The Alliance’s fifty-plus sect leaders had thought things through yesterday—they would rely on their own imposing auras to give Jun Changxiao a show of force. But under the song “Iron-Blooded Loyal Heart,” their rhythm was completely disrupted.

By the time they came to their senses, Sect Leader Jun, wearing sunglasses and chomping on a cigar, was already standing in the training grounds with eight disciples arrayed in a line behind him.

Li Qingyang and Xiao Zueji had their hands clasped behind their backs, their expressions solemn.

Su Xiaomo, Li Fei, and Tian Qi stood with arms crossed and heads held high.

Lu Qianqian and Zhou Hong—one holding a sword, one embracing a sword.

Ye Xingchen rather shamefully set down the sound system, then stepped on it with one foot, the corner of his mouth lifting in an evil smile.

Though facing them were dozens of sect leaders long accustomed to positions of authority, the pride radiating from their brows and their iron-like backbone showed they were not at all inferior!

Wonder arose in the hearts of the martial artists watching the excitement.

Don’t look at the Iron Bones Clanging Sect’s low rank—the disciples they brought had quite the imposing presence!

However.

That line Sect Leader Jun said—”My Iron Bones Clanging Sect has come to wreck your place”—wasn’t that a bit arrogant?

More than a bit.

Extremely arrogant!

Standing in front of the great hall, Qin Haoran’s expression gradually darkened, and he even had the urge to curse him out.

Everyone in the martial world, when issuing challenges, would beautify it as “martial exchange and discussion.” This guy comes in and immediately says “wreck your place.” Does he understand the rules of the martial world? Does he understand martial world righteousness?

Jun Changxiao understood, but since he’d already torn off all pretenses with the Hundred Sects Alliance, coming here to fight meant he wouldn’t be welcomed anyway. So he might as well be as arrogant as possible.

“Yellow-mouthed brat!”

One Alliance sect leader angrily said, “At…”

Jun Changxiao raised his hand, tilted his head to the side, and pointed at him with his index finger. Like someone possessed by a certain Wang, he said indifferently, “Not satisfied? Hold it in!”

Remembering Situ Wang who had been berated until he vomited blood at the Star Moon Tower, that sect leader hurriedly swallowed his words back down.

One gesture, one sentence, and an Alliance bigwig didn’t dare make a sound.

The martial artists watching the excitement thought admiringly, “What a badass!”

“Haha.”

Suddenly, laughter rang out.

Everyone followed the sound and saw Ai Shangni walking out from the crowd, his face full of smiles.

Was Family Head Ai unable to watch any longer and going to suppress that guy’s arrogance on behalf of Sect Leader Qin?

Many people thought this.

Qin Haoran also thought so and cupped his fists. “Family Head Ai’s kind intentions, I appreciate them. This boy has a sharp tongue—please don’t waste too many words on him.”

Ai Shangni ignored him and walked toward Jun Changxiao.

This made many martial artists unanimously determine that Family Head Ai was dead set on helping Sect Leader Qin, and was even going to engage in close-range verbal attacks.

Such deep friendship—enviable!

Though Sect Leader Qin felt somewhat apologetic, the corner of his mouth revealed a self-satisfied smile.

Quite a few bigwigs from various parties had come this time—the scale far exceeded the recent sect competition. With the Ai Family supporting him on such a grand occasion, it truly was—glorious!

Young man.

This is the Ai Family Head.

Not only extensively connected but also selling high-grade medicinal pills.

He came today to support this Alliance Leader. If you dare berate him, you’ll offend more than just Qingyang Commandery.

At that moment, Qin Haoran very much wanted to see Jun Changxiao berate Ai Shangni. That way he’d only offend more people, and his end would only be more miserable.

“Sect Leader Jun.”

The approaching Ai Shangni spoke, his face wearing a spring breeze-like smile.

Many people determined this was mockery!

But!

The next gesture and sentence left them all collectively dumbfounded. That gesture was a bow, and those words were: “How have you been recently?”

This…

Understood, understood!

After all, the Ai Family had been rolling around in the business world for many years. They did things properly and methodically. They didn’t want to attack directly, but wanted to civilizedly go through the formalities first.

Worthy of someone battle-hardened!

Before berating someone, politely offer greetings first!

If that Jun Changxiao attacked directly, he’d only appear uncultured, only appear shallow!

Take note—this is textbook-level berating!

The sect leader who had just spoken and swallowed his words back was thinking admiringly to himself. He had been too angry earlier and forgotten his decorum, otherwise he could definitely have engaged in verbal combat with that young man for dozens of rounds.

