The Strongest Sect of All Times

After the disciples grabbed the shields, Ling Yuanxue stayed behind by herself. 

In the study room, it was just her and Jun Changxiao. 

Ling Yuanxue lowered her head, her hands trembling. 

This was the first time she was with the sect head alone. As she was originally shy, she was obviously very nervous. 

Pah. 

There was a sudden sound. 

Ling Yuanxue was startled and took two steps back. 

Jun Changxiao saw that and speechlessly thought: I only placed a bottle of Aptitude Transformation Fluid down, but she’s this scared. Isn’t she a little too timid?

“Yuanxue.”

He rested his chin on his hands, “What’s your dream?”

Why was the sect head asking about dreams again?

Ling Yuanxue softly answered, “My… My dream is to cultivate the Martial Way and show these smelly… no no, Sect Head is an exception, but to show all the smelly men up!”

Jun Changxiao seriously lectured, “Practicing the Martial Way should not be for validation from others, but for oneself. Do you understand?”

“Under-Understood!”

Pah!

Jun Changxiao smacked the table and sternly said, “Louder!”

Ling Yuanxue was so frightened she might cry, but she squeezed her eyes shut and loudly repeated, “Understood!”

Jun Changxiao was nicer as he said, “The Martial Way refines one’s courage. When we enter Death Valley, this lord hopes that we can see your brave side.”

“Understood!” said Ling Yuanxue. 

Jun Changxiao said, “This bottle of medicine, drink it.”

“Oh.” 

Ling Yuanxue shuffled over, then raised her head and downed the bottle of medicine. 

Before long, her cheeks became flushed as her spirit root rose from ordinary to low-grade and her cultivation entered Meridian Opening Stage Twelve. 

“This…”

Ling Yuanxue’s eyes widened into the sizes of apricots and she stood frozen in place. 

…

After providing the 24 disciples with Firm Iron Shields, Jun Changxiao had them continue to cultivate and prepare for Death Valley. 

As for Qingyang Commandery, they were still discussing how the Ironbone Sect defeated the Vast Spirit Gate — until another piece of news crashed through the place. 

What was it?

Seven days later, the Ai Family would be auctioning the Body Reconstructing Pill!

An alchemical pill that could strengthen the physical body… Before the Ironbone Sect challenged Vast Spirit Gate it had been part of gossip, but the hype died a bit afterwards and many people nearly forgot about it. 

But they couldn’t forget about it now. 

Because after the Ai Family set an auction date, they conducted a large-scale ad campaign. They used a slew of different messages, giving people the feeling that it was exaggerated!

What is even more surprising was…

For this time’s auction, the Ai Family directly announced the Body Reconstructing Pill’s starting bid. 

How much?

A starting bid of 1 million taels!

“One million taels? That’s insane!”

“Even a high-grade pill wouldn’t be this expensive!”

“Too luxurious. I can’t afford it!”

If it was Jun Changxiao holding the auction and the starting bid was 1 million taels, many martial artists would definitely think he was money crazy. 

But the Ai Family was different. After all, they were an old business. Previously, they had sold the Healing Pill too. 

After hearing about it, many martial artists realized that the Body Reconstructing Pill would also be very mysterious!

If Ai Shangni had used the Ironbone Sect disciples as endorsers, the news stir would only be greater. But Sect Head Jun had not authorized that, so Patriarch Ai did not dare make the decision on his own. 

A price of 1 million taels was already insane. 

For those families and sects that trusted the Ai Family, they naturally started to gather the funds. 

Jun Changxiao also received the news and smiled. “A starting price of 1 million taels. I find it very hard to guess what the final price will reach.”

Li Luoqiu said, “The Body Reconstructing Pill that Sect Head refined is very important to martial artists. Those four pills can probably reach a sky-high price under the Ai Family.”

…

Jun Changxiao continued to develop the sect, having no interest in participating in the forthcoming auction. Mainly, he did not want to appear in public and was instead waiting to secretly receive the money. 

Seven days later, the auction was held as promised. 

Since the Ai Family had been spreading ads, the auction this time was limited to the martial artists of Qingyang Commandery. Thus, even if other counties heard about it, they could only send people to join casually. 

“Ladies and gentlemen.”

In the auction room, Ai Shangni stood on the auctioneer’s platform and said, “The Body Reconstructing Pill’s effects, this Ai will not elaborate as you all understand. Thus, the auction will directly start.”

Shua!

He opened the brocade box and clearly announced, “First Body Reconstructing Pill, starting price is 1 million taels!”

“1.1 million taels!”

“1.2 million taels!”

“……”

An intense bidding war began. 

The various clans and sects were filled with bloodthirst. After all, there were only 4 Body Reconstructing Pills — that was much rarer than the Healing Pills!

Once the auction ended, Jun Changxiao learned that the four pills had sold for 10 million taels. 

“Each one for 2.5 million?” He shook his head. “It doesn’t seem too high.”

Li Luoqiu explained, “The Ai Family limited it to Qingyang Commandery this time around. Without external participation, 10 million is pretty good.”

“Makes sense.”

Jun Changxiao didn’t think about it too much. 

According to the 40:60 split, he would get 4 million taels — money was money. 

There was more. 

After the Body Reconstructing Pill, the Ai Family continued to auction Healing Pills. 

Without external participants, the 10 pills weren’t able to reach the previous 6 million, but still made 4 million. 

The Ai Family did this so that they could cater to their own county’s customers, so that they wouldn’t have to hear complaints all day. 

“Sect Head.”

Li Qingyang sent a message: “Patriarch Ai is visiting.”

Actually, it was more correct to say “Patriarch Ai is here to give money again.”

…

After Ai Shangni entered the main hall, he first offered several hundred in bank notes. 

Jun Changxiao liked working with the Ai Family very much and so handed over 50 Healing Pills and 10 Body Reconstructing Pills. 

Ai Shangni accepted the pills, his hands trembling. 

So many pills. If they were auctioned once in a while, the profit would be unimaginable!

The penalties paid to the Xiao Family?

Forgotten!

As long as they could keep ties to Sect Head Jun, even if it was 20 times the fee, my Family would still not care!

Ai Shangni happily left, preparing for another large-scale auction. 

On the road, he was thinking that he would auction the pills together and open it to the outside commanderies!

…

News of the auction gradually declined. 

The construction workers were also busy, the repairs of the outer court almost finished, the area being expanded and the number of pavilions increased. 

Especially the main hall, it was transformed to be more imposing, becoming resplendent in gold and jade green.

A sect’s background was all in its main hall.

Thus, after challenging the Vast Spirit Gate, Li Qingyang spent all of his energy on the main hall. 

Why?

Because the outer court and pavilions could be changed or expanded at will, but the main hall would never move. Thus, it had to be transformed and be perfect at the first try!

Li Qingyang’s idea was correct. 

After the past two repairs, the main hall would go through a period where it would not be altered. 

“Not bad, not bad.”

Standing in the incomparably spacious and mighty hall, Jun Changxiao smiled in satisfaction. 

“Sect Head.”

Li Qingyang said, “This disciple has already completed a large