Hearing his son say “Tiegu Zengzheng Sect,” Family Head Li was struck as if by lightning, standing rooted to the spot like a wooden statue.

Half a year ago.

When Li Qingyang tested positive for a Superior-grade Spiritual Root, he had been overjoyed beyond measure.

The Li Family had also been in an uproar, viewing him as the family’s pride. They could already envision the clan becoming even more glorious under this young descendant’s leadership.

After the test concluded, Family Head Li provided his son with the finest resources and planned his future. He decided that once the Hundred Sects Recruitment began, he would select a sect with solid foundations and prestige.

Little did he know that today, while he was bathing and changing clothes, Li Qingyang had secretly slipped away. He’d turned the entire estate upside down without finding him.

“That brat.”

“Did he sneak off to meet with that little wench again?!”

Unable to find Li Qingyang, Family Head Li paced back and forth in the great hall, fuming with anger.

Just then, a servant rushed in to report: “Family Head, the young master went ahead to the recruitment venue and was valued by the fifth-rate Cangshan Sect, who wants to accept him as a disciple!”

“What?!”

Family Head Li was overjoyed.

The Cangshan Sect was a top power within Qingyang Commandery, their status no weaker than the City Lord of Qingyang City. For my son to be recruited by such a sect—not only does this bring glory to our ancestors, but he’ll have great prospects ahead!

“However…”

The servant paused, then said weakly: “The young master rejected Elder Ma’s recruitment from the Cangshan Sect.”

“What?!!”

Family Head Li nearly collapsed to the floor.

The same two words, but with a completely different tone—one could clearly hear his mood plummeting from heaven straight down to hell.

“Has that damn brat been kicked in the head by a donkey?! How could he reject the Cangshan Sect’s recruitment!”

“No, this won’t do!”

“This matter concerns his entire life and the Li Family’s future—it can’t be left to his whims!”

Thus, Family Head Li hurriedly rushed to the recruitment venue with his people.

He happened to encounter the Cangshan Sect elder who was preparing to pack up and leave, so he accepted the earlier invitation on Li Qingyang’s behalf.

When he learned from the elder that his son had already joined a sect, Family Head Li instinctively wondered: Could there be an even better sect than the Cangshan Sect?

The result?

That boy had joined the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect!

The Li Family had a modest presence in Qingyang City, roughly equivalent to an eighth-rate sect. For his son to join a ninth-rate sect was something Family Head Li absolutely could not accept!

After a brief moment of stunned silence, he said in a heavy voice: “Qingyang, stop joking with your father.”

“Father.”

Li Qingyang replied: “I’m not joking. I’m now a disciple of the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect.”

These words formed a double critical hit, causing Family Head Li’s body to tremble as he involuntarily staggered back two steps.

“Family Head!”

The servants hurried over to support him.

Family Head Li steadied himself, pointed at Li Qingyang, and said with a trembling voice: “You’ve completely lost face for the Li Family today!”

If his son had joined a sixth-rate sect, he could accept it. But he absolutely could not accept him joining the Tiegu Sect—after all, it was only ninth-rate!

Moreover.

Such a trash sect not only had no prospects but would also make the Li Family a laughingstock!

The martial artists from various sects watching the spectacle began to laugh.

Qingyang City’s number one genius had something wrong with his head, but his father seemed normal enough—at least he knew that joining the Tiegu Sect was embarrassing.

“Young Master!”

A Li Family servant urged: “Stop making the Family Head angry and quickly leave that trash sect!”

“Crack.”

Jun Changxiao clenched his fists lightly.

Even a family servant considered his sect trash—this was truly infuriating!

“Father.”

Li Qingyang said earnestly: “A person must have integrity. Since I’ve joined the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect, I won’t leave.”

“You…”

Family Head Li’s teeth chattered with rage as he said: “Unfilial son!”

The Cangshan Sect elder couldn’t bear to watch any longer and spoke up: “Young Master Li, of all virtues, filial piety is foremost. By defying your father like this, you’re being extremely unfilial.”

Li Qingyang’s face showed conflict and guilt.

“It’s over.”

Jun Changxiao thought to himself: “The duck I had in hand is about to fly away.”

After a moment, Li Qingyang’s gaze became resolute: “Father, I’ve walked the path you laid out for me since childhood. Now that I’m grown, I should have my own choices.”

Family Head Li pointed at the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect’s banner: “Joining a ninth-rate sect—is that your choice?!!”

“Yes.”

Li Qingyang replied seriously.

Family Head Li nearly spat blood in anger. His finger trembled as he raged: “If you don’t withdraw from the Tiegu Sect, you’ll no longer have me as your father!”

“Young Master Li, the Tiegu Sect has no prospects. You should withdraw quickly.”

“So many excellent sects are present—any random one would be stronger than the Tiegu Sect. Don’t be so stubborn.”

“Family Head Li isn’t young anymore. If something happens to his health from this anger, you as his son will regret it for the rest of your life.”

“Young Master Li, please think thrice before acting!”

The martial artists from various sects, delighting in the chaos, all clamored loudly.

They weren’t doing this for Family Head Li—they simply didn’t want to see a trash sect obtain a genius with a Superior-grade Spiritual Root.

“A bunch of idiots.”

Jun Changxiao cursed inwardly.

“Family Head Li.”

He cupped his fists: “Your son’s life should be his own choice. As a father, you should support him, not obstruct him at every turn.”

“Furthermore.”

He paused, then continued: “My Tiegu Zengzheng Sect isn’t as terrible as you imagine. If Young Master Li joins my sect, his future achievements will definitely be nothing but high.”

“Nothing but high?”

Family Head Li suppressed his rage and said coldly: “Does your Tiegu Sect really think it’s something special?”

Jun Changxiao shook his head: “My Tiegu Zengzheng Sect isn’t a scallion—it’s a piece of fine jade waiting to be carved.”

“Bah!”

“A trash sect comparing itself to fine jade—truly shameless!”

“If I had his gift of gab, why would I worry about not being able to trick disciples!”

The martial artists from various sects scoffed disdainfully.

Family Head Li was so angry he could barely contain himself: “My son joined the Tiegu Sect because he was deceived by your honeyed words!”

Jun Changxiao said with a straight face: “This seat, as Sect Master of the Tiegu Zengzheng Sect, has always recruited disciples properly and honorably. I have never stooped to deceiving people.”

Family Head Li said coldly: “With your cultivation level inferior even to my family’s retainers, what face do you have to presumptuously call yourself a sect master?”

Jun Changxiao replied: “Family Head Li, though this seat’s cultivation isn’t high, I can guide Young Master Li and help him become a powerful expert. That is sufficient.”

“Damn!”

“He really can boast!”

“Young Master Li is exceptionally talented—and you want to guide him?”

“If you ask me, Young Master Li could completely become the Tiegu Sect’s master and teach him how to raise his realm instead!”

The crowd’s contempt for Jun Changxiao grew increasingly intense, but they had to admit—having thick skin and the ability to boast was also a kind of talent.

Family Head Li’s rage continued to mount. He wanted nothing more than to point at Jun Changxiao and curse him out, but as a person of status in Qingyang City, he forcibly suppressed the urge.

“Sect Master Jun.”

Just then, the Cangshan Sect elder spoke: “To help disciples become powerful experts, one must first have an extraordinary understanding of the martial path. You’re so confident—surely you must have extensive martial path experience?”

This old man is trying to set a trap for me.

Jun Changxiao could tell that if he answered that he had martial path experience, the elder would definitely make things difficult for him deliberately. If he said he had no experience, Family Head Li would definitely force his son to withdraw from the sect.

Ah, such a dilemma.