On the training grounds.

Ma Yongning swung the Cloud-Piercing Saber, filling the sky with saber energy!

Whoosh!

After a moment, he withdrew the saber.

He caressed the blade lovingly, his eyes showing tender affection.

Never leaving his cleaver behind—that was before.

Now he officially declared—he had fallen for another!

It wasn’t that Ma Yongning lacked conviction, but rather that the Cloud-Piercing Saber suited his taste too perfectly.

That modified cleaver, while the feelings ran deep, but if one encounters a better blade, what’s so difficult about establishing another genuine bond?

Men, after all.

Wanting what’s in the pot while eating from the bowl is perfectly normal.

“Sect Master!”

Zhong Yi also tested the Cloud-Piercing Saber, saying: “This saber’s quality is far superior to the Cold Light Sword!”

“You are now the master of this blade,” Jun Changxiao said.

Zhong Yi was the Wolf Cavalry Regiment commander—giving him the Cloud-Piercing Saber was also hoping he could better charge into battle.

Moreover.

Sabers were more effective in combat than swords.

“Thank you for bestowing this saber, Sect Master!” Zhong Yi said excitedly.

Jun Changxiao had refined a total of twenty Cloud-Piercing Sabers. He didn’t distribute them to disciples, but instead put them in the weapon store and set prices, allowing disciples to exchange them with contribution points.

If the quantity were sufficient, he would distribute one to everyone.

Currently with limited numbers, they could only be exchanged with contribution points, which could also boost disciples’ enthusiasm for completing missions.

“Ore, ore.”

Jun Changxiao returned to the great hall, constantly muttering.

The weapon and equipment blueprints given by the epic quest were undoubtedly excellent, but without enough ore for mass production, it was absolutely maddening.

What’s worse.

The ore needed for these weapons and equipment was also quite high-grade—buying from the market would not only be very difficult but also extremely expensive.

“If only there were mineral veins that could produce various different ores,” Jun Changxiao murmured.

The system said: “Host’s imagination is something else.”

“Don’t tell me there’s one in the shop?”

“Nope.”

“…”

Jun Changxiao’s mood immediately deflated.

He opened the Pill Pavilion again, looking at the high-grade Qi Gathering Pills and initial-grade Soul Molding Pills respectively.

These two items were also excellent.

However, they required numerous medicinal ingredients as well.

Jun Changxiao didn’t lack medicinal ingredients—after all, he had inherited all the seeds from the Hundred-Faced Medical Saint—but they needed time to cultivate.

“Elder Wei.”

Coming to the Medicine Hall, he handed over the medicinal ingredient list, saying: “Divide another area and plant these medicinal ingredient seeds.”

“Mm.”

Elder Wei took the list, saying: “The quality isn’t too high—they should mature in one or two months.”

“One or two months?”

Jun Changxiao stroked his chin, saying: “That’s acceptable.”

…

Huyang City.

Jun Changxiao walked in once more, with martial artists and common folk in the city lining the streets in welcome.

The current him was no longer the ridiculed Iron Bones Sect Master of years past, but rather the Eternal Sect Master whom everyone revered!

Speaking of which.

Being looked at with such respect felt pretty good.

Walking straight ahead.

Jun Changxiao stopped at the Ai Family Medicine Shop.

The Ai Family Medicine Shop had just been renovated, with the storefront appearing even more magnificent than before.

The Ai family had maintained the rule of auctioning pills every month. As the Healing Pills and Body Tempering Pills spread further and wider, their wealth accumulated more and more.

Pills were provided by Jun Changxiao—they only handled auctions, yet could obtain enormous profits each month. It would be strange if they didn’t prosper.

Moreover.

The Ai family was also gradually expanding their business.

They had successively opened medicine shop branches in all eight prefectures of Qingyang Prefecture.

“Sect Master Jun!”

Ai Shangni rushed over energetically.

The Ai family’s business was growing larger and larger, inseparable from Jun Changxiao, so naturally they dared not show any neglect.

“Family Head Ai.”

Jun Changxiao smiled: “When was this medicine shop renovated?”

“A month ago.”

Ai Shangni quickly made an inviting gesture, then ordered the medicine shop’s servants to brew the finest tea.

Jun Changxiao took his seat, looking at the magnificently decorated interior, then got to the point: “Family Head Ai, this master came here this time to ask—where produces ore in abundance?”

