The Desolate Radiance Heavenly Sound Four-Piece Set was just a formula, so exactly how powerful it was would only be known after refining it.

Jun Changxiao lacked medicinal materials for alchemy, but he didn’t lack ore. After all, he had obtained quite a bit from raiding the Fuqian Sect and annihilating the Demon Mist Forest, which could be put to good use now to refine two or three sets.

“Ding! Ding!”

In just ten minutes, the Desolate Radiance Heavenly Sound Four-Piece Set materialized out of thin air in his spatial ring.

From its form, it looked similar to the True Yang Set, but in terms of craftsmanship, it had clearly improved by several grades. Especially the chest armor, knee guards, and bracers all had special patterns.

“Creak!”

Jun Changxiao pushed open the door, wearing the battle armor and draped in a bright red cloak, walking out with an outward-turned gait. Against the backdrop of the armor set, he could truly be said to have reached new heights of handsomeness.

As it happened, Hua Meigui walked in, preparing to report on recent sect affairs. Seeing him wearing the bright and imposing battle armor, she couldn’t help but stop, a trace of astonishment flashing through her beautiful eyes.

“How is it?”

Jun Changxiao placed one foot on a stone bench, raised two fingers toward the sky, furrowed his brows and widened his eyes in a flashy pose.

Hua Meigui said: “Your hair is too much of a hindrance.”

“Swish!”

Taking out a gleaming razor, she smiled sweetly: “How about I help husband shave it all off?”

“…”

Jun Changxiao collapsed internally.

This woman was far too obsessed with bald heads!

The System said: “Actually, this shows from another angle that even if the host became bald, he would still possess irresistible charm.”

“Makes sense!”

“So, shave it off.”

“Get lost!”

The Desolate Radiance Heavenly Sound Set was indeed good, but the function of equipment lay in protection, not in being looked at. So exactly how powerful its effects were still needed to be tested.

How to test it?

Very simple—call Li Qingyang and Ye Xingchen over, have one wear the armor set and one not wear it, and spar to verify.

…

Main Peak, martial arts training ground.

The disciples gathered around the perimeter, discussing in low voices.

“Step!”

Just then, Ye Xingchen walked up.

Li Qingyang also arrived, and he was wearing the Desolate Radiance Heavenly Sound Set. His entire person could be described as heroically distinguished, his imposing aura like a rainbow.

“Begin.”

Jun Changxiao, standing in front of the main hall, said loudly.

“Junior Brother.”

Li Qingyang cupped his fists: “Please!”

“Swish!”

As soon as the words fell, Ye Xingchen charged forward in quick strides, gathering true energy in his fist to execute the Heaven-Crossing Palm Strike.

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

After a short while, Ah Niu was knocked to the ground, his facial expression showing a dazed state.

Apart from He Wudi, he had the most outstanding strength among the core disciples. Fighting against Second Senior Brother shouldn’t have been a problem, but after just over ten moves he was defeated—it was simply too damaging to his self-esteem!

“Sect Master!”

Li Qingyang said excitedly: “The amplification effect is much stronger than the True Yang Set!”

He was still circulating his true energy. The patterns carved on the chest armor, knee guards, and bracers flickered with brilliant light and emanated an extremely desolate aura.

This was one of the functions of the Desolate Radiance Heavenly Sound Set. As long as it merged with the user’s true energy, it would greatly enhance all aspects of their strength.

In the earlier battle, whether in terms of strength, speed, or defense, Li Qingyang had towered above Ye Xingchen, so the latter’s defeat in just over ten moves was not at all unjust.

However, there was a drawback.

Under high bursts of power, consumption was also great.

After the brief exchange, Li Qingyang clearly felt that his true core energy had been depleted considerably.

“Still acceptable,” Jun Changxiao said.

Battles were often decided in an instant. If disciples equipped themselves with this kind of equipment that could instantly amplify combat power by fifty percent, they would undoubtedly occupy a greater advantage against enemies.

“Ah Niu.”

Jun Changxiao walked down and said: “This Seat has another set here. Do you want it or not?”

Ye Xingchen, who had been squatting dejectedly on the steps, immediately raised his head and said without hesitation: “I want it!”

The text special effects could transform him into a Musou War God, but after all it was a trump card that couldn’t be used constantly, so he wouldn’t disdain the Desolate Radiance Heavenly Sound Set that amplified strength.

As for the self-esteem that had just been wounded, it no longer mattered. In fact, if he could become stronger, he’d lie on the ground and let you trample him!

