Jun Changxiao and Ye Xingchen traveled light.

He didn’t bring other disciples along because this kind of sect competition had no difficulty whatsoever. Having more people go would only waste time—they’d be better off cultivating at home.

If the organizers of Pingyang Commandery’s sect competition knew this, they would definitely collapse in despair.

Our competition is much more prestigious than Qingyang Commandery’s sect competition—can’t you give us at least the bare minimum of respect!

Respect would definitely be given.

Otherwise, Sect Leader Jun wouldn’t even send disciples to participate.

Pingyang Commandery was quite far away, so Jun Changxiao summoned the Purple Lightning Tiger Cub and rode it comfortably along the journey.

Ye Xingchen very tragically executed the Dragon-Crossing Steps to follow closely behind.

Damn it!

If this emperor’s Azure Heaven Jade Eagle were still around, with a flap of its wings it could cover a thousand miles—he would have left him behind in the remotest corners of the world long ago.

A hero doesn’t boast of past glories.

Ye Xingchen could only follow on foot, and on the second day, they entered the neighboring Pingyang Commandery.

Pingyang Commandery’s territory was very large, and its overall strength was also greater than Qingyang Commandery’s. There were at least three hundred sects of various sizes here, with two fifth-tier sects.

One was the Bright Moon Workshop, and the other was the Listening Rain Pavilion.

That’s right—the Young Pavilion Master who had been scammed several times by Jun Changxiao at the auction house had his sect located here.

Public security in Pingyang Commandery was quite good. Although evil sects also existed, with powerful righteous sects suppressing them, most operated secretly and stealthily.

“Tsk tsk.”

Sitting on the tiger beast as it walked slowly through the scenically beautiful mountain forests, Jun Changxiao murmured: “I feel like the spiritual energy here is denser than in Qingyang Commandery.”

Ye Xingchen said: “Qingyang Commandery is ultimately just a ninth-class commandery—naturally it cannot compare with an eighth-class commandery.”

Ninth-class, eighth-class?

Jun Changxiao asked in surprise: “So commanderies also have grade classifications?”

This guy—as the leader of a sect, hadn’t he heard of this?

Ye Xingchen said: “On the Starfall Continent, sects are divided into nine tiers. Naturally, commanderies are also divided into nine classes.”

“Ninth-class is the lowest?”

“Correct.”

“…”

Jun Changxiao fell silent.

Transmigrated to a ninth-tier sect, located in a ninth-class commandery—could his luck get any better than this?

The System said: “Doesn’t the host enjoy challenging difficulty? Starting at the absolute bottom—isn’t that exactly to your taste?”

Jun Changxiao couldn’t be bothered to respond, turning back to look at Ye Xingchen and smiling: “You seem to know quite a lot.”

“…”

This is the most basic information, okay!

Jun Changxiao said meaningfully: “Xingchen, this seat actually knows that you’re a person with a story.”

In the sect, some things couldn’t be said, but now with just the two of them, they could speak freely.

Ye Xingchen said: “So the Sect Leader can summarize his entire life with the word ‘handsome’?”

“Correct.”

Jun Changxiao said seriously.

I’ve wandered the jianghu for thousands of years and have never seen a sect leader this shameless!

“Actually.”

Jun Changxiao got to the point: “Everyone has their own secrets, buried deep in their hearts, unable to be known by others.”

Ye Xingchen fell silent.

Could he know my secret?

Impossible. Something as contrary to the heavenly dao and the cycle of reincarnation as rebirth—who could guess that?

He must be testing me!

“Xingchen.”

Jun Changxiao said: “This seat has no interest in knowing the secrets in your heart. You need only remember: once you’re a member of the Iron Bones Clanging Sect for a day, you’re a member of the Iron Bones Clanging Sect for life.”

This disciple was forcibly pulled into the sect, so naturally he knew the heart was unconvinced. Therefore, he needed to slowly teach and inspire him.

“Understood.”

Ye Xingchen said this verbally, but inwardly he was dismissive.

During this time, although he had appeared quite enthusiastic, his real purpose was simply to obtain more resources. He truly still had no sense of belonging to the sect.

