All living beings from the Xingyun Continent had moved into the Eternal Realm, and the major sects and powers had successively chosen their own mountain territories.
Mountain territories were also divided by grade and quality. Some places had strong heaven and earth attributes, while others were relatively weaker. Therefore, choosing a mountain territory was a major matter concerning future development.
The sects entering the Eternal Realm had no right to choose, because the exceptionally favorable geomantic treasures were often allocated by the Eternal Sect—not something you could occupy just because you wanted to.
For example, the two regions closest to Tiegu Mountain had mountains where mountains were needed and lakes where lakes were needed. From a geomantic perspective, they were absolutely first-class crouching dragon and hidden tiger territories.
If not allocated, the major powers would definitely fight over them tooth and nail.
Who got such excellent locations in the end?
Cangshan Sect.
Miaohua Palace.
Regarding this, the major powers had no objections whatsoever.
The reason was simple—when the Eternal Sect was developing in the Xingyun Continent, these two major powers had an alliance relationship with them.
Over these years, the Cangshan Sect’s internal high-level positions had undergone major changes. The former elder Ma Yunteng had become the new generation sect… oh no, should be called Sect Master now.
The former fifth-rate sect had now stepped into the second-rate tier.
Like the Cangshan Sect, after Miaohua Palace settled into the Eternal Realm, its overall strength was also rapidly increasing. It had already stepped from fourth-rate to first-rate, becoming one of the top prestigious houses within the realm.
The two allied sects improved so quickly because Jun Changxiao spared no cost in sending them pills, resources, and even talents.
The Eternal Sect opened its mountain gates every year to recruit disciples, but could only absorb a very small portion of people, so those eliminated would be preferentially recommended to the nearby Cangshan Sect or Miaohua Palace.
Put bluntly: The Eternal Sect selected the cream of the crop. Cangshan Sect and Miaohua Palace selected the next tier down. Whatever remained unselected, the other major powers could fight over.
For a sect to prosper without decline, the input of new blood was indispensable.
With the two major powers situated in geomantic treasures and able to select talented geniuses with decent aptitude first, they naturally grew stronger and stronger.
They had just entered the Eternal Realm not long ago, but as time passed, the Cangshan Sect and Miaohua Palace would inevitably grow stronger, becoming the two strongest sects beneath the Eternal Sect with almost no suspense.
“Without Sect Master Jun,” on the martial arts training ground, Ma Yunteng pointed toward distant Tiegu Mountain and loudly declared, “there would be no Cangshan Sect today, no world blooming with splendid flowers!”
Hearing this, the disciples’ eyes filled with admiration.
“Sect Master!” someone said. “Could you tell us disciples the story of our Cangshan Sect and the Eternal Sect from before!”
The fellow disciples’ eyes lit up.
Most of the disciples gathered at the training ground had only entered the sect a few years ago. Though they knew the sect had an alliance relationship with the Eternal Sect, they didn’t understand that period of history very well.
Ma Yunteng sat down and reminisced: “The story of our Cangshan Sect and the Eternal Sect goes back to the Hundred Sects Recruitment held in Qingyang City that year. It was a day with clear autumn skies. I went as usual to scout for talent and happened to meet Sect Master Jun. At that time, he only had one disciple…”
The camera slowly moved upward.
When it descended again, the scene had returned to decades ago, to the scene of the Hundred Sects Recruitment in Qingyang City.
For Ma Yunteng, being able to meet and know Jun Changxiao was something he could boast about for a lifetime.
“Whoosh—”
Suddenly, a streak of flowing light flew past the Cangshan Sect, interrupting Ma Yunteng’s reminiscing. He joyfully exclaimed, “Sect Master Jun!”
That’s right. It was indeed Jun Changxiao.
However, he wasn’t coming to the Cangshan Sect but just happened to pass by the area. His true destination was Miaohua Palace. Perhaps he had some urgent matter—he didn’t even have time to greet his old friend.
“It really is Sect Master Jun!”
“Our god!”
The Cangshan Sect disciples were so excited they nearly jumped up.
All living beings in the Eternal Realm had already come to view Jun Changxiao as a god.
“Sect Master,” Wang Donglin, who had already advanced to Grand Elder, walked out from the inner courtyard and asked in confusion, “Why would Sect Master Jun have time to visit Miaohua Palace today?”
