Sect Leader Jun successfully secured Miaohua Palace’s assistance. When they arrived at Iron Bones Sect, they would definitely be able to deter Lingyuan Sect and Duanshui Pavilion, the two fourth-tier sects.

But this was limited to sect strength—they still had to face Zhenyang Commandery.

By then, if they sent hundreds of thousands of troops to the border, relying solely on Wolf Cavalry Hall’s thousand members would definitely be unable to withstand them.

“What to do, what to do?”

On the road back to the sect, Jun Changxiao’s heart was very conflicted.

At this moment, he finally realized the importance of having many people and great strength.

If he also had a large-scale army, why would he fear Zhenyang Commandery’s troops?

The system said, “The best solution is negotiation.”

Jun Changxiao said, “As a person of Huaxia, I only meet them head-on and will absolutely never negotiate!”

“…”

The system said, “What capital does a sixth-grade commandery have to meet them head-on?”

“Moreover.”

It added, “Qingyang City is ultimately just a small place. At worst, move to a different mountain and continue developing the sect. Why struggle to protect it?”

“That’s why, even if your speech is quite human-like, you’re ultimately just an emotionless machine,” Jun Changxiao said.

When Iron Bones Sect was in difficulty, City Lord Xie brought three million six hundred thousand citizens and repeatedly stood on the same front line as him.

This was a blood brother!

Now he and the three million six hundred thousand citizens were in difficulty, yet he would pack up and run—how could he face the plaque in the main hall engraved with ‘Iron Bones Clanging’!

“Damn it.”

Jun Changxiao said, “At worst, I won’t develop the sect. I’ll spend heavily to recruit troops and form a massive army to fight Zhenyang Commandery head-on!”

No matter what price he had to pay, he had to protect Qingyang City, because this was his promise to Xie Guangkun.

A man’s promise!

“Understood.”

The system said, “The host is a real man indeed.”

“Stop with the nonsense.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Quickly think of a solution—how to withstand a sixth-grade Zhenyang Commandery.”

“Didn’t the host already think of a solution?”

“I thought of jack!”

The system said, “Didn’t the host say to spend heavily recruiting troops?”

“I said ‘at worst,’ meaning going all out,” Jun Changxiao roared.

The system said, “If the host insists on protecting Qingyang City, given the current situation, you can go all out now.”

“Damn!”

Jun Changxiao said, “I’m asking you to come up with ideas and solutions, not to discourage me!”

“I support the host going all out, spending heavily to recruit troops and fight a sixth-grade commandery head-on!” the system said.

“Can you get lost?”

“Can’t.”

…

If spending heavily to recruit troops could fight a sixth-grade commandery, Jun Changxiao would definitely do it. But the problem was there were only two months.

In such a short time, creating an army that could rival Zhenyang Commandery was absolutely hopeless.

“Since I could secure Miaohua Palace, why not seek some major commanderies?”

Jun Changxiao’s brain suddenly became enlightened.

Commanderies on par with or even stronger than Zhenyang Commandery weren’t nonexistent in southwestern Yang Province.

“Who does the host know?” the system asked.

“I…”

Jun Changxiao’s eyes lit up, “I know the Long Family Head. The Longyang City he’s in has considerable strength!”

The system said, “Find the Long Family Head and have him act as mediator—perhaps you can achieve reconciliation.”

Jun Changxiao was speechless.

This thing—why did it always want him to seek peace?

The system stated directly, “Because the host’s current strength is too weak. Without seeking peace, it’s very difficult to contend with these behemoths.”

These words were very realistic and very cruel.

Indeed, Sect Leader Jun had already become a Dual Wuwang in sword and martial arts, but the sect’s overall strength was very weak.

“Damn it!”

Jun Changxiao clenched his fists tightly and said hatefully, “If given a few more years to develop, I’ll make everyone bow their heads in submission!”

…

Iron Bones Sect.

Jun Changxiao returned feeling dejected.

“Sect Leader!”

As soon as he sat in the main hall, Li Qingyang rushed in urgently, “Junior Sister has awakened her Innate Demon Body!”

“Innate Demon Body?”

Jun Changxiao looked completely surprised.

Jiang Xie walked in and explained Yao Mengying’s situation in detail.

