Jun Changxiao lay in his study chair, his face showing weariness.

Without cultivation, being carried back sitting in a bamboo chair naturally meant a bumpy journey all the way.

“Next.”

After resting briefly, Jun Changxiao murmured: “There should be a large wave of youngsters coming to participate in the entrance examination, right?”

With Ten Thousand Ancient Sect obtaining the Dragon-Tiger Competition championship, and himself crazily advertising, it would definitely attract more young talents to participate in the entrance examination.

Actually.

Young people from all directions were currently rushing over.

When they flooded into Qingyang Prefecture, standing at the foot of Tiegu Mountain, there would surely be another lively scene.

Recruiting twenty thousand disciples should have no pressure whatsoever.

“Basic construction, elixir resources, even weapon equipment all need to expand.” Jun Changxiao began planning for the future with foresight.

Taking disciples out to show off wasn’t his intention.

Operating and developing the sect in a low-key manner, establishing a harmonious and loving home—that was the eternal unchanging tenet.

“During this period there’s nothing much to do either—best to use a time skip of a few years, turning the page to when the sect reaches its peak!” Jun Changxiao thought darkly.

The system said: “How about directly a hundred years later? The Soul Bomb explodes, and by then, hmm, the grass on the host’s grave will probably be about three zhang high.”

“Can you not come out to be insulted?” Jun Changxiao said.

The system said: “Cannot. I must represent the readers in complaining about you.”

“Sect Master.”

Just at this moment, Li Luoqiu walked in: “The wine and food are already prepared—when shall we hold the celebration?”

“Tonight.” Jun Changxiao said.

Li Luoqiu looked at his slightly weary complexion: “Can your body handle it?”

“Hall Master Li.”

Jun Changxiao stood up, saying seriously: “Please remember, at any time, don’t question a man’s body, because this is an insult to his character!”

“…” Li Luoqiu.

To show his body was perfectly fine, Jun Changxiao lightly tapped his chest with his fist, then nimbly collapsed in the chair.

“Understood.”

Li Luoqiu left to arrange tonight’s celebration banquet.

…

Night fell.

Bonfires burned on the martial training grounds, illuminating the sect bright as day.

Members of the Food Hall successively brought various dishes to place on the tables prepared in advance.

“Open the wine!”

“Start drinking!”

Under the starry sky, Ten Thousand Ancient Sect welcomed another revelry.

Many disciples held wine cups, toasting the senior brothers who fought in the Dragon-Tiger Competition, toasting them for bringing supreme glory to the sect.

As sect master, Jun Changxiao naturally couldn’t be missed.

And although he repeatedly emphasized he had injuries, he still couldn’t withstand the disciples’ enthusiasm, so he substituted tea for wine, drinking until he had to sneak to the toilet every few minutes.

This lively banquet continued until the early morning. Su Xiaomo, drunk, sprawled on the ground stroking an empty wine jar, saying drunkenly: “Junior… Junior Brother Li, why has your head gotten bigger? Say… is it because you drank too much…”

Sitting on the great hall steps, Jun Changxiao looked at that group of disciples lying about everywhere, shaking his head: “With this alcohol tolerance, you still dare say you’re martial cultivators?”

“Hm?”

He turned his head, looking at the distant dining table where Ye Xingchen sat alone, seemingly thinking about something.

Jun Changxiao was very curious about this guy’s true origins, but also knew that at this moment, the other party should also be thinking—already reborn, yet still discovered by his enemy.

Indeed.

Ye Xingchen had been considering this matter, becoming more irritated and depressed the more he thought, so he stood up, looking at Jun Changxiao, and said seriously: “Sect Master, may I apply to leave the sect?”

Originally still in a drunken state, Li Qingyang and others heard this and immediately became sober, then looked at him in surprise, then looked at the sect master in surprise.

“Are you certain?”

Jun Changxiao drank a sip of tea.

Ye Xingchen clenched his fists, his heart struggling internally: “Certain.”

