reached the summit?”

“Yes.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Not only reached the summit, but also in first place.”

“Really?”

Delight bloomed across Xi Jingxuan’s lovely face.

Although she didn’t have intense pursuit of being first to summit, being able to achieve it naturally brought her joy.

Last time, Xi Jingxuan could have ascended first ahead of others, but unfortunately her disciples didn’t measure up.

Now Jun Changxiao could ignore the gravity—never mind supporting her to summit Mount Hua, as long as the stairs had no end, ascending to the ninth heaven would also be possible.

Men and women ultimately have distinctions.

After her happiness passed, Xi Jingxuan realized he was still supporting her, and hastily withdrew her arm, shifting two steps to the side.

Jun Changxiao said: “Palace Master Xi, I only wanted to help you reach Mount Hua’s summit, without any improper thoughts.”

“I… I know.”

Xi Jingxuan said softly, thinking of how she’d been supported by him all the way up, her cheeks immediately flushed red and hot.

Growing up in Miaohua Palace from childhood, when had she ever been in such intimate contact with a man?

“Hah!”

Jun Changxiao spread his arms wide, taking a deep breath, and said: “The air here is fresher than at the mountain’s base.”

Xi Jingxuan said: “I’ve heard the scenery at the summit is most beautiful.”

Jun Changxiao gazed at the distant sea of clouds, involuntarily saying: “Magnificent and enchanting.”

After speaking, he suddenly remembered that no matter how superb the summit scenery was, Xi Jingxuan couldn’t see it.

“Palace Master Xi.”

Afraid she might feel dejected, Jun Changxiao quickly changed the subject: “Up ahead there’s a platform built of stacked stones—is that the venue for the sect martial discourse?”

“Yes.” Xi Jingxuan nodded.

Jun Changxiao said: “Shall I support you over there, or will you walk over yourself?”

Xi Jingxuan said with a red face: “I’ll walk over myself.”

As long as the path wasn’t too rugged, walking over posed no major problem for her.

“Please.”

Jun Changxiao followed behind, afraid she might accidentally trip over a stone.

This wasn’t concern based on romantic feelings between man and woman, but rather that she had an eye condition and was a delicate woman—as a man he naturally should take extra care and responsibility.

Along the way.

Jun Changxiao considered whether to give Xi Jingxuan a mid-grade Healing Pill to try their luck.

Forget it.

If it failed to cure her condition but exposed the existence of pills that rapidly healed injuries, that would be more loss than gain.

Li Qingyang and the others also successively reached the summit. With no interest in viewing scenery, they followed closely behind their Sect Leader.

…

The stone platform was quite large, more like a martial training ground.

When ascending the stairs, Sect Leader Jun was about to go support Xi Jingxuan to walk over.

“Sect Leader.”

Lu Qianqian approached, taking the lead to support Xi Jingxuan, saying coolly: “Such matters should still be left to disciples.”

“Uh… alright then.”

Everyone stood on the mirror-smooth stone platform.

Jun Changxiao looked around and said: “Palace Master Xi, what is the purpose of the sect martial discourse?”

“Nothing much really.”

Xi Jingxuan said: “Just everyone discussing martial studies together.”

As expected.

This wasn’t martial discourse at Mount Hua at all—this was bragging at Mount Hua.

…

“Huff huff!”

About half an hour later, the Shangqian Sect Master and his disciples struggled to reach Mount Hua’s summit. Seeing Jun Changxiao and the others already standing on the stone platform, tears flowed unstoppably in his heart.

Subsequently.

More sects arrived as well.

That originally spacious stone platform now gathered two to three hundred martial cultivators.

In the past they would have already started exchanging privately, but now everyone stared at Jun Changxiao, Li Qingyang, and the others.

“Palace Master Xi.”

The Shangqian Sect Master rested briefly, then couldn’t help asking: “Who are these divine beings?”

Martial cultivators from various sects pricked up their ears.

They were extremely curious about this group who suddenly emerged, ascending first to the summit—which sect and faction did they come from!

Before Xi Jingxuan could introduce them, Jun Changxiao cupped his fists first: “Sect Leader of Tiegu Zhengzheng Sect, Jun Changxiao.”

Upon these words, the entire venue fell silent.

The leaders of various sects looked at him with eyes full of incredulity.

The Shangqian Sect Master said in surprise: “The very Tiegu Zhengzheng Sect that recently led disciples to eliminate four evil sects and drove back a peak Wuwang from Shishen Hall?”

“Correct.” Jun Changxiao said.

“My respects, my respects.” The Shangqian Sect Master said, his heart collapsing internally.

He had thought those who overtook him would be disciples from major sects—he never imagined it was a seventh-rate sect master.

The faces of sect leaders couldn’t be maintained either.

During this period, they’d heard about Tiegu Sect’s deeds and knew a Wuhuang supported them, but in terms of rank, they were ultimately just a seventh-rate sect.

“Sect Leader Jun.”

A fifth-rate sect master said: “Throughout history, all who participated in the Mount Hua Martial Discourse have been established sect factions. Your Tiegu Sect coming here is rather inappropriate, wouldn’t you say?”

“It seems we need to establish rules strictly prohibiting fifth-rate and below sects from participating in the Mount Hua Martial Discourse.”

“This seat said so long ago, but you all didn’t take it seriously.”

“It’s not that we didn’t take it seriously—we just never imagined there would actually be sect factions presumptuous enough to come join the Mount Hua Martial Discourse for the excitement.”

Everyone spoke one after another, voicing considerable objection to Tiegu Sect’s participation in the Mount Hua Martial Discourse.

This situation, Jun Changxiao had long anticipated.

“Everyone.”

He shook his head, saying unhurriedly: “You’ve misunderstood.”

Misunderstood?

Jun Changxiao immediately continued: “This seat came to Mount Hua today not to participate in this kind of nutritionless garbage discourse, but to bring disciples to view the scenery.”