When heading to Pingyang Commandery to participate in the Sect Grand Competition, Jun Changxiao had once asked Ye Xingchen on the road if he knew what “clang clang clang” meant.

At that time, Night Emperor couldn’t understand at all and even had the urge to beat someone up.

Now, looking back on this day, it was as if he had an epiphany, with the words the Sect Master had once said echoing in his ears: “Xingchen, when you understand the meaning of the four characters ‘Iron Bones Clanging,’ you’ll naturally truly understand.”

Ye Xingchen seemed to understand a little bit, so he completely let himself go and drank to his heart’s content with Su Xiaomo, drinking until they were thoroughly intoxicated, drinking until they were dead drunk.

Unfortunately, under the influence of alcohol, one will also do things that lose all reason—like dancing around a bonfire.

“Snap.”

Jun Changxiao turned on the modified sound system.

The song “Only You” from A Chinese Odyssey, sung soulfully by Tang Sanzang, provided accompaniment for Ye Xingchen’s dancing.

The bonfire flames blazed fiercely.

A man who had drunk himself into oblivion completely indulged himself, completely let himself go.

That night, Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji, and the others sat on the steps, each propping up their chins watching Ye Xingchen dance, until well past midnight.

“Whoosh!”

When the sun was high in the sky, Ye Xingchen suddenly sat up from his bed.

Seeing himself sleeping in the side room, he clutched his slightly aching head and said, “Wasn’t I drinking?”

“Junior Brother, you’re awake?”

When he walked out of the side room and along the path leading to the outer courtyard, his junior brothers greeted him with smiles one after another, their smiles somewhat strange, somewhat nauseating.

“Not right, not right!”

Ye Xingchen knocked on his head, saying, “Something must have happened yesterday!”

“Brother Ye!”

Just then, Su Xiaomo caught up from behind, laughing, “Your alcohol tolerance is really impressive. You drank me under the table yesterday.”

Ye Xingchen said nothing, thinking to himself: “Did I? I don’t remember!”

“Hehe.”

Li Fei walked over quickly, saying, “Brother Ye danced quite well.”

“Danced quite well?” Ye Xingchen’s brow furrowed slightly.

Li Fei asked in surprise, “Brother Ye, you didn’t black out from drinking, did you? You forgot that you were holding two empty wine jars dancing around the bonfire yesterday?”

Gah!

Ye Xingchen was dumbfounded on the spot. After a long while, he said with stiff muscles, “I… was dancing?”

…

That plaque carved with the four characters “Dragon-Tiger Competition” was hung by Jun Changxiao in his study.

Looking at it occasionally would remind him of his disciples fighting on the competition stage, and he would smile with satisfaction.

The relationship between Jun Changxiao and his disciples was actually equivalent to that of master and disciple. They proved themselves on the greatest sect competition stage, and as their master, he naturally felt immensely proud.

“Sect Master.”

Li Qingyang came to see him, saying, “The Sect Master of Cangsha Sect from North Desert State has come to visit.”

“Oh?”

Jun Changxiao said, “Why has he come?”

Business with North Desert State had been established long ago, with ore materials delivered every month. Calculating the time, it was just about right, but for Feng Feisha to personally come was indeed a bit unexpected.

Could it be he came to offer congratulations?

“Please invite him in.”

Jun Changxiao went to the great hall. Just after taking his seat, Feng Feisha was led in by Li Qingyang. He cupped his hands and said, “Congratulations to Sect Master Jun’s sect for winning the Dragon-Tiger Competition championship!”

“Many thanks!”

Jun Changxiao waved his hand, saying, “Sect Master Feng, please sit.”

Feng Feisha sat down and said, “The amount of ore mined during this period was quite large, and Feng was worried something might happen, so he personally escorted it.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Many thanks for Sect Master Feng’s efforts. If you’re not in a hurry to return, please stay for a meal.”

“Then I shall respectfully accept your kind offer.”

…

“My heavens—”

In the dining hall, Feng Feisha held up his chopsticks, raised his head with closed eyes, his entire soul seeming about to fly out of his body and soar freely through the endless firmament!

The food prepared by Liu Wanshi brought him profound震撼, so much so that his soul floated around for quite a while before returning to his body.

“Sect Master Feng.”

Jun Changxiao smiled, saying, “This visit shouldn’t just be about delivering ore, right?”

“Correct.”

