Reveal his true colors? Not happening.

Even without reading the original Journey to the West novel, Jun Changxiao, who had watched the TV series countless times, could recite the entire story backward and forward.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he declared: “The first Sect Master of my Tiegu Sect absorbed the essence of heaven, earth, sun, and moon, gestated through endless ages, broke free from a divine stone, and studied under Patriarch Bodhi of the Square Inch Mountain of Lingtai!”

The Cangshan Sect elder roared in fury: “Humans are creatures of flesh and blood—how could anyone emerge from a stone? You insolent brat, stop spouting such nonsense and misleading the masses!”

“Old fool.”

Jun Changxiao said disdainfully: “You know absolutely nothing about the myriad transformations of living beings.”

“You… you…”

The Cangshan Sect elder’s face flushed red with rage.

Jun Changxiao said calmly: “I’ve answered all your questions. If you’re not satisfied or want to hear more, feel free to keep asking.”

How could the Cangshan Sect elder swallow this insult? He was about to continue his interrogation when Li Qingyang spoke first: “I never imagined the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect had such an ancient and illustrious background.”

The crowd nearly collapsed in unison.

Did this Li Family direct descendant actually believe it?

“However…”

Li Qingyang paused, then continued: “What you’ve described is merely the former glory of the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect. What advantages does it have now? What strengths?”

Exactly, exactly!

Even if he wasn’t lying, even if the Tiegu Sect once had profound foundations, it’s nothing more than a ninth-rate sect now!

“Ah.”

Jun Changxiao sighed and said: “Nothing in this world is eternal. Even the mightiest sects have their day of decline. Our Tiegu Zengzheng Sect could not escape this fate and ultimately fell to its current state.”

Fallen my ass.

Your Tiegu Sect was never strong to begin with!

“Young Master Li.”

Jun Changxiao looked over, his words laden with meaning: “But my sect is, after all, an ancient sect. Even having fallen from the divine altar, we still retain our foundations. For example, the pill you consumed earlier is the best proof of this.”

Pill?

The crowd looked utterly confused.

Li Qingyang fell silent.

At the time, though he appeared unconscious from his severe injuries, he actually retained some awareness. He vaguely remembered consuming a pill, after which his injuries healed.

When Jun Changxiao had been telling stories earlier, he’d merely listened as entertainment. But the mention of the pill, from which he had indeed benefited, forced him to consider that the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect might truly be extraordinary.

Jun Changxiao continued: “This seat seeks to restore our sect to its former glory and requires the assistance of a genius like yourself.”

He glanced at the martial artists from various sects who had tried to recruit Li Qingyang earlier, then said: “The conditions they offered you, this seat cannot match. However, if you wish to become a Martial Emperor, then join the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect.”

Become a Martial Emperor?

This guy really dares say anything!

Martial Emperor.

The strongest realm in the Xingyun Continent, divine beings worshipped in the hearts of all people.

For Jun Changxiao, who was only at Meridian Opening Stage Five, to claim he could help someone reach such a realm—the boast was extraordinarily outrageous!

“Very well.”

Li Qingyang replied readily: “I’ll join the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect.”

Those simple words rang out across the martial arena. The expressions of martial artists from various sects instantly froze, as if they had transformed into wooden statues.

“Ding!”

“Congratulations to the host for completing the side quest and earning 5 contribution points!”

“Ding!”

“Sect Contribution Points: 19/100.”

Hearing the notifications in his ear, Jun Changxiao thought in bewilderment: “Just like that? I actually managed to trick the number one genius of Qingyang City?”

“Qianqian!”

After a moment of stunned silence, Sect Master Jun called out loudly: “Bring the enrollment form.”

Lu Qianqian placed the form on the table.

“Swoosh!”

Jun Changxiao sat down gracefully and picked up his brush: “Name.”

“Li Qingyang.”

“Gender.”

“…Male.”

“Age.”

“Sixteen years old.”

“Aptitude.”

“Superior-grade Spiritual Root.”

“Realm.”

“Meridian Opening Stage Ten.”

