“Accumulating Gold and Jade” described possessing sufficient wealth.

The division of profits and the crystal cores had brought Jun Changxiao’s accumulated wealth to 50,000,000, thus meeting the system’s constant value and completing the hidden mission.

Sigh.

It seemed when he had time, he’d need to think about idioms.

Because who knew—he might complete hidden missions related to certain idioms.

Jun Changxiao’s consciousness merged with the spatial ring, and sure enough, he discovered the storage space inside had increased significantly.

The ring was gifted by the system upon activation, and the storage space had originally been quite large. Now, with a fivefold increase, it could be considered extra large.

“With such an expansion, storing things will be much more comfortable in the future.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Patriarch Ai, does your Ai Family sell spirit stones?”

“This…”

Ai Shangni shook his head and said, “My Ai Family doesn’t operate in the spirit stone industry.”

It wasn’t that they didn’t operate in it—they were unable to.

Because this type of industry was monopolized by super-large commercial empires.

More importantly, spirit refiners who could extract spirit stones were too rare. Even if his Ai Family wanted to open a spirit stone shop, they couldn’t hire anyone.

“Alright then.”

Jun Changxiao stood up and cupped his fists, saying, “Patriarch Ai, Jun still has matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.”

With Patriarch Ai seeing them off, he left the auction house with Lu Qianqian, not returning directly to the sect but instead heading to the marketplace.

…

In the most prosperous area of Huyang City’s marketplace stood a luxuriously decorated storefront, with a plaque bearing the five characters “Tang’s Spirit Stone Shop.”

Tang’s referred to the Tang Family.

One of the top two great families on the Xingyun Continent, and simultaneously a commercial great family wealthy enough to rival nations.

The spirit stone shops in all eight cities of Qingyang Commandery were all operated by them.

Commercial families like the Ai Family truly weren’t worth mentioning in front of the Tang Family.

Fortunately, the Tang Family primarily dealt in spirit stones and didn’t invest heavily in the pills and medicinal materials market, allowing the Ai Family to occupy nearly sixty percent of Qingyang Commandery’s market.

Huyang City only had one spirit stone shop—Tang’s—so if Jun Changxiao wanted to buy spirit stones, he could only come here.

After entering with Lu Qianqian, he spent 10,000,000 taels to exchange for 1,000 spirit stones.

With plenty of money and no shortage of high-grade crystal cores, buying spirit stones was the wisest choice.

“Tsk tsk.”

After seeing him off, the shopkeeper of Tang’s said in surprise, “This Iron Bones Sect Master is truly wealthy.”

A martial artist exchanging spirit stones joked, “Just now at the auction house, Sect Master Jun even dared to show off his wealth in front of two fifth-rate sects.”

“Auspicious Fortune Sect and Listening Rain Pavilion are prestigious major sects and won’t squabble with lower-tier sects. If it were other sects, he’d definitely be in trouble.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. When he goes to Sacred Spring Sect, he’ll definitely be in trouble.”

These sneering and mocking martial artists came from the Hundred Sects Alliance. Whenever there was an opportunity, they’d definitely go out of their way to ridicule the Iron Bones Sect.

…

After leaving the spirit stone shop, Jun Changxiao made a round through the marketplace, spending several hundred thousand to buy quite a few ores of varying quality.

Materials could wait for refinement, but refinement couldn’t wait for materials, so it was better to prepare ahead of time.

“Still need to buy some ingredients for Dudu.”

Jun Changxiao went to a general store again, purchasing quite a few seasonings, rice, vegetable oil, and similar items.

Once everything was settled, he headed back home with Lu Qianqian.

This trip to the auction had earned him quite a bit of money, and he’d also truly witnessed how the financial resources of major sects were extremely abundant—they bid millions without even blinking an eye.

Having money really allowed one to do whatever they wanted.

“Sect Master.”

On the road, Lu Qianqian said, “When are we destroying Black Eagle Hall?”

Jun Changxiao might forget about this matter, but she always kept it in mind.

“We’ll discuss it after returning to the sect.”

“Does the Sect Master intend to bring the junior brothers to destroy Black Eagle Hall?”

“Otherwise?”

“That’s an evil sect with cruel methods. Why don’t just the two of us go instead?”

“…”

Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched.

Although he didn’t take Black Eagle Hall seriously, it was still a seventh-rate sect. Going to destroy them with just two people—wouldn’t that be too disrespectful?

Lu Qianqian said, “Is the Sect Master afraid?”

“It’s not fear.”

