Jun Changxiao had opened his twelve meridians, meeting the requirements, so the epic quest was activated. However, looking at the task displayed, he said in disbelief: “Is it really as simple as just participating?”

He clicked on the task details, and the complete description appeared—

Epic Quest [1].

Quest Details: In ten days, Qingyang Commandery will hold its biennial Sect Martial Competition. The host must bring five disciples to participate.

Quest Conditions: Disciples must monopolize the top three positions.

Quest Failure: Not registering within the specified time, or disciples being eliminated in the first round.

Quest Reward: ???

The three question marks were rather cheeky, making Jun Changxiao break down: “What the hell does three question marks for a reward mean!”

The system said: “Epic quest rewards are measured based on the host’s completion rate, so the final reward cannot be determined.”

“Doesn’t the quest condition state it clearly—have the disciples monopolize the top three positions!” Jun Changxiao said.

The system explained: “The quest condition is merely the baseline. If only one of the disciples you send makes it into the top three, or if you exceed expectations, the reward will vary.”

Jun Changxiao said: “If one disciple makes it into the top three, that also counts as completing the quest, but because the completion rate is low, the reward will be less?”

“Correct.”

“If five disciples occupy the top four positions, that would be exceeding expectations, and the reward would be higher than the baseline?”

“Yes.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Can I not participate?”

The system said: “Not participating equals quest failure. The host will then suffer punishment—unable to break through major realms within the specified time period.”

“How long?”

“Ten years minimum.”

Jun Changxiao spread his hands and said: “So that means I must do this epic quest.”

…

With a bruised and swollen face, Li Qingyang dragged his weak body, walking in step by step: “Sect Master, do you have any instructions?”

One hour of sculpting had left him feeling quite sore.

Jun Changxiao said: “Have you heard of Qingyang Commandery’s Sect Martial Competition?”

“I’ve heard of it.”

Li Qingyang rubbed his aching face: “It’s held every two years. Counting the time, this tournament should start in ten days.”

Suddenly, he realized something and said: “Sect Master, our sect hasn’t registered for the competition, has it?”

“No.”

“That’s good.”

“However, I’m planning to go register.”

Li Qingyang’s mouth twitched: “Sect Master, those are competitions that high-level sects participate in. If our Iron Bone Unyielding Sect goes, we’ll just be cannon fodder.”

Jun Changxiao rested both arms on the armrests, his chin propped on the backs of his hands: “Do you have so little confidence in yourself and in the sect?”

Li Qingyang said gravely: “According to what this disciple knows, in this kind of competition, each sect sends their most outstanding disciples to fight. Their strength is mostly at the Wutu level.”

“Is that so?” Jun Changxiao furrowed his brow.

All the sect’s disciples were at the Meridian Opening stage. Fighting against Wutu would definitely be disadvantageous, let alone achieving top three positions.

Li Qingyang continued: “The first place winner in the last competition was a disciple from the sixth-tier Hualing Sect, whose strength had already reached Third-Rank Wutu.”

Jun Changxiao’s brow furrowed even tighter.

If this tournament also had Third-Rank Wutu participants, how could his disciples compete with them?

Epic quest?

This looks more like a hell-difficulty quest!

Jun Changxiao said: “Where does one register for the Sect Martial Competition?”

The Sect Master still wants to participate? Though Li Qingyang was speechless, he still spoke: “This tournament’s Sect Martial Competition is in Liyang City.”

“Liyang City? Isn’t that the city where the Sin-Bearing Family is located?”

“Yes, Sect Master.”

Jun Changxiao paused briefly, then said: “Notify Lu Qianqian, Su Xiaomo, Tian Qi, and also Xiao Zuiji—tomorrow, this Sect Master will begin devil training for you five.”

“Devil training?” Li Qingyang looked completely confused.

Jun Changxiao walked down, patted his shoulder, and said in a meaningful tone: “For the Sect Martial Competition in ten days, this Sect Master will send you all to compete. You must monopolize the top three positions.”

“Ah?”

Li Qingyang was dumbstruck.

…

If the epic quest failed, his realm would be sealed for ten years. Even knowing it was hell-difficulty mode, Jun Changxiao had to do it.

He was quite optimistic about Lu Qianqian and Li Qingyang—one was deeply concealing her abilities, the other had exceptional talent. Though Su Xiaomo and Tian Qi were somewhat lacking, with ten days of devil training, they might see significant improvement.

