The rogue cultivators outside the valley had all concluded that the Iron Bones Sect had been completely annihilated by the Fire Dragon Beast, yet the entire family emerged intact and orderly.

This face-slapping was, one might say, immensely satisfying.

Sect Leader Jun also knew that many of them had been waiting to laugh at his misfortune. Riding out on the Purple Lightning cub, though it had the appearance of showing off, was more about invisibly slapping their faces.

After brief reorganization.

Jun Changxiao called out loudly, “Set out for home!”

“Yes!”

All the disciples shouted in unison.

As the muscles on the rogue cultivators’ faces froze, Sect Leader Jun rode the tiger beast and led his disciples away.

This expedition had been extremely fruitful.

Naturally, their moods were also incomparably pleasant, and everyone was happy and cheerful.

“Sect Leader Jun.”

From behind, Song Hui led several people who caught up.

Jun Changxiao asked, “What is it?”

Song Hui cupped his fists. “Sect Leader Jun, we wish to join the Iron Bones Clanging Sect. Would you be willing to take us in?”

Having witnessed the Iron Bones Sect’s formidable strength, intelligent people knew that this sect had enormous potential. If they could join early, it would absolutely be a wise choice.

Jun Changxiao said, “Joining my Iron Bones Sect isn’t impossible.”

Everyone’s hearts lifted with joy.

“However…”

Jun Changxiao added, “Hand over what you scavenged to this seat, and that can count as your entrance fee.”

Huh?

Everyone was dumbfounded.

They had spent two thousand, scavenged for so long following behind, and now they had to hand everything over to him—wouldn’t that mean they had worked for nothing?

“Sect Leader Jun, that requirement is too harsh,” one martial cultivator said.

“Farewell!”

Some martial artists cupped their fists and left.

In a moment, of the eight rogue cultivators, only Song Hui and two other martial artists remained.

Without families or sects to depend on, for many martial artists, money was even more important than life itself.

“Sect Leader Jun.”

Song Hui’s gaze was resolute. “I’ll pay!”

With that, he handed over two spatial rings.

He also cared greatly about money, since it could be used to buy resources, but after careful deliberation, he still concluded that the Iron Bones Sect was the more valuable resource!

Following them into Death Valley had been a gamble; spending all his wealth to join the Iron Bones Sect was equally a gamble.

“We’ll pay too!”

The other two also agreed and handed over their rings.

Jun Changxiao said, “Let’s go. Follow us back to the Iron Bones Sect to handle the entrance procedures.”

When going to kill the Fire Dragon Beast, Song Hui and the other two had expressed willingness to assist—clearly people who knew how to repay kindness.

Now they were willing to pay again, which showed they truly recognized the Iron Bones Sect. Naturally, he wouldn’t refuse to accept them, since there were still 500 quota spots remaining.

As for the rogue cultivators who were unwilling to pay and left, even if they begged on their knees, he wouldn’t recruit them.

…

After walking for a short while.

Jun Changxiao stopped before a small stream, letting the disciples rest on the spot.

Death Valley was full of fierce beasts and reeked with foul odors. Now that they had emerged, they definitely needed to clean themselves up properly.

Because Lu Qianqian and Ling Yuanxue had gone to the other side, Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji, and the others stripped to the waist without concern and jumped into the stream to wash.

Jun Changxiao also washed, even changing into a clean set of sect leader robes, once again becoming dignified and refined in appearance.

“Xiao Mo, Xiao Fei.”

He called out, “Go find firewood. We’re preparing a barbecue.”

Being able to emerge from Death Valley while earning a fortune—they absolutely had to celebrate.

“Yes!”

After changing into clean uniforms, Su Xiaomo and Li Fei searched here and there through the forest.

Though they hadn’t yet completed entrance procedures, Song Hui and the other two martial artists began trying to integrate into the sect, helping out where they could.

They even served as the roasting masters.

As the three had survived in the wilderness for years, they definitely had some skill when it came to roasting meat.

“Whoosh! Whoosh!”

Flames rose and the roasting meat turned.

“Swoosh! Swoosh!”

