The Strongest Sect of All Times

First attacked with verbal jabs, then destroyed the Vast Spirit Gate’s signboard — was Jun Changxiao too excessive?

To be honest, it was excessive. 

But this was not a question about whether he was excessive or not, but a question of whether he should have retaliated!

On Spirit Spring Mountain, Qin Haoran provoked the three Holy Spring Sect elders, attempting to pull Jun Changxiao down into the abyss. 

In Vast Spirit Gate, Qin Haoran had made additional bets under the public eye, hoping to trample on Jun Changxiao’s dignity. 

Based on these actions, regardless of how extreme his own actions could be considered, Jun Changxiao believed his retaliation to be justified!

What if the one that lost was the Ironbone Sect? Neither Alliance Chief Qin nor his jackals, nor anyone else for that matter, would have said anything about going too far, saying that one should not be too extreme.

On Falling Star Continent, as long as one’s fist was hard enough, others would say you were reasonable and calm. 

And you…

Could be unreasonable with them. 

In fact, when he made Xiao Zuiji destroy Vast Spirit Gate’s signboard, Jun Changxiao had confidence; he definitely wasn’t just seeking death. 

At worst, it was just using the signboard to give Qin Haoran an excuse not to go clean the latrines of the Ironbone Sect. 

Wang Donglin saw his intentions, and thus coordinated as a peacemaker. 

Qin Haoran’s murderous intentions were forcefully calmed. He unwillingly clenched his teeth, gritting out, “The bet becomes invalid!”

He agreed, he conceded!

As long as the bet became invalid, that meant there was no need to fulfill any conditions, nor a way to bring shame upon himself!

In this case, Jun Changxiao seemingly got angry and made Xiao Zuiji destroy the signboard, but actually provided Alliance Chief Qin the perfect chance to step back and get out of cleaning the Ironbone Sect’s toilets. 

Some people might ask: Who cares whether Jun Changxiao was doing it out of good or not, wouldn’t everything be fine as long as you just killed him?

Kill him?

Wang Donglin must agree, Ai Shangke must agree. 

One represented the Azure Mountain Sect, the other represented the Ai Family; Qin Haoran understood that killing Jun Changxiao was not possible today. 

Moreover, there were so many martial artists present. 

They all saw that his sect had lost 0:4, losing the challenge. If he killed the boy, how was he supposed to explain himself?

This was the problem with the respected orthodox sects, they had to consider everything. 

If you traded them with some unorthodox sect, they wouldn’t care about it so much — you provoked me, so I’ll kill your entire family!

Of course. 

If it was an unorthodox sect, Jun Changxiao would also have taken a different route. 

What route?

He would unseal the Irretractable Sabre, representing justice to massacre the demonic. 

“Alliance Chief Qin.”

Jun Changxiao had an innocent smile on his face as he asked, “Since the bet has become invalid, for what reason are your disciples drawing their swords?”

Qin Haoran suppressed his anger and growled, “Retract your swords, step down.”

The Vast Spirit Gate disciples obeyed the gate leader’s command, putting their swords away and returning to their original positions, glaring the entire time. 

Clang! Clang!

Li Qingyang and the others also put their weapons away, falling back to stand behind the sect head. 

The charged atmosphere immediately cooled a great deal; the watching martial artists were filled with admiration for the Ironbone Sect Head. 

He destroyed Vast Spirit Gate’s signboard, but he was still safe and sound — what an expert!

“Alliance Chief Qin.”

Jun Changxiao cupped his hands and made a slight bow. “With a four out of seven condition, my Ironbone Sect has won. There is no need to continue fighting, we shall say farewell in advance.”

Ye Xingchen was dumbfounded. That was it? This emperor hasn’t even gone on stage yet!

Alliance Chief Qin, who had gradually calmed down, coldly said, “Sect Head Jun, although my Vast Spirit Gate has lost, the challenge has seven rounds. We must fight all of them, otherwise it doesn’t conform to Jianghu guidelines.”

He couldn’t endure a 0:4!

The following three, they had to win.