As for having Xiao Zuiji compete, Jun Changxiao hoped he could use his strength to prove to the Xiao Family and the world that he wasn’t trash—right on his home turf.

This had some difficulty…

The next day.

Jun Changxiao assigned the remaining sect tasks to disciples, then brought Lu Qianqian and the other three to the First-Grade Disciple Spiritual Energy Array: “You four enter and cultivate for two hours first.”

Su Xiaomo and Tian Qi’s eyes immediately blazed with fervor.

Lu Qianqian said: “Sect Master really intends to send us to participate in Qingyang Commandery’s Sect Martial Competition?”

Jun Changxiao said with a grave expression: “Not only must you participate, you must also monopolize the top three positions for this Sect Master!”

“That’s difficult,” Lu Qianqian said.

Jun Changxiao said: “Difficulty makes it challenging. Tell this Sect Master loudly—can you do it!”

“Yes!”

Li Qingyang, Su Xiaomo, and the other two shouted in unison.

“Enter and cultivate!”

“Yes!”

The four entered the activated array and began cultivating.

…

In the training room.

Xiao Zuiji hung his head: “Sect Master, you should send other senior brothers to participate instead. This disciple is inadequate for the task.”

Though the Muscle Sculpting Room had given him hope, competing in martial combat with disciples from various sects, especially in Liyang City, left him with no confidence whatsoever.

Jun Changxiao said: “Are you running away?”

Xiao Zuiji said painfully: “This disciple doesn’t want to drag down the sect.”

Going, he didn’t fear being humiliated or being despised, but he didn’t want to represent the Iron Bone Sect. He didn’t want the sect to bear disgrace because of a waste like himself.

Jun Changxiao pulled Xiao Zuiji over and said in a deep voice: “Within ten days, become stronger for this Sect Master. Use your strength to prove to them that you, Xiao Zuiji, even without spiritual roots, even without cultivation, are still that once-in-a-millennium genius!”

His emotions were somewhat agitated, with spittle flying.

Looking at the Sect Master’s eyes, Xiao Zuiji’s heart gradually filled with warmth—that was the feeling of being trusted unconditionally, even though he was currently just a waste…

“Crack!”

Xiao Zuiji clenched both fists and shouted loudly: “This disciple understands!”

“Swish!”

With a wave of his hand, Jun Changxiao threw him into the Muscle Sculpting Room and set the time for—20 hours!

While being thoroughly pummeled by the hammers, Xiao Zuiji circulated the Muscle Transformation Classic, achieving dual physical enhancement.

I must become stronger!

I must prove myself!

I cannot let the sect be disgraced!

Carrying this conviction, Xiao Zuiji ate one meal a day, slept for one hour, and spent all remaining time in the training room.

Jun Changxiao spent another 40 contribution points to purchase two more Muscle Sculpting Rooms. After Li Qingyang, Su Xiaomo, and the other two finished cultivating in the Spiritual Energy Array, they began muscle sculpting.

The three of them also ate one meal and slept one hour, spending the remaining time half in the Spiritual Energy Array and half in the Sculpting Room.

Lu Qianqian didn’t enter the training room, remaining seated cross-legged in the array absorbing spiritual energy throughout.

The devil training for the five disciples officially began, continuing until the eve of the Sect Martial Competition.

…

Liyang City.

While the disciples underwent devil training, Jun Changxiao rushed over.

At the Performance Martial Grounds in the southern part of the city—the venue for the competition in a few days—there were currently scattered sect elders gathered around a registration table, reporting their sect names and participating disciples.

“Next.”

A middle-aged man with a writing brush called out.

Jun Changxiao stepped forward.

Without looking up, the middle-aged man dipped his brush in ink: “Sect name.”

“Iron Bone Unyielding Sect.”

Screech.

The middle-aged man’s hand holding the brush suddenly froze, and he looked up in astonishment.

The elders from various sects who had already registered all stopped in their tracks, turning around to look at Jun Changxiao in disbelief.

“Iron Bone Sect?”

“Isn’t that the ninth-tier sect from Qingyang Village?”

“The Sect Martial Competition is held every two years. The participants are all eighth-tier sects and above. What’s the Iron Bone Sect doing here making a scene?”