After the sect construction level increased, what excited Sect Leader Jun the most was the new function—Spirit Infusion Pavilion.

From the character “spirit,” he speculated it might be related to spiritual energy, and from “infusion,” he guessed it might have a nurturing function.

“Could it help me cultivate spiritual power?”

Jun Changxiao’s heart stirred with excitement, and he hurriedly clicked on Spirit Infusion Pavilion.

In the pop-up mini panel, as usual, there was a 3D projection-like space displaying something resembling an alchemy furnace with the three characters “Spirit Infusion Furnace” carved on it.

Below the panel were arranged numerous items—all existing equipment.

For example, Initial-Grade Cold Edge Sword, Solid Iron Shield, Overlord Spear, Soft Silk Armor, Middle-Grade Cold Light Sword, and so on.

What’s going on?

Full of questions, Sect Leader Jun clicked on the Initial-Grade Cold Edge Sword.

Item: Initial-Grade Cold Edge Sword.

Spirit Infusion: 0/1 times.

Please select: [Metal Spirit] [Wood Spirit] [Water Spirit] [Fire Spirit] [Earth Spirit].

Note: As sect construction level increases, more spirit infusions will be unlocked.

Jun Changxiao looked utterly baffled. “What does this mean?”

The system explained: “Host guessed half correctly. Spirit Infusion Pavilion indeed has a nurturing function, but what it nurtures isn’t spiritual power—it nurtures weapon spirits.”

“Nurturing weapon spirits?”

Jun Changxiao’s eyes immediately widened.

A weapon spirit refers to life formed within a weapon.

The special effect of the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade was considered by many to possess a weapon spirit, which eventually attracted the attention of Demon Fiend Sect.

The function of Spirit Infusion Pavilion was to deeply nurture system weapons and treasures, thereby condensing weapon spirits of different attributes.

Take the Initial-Grade Cold Edge Sword, for example.

If he chose to infuse it with Fire Spirit, once formed, it would become a weapon possessing a fire-element weapon spirit.

After hearing the system explain the Spirit Infusion Pavilion’s function, Jun Changxiao’s eyes lit up.

This function of infusing weapon spirits into weapons was basically like equipping various attribute gems onto equipment!

“Let’s try it!”

Jun Changxiao clicked on the [Fire Spirit] button, then a window popped up.

Available quantity: 1. Continue with spirit infusion?

Holy crap!

Batch infusion was possible?

If he collected all the disciples’ Cold Edge Swords and mass-produced them with one click, everyone would have weapon spirit weapons—that would be absolutely incredible!

Continue!

Jun Changxiao clicked the button.

Whoosh whoosh—

Dense fire-element spiritual energy immediately pervaded the Spirit Infusion Furnace, as if the spirit infusion had already begun.

Based on Sect Leader Jun’s experience, functions unlocked later tended to take more time, so he closed the system panel and began considering another problem.

Should he continue recruiting Tiger Might Army soldiers, or recruit martial cultivators with talent?

As long as Jun Changxiao was willing, the sect membership could easily break ten thousand, and then he could directly certify the sect.

However, although these soldiers had decent cultivation levels, their spiritual roots were too poor, limiting their growth potential.

If he took them all in, forget ten thousand—even a hundred thousand would suffice, because there were still many captive soldiers in Qingyang City.

But if the numbers met the requirement while the sect wanted to become stronger in the future, it would be very difficult.

When Tiegu Sect only had a few hundred disciples, Jun Changxiao felt relaxed. But after the disciples exceeded 2,000, the resource consumption became truly enormous.

One hundred thousand mediocre disciples would definitely require more resources to cultivate, which would also increase the burden and slow down the sect’s overall development speed.

“Can’t recruit soldiers. Still need to focus on martial cultivators with decent aptitude. At least that can save considerable resources and accelerate the sect’s growth.” Jun Changxiao made his decision.

The hundred-year time limit meant he had to take this seriously, not just randomly find a bunch of ordinary soldiers to meet quotas.

How to recruit?

Still had to focus on the outer commanderies.

Sect Leader Jun naturally wouldn’t openly poach others, but calculated that instead of going to recruit, he’d make them come voluntarily!

This required careful consideration of what strategy to use.

…

The next day.

The Initial-Grade Cold Edge Sword’s infusion was successful. Jun Changxiao hurriedly summoned it.

From the outside, the infused Cold Edge Sword showed no change, but that cold aura had been replaced by scorching heat.

“Tsk tsk.”

