“Ding! Disciples Lu Qianqian, Xiao Zuiji’s five-person team completed the sect mission and gained 100 contribution points, 100 achievement points, and 10 reputation points.”

When Jun Changxiao brought the disciples back to the sect, a notification sound immediately rang in his ear.

Holy crap!

They actually rewarded reputation points!

Dog Leftover’s face immediately broke into a smile.

Though 10 reputation points was a bit little, there were still many high-difficulty missions. If they all gave rewards upon completion, the accumulation wouldn’t be a small number.

(PS: Jing Zhixiao completed the first mission and was rewarded 10 achievement points. I accidentally wrote reputation points—the original text has been corrected.)

“I told you.”

The system said: “The new version of sect missions is still quite good—at least it can provide a stable income for the host.”

“Not bad.”

Jun Changxiao nodded.

“Sect Master.”

Just then, the Purple Scale Demon King walked into the great hall and said seriously: “The Demon Fog Demon King the disciples encountered in the Demon Fog Forest seems off.”

“How is it off?” Jun Changxiao said.

Purple Hall Master said: “Before I illegally crossed to the Lower Realm, that guy had already been sealed by an array formation. It shouldn’t have appeared.”

Being a Demon King itself, it naturally had heard of the Demon Fog Demon King. Moreover, it knew that years ago, because it had wantonly slaughtered the human race in the Demon Fog Forest, a great expert had personally come to forcibly seal it.

“Oh?”

After learning the circumstances, Jun Changxiao pondered briefly: “Could it be that the seal loosened, allowing this guy to emerge?”

“Impossible.”

The Purple Scale Demon King said: “The one who sealed the Demon Fog Demon King was a formation path expert. It absolutely wouldn’t loosen due to time passing, unless…” It paused: “Someone deliberately destroyed it!”

Jun Changxiao interlaced his fingers, his gaze gradually growing cold.

Actually, when he’d just speculated the seal had loosened, doubt had already arisen in his heart, because there was simply no aura of a sealing formation in the Demon Fog Forest. If it had deteriorated over time, allowing the Demon King to seize the opportunity to escape, there should have been some traces.

“Very simple.”

The system said: “The sealing formation was removed, so it wouldn’t leave an aura.”

“So…”

Jun Changxiao’s gaze gradually grew cold: “The Demon King Qingyang and the others encountered wasn’t simply running into trouble—they were deliberately targeted by someone!”

The system said seriously: “Though the brand-new sect missions have different difficulty levels, they’ve been strictly calculated and won’t present mortal danger unless unknown variables occur.”

This definitely wasn’t reverse jinxing. In fact, if the Demon King hadn’t suddenly blocked their path, Lu Qianqian and the others could have completely retreated at the first opportunity—the entire process would have been nothing more than thrilling but ultimately safe.

However.

Certain factors that affect the plot’s direction definitely couldn’t be divined and calculated in advance.

“Sect Master.”

The Black Rakshasa who had remained silent spoke up: “From what I know, the one who went to the Demon Fog Forest years ago to seal the Demon King was an expert from the Realm Hall.”

“I’ve heard this too.”

The White Rakshasa said: “It seems to have been an executive from the Formation Department. Their cultivation realm wasn’t particularly high, but their understanding of formations was very strong. Especially their Formation Sealing Art was widely renowned.”

“The Realm Hall?”

Jun Changxiao’s expression grew grim.

Could it be that knowing he had Tonggu Zhenren backing him, they didn’t dare act openly and started playing dirty tricks in secret?

“You mother’s bastard!” Jun Changxiao cursed crudely: “Seeing that I’ve been keeping a low profile lately, developing without causing trouble, you think my Eternal Ancient Sect is easy to bully?”

The Black Rakshasa stroked his chin: “The fact that the Realm Hall sealed the Demon Fog Demon King is known throughout the world. If they secretly broke the seal, isn’t this method too foolish?”

The White Rakshasa said: “The formation set up by the Formation Department executive is extremely strong. If they didn’t secretly break the seal, could there be someone else?”

“That’s hard to say.” The Black Rakshasa said: “There’s more than one expert in the Upper Realm who studies formations. For instance, Taixuan Sanren—though he stays secluded year-round, his understanding of formation paths may not be inferior to famous formation masters.”

“This…”

The White Rakshasa immediately fell silent.

“Black Protector means that someone else broke the formation, deliberately framing the Realm Hall?” Jun Changxiao said.

The Black Rakshasa said: “I’m merely listing this possibility.”

“Correct.”

Jun Changxiao agreed: “Without absolute evidence, the possibility of framing does exist.”

