Last time during the Yunling Mountain Range incident, he’d sent Purple Scale Demon King over, and the guy nearly bungled things. So this time Jun Changxiao decided to personally make an appearance.

Acting.

He was a professional.

After receiving the intelligence, Su Xiaomo immediately relaxed.

Previously that group of incompetent teammates had nearly made it impossible for her to keep up the act. Now that the sect master was personally taking action, there’d definitely be no problems—she might even learn a trick or two.

“Gousheng, what are you thinking about?” Sun Yingquan asked.

“Uh,” Su Xiaomo scratched her head. “Thinking about tomorrow’s trip to Jinlin Mountain to hunt spirit beasts.”

Sun Yingquan laughed. “This is a major operation, so naturally you’re nervous and anxious. But rest assured, with four elders accompanying us, nothing will go wrong.”

“Mm.” Su Xiaomo nodded.

Thinking inwardly: If nothing goes wrong, how will I climb higher?

“Come on, let’s go to the cafeteria.”

“Okay.”

The two arrived at the cafeteria and saw that at their usual spot, Xia Shuiyun had already gotten her meal and was eating with her head down.

“Damn!” Sun Yingquan said, “This woman took my seat again!”

He pushed Su Xiaomo forward. “Your chance has come. Be more proactive. I’ll go get your food for you.”

Among the outer disciples, rumors about the two had become increasingly widespread. He’d naturally heard them, and whenever there was an opportunity he’d try to bring them together, even once saying: “Gousheng, if you can melt this iceberg, I’ll call you big brother from now on.”

“Uh…” Su Xiaomo awkwardly walked over.

“Though we have elders protecting us tomorrow at Jinlin Mountain, we ourselves must also be careful not to become a burden,” Xia Shuiyun said coolly.

“Mm.” Su Xiaomo responded.

Before long, Sun Yingquan brought the food over.

Though they sat very close, throughout the entire meal they didn’t speak.

“This guy…” Sun Yingquan thought helplessly, “Can’t he be a bit more proactive?”

Su Xiaomo also wanted to be proactive, but facing a girl with such a cold personality, the more proactive one was, the more it made her wary, so he could only deliberately maintain distance.

“Xiao Mo, from what you’ve described, I’ve roughly deduced that this is a girl who’s cold on the outside but warm on the inside. To make her develop a good impression of you, you must follow these three points…” To prevent single dogs from overhearing and learning, Elder Wei’s emotional guidance was automatically encrypted.

“Senior sister,” Su Xiaomo said, “I’m going to cultivate.”

Xia Shuiyun watched him leave without saying anything.

After leaving the cafeteria, Su Xiaomo entered the spiritual energy formation, then selected a cultivation room and began extracting natural spirit stones to absorb.

Though his realm had gradually pulled away from Li Qingyang and the others, fortunately the sect master had given him abundant martial resources, allowing him to improve qualitatively in a short time.

“Still far from breaking through to peak Martial King.” After absorbing over ten spirit stones, Su Xiaomo came out, thinking: “If I could enter the inner sect, there should be better martial resources.”

The Taixuan Sacred Sect didn’t have the Eternal Sect’s monstrous abilities to let disciples achieve rapid realm advancement, but its inner sect resources were still incomparable to other sects.

However, to obtain these resources, one had to become an inner sect disciple.

“I hope this trip to Jinlin Mountain can help me climb another level in the Taixuan Sacred Sect. It would be even better if I could mix into the inner sect,” Su Xiaomo thought.

…

Eternal Sect, study.

Li Qingyang came to routinely report yesterday’s construction progress, but upon entering, he saw an old man wearing a long robe and coat with silver hair, standing with his hands behind his back at the window. He immediately asked warily: “Who are you!”

“Juntian Elder.” The old man turned around, his face kind and benevolent.

Correct.

This old man who appeared to be in his seventies or eighties was Jun Changxiao, disguised using a magic modification face mask.

“How is it?” Jun Changxiao’s voice aged.

Li Qingyang’s mouth twitched. “If the sect master hadn’t just used your original voice, this disciple truly couldn’t tell.”

“Ha ha ha!” Jun Changxiao stroked his beard and laughed.

His demeanor and manner were completely that of an aged elder.

As an actor, he naturally had to become whatever he played.

