After Lu Qianqian’s return, the cold aura once again permeated the entire sect, making it difficult for many new disciples to adapt in a short time.

The early disciples were already used to it.

They even felt that only with Big Senior Sister’s return was the sect truly complete!

“Eat more.”

In the dining hall, Jun Changxiao sat at the table, chin propped on his hand.

Lu Qianqian remained silent.

More than twenty different dishes were placed before her on the table, and Yihei and Erhei kept adding more, piling them up like a small mountain.

She quite missed the meals Liu Wanshi made, but how could one person possibly finish so much!

“You’ve gotten much thinner.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Make it all up today.”

“That’s right!”

Liu Wanshi stood at the kitchen entrance, smiling: “Big Senior Sister, you must finish it all!”

Lu Qianqian said nothing.

She gently picked up chopsticks and began eating slowly and carefully.

Tasting this long-missed earthly delicacy again filled her with mixed emotions.

Hum!

She silently circulated the Primordial Ice Heart Formula, repairing the slightly cracked state of her heart境, maintaining her heart like still water.

During this time, she had not only comprehended the Ice Emperor’s legacy but also completely stabilized her realm.

Jun Changxiao could also sense that his first disciple had returned with an even colder temperament than before.

However.

She seemed to have a bit more humanity, seemed a bit more approachable.

Actually, Lu Qianqian was still as aloof as ever, even colder than before.

But Jun Changxiao and the Eternal Sect disciples didn’t feel this. Instead, they felt she was gentler than before.

This probably stemmed from her extremely high-level understanding of the ice element Realm, allowing her to control it at will.

“Sect Master.”

After the meal, Lu Qianqian said, “I have one million seven hundred thousand spirit stones here.”

“Oh…”

Jun Changxiao was stunned, exclaiming: “How many?”

“One million seven hundred thousand,” Lu Qianqian repeated.

“Whoosh!”

Sect Master Jun sprang to his feet, mouth agape: “Where did you get them from?”

Lu Qianqian didn’t explain that she’d extorted them from nine fourth-rate sects, handing over the spatial rings filled with spirit stones.

So many spirit stones were definitely an enormous wealth. Distributed to the disciples, Eternal Sect’s overall strength would certainly rise by a notch!

……

Lu Qianqian’s return was like her personality—it didn’t cause much of a stir in the sect.

The disciples continued diligently cultivating.

With more spirit stone supplies, whether entry-level, outer, or inner disciples, all could achieve decent improvements in a short time.

“The first disciple has returned.”

Jun Changxiao rested his chin on the back of his hand, saying, “Now we just wait to go to Lily Saint Sect.”

Not long at all.

Only two months remaining.

Northeast Lu Province.

The nine interconnected fourth-rate sects successively set out for Eastern Hao Province.

Other provincial forces also began mobilizing.

Eternal Sect was challenging Lily Saint Sect—so many major sects had announced they’d observe the battle. It would surely gather heroes from all directions; naturally, they couldn’t miss this chance to broaden their horizons!

……

While external forces mobilized on all sides, Eternal Sect remained as usual.

During this period.

Elder Ge performed well and was appointed as an elder.

The Five Absolutes Evil Saint was also assigned, becoming Discipline Hall Master.

Speaking of which, after receiving sufficient sunlight and culinary care from Liu Wanshi, this fellow became more spirited and no longer appeared sinister and frightening.

His strength remained at peak Martial Emperor, unable to recover.

Not that he didn’t want to recover, but having lived too long in the sunless tomb and been poisoned by Medicine Saint, it was truly difficult to recover to peak condition without external assistance.

This external assistance was the Pure Heart Sacred Lotus.

“How many petals would you need to eat to recover to Martial Saint cultivation?” Jun Changxiao inquired.

Such a powerful servant—if he could return to his peak, he could recklessly roam the outside world.

“All of them,” the Five Absolutes Evil Saint said.

“…” Jun Changxiao said, “Won’t two petals less work?”

The Five Absolutes Evil Saint’s eyes widened: “Master has already used two petals?”

“Correct.”

“Ahhh—”

The Five Absolutes Evil Saint clutched his hair, eyes filling with despair.

“What’s wrong?” Jun Changxiao asked.