Ai Shangni answered without hesitation: “The Northern Desert Region!”

This region located at the northernmost part of the Xingyun Continent, though mostly desert terrain, contained abundant minerals underground.

“That’s quite far.”

“Does Sect Master Jun need ore?”

“Not only need it, but need a lot of it.”

Ai Shangni said: “In that case, I suggest Sect Master Jun make a trip to the Northern Desert Region. If luck is good, perhaps you can find ownerless mineral veins.”

“Mm.”

Jun Changxiao had this plan as well.

Besides, consider it a trip.

“Sect Master Jun.”

Ai Shangni handed over several spatial rings, saying: “These are medicinal ingredients and seeds my Ai family recently collected.”

“Much appreciated.”

Jun Changxiao accepted them, gave two bottles of Healing Pills and one bottle of Body Tempering Pills, then took his leave.

Whoosh—

After leaving the city, he didn’t hide at all, directly taking flight into the air.

Breaking through to the Emperor level, how strong Sect Master Jun’s power was remained temporarily unknown, but the flight ability certainly provided great convenience.

…

“Hm?”

About to fly into the sect, Jun Changxiao discovered that many plainly dressed common folk were gathered at the mountain’s base.

It wasn’t a disciple recruitment day—what were they doing here?

“Village Chief.”

Among the crowd, a woman with delicate features said: “We should just leave. Big Brother A’niu should have long forgotten about me.”

This girl, even wearing plain clothing, couldn’t conceal her natural beauty.

“No way!”

The elderly man with graying hair beside her, about eighty years old, leaning on a cane said: “Since we came, we must find that brat and ask clearly—why did he leave without saying goodbye, why did he abandon you!”

“Hmph!”

A rough-looking man standing nearby glared with wide eyes, saying: “Don’t think joining the Eternal Sect makes you something special. If you really let my sister down, your big brother will be the first to speak up for you!”

The woman said: “Village Chief, big brother, perhaps he just looks like A’niu.”

“Impossible!”

The rough man said with conviction: “I already inquired—that guy is definitely A’niu!”

“A’niu?”

Jun Changxiao stood in midair, saying: “My Eternal Sect has no disciple by that name.”

“Big brother.”

The woman said: “If it really is Big Brother A’niu, being able to join such a sect is a great fortune. We’re rashly coming here—perhaps we’ll bring him trouble.”

“That makes sense.” The Village Chief frowned.

“That scoundrel said he’d marry my sister—a man should keep his promises!” the rough man said indignantly, clearly determined to find A’niu for his sister.

“That’s right.”

“A man should keep his word.”

A voice suddenly came, startling everyone. They all turned to look, only to see a young man had appeared behind them at some unknown time.

The rough man said: “Who are you?”

His tone was much gentler, clearly knowing that this fellow younger than himself was definitely not to be trifled with!

Jun Changxiao said: “Eternal Sect Master.”

“He’s the Sect Master?”

“Didn’t expect him to be so young!”

The villagers began discussing in low voices.

The Village Chief quickly clasped his hands: “This old one is the Village Chief of Tur Village. We came to your esteemed sect today to find a disciple called Pei A’niu.”

“Pei A’niu?”

Jun Changxiao shook his head: “Sorry, my sect has no such disciple.”

Hearing this, a trace of disappointment rose in the young woman’s eyes, though she quickly concealed it, smiling: “See, I told you we mistook him for someone else!”

“Sect Master.”

The Village Chief said: “There’s really no disciple called Pei A’niu?”

“None.” Jun Changxiao said.

Although many disciples might not appear in the main text, Jun Changxiao clearly remembered their names—he could even write out a full chapter of them.

“Village Chief, big brother.”

The woman said: “Since Big Brother A’niu isn’t here, let’s go back.”

“We can’t leave!”

The rough man said firmly: “That Pei A’niu fellow must have changed his name. We can go in and look—we’ll definitely find him!”

“You may.”

Jun Changxiao raised his hand, saying: “Please follow this master to the sect.”

These people were just simple, honest common folk. Since they came to the sect looking for someone, he naturally had to accommodate them.

Moreover.

Sect Master Jun was also quite curious.

This rough man was so convinced that Pei A’niu was at the Eternal Sect—just who would he turn out to be?

—