“You’re saying.”

After listening, Jun Changxiao stroked his chin, “The Innate Demon Body is extremely formidable?”

“Very formidable.”

Jiang Xie said, “Someone with this constitution who cultivates the demon path might become a Demon Emperor in the future!”

Jun Changxiao’s eyes brightened, “If the little girl has such potential, this is great news for our Iron Bones Sect.”

“Great news?”

Jiang Xie’s mouth twitched, “Sect Leader, demon cultivators are like rats crossing the street on Xingyun Continent. If Yao Mengying has an Innate Demon Body and word gets out, it will definitely bring enormous disaster.”

“How so?” Jun Changxiao asked.

Jiang Xie quickly explained about the Demon Emperor from ten thousand years ago and the demon-slaying decree in the martial world.

After learning this, Jun Changxiao said, “Sounds quite serious.”

Jiang Xie said, “Over these ten thousand years, eight people with Innate Demon Bodies awakened. Without exception, they all perished, and their families and factions were also destroyed.”

“Are demon cultivators heinous devils deserving a thousand deaths, which is why they’re hunted by the entire continent?” Jun Changxiao asked.

Jiang Xie shook his head, “Many demon cultivators, like evil cultivators, simply act according to their nature. The reason they’re hunted is simply because they make certain people feel unsafe.”

Having lived in Demon Sha Sect, he truly hit the nail on the head.

The fundamental reason demon cultivators fell to such a state was because back then, the Demon Emperor Sect’s first sect master could ignore heaven and earth rules to forcibly advance to Emperor-level.

Various factions naturally couldn’t tolerate someone breaking the balance and threatening themselves, so they joined forces to destroy them, eliminating future troubles!

If demon cultivators were like evil cultivators, cultivating special techniques that allowed rapid growth but remaining within controllable limits, they wouldn’t have suffered total annihilation.

Jun Changxiao frowned, “If they’re not heinous people deserving death, yet must be completely eliminated—that’s rather excessive.”

Jiang Xie said, “Sect Leader, I think for the sake of Iron Bones Sect, we should have Yao Mengying focus on cultivating martial arts instead.”

“Afraid others will find out?” Jun Changxiao asked.

Jiang Xie said, “There’s no wall that doesn’t let wind through in this world. Once word spreads that Yao Mengying has an Innate Demon Body, our Iron Bones Sect will definitely be destroyed a hundred times over.”

“Moreover.”

He paused, his gaze grave, “Those who come to destroy our sect might be first-tier sects, or even Wudi personally taking action!”

“Holy crap.”

Jun Changxiao was badly startled.

Facing a sixth-grade commandery and two fourth-tier sects already made him consider going all out. Facing first-tier sects and Wudi would definitely mean certain death!

“Where is Mengying now?”

“In her wing room.”

Jun Changxiao came to the inner courtyard and entered Yao Mengying’s room.

The little girl was currently curled up in a corner with her head down.

“Sect Leader…”

Yao Mengying slowly raised her head, biting her lip, eyes red as she said, “Are you… going to drive me away?”

Jun Changxiao asked, “Why would I drive you away?”

Yao Mengying choked up, “I awakened an Innate Demon Body… I’m an inauspicious person… I’ll bring disaster to the sect.”

“Who said that?” Jun Changxiao asked.

Yao Mengying buried her head between her legs, “I had a dream. I dreamed many bad people came to the sect. Senior Brother and Senior Sister all fell in pools of blood. The Sect Leader was covered in wounds protecting me.”

“Those bad people said I was a demon, said I was a devil. They told the Sect Leader not to persist in his delusion, not to shield me, or they would completely destroy Iron Bones Sect.”

“It’s just a dream.”

Jun Changxiao walked over gently, “Why take it seriously?”

He crouched down, placing his hand on her small head, “Once you’re an Iron Bones Sect disciple, you’re always an Iron Bones Sect disciple. As long as you’re willing to stay here, this seat won’t drive you away.”

“Wuu wuu wuu…”

Yao Mengying cried even harder, choking out, “In the dream, the Sect Leader also answered the bad people this way. He said once I’m an Iron Bones Sect disciple, I’m always an Iron Bones Sect disciple. No one can harm me!”