Transforming the aptitude of Su Xiaomo and the other two was just the beginning.

Jun Changxiao reserved contribution value for two bottles for Xiao Zuiji and Ye Xingchen, planning to cultivate them immediately upon their return.

As for Li Qingyang and Lu Qianqian, since there was no higher-grade Aptitude Transformation Liquid available, he could only temporarily give them Qi Gathering Pills to help rapidly increase their cultivation.

With over a hundred disciples, it was impossible for Jun Changxiao to spread his favor equally. Yes, spread his favor equally—those with dirty minds should hurry up and face the wall.

Selecting a few main disciples first was also in hopes that one year later at Holy Spring Mountain, they could have stunning performances and loudly announce to the world: My Iron-Boned and Upright Sect is not simple!

Actually, Jun Changxiao could have bought one less bottle.

Because Ye Xingchen, who was cultivating in the wilderness, comprehended the Supreme Mystery Scripture to the second layer. His spiritual root aptitude advanced from low-grade to common-grade.

His realm also broke through in one leap from the ninth stage of Meridian Opening to the twelfth stage, only one step away from Wutu.

“Hahaha.”

Sitting cross-legged in the cave, feeling his aptitude sublimate and the improvements it brought to all aspects of his body, Ye Xingchen laughed unrestrained.

“Tempering and fortifying my physical body, advancing to divine-grade spiritual roots—that will be the day this emperor returns to his peak!”

He clenched both fists, his gaze cold and fierce. “When that time comes, I’ll make it so this heaven can no longer cover my eyes, this earth can no longer bury my heart, and let that so-called Eternal Female Emperor turn to dust!”

“Whoosh whoosh!”

A special aura emanated from his entire body. This was the kingly and domineering aura of a former Martial Emperor!

Unfortunately, his previous life’s soul had been damaged, and after being nurtured in the earth’s core for thousands of years, after breaking through to common-grade spiritual roots, his might only revealed a tiny bit.

Xiao Zuiji, awakened by the laughter, said, “Junior Brother Ye, what are you giggling about in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?”

“Hmph.”

Ye Xingchen snorted coldly, thinking to himself, “Vulgar commoner.”

“Roar!”

Suddenly, an angry roar came from outside the cave, followed by the ground shaking.

“Not good!”

Xiao Zuiji shouldered the Type 88 Sniper Rifle and rushed out of the cave.

He saw a gigantic black bear in the distance standing upright. A thick tree was directly snapped in half at the waist by its bear paw.

Ye Xingchen walked out, glanced at that big guy, and said disdainfully, “Trash.”

“Swoosh!”

Xiao Zuiji raised his gun and locked onto the black bear’s head.

“Wait!”

Ye Xingchen raised his hand and stood in front of him, his voice cold. “It’s mine.”

Xiao Zuiji said, “Junior Brother, this is a Black Demon Bear comparable to a peak Wutu.”

“Roar!”

The Black Demon Bear swung both arms, smashing the trees beside it, and roared furiously at the two. Strong winds howled toward them, carrying a nauseating stench.

“Trash.”

Even as he spoke, Ye Xingchen retreated two steps. “I can’t even be bothered to make a move.”

“Roar—”

Just at that moment, the Black Demon Bear dragged its massive body charging over. Trees and rocks along the way were either sent flying or smashed to pieces.

“Bang!”

Gunfire rang out through the mountain forest.

…

Let’s learn to meow together, meow meow meow meow meow.

Acting cute in front of you, meow meow meow meow meow.

Early morning, the martial arts grounds.

The modified sound system played a brand new divine song. All the Iron Bone Sect disciples jumped to the rhythm.

Liu Wanshi, following the music’s melody, would sometimes make little fists and hold them by her cheeks while puffing out her mouth, sometimes gently nod her head—looking extremely adorable.

Watching that little girl jumping with delight, Jun Changxiao murmured, “Dudu was born in the wrong world. If she were on Earth, she’d definitely melt a whole group of shut-in homebodies.”

Suddenly, he thought of something. “Since there are guns in the store, are there things like rockets and spaceships?”

“Yes.” The System said.

Jun Changxiao was overjoyed.

“However…”

The System habitually threw cold water. “They can only refresh in high-tier stores, so the host should retract that immature idea of crossing the universe to return to Earth.”

Jun Changxiao disagreed. “As long as such things exist, there’s a possibility of returning to Earth.”

The System said, “The high martial world has spiritual power. Living beings’ lifespans far exceed Earth’s. Why does the host insist on going back?”

“You don’t understand.”

Jun Changxiao looked toward the distant sky, thinking with infinite longing, “That’s my home. I have friends there, my first love too, and relativ… uh, actually I don’t have any relatives left.”

