Jun Changxiao hadn’t misjudged.

Zhou Hong, his face filled with vicissitudes, was truly an expert!

Never mind his realm and cultivation—just that move of drawing and sheathing his sword, sweeping the leaves so they didn’t have time to break apart in midair, was enough proof.

This strength was in the sword path!

The authoritative Ye Xingchen, after seeing Zhou Hong make his move, gave the evaluation: if he had a sword path master’s guidance and good sword techniques, his future achievements would be at minimum Sword King.

The martial path and sword path were different, and their realm divisions were also different.

The martial path had Wutu, Wuzong, Wudi, and such.

The sword path had Sword Apprentice, Sword Grandmaster, Sword Emperor, and such.

Though only a one-character difference, sword cultivators at the same level were stronger than martial cultivators.

A true sword cultivator would focus single-mindedly on comprehending the sword path—absolutely an extreme among extremes.

Martial cultivators were different.

They could practice fist techniques, could practice blade and sword techniques, so they were far inferior to true sword cultivators who specialized in one discipline.

Not just anyone could walk the extreme path and become a sword cultivator—this required extremely high sword path aptitude.

According to investigations by relevant departments, only one sword cultivator emerged from every ten thousand people.

Even with just low-grade spiritual roots, martial cultivators who opened one meridian counted as martial artists. But sword cultivators needed to be one in ten thousand, making it quite a rare profession.

Take Ye Xingchen, for example.

Though he also practiced sword techniques in his previous life, in the end he still proved his Dao through martial arts and became one of the Ten Great Martial Emperors.

The other nine, without exception, all proved their Dao through martial arts as well.

Sword Emperors who proved their Dao through the sword—Xingyun Continent hadn’t seen one in a very long time.

Another difficult emergence was Blade Emperors who proved their Dao through the blade, because that was similarly another extreme among extremes.

Damn it.

Finally recruited a decent disciple!

Jun Changxiao hurriedly took out the Dazzling Sunglasses and looked at Zhou Hong, turning all scouting functions to full!

Cultivation: ???

Aptitude: ???

Strength: ???

Holy crap.

Why were they all question marks!

Could it be this guy was already so strong he couldn’t be analyzed through data?

The System explained, “The Dazzling Sunglasses are only for scouting martial artists, they can’t be used to scout sword cultivators, so they can’t analyze the data.”

“I see.” Jun Changxiao understood.

Li Qingyang said, “Sect Leader, Junior Brother Zhou is a sword cultivator. He should be comprehending the sword right now. We’d better not disturb him!”

“Mm.”

Jun Changxiao led him away.

On the road, after learning about sword cultivators from the disciple, he couldn’t help thinking to himself, “If I had high-level sword cultivator aptitude, wouldn’t practicing the Divine Spirit Sword Formula be easy?”

The System said, “The store can refresh sword path aptitude transformation liquid.”

“That can also be refreshed?” Jun Changxiao said in surprise.

The System said, “As long as you have enough contribution value and good luck, any product that can make the host stronger can be refreshed.”

“I absolutely must earn more contribution value.” Jun Changxiao thought to himself.

…

Zhou Hong was a sword cultivator. His cultivation method differed from martial cultivators.

Jun Changxiao didn’t force him to cultivate with the disciples, but let him comprehend the sword alone in the inner courtyard.

Just like that.

Except when hungry and going to eat, Zhou Hong spent two consecutive days alone in the martial arts grounds tirelessly comprehending the sword and swinging it.

Jun Changxiao occasionally glanced from afar and understood why the creator of the Divine Spirit Sword Formula was called the Solitary Sword Emperor.

One person, one sword.

Cultivating like this, even if proving one’s Dao through the sword to become a Sword Emperor, one would definitely be lonely and solitary.

“When he truly integrates into the Iron Bone Sect and considers himself a disciple, I can pass the Divine Spirit Sword Formula to him.” Jun Changxiao thought to himself.

