After learning of Dark Sects’ existence, Jun Changxiao understood that Xingyun Continent’s waters ran very deep. Some things couldn’t necessarily be seen clearly just from the surface, so he had to establish a more comprehensive intelligence organization to at least not be so blind.

“Every single commandery in Southwest Yangzhou, and even the Royal City, must have our Myriad Ancients Sect’s branch halls.” Jun Changxiao pointed at the map, then drew a large circle.

Li Luoqiu said: “Walk the open path or hide in shadows?”

“Of course, openly establish branch halls!” Jun Changxiao said.

In his conception, not only would they build branch halls, they’d be built in each commandery’s largest city, on the most prosperous streets, letting everyone know this was opened by Myriad Ancients Sect!

Qingyang City.

Sect Master Jun personally arrived and told Xie Guangkun his idea of opening branch halls.

“No problem.”

City Lord Xie said readily: “Pick any spot on the best golden locations.”

“Many thanks!”

Jun Changxiao placed a Tempering Spirit Pill on the table: “A small token of appreciation, not a grand gesture.”

He wouldn’t let friends help for free.

This was also why City Lord Xie and others were willing to provide full support—because it was worth deep friendship!

They were all old acquaintances. Xie Guangkun didn’t decline and accepted the pill, asking quietly: “Sect Master Jun, what’s this pill’s effect?”

“Taking it can temper spiritual energy.” Jun Changxiao said.

Xie Guangkun’s expression froze. After seeing him off, he immediately consumed the pill. When the spiritual energy in his dantian became much purer than before, he exclaimed in shock: “Too miraculous!”

Several days later.

At the most prosperous location in Qingyang City, a high-end decorated storefront opened for business.

Many people thought it was a commercial shop or similar, until the red cloth covering the signboard was removed, only then learning this was—a Myriad Ancients Sect Branch Hall!

Powerful sects establishing branch hall organizations was very common, so Qingyang City’s martial artists didn’t find it strange.

Huyang City, Zhengyang City, and other cities also successively opened branch halls.

All eight cities in Qingyang Commandery now had branch halls. External commanderies only opened them in main cities, since comprehensive coverage required more manpower and resources.

……

Zhenyang City, Commandery Governor’s Manor.

Zhuo Chaoqun’s face was ugly as he placed the letter on the table: “Jun Changxiao wants to open branch halls in our Zhenyang Commandery.”

“Commandery Governor.”

An advisor frowned: “After razing Devil Fiend Sect and God-Slaying Hall’s branch halls to the ground, he’s opening branch halls himself. This kid probably has some ambition.”

A misunderstanding.

Sect Master Jun was simply developing the intelligence organization.

Zhuo Chaoqun didn’t speak.

At this moment, he was extremely conflicted—should he permit or refuse?

Thinking of how that guy could even brutalize Half-Saint level powerhouses, Commandery Governor Zhuo could only sigh deeply: “This kid’s wings have grown full. Better not to oppose him.”

Cowardly, compromised.

Within a few days.

Myriad Ancients Sect’s branch hall was established in Zhenyang City.

In just half a month.

Throughout Southwest Yangzhou’s various commanderies and main cities, Myriad Ancients Sect branch halls sprang up like bamboo shoots after rain.

The branch halls’ function wasn’t merely to scout and collect intelligence—they could also cultivate some martial cultivators who weren’t sect disciples to enhance their own strength.

Simply put—I take money to support you, you help me do things.

……

Tianyu Royal City.

What was originally an ordinary day became extraordinarily lively.

The reason was simple: Myriad Ancients Sect’s branch hall was established with great fanfare in the West District’s most prosperous location.

“Sect Master Jun, congratulations, congratulations!”

Chu Family Head brought servants, carrying generous gifts on his back to offer congratulations.

Subsequently, Huo Family, Zhong Family, and other great families’ heads also personally came to congratulate.

Tianyu Academy and the Certification Hall also sent people.

The most substantial presence was naturally City Lord Mu Changhong.

For a time.

Myriad Ancients Sect’s branch hall gathered many of the Royal City’s prominent figures.

Onlooking martial artists all sighed inwardly—the newly risen Myriad Ancients Sect in the martial world possessed energy beyond imagination!

……

Being a local force, Myriad Ancients Sect establishing branch halls in Southwest Yangzhou naturally had no problems.

However, expanding outward was somewhat troublesome. Many commandery cities naturally harbored resistance toward external forces establishing branch halls on their own territory.

But many cities, fearing Myriad Ancients Sect’s strength, could only reluctantly compromise and permit branch halls to open under their noses.

Northwest Hezhou, Royal City.

Ye Xingchen had just brutalized the martial cultivators here. Not long after, Myriad Ancients Sect’s branch hall was established.

On opening day, no one came to congratulate.

Martial artists passing by, upon seeing the hanging signboard, showed disgust in their eyes.

Most outrageous was that on this street, there were also two branch halls set up by Devil Fiend Sect and God-Slaying Hall in Northwest Hezhou.

“Deliberate!”

“Definitely deliberate!”

The two branch hall masters were so angry their faces turned bright red.

Everyone knew Myriad Ancients Sect had just recently swept away the two evil sects’ branch halls in Southwest Yangzhou. Now opening a branch hall right under their noses was definitely deliberately provoking them!

Right.

Just provoking you.

Life and death are indifferent—if you’re not satisfied, then fight!

With the sect’s overall strength enhanced, Sect Master Jun’s backbone stood even straighter.

……

“Sect Master.”

Li Luoqiu walked into the great hall: “All twenty-six branch halls have been fully established.”

“Mm.”

Jun Changxiao nodded.

Twenty-six branch halls required twenty-six hall masters, temporarily served by Fine Rain Hall members.

“Sect Master.”

Li Luoqiu said: “My Fine Rain Hall has transferred quite a few personnel. You’ll need to allocate more disciples.”

“How about this.”

Jun Changxiao considered briefly: “From the newly recruited disciples each month, your Fine Rain Hall gets first pick.”

“Acceptable.”

Li Luoqiu left satisfied.

Several days later.

Myriad Ancients Sect’s assessment regulations were established for the second mountain-opening disciple recruitment.

As the news gradually spread through various commanderies, many martial cultivators learned that joining Myriad Ancients Sect required passing assessments, so they traveled long distances to see if they could succeed.

Quite a few came to register this time—fully six or seven thousand people.

Those who could actually pass the first assessment and climb to the mountain peak numbered only over a thousand.

Finally, in the martial technique cultivation assessment, a total of over five hundred applicants successfully passed and became entry disciples.

Sect Master Jun didn’t participate in this disciple recruitment model—everything was fully handled by several elders. All he could do was listen to the beautiful sounds of personnel numbers and contribution points increasing.

Even newly entered disciples would be arranged by Li Qingyang and others.

Hands-off manager—just around the corner!

For a sect, especially a powerful sect, the Sect Master definitely couldn’t personally handle every single matter. This development model was inevitable and most reasonable.

Disciples recruited through assessments—the benefits gradually manifested.

The several hundred who entered a month ago gradually adapted to the sect’s cultivation system, with extremely fast growth speed.

Screened disciples undoubtedly possessed potential. Over time, the martial resources saved would definitely be quite substantial.

Clearly better than confirming through eye contact or conducting simple inquiries for disciple recruitment.

As for drawbacks, the elimination rate was too high.

Jun Changxiao wasn’t worried. Recruiting two to three hundred people per month—over a year that wasn’t few.

Moreover, even without sect member limits, recruiting a full hundred thousand disciples at once without sufficient resources to cultivate them would just waste time.

Better to recruit slowly and develop slowly—more natural that way.

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