If asked to be an NBA ambassador right now, he’d absolutely max out his basketball skills and perform an impromptu song and dance on the spot.

“Hello everyone, I’m Jun Changxiao, a trainee who’s been transmigrated for five and a half years. I like singing, dancing, showing off, and bragging. Music…”

“Qingyang.”

“This seat is going out for a trip. Sect affairs will be left to you to handle for now.”

Jun Changxiao’s tone and manner remained aged, clearly having fully entered the role.

At this moment, he was no longer the Eternal Sect master, no longer Jun Gousheng, but an elder who’d spent time living a carefree life—Juntian Elder.

“Yes!” Li Qingyang said.

That day, Jun Changxiao waved his long sleeves and, like a hidden expert, flew away from the Eternal Sect. He didn’t go alone—he brought Baiqu Great King.

He’d originally planned to bring Purple Scale Demon King, but that guy’s acting was terrible, so it was more reliable to bring his own contract beast.

At the same time, in the distant Taixuan Sacred Sect, Su Xiaomo had already followed several elders toward Jinlin Mountain.

The two Gousheng were about to converge—let us wait and see.

…

Jinlin Mountain.

A famous mountain in the Xingyun Continent.

Inside the mountain were many fierce beasts, as well as many spirit beasts—truly a prime choice for going out to court death.

After traveling for several days.

Su Xiaomo followed four elders and stopped at the mountain’s base, among them Xia Shuiyun and Sun Yingquan.

Bringing outer disciples on this kind of high-level spirit beast hunt, they naturally weren’t expected to help—mainly to experience a grand spectacle.

“Gousheng, I’m a bit nervous.”

Just stopping at the mountain’s base, feeling the violent aura pressing down, Sun Yingquan’s eyes showed some fear.

Su Xiaomo said, “It’s fine, we have four elders with us.”

Seeing this person’s expression unchanged, the elders’ eyes showed appreciation.

Previously in the Yunling Mountain Range, he’d already proven his great courage, and his aptitude wasn’t bad either. If properly cultivated, he’d definitely be a promising talent.

“You several listen well,” one elder said. “After entering the mountain, you must closely follow behind us. Don’t leave on your own initiative, and don’t attack on your own initiative.”

“Yes!” Su Xiaomo and the others responded in unison.

“Let’s go.”

Two elders led the way, two elders brought up the rear, with the six outer disciples walking in the middle. They then climbed the stairs up the mountain.

“Roar! Roar!”

Reaching halfway up the mountain, they faintly heard fierce beast roars.

“That’s definitely a spirit beast!”

Among the six outer disciples, aside from Su Xiaomo and Xia Shuiyun who could remain calm, the other four were all apprehensive, their palms even sweating.

“Roar!”

Just then, several fierce beasts with agile movements leaped out from both sides. From their emanating auras, they’d clearly reached King level.

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

Two elders burst forth with their auras, condensing various palm prints to dispatch the attacking fierce beasts.

The sudden situation was quickly resolved, but several outer disciples were already trembling in fear, clearly frightened.

Even Xia Shuiyun, when the several spirit beasts charged out, instinctively retreated two steps.

Among this group of outer disciples, only Su Xiaomo stood in place. Even when the elders had completely dealt with all the attacking spirit beasts, his brow hadn’t furrowed once.

“Not bad.”

The four elders were even more satisfied.

This kind of composure, remaining unmoved when Mount Tai collapses before you—such a person would definitely accomplish great things in the future.

“Continue.”

Everyone continued up the path.

After climbing several hundred more steps, they reached the summit.

The summit of Jinlin Mountain still had dense forests, with not only fierce beasts but also flying birds.

“Whoosh!”

A cold wind blew, carrying a chilling malevolence.

“Roar!”

Suddenly, a tiger’s roar rang out!

A tiger beast covered in purple electrical arcs flew past from a distance, leaving faint lightning-element attributes in midair.

“Purple Lightning Spirit Tiger!”

The four elders’ eyes immediately blazed with fervor.

The Purple Lightning Spirit Tiger was an extremely rare thunder-element fierce beast in the Xingyun Continent. If they could subdue it, that would be absolutely amazing!

“Chase!”

“Don’t let it escape!”

“Whoosh!”

