Heaven-Defying Sect.

A faction that briefly appeared several hundred years ago.

This name could be so ridiculously pretentious because its creator was a young person whose ambitions reached higher than the heavens.

His name was Xie Ding.

“Pfft!”

Jun Changxiao spat out his tea again, his facial expression extremely brilliant. “Got stronger and also went bald?”

Old Wei said: “His surname is Xie, given name Ding. This ‘Ding’ character was one he took for himself later, meaning to stand upright between heaven and earth.”

“I see,” Jun Changxiao said.

“However,” Old Wei paused, rather helplessly saying, “By middle age, he truly did go bald.”

“So you see.”

Jun Changxiao put down his teacup, turned his face toward you in the camera, and said seriously: “You must be cautious when naming yourself!”

“Sect Master Xie must have been very strong, right?”

“Not bad.”

“Just peak Martial Emperor.”

The “not bad” and “just” were used with considerable flair, making the corner of Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitch. However, considering that someone dared use the two characters “Heaven-Defying,” their strength was destined to be extraordinary.

“Old Wei.”

Jun Changxiao consoled him: “In this world where lifespans are generally high, a gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after a hundred years. There’s no need to rush for a moment.”

With both the Sect Master and Vice Sect Master being Emperor-level powerhouses, the Heaven-Defying Sect’s enemies were certainly strong. He didn’t approve of Old Wei going for revenge right now, but rather to first survive and develop.

“I can’t wait,” Old Wei said.

This was precisely his conflict. Previously without cultivation, he forcibly numbed himself, passing days in a daze. Now that his realm had been restored, thinking of the brothers who’d conquered the world together and perished, the impulse for revenge was difficult to suppress.

Jun Changxiao said seriously: “Give the sect some time. When we have sufficient strength, this master will accompany you to exact revenge!”

“No!”

Old Wei said resolutely: “This is my personal grudge—how could I implicate the sect!”

For his brothers, he could go fight his enemies right now, even if it meant staining the battlefield with blood, even if his soul scattered to the nine heavens—he had no complaints.

But he wouldn’t allow the Eternal Sect to participate, because this was his private vendetta and should be resolved privately.

“Old Wei.”

Jun Changxiao stood up, hands behind his back, looking toward the sky. “This is your personal vendetta, and logically this master shouldn’t help. But since you’re an Eternal Sect Hall Master and have contributed so much to the sect, how could this master sit by and watch?”

“Sect Master…”

“Say no more.”

Jun Changxiao’s mind was decided. “This master isn’t helping you take revenge—I’m repaying the debt owed for your contributions to the Eternal Sect all these years.”

His voice carried an unquestionable tone. Old Wei could only close his mouth, tightly clenching his fists. “Understood, Sect Master. I will continue surviving until I have sufficient strength, then go find them for revenge!”

Jun Changxiao said: “You can go train in the Training Tower or the secret realm.”

“Mm.”

Old Wei nodded.

…

“Senior Brother, what’s wrong with Senior Five Absolutes?”

On the outer courtyard training grounds, Li Fei looked at the Five Absolutes Evil Saint standing on the rear mountain peak and asked in a low voice.

Li Qingyang said: “I’m not clear either.”

Ever since the Sect Master had sought him out, he’d been standing on the mountain peak with his hands behind his back, neither speaking nor showing any expression.

“Could he be sick?” Li Fei said.

“Never mind that.”

Li Qingyang said: “Let’s go cultivate.”

“Mm.”

Everyone began busying themselves with their own tasks as usual.

Occasionally passing by the training grounds, they’d subconsciously look toward the rear mountain peak and would definitely see the old man striking a pose.

The Eternal Sect disciples couldn’t understand the Five Absolutes Evil Saint, because they hadn’t experienced being trapped in a tomb for thousands of years, having their cultivation suppressed for thousands of years, nor had they experienced that feeling of loss and recovery.

Xiao Zuji had experienced it.

But compared to a Martial Saint, it was still far inferior.

The Five Absolutes Evil Saint stood on the mountain peak for three days and nights before finally descending. He then came to Jun Changxiao’s study and cupped his fists: “Many thanks, Master!”

He’d thought he had no hope of restoring his Martial Saint cultivation in this lifetime, never expecting Jun Changxiao to directly give him seven petals of Pure Heart Sacred Lotus.

At that time, what the Five Absolutes Evil Saint was thinking wasn’t about how the two consumed petals had reappeared, but rather his mind was full of thoughts that he could finally… completely restore his cultivation!

If his mentality weren’t stable enough, he might have been unable to hold back tears long ago. After all, having lost it for so long and taking it back again—how difficult that was.

Jun Changxiao crossed his hands. “Are you willing to join the Eternal Sect?”

The Five Absolutes Evil Saint’s soul origin was controlled, making him equivalent to a servant, but he wasn’t a sect member. Now that his cultivation was restored, Jun Changxiao had the idea of bringing him into the fold.

“As long as Master doesn’t disdain me for being an evil cultivator, I’m willing to serve the Eternal Sect!” the Five Absolutes Evil Saint said seriously.

If it had been when he first arrived at the Eternal Sect, due to his soul origin being controlled, he might have reluctantly joined. But now, even if his soul were returned, he would still willingly join!

