Half a month later, the Space-Time Secret Realm’s cooldown finished, and Jun Changxiao entered without hesitation.
Because the side effects from using the Seal-Opening Talisman and Qiankun Talisman would last a very long time, he devoted his recuperation period to the Heavenly Balance Soul Refinement Formula.
Although he had comprehended this soul cultivation method through the Insight Talisman, there was still a long road to truly reaching mastery.
While the sect master entered the secret realm to recuperate, the disciples also worked even harder at cultivation.
The high-level spirit stones Jun Changxiao extorted from the Plane Battlefield had already been distributed by Young Master Yuan, so their cultivation resources were now extremely abundant.
Eternal Sect disciples were a hundred times happier than any warrior on Xingyun Continent. After all, the latter were still using artificial spirit stones and crying tears of joy over breaking through a minor realm, while they not only used spirit stones from higher planes but also advanced at godly speed.
The question arose: when could they rise to second-rate sect status?
Actually, with such rapid development during this period, their realms had long met the standard—promotion to a higher level was just a matter of going through procedures.
Elder Zhou and Elder Zhen from the Certification Hall were getting anxious.
According to past patterns, the Eternal Sect should have notified them for certification by now, but there still wasn’t any movement—completely against the norm, completely… they really missed the delicacies Miss Liu made.
…
Ten days later.
Jun Changxiao emerged from the secret realm.
“Whoosh! Whoosh!”
With his cultivation restored, he stood at the back mountain, and the dominating aura of a sect master exploded forth—his entire being appeared majestic and imposing.
This was partly due to the ‘Most Shameless’ title’s 20% amplification.
Put simply, whatever charisma Jun Changxiao displayed, the title would amplify that charisma.
Once he became especially serious, the aura of a long-time superior that emanated from him was like a flood that couldn’t be contained.
When being silly, he had no dignity.
When being serious, he was too serious.
This extremely tested a manga artist’s brush skills—any slight mistake could ruin an entire segment.
During the nearly three years of recuperation in the Space-Time Secret Realm, Jun Changxiao not only restored his cultivation but also gained considerable understanding of the Heavenly Balance Soul Refinement Formula.
But that wasn’t the point. The point was that using time acceleration, the side effects from One Punch Must Kill had been counteracted, and his hair had now grown to his waist—dashingly elegant.
That man had returned!
“Swish!”
In the main peak’s great hall, Jun Changxiao sat down dashingly.
This guy’s every movement and gesture truly had the bearing of a great master, the presence of a king!
Li Luoqiu, Jiang Xie, and other sect higher-ups who had been summoned in advance showed surprise in their eyes.
Their normally undignified sect master suddenly becoming serious and emanating an awe-inspiring charisma was really hard to adapt to!
“Elder Ning.”
Jun Changxiao asked, “How many disciples does the sect have now?”
Ning Duxing stood and said, “Reporting to Sect Master, the sect has 68,300 disciples.”
“Until next month’s disciple recruitment, can we reach exactly 70,000?”
“No problem.”
After experiencing the Plane Battlefield and being publicly praised by the altar, the Eternal Sect had already gained recognition across the entire continent, so various kinds of geniuses came to join every month.
Later, when Jun Changxiao went to the Soul Clan Continent, Young Master Yuan and the elders discussed and raised the examination difficulty, so each batch had very few new disciples.
In other words.
If the sect master didn’t care about natural talent and urgently needed to stack numbers, opening the mountain gate next month and lowering requirements slightly, adding over a thousand people would be easy.
“Hall Master Li.”
Jun Changxiao’s five fingers tapped on the armrest as he said, “Notify Curator Yi and have him send someone to certify the sect’s level.”
“Understood.”
Li Luoqiu immediately notified the outer branch to send the message to Tianyu Royal City as quickly as possible.
The anxiously waiting Elder Zhou and Elder Zhen received the news and immediately beamed with joy—after all, they could finally openly go to the Eternal Sect to mooch meals!
