Speaking of the Purple Lin Demon King’s grievances with the Dragon Clan, one couldn’t avoid mentioning Xiao Longlong. When Jun Changxiao was considering how to complete the epic mission at that time, it had fallen asleep again, and still showed no signs of waking up even now.
Very obviously.
This was a precursor to its third evolution.
After the meeting ended, Jun Changxiao returned to his study. Seeing Xiao Longlong curled up in its little nest snoring, he murmured to himself, “Little one, when you wake up again, will you give me a surprise?”
As the first contracted beast hatched by the incubator, the Fire Dragon had undergone two evolutions in total, each stronger than the last. So Dog Sheng looked forward to the third evolution, and even hoped for more purifications in the future.
After learning the Sect Master wanted to take them to the Upper Realm, the sect’s high-level members began busily preparing for the ascension at most ten years away. The core disciples also became more diligent in cultivation, hoping not to hold the Sect Master back when the time came.
However…
Whenever they thought about going to the Upper Realm, a sense of unreality would arise.
If outsiders knew about this, they would definitely think Jun Changxiao had gone mad. After all, even one person ascending was extremely difficult—how could he take so many?
Admittedly, it was quite outrageous.
But whether the sect-wide ascension could succeed ultimately depended on the Heaven-Seizing Fortune-Defying Grand Formation.
As for comprehending this aspect, we won’t describe it in detail. In a word: if it works, it works; if not, rely on the shop!
…
Several months later.
Xingyun Continent suddenly became lively, because star-void battleships successively obtained approval and flew in as if tearing through space, bringing shock after shock to the local people!
“Heavens!”
“So many experts at the level of the Nine Great Wudi!”
“What’s going on!”
At first, the Xingyun Continent martial artists thought powerful enemies were invading, but when they personally witnessed them entering and then properly and slowly traveling toward the southwestern Yangzhou region, they realized they had overthought it.
“Did you all hear? These martial artists flying in from outside are going to do business in Tiegu Town, Qingyang Commandery, selling many heavenly materials and earthly treasures we’ve never seen before!”
“I’ve not only heard about it, I’ve even been there!”
“The inn is full of big shots, and those casually walking the streets all have Wuhuang or Wusheng cultivation!”
As more and more powerful figures from external planes entered Xingyun Continent and entered Qingyang Commandery, Tiegu Town suddenly became the most dazzling existence.
At first, the outsiders came because Jun Changxiao had crazily hinted, forcing them to come do trade. But when they saw such a small town gathering so many planar martial artists, they immediately became delighted.
Don’t underestimate Dog Sheng’s influence.
Without exaggeration, Tiegu Town—this place that had just started but was destined to become the Mortal Dust Universe’s largest trade market—had even greater scale than the Fortress’s underground black market before.
More people.
Easily meant chaos.
This problem couldn’t be seen in Tiegu Town.
The planar martial artists entering this place were extremely honest and well-behaved, even spontaneously queuing when buying breakfast.
One reason was that the Eternal Sect built by Jun Changxiao was right next door. Another reason was that twelve positions within Tiegu Town were guarded by the Twelve Wardens—they wouldn’t dare cause trouble even with all the courage in the world.
The so-called trade market—Jun Changxiao’s approach was similar to the Star Fortress’s, charging corresponding fees for various stalls, but the prices were definitely more favorable.
Of course.
Various businesses in Tiegu Town also correspondingly raised their prices.
For instance, Auntie Wang’s Yunlai Inn raised prices most noticeably. Previously they charged silver taels or common spirit stones, but now they calculated directly in ninth-grade spirit stones. Even so, they were fully booked every day and had to continue expanding.
As large numbers of planar martial artists flooded in with daily buying and selling, the town began to seem crowded.
Jun Changxiao ordered, “Qingyang, expand according to the scale of the Great Venerable Imperial City!”
“Yes!”
Li Qingyang that very day led the construction team to get busy.
Several months later, Tiegu Town’s scale reached super-large city level. The construction expert Peppa played a crucial role and received public praise from her master.
…
“Sect Master Jun!”
On Tiegu Peak, the Spirit Emperor Du Yinqing looked at the magnificent and imposing city below, looked at the powerful figures from various major planes, and said sincerely, “The once obscure Xingyun Continent has, under your leadership, become renowned throughout the entire Mortal Dust Universe.”
“Indeed!”
The History Emperor said excitedly, “In the past, in others’ eyes, our Xingyun Continent was third-rate. Now, though our strength still isn’t great, we’ve already gained recognition from the top planes.”