…

The appearance of the Desolate Radiance Heavenly Sound Set could be used to replace the True Yang Set, but the problem was a severe shortage of ore. So that very day, Jun Changxiao sent a letter to Young Master Yuan, having him procure more materials in this area.

“Families that do medicinal materials business should also operate in ore, right?”

After brief consideration, Yuan Feng immediately contacted them and set up a banquet at a high-class tavern.

When the families cooperating with the alchemy shop received the news, they immediately wanted to cry without tears, because if they did ore business with him again, they would definitely be subjected to massive price cuts again.

…

“Boom!”

At the back mountain, Jun Changxiao properly installed the high-grade Life-Death Secret Realm and said loudly: “From today onward, you all have a new training ground.”

The disciples’ gazes became fervent.

“However.”

Jun Changxiao added: “This secret realm is more advanced than the previous one. Inside it is similarly divided into several modes. You all must act according to your capabilities.”

“Yes!”

Li Qingyang organized the disciples to pioneer it that very day.

They chose simple mode. Although they ultimately managed to clear it, when they came out they were all exhausted and collapsed on the ground.

“Big Brother.”

Gu Zhaoxi became interested and said: “Can I go in to train?”

“You can.”

“Swish!”

Leaping and flying away, he merged into the Life-Death Secret Realm.

After a short while, a resonant voice echoed throughout the entire Eternal Ages Sect: “Gu Zhaoxi challenges Hell Mode!”

“Holy crap!”

“Master-Uncle is so fierce!”

“Back in the day, Junior Brother Ye also challenged Hell Mode alone!”

“Whoosh—”

Just as the disciples were discussing, from the vortex of the Life-Death Secret Realm, Gu Zhaoxi directly flew out, then lay on the ground like a puddle of mud, his legs occasionally twitching.

“Sigh.”

Jun Changxiao shook his head: “Carry him to the Medical Hall.”

…

Wuu wuu wuu!

Wuu wuu wuu!

In a barren area where not a blade of grass grew, the cold wind blew like the wailing of ghosts and howling of wolves.

“Step!”

“Step!”

After a while, a not-tall martial artist draped in black robes walked out from within. Due to lighting and angle issues, it was difficult to see his appearance clearly.

“Disciple.”

In the vault of heaven, a human figure coalesced and said: “How goes your cultivation?”

The black-robed person stopped and said: “Reporting to Master, this disciple has already stepped into the Fifth Revolution Core Rotation Realm.”

“Ha ha ha!”

The figure laughed heartily: “When this old man brought you over, you had just stepped into Half-Step Martial Saint. In just a few short years you’ve reached the Fifth Revolution—worthy of being a child of the plane! This breakthrough speed is truly unprecedented and will never be surpassed!”

“If not for Master helping me awaken my bloodline, this disciple might not have achieved what I have today,” the black-robed martial artist said.

“Therefore!”

The figure said gravely: “The ten-year agreement set with Old Man Tonggu—you must win it no matter what. You absolutely cannot disappoint Master!”

“Thud!”

The black-robed martial artist knelt on the ground: “This disciple will definitely give his all!”

“Whoosh!”

A gust of wind blew over, lifting him to his feet.

“Disciple.”

The figure said: “Remember, after a person is born, their knees are only for kneeling to parents!”

“Yes!”

“Come, follow your master to the Ten Thousand Zhang Cliff to continue cultivating.”

…

Extreme Dao Cave Dwelling.

After Qiye Zhenren placed a chess piece, he said: “I hear that Daoist Guhong’s disciple comes from the lower realm, and moreover is a child of the plane. The ten-year agreement may be somewhat unfavorable for you.”

“Hmph.”

Daoist Tonggu said disdainfully: “Lower realm worlds are as numerous as river sand. Picking any one at random could be considered a child of the plane.”

“Though you say that.”

Qiye Zhenren said: “But you cannot deny that Daoist Guhong is superior to you in cultivating disciples. Perhaps an ordinary child of the plane will be cultivated into a top expert in just ten short years.”

“You think I’ll lose?”

“Calling me over to play chess every day, not wholeheartedly cultivating your disciple—I find it very difficult to imagine how you’ll win.”

“Don’t mention that fellow. I can’t teach him!”

Thinking of how after training Jun Changxiao for two years he hadn’t even broken through to the Second Revolution, Daoist Tonggu immediately felt a belly full of rage and said regretfully: “Taking this brat as a disciple is the thing I regret most.”

—