The two Martial Kings who attacked from the shadows were similar in age—both around thirty—with similar appearances. They should be blood brothers.
Their desire to join Tiegu Sect left Jun Changxiao completely bewildered.
Just going out on an errand, and two Martial Kings wanted to join—this seemed too fantastical.
Or perhaps he’d already reached the level where a mighty imposing presence caused experts from all directions to eagerly become his subordinates?
Under normal circumstances.
Sect Leader Jun would definitely suspect whether these two were undercover agents.
But joining Tiegu Sect meant being subject to restrictions. If they dared come to steal intelligence or harbored treasonous thoughts, he could directly erase their memories, so he wasn’t worried at all.
Sect Leader Jun said: “You two are Martial Kings and should have considerable renown in the martial world, yes?”
The older black-robed man cupped his fists: “I’m called Ning Duxing. My brother is called Ning Duzui. Due to fortunate circumstances, we broke through to Martial King, but we have no fame in the martial world.”
Ning Duxing.
Ning Duzui.
Everyone drunk while I alone am sober? Everyone sober while I alone am drunk?
These names were truly unique.
Ning Duxing said: “We two brothers heard that Sect Leader Jun dared to resist Zhenyang Commandery—a man who stands upright between heaven and earth. Therefore, we’ve come to seek refuge. Please take us in!”
“I see.” Jun Changxiao understood.
But if you came seeking refuge, did you really need to ambush from the shadows?
Actually, these two brothers simply wanted to test him. Though their spiritual energy eruption was strong, it carried no killing intent.
“Seeing as your names are acceptable, this seat approves your joining Tiegu Clanging Sect.”
Jun Changxiao took out the enrollment form he carried with him.
Tiegu Sect urgently needed talented martial cultivators. Since two Martial Kings came seeking refuge, he naturally welcomed them warmly.
Seeing as his own name?
Ning Duxing and Ning Duzui looked at each other, their facial expressions somewhat amusing.
“Ding! Sect members: 5002/10000.”
“Ding! Sect contribution value: 5002/10000.”
After accepting them, Jun Changxiao said: “Come. Follow this seat back to Tiegu Clanging Sect.”
“Yes!”
The Ning brothers cupped their fists.
From their tone, they’d clearly already entered the role of Tiegu Sect disciples.
This couldn’t help but make Sect Leader Jun secretly wonder—were they truly sincere in coming to join him?
Elder brother Ning Duxing had a relatively cheerful personality and was good at conversation. Younger brother Ning Duzui was rather cold, having said only one word—”yes”—from start to finish.
“What realm are you at?”
On the road, Jun Changxiao inquired.
“Reporting to Sect Leader.”
Ning Duxing said: “We two are both currently fifth-grade Martial Kings.”
Tsk tsk.
Two unaffiliated wandering cultivators who could achieve Martial King and break through to fifth grade must have had extraordinary fortuitous encounters.
Speaking of fortuitous encounters, Sect Leader Jun thought of Ren Shan, that lucky charm.
Could it be that taking him into Tiegu Sect brought good fortune, causing even Martial Kings to seek refuge?
…
“Sect Leader.”
In the great hall, Li Qingyang transmitted in surprise: “These two Martial Kings… you really picked them up on the road?”
“Yes.” Jun Changxiao replied.
“…”
Li Qingyang’s mouth twitched.
The sect leader went to Huyang City once and came back with two Martial Kings—truly unbelievable!
Jiang Xie transmitted: “Sect Leader, I’ve heard of these two. They seem to be from Southeast Shizhou, wandering the martial world for years. They’re called the Ning Twin Thieves.”
Jun Changxiao asked in surprise: “They’re bandits?”
Jiang Xie said: “They specialize in robbing the rich to help the poor, so they’re called thieves. Later, they offended too many people and couldn’t continue in Southeast Shizhou, so they began wandering everywhere. The common people call them the Ning Twin Heroes.”
The Martial King circle was only so large.
Anyone with some fame, their peers would definitely know about them.
“I see.” Jun Changxiao understood.
At this moment, he finally understood why the brothers came seeking refuge.
Why?
Because he’d defended Qingyang City and protected countless common people.
Since these two were righteous warriors who helped those in distress, they were naturally moved by his actions and willing to humble themselves to become Tiegu Sect disciples.
“Sigh.”
Jun Changxiao thought privately: “If there were more such righteous warriors in the world, why would this seat worry about recruiting talented people?”
“You’re overthinking.”
The system said: “In the martial-supremacy world of Xingyun Continent, such people are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.”
Jun Changxiao ignored it, instead instructing: “Qingyang, you’re responsible for arranging these two.”
“Yes.”
Li Qingyang led the Ning brothers to the inner courtyard and informed them of all sect matters.
“Martial Kings?”
“Our Tiegu Sect is getting more and more impressive! Even such strong people are willing to join!”
“We can’t embarrass the sect leader either. We need to work harder at cultivation!”
Tiegu Sect disciples came upon hearing the news, all whispering quietly.
Previously, with their ordinary backgrounds, when had they ever imagined that one day they’d be in the same sect as Martial King powerhouses and have such close contact?
…
Medicine Garden.
With Elder Wei’s expansion, it had already reached a thousand-acre scale.
Jun Changxiao came and looked at the dense spiritual energy gathering above, his eyes filled with pride.
This Tiegu Mountain, originally a place where birds wouldn’t even defecate, under his management had undergone earth-shaking changes—absolutely full of achievement!
“Just wait.”
Sect Leader Jun secretly vowed: “I will develop this obscure mountain into a martial dao holy land where everyone from all directions comes to pay respects!”
The system said: “This goal is as difficult as making the sect the strongest on Xingyun Continent.”
“Difficult makes it challenging!” Jun Changxiao replied.
Isn’t it just hell-mode difficulty from the start?
Since I’ve already shouldered this fate, I absolutely won’t give up, won’t yield!
“Elder Wei.”
Jun Changxiao said: “I have some higher-level seeds here. Set aside a patch of medicinal field and plant them.”
“Mm.”
Elder Wei received the seeds and examined them carefully.
“How long until they mature?” Jun Changxiao asked.
Elder Wei said: “One month.”
One month?
Not too long—completely acceptable to wait.
Elder Wei didn’t directly plant the seeds in the medicinal field but first placed them in the seed nurturing pool for cultivation.
Jun Changxiao returned to the courtyard.
At this time, a “ding” notification sounded in his ear.
Ai Shangni had given him many ready-made medicinal materials for refining middle-grade Spirit Gathering Pills, so on the road back to the sect, he’d already started refining.
In the study.
Little Dragon was still sleeping, showing no signs of waking.
Jun Changxiao sat down, took out the newly refined middle-grade Spirit Gathering Pills from his spatial ring, and his spiritual sense enveloped them as he murmured: “So much spiritual energy.”
The medicinal materials Ai Shangni gave were all ordinary quality. The pills refined were also very ordinary, only increasing spiritual power absorption speed by 30 times.
“Let the inner sect disciples take these pills first.” The next day, Jun Changxiao willed it, inputting all several hundred refined middle-grade Spirit Gathering Pills into the pill dispenser.
Training grounds.
The dynamic melody of the divine tune played.
Jun Changxiao led the disciples in dance. The Ning brothers, who’d just joined Tiegu Sect, felt utterly mortified. After finishing the dance, they wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
No choice.
Morning exercise dancing was a major feature of Tiegu Sect. Even Martial Kings couldn’t be exempt.