Jun Changxiao nearly lost his balance and fell from his chair.

He himself, the sect master, was only at Meridian Opening Stage Five, yet the second disciple he recruited had already reached Meridian Opening Stage Ten!

Truly worthy of being Qingyang City’s number one genius—absolutely formidable.

Jun Changxiao retrieved the sect master’s seal from his spatial ring, breathed on it, and stamped it on the enrollment form: “From this day forward, you are a disciple of my Tiegu Zengzheng Sect.”

“Disciple Li Qingyang.”

Li Qingyang cupped his fists and said respectfully: “Pays respects to the Sect Master!”

“Ding!”

“Sect Members: 3/100!”

“Ding!”

“Sect Contribution Points: 20/100.”

Seeing the member count increase and contribution points rise again, Jun Changxiao suddenly found the system notifications absolutely delightful!

…

No one could have imagined that Li Qingyang, who had rejected fifth-rate sects, would choose to join the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect, much less that the enrollment process would be completed so swiftly!

The Changdao Sect steward collapsed to the ground, muttering foolishly: “Impossible… impossible… this must be a dream!”

The Tiegu Sect, which he had always looked down upon and scorned, had actually recruited Qingyang City’s number one genius!

Reality was too cruel for him to accept.

The Huxiao Sect disciples were also dumbfounded.

To be precise.

After Li Qingyang joined the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect, everyone in the martial arena was stunned, all feeling as if they were dreaming—a ridiculously absurd dream!

“Young Master Li.”

The Cangshan Sect elder said in a heavy tone: “You possess a Superior-grade Spiritual Root with limitless future achievements. Joining the unranked Tiegu Sect is destroying your own prospects!”

“Old fool.”

Jun Changxiao’s expression turned cold: “Though my Tiegu Zengzheng Sect is currently unranked, it’s only temporary. This seat declares here and now—within a few years, we will definitely surpass your Cangshan Sect!”

His voice rang out powerful and resonant, magnificent as mountains and rivers!

This was serious—unprecedented seriousness—because as the master of a sect, he deeply despised anyone who scorned and mocked his sect.

He must grow stronger, must use actions to slap their faces hard!

“Surpass my Cangshan Sect?”

The Cangshan Sect elder sneered: “Do you truly believe that with just a loose tongue, you can make your sect powerful?”

Just talking.

Definitely impossible.

Jun Changxiao dared to be so confident because he had the system, contribution points, and the sect store!

You martial artists of Xingyun Continent rely on accumulated time and spiritual energy of heaven and earth to cultivate, but this seat will use contribution points and various treasures to surpass and crush you step by step!

“Old fool.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Just wait for the day when my Tiegu Sect achieves fame, shaking the entire continent.”

The Cangshan Sect elder snorted coldly: “Fine, this old one will wait for that day when the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect achieves fame!”

With that, he flicked his sleeves and departed.

With the best genius snatched away, there was no point in remaining. He ordered his disciples to take down their banner and prepared to return to the Cangshan Sect.

“Elder Ma!”

However, just as they were about to leave, a middle-aged man in fine robes hurried into the martial arena: “Please wait!”

“It’s Family Head Li!”

The crowd recognized the newcomer as the Li Family head—Li Qingyang’s father.

Family Head Li, accompanied by several servants, hurried forward and cupped his fists courteously: “Elder Ma, my son Qingyang is young and doesn’t understand matters. This Li accepts your sect’s sincere invitation on his behalf.”

“Family Head Li.”

The Cangshan Sect elder said irritably: “Your son has already joined another sect.”

“What?”

Family Head Li froze, then looked toward Li Qingyang in the distance, his expression darkening: “You brat, how could you make such a decision without waiting for your father…”

His voice cut off abruptly. From the corner of his eye, he spotted the banner reading ‘Tiegu Zengzheng Sect’ hanging above his son’s head. In that instant, a powerful sense of foreboding rose in Family Head Li’s heart: “Qingyang, which sect did you join?”

Li Qingyang answered calmly: “The Tiegu Zengzheng Sect.”

—