“Xingchen, do you know what ‘clang clang clang clang clang’ is?”

“Clang clang clang?”

“‘Clang-a-clang-clang’ means ‘Only you—can accompany me to retrieve the Western scriptures! Only you—can slay demons and eliminate evil!'”

Sect Leader Jun began singing emotionally.

“…”

Ye Xingchen’s fists clenched tightly.

After Jun Changxiao finished singing, he said seriously: “Xingchen, when you understand the meaning of the four characters ‘Iron Bones Clanging,’ you’ll naturally truly understand.”

Sect Leader.

I want to punch you to death with one blow!

…

Pingyang Commandery’s sect competition was being held in Suiyang City.

Although Suiyang City wasn’t the main city within the commandery, in terms of scale and strength, it far surpassed Qingyang City.

With two days until the competition began, various factions from all directions poured in. The city gates were packed with crowds, bustling and lively.

“Oh my.”

An elderly man cupped his fists: “Isn’t this the Sect Leader of Crane Mountain Sect? Haven’t seen you in many days—your cultivation has grown considerably!”

“Hehe, so it’s Sect Leader Kong. Long time no see, long time no see!”

The Crane Mountain Sect Leader and his disciples cupped their fists in return.

This kind of scene where various factions exchanged greetings with pleasantries played out repeatedly at the city gates, and the atmosphere was very good.

“Roar!”

Just then, an angry roar came from behind, startling everyone who turned to look.

They saw a brocade-robed young man riding a leopard beast with pitch-black fur slowly approaching.

“That’s a Black-Skinned Leopard!”

“My heavens, a fierce beast comparable to a peak Wutu!”

“It’s the Young Sect Master of the sixth-tier Beast Taming Sect!”

“Worthy of being a sect that specializes in raising fierce beasts—even when going out, he rides a Black-Skinned Leopard!”

“Why has the Beast Taming Sect’s Young Sect Master come? Could he also be participating in the sect competition?”

“The competition rules state that as long as sect members are under twenty years old and haven’t participated in the competition before, they’re qualified to register.”

Everyone whispered to each other, their gazes filled with envy.

The Young Sect Master rode the Black-Skinned Beast, surrounded by disciples, approaching with a proud expression.

Riding a fierce beast when going out, wherever he went he was the center of attention—this made him very comfortable.

“Hm?”

Suddenly, the Young Sect Master’s brow furrowed.

Because two people walked quickly past from the side without even turning their heads, seemingly not having noticed him at all.

Accustomed to being the center of attention, he suddenly felt looked down upon, so he called out sternly: “You two ahead, stop right there for this young master.”

“Roar!”

The Black-Skinned Leopard could connect with its master’s intentions and immediately roared at those two people walking past.

The sound was quite loud, shaking the hearts and spirits of ordinary martial artists.

At the same time, everyone noticed the two people who had walked quickly past the Beast Taming Sect’s Young Sect Master.

Tsk tsk.

Daring to walk in front of a Black-Skinned Leopard—such boldness!

“What is it?”

The person in front stopped, turned around with a smile, and upon closer inspection, it was our most handsome Sect Leader Jun!

The person beside him, needless to say, was Ye Xingchen.

Seeing that fellow’s indifferent attitude, the Young Sect Master immediately became angry.

The Black-Skinned Leopard I’m riding is right in your line of sight—shouldn’t you at least show a bit of apprehension?

Could he be an expert?

The Young Sect Master asked warily: “Your face is unfamiliar. May I ask which sect you’re from?”

“Qingyang Commandery, Iron Bones Clanging Sect,” Jun Changxiao said.

After hearing this, the various factions gathered nearby showed stunned expressions, then began discussing among themselves.

“So it’s the Iron Bones Sect from the neighboring commandery.”

“Isn’t that the eighth-tier sect that was just promoted recently?”

“Coming to Suiyang City—could they be here to watch the excitement?”

Hearing everyone’s discussion, especially the words “eighth-tier sect,” the Young Sect Master’s gaze filled with disdain as he said: “My friend, haven’t you realized that you’re currently blocking this young master’s path?”