The Five Absolutes Evil Saint said in anguish, “Without Medicine Saint’s cultivation method, the Pure Heart Sacred Lotus needs at least five hundred years to regenerate one petal!”

Meaning.

For the Pure Heart Sacred Lotus to fully recover its complete eight petals would take at least one thousand years!

The Five Absolutes Evil Saint couldn’t wait that long, because at his Martial Saint level of cultivation, he couldn’t endure that much longer!

Jun Changxiao said, “Did Senior Medicine Saint have a method for rapidly cultivating the Pure Heart Sacred Lotus?”

“Correct,” the Five Absolutes Evil Saint said.

Jun Changxiao stroked his chin, murmuring, “Could it be recorded in the books?”

“Sun Bukong.”

He transmitted: “Study the books Medicine Saint left behind carefully. Report any discoveries immediately!”

Sun Bukong, who was studying books in the Medicine Hall, hastily responded, “Yes!”

This fellow was analyzing Medicine Saint’s medical texts word by word. Though he hadn’t yet found a method to treat Elder Wei’s illness, he had benefited greatly.

It seemed.

The sect’s medical responsibility would fall to none other than him.

Actually, Sect Master Jun could do it himself—at least learn a skill—but he had absolutely no interest.

Managing a sect already tired him out. These miscellaneous matters could be left entirely to others.

……

Half a month later.

The second batch of planted medicinal materials matured.

Jun Changxiao opened the Pill Pavilion and directly maximized production.

These medicinal materials were for refining Martial King Pills. Because they were very important and Medicine Hall members couldn’t handle it, Elder Wei personally oversaw the cultivation, but his experience was limited—he could only gather enough for two hundred pills.

Jun Changxiao was very satisfied.

After all, once the pills were refined, two hundred peak Martial Ancestors could instantly break through to Martial King.

Continuing to plant in the future, eventually all sect disciples would reach King-level!

If someday another sect bullied Eternal Sect, Sect Master Jun could directly bring ten thousand Martial Kings to smash their place—the scene would absolutely be magnificent!

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Within just a few days, two hundred Martial King Pills were completed.

Whoosh whoosh!

Above Eternal Sect, massive King-level auras gathered, so dense they were jaw-dropping.

Shortly after.

The auras began retracting inward. Two hundred disciples successfully broke through to Martial King.

Among them was the newly admitted Mu Honglian, along with many academy students.

“Too miraculous!”

“Breaking through to Martial King so easily—I wouldn’t dare dream of it!”

The breakthrough disciples were immensely excited.

After taking Martial King Pills, Eternal Sect’s Martial King count was gradually approaching three hundred—this was terrifying!

……

Another month passed.

Ten-plus days remained until the three-year agreement.

Jun Changxiao waved his sleeve and strode gracefully from the great hall.

The Four Great Elders—Jiang Xie, Ning Duzui, Ning Duxing, and Elder Ge—followed closely, standing behind the Sect Master. Absolutely Eternal Sect’s F4!

Whoosh!

On the training ground, over ten thousand disciples stood with hands behind their backs, emanating an aura of iron determination and boundless heroism!

Three years.

What was originally a no-name sect had, under Jun Changxiao’s diligent management, gained the qualifications to compete with contemporary third and fourth-rate sects!

Still far from enough!

Jun Changxiao would go to Eastern Hao Province today to challenge Lily Saint Sect!

During this time, Eternal Sect disciples had also trained hard, constantly growing stronger, all waiting for this day to arrive!

“This trip to Lily Saint Sect represents a huge trial for our Eternal Sect. Do the combat disciples have confidence in victory!” Jun Changxiao proclaimed loudly.

“We have confidence!”

Li Qingyang and others shouted in unison.

Jun Changxiao nodded, then pointed toward the sky, proclaiming with mountain-swallowing momentum: “All disciples heed my command—follow this seat to Eastern Hao Province!”

“Yes!”

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Hurricane wolves came running.

Combat disciples mounted them one after another, then galloped toward the mountain gate. For this trip to Lily Saint Sect, all the sect’s King-level disciples were mobilized!

Jun Changxiao’s meaning was clear.

If there’s to be battle, let’s fight to our heart’s content!

—