“Whoosh!”

“Whoosh!”

In an instant, three elders rapidly pursued in the direction the Purple Lightning Spirit Tiger had disappeared, while one elder remained behind to protect the outer disciples.

“Purple Lightning cub!”

Su Xiaomo thought inwardly: “The sect master has arrived!”

“Roar! Roar!”

Just then, angry roars suddenly came from the mountain forest, and the mountain itself trembled!

Swish swish swish!

Moments later, fierce beasts with massive builds emerged—among them a peak Emperor level spirit beast with golden fur!

“Not good!”

The elder protecting the outer disciples’ face changed dramatically.

The golden spirit beast was precisely their target for this hunt, but they hadn’t yet reached its territory—how had it suddenly charged in with so many helpers?

…

Rewinding to an hour earlier.

“Aooo—”

Deep in Jinlin Mountain, the Jinlin spirit beast lay in pain. Baiqu Great King stood on top of its head, eyes full of ferocity.

“Little one,” the silver-haired elder transformed from Jun Changxiao sat in the distance. “Want to become a contract beast?”

“Yes yes! I’ll be a contract beast!” the Jinlin spirit beast said fearfully.

Never mind that this human emanated a very strong aura—just Baiqu Great King, who’d subdued him with one move, made him realize this was definitely a peer far above his own strength!

“Relax your mind.”

Jun Changxiao walked over, placed one hand on the Jinlin spirit beast’s forehead, then began soul communication, establishing a master-servant contract in an extremely short time.

If he’d come alone, he might not easily subdue a spirit beast comparable to peak Emperor level, but with Baiqu Great King along, things became simple.

“Soon, Taixuan Sacred Sect experts will come to kill you. When they arrive, follow all my commands,” Jun Changxiao said.

“Taixuan Sacred Sect?”

The Jinlin spirit beast’s eyes immediately blazed with fury.

These humans’ established sect came to Jinlin Mountain to cause trouble every year, completely disregarding him as the mountain’s lord.

“Master!”

It said earnestly: “I’ll listen to you!”

Before long.

The Taixuan Sacred Sect people arrived.

After they came up the mountain, Jun Changxiao summoned the Purple Lightning cub and deliberately lured several elders away, then ordered the Jinlin spirit beast to mobilize its mountain subordinates to attack Su Xiaomo and the others.

“Baiqu.”

“Go meet those three elders.”

“Yes.”

“Remember, don’t kill them. Just create some trouble.”

“Yes!”

Baiqu Great King immediately dove into the mountain forest.

“Strange, where did it go?”

“The Purple Lightning spirit beast shouldn’t run that fast!”

The three Taixuan Sacred Sect elders searched deep in the mountain forest for quite a while but never found the Purple Lightning cub, because it had long since entered the Sect Master’s Ball.

“You three.”

Suddenly, a hunchbacked old man emerged from the dark mountain forest, laughing sinisterly: “What are you looking for?”

The three Taixuan Sacred Sect elders made eye contact with him and instantly determined this wasn’t human but a spirit beast that had reached human transformation. They immediately became vigilant!

“Heh heh heh.”

Baiqu Great King cackled. “Jinlin Mountain is where my kind live. Since you’ve trespassed, don’t expect to leave alive!”

“Whoosh!”

As his words fell, violent malevolent energy burst from his body, then rapidly closed on one Taixuan Sacred Sect elder!

“Boom!”

Because the speed was extremely fast and the strength extremely great, the opponent could only arduously assume a defensive posture before being sent flying by a punch.

The other two elders witnessed this, thinking: “This beast’s strength is probably no weaker than a Half-Saint!”

Baiqu Great King turned around, two streams of sinister malevolent energy forming into fist strikes that bombarded them.

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

The other two elders couldn’t dodge at all and were directly sent flying.

With Baiqu Great King’s strength, he could absolutely easily handle three peak Martial Emperors, but the master had given orders, so his strikes were measured—only sending them flying.

“Retreat!”

One elder who’d steadied himself shouted gravely.

This beast’s formidable strength had made them realize the severity of the situation. They hastily deployed movement techniques to retreat, but were intercepted by Baiqu Great King and subjected to frenzied attacks.

Boom!

Boom!

In an instant, the three elders were beaten wretchedly, forced into continuous retreat.