If the Ironbone Sect just left like this, that would also be a huge loss of reputation!

“This…”

Jun Changxiao said, “Alliance Chief Qin, this lord fears that if we continue to fight, Vast Spirit Gate will lose 0:7. It is better to consider the matter finished, so that we may be on polite terms in the future.”

The audience wanted to collapse. 

You have destroyed his sect’s signboard, you’re lucky if he doesn’t run you through with a sword next time you meet! What, you want to sit down and chat over tea about daily life?

“0 to 7?” Qin Haoran continued to suppress his anger, his face impassive as he said, “You are underestimating my Vast Spirit Gate!”

“You insist on continuing?”

“I insist!”

Jun Changxiao shrugged. “Since Alliance Chief Qin does not fear being disgraced, then the exchange will continue.”

“Oh, right.” He smiled, “Should we make another bet?”

Qin Haoran spat, “My Vast Spirit Gate has already lost, how would we make additional bets?”

“We can consider the first four as a warm-up, and thus void, using only these last three rounds to decide the victor. What do you think?” Jun Changxiao suggested. 

Wang Donglin and Ai Shangni were astonished. 

He had already succeeded in obtaining victory, but was offering to reset the scoreboard — what was Sect Head Jun playing at?

The other martial artists were also stunned. 

Was he stupid?

Qin Haoran was also dumbfounded. 

But he responded quickly, fearing that this guy would retract his statement. “Alright! We will void the first four rounds, using just the last three to determine the victor!”

“How about this,” Jun Changxiao added. “We will not make conditions like cleaning the stables or cleaning the latrines. Whoever loses pays 10 million taels.”

10 million taels?

The audience started. 

For eighth or ninth-grade sects and smaller groups, this was absolutely an astronomical amount of money. Even for seventh-grade and respected families, this was a number that required them to break their backs for. 

Qin Haoran sniffed, “Sect Head Jun, my Vast Spirit Gate has enough, but I fear your Ironbone Sect does not have the financial resources to make this bet.”

“If this lord loses, he can just borrow some.” Jun Changxiao said, “Right, Patriarch Ai?”

Ai Shangni was startled, but hurried to say, “If Sect Head Jun needs the help, my Ai Family is willing to lend 10 million taels!”

Everyone’s eyes widened even further. 

What was the relationship between the Ironbone Sect and the Ai Family for Patriarch Ai to so easily offer such a large sum of money?

It was worth noting that Ai Shangni coming to support Jun Changxiao today was a stroke of fortune!

“Good!”. Qin Haoran said, “The bet is 10 million taels!”

Shua! Shua!

The Vast Spirit Gate disciples dispersed again, encircling a little less than half the arena. 

Jun Changxiao said, “Alliance Chief Qin, please send people on stage.”

Qin Haoran waved a hand. 

The second high-grade spirit root, a direct disciple at Peak Martial Apprentice, walked up. 

At this time, the Vast Spirit Gate’s strongest disciples were him and the other First Stage Martial Master — thus, Qin Haoran’s expectations were high. 

Jun Changxiao tapped his chin. “As long as we win the next two, we can celebrate and eat chicken tonight.”

He paused, then said, “Qingyang, go on stage.”

“Yes.”

Li Qingyang stepped up. 

“My son!” 

After he had only walked two steps, Patriarch Li solemnly called out, “Father is watching, the Li Family ancestors are watching!”

Huff!

Li Qingyang took a deep breath, then said, “Father, I will show you that the choice I made at the Hundred Sects Recruitment was this son’s best decision!”

Looking at his son’s ironbone and unyielding back, Patriarch Li found it difficult to control his emotions. In a trembling voice, he responded, “My son, Father has already understood. This father feels incomparable pride that you are a disciple of the Ironbone Unyielding Sect!”

Tak.

At this time, Li Qingyang had stopped at the center of the stage. Turning away from his father, he clearly announced, “Ironbone Sect, Li Qingyang!”

TN: Hey ya'll 🙂 I'm going to be mass releasing some chapters (up to c.169) over the next few days. After that, I will be taking a short break to focus on my upcoming exams.