“A bit strange,” Ma Yunteng said.
Those who had dealings with the Eternal Sect in early years mostly knew that Jun Changxiao and the Palace Master of Miaohua Palace had a little-known story. It’s just… they seemed to have had very little contact in recent years.
—
Miaohua Palace.
Nestled against mountains and beside water, the environment was beautiful.
Unlike the Cangshan Sect, this sect always insisted on following the old path, recruiting only female disciples.
Among the Eternal Sect’s notable female disciples, you could count them on ten fingers, but at Miaohua Palace there were uniformly female disciples.
“Senior Brother Li,” at an open space within the mountain, a flower-like jade girl said shyly, “Thank you.”
“Our two sects are allies. Helping each other is only natural,” Li Shangtian said with a grinning smile.
Wait, that’s not right!
How was this guy at Miaohua Palace!
However, when the camera spiritually shifted to other areas, Yang Yuhua, Long Ziyang and others were all instructing young ladies in martial arts, their dedication no less than sect elders teaching in the martial arts hall.
In contrast, not a single Eternal Sect disciple was seen at the Cangshan Sect!
This was way too real!
“Whoosh—”
Jun Changxiao dragged flowing light as he flew into Miaohua Palace and landed at the training ground.
“Oh no!”
“Why did the Sect Master come!”
“Whoosh!”
“Whoosh!”
In an instant, Li Shangtian and the others collectively disappeared from Miaohua Palace, their movement techniques utilized to perfection.
Jun Changxiao steadied himself and shook his head: “Elder Wei, I don’t restrict you all from romantic relationships. Why act so sneaky about it?”
“Uh…”
Elder Wei, who was preparing to sneak away from the shadows, gave an awkward smile.
“Sect Master Jun,” Leng Xingyue walked out from the main hall, rolled her eyes at that guy hiding in the shadows, then asked, “What brings you to my Miaohua Palace?”
Jun Changxiao said, “Where is Palace Master Xi?”
“The Palace Master is in closed-door cultivation.”
“How long until she emerges?”
“At the quickest three to five months, at the slowest three to five years.”
“…”
Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched: “I have very important matters. Could you trouble yourself to notify her?”
“This…”
“No need to notify. I’ve already emerged from seclusion.”
Suddenly, Xi Jingxuan’s ethereal voice came from the inner courtyard.
“…” Leng Xingyue was speechless.
The Palace Master entered closed-door cultivation this time to raise her cultivation realm and had even instructed everyone not to disturb her. Yet as soon as Jun Changxiao arrived, she couldn’t sit still.
Alas.
My foolish Palace Master.
He already has a wife, so why do you still keep thinking about him?
At this moment, Xi Jingxuan walked out from the inner courtyard. She wore a light yellow long dress, her fair face hung with a brilliant smile.
Fine.
My Palace Master even changed her clothes!
“Sect Master Jun,” Xi Jingxuan smiled, “What is the purpose of this visit?”
“I found a sword that may relate to Palace Master Xi’s identity,” Jun Changxiao said with a serious expression.
“Identity?”
Xi Jingxuan’s eyes filled with astonishment.
—
“Whoosh!”
“Whoosh!”
In the Guixu Realm, Jun Changxiao and Xi Jingxuan appeared out of thin air.
Dog Leftovers had brought her out while constantly watching for changes in her expression. The result… he saw nothing.
“Sect Master Jun, where’s the sword?”
“Follow me.”
The two walked to the stone wall outside the bamboo forest and proceeded all the way to the secret chamber where the Xuanyuan Divine Sword hung.
After carefully examining Xi Jingxuan, the Guixu Sword Saint shook his head: “Not similar.”
He naturally knew that a child’s appearance would change by adulthood, but at least he could find points of similarity. The girl before his eyes and Gu Xuanyuan’s disciple were completely two different people.
“Palace Master Xi,” Jun Changxiao pointed toward the Xuanyuan Divine Sword, “Have you seen this object before?”
“Never seen it.”
Xi Jingxuan shook her head.
“Alright.”
Jun Changxiao silently thought, “As expected, just the same name.”
Actually, bringing Xi Jingxuan to the secret chamber, Dog Leftovers already had a premonition, because from beginning to end she showed no emotional fluctuations. Her eyes even revealed a confused expression, enough to demonstrate that everything here was very unfamiliar to her.
—