Jun Changxiao came to Black Mountain Cliff and, although he found a Demon Communion Scripture, he didn’t find any information about those demonic sect remnants, so he could only lead his disciples away.
On the road.
He kept pondering why only he could discover the formation existing at the cliff bottom.
Or rather.
Did the person who set up the formation establish restrictions so ordinary martial artists couldn’t perceive it?
If that was the case, how did the Black Dragon Evil Sect leader discover the formation at the cliff bottom?
The system said: “Perhaps others also had fortuitous encounters?”
“True,” Jun Changxiao felt relieved.
Did that group of traitors who betrayed the Demon Emperor Sect have any connection to the masked dark sect force?
If connected.
Why did they repeatedly cause trouble for him?
The system said: “Could it be they’ve already discovered Yao Mengying possesses an Innate Demon Body, so they’re deliberately targeting the host?”
Jun Changxiao slapped his forehead: “Very possible!”
Thinking carefully, after Yao Mengying awakened her Innate Demon Body, this dark sect force appeared.
“Ah.”
Jun Changxiao frowned: “Not finding out what this dark sect force truly is for even one day makes me feel stifled.”
The system said: “If they really came for Yao Mengying, they’ll definitely take action again. The host need not be anxious.”
Jun Changxiao said: “I’m just afraid they’ll play dirty tricks and hurt my disciples.”
If they targeted him, he definitely wouldn’t care.
But with so many disciples in the sect, if the opposition continued playing tricks in the shadows, something would eventually happen.
Open attacks are easy to dodge; hidden arrows are hard to guard against.
If given a choice, Sect Leader Jun would rather openly fight groups like God-Slaying Hall and Demon Communion Hall—these third-rate evil sects—than face that dark sect force.
“Sect Leader.”
Su Xiaomo said: “Are we going to the Dragon-Tiger Competition venue?”
“Mm.”
“Excellent!”
The Eternal Ages Sect disciples immediately became excited.
Since entering Central Honored Province and feeling that rich spiritual energy and seeing various martial artists, their hearts had already been set on the Dragon-Tiger Competition.
…
Great Honored Imperial City.
The most prosperous and supremely noble city.
Every province had royal cities. Central Honored Province, as the continent’s center, naturally also had a higher-tier imperial city.
This Dragon-Tiger Competition would be held in Great Honored Imperial City.
Legend had it the city was built in ancient times, with a long and flowing history.
Jun Changxiao, not finding the leads he wanted at Black Mountain Cliff, brought his disciples here.
The imperial city’s security was strict.
To enter required providing proof of identity.
“You’re the Eternal Ages Sect Leader?” The gate-guarding general held the identity document and carefully examined Jun Changxiao.
“Correct.”
Jun Changxiao’s heart skipped a beat.
He wondered—could someone be impersonating him in this imperial city too?
Speaking of impersonation, one had to mention Zhao Doudou.
This fellow who’d been swindling since childhood remained imprisoned in the sect, with disciples using him for ball practice whenever they had nothing to do.
Though the Extreme Cold Palace Grand Elder’s situation was tragic, at least he could be considered a floor-sweeping monk. Zhao Doudou was simply a living punching bag.
Who told him to impersonate anyone but Jun Changxiao, and even get caught red-handed?
“Go on in.”
The gate-guarding general waved his hand.
After receiving permission, Jun Changxiao led his disciples through the city gate into Great Honored Imperial City.
However.
The martial artists lined up to enter cast curious glances.
They hadn’t expected this oddly dressed group would be Eternal Ages Sect disciples, and that the young man leading them would be Jun Changxiao!
…
Passing through the gate tunnel entrance, the street that appeared was extremely wide. The paving stones, though visibly aged, emanated a mysterious Eastern force-like aura of profound depth.
“Thud!”
Jun Changxiao stepped on it, his mindset seemingly infected, and he suddenly froze in place.
This feeling—Li Qingyang and others also had it.
They stood there dazed as images flashed before their eyes, as if the ancient city was recounting its past to them.
“These people must be visiting the imperial city for the first time.”
Passersby on the street looked over, their mouths curling into smiles.
Great Honored Imperial City, as one of the Xingyun Continent’s most ancient cities, required all first-time visitors to undergo baptism by its historical depth.
Simply put.
It was a kind of atmospheric field that interfered with thinking, making outsiders instinctively feel awe toward the city.
This atmospheric field could disregard realm and cultivation level.
Whether Wuwang or Wuhuang, as long as they entered Great Honored Imperial City, they would be disturbed and stand frozen in place until reverence arose in their hearts before they could recover.
“Let’s go.”
Jun Changxiao’s eyes regained their luster as he started walking.
The disciples snapped out of their wild thoughts and followed behind their Sect Leader.
The city’s martial artists all looked dumbfounded. Briefly freezing then returning to normal so quickly—wasn’t that too fast?
Or rather.
Had they already developed reverence for the imperial city?
Sect Leader Jun and his disciples were merely surprised by the imperial city’s prosperity. They hadn’t developed the slightest reverence. As for why they recovered so quickly, it was also because the atmospheric field couldn’t interfere with them for long.
…
Great Honored Imperial City was truly super large. Just one district alone had dozens of streets, and each street was bustling with people coming and going.
With a month still before the Dragon-Tiger Competition, since Jun Changxiao arrived early, he naturally needed to find an inn to stay at.
“Sect Leader.”
On the road, Li Qingyang said: “There’s a Tang’s Pill Shop ahead.”
“Oh?”
Jun Changxiao raised his head to look and saw the Tang’s Pill Shop located in the street’s most prosperous area.
At the entrance, quite a few martial artists had gathered, all waiting to purchase Qi-Gathering Pills.
“Business is good.”
Su Xiaomo smiled: “Sect Leader, should we go in and take a look?”
“Let’s find an inn first.”
Jun Changxiao had just prepared to move when a man in servant’s attire walked over and cupped his fists: “Sect Leader Jun, my young master has already arranged lodging. Please follow me.”
“Your young master is?”
The man lowered his voice: “Tang Family’s Second Young Master.”
Tsk tsk.
This business partner’s intelligence was quite well-informed. He’d sent someone to make arrangements right after arriving.
“Please,” Jun Changxiao said.
Led by the servant, they traveled several streets and stopped at a rather large manor.
Having just entered, Tang Ren walked out from the main hall and cupped his fists with a smile: “Sect Leader Jun, you’ve finally arrived.”
“Young Master Tang.”
Jun Changxiao said: “Your invitation is rather secretive.”
Tang Ren said: “Sect Leader Jun dislikes ostentation, so Tang wouldn’t dare welcome you with great fanfare.”
He’d learned early on about the Eternal Ages Sect coming to participate in the Dragon-Tiger Competition—receiving news just days after they left their sect.
The Tang Family was in Great Honored Imperial City. Tang Ren naturally wanted to fulfill his host duties, but considering he did business with Sect Leader Jun and couldn’t let others know, he decided to keep everything simple.
Otherwise.
He would have warmly greeted them at the city gate long ago.
This secretive invitation method greatly satisfied Jun Changxiao, because his principle was conducting affairs low-key.
“Sect Leader Jun.”
Tang Ren said: “The manor belongs to Tang. Though the environment is somewhat lacking, it’s cleaner than inns. If you don’t mind, your sect’s disciples can stay here first.”
“Then we’ll impose on you,” Jun Changxiao said.
He’d originally planned to stay at an inn. Since Young Master Tang was freely providing lodging—such a large residence too—he naturally had to agree.
Not taking advantage of free benefits defies natural law!
—