Mu Changhong, Yi Tianxing, and the others, having heard the news, naturally entered the Eternal Sect to observe. Upon experiencing the pure heaven and earth elemental attributes inside, along with several magnificent and towering mountain peaks, they were once again deeply shaken.

This sect that had risen from humble beginnings now had transformed mountain ranges, abundant spiritual energy, and already possessed the foundation of a great sect!

“Sect Master Jun,” Situ Haoyun asked in confusion, “Why did the mountain suddenly change?”

Mu Changhong and Yi Tianxing also wore puzzled expressions.

What confused them even more was how could there be such intense spiritual energy attributes within the mountain? Could it be a spiritual energy resurgence? But even a resurgence should have a process and produce celestial phenomena—how could it just suddenly appear out of nowhere!

Strange!

Too strange!

“To be honest,” Jun Changxiao explained, “Tiegu Mountain is the foundation of our Eternal Sect. In ancient times, it was also a blessed paradise, but later gradually declined and was sealed underground. In recent years, I’ve been studying ancient texts, learned the mysteries within, and using divine arts passed down by our predecessors, finally activated it again. When the spiritual energy resurged, the mountain’s geography also returned to its former state.”

Whether they believed it or not, he’d put it out there first.

Though this explanation was quite far-fetched, Mu Changhong and the others truly couldn’t figure out how Tiegu Mountain could suddenly transform so dramatically, so they could only reluctantly accept it.

Fearing they would continue questioning and expose some flaw, Jun Changxiao changed the subject: “You three, would you like to stay for a simple meal?”

“Then we’ll impose upon you,” the three said in unison.

Damn!

Not even a token refusal—are you guys deliberately coming to my sect to mooch food?

Who among them didn’t know that Liu Wanshi was the Food God Competition champion? Since they’d come, they’d naturally eat their fill before leaving.

…

After its transformation, the Eternal Sect had indeed begun accumulating foundation.

Though still weak and unable to compare with top-tier sects, it had officially moved from the initial development stage into the prosperity stage.

Of course.

The cloud seas formed by the spiritual energy resurgence, swirling through the mountains, weren’t enough to fully showcase a sect’s prestige—decorations needed to be continuously added.

“Hall Master Li,” sitting in the Drizzle Hall, Jun Changxiao said, “Order the Procurement Hall members to collect more precious plants and trees outside, then plant them on each mountain peak.”

“Understood.” Li Luoqiu quickly gave the orders.

Large numbers of Procurement Hall members successively went to various cities to purchase all kinds of vegetation.

“The sect protection formation also needs to be expanded.”

Jun Changxiao summoned Zhen Dejun, and the two deliberated, establishing a completely new formation system.

Each mountain peak would have its own independent protection formation, interconnected with the others, able to activate simultaneously or individually.

“Elder Zhen,” Jun Changxiao said, “I’ll leave the sect’s grand formation to you.”

“Yes!”

Zhen Dejun began leading the Formation Hall members in their busy work.

The entire Eternal Sect was bustling with activity—some helping transport construction materials, others helping plant vegetation and trees.

The various hall members weren’t idle either, actively preparing for their upcoming relocation to the mountain peaks.

Especially Elder Wei, who was currently leading Sun Bukong and others at the base of Medicine Peak, selecting locations to determine where the new medicinal gardens would be.

The spiritual energy had previously been deliberately sealed and could only be cultivated in fixed locations, but now that it was fully released and gathered throughout Tiegu Mountain, the selection became much more convenient and the scale much larger.

The War Mount Hall also selected a plot of land near their mountain peak to build a training ground for daily practice.

It could be said.

The Eternal Sect had new changes every day, progressing every day.

When outside martial artists learned that Tiegu Mountain was a place of spiritual energy resurgence and the mountain itself had changed, they all rushed over eagerly to observe.

“Sect Master,” Ning Duxing said, “Recently, the number of visitors to Tiegu Town has surged dramatically.”

“Very normal,” Jun Changxiao wasn’t surprised. “Our Eternal Sect is considered a well-known sect in the Xingyun Continent, so naturally it will attract many people’s attention.”

“Pass down the order,” he paused briefly. “In seven days, the sect will open to the public. Anyone can come in to visit, but they need to pay ten thousand silver taels.”

Ning Duxing was stunned.

This whole charging money for people to come visit thing was quite audacious!

