The ninth floor of the prison.

Dai Lü not only stood up but also used a razor to shave off the last tuft of beard on his face. His entire person instantly looked decades younger.

During this time, he had thought about many things. If one were to use text to describe his mental activities, it would require at least one or two chapters, so we won’t elaborate. The point is… he had truly come to terms with it.

Zhao Doudou was very happy.

The Sect Master hadn’t issued a death order requiring him to persuade Dai Lü, but whenever he had free time, he would come over to chat. Perhaps after spending so much time together, they had cultivated feelings that transcended those of mere cellmates.

“You’ve come to terms with it?”

Jun Changxiao walked in from outside.

Hearing what Zhao Doudou said, he was a bit stunned. After all, this stubborn bone had planned to be locked up until death. He hadn’t expected him to actually come to terms with it and be willing to join the Wangu Sect.

Dai Lü said, “I earnestly request Sect Master Jun to take me in!”

The Green Turban Brother, who had always been unyielding, finally put down his pride and let go of everything.

Why?

Because it was only a superficial detachment; in his heart, his dreams still existed.

Actually, after Dai Lü let go of his prejudice against Jun Changxiao, the person had already changed. He no longer rigidly adhered to principles but had learned to be flexible.

Everyone wants to live as they hope to be, but in harsh reality, they have no choice but to change themselves.

“My Wangu Sect doesn’t lack you. If you want to join, you must give this seat a satisfactory reason.” Jun Changxiao said indifferently.

Saying you won’t join and then saying you want to join—what do you take me for? What do you take the Wangu Sect for? You should know that the Great Shang Imperial Prince who was recently accepted brought ten million ninth-grade spirit stones when he joined!

The System lamented, “This is the benefit of joining with capital investment. They occasionally even get scenes. Look at those who didn’t pay—many don’t even have names. How tragic, how realistic!”

“Thud!”

Suddenly, Dai Lü bent both knees and knelt down. With a serious expression, he said, “Sect Master Jun once said that I have exceptional bone structure and am a one-in-ten-thousand martial arts prodigy!”

“Did I say that?”

Jun Changxiao couldn’t quite remember.

The System said, “You did. Chapter one, first sentence.”

“…”

The corner of Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched slightly.

Back then, when he had no disciples, he had casually said it. Yet Dai Lü had actually remembered it.

Dogshit probably wouldn’t have imagined that precisely because it was said casually, not only did Dai Lü remember it, he took it to heart. The fact that he could come to terms with it today—that sentence played a crucial role!

“To become the sect’s most lowly disciple, are you willing?”

“Willing!”

“To be responsible for cleaning the latrines every day, are you willing?”

“Willing!”

“To do the most and the hardest work, are you willing?”

“Willing!”

Jun Changxiao asked three times, and Dai Lü answered decisively three times.

Although he had learned to be flexible, he still retained the character trait of doing whatever he decided on, never turning back even if he crashed into a wall.

“Swish!”

Jun Changxiao took out the enrollment form and said, “Name.”

“Dai Lü!”

“Gender.”

“Male!”

“Age.”

“Twenty-eight!”

“Snap!”

The Wangu Sect’s great seal stamped down on it, and a notification sound rang in his ears.

“Ding! Sect member count 100,000/100,000.”

From activating the System until today, Jun Changxiao had finally completed the basic requirements of the main storyline quest, developing the sect membership to one hundred thousand.

The warrior recruited in the first sentence of the first chapter, though he didn’t become number two, became number one hundred thousand.

The first supporting character from the opening became the final disciple under the main storyline quest requirements, perfectly putting a period on the protagonist’s construction of the strongest sect.

…

According to precedent, when the disciple count reached maximum value, it would trigger a sect quest. However, after Dai Lü joined, only the notification sound for the increased count came through, with no subsequent actions.

“Why?” Jun Changxiao asked.

The System said, “Because the host has already met the main storyline quest’s personnel requirements, there’s no longer any need to trigger sect quests.”

