The Strongest Sect of All Times

29th day of the lunar mont. [1]

A suitable day for traveling and meeting up. 

Avoid opening shop; go see friends and family instead. 

On this day, the sky was clear and boundless, a cool breeze blowing past. 

After spending a night in the wilderness, Jun Changxiao led his eight disciples to stand before the Vast Spirit Gate’s mountain. 

Before them stood 10,000 stone steps, leading to the front gates. The light of early morning illuminated the mountainside, giving viewers a celestial feeling. 

“Woah.”

Li Fei opened his mouth to praise, “How majestic.”

Pah. 

Jun Changxiao pulled out Records of the Grand Historian and smacked him on the forehead. “Good for nothing.”

Li Fei covered his head, laughing with a ‘hehe’. 

Su Xiaomo clenched a fist, exclaiming, “Thinking of how I can punch some big sect disciples, my blood burns with excitement.”

Li Qingyang calmly said, “Sect Head, it is likely that people from the Hundred Sects Alliance rushed over, so we will definitely meet them.”

Jun Changxiao said, “I made them spit blood last time. If they’re smart, they will definitely not engage in verbal battles.”

“Let’s go.”

As he spoke, he led his disciples up the stone steps. 

Our Sir Night Emperor, tragically carried the Modified Speaker. 

The ten gold-plaque assassins were still following them, but the sect head seemed to have a plan so they stopped and hid along the mountain path, not planning to go further. 

The group walked along the mountain side. To their left was a large slab of stone, upon which were the words ‘Vast Spirit Gate’ imposingly carved. 

“The person who carved these words must have had a noble spirit, but Alliance Chief Qin…” At this point, Jun Changxiao shook his head and his eyes were filled with enmity. 

To be honest, he appreciated the Vast Spirit Gate’s name and did not hope to fight with Qin Haoran. But it was clear on Spirit Spring Mountain that the man was trying to push himself off the cliff, so he could only forgo all formalities and appearances. 

…

Vast Spirit Gate, martial arts field. 

Various sect leaders and patriarchs warmly greeted each other, like they were visiting each other’s families. 

Since he had previously protected Jun Changxiao, although Xie Guangkun was the noble lord of a city, very few experts went forward to greet him, regarding him as air. 

“Hmph.”

City Lord Xie was also proud; you ignore me, so why should I talk to you?

Following City Lord Xie over were several experts from the noble families of Qingyang City, like Li Qingyang’s father, who were here as the 3.6 million people’s representatives to cheer for the Ironbone Sect. 

However, they were only 67 people. 

Compared with the dozens of sect leaders from the Hundred Sects Alliance, the disparity was great. 

Moreover, which sect did not have friends and helpers?

The families that had come here to watch the fun were related to the Hundred Sects Alliance. They all excitedly mingled and chatted together, wishing to immediately pour some cups of wine and toast. 

Speaking of those who were popular, one had to mention Patriarch Ai. At this moment, regardless of whether they were sect leaders or patriarchs, everyone was enthusiastically trying to approach him. 

The Ai Family was in the business of alchemical pills, so they originally made broad connections. Now that they had released the Healing Pill and the Body Reconstructing Pill, they were a power to grab on to. 

The most energetic one seemed to be the Long Sabre Gate’s master. 

Not only did his injuries greatly reduce his strength, but they also affected his future cultivation, so he earnestly hoped to purchase a healing pill. 

He had gone to the second auction, but the major sects and noble families had been in a bloody bidding war; he had been so frightened he didn’t dare open his mouth. 

“Patriarch Ai.”

Sect Leader Shen flattered with a smile, “If you are willing to sell this Shen a healing pill in private, I am willing to…”

“My apologies.”

Ai Shangni put a hand up to stop him. “The healing pills my Ai Family refined will only be sold during auctions, never in private transactions.”

If it was someone else asking for a trade, perhaps he could stretch the rules. 

But who was the one asking?

A member of the Hundred Sects Alliance, Qin Haoran’s lackey. 

This man had also challenged Sect Head Jun in Qingyang City — Patriarch Ai would only sell a pill to this man if he had gone stupid, why else would he offend his business partner?

Patriarch Ai’s standpoint was very firm. 

Gratitudes and grudges with the Ironbone Sect were gratitudes and grudges with his Ai Family. Let alone buying a healing pill, they would not be welcome to even buy medicinal herbs at his shops. 

Sect Leader Shen was rebuffed and left resentfully. Did I annoy him? His tone is so unkind. 

Thinking about how Jun Changxiao was on his way and the Vast Spirit Gate would help him vent anger, Sect Leader Shen’s agitated mood immediately calmed down. 

