The three martial artists seated among the great hall ruins radiated profound auras, giving people an extremely powerful feeling. Even the air became oppressive.

They were the Holy Spring Sect’s Third Elder, Fourth Elder, and Fifth Elder, all at the Wuzong cultivation level.

Deploying three Wuzong-level elders for this challenge match clearly showed they wanted to tell the world that the Lingquan Sect, which had connections with the Holy Spring Sect, wasn’t something that could be destroyed so casually.

To the three men’s right stood a group of martial artists in blue combat attire—they were Holy Spring Sect disciples.

On the left side were many more martial artists: Xie Guangkun, the City Lord of Qingyang City; Qin Haoran, Alliance Leader of the Hundred Sects Alliance; and various sixth-rate sect masters from Qingyang Commandery, among others.

Quite an impressive formation!

No wonder even the Tiger Roar Sect Master had to stand outside.

Xie Guangkun thought to himself: “Sect Master Jun, the Holy Spring Sect sent three elders this time. It appears to be a challenge match, but in reality they’re applying pressure on you. I truly can’t help with this.”

A fifth-rate sect was a colossal entity.

Though he was Qingyang City’s Lord, he was powerless to intervene.

Qin Haoran and the sixth-rate sect masters watched Jun Changxiao approach with mocking gazes.

Young man, facing this formation, can you still be as arrogant as you were at the Star-Moon Tower?

Jun Changxiao led his disciples to stop outside the martial arts arena. The stone slabs ahead were scorched black—wasn’t that because he had set fire to the Lingquan Sect?

The Third Elder seated in the middle chair slowly raised his head and said: “So you’re the Tiegu Sect Master?”

Sharp gaze, voice like a great bell!

Wave after wave of spiritual威 spread outward!

Jun Changxiao straightened his chest, hands behind his back, calm and composed: “That’s correct.”

The disciples standing behind him, except for Lu Qianqian, all held their heads high and chests out, not showing the slightest trace of fear on their faces.

What was the Tiegu Sect’s first principle?

Be people with iron bones, do deeds with iron bones!

Although three Wuzong-level powerhouses stood before them, and the spreading aura made them feel immensely oppressed, those iron bones would not be bent by this!

Xie Guangkun secretly admired them: “The Tiegu Sect with iron bones—truly iron-boned!”

Even Jun Changxiao himself, facing three Wuzong powerhouses, truly understood why the first Sect Master had named it the Iron Bone Sect.

In that moment, the soul of Sect Master Wang—who had been executed for brothel-hopping and failed prison breaks—seemed to appear in the sky above, spreading wide his arms, bestowing an Iron Bone buff that allowed them to remain calm in the face of powerful enemies!

“Hmph.”

Alliance Leader Qin sneered coldly, thinking to himself: “Putting on an act.”

Unlike Xie Guangkun, he believed that Jun Changxiao and the Tiegu Sect disciples appearing so resolute was nothing but an act—they must be extremely afraid and anxious inside.

Acting?

Not at all.

If circumstances allowed, Sect Master Jun would set up a mahjong table and play a few rounds with his disciples.

The Holy Spring Sect’s Third Elder interlaced his ten fingers, barely visible spiritual energy appearing as he said in a deep voice: “You’re the one who destroyed the Lingquan Sect?”

Spiritual威 rippled outward!

If this were an ordinary person, feeling such heavy pressure, they would definitely collapse to the ground in terror!

Jun Changxiao dismissively said coolly: “Stop wasting words. Quickly call out that Grass-Flying fellow and have him fight my disciple.”

You think having a strong aura makes you impressive?

If you’ve got the guts, come kill me!

The Third Elder wouldn’t go kill him, because this was an open and honorable challenge duel. If he disregarded his status and killed him, word would spread and he’d definitely be ridiculed by other sects.

Jun Changxiao had calculated this precisely, which was why he dared to meet his gaze fearlessly.

No matter how impressive you are, aura and glares can’t kill people.

The System said: “If this were a Wudi, a single backward glance with a smile could shatter the host into the void.”

“…”

The corner of Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched.

A Wudi coyly giving him a backward glance with a smile—that image would definitely be new material for nightmares.

Stop wasting words?

Xie Guangkun covered his face, breaking down: “This kid dares to say anything!”