“Meaning…”

Jun Changxiao said, “I’m about to beat the game?”

“Yes.”

The System said, “Time passed so quickly.”

“Why are you suddenly becoming sentimental?” Jun Changxiao asked.

“Because…”

The System said bitterly, “When the host completes the main storyline quest, I will have completed my mission too and can peacefully retire.”

“Hahaha!”

Jun Changxiao threw back his head and laughed loudly, “You detestable fellow who constantly roasts me—are you finally going to scram!”

“Holy shit! I’ve accompanied you for so long, weathered danger after danger together, and you actually have the nerve to laugh! Are you even human!”

“This is a cause for celebration—why can’t I laugh!”

Dogshit laughed even louder, but as he laughed, he couldn’t laugh anymore. Then he said seriously, “Retiring means…”

“I’m just an auxiliary tool. When the host completes the main storyline quest, I’ll be erased just like the soul bomb.” The System said.

Jun Changxiao fell silent.

Though he really disliked this roast maniac, if it were to suddenly leave him one day, he would probably feel very reluctant to let it go.

“Haha.”

The System laughed, “The host hasn’t completed the main storyline quest yet, so I can cling to life a bit longer. There’s no need to make the atmosphere so sorrowful.”

“Curator Yi!”

Jun Changxiao called out loudly, “In five days, certify the Wangu Sect’s rank!”

…

When there were still four days until the conference began, projection arrays existing in various states, commanderies, and even town-level locations across Xingyun Continent appeared one after another. Nearly ten thousand array masters participated, actively debugging equipment, striving to avoid any problems during the live broadcast.

When there were still three days until the conference began, Li Qingyang and others started decorating the already-built venue. Because the participating warriors were all prominent figures across the continent, it had to be grand and solemn!

When there were still two days until the conference began, Xi Jingxuan led the sect’s high-level leadership and finally arrived belatedly. She received an enthusiastic welcome from Jun Changxiao, making many sect bigwigs jealous and further solidifying their belief that the relationship between the two was extraordinary.

When there was still one day until the conference began, the nine Great Wudi tore through the firmament and flew over. Out of absolute respect, they consciously ascended Tiegu Mountain on foot, setting off the first major sensation before and after the Martial Alliance Conference began!

“My heavens!”

“So the nine Great Wudi were also invited!”

“This is absolutely the highest-standard grand event held since ancient times!”

…

The eighth day of the month.

Auspicious for marriage, travel, and sacrifices.

Ding Xingwang, Elder Wei, and other sect high-level leaders stood outside the great hall, while disciples led by Lu Qianqian stood in the martial arts training ground.

For the warriors who had already entered the venue one after another, today was about holding the Martial Alliance Conference. But for the Wangu Sect, today the sect would officially be certified as first-rate, becoming a continental pinnacle!

“Senior Brother.”

Li Fei said nervously, “I need to use the bathroom.”

Su Xiaomo rolled her eyes, “You’ve already gone five times! Hold it in, and when certification time comes, absolutely don’t hold us back!”

Li Fei wasn’t the only one who was excited, exhilarated, nervous, and anxious—Li Qingyang was too. After all, after ten years on the jianghu’s rainy paths, the sect was finally about to reach the pinnacle.

“Swish!”

Just then, Jun Changxiao stepped dashingly out from the great hall.

He walked past the high-level leaders and disciples one by one, then strode directly toward the mountain gate. Raising his right hand, he said, “Follow this seat to the venue and make our sect the world’s premier first-rate power!”

“Yes!”

The voice shook the earth and pierced the firmament!

“Click!”

Li Shangtian, crouching at the great gate, decisively pressed the photo button. A 48-million-pixel wide-angle photograph was born: the Sect Master’s robes flying, walking dashingly forward, with high-level leaders and disciples following closely behind. The background was the great hall with its hanging plaque reading “Unyielding Iron Bones.”

—