Jun Changxiao marveled: “A weapon forged from cold iron, after infusion it actually gained fire-element attributes. This is truly inconceivable.”

His spiritual sense released and merged into the sword body.

A small space had been opened up inside, with a ghost-like little creature floating within.

This was the newly infused Fire Spirit.

Though small in size, it was filled with fire-element power.

The system said: “The weapon spirit is in an ownerless state. Host must sign a contract with it to truly control it.”

Jun Changxiao communicated with it through intent. He found the little creature somewhat resistant, but after scaring it a bit, it obediently submitted.

Signing a contract with a newly formed weapon spirit was much easier than signing a contract with a fierce beast—it took only half an hour to complete.

After successfully taking control of the Cold Edge Sword’s fire-element weapon spirit, Jun Changxiao felt more compatible with the weapon.

The weapon spirit controlled the weapon, and he was inseparable from the weapon spirit—using it would be more harmonious!

“Whoosh whoosh—”

Jun Changxiao gripped the sword handle and communicated with the internal weapon spirit. The entire sword body was immediately enveloped in scorching flames—utterly awesome!

“Incredible!”

Sect Leader Jun’s eyes sparkled with excitement. He then went to the inner courtyard training grounds and began slashing freely.

Swish!

Swish!

Swish!

Flame sword energies crisscrossed through the void, weaving a dazzling net of fire!

“Holy cow!”

Su Xiaomo emerged from the side room. Seeing those crisscrossing flame sword energies in the training grounds, his eyes widened.

Li Fei, Tian Qi, and the others were also startled, all looking at the sect leader practicing swordwork with admiration!

After showing off for a while.

Jun Changxiao sheathed his sword as the flames gradually dissipated. “Cool, right?”

“Cool!”

Everyone responded in unison.

Su Xiaomo looked even more worshipful: “If only I could be a fire-element martial cultivator like Sect Leader, that would be amazing!”

He thought Jun Changxiao could unleash flame sword energy because he himself was a fire cultivator.

“That’s easy enough?”

Jun Changxiao said coolly: “Hand over your Cold Edge Sword, and this seat will make you a fire-element martial cultivator.”

Hand over the sword and become a fire cultivator?

Su Xiaomo’s eyes filled with confusion, but he still passed over his Cold Edge Sword.

“You sure you want fire-element?” Jun Changxiao asked.

“Sure!”

As a young man, naturally he preferred the explosive and wild fire-element attribute.

Jun Changxiao looked at Li Fei, Tian Qi, and the others. “Hand over your swords too. This seat will make you all fire-element martial cultivators.”

“Huh?”

The disciples were dumbfounded.

However, out of absolute trust in the sect leader, they all handed over their weapons.

“Sect Leader.”

Yang Yuhua scratched his head. “I prefer earth-element.”

Jun Changxiao said: “As long as it’s within the Five Elements, you can choose whatever you like.”

Song Xuanzhou hurriedly said: “Sect Leader, I like metal-element!”

Long Ziyang handed over his Overlord Spear. “Sect Leader, I also like metal-element.”

“Sect Leader, I like wood-element!”

“Sect Leader, I like water-element!”

Although the disciples didn’t know what was going on, as long as they handed their weapons to the sect leader, they all voiced their preferred attributes.

“Xingchen.”

Jun Changxiao asked: “What about yours?”

Ye Xingchen muttered internally: “This emperor prefers using fists.” However, since the sect leader had asked directly, he said: “Whatever.”

After noting them all down, Jun Changxiao opened Spirit Infusion Pavilion and began batch refining according to different attributes.

Although Spirit Infusion Pavilion’s nurturing function was slow, infusing one or a pile took the same amount of time, so by early the next morning, Cold Edge Swords infused with different weapon spirits were ready.

“The sword bodies contain weapon spirits. If you sign contracts with them, you’ll be able to unleash the attributes you want.”

After distributing them, Jun Changxiao didn’t forget to remind them.

“Weapon spirits?”

The disciples’ eyes widened.

Even Lord Ye, who preferred using fists, looked astonished. When he received the Cold Edge Sword and sensed the weapon spirit truly existed inside, he opened his mouth in shock.

This… was truly a weapon spirit weapon!

Wait!

Ye Xingchen despaired: “Sect Leader… why is it a water-element weapon spirit!”

“Didn’t you say whatever?” Jun Changxiao replied.

At that moment, our Lord Ye nearly coughed up blood.

Whatever—give me fire-element or metal-element! Giving a water-element weapon spirit, are you treating me like a woman?!