The System said, “So the host’s significance in returning to Earth is to go back with high martial world cultivation and show off?”

How annoying, must you expose people like this?

“Of course!”

Jun Changxiao said, “Don’t American blockbusters constantly show Iron Man, the Green Hulk, saving the whole world at the drop of a hat? When I go back, I’ll call all the Avengers over and beat them one by one to see how cocky they are.”

The System said speechlessly, “Those are just movies.”

“Moreover.”

“If these superheroes truly existed, by that time the entire Earth and even the Milky Way would probably all belong to Korea.”

“That roast…” Jun Changxiao said, “Sharp.”

“Oh, right.”

The System added, “At the Jakarta Asian Games League of Legends exhibition match, your country’s players defeated the Korean team three to one and won the gold medal.”

As a former League of Legends bronze powerhouse, Jun Changxiao immediately froze.

The System said, “Esports players’ professional careers are very short. Being able to let the host’s country’s flag fly at a quadrennial event—this deserves respect.”

“Swoosh!”

Jun Changxiao tore off his long robe with one hand, rushed into the martial arts grounds, and jumped to the beat along with all the disciples, happy like a five or six-year-old child.

“Babies, get hyped!”

My heart goes thump thump, enchanted by your mischievous smile.

If you don’t say you love me, I’ll just meow meow meow.

…

After morning exercises ended, disciples went to cultivate separately.

Long Ziyang, Yang Yuhua, and the other newly admitted disciples all had unpleasant expressions, clearly not yet adapted to the embarrassing morning exercise routine.

I was actually dancing just now, I was actually wiggling!

“Ziyang, Yuhua!”

Su Xiaomo waved his hand with a smile. “Come, come, Senior Brother will take you for training.”

“Oh.” Long Ziyang, Yang Yuhua, and the other new disciples followed over, then entered the training room and took turns drilling into the muscle sculpting chamber for two hours of sculpting.

That evening.

This group of new disciples lay collapsed on the martial arts grounds, lifeless.

The next day, after recovering their spirits, they began learning to play soccer. After being coached by Li Fei’s signature move of receiving the ball with his face, they squatted in corners like children, covering their faces and crying their hearts out.

Mommy.

Too many bad people in the sect, I want to go home!

Go home? That didn’t exist.

From the moment they set one foot into the Iron-Boned and Upright Sect, they were destined to either grow stronger through mountains of blades and seas of fire, or sing a lament in the depths of hell’s abyss.

…

After the new disciples entered, they each received the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Manual and Body Tempering Pills, and began learning to integrate into sect life.

Jun Changxiao next began considering how to rapidly increase contribution value.

The fastest way to earn contribution value was to recruit disciples to full capacity. That way he could obtain three hundred fifty-two contribution points and also unlock sect missions.

However.

Recruitment was difficult!

Li Qingyang sat outside for two days without waiting for a single person.

“Headache.”

Jun Changxiao rubbed his temples.

“Sect Leader.”

Elder Wei walked into the great hall. “The planted medicinal herbs have already sprouted.”

“So fast?”

Jun Changxiao was quite surprised. Calculating the time, it had only been about ten days.

Elder Wei said, “Medicinal herbs aren’t like agricultural crops. If you cultivate them with care, they’ll sense it and express gratitude through rapid growth.”

So mystical?

Jun Changxiao said with interest, “Elder Wei, you’re quite remarkable. Would it be convenient to share your story?”

Elder Wei smiled self-deprecatingly. “This old man is merely a third-grade Medicine Apprentice who’s accomplished nothing for most of his life. What story could there be?”

Jun Changxiao said, “Elder Wei is very professional at cultivating medicinal herbs, yet only a third-grade Medicine Apprentice? This seat absolutely won’t believe that.”

Elder Wei didn’t want to say more on this topic. “This old man needs a few disciples to go into the mountains to fetch spring water for irrigating the medicinal herbs.”

Everyone had privacy. Since he wouldn’t say, Jun Changxiao wouldn’t force him to. He immediately arranged for Long Ziyang, Yang Yuhua, and the other newly admitted disciples to help Elder Wei fetch water from the mountains.

“Sect Leader.”

Just then, Li Qingyang hurriedly walked in from outside, his expression grave. “An elder from the Xingyun Sect has brought disciples to exchange pointers and discuss the Dao.”

“Xingyun Sect?” Jun Changxiao hadn’t heard of it.

Li Qingyang said, “One of Qingyang Commandery’s four major seventh-rate sects. The sect leader is named Meng Xingda. The one who brought disciples to fight is the seventh elder.”

Jun Changxiao stroked his chin. “This seventh-rate Xingyun Sect should be a member of the Hundred Sects Alliance, right?”

“Correct.” Li Qingyang said.