Of course, what they couldn’t understand was how there could be a spirit beast comparable to a Half-Saint in Jinlin Mountain. Could it be related to Purple Scale Demon King breaking the seal, as everyone had discussed?

“Boom!”

Baiqu Great King attacked again!

Unable to withstand it, the three elders staggered back, then coughed up blood.

The current situation was: they couldn’t win fighting, couldn’t escape fleeing—they could only be frantically tormented.

“Die!”

Baiqu Great King spread his withered ten fingers, instantly forming ten dark finger beams that tore through space!

“It’s over!”

The three Taixuan Sacred Sect elders’ eyes filled with despair.

“Swish!”

Just as the explosive finger beams tore through space toward them, a stream of light flew from the distance. An incomparably thick defensive energy wall instantly condensed before them, protecting them all within.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

After a series of clashes, the ten-finger energy dissipated.

The three Taixuan Sacred Sect elders who’d thought themselves certain to die all stood frozen in place, because a silver-haired old man with an immortal bearing had appeared before them out of nowhere.

This… was what divine being?

“Old codger!”

Baiqu Great King roared, “It’s you again!”

The emotions on his face were very full and very appropriate—his acting was definitely on point.

“You three,” the silver-haired elder said, “Are you alright?”

“We’re… we’re fine…” One elder calmed down and cupped his hands: “Many thanks to Your Excellency for saving us!”

The silver-haired elder looked toward Baiqu Great King and said: “Scram.”

“Whoosh!”

As his words fell, a mighty aura instantly burst forth, containing both martial dao and sword dao—truly overwhelming yet sharp as a blade!

The three Taixuan Sacred Sect elders behind him were immediately blown by the sword-martial momentum until their black hair flew wildly and they couldn’t even open their eyes.

My heavens!

This person cultivated both sword and martial arts!

From the bursting aura, he’d definitely reached Half-Saint level!

An expert!

An absolute expert!

In the Xingyun Continent, Martial Saint level might be commonly seen, but experts who’d reached Half-Saint level in both sword and martial aspects were absolutely rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns!

Baiqu Great King forcibly endured his master’s wildly explosive sword-martial auras, his face showing slight ferocity as he retreated step by step, finally pretending to be frightened and hastily turning to flee.

“Swish!”

Jun Changxiao retracted his aura. “You’re safe now.”

“Many thanks to Senior for saving us!”

The three Taixuan Sacred Sect elders hastily cupped their hands.

Initially they’d called him “Your Excellency,” but realizing he was a Half-Saint who cultivated both sword and martial arts, their attitude immediately underwent a huge change.

Jun Changxiao said, “Your companions who came up the mountain with you, along with several young people, are being attacked by a beast horde. Why haven’t you gone to support them?”

“What?”

The three’s faces changed. They released their spiritual sense.

Sure enough, their own sect’s elder was battling the Jinlin spirit beast outside the forest, and several outer disciples were already surrounded by the fierce beast horde—the situation was critical!

“Alas.”

Jun Changxiao shook his head. “You three are also injured. You may not be a match for that vile beast. This old man will see the good deed through to the end.”

“Whoosh!”

As his words fell, he vanished from his original position.

The three elders looked at each other, then hastily suppressed their injuries and flew over.

When they arrived at the area where they’d just reached the summit, the fierce beast horde was gone, the Jinlin spirit beast had fled, and that elder stood dumbfounded staring at the silver-haired elder who’d suddenly appeared and frightened away the beast horde.

“Whew!”

The three immediately breathed long sighs of relief.

Though unexpected major changes had occurred in a short time, fortunately there were no casualties.

“Thump!”

Suddenly, Su Xiaomo in the distance fell to her knees, her body and hands trembling slightly—looking as if frightened.

The four elders frowned.

Hadn’t this person’s composure been very strong? How could experiencing this spectacle frighten him until his legs went soft and he knelt?

“Gousheng!”

Sun Yingquan said in a low voice, “Quickly stand up!”

Xia Shuiyun’s bright eyes showed some confusion, along with a trace of disappointment.

Su Xiaomo completely ignored her fellow disciples and elders, rushing toward the kind and benevolent silver-haired elder. With tears streaming down her face, she kowtowed and loudly called out: “Master!”