“Family Head Ai.”

Jun Changxiao cupped his fists and smiled. “You’re also here?”

The martial artists who had been secretly admiring Ai Shangni’s veteran berating skills saw that he too was smiling broadly and being very courteous, and their expressions immediately froze.

Damn!

Copying his style, meeting move with countermove!

At that moment, everyone seemed to see two currents of berating energy manifesting around Ai Shangni and Jun Changxiao.

Though they were all smiles, as if old friends meeting, they were invisibly engaged in fierce exchanges, fighting intensely.

Master, master!

Just as the various bigwigs were over-interpreting things, Family Head Ai spoke: “Hearing that your esteemed sect was coming to the Righteous Qi Gate for martial exchange and discussion, as a good friend I naturally had to come to support you.”

First state your position before berating—how particular!

Everyone continued watching for changes in Jun Changxiao’s expression, guessing whether he would back down upon realizing his opponent was very formidable.

He didn’t back down.

Instead, he cupped his fists and smiled. “That the Ai Family could come to support me, I’m extremely grateful.”

Click.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

This guy thinks the Ai Family came to support him?

“Hmph.”

Qin Haoran said coldly, “Sect Leader Jun, you’re really so full of yourself.”

“Full of myself?”

Jun Changxiao looked at Ai Shangni in bewilderment. “Family Head Ai, you didn’t come to support me?”

“Pffthahaha.”

“Has this guy still not figured it out?”

“He doesn’t even need to think about it—how could a medicinal pill family like the Ai Family come to support an Eighth-Rate sect?”

The Hundred Sects Alliance sect leaders finally seized the opportunity and laughed unscrupulously.

“That’s right.”

Family Head Ai quickly smiled. “I rushed here from Huyang City specifically to support Sect Leader Jun!”

Click.

The Alliance bigwigs’ laughter stopped abruptly. Some caught off guard nearly choked.

The speed was too fast, the turn too sharp.

The martial artists who came to watch the excitement widened their eyes one by one, even suspecting they had misheard.

“Thank you.” Jun Changxiao said.

Sect Leader Qin’s expression froze, and he said incredulously, “Family Head Ai, you… just said you came to support this brat?”

Family Head Ai walked to stand behind Jun Changxiao, at the edge of the training grounds, and only then spoke: “That’s right.”

“Hahaha!”

Xie Guangkun, who had been holding back for a long time, laughed loudly. “I don’t know who’s been going on and on here being full of himself. I’m embarrassed for him.”

Qin Haoran’s face immediately turned as green as a beam of light, green enough to make people panic!

City Lord Xie then led the family heads from Qingyang City toward Jun Changxiao and cupped his fists. “Sect Leader Jun, don’t panic, don’t rush, don’t fear. The three million six hundred thousand people of my Qingyang City stand on the same front line with you today!”

As he spoke, he walked before Family Head Ai.

As Family Head Li passed Li Qingyang, he heavily patted his shoulder. “Son, your father is watching from behind. Don’t bring shame to my Li Family, and even more, don’t bring shame to the Iron Bones Clanging Sect!”

Upon learning his son had defeated a Sacred Spring Sect inner disciple at Spiritual Spring Mountain, he had sat in his study with old tears flowing for a long time. Only then did he truly realize how correct his son’s decision had been at that time!

Coming to the Righteous Qi Gate wasn’t representing three million six hundred thousand people, but representing a father!

“Mm.”

Li Qingyang’s gaze was resolute.

Behind him were Ai Shangke, Xie Guangkun, and also the three million six hundred thousand people of Qingyang City.

“Sect Leader Jun.”

Suddenly, a resonant voice said, “This old one heard from Ma Yunteng at the sect that you, this young fellow, are not simple. Seeing you today, it’s indeed so.”

Next to Family Head Ai, an elderly man with a full head of white hair and sharp gaze appeared out of nowhere.

“Senior is?” Jun Changxiao asked in bewilderment.

The old man said in a resonant voice, “Cangshan Sect, Wang Donglin.”

As soon as these words came out, the entire venue was shocked.

Wang Donglin—wasn’t he one of the four great elders of the Cangshan Sect whose cultivation had reached peak Wuzong!

“Sect Leader Jun.”

Ai Shangni said in a low voice, “I hired him.”

So that’s how it is.

Jun Changxiao stood with hands clasped behind his back, looking toward Qin Haoran. In the most proper martial world manner, he declared loudly, “Iron Bones Clanging Sect Leader Jun Changxiao leads his disciples to come to the Righteous Qi Gate for battle!”