Jun Changxiao led his disciples, ending the devil training early to head to Liyang City.

The main reason was also to give them time to rest and adjust their condition to face the upcoming Sect Martial Competition.

“Qianqian.”

On the road, Jun Changxiao said: “These past few days, I’ve seen you constantly cultivating in the array formation. How much has your strength improved?”

Lu Qianqian said indifferently: “Not bad.”

Accustomed to this woman’s coldness, Jun Changxiao no longer sought rejection, looking instead at Xiao Zuiji who kept his head lowered as he followed.

This guy must be thinking about how to face the people in the city once they arrived in Liyang City, how to face the Xiao Family members he might encounter at any time.

“Zuiji.”

Jun Changxiao walked over and patted his shoulder: “If you’re a man, you should bravely face everything.”

“Mm.”

Xiao Zuiji took a deep breath, his pitch-black eyes flashing with determination.

The group traveled onward, finally arriving before the city gates of Liyang City as dusk approached.

However, before they even entered, the martial artists coming in and out cast their gazes, locking onto Xiao Zuiji.

“Isn’t this the Xiao Family’s waste!”

“He really came to participate in the Sect Martial Competition!”

“I thought it was just a rumor, but it’s actually true!”

“Tsk tsk, without spiritual roots, without cultivation—this kind of waste dares to come compete. Isn’t he afraid of being beaten within an inch of his life?”

Hearing everyone’s mockery and private discussions, Xiao Zuiji clenched his fists, his head gradually lowering.

“Xiaomu,” Jun Changxiao said.

Su Xiaomo said: “Here!”

Jun Changxiao pointed at the two martial artists who had just said “waste”: “Someone humiliated your junior brother. What should you do?”

Su Xiaomo understood. Like an escaping rabbit, he darted over, leaping into the air midway and kicking the martial artist on the left, sending him flying.

“Swish!”

His body spun in a circle. His toes touched down and he darted out again, a sweeping leg strike directly hitting the other martial artist’s face.

“Thud! Thud!”

At the same time, the two beaten martial artists both fell to the ground.

One charge, one stop, another charge—attacking at different times but putting down both people simultaneously. It could be called clean and efficient, without any sloppiness!

Su Xiaomo landed steadily and clapped his hands: “Junior brothers are like brothers. Humiliating him is humiliating me.”

“Not bad.” Jun Changxiao said with satisfaction.

Li Qingyang said quietly: “Sect Master, this is Liyang City. Attacking like this is somewhat inappropriate, isn’t it?”

Jun Changxiao said: “We’re not inside the city. Attacking doesn’t break the law.”

“That makes sense,” Li Qingyang said.

How did he not think of that? If he’d known, he would have struck first.

The two martial artists who had been kicked stood up covering their footprint-marked faces. Though their eyes were full of fury, they dared to be angry but didn’t dare speak out.

They were city residents but had no influence. Running their mouths would naturally have consequences.

Jun Changxiao swept a glance at the two, saying indifferently: “Dare to humiliate my Iron Bone Sect disciples behind their backs again, and this Sect Master will make sure you don’t see tomorrow’s sun.”

With a wave of his sleeve, he led his disciples into the city.

On the road, Xiao Zuiji’s tightly clenched fists gradually loosened: “Sect Master, Senior Brother, thank you.”

Su Xiaomo leaned over, placing his hand on his shoulder with a grin: “We’re all fellow sect members. Saying thanks would make us strangers.”

Xiao Zuiji smiled.

Since being registered for the Sect Martial Competition, this was the first time he showed a smile—a very bright smile.

It didn’t matter if the people of Liyang City looked down on him. He had the Sect Master, he had many senior brothers—they had never disdained him. That was enough…

Passing through the shadowy city gate, when sunlight appeared in his field of vision, the decadence that seemed innate to Xiao Zuiji and the gloom in his heart weakened considerably.

…

“That short young man’s movement technique was so fast just now!”

“When he attacked, he didn’t use any spiritual energy at all. He shouldn’t be that fast!”

“That person is an Iron Bone Sect disciple?”

“In my view, he’s probably one of the sect’s top disciples.”

“Could he be Qingyang City’s number one genius?”

“That’s right, Qingyang City’s genius joined the Iron Bone Sect. If it’s him, it would make sense.”

