Upper Realm warriors hadn’t seen Tongu Zhenren, but they’d definitely heard of Tongu Zhenren, because this was a top-tier warrior who transcended even the Realm Hall.

Sun Mucheng had heard of him.

However, now that a black-clothed person claimed to be Tongu Zhenren, his first reaction was shock, and his second reaction was… this guy was very likely a fraud!

Sun Mucheng said: “If some random person says they’re Senior Tongu, do you think everyone will believe it?”

“No.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Because doubt is everyone’s right, so I won’t explain. Whether you believe or don’t believe, this old one has already pointed you toward a clear path. Whether you can grasp it depends on yourself.”

With that said, he leaped away.

Whether deceiving or scamming, one mustn’t be too hasty.

“Lunatic.”

Though Sun Mucheng said this, his heart had wavered a bit.

Could it be that this mysterious old man really was Tongu Zhenren? Impossible, impossible—he must be deliberately deceiving me!

If it were an adult, they definitely wouldn’t take Dog Sheng’s words to heart, but Sun Mucheng was ultimately only ten-some years old and hadn’t experienced too much of humanity’s sinister side, so lying in bed at home, he kept unconsciously thinking about it.

The next day.

He rose early as usual, washed up, and headed to the academy.

On the road, he heard people discussing events that had occurred at Phoenix Roost Immortal Mountain in recent days, so he moved closer and smiled: “Second Uncle, can you tell me about it?”

“Hey, when did you suddenly develop an interest in gossip, kid?” The man called Second Uncle teased.

Sun Mucheng said: “Cultivating every day is really stifling. Learning more about outside matters enriches my perspective.”

“Not bad, not bad.”

Second Uncle nodded and said: “The path of martial arts should combine work and rest. Come, come, Second Uncle will tell you about the major event that happened recently.”

“Major event?”

Sun Mucheng perked up his ears to listen.

When he learned that the vortex that had appeared in space earlier was from mortal realm warriors forcibly ascending, and that they’d ultimately passed through the Ten Thousand Tribulation Heavenly Thunder Array and landed on Phoenix Roost Immortal Mountain, his young heart was immediately shaken.

He didn’t know the thunder array’s power level, but since it was set up by the Realm Hall, it was definitely very authoritative. For someone to forcibly come up through it was absolutely incredible!

“Second Uncle.”

Sun Mucheng inquired: “Who exactly is so formidable?”

“Who it is, I don’t know.” Second Uncle paused, then said: “But I know that what ascended to the Upper Realm wasn’t one person but a mountain!”

“A mountain?”

Sun Mucheng’s eyes widened.

Mortal realm beings ascending to the Upper Realm was a long-standing rule, but since when could even mountains—things without consciousness—also ascend?

“More precisely.”

Second Uncle continued: “What ascended wasn’t a mountain, but a sect!”

“A sect?”

Sun Mucheng was dumbfounded again.

Second Uncle said: “I heard this sect is called Eternal Sect. After coming out from the vortex, it settled on Phoenix Roost Immortal Mountain, and not long ago, it even bullied Imperial Sword Profound Sect, Ling Dao Profound Sect, and other factions.”

“Eternal Sect?”

Sun Mucheng immediately recalled last night when that mysterious person had given guidance, and thought to himself: “So this sect really exists.”

Second Uncle said admiringly: “To be able to break through the Ten Thousand Tribulation Heavenly Thunder Array and make several Profound-rank sects eat humble pie—this Eternal Sect that came up from the mortal realm is not simple.”

“…”

Sun Mucheng fell silent.

Though Second Uncle’s strength wasn’t great, he’d traveled the Upper Realm for years with broad knowledge and experience. For him to evaluate Eternal Sect like this, it perhaps really had capability.

Jun Changxiao didn’t know that the child he’d failed to trick and deceive had, through a passerby’s words, gradually memorized Eternal Sect’s name in his heart.

“Second Uncle!”

“I’m going to cultivate!”

After arriving at the academy, Sun Mucheng shook his head, cast aside what he’d heard, and said with determination: “The day after tomorrow, I’ll set out for Linyuan City to participate in the martial hall assessment. I should focus more on cultivation.”

…

In the wilderness.

Jun Changxiao brought his two disciples to continue their journey.

The reinvigorated Ye Xingchen’s spirit was much better than yesterday, and his desire to become stronger had grown even more intense.

“Aniu, remember!”

Jun Changxiao said: “In this world, anyone can defeat you, but you absolutely cannot be defeated by yourself. No matter what setbacks you face in the future, you must stand up like a man!”

