After disciple Liu Baiwan described the process, Jun Changxiao fell into thought.

Over these years he’d also plundered quite a few forbidden lands and knew well that the Upper Realm had an unwritten rule—whoever went in and obtained good items owned them. Would Dao Sect disciples not know this?

Moreover, Earth Response Stones weren’t particularly valuable items.

To argue over such trivial matters with his Eternal Sect disciples, then directly fight—no matter how one looked at it, it seemed like…

“Sect Master.”

Ye Xingchen frowned: “In disciple’s view, they were deliberately looking for trouble with our Eternal Sect!”

After occupying the Demon Ancestor’s body, this guy’s intelligence seemed to have noticeably improved.

“This seat’s master is Tonggu Zhenren. Tianhua Dao Sect couldn’t possibly not know. To deliberately cause trouble in the forbidden land, someone must be backing them from behind.” Jun Changxiao speculated.

Previously when the Dao Stone vein appeared, quite a few forces came, including Dao-rank ones. After he defeated the Lingtian Immortal Sect elder, didn’t they all obediently leave? Unless Tianhua Dao Sect’s brains were kicked by a donkey, why would they actively look for trouble?

“Sect Master.”

Li Luoqiu entered: “Investigation is complete.”

“Speak.”

“Tianhua Dao Sect was established fifty thousand years ago. After advancing to True-rank, they latched onto Lingtian Immortal Sect, this big tree. In just ten thousand years they leaped to become Dao-rank.”

“Oh?”

Jun Changxiao became interested.

Li Luoqiu continued, “Every ten years Tianhua Dao Sect sends outstanding disciples to Lingtian Immortal Sect to cultivate. On the surface they appear to be allies, but many know they’re actually in a superior-subordinate relationship.”

“Lackeys?”

“One could see it that way.”

Jun Changxiao leaned back in his chair, his right hand gently tapping the desk surface. A smile gradually appeared on his face: “The truth seems to have surfaced.”

Ye Xingchen said, “Because they have Lingtian Immortal Sect backing them, Tianhua Dao Sect dares not fear our Eternal Sect?”

“No, no.”

Jun Changxiao rested his chin on the back of his hand: “The Ten Great Immortal Sects are currently sealing the two clans’ ancestral lands, preparing to take action at any time. But without justification, how can they explain to the world?”

“I understand!”

Ye Xingchen realized: “Tianhua Dao Sect was ordered to target our Eternal Sect, thereby giving the Ten Great Immortal Sects an opportunity to act.”

“Correct.”

“Hmph.”

Ye Xingchen said coldly, “Only trash play conspiracies and tricks.”

Having once been harmed by Female Emperor Ling Yao, he most hated those who played schemes and dirty tricks.

“Sect Master!”

Li Qingyang transmitted: “The Tianhua Dao Sect Master is here visiting!”

“So fast?”

Jun Changxiao stroked his chin, eyes narrowing with a smile: “This seat wants to see how you perform this act.”

……

“Whoosh whoosh!”

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”

In the sky, led by Lin Shangyi, ten high-ranking Tianhua Dao Sect members stood proudly, the auras they released extremely unfriendly.

They hadn’t come to ransom people—they came to provoke conflict!

However, when they saw the Eternal Sect’s gates wide open with Elder Huang and the other three bound and carried out by Eternal Sect disciples, their violent auras immediately weakened considerably.

Lower-tier Truth-Seeking Realm cultivators were pillars even for a Dao Sect. If anything happened to them, they absolutely couldn’t afford the loss.

“Whoosh!”

Jun Changxiao flew out, hovering gracefully outside the mountain gate.

He quite politely cupped his fists toward Lin Shangyi: “Your Excellency has an imposing bearing and mighty presence. You must be Sect Master Lin of Tianhua Dao Sect, yes?”

“Correct.”

Lin Shangyi’s tone was neither cold nor warm.

Jun Changxiao said, “This seat won’t waste words. To ransom your sect’s four elders, please pay one billion Profound Stones.”

If it were a Profound Sect or True Sect, the price might be lowered, but since this was a Dao Sect second only to Immortal Sects, he naturally opened his mouth like a lion.