Jun Changxiao led his disciples into the city, while the martial artists at the city gate discussed heatedly, mistaking Su Xiaomo for Li Qingyang.

“Qingyang City’s number one genius?”

In a group of people arriving from the official road, a youth in a gray long robe smiled: “I hope to meet him during the competition.”

An old man beside him said: “He’er, that young man’s movement technique was agile just now. His strength must be exceptional. If you encounter him in the Sect Martial Competition, don’t underestimate him carelessly.”

“Got it, got it,” the youth called He’er responded impatiently.

“Elder, that Iron Bone Sect only has one Li Qingyang, yet they dare send disciples to compete. How much courage must that take?” a young disciple joked.

The elder was more cautious, saying gravely: “Daring to participate in the Sect Martial Competition, they must have capability. If you encounter that young man just now, you must also be extremely serious.”

“Yes.”

Several disciples responded.

However, these people didn’t know that the short one was called Su Xiaomo, not Qingyang City’s number one genius.

…

The Sect Martial Competition would be held the day after tomorrow. Jun Changxiao led the five disciples to first find an inn to settle in. But walking through the streets, because of Xiao Zuiji, they attracted many gazes.

Words like “waste” and “direct line of the Xiao Family” often hung on the lips of those discussing. Some martial artists’ eyes even carried strong disdain and contempt.

“Zuiji.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Don’t mind their gazes, because these are just a bunch of bandwagon dogs. Once they witness your strength, they’ll wag their tails and come over to grovel.”

Xiao Zuiji said with determination: “Sect Master, I will use my strength to make them grovel.”

“Sect Master, Junior Brother, don’t insult dogs!” Su Xiaomo said.

Jun Changxiao said: “Dogs guard homes and are loyal and devoted. They’re humanity’s good friends. We really shouldn’t insult them.”

Hearing this, the martial artists discussing behind them immediately blazed with fury.

Su Xiaomo swept a glance at them and smiled: “Sect Master, this disciple loves it most when some people can’t stand me but can’t take me down—that look like they’ve eaten flies.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Should be like they’ve eaten shit.”

“Shit?”

Su Xiaomo really didn’t understand.

Li Qingyang didn’t understand either, but from the Sect Master’s tone, he judged that “shit” definitely wasn’t anything good.

Jun Changxiao and Su Xiaomo sang in harmony, making those martial artists who repeatedly called Xiao Zuiji a waste so angry they fumed. Unfortunately, the city had regulations against private fighting.

Good thing there were regulations, otherwise with Grand Sect Master Jun’s temperament, he would have led his disciples to beat people up long ago.

Soon, the group stopped in front of an inn. Just as they were about to enter, a “yo yo” voice came from behind. A brocade-robed young man walked over surrounded by servants.

“Bei Jian!”

Xiao Zuiji’s gaze darkened.

“Bei Jian?” The corner of Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched: “Put those characters together and isn’t it just ‘cheap’? This name rivals the Ai Family’s Ai Zou from before.”

The brocade-robed youth called Bei Jian swaggered over: “Yo yo, if it isn’t Qingyang Commandery’s once-in-a-millennium genius? Haven’t seen you in years—you’re even more imposing and extraordinary.”

“Sect Master, let’s go inside,” Li Qingyang said, too lazy to acknowledge him.

Bei Jian said: “Yo yo, old acquaintances meet, and you’re leaving without chatting a bit?”

Su Xiaomo scratched his head: “Sect Master, this person keeps going ‘yo yo’ nonstop. Does he have a disease?”

Jun Changxiao said: “Perhaps.”

With that, he led the five disciples into the inn. Outside, Bei Jian “yo yo’d” again: “Young Master Xiao the great genius, this young master is also participating in the Sect Martial Competition. If we can meet then, we must have a good spar!”

“Who was that person?” Jun Changxiao asked.

Xiao Zuiji said: “Direct line of the Bei Family in the city. Five years ago, in broad daylight, he harassed a girl. I beat him up.”

Jun Changxiao rubbed his nose: “Hearing that fart-like verbal tic is annoying. If we encounter him in the Sect Martial Competition, beat him within an inch of his life for this Sect Master—beat him so badly his parents won’t recognize him.”

“Yes!”