Alliance Leader Qin and the various sect masters smiled even more broadly.

Yes, yes, exactly that arrogant energy—don’t you dare back down, keep it up!

“Tsk tsk.”

The Fifth Elder on the right side grinned: “A ninth-rate sect master, yet quite arrogant. No wonder you dared kill my Holy Spring Sect’s outer disciples.”

The phrase “outer disciples” made Xie Guangkun understand that the Holy Spring Sect’s purpose in coming was to tell the world they weren’t here because the Lingquan Sect was destroyed, but because disciples were killed.

With justified cause, however they dealt with the Tiegu Sect, other sects would have nothing to say.

Jun Changxiao said with some surprise: “The outer disciples you’re referring to—are those the Lingquan Sect’s Sect Master and Elders?”

“Correct,” the Fifth Elder said.

“Tsk tsk tsk.”

Jun Changxiao said: “This Sect Master heard that the Holy Spring Sect was a famous righteous sect. I originally thought that Wei Yixi colluding with bandits and assassins was just a temporary worker situation, but it turns out he really was your sect’s disciple.”

The three elders’ faces darkened.

“Of course.”

Jun Changxiao continued: “If the Holy Spring Sect believes that I, Jun, am slandering you, I can present letters as evidence proving Wei Yixi’s collusion with the bandit Zhou Tianba.”

The three fell silent.

The Fourth Elder, who had remained silent until now, said coolly: “The four Wei Yixi brothers were merely former outer disciples. They were expelled many years ago. Their collusion with bandits was their own affair and has nothing to do with my Holy Spring Sect.”

Even fifth-rate sects need to maintain face.

Jun Changxiao cupped his hands: “Discovering the corrupt nature of those four outer disciples early and expelling them—the Holy Spring Sect truly lives up to its reputation as a righteous sect. I, Jun, admire you, truly admire you!”

“…”

Everyone’s mouths twitched.

Xie Guangkun thought to himself: “This kid’s mouth is truly formidable—no wonder he argued Situ Wang into coughing up blood on the spot.”

Now it was settled. With Wei Yixi labeled as ‘expelled,’ the Holy Spring Sect naturally couldn’t use the excuse of outer disciples being killed to cause trouble as they pleased.

“Sect Master Jun.”

The Third Elder said coolly: “The challenge letter states clearly that my Holy Spring Sect’s inner disciple Mo Shangfei is challenging you, not Tiegu Sect disciples.”

Jun Changxiao shrugged: “This Sect Master is a sect leader. Even if I won against your sect’s disciple, it wouldn’t be glorious. So disciple versus disciple is the fairest approach.”

Qin Haoran cast a contemptuous look his way.

As if you could actually defeat a Holy Spring Sect inner disciple.

The Holy Spring Sect’s three elders exchanged glances, quickly reaching some kind of tacit understanding.

The Third Elder said: “In that case, our sect’s disciple will have the pleasure of experiencing the Tiegu Sect disciples’ brilliant techniques.”

“Shangfei.”

Beckoning with his hand: “Go fight.”

“Yes!”

The disciple named Mo Shangfei stepped forward.

This person was tall and powerfully built, the muscles exposed outside his clothing quite solid. One look showed he was extraordinarily capable.

Jun Changxiao thought to himself: “What’s his cultivation level?”

The System said: “Eighth-rank Wutu, pure physical burst power approximately seventeen thousand jin.”

“That high?”

Jun Changxiao furrowed his brows.

The previous Longblade Gate Master, at ninth-rank Wutu, only had fourteen thousand jin of strength. This Holy Spring Sect disciple was one rank lower yet had three thousand jin more power—clearly indicating very high natural talent!

“Qingyang.”

He said in a low voice: “Your opponent isn’t weak. Be careful.”

“Mm.”

Li Qingyang stepped toward the center of the martial arts arena. Separated from Mo Shangfei by several meters, he cupped his hands: “Tiegu Sect, Li Qingyang.”

The Holy Spring Sect’s Fifth Elder picked at his ear, saying coolly: “Sect Master Jun, the disciple my sect sent out is an eighth-rank Wutu. You’re sending out a fourth-rank Wutu—aren’t you deliberately coming here to be abused?”