Over these years, Jun Changxiao had gone further and further down the path of cheating, but when researching the Seizing Heaven and Earth’s Fortune Grand Array, he relied purely on personal effort and willpower, even going so far as to make himself bald.
He went bald.
But the array was also successfully researched.
However, Jun Changxiao couldn’t be certain whether deploying the Seizing Heaven and Earth’s Fortune Grand Array could actually achieve sect-wide ascension.
“Don’t worry.”
The system said: “Host still has a large amount of contribution points. If worse comes to worst, just refresh the shop. You’re already used to cheating anyway, and no one else will say anything.”
“Scram.”
It wasn’t that Jun Changxiao was reluctant to spend money, but rather if he could rely on the Seizing Heaven and Earth’s Fortune Grand Array to ascend, he could undoubtedly save quite a few contribution points and have some confidence upon entering the Upper Realm.
Simply put.
He was afraid of being bullied in the new world.
“Begin array deployment!”
Jun Changxiao flew up and hovered in midair. With a graceful wave of both hands, countless points of light scattered outward, installing themselves around the sect, manifesting as array flags.
“This technique, impressive!” Zhen Dejun marveled.
The seemingly casual and graceful installation of array nodes demonstrated that during these years of seclusion, the Sect Master’s understanding of arrays had reached a pinnacle level!
Absolutely.
Even the ancient Array Emperor of old would pale in comparison before Jun Changxiao.
“Swish!”
“Swish!”
Light and shadow filled the air, scattering across the sky.
Strand after strand of lines converged between the array flags, then began interconnecting with each other.
Within Jun Changxiao’s sea of consciousness, the layout and patterns of the Seizing Heaven and Earth’s Fortune Grand Array frantically manifested. His entire being entered an extremely high realm of array deployment.
Two days later.
When the final strand of lines connected with the array flags from beginning to end, the entire array was successfully deployed. First, it erupted with light reaching the heavens, then from all directions gathered a nearly solid flowing light barrier.
“What is this?”
The disciples enveloped within the array barrier began speculating—could this be a brand new sect protection grand array?
“Whew!”
Jun Changxiao landed on the main peak, wiping sweat from his forehead, his face slightly haggard as he said: “This is truly exhausting.”
The Seizing Heaven and Earth’s Fortune Grand Array had been deployed.
In terms of scale, it was larger than what Empress Lingyao had deployed back then, because it enveloped the entire Tiegu Mountain, but deploying it was quite difficult.
After resting for half a day, Jun Changxiao began channeling the five elemental attributes within his body. Then five streams of differently colored light flew out, merging into the array and fully charging the pre-prepared grooves.
The Seizing Heaven and Earth’s Fortune Grand Array was similar to a platform—once erected and stabilized, it was set. What truly determined whether ascension could succeed still depended on the strength of the Five Elements power.
“Whoosh!”
The array enveloping the sect gradually weakened, then became invisible.
Jun Changxiao didn’t immediately activate the ascension program, because before leaving he still needed to handle post-departure affairs, such as who would lead Xingyun Continent after the entire sect ascended? Who would become the Martial Alliance Leader?
There was also the Heavenly Abyss Soul-Suppressing Tower—this item needed to be brought to the Upper Realm, but the internal prisoners and twelve prison wardens needed proper placement.
“Rumble!”
“Rumble!”
After one night, the mountain peaks near Tiegu Mountain gradually rose.
Li Qingyang received orders and, leading the construction team, began building on top. Half a month later, they had constructed a building complex of considerable scale.
In Jun Changxiao’s plan, this would be the Martial Alliance headquarters, presided over by the twelve prison wardens responsible for all daily affairs. The nine underground levels excavated beneath the mountain would be used to imprison various criminals, with multiple layers of advanced arrays deployed.
With Zi Shi and the others holding down Xingyun Continent, no one would dare cause trouble. In fact, many realms were praying not to be targeted by the Eternal Punishment Evil Order.
The homeland’s security issues had been well resolved. Next, Jun Changxiao began considering whether to bring anyone else besides the sect during ascension.
“Sect Master.”
Jiang Xie said: “My sister wants to accompany Madam Wang in running the inn.”
Jun Changxiao said: “Then I won’t force her.”
“Sect Master.”
Li Qingyang said bitterly: “Qiao’er says she’s just an ordinary person and wishes to remain in Xingyun Continent.”
“That’s fine.”
Ascending to the Upper Realm wasn’t going on vacation. If these relatives connected to the disciples wished to remain in the mortal universe, Jun Changxiao wouldn’t force them, because who knew if going up meant risking nine deaths and one survival?
Li Qingyang and Jiang Xie felt somewhat melancholic, because once they went to the Upper Realm, they might never be able to return, wouldn’t they be forever separated from their loved ones?
Jun Changxiao seemed to see through this and consoled them: “Rest assured, as long as we can go up, there will be ways to come down. Aren’t the Black and White Protectors good examples?”
Right!
Li Qingyang and Jiang Xie suddenly saw the light.
Ascending to the Upper Realm was difficult as climbing to heaven, but coming down from above was at least still possible.
Purple Scale Demon King, He Wudi, and the Black and White Twin Evils were all typical examples, though their cultivation was suppressed and they couldn’t reach peak condition.