Having Gou Sheng actively extort innocent people—he couldn’t do it. But if there was a grudge between them, he definitely wouldn’t be polite. Reference the Lower Realm Demon Emperor Gate, shearing that sheep again and again.

Moreover.

They had provoked trouble first, making him even more justified!

“Jun Changxiao!”

Lin Shangyi’s gaze turned fierce as he rebuked: “Our two sects’ disciples merely had a small conflict, yet you kidnapped four of my sect’s elders and demand one billion Profound Stones with your mouth—isn’t that excessive!”

Jun Changxiao had only been speculating earlier, but now seeing the opponent arrive and immediately seize the initiative, he was certain they were deliberately causing trouble, probably hoping to make the matter big, known throughout the world, giving the Immortal Sects justification to appear.

Fine.

I’ll cooperate with you.

“Not excessive at all.”

Jun Changxiao’s manner was extremely punchable.

“You…”

Lin Shangyi forcefully suppressed his anger, his tone softening: “If our sect was at fault first, naturally we’ll apologize. So please release the four elders, Sect Master Jun.”

The acting couldn’t be too much, or it would easily reveal flaws.

Big brother, your disciples causing trouble for no reason, instantly dispatching elders for rescue behavior—even if his Jun Gou Sheng’s intelligence was low, he could see through it!

If describing it with one word, this was absolutely a pig teammate.

“Releasing them is possible.”

Jun Changxiao said, “But first pay the ransom.”

Not fearing others’ awkward acting, but fearing someone would cooperate.

Gou Sheng had guessed their intent, so naturally he hoped to make matters bigger, because… he likewise lacked a justification to act.

Simply put.

The Ten Great Immortal Sects wanted to mess with Jun Changxiao. But didn’t Jun Changxiao also want to mess with the Ten Great Immortal Sects?

Both sides hit it off—come on, come on, everyone act your hearts out!

Of course.

Jun Changxiao didn’t even need to deliberately act, because he played extortion so smoothly, this was completely natural performance.

“Sect Master Jun.”

Lin Shangyi said coldly, “Your master is at least a distinguished figure in the Upper Realm. Yet as his disciple you engage in extortion and blackmail—aren’t you afraid of losing face for Senior Tonggu?”

“My apologies.”

Jun Changxiao said, “My master has long transcended the three realms and is no longer bound by the five elements. He sees face very lightly.”

“…”

This statement left Lin Shangyi unable to respond.

“This seat’s patience is limited.” Jun Changxiao descended before the mountain gate, placing one hand on Elder Huang’s shoulder: “You’d better cooperate, otherwise…”

“Crack!”

Bones shattered, crisp and clear.

Elder Huang’s expression froze, clearly not expecting this guy would suddenly attack him.

“Doesn’t it hurt?”

“Ahhh—”

Elder Huang began screaming in pain.

“Jun Changxiao!”

Seeing this, Lin Shangyi’s fury soared.

Jun Changxiao walked to Elder Huang’s other side, gripping his shoulder: “This seat doesn’t care about right or wrong in the matter. Anyone who dares bully my Eternal Sect disciples must pay the price.”

“Crack!”

“Ahhh—”

Both shoulder bones crushed, Elder Huang’s face not only became twisted, his arms naturally dropped down.

The other four companions bound beside him had cold sweat streaming down their foreheads and backs.

“Don’t worry.”

Jun Changxiao walked before one person, smiling: “As long as your sect master doesn’t pay, it’ll be your turn soon.”

This smile.

Was exactly like a demon’s.

The four elders were shocked to their cores, struggling to raise their heads toward Lin Shangyi, seeming to plead: “Sect Master, please pay quickly, we can’t hold out much longer!”

Mainly because their cultivation had been temporarily sealed, they had no difference from ordinary people in resisting pain.

“Pff!”

Suddenly, a dagger stabbed into the chest of Elder Huang’s companion.

“Sss!”

It was quickly pulled out, blood spraying.

Jun Changxiao shook the blood-stained dagger, looking toward the furious Lin Shangyi, grinning: “Don’t pay, and the next stab goes straight to the heart.”