Zhou Hong was solitary when practicing the sword, but not solitary as a person. When encountering the sect leader while eating in the cafeteria, he would actively bow.

He could also get along well with fellow disciples, just didn’t talk much, preferring to sit alone in a corner to eat. He especially cherished every meal, every grain of rice.

No one could resist the temptation of Liu Wanshi’s cooking.

Even an assassin leader like Li Luoqiu had already succumbed, arriving punctually at the cafeteria at mealtimes.

The hall master’s dining table was separate.

Jun Changxiao carried his food and sat beside her, taking a bite of scallion. “How are the arrangements going?”

Li Luoqiu covered her nose. “They’ve already spread out across Qingyang Commandery’s eight cities. Tomorrow they’ll send information about recent events.”

“Mm.”

Jun Changxiao breathed out. “Does my breath stink?”

“Stinks.”

Li Luoqiu quickly turned her face away.

Jun Changxiao walked in front of Su Xiaomo and breathed out. “Does it stink?”

Su Xiaomo rolled his eyes and collapsed on the table.

Sun Bukong stood up and raised his hand. “If the Sect Leader’s breath stinks enough to make Senior Brother Su faint, that means kidney deficiency!”

…

The next day.

Various intelligence from the eight cities was transmitted over in letter form. The content was abundant and detailed.

Li Luoqiu wouldn’t present it all. After sorting through it, she went to the great hall and began reporting news of recent events in Qingyang Commandery.

Most of it was useless, but Jun Changxiao being able to grasp what was happening in the cities was undoubtedly better than being deaf to affairs outside his window.

“Sect Leader.”

Li Luoqiu said, “Three days from now, the Ai family in Liyang City will publicly auction Healing Pills. Families and sects from various commanderies have already flooded into the city. It’s said even fifth-rate sects have been alarmed.”

“Is that so?”

Jun Changxiao interlaced his ten fingers, thinking to himself, “This Ai family really knows how to promote. Even fifth-rate sects are alarmed—those ten Healing Pills will probably sell for astronomical prices.”

He hoped they could sell for high prices. That way he’d also make money.

Li Luoqiu said, “Sect Leader, I heard the Healing Pills developed by the Ai family can immediately restore injuries after consumption. I have a bold idea, but I don’t know if I should say it.”

“Speak.”

“Let’s go steal them.”

Jun Changxiao, who’d been supporting himself with his elbow on the armrest, suddenly slipped and nearly tumbled from his chair. His mouth twitched. “Hall Master Li’s idea is very bold and very inspired.”

“Sect Leader agrees?” Li Luoqiu said joyfully.

Agrees my ass!

The pills were sold by me—stealing them back would be so unconscionable.

Moreover, I’m still counting on the Ai family to help with sales. If we steal them, how can they still sell!

“Luoqiu.”

Jun Changxiao said seriously, “Your current identity is a sect backbone, not an assassin. How can you have such an unhealthy idea as robbery?”

“Oh yeah.”

Li Luoqiu propped up her chin. “I’m a hall master now. Going to rob would really damage my status.”

“However…”

“These pills are truly miraculous.”

“If we could obtain some, we wouldn’t need to worry about disciples getting injured.”

“Smack.”

Jun Changxiao placed a bottle of Healing Pills on the table. “This is the Ai family Healing Pills you mentioned. There are ten whole pills inside. If you like them, take them.”

Li Luoqiu paused, then smiled. “Sect Leader, don’t kid around. Last time the Ai family auctioned Healing Pills, one pill sold for a hundred thousand taels and supply couldn’t meet demand. How could you have a bottle?”

Jun Changxiao said, “I have a good relationship with the Ai family head. He gave me a bottle.”

Li Luoqiu blinked. “Sect Leader, do you think I’m stupid?”

“Not stupid.” Jun Changxiao said.

Li Luoqiu rolled her eyes at him, turned and left. “Since I’m not stupid, how could I believe the Sect Leader’s joke?”

Watching the woman leave, Jun Changxiao shook his head. “She wasn’t stupid just now, but now she is.”