Relying on the Sect Quest Board, disciples could accept quests on their own. Jun Changxiao didn’t need to distribute them one by one, which saved him quite a bit of worry.

Next, he called over Su Xiaomo, Li Fei, and Tian Qi, and according to their respective spiritual roots, gave each of them a bottle of Aptitude Modification Liquid.

Having tasted the benefits before, the three of them took them in hand and consumed them directly.

Tian Qi and Li Fei’s spiritual roots rose to medium-grade level, and their cultivation also advanced to Sixth-Grade Martial Disciple.

Su Xiaomo advanced to high-grade spiritual roots, and his cultivation broke through to Seventh-Grade Martial Disciple.

At this point, the number of people with high-grade spiritual roots in the Iron Bones Clanging Sect expanded from three to four. Although the sect was only eighth-rate, it already surpassed the sixth-rate Haoran Gate, which had three people with high-grade spiritual roots.

However, high-grade spiritual root aptitude alone—overall strength was still far behind.

“Thank you, Sect Leader!”

The three of Su Xiaomo cupped their fists.

Jun Changxiao said: “Continue cultivating diligently. In one month, this seat will take you to Death Valley for field training.”

The three, who had been quite happy, heard the three words “Death Valley” and their facial expressions immediately froze.

“What’s wrong?” Jun Changxiao asked.

Su Xiaomo said in alarm: “Sect Leader, Death Valley is a forbidden zone in Qingyang Commandery. It’s said that high-level fierce beasts comparable to Martial Ancestors can be seen everywhere inside!”

Tian Qi and Li Fei’s gazes also showed apprehension.

The three had heard their elders speak of Death Valley’s various terrifying aspects since childhood, producing lingering psychological shadows.

Not just them.

Martial artists in Qingyang Commandery would also turn pale at the mention of Death Valley.

A forbidden zone.

This wasn’t just talk!

Jun Changxiao said: “It’s precisely because there’s difficulty that this seat is taking you for field training—this way you can improve your strength!”

Wasn’t this just to complete the epic quest? He made it sound so painstaking and well-intentioned.

“If Sect Leader says go, then we’ll go!” Su Xiaomo declared his position, and Tian Qi and Li Fei also agreed.

Psychological shadows? Overcome them!

The one who reacted most strongly was still Li Qingyang.

When he learned of this matter, he nearly failed to stand steady and sat down!

“Sect Leader!”

Li Qingyang said with a grave expression: “Death Valley is filled with fierce beasts. Without Martial Ancestor cultivation, if ten people enter, two or three coming out alive would already be good!”

“That dangerous?”

“Extremely dangerous!”

Jun Changxiao stroked his chin and smiled: “The more dangerous, the more challenging. Prepare well—in one month we’ll head to Death Valley.”

Li Qingyang fell silent.

As a disciple, he wouldn’t oppose the Sect Leader’s decision. Following instructions, he gathered the ten medium-aptitude junior brothers and began arranging special training.

Jun Changxiao also knew that Death Valley was extremely dangerous and he couldn’t treat disciples’ lives as a joke, so he began equipping them with large quantities of Qi Gathering Pills, hoping to raise them to higher levels within one month.

“Can’t be short on off-tanks either.”

“That Li Yuhua kid has good physical endurance. Have Zuiji give him special training—he can be used to tank monsters then.”

Li Qingyang took the ten medium-grade spiritual root disciples to cultivate, while Xiao Zuiji conducted individual special training for Li Yuhua. Everything was arranged properly.

Next, they just had to wait for training to finish before setting off for Death Valley to run the dungeon!

As for the other disciples, Jun Changxiao couldn’t neglect them either. Because his level was suppressed, he personally went into action to train disciples.

First, set a small goal.

In a short time, have all the newly admitted disciples break through to Twelve-Segment Meridian Opening, or even Martial Disciple!

With plenty of Meridian Opening Pills, this wouldn’t be a problem!

……

The selected disciples began special training for the Death Valley expedition one month later.

The newly admitted disciples cultivated under Jun Changxiao’s guidance.