“Senior Brother Ye.” Liu Wanshi widened her large eyes: “This is perfectly fine—why leave the sect! Was it because Senior Brother Su deliberately came to make you drink earlier and made you unhappy? Tomorrow at mealtime I’ll give him one less ladle, make him not full!”

Su Xiaomo’s mouth twitched.

I did go make him drink, but seeing him not speaking, I directly turned to find Li Fei instead—how can this be blamed on me!

“All of you withdraw.” Jun Changxiao said.

Li Qingyang wanted to speak, but seeing the sect master’s eyes were very serious, he quickly signaled to fellow sect members, and they all left the martial training grounds.

After they had all left, Jun Changxiao pointed at the main gate: “This seat once said, if you want to leave, you can at any time.”

“Swish!”

Ye Xingchen considered briefly, picked up a bowl of wine in front of him and drank it clean, then turned and walked toward the main gate.

“If you achieve success and fame in the future, come back and visit when you have time. After all, master and disciple, fellow sect members.” Jun Changxiao said.

Ye Xingchen said nothing, walking straight ahead.

“If you die outside, this seat will lead disciples to collect your corpse. After all, master and disciple, fellow sect members.” Jun Changxiao said.

“Step.”

Ye Xingchen stopped, though his back was to Jun Changxiao, his face showed rare hesitation.

“Before leaving, this seat will give you one sentence: stepping out of this sect, you’ll never again have a chance for revenge.” Jun Changxiao said.

Ye Xingchen clenched his fists, saying with difficulty: “I’ve already been discovered. If I continue staying here, I’ll only bring you trouble, even bring catastrophic disaster!”

Perhaps it was that bowl of wine that finally let this proud man say the words he’d been keeping in his heart.

Jun Changxiao said: “Do you think your fellow sect members care about that bit of trouble?”

“Don’t care!”

Ten Thousand Ancient Sect disciples shouted in unison.

Turns out Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji, and the others hadn’t truly left—they stood in the inner courtyard constantly monitoring Ye Xingchen with spiritual sense.

Jun Changxiao said: “Your fellow sect members aren’t afraid of trouble, aren’t afraid of death—why should you, the person involved, be afraid?”

The emotions in Ye Xingchen’s eyes were extremely complex, his heart also struggling internally.

If it were before, when he wanted to leave, he’d immediately leave without stopping. Now he’d become indecisive, become worried about gains and losses.

“When the sky falls, this seat will hold it up in front.”

Jun Changxiao said: “What are you afraid of!”

Speaking of holding it up in front, Ye Xingchen thought of the earlier competition platform, that figure standing before him to courageously receive the Upper Realm palm print.

At life and death’s moment, having someone recklessly protect you was something he hadn’t experienced in his previous life.

Although stubborn as a duck, he had to admit the moment the sect master stood before him deeply touched him.

Precisely because of this, on the return journey to the sect, he constantly thought—since he’d been discovered by that woman, would it bring danger to the sect?

The Night Emperor of his previous life, with extremely low emotional intelligence who constantly offended people, actually took the initiative to think for others—truly commendable.

“Phew!”

Ye Xingchen took a deep breath, his tightly clenched fists gradually relaxing.

“Swish!”

He turned around, sitting back in his previous position, turning his face to one side: “Sect Master, this disciple drank too much just now—I’ve already forgotten what I said.”

“Su Xiaomo.”

Jun Changxiao waved his hand: “Fill his cup. If you can’t drink him under the table today, you’ll wash dishes in the food hall for three months.”

“Yes!”

Su Xiaomo shouted.

Inside, he was collapsing, thinking: Who did I offend!

“Senior Brother Ye!”

After pouring the wine, Su Xiaomo raised his cup: “Come, Senior Brother has orders—I’m responsible for getting you drunk today!”

Ye Xingchen picked up his bowl, saying nothing as he drank it clean with head tilted back.

Hey.

This guy is quite bold!

Come on!

An hour later.

Su Xiaomo sprawled drunk on the table.

Ye Xingchen, face completely flushed, staggered to the bonfire, holding an empty wine jar in each hand, dancing wildly…