…

“Have you heard? Soon the Eternal Sect will open to the public—for just ten thousand silver taels you can go in and tour freely?”

“Of course I heard! I’ve already prepared the money!”

“The mountain is shrouded in spiritual energy, like a celestial realm. Being able to go in and tour is definitely worth it!”

The martial artists from various provinces and commanderies temporarily residing in Tiegu Town, who could only observe from the mountain’s base, were all moved, completely unconcerned about the ten thousand taels.

Several days later.

At the foot of Tiegu Mountain, several thousand people gathered.

After successively paying their banknotes, they were led into the Eternal Sect by Li Shangtian and other disciples.

“Whoosh!”

“Whoosh whoosh—”

Just entering the outer courtyard, the outer disciples were training in the martial arts field, their auras bursting forth, shocking the visitors until their faces changed dramatically.

“So strong!”

“These disciples are all at high levels!”

Everyone first toured the outer courtyard and great hall, then toured the inner courtyard, and finally visited several mountain peaks under construction, the entire process filled with shock and amazement.

The abundant spiritual energy, magnificent architecture—even some well-traveled martial artists couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly that this Eternal Sect already possessed the style of a first or second-tier sect!

Of course.

Some martial artists came not to admire the Eternal Sect’s magnificence, but to evaluate the sect’s martial cultivation atmosphere and decide that when their children came of age, they would come to participate in the examination regardless of whether they could pass.

Jun Changxiao let them in not to turn the sect into a tourist attraction to make money, but to use the opportunity to do some publicity, letting the world know more about the Eternal Sect, then attract teenagers with extraordinary aptitude to enroll.

The effect was extremely good.

On this month’s fixed disciple recruitment day.

The number of applicants increased significantly compared to before, including many talented young men and women.

Martial Dao, Sword Dao, Formation Dao, Medical and Pharmaceutical Dao—all kinds of talents were present. After passing the examination, they became entry-level disciples of the Eternal Sect.

“Junior brother, are you interested in joining the Medicine Hall?”

“Junior brother, with those long legs of yours, you’re a natural Drizzle Hall member!”

“Junior brother, want to ride fierce beasts across the battlefield? If so, come to our War Mount Hall!”

Initially when new disciples entered, Jun Changxiao would assign them to various halls based on their talents, but it ultimately proved somewhat troublesome, so he ordered the halls to recruit new members themselves.

Therefore, every time the recruitment examination ended, one could always see Sun Bukong, Li Shangtian and others representing their respective halls in the outer courtyard martial arts field, actively enticing new entry-level disciples.

“A scene of thriving prosperity.”

Standing outside the great hall, Jun Changxiao watched the sect’s orderly operations, a smile rising on his face.

“Sect Master,” Li Luoqiu approached. “Xiao Mo just sent word that the Taixuan Sacred Sect is preparing to organize personnel to go to Jinlin Mountain in a few days to hunt a mid-ninth-grade spirit beast.”

“Jinlin Mountain?” Jun Changxiao said, “That’s an even more dangerous place than the Yunling Mountain Range. Does a first-tier sect really love courting death that much?”

It wasn’t that they were courting death—this kind of activity going out to hunt fierce beasts was common not just for top-tier great sects, but even ordinary sects did it frequently.

Unlike your Eternal Sect.

With various secret realms available, disciples could train without leaving home.

Li Luoqiu said, “This hunting operation is organized by the Taixuan Sacred Sect’s Council of Elders. Some outer disciples will go along, and Xiao Mo was also selected.”

“Oh?” Jun Changxiao stroked his chin. “Going to hunt a spirit beast comparable to peak Emperor level, yet bringing outer disciples—are they being sent to their deaths, or is this deliberately valuing them, letting them experience a grand spectacle?”

Li Luoqiu said, “It should be valuing them. After all, not just anyone can follow the elders to hunt high-level spirit beasts.”

“Confirm the number of people going and their overall strength.”

“Four peak Emperor level elders, six outer disciples, including Sun Yingquan and Xia Shuiyun who have good relations with Xiao Mo.”

“This lineup is more than enough to deal with a mid-ninth-grade spirit beast, but if some accident happens, it’ll be troublesome.” Jun Changxiao placed both hands on his forehead and swept his hair back, his voice becoming aged. “At that time, this old man will need to personally appear to save the day!”

Ding!

Your friend Juntian Elder has come online!