Jun Changxiao said, “This seat feels that this is a rare training opportunity. Taking the disciples along can help them adapt to the cruel world.”

“Alright then.”

Lu Qianqian said no more.

She merely offered her opinion at appropriate times. If the Sect Master had his own ideas, she definitely wouldn’t oppose them.

This was Lu Qianqian.

Though she was cold and aloof all day long, as a member of the Iron Bones Sect, she definitely obeyed the Sect Master’s orders.

…

At dusk, Jun Changxiao returned to the sect, where the disciples were still training as usual.

He first handed the ingredients to Liu Wanshi, then summoned Li Qingyang and told him about the plan to destroy Black Eagle Hall.

“Sect Master.”

Li Qingyang said gravely, “The idea of destroying Black Eagle Hall is somewhat bold!”

“However.”

He paused, then said, “This kind of evil sect is indeed very dangerous. Since they have a grudge with our Iron Bones Sect, sooner or later they’ll come knocking.”

“You agree then?”

“Whatever the Sect Master says, this disciple will do.”

Like Lu Qianqian, ever since becoming a disciple of the Iron Bones Sect, Li Qingyang took the Sect Master as his supreme leader and would never show any defiance.

Jun Changxiao said, “Go notify the disciples who trained in Death Valley and have them assemble at the Inner Courtyard training grounds early tomorrow morning.”

“Yes.”

Li Qingyang withdrew.

Jun Changxiao then summoned Li Luoqiu and informed her of the plan to destroy Black Eagle Hall, ordering her to mobilize the members of Drizzle Hall to go along.

Destroying a seventh-rate sect was no child’s play.

Taking the members of Drizzle Hall along would undoubtedly provide quite a bit more assurance.

Li Luoqiu, who came from an assassin background, was definitely interested in killing, so she said, “I’ll take them and set off ahead right now.”

“Mm.”

Jun Changxiao nodded.

That very night.

Li Luoqiu departed with Viper and Wildcat along with fifty members.

Though during this period they’d primarily been investigating intelligence, they hadn’t neglected their cultivation. Under the tempering of the Body Tempering Pills and Body Tempering Rooms, their strength had improved remarkably.

Viper and Wildcat had even successfully advanced from peak Wutu to First-Rank Wushi.

If they were still assassins, advancing would definitely have been difficult.

“Hall Master.”

On the road, Viper said, “The brothers have been bored to death lately. This time we can finally stretch our muscles.”

Li Luoqiu said with a grave expression, “Black Eagle Hall is an evil sect and no small matter. Everyone needs to take this seriously.”

“Mm.” Viper nodded.

“Also.”

Li Luoqiu added, “We’re now people of the Iron Bones Sect, and what we’re doing is for the sect. During the operation, don’t act recklessly—follow orders in everything.”

“Yes!”

The Drizzle Hall members responded in unison.

“Swish! Swish!”

Under the dark night, over fifty Drizzle Hall members, moving like ghosts and phantoms, shuttled through the mountain forests, advancing at full speed toward the neighboring Huaying Commandery.

“Finally a chance to prove ourselves!”

Li Shangtian had also come along.

Although he was currently only at Second-Rank Wutu, under Hall Master Li’s training over the past several dozen days, he’d already mastered many assassin skills.

Especially after adapting to the brutal special training, in order to become stronger, he would always train in the Movement Technique Training Room until late at night.

Jun Changxiao had provided the disciples with quite a few resources. Even if their spirit roots were somewhat inferior, as long as they were willing to strive and work hard, they would inevitably grow stronger.

“Sect Master.”

Li Shangtian executed the Ghost Stride Step, keeping pace with the main force, and thought inwardly, “You’ve given me a pair of wings, so I’ll prove to you that I, Li Shangtian, can definitely reach the heavens!”

“Hey, hey.”

Viper grabbed his ear and said, “What are you thinking about, you little brat? Hurry up and keep pace, don’t fall behind.”

“Brother Snake.”

Li Shangtian grimaced and said, “Could you be gentler?”

Viper released his hand and scolded, “As an assassin, during operations, you cannot be distracted in the slightest.”

“I know, I know.” Li Shangtian said.

Apart from the first day when Hall Master Li personally trained them, afterward it had all been Viper’s responsibility. Though he’d cursed him plenty in his heart, he was still very grateful.

Because without such a strict instructor, he wouldn’t have his current achievements.

“Brother Snake.”

Li Shangtian grinned and said, “When we get to Black Eagle Hall, I’ll show you what I can do.”

“Forget it.”

Viper curled his lip and joked, “Just don’t drag me down when the time comes.”