“Sect Master!”
Su Xiaomo walked over excitedly, saying: “Shui Yun agreed to go!”
Li Qingyang’s fiancée and Jiang Xie’s sister were ordinary people, but Xia Shui Yun had been exposed to martial arts since childhood, so naturally wouldn’t refuse. Moreover, she could accompany her fiancé.
“Damn!”
Li Fei and Tian Qi muttered in their hearts: “This guy isn’t satisfied force-feeding us dog food in the mortal realm—he has to go to the Upper Realm to forcefully stuff us with dog food too!”
……
“Step!”
In the scorching volcanic region, Ye Xingchen walked forward proudly, his entire body not only emanating a rich alcohol scent but also radiating intense battle intent.
During the nine years under the time compression, he had diligently cultivated without any slacking. Now he had advanced from Half-Step Martial Saint to Martial Saint, reaching the fifth rank!
“Rumble!”
Suddenly, the ground shook and rapidly split open.
“Roar!”
Magma sprayed from the opening crevice, revealing an enormous creature entirely shrouded in flames, releasing an ear-splitting roar.
This was a Blazing Flame Sacred Beast comparable to the Martial Emperor level.
When Ye Xingchen, who only had Martial King cultivation back then, first entered the Life-Death Secret Realm and decisively chose hell mode, this was the creature that instantly killed him!
Night Emperor cannot be humiliated!
So on the eve of ascending to the Upper Realm, he chose hell mode again, not to show off, but to reclaim his lost dignity!
“Roar!”
The Blazing Flame Sacred Beast roared again, as overwhelming flames manifested and ruthlessly pressed down on the proud human before it.
“Step!”
Ye Xingchen took one step forward, his gaze cold as he said: “Trash!”
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
Within the Life-Death Secret Realm in hell mode, violent energy erupted wildly, shaking the illusion violently.
When everything calmed down, Ye Xingchen sat alone proudly on a boulder, his ten fingers interlocked, while behind him, the sacred beast with strength comparable to Martial Emperor level had been blasted to smithereens.
The dignity he once lost had finally been reclaimed today!
“Junior Brother Ye, we can leave now.” Xiao Zuiji put away his shield and spoke.
“Mm.”
Ye Xingchen stood up and departed gracefully.
However, the camera shot leaving the secret realm included not only Xiao Zuiji, but also Lu Qianqian, Su Xiaomo, Li Fei, and others.
Turns out, the core disciples had formed a team to challenge the highest difficulty dungeon!
What else?
……
After settling matters concerning the disciples’ relatives, Jun Changxiao began visiting old friends one by one, such as Family Head Ai, City Lord Xie, Mu Changhong, as well as the Authentication Hall and Tianyu Academy.
Of course, he wouldn’t say he was taking the sect to ascend, but rather that he had matters requiring him to take disciples away for a period of time.
“Sect Master Jun is someone who does great things. Han can only wish you smooth sailing!” City Lord Han, seeing him to the door, cupped his hands.
“Farewell!”
Jun Changxiao left, then successively visited old friends in other provinces and commanderies. He even went to the Demon Emperor Sect, instructing: “When Jun is away, your sect must behave properly, understand?”
“We’ll behave, we’ll behave!”
The Demon Emperor Sect Master said: “Absolutely behave!”
Ever since the Martial Alliance was established, he had abandoned the idea of reviving the Demon Sect, because Jun Changxiao now stood like an insurmountable mountain before him!
“Farewell.”
After visiting the Demon Emperor Sect, Jun Changxiao took the Super Energy Transmission Array, stopping at the foot of Miaohua Palace mountain.
“When is Sect Master Jun leaving?” Xi Jingxuan’s eyes flashed with gloom.
Learning he had come to visit, she didn’t even close the gates, only to be told he was going far away and might not return for a long time.
“Probably two or three months.”
“Oh.”
Xi Jingxuan responded, forcing a smile: “May I see Sect Master Jun off?”
“Uh…”
Jun Changxiao said rather awkwardly: “Actually, the reason I came to visit is that if Palace Master Xi wishes to go, she can come along.”
“This…”
Xi Jingxuan hesitated.
Jun Changxiao said: “The place I’m going might be able to permanently cure Palace Master Xi’s eye condition, so you won’t need to wear glasses anymore.”
“I still need to manage the sect…”
“Palace Master!” Changsun Fanghua hastily said: “We’ll manage the sect for you. You should follow Sect Master Jun out to see the world!”
She and Leng Xingyue both knew the Palace Master’s heart belonged to Jun Changxiao. Since he was inviting her to travel together, they naturally strongly supported it.
“Sect Master Jun.”
Xi Jingxuan paused briefly, then said: “Let me think about it.”
“Very well.”
Jun Changxiao stood up and cupped his hands: “If Palace Master Xi wishes to go, you may come to the Eternal Sect at any time within two months. Jun will take his leave first.”
After leaving Miaohua Palace, he returned to the sect.
“Oh right!”
Jun Changxiao slapped his forehead, muttering to himself: “There are quite a few old friends on the battlefield. I should say goodbye to them before leaving.”
The system said: “Are you certain it’s to see old friends?”
—