However, just as everyone was eating with great enthusiasm, a group of people suddenly surrounded them from within the mountain forest.

They wore black tight-fitting garments with the character for “Eagle” emblazoned on their chests.

At the lead was a tall, burly middle-aged man whose eyes flashed with keen light—clearly someone of considerable strength.

Seeing the character “Eagle” on the newcomers’ chests, Song Hui’s expression changed dramatically. He hastily moved closer and said in a low voice, “Sect Leader, these are people from the Black Eagle Hall!”

Black Eagle Hall?

Li Qingyang’s expression also changed.

Seeing this, Jun Changxiao asked, “Are they very formidable?”

Li Qingyang said gravely, “Sect Leader, this Black Eagle Hall is a seventh-rate demonic sect from the neighboring Huaying Commandery.”

“Demonic sect?”

Jun Changxiao was quite surprised.

Since transmigrating here, he had learned somewhat about Xingyun Continent and knew that sect factions were divided into righteous and demonic.

The likes of Vast Qi Sect and Long Blade Sect all considered themselves righteous sects.

Demonic sects were relatively rare and extremely cruel in their conduct.

Qingyang Commandery had the Hundred Sects Alliance, so there were no demonic sect forces, but everyone only appeared righteous on the surface—what they did secretly might be even worse than demonic sects.

Huaying Commandery was different.

There was no alliance organization here, the government existed in name only, sects developed savagely, and quite a few forces that identified as demonic sects had emerged.

Simply put.

In Huaying Commandery, demonic sects were legalized.

Forces called demonic sects were comparatively bellicose and war-loving.

Reasoning with them? That didn’t exist. Drawing blades to fight at the slightest disagreement, even wiping out entire families—these were normal operations.

“Tsk tsk.”

Jun Changxiao thought to himself, “Never expected to encounter a demonic sect force in these desolate mountains and wilderness.”

“Boy.”

The tall, burly middle-aged man said coldly, “You’re the Iron Bones Sect Leader?”

“That’s right.”

Jun Changxiao took a bite of meat. “What advice do you have?”

A demonic sect force from a neighboring commandery had even heard of his own sect—how gloriously face-giving!

“I heard you just emerged from Death Valley?”

The middle-aged man’s voice remained ice-cold throughout, conforming to demonic sect style. If the four characters “Evil Force” were carved on his forehead, it would be even more perfect.

“That’s correct,” Jun Changxiao said.

Finished, finished.

Song Hui’s heart collapsed in despair.

The Black Eagle Hall, this demonic sect force, was very close to Qingyang Commandery’s Death Valley. Every so often they would come to train, and their favorite activity was robbing others!

Catching up from behind today, they had definitely just gone to Death Valley and learned about the Iron Bones Sect entering the valley from other rogue cultivators’ mouths.

His guess was correct.

This Black Eagle Hall Vice Hall Master had just recently led disciples to Death Valley for training. The first thing he did was control the rogue cultivators, then intimidate them into handing over their wealth.

Some feared death and not only handed over their money but also spilled information about the Iron Bones Sect.

Since a sect had entered and exited the valley, they must be quite fat with riches!

Therefore, that Vice Hall Master immediately led disciples to pursue, ultimately surrounding the Iron Bones Sect in this forest.

This was demonic sects—their actions were no different from bandits.

If it were forces that considered themselves righteous sects, even if they had the inclination to rob, they definitely wouldn’t do so with such brazen disregard.

“Sect Leader Jun, is it?”

That Vice Hall Master said indifferently, “Since you entered Death Valley, you must have harvested quite a few beast cores and hides. Why not take them out and share them with my Black Eagle Hall?”

Jun Changxiao nearly spat out the meat in his mouth.

He grinned. “My Iron Bones Sect risked life and limb to obtain these things—why should we share them with you?”

“This is my Black Eagle Hall’s rule,” the Vice Hall Master said coldly.

“My apologies.”

Jun Changxiao said, “That’s your Black Eagle Hall’s rule. My Iron Bones Sect’s rule is that we can’t share things with idiots, because we’d get infected.”

“Boy!”

That Vice Hall Master’s eyes revealed a murderous gleam. “You’re courting death!”