He who had been getting somewhat heated calmed down after the Black Rakshasa’s words, and thought: “Regardless of who did it, it means the sect has already been targeted by someone with ulterior motives. We need to be even more cautious.”

Enemies in the open—even if he offended the entire Upper Realm, Jun Changxiao wouldn’t be afraid. What was most annoying were dirty tricks from behind, because they were truly impossible to guard against.

…

Above the Demon Fog Forest that had turned to scorched earth, the Lingyao Empress gradually materialized. Because clouds and mist swirled around her, it was hard to see her facial expression clearly.

“Tsk-tsk.”

Suddenly, a voice came from higher above: “Instead of pursuing Gu Zhaoxi, why would you come here?”

“Om!”

A golden war chariot slowly materialized. Jin Hao sat on it rather languidly, his face wearing a half-smiling expression that looked even more deserving of a beating than Jun Changxiao.

“The Realm Hall ordered you and me to pursue together, not for you to monitor me.” The Lingyao Empress said.

“Don’t misunderstand.”

Jin Hao shrugged: “I’m not monitoring you. I’m just very curious why you care so much about matters related to the Eternal Ancient Sect.”

“What does it have to do with you?”

“I told you—I’m just curious.”

“It’s precisely that curiosity that had you recuperating in the Flesh-Regenerating Pool for over two years.”

Nakedly exposing old wounds.

Though Jin Hao’s face still wore that half-smiling expression, a flash of hatred passed through his eyes: “I’ll repay this debt sooner or later!”

“Let me advise you.”

The Lingyao Empress said: “If you want to stay alive, it’s best not to provoke him.”

“Because of Tonggu Zhenren?”

“Perhaps.”

“Tch, without that backing, he doesn’t even count as an ant.”

If Jun Changxiao heard this guy’s words, he’d definitely say indifferently: “That’s right, without backing I can’t make it in the Upper Realm. But the problem is I have it—just ask if you’re frustrated?”

…

Eternal Ancient Sect.

After several days of recuperation, Lu Qianqian’s injuries recovered.

However, when she was preparing to continue entering the Nine Heavens Secret Realm to cultivate, Jun Changxiao called out: “If this Seat hadn’t arrived early for the rescue, what would have been your fate?”

He had already learned from Li Qingyang what happened in the Demon Fog Forest. Especially learning that after resolving the Demon King, this woman had used her character special effect to protect everyone, her entire body flickering with points of light as if burning something.

What could be burned?

Crystal cores, attributes, souls—all could be.

But that often represented extremes. At best it would cause irreversible harm, at worst the soul would scatter.

“Just injured more severely.” Lu Qianqian said.

Of course Jun Changxiao didn’t believe this. His tone was meaningful: “In the future when encountering danger, first think of a way to notify the sect.”

“Understood.”

Lu Qianqian said: “If there are no other instructions, this disciple needs to cultivate.”

Watching her enter the Nine Heavens Secret Realm, Jun Changxiao rubbed his nose and smiled: “Since going to the Taixuan Cave Dwelling, this eldest disciple’s changes have actually been quite significant.”

“Sigh.”

The system sighed: “The only disciple who was somewhat normal has also learned to heal the wounded and rescue the dying through forced sales under the host’s subtle influence.”

“Right.”

Jun Changxiao slapped his forehead: “Since Hall Master Miao’s Detoxification Pills are so effective, taking them to the pill shop to sell should bring in quite a bit of profit.”

For this reason.

He personally made a trip to the Poison Refining Hall.

Honestly speaking, Jun Changxiao was very unwilling to come to Poison Refining Peak, because ever since establishing halls related to poison, this place was perpetually shrouded in layers of poisonous qi, the air permeated with nauseating smells.

“The Sect Master visits—is something the matter?”

In the great hall, Miao Saifeng served a cup of tea.

She had been forced to join the Eternal Ancient Sect, but by now she’d long since found it genuinely good.

This woman was like Li Luoqiu, belonging to the mature lady type. Because she worked with poison year-round, she exuded a unique exotic charm.

However.

Jun Changxiao had no such thoughts—readers could rest assured about this point.

“The tea isn’t poisoned, is it?”

“Even if it were poisoned, it couldn’t poison the Sect Master.”

“True enough.”

Jun Changxiao took a sip of tea, then instructed her to refine more Detoxification Pills.

Thus, a hall master with nearly zero screen time officially transformed from idle status to tool person.

“Blech!”

A sound came from the toilet.

A while later, having gone for the eighth time, Jun Changxiao emerged supporting himself against the wall with one hand, his legs weak, roaring in his heart: “This woman really did poison the tea!”