Elder Wei was also cultivating high-quality medicinal herbs while training five disciples.

The sect was thriving and prosperous.

On the third day, Li Luoqiu led people back to the sect.

“Sect Leader.”

In the study, Hall Master Li placed a spatial ring on the desk and smiled: “The Xiao Family mine vein has collapsed, and we’ve seized several hundred thousand taels of iron ore.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Excellent.”

With the mine vein collapsed, the Xiao Family could dig it back out.

But doing so would consume much more material and manpower, and they would also suffer major losses in the short term.

“This seat has installed equipment in the training room that can improve movement techniques. When you have time, have the Fine Rain Hall members go cultivate there.” Jun Changxiao said.

“Equipment that improves movement techniques?”

With curiosity, Li Luoqiu came to the training room and saw that next to the Sculpting Room, there was another tent with light flashing on it, clearly someone training inside.

Beep!

Time’s up.

The door of the Movement Technique Training Room opened, and Su Xiaomo walked out all bruised and battered, staggering crookedly, then fell down with a “thud,” white foam spraying from his mouth.

Li Luoqiu stroked her chin and said: “Seems a bit scary.”

With that, she stepped into the Movement Technique Training Room.

What appeared before her was a spacious area. The moment the door closed, her body uncontrollably started running.

It was somewhat similar to a treadmill, but the difference was that after Li Luoqiu started running, countless hidden weapons flew at her from all directions, forcing her to dodge.

One hour later.

The training room time ended. Li Luoqiu walked out from inside, covered in fragrant sweat, her slender legs trembling violently, gasping for breath: “Too… too terrifying!”

……

Xiao Family.

When the Grand Elder learned that several Xiao Family direct descendants supervising the workers had disappeared and the mine vein had also collapsed, he couldn’t suppress it—a mouthful of blood sprayed out.

The Ai Family severing business relations—that loss could still be within bearable range. But the family’s greatest economic income, the mine vein, collapsing was absolutely a fatal blow. It was already good that he didn’t faint on the spot from anger.

“Detestable, who did this!”

“First the Qingya Residence was burned, then the Ai Family severed business relations with us, and now the mine vein has innocently collapsed. Someone must be orchestrating this behind the scenes!”

The Xiao Family upper echelon was furious, one after another.

Several industries supporting their economy suffering consecutive heavy blows—this was extremely fatal for a family and absolutely unbearable.

Just think about it: without a supply source meant losing capital, and without capital, how could they purchase martial cultivation resources to maintain normal cultivation for the direct descendants?

The matter of the Ai Family severing business relations and the mine vein collapsing quickly spread through Liyang City.

Martial artists who had originally speculated that the Qingya Residence fire might be coincidence immediately determined this was damn well because they’d offended someone and been properly arranged!

Who arranged it?

Many people were thinking about it, various speculations spreading through Liyang City.

“The Bei Family and Xiao Family have always had grievances. In my view, the possibility of the Bei Family causing trouble in secret is extremely high.”

“The Zhang Family and Wang Family had unpleasantness with the Xiao Family a few years ago over iron ore. These two families are also very likely suspects.”

Martial artists constantly discussed, the matter continuously fermenting, various versions of speculation spreading. If all were categorized together, large and small families throughout Liyang City almost all had motive.

Initially, the Bei Family paid no attention to the outside rumors. After all, they hadn’t done anything—an upright person doesn’t fear a crooked shadow!

But when Xiao Family direct descendants heard about it, they imperceptibly became convinced the Bei Family was causing trouble in secret. So when they encountered Bei Family direct descendants on the street, they found each other displeasing. Disputes immediately erupted, finally escalating into all-out brawls.

Just like that, Liyang City, which had been peaceful, because the two families brought their conflict completely into the open, staged spectacular fights almost every day.

Many suspected families were also dragged in, making the city chaotic and unbearable.

Sect Leader Jun, the spreader of various versions of rumors, sat in his study listening to Li Luoqiu’s report and grinned: “This is what they call ‘words can be fearsome.'”