The other seven emperors all nodded.
Large numbers of planar powerhouses piloting ships to enter the plane, with Tiegu Town as the trade center—naturally they wouldn’t remain indifferent and often came here to look around.
Each time they came.
Each time they were shocked.
Jun Changxiao said, “This Seat cannot make Xingyun Continent become stronger in a short time. I can only take an alternative path and build this place into the Mortal Dust Universe’s largest trade center, hoping to profit from it and gradually strengthen ourselves.”
Developing one sect had taken ten years even with cheating.
To make the third-rate Xingyun Continent look toward the top-plane level would definitely require more time to accumulate. So what Dog Sheng could do was create opportunities—what happened afterward depended on them.
“What Sect Master Jun has done will definitely go down in history!” the Spirit Emperor cupped his fists and said.
“…”
Jun Changxiao rolled a sexy eye and thought darkly, “Is this guy cursing me to die?”
“Everyone.”
He paused and said seriously, “In a few years, Jun must leave Xingyun Continent for something. Before you ascend, I hope you can wholeheartedly guard this place.”
Jun Changxiao didn’t plan to have the Nine Great Wudi join the sect, because one more person ascending meant one more burden. Better to leave them behind to protect their homeland.
“Please rest assured, Sect Master Jun—we will definitely guard Xingyun Continent well.” the Nine Great Wudi said in unison.
To Dog Sheng, Xingyun Continent was home. To them, it was equally home.
…
As the Mortal Dust Universe’s newly rising trade center, Jun Changxiao naturally wouldn’t rely solely on collecting stall fees to maintain his livelihood.
After discussing with Young Master Tang the Second, they formally launched the Healing Pills and Body-Sculpting Pills.
Instant recovery, physical enhancement.
These two types of pills were still heaven-defying in the eyes of high-level planar martial artists. So after promotional campaigns, they sold out quickly on opening day and caused tremendous uproar!
The powerful figures from other continents were all wealthy people. As long as the pills were sold every day, spirit stones of various qualities would definitely flow endlessly into Xingyun Continent.
Long term.
It would be hard not to become powerful.
However, Jun Changxiao wouldn’t be able to wait for that day, because he had to ascend to the Upper Realm within ten years.
…
In the dining hall.
Jun Changxiao sat down, placed a jar of Intoxicated Life and Dream Death on the table, and said, “Drink from bowls, or straight from the jar?”
“…”
Ye Xingchen’s mouth twitched as he said, “Sect Master, if there’s something to say, just say it directly. No need to get me drunk first!”
“That won’t do.”
Jun Changxiao said, “Today we must drink happily.”
“Fine!”
Ye Xingchen skillfully slapped open the clay seal and said, “Drink from bowls!”
He still chickened out and didn’t choose to drink straight from the jar, because he’d heard from the Wine Demon Head that the Sect Master had once drunk him under the table.
“Come!”
Jun Changxiao raised his bowl, his heroic Shandong man temperament bursting forth, and said, “I’ll drain it—you do as you please!”
“Glug glug glug!”
Ye Xingchen also raised his bowl and tilted his head back to drink.
Just as the two were drinking heartily, Su Xiaomo walked to the dining hall entrance. Looking at Junior Brother Ye inside, he transmitted, “Second Senior Brother, the formation in the back courtyard livestock pen is already set up, and the Spirit Beast Hall experts are also on high alert.”
The usually peaceful Eternal Sect only became heavily guarded when Ye Xingchen drank.
“A’niu.”
After finishing one bowl of wine, Jun Changxiao finally asked with a solemn expression, “Tell this Seat your true identity!”
“Clack!”
The peanut held in his chopsticks fell onto the table. Ye Xingchen’s facial expression became somewhat dazed. After a moment, a bitter smile appeared at the corners of his mouth as he said, “This day has finally come after all.”
Actually, after experiencing the Dragon-Tiger Championship incident, he had a premonition his secret wouldn’t keep. Who would have thought the Sect Master would actually wait until today to ask.
“A’niu.”
Jun Changxiao said seriously, “This Seat needs to understand your past and grievances in order to make appropriate arrangements after ascending to the Upper Realm.”
“Splash!”
Ye Xingchen filled his wine and tilted his head back to drink it clean.
Under the wine’s crazy stimulation, he gripped the bowl on the table tightly and finally mustered the courage to speak the greatest secret buried in his heart: “I am the Night Emperor.”
“Holy crap!”
Jun Changxiao directly stood up, his expression exaggerated as he said, “So you’re the unlucky bastard who got screwed over by his own woman!”