Getting to the main topic, Feng Feisha withdrew his exaggerated expression, his expression becoming grave as he said, “Has Sect Master Jun ever heard of the Purple Scale Demon King?”

“No.” Jun Changxiao shook his head.

Feng Feisha lowered his voice, saying, “Several thousand years ago, the Purple Scale Demon King suddenly appeared out of nowhere on Xingyun Continent, gathering an army of a million beasts in North Desert State.”

“This happened?” Jun Changxiao was astonished.

Feng Feisha said, “Fortunately, the continent’s top experts discovered this in time and sent four Martial Saints who joined forces to seal it.”

Jun Changxiao took a sip of wine, saying, “To have alarmed four Martial Saints, this Purple Scale Demon King must be very powerful. It must have brought considerable disaster to the continent, right?”

“Actually, no.”

Feng Feisha said, “Because it was discovered in time, the Purple Scale Demon King hadn’t yet made a move before being sealed by the four experts. The million fierce beasts, having lost their leader, also scattered.”

“…”

Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched.

Having alarmed four Martial Saints and gathered an army of a million beasts, the Purple Scale Demon King clearly looked like someone who would do great things, but ended up dying before accomplishing anything—a proper tragic villain!

“Sealed?”

Jun Changxiao said, “Meaning it’s still alive?”

Feng Feisha leaned in a bit closer, saying, “Sect Master Jun, this is my purpose for coming this time.”

“How so?” Jun Changxiao asked.

“According to what I know, this demonic creature has already broken through the seal and returned to the mortal world!”

As Feng Feisha said this, his voice had dropped very low, creating a very terrifying atmosphere.

Jun Changxiao said, “Is that so?”

He didn’t take it to heart, after all, a guy who died before even taking action—even if he came out again, what kind of trouble could he stir up?

“Sect Master Jun.”

Feng Feisha said, “This news must be kept secret, because Central Honored State has blocked the information to avoid causing panic. I came to give you a warning—recently, don’t let your disciples go to the mountain forests for training.”

“Why?” Jun Changxiao asked.

Feng Feisha said, “The Purple Scale Demon King can communicate with beasts and also has the ability to awaken the intelligence of fierce beasts. If one were to encounter him by bad luck, there would definitely be no return!”

“I see!”

Jun Changxiao raised his wine cup, saying, “Come, drink!”

“Wait a moment!”

Feng Feisha picked up his chopsticks, grinning as he said, “Let me eat a few more bites of food.”

“Eat as much as you like, don’t be polite.”

“Um… can I pack up the leftovers?”

After eating and drinking, Feng Feisha really did pack up the remaining food to take back.

And this visit did bring quite a lot of ore, enough for Jun Changxiao to forge quite a bit of equipment, thereby enhancing the strength of the sect’s disciples.

As for the matter of the Purple Scale Demon King, he didn’t take it to heart at all. After all, if this kind of demonic creature truly had the power to bring calamity to all living beings, as long as it didn’t affect him, there would be sects and experts representing justice who would deal with it.

…

Death Valley.

This forbidden land that was once full of fierce beasts now appeared slightly desolate.

Because ever since Jun Changxiao brought his disciples here to train and dealt with the powerful fierce beasts inside, there was no longer any danger.

“Thud!”

A cultivator of evil arts from Huayang Commandery fell covered in blood in the area once occupied by the Fire Dragon Beast, his eyes showing terror and horror.

“Scum.”

A demonic male with his bare bottom standing before him lifted his foot and stepped on his face, his eyes filled with rage as he said, “Where’s this King’s egg!”

Egg?

Aren’t they hanging right there between your legs!

“I… I don’t know… I only came in today…” the evil cultivator said in fear.

“Bang!”

The demonic male pressed down with his foot, and the man’s head burst open, blood and flesh splattering everywhere.

He turned around and grabbed a low-grade fierce beast living in Death Valley, pointing his finger at its brow and saying, “Where’s this King’s egg?”

The fierce beast, originally unable to speak, suddenly gained intelligence, its voice trembling as it said, “King… egg… the egg seems to have been taken by humans!”

“Who!”

“I… I don’t know…”

“Bang!”

The demonic male kicked it flying away with one foot, roaring, “Useless!”

“King!”

A spirit beast transformed into a half-human form said, “The egg was always guarded by the Fire Dragon Beast. As long as we find out who killed it, we should be able to find who took it!”

“Smart!”

The demonic male patted its shoulder, quite satisfied as he said, “Worthy of being this King’s left… left what the hell was it arm!”