“Patriarch Ai, when will your next auction be?”

“The Body Reconstructing Pill can strengthen the body, so will it also improve strength?”

“Everyone is from Qingyang Commandery, can’t you help us out and prevent outside commanderys from buying them?”

The honored experts of Qingyang Commandery gathered around Ai Shangni to ask about alchemical pills. Obviously, the healing pill and molding pill had struck the hearts of the people. 

“Cough, cough.”

In the meantime, Qin Haoran walked out in a majestic set of robes. With his hands behind his back, he coughed twice, filling the air with the aura of an expert. 

The martial arts field was immediately silent. 

The experts immediately turned around, humbly greeting him with a smile. 

Xie Guangkun did not go over to greet him, because if they were talking status, he and Qin Haoran were equally matched. 

The Qingyang City patriarchs wanted to go forward and greet the man, but since the city lord did not move, they could only awkwardly stand behind him. 

Qin Haoran saw Xie Guangkun and knew that he favored Jun Changxiao, so he did not care, treating the group like air. 

“Patriarch Ai!” Seeing Ai Shangni, a smile immediately lit up his face. “You made the time to visit my Vast Spirit Gate.”

Before, he and the Ai Family had some cooperation. 

After all, this was still the alliance’s chief so Ai Shangni humbly greeted, “Such a big event, I am naturally here to spectate.”

Hearing him say this, the happiness on Qin Haoran’s face became thicker. 

The surrounding experts and patriarch were filled with envy.

They had heard that the Vast Spirit Gate and Ai Family had frequently communicated for business in the past, but it seemed their relationship was closer than they thought. Seeing that the Ironbone Sect had made a challenge, the patriarch came here to personally cheer — those rumors had some substance!

“Servants!” Qin Haoran commanded, “Give Patriarch Ai a seat of honor.”

“No need,” Ai Shangni said. “I am fine standing.”

“Patriarch Ai is too polite.”

The numerous experts discussed in low voices. 

“The relationship with Alliance Chief Qin must not be ordinary!”

Qin Haoran’s eyes exuded pride, feeling some contentment that Patriarch Ai was here to support him. 

However, Xie Guangkun’s lips had raised in mockery. Qin Haoran, oh Alliance Chief Qin, you really think you’re something? [2]

Others did not know about the Ai Family’s healing pill, but he was clear about its origins. Since Jun Changxiao had once gifted him two, he clearly deduced that the boy had a business cooperation with the Ai Family. 

City Lord Xie had eaten many roads and walked much rice though, so he naturally would not reveal the truth. 

“Reporting!”

At this moment, a disciple rushed over in a hurry. “Ironbone Sect Head Jun Changxiao has brought disciples, seeking a meeting from outside the entrance!”

This disciple had used ‘seeking a meeting’, which meant that he was underestimating our Great Sect Head Jun. 

Qin Haoran indifferently said, “Let him enter.”

“Yes.”

The disciple stepped down. 

The originally peaceful martial arts field was immediately lively, everyone naturally discussing Jun Changxiao’s arrival. 

The experts of the Hundred Sects Alliance glanced at each other, the corners of their mouths simultaneously raising into snickers of disdain. 

The dozens of sect heads had long been ready. As long as Jun Changxiao appeared, they would erupt with invisible auras, giving him a demonstration of authority. 

Ga-zhi. 

The front gates opened. 

Wearing the Anti-Glare Sunglasses and holding a cigar in his mouth, Jun Changxiao led his eight disciples inside. 

Seeing him approach step by step, the numerous sect leaders released their auras and a deafening sound echoed through the area!

“Aah, aah, ahh! Seemingly have seen the vague view in former greams, waves emerge in my heart, set aside the sorrows and grievances of human affairs~” [3]

With the Cantonese version of <Iron Blood and Loyal Heart> as the background music, Jun Changxiao mounted the martial arts field. 

Pah. 

The sound was switched off. 

Sect Head Jun gently raised his head and smiled lightly. “Alliance Chief Qin, my Ironbone Unyielding Sect is here to wreck the stage.”

Ta, ta, ta. 

The eight disciples stepped forward, standing in a line behind the sect head. 

Ironbone unyielding, arrogance soaring to the heavens!

[1] written in a more historical way; 廿九 (nian jiu)

[2] 把自己当根葱, lit: ‘to think of oneself as a scallion’; to think of oneself as something or someone important, to overemphasize their title or identity

[3] <铁血丹心> (Tie Xue Dan Xin, Iron Blood and Loyal Heart); sung in Cantonese by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng. Fun fact, the song is the opening for Legend of the Condor Heroes