“You two stay behind—I’ll personally go.” Curator Yi spoke up.
“Ah?”
Elder Zhou and Elder Zhen were stunned, then slumped powerlessly in their chairs.
…
The next day.
Yi Tianxing traveled to the Eternal Sect.
Learning that the Certification Hall’s curator was personally coming to certify, Jun Changxiao personally went to the mountain gate to greet him.
After some pleasantries, he said, “Curator Yi, let’s begin certification.”
“Sect Master Jun.”
Yi Tianxing said in a low voice, “I came in such a hurry I haven’t eaten yet.”
“…”
Jun Changxiao’s expression froze.
Are you here to personally certify, or personally mooch a meal?!
Also… Tianyu Royal City’s City Lord, Tianyu Academy’s Dean—when Curator Yi mentioned ‘eating,’ where did you two pop out from?!
“We heard Sect Master Jun was certifying as a second-rate sect, which is truly cause for celebration, so we invited ourselves!”
“If Sect Master Jun doesn’t mind, could you add an extra pair of chopsticks?”
“…”
Jun Changxiao’s face collapsed.
However, as a hospitable Shandong person, he naturally provided good hospitality, so he ordered the Provisions Hall to prepare a sumptuous lunch for the three guests.
…
“Sect Master Jun.”
At the meal, Situ Haoyun said, “Do you know why we came?”
Jun Changxiao rolled his eyes dramatically and said, “To mooch meals.”
“No!”
Situ Haoyun put down his chopsticks and wiped the grease from his lips with a napkin, saying solemnly, “Since the Battle of Various Emperors when heaven and earth shattered into four parts, this land named ‘Yang Province’ in the southwest’s most barren region has never produced a second-rate sect!”
“Really?”
Jun Changxiao hadn’t paid attention to this aspect.
Mu Changhong said seriously, “Once your esteemed sect successfully certifies, it will be creating a precedent!”
“Therefore.”
Situ Haoyun continued, “We came here not to mooch meals, but hoping to become witnesses to your esteemed sect creating miracles!”
Jun Changxiao, who already considered himself part of the southwestern Yang Province’s Qingyang Prefecture, felt that sense of pride surge up after hearing the two speak this way.
“You two…”
After brewing sufficient heroic emotions, Jun Changxiao was about to speak when he saw Mu Changhong and Situ Haoyun lower their heads again and wolf down their food.
“Miss Liu’s cooking is truly heavenly delicacies!”
“Sect Master Jun, please have another bowl of rice brought over.”
“…”
Watching a city lord and a dean gorge themselves, Jun Changxiao’s head dropped, his forehead hitting the table as he wailed internally, “You’re clearly here to mooch meals!”
…
After eating and drinking their fill, they entered the certification phase.
The conditions for promotion to second-rate won’t be elaborated on. In summary, when Ding Lao, Gongsun Haohai, Jiang Xie, the Ning brothers, and a group of Martial Saints and Half-Saints all revealed themselves, they completely met the requirements.
“Too terrifying!”
Mu Changhong and Situ Haoyun’s hearts surged with shock.
A sect that developed for less than ten years actually possessed so many Martial Saint and Half-Saint level higher-ups—if they hadn’t been present to witness it personally, they wouldn’t have believed it even if beaten to death!
Yi Tianxing had already mentally prepared himself, since the Eternal Sect’s certifications had always been handled by his establishment, but personally coming and seeing such a lineup still left him deeply shocked.
“Ding! Congratulations to the host for upgrading the sect to second-rate. Reward: 20,000 achievement points, 20,000 contribution points.”
“Ding! Sect Contribution Points: 70000/70000.”
“Ding! Sect Achievement Points: 20010/70000.”
After the notification sounds ended, Jun Changxiao held up the plaque engraved with ‘Second-Rate’ before the camera with a serious expression and said, “From this moment forward, please call this seat’s sect the Eternal Sacred Sect. Thank you.”