It wasn’t for the food.

It was because living at the Eternal Sect during this time had let him experience the feeling of home—something he’d never had in a lifetime of cultivating the evil path.

“Name.”

“Ding Xingwang.”

“What meaning does this name have?”

“My parents gave it to me, hoping for prosperity in descendants.”

“…”

“Slap!”

Jun Changxiao stamped it with the Sect Master’s great seal. “From this moment on, you are a member of the Eternal Sect. If you perform well, your soul origin will be returned.”

“Yes, Master!”

“Call me Sect Master.”

“Yes, Sect Master!”

…

Old Wei’s strange illness was cured, and the Eternal Sect gained another Martial Emperor. Ding Xingwang’s injuries recovered, and the Eternal Sect gained another Martial Saint.

In terms of top-tier strength, they’d advanced by leaps and bounds!

Still not enough, still insufficient!

Jun Changxiao summoned the Extreme Cold Palace Grand Elder and said: “Your Palace Master seems to have forgotten about you. Why not join this master’s sect?”

It wasn’t that she’d forgotten.

She simply didn’t dare come demand him back!

Especially since Lu Qianqian had also inherited the Ice Emperor’s legacy.

Even now, the Extreme Cold Palace Master was still cursing the other sects behind their backs for not informing her of the situation earlier, causing her to offend a sect with an Ice Emperor legacy inheritor!

“You have the right to refuse, but…”

Jun Changxiao pointed into the distance. “You’d better think clearly before answering.”

The Extreme Cold Palace Grand Elder turned to look and saw Lu Qianqian leaning against the great hall doorframe, her face as cold as ever. He immediately shivered and hastily said: “I agree!”

During this time sweeping floors, he’d also thought things through.

This woman who inherited the Ice Emperor’s mantle was equivalent to the Ice Emperor.

If in the future she had ideas about unifying the factions of Northeast Lu Province, his Extreme Cold Palace, along with the Upper Cold Sect, Profound Spirit Sect, and other sects couldn’t escape!

She was currently an Eternal Sect disciple in her growth period. By pledging allegiance early and assisting her, perhaps he could gain important positions in the future.

“Name.”

“Gongsun Haohai.”

After sweeping floors at the Eternal Sect for so long, the Extreme Cold Palace Grand Elder was finally moved by the author to be given a name—this was truly cause for great celebration.

…

After accepting Gongsun Haohai, the Eternal Sect gained another Half-Step Martial Saint, with strength once again enhanced.

It was hard to imagine that a fifth-rate sect would have one Martial Saint, one Half-Saint, two Martial Emperors, plus Jun Changxiao—this Rank Seven dual Emperor of sword and martial arts!

From the perspective of top-tier strength, the Eternal Sect absolutely didn’t fear any second or third-rate sect now. Their core strength was likewise not inferior, because disciples at Martial King level had long since broken into triple digits.

The only weakness was the foundation-level strength.

Especially in terms of numbers, they still couldn’t compare with other sects.

“Creak.”

The prison door opened, and Jun Changxiao walked in.

“Jun Changxiao!”

The tightly bound Proud World Sacred Sect Half-Saint roared: “How long are you going to keep this old man imprisoned!”

“Until your esteemed sect sends spirit stones,” Jun Changxiao said.

He’d long since sent someone to deliver a message to the Proud World Sacred Sect, saying they could have this Half-Saint return with dignity if they brought a million spirit stones for ransom. But nearly half a month had passed with still no news.

“Hmph!”

That Half-Saint roared: “A mere fifth-rate sect like you cannot withstand a second-rate sect’s fury. If you know what’s good for you, release this old man immediately!”

“Boom!”

Jun Changxiao suddenly rushed over, pressing him to the ground with one hand, saying coldly: “Old fellow, having become a prisoner, stop putting on airs!”

“Jun Changxiao!”

Just then, an angry shout came from the sky outside: “Get out here immediately!”

“Hmm?”

Jun Changxiao’s spiritual sense spread outward.

He then saw four martial artists standing in the sky outside Tiegu Mountain, two of them being the Brilliant Light Sacred Sect Half-Step Martial Saints who’d been beaten away at the valley entrance previously.

“They came again?” Jun Changxiao gave a cold smile.

“Buzz!”

Above the Eternal Sect, the Sect Protection Array instantly activated.

It wasn’t Jun Changxiao who activated it, but Li Luoqiu, because from the shout she realized the other party was definitely here to cause trouble!

“Swoosh!”

Ding Xingwang was first to fly out of the sect, hovering above the Sect Protection Array. He looked at the four martial artists, especially the Half-Saint he’d fought before, and smiled coldly: “Junior, you dare return?”

That Half-Saint roared: “Despicable and shameless fellow! If you have the ability, fight one-on-one instead of using underhanded tricks from behind!”

Previously above the valley, he could have defeated Gongsun Haohai, but this evil cultivator kept sneak attacking from behind, making it truly impossible to focus on the enemy. In the end, he could only flee in embarrassment.

“One-on-one?”

Ding Xingwang tilted his head, smiling evilly: “Are you certain?”