“…”

Ye Xingchen was speechless.

The way the sect master said this made it sound like he hadn’t been manly before?

“Of course.”

Jun Changxiao added: “After going to Linyuan City, you must stay low-key and not blindly provoke trouble.”

Actually, even without being told, Aniu would stay low-key, because town children were already that strong—city children would be amazing.

…

Several days later.

The three of them entered Linyuan City’s territory.

Walking on the spacious official road, they successively encountered ten-year-old children being led by martial teacher-like figures, traveling in groups.

Jun Changxiao had already inquired in Jingshui Town that soon the city would hold a martial hall assessment. Surrounding village and town academies would bring their students to participate. If they ultimately passed, it would change their lives.

Logically speaking, after buying so many medicinal materials and seeds at the general store, there was completely no need to go to Linyuan City again, but Dog Sheng still came because he wanted to see what this so-called martial hall assessment was like and how many talented heroes there were.

The new main quest hadn’t set a personnel limit, so there was no need to forcibly recruit.

But don’t forget—whether a sect could prosper for ages often depended on whether the next generation could continue the legacy. As sect master, he absolutely couldn’t just look at the present but had to look toward the future.

Being a man is hard.

Being a sect master is even harder.

…

Linyuan City was very large.

The permanent population inside was also very numerous.

Even though the three had mentally prepared, when standing on the main street where dozens of horse carriages could travel side by side, they still felt like Granny Liu touring the Grand View Garden.

“Stay calm, stay calm.”

Jun Changxiao took a deep breath, brought his two disciples to first find an inn to stay at, then headed to the marketplace to browse.

However, just after entering for a short while, he immediately walked out dejectedly, because the things sold inside were truly too numerous and the prices were very expensive, giving him a feeling of “I’m a pauper.”

“Ai.”

Returning to the inn, Jun Changxiao sighed and said: “Better wait for the martial hall assessment seven days from now.”

…

Seven days later.

In Linyuan City’s eastern district, at a massive open-air venue that could accommodate hundreds of thousands of people, warriors had already filled the seats, eagerly anticipating the annual martial hall assessment to begin.

Jun Changxiao and his two companions sat in relatively back positions, becoming spectators in the crowd.

Of course.

Entering definitely cost money.

The price was a bit expensive—one entry ticket cost a thousand profound stones.

The moment Jun Changxiao paid, every muscle in his body ached.

“This annual martial hall assessment actually requires buying tickets to enter. When I get back, I’ll discuss with Old Yuan—it could be borrowed for reference.”

While muttering, students from surrounding villages and towns entered the venue one after another, including Sun Mucheng from Jingshui Town. His clear eyes flashed with excitement while also carrying some anxiety.

“It’s this guy!”

Ye Xingchen clenched his fists, but his heart held no anger, because being inferior in skill—who could he blame?

This assessment was overseen by martial hall leadership. After briefly boasting about their own glorious history, they officially entered the main topic, first conducting qualifications and physique assessments, then combat assessments.

The so-called combat assessment meant dividing several hundred students into groups, then selecting opponents through drawing lots, fighting all the way to the end, with an examination panel reviewing and granting passage to become members of the martial hall.

After understanding the rules, Jun Changxiao said speechlessly: “What’s the difference between this and mortal realm martial competitions?”

“Assessment officially begins!”

At the martial hall leadership’s command, the tense and exciting assessment kicked off.

Sun Mucheng performed excellently in the qualifications and physique tests, then immediately entered combat, breaking through all the way and successfully reaching the finals.

“Sect Master.”

Xiao Zuiji said: “The child who defeated Junior Brother Ye should take first place in Group A without suspense.”

“…”

Ye Xingchen nearly cried.

When talking about him, could you not bring him up? This makes my newly rebuilt self-esteem take repeated hits!

“Aniu.”

Jun Changxiao said: “You losing to him isn’t shameful.”

“…”

Ye Xingchen held his head, howling inside: “Can this matter be put to rest!”

However, when Group A’s finals began, Sun Mucheng, who had held absolute advantage, was repeatedly called to pause by the referee. After battling for half an hour, he was actually ruled to have lost.

“Such a pity.”

“No choice—the opponent encountered was too strong.”

“Next year should have hope.”

The watching warriors all shook their heads and sighed.

Jun Changxiao’s expression became colorful, then he roared inside: “Is this because the opponent was too strong? This is clearly a shady deal!”

—