Xiao Longlong hadn’t been blasted down by the palm print—he’d been kicked back by Mu Changhong. Although his landing was rather undignified, he wasn’t seriously injured.
Why had he passed out?
Because the extreme outburst had been too forced, and his body simply couldn’t withstand it.
Jun Changxiao let out a long breath, then glared at the old man gradually materializing in the distant firmament.
How could the fourth-rate Ice Cold Palace have a Half-Step Martial Saint?
Elder Wei and Elder Zhen were equally puzzled.
Normally, the standard for fifth-rate sects was Martial King, and the upper limit for fourth-rate sects was just Martial Emperor.
Any force with a Half-Step Martial Saint could easily be classified as third-rate.
As for Elder Wei’s earlier worry, he’d been concerned that the Demon Fiend Sect and God Slayer Hall might send such an expert—but the first to arrive was actually an Ice Cold Palace expert.
Mu Changhong was equally perplexed.
However, at this moment, he felt more anger than anything else.
A Half-Step Martial Saint already belonged to the top-tier expert category on the Meteor Continent, yet this one had attacked without warning—how much contempt for Southwest Yang Province did that show?
In worldly wars, those above Martial King weren’t permitted to participate.
Between provinces, there was also an unwritten rule: top-tier experts could come and go freely, but they couldn’t attack casually, because their power was too strong and the destruction they caused unimaginable.
Even if today wasn’t about the Eternal Sect, Mu Changhong absolutely wouldn’t let this slide.
“Who are you?”
The Ice Cold Palace Grand Elder said gravely.
Mu Changhong said, “Tianyu Royal City Lord.”
“So it’s City Lord Mu.”
The Ice Cold Palace Grand Elder said this aloud, but inwardly wondered when the royal city lord had also broken through to Half-Step Martial Saint.
If he’d known this earlier, he shouldn’t have come charging over with such fanfare.
By coincidence, both had broken through recently.
Because of Jun Changxiao, two people who originally had nothing to do with each other now stood facing off in the firmament above Qingyang Commandery.
“City Lord Mu.”
The Ice Cold Palace Grand Elder said, “This boy led people to attack Northeast Lu Province and nearly destroyed my Ice Cold Palace. I’d like to ask—who gave him such courage?”
As he spoke, his aura gradually subsided, no longer so murderous.
Both being Half-Step Martial Saints, and the other being a royal city lord, he naturally couldn’t be so unbridled.
However, having come this far and exposed his killing intent, having mounted the tiger, he certainly couldn’t back down.
Mu Changhong said coldly, “A fourth-rate sect that can’t defeat a fifth-rate sect from my province—how dare you ask? Aren’t you ashamed?”
The Ice Cold Palace Grand Elder’s face alternated between red and green with rage.
“A sect from my province challenged the Ice Cold Palace from a weaker position. If you couldn’t win, that’s your own lack of skill. Eight sect masters collectively mobilizing—that’s bullying with numbers. Now sending a Half-Step Martial Saint to kill—this is going too far!” Mu Changhong said coldly.
The Tianyu Royal City and Authentication Hall experts hidden in the shadows twitched at the corners of their mouths.
If it was just a challenge, that would be one thing—losing would just be embarrassing. But that boy nearly destroyed the Ice Cold Palace. Since they had a Half-Step Martial Saint, of course they couldn’t tolerate it!
City Lord Mu!
Your favoritism is way too blatant!
Still, this was better.
After all, as the royal city lord of Southwest Yang Province, his coming forward to protect them was more appropriate than a neutral organization like themselves showing favoritism.
Someone might ask: if Mu Changhong hadn’t emerged from seclusion, wouldn’t the Eternal Sect be doomed?
Not at all.
The experts from Tianyu Academy and the Authentication Hall had arrived early.
It’s just that, like in Northeast Lu Province, before they could make an appearance, they were forcibly prevented by other factors.
The Ice Cold Palace Grand Elder said gravely, “Is City Lord Mu openly declaring he’ll protect the Eternal Sect?”
“Obviously.”
Mu Changhong said, “Southwest Yang Province forces—if I don’t protect them, who will?”
Standing below, Jun Changxiao felt his favorability toward this royal city lord he’d never met skyrocket!
However, how could he trouble others!
Jun Changxiao said, “City Lord Mu, this is a grudge between my Eternal Sect and the Ice Cold Palace. Let Jun handle it.”
Mu Changhong froze.
Did this guy not realize the opponent was a Half-Step Martial Saint?
“Step!”
Jun Changxiao stepped forward, locking his gaze on the Ice Cold Palace Grand Elder: “Today, this seat will personally face this Half-Step Martial Saint!”
Elder Wei and Elder Zhen were dumbfounded.
Had the Sect Master gone mad, daring to face a Half-Step Martial Saint!
Mu Changhong’s mouth twitched as he transmitted, “You little brat, don’t show off. With this city lord here, no one can harm your Eternal Sect.”
Jun Changxiao said with self-reproach, “I originally thought fourth-rate sects maxed out at peak Martial Emperor, so I led disciples to attack the Ice Cold Palace. I never imagined there’d be a Half-Step Martial Saint—this was my mistake.”
Daring to go to Northeast Lu Province, his greatest reliance had been the Unstoppable Blade. But against a Half-Step Martial Saint, it couldn’t demonstrate its effectiveness—this was also something he hadn’t anticipated.
“This is a lesson, and it made me realize that some sects with deep foundations absolutely cannot be measured solely by rank.”
Jun Changxiao kept talking to himself, more like summarizing experience or self-examining.
Yes.
He’d been too reckless recently.
Running to someone else’s territory to smash things, wiping out two third-rate evil sect branches—either action was courting death.
The Half-Step Martial Saint coming to kill was payment for his earlier death-courting behavior.
Jun Changxiao, who liked to plan ahead, had ultimately still missed something.
“The same mistake.”
He looked toward the unconscious Xiao Longlong: “I absolutely won’t make it a second time.”
Swish!
As he spoke, he stood at the mountain gate, before the Sect Protection Array, raising his head to look at the Ice Cold Palace Grand Elder and saying gravely, “Do you dare fight me!”
Whoosh whoosh—
The aura of a Ninth-Rank Sword Martial Dual King erupted!
At this level, before a Martial King or ordinary Martial Emperor, it would certainly cause considerable shock, but a Half-Step Martial Saint would naturally remain unfazed.
The Ice Cold Palace Grand Elder’s brow furrowed.
At such a young age, this boy already had such terrifying strength. His future growth was unimaginable!
If not for his sect nearly being destroyed, this Half-Step Martial Saint absolutely wouldn’t have personally come to the Eternal Sect, thereby intensifying the conflict between them even more.
“City Lord Mu.”
The Ice Cold Palace Grand Elder said coldly, “Should this old one accept or not?”
Mu Changhong said, “This kid has problems in his head. No need to pay attention. This city lord will accompany you in a good fight today!”
King-level versus Half-Saint level.
Even thinking with your toes, there was no chance of victory!
“City Lord Mu!”
Jun Changxiao said firmly, “Today I must fight this Half-Step Martial Saint!”
Mu Changhong wanted nothing more than to fly over and kick him.
But he still held back, transmitting: “Kid, have you lost your mind? Daring to challenge a Half-Step Martial Saint? Shut up quickly, find someplace cool to lie down, and leave the rest to me.”
City Lord Mu was already being extremely helpful.
However, Jun Changxiao said firmly, “I just took medicine. I must fight him!”
Mu Changhong said, “What are your chances?”
Asking a King-level cultivator what their chances were against a Half-Saint—have I also been infected, developing problems in my head!
“One hundred percent!” Jun Changxiao said.
“…”
Mu Changhong’s mouth twitched.
At this moment, he finally understood why this boy had dared to be so arrogant recently—he really was a madman!
The Ice Cold Palace Grand Elder thought briefly, then said, “City Lord Mu, since your province’s person is so persistent, this old one can only accept the challenge!”
Jun Changxiao smiled coldly.
Then… he skillfully opened the system shop, openly clicking on the High-Grade Shop!
Swish—
The shop opened, displaying rows of high-level goods.
Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Pill!
Dragon Elephant Prajna Palm!
Startled Swan Dragon Movement Technique!
Thousand Year Ice Battle Armor!
Sacred Flame Body!
…
The items he’d first seen after transmigrating were all listed.
The High-Grade Shop’s purchase condition—the sect must reach fifth-rate. This requirement was met!
The High-Grade Shop’s purchase price—requires ten thousand points. Jun Changxiao currently had twenty thousand points. Also met!
The Unstoppable Blade was his trump card, no mistake.
But after becoming a fifth-rate sect, the High-Grade Shop was Sect Master Jun’s true trump card—or rather, his “trump card arsenal”!
Twenty thousand contribution points.
Could purchase two High-Grade Shop items.
Could he crush a Half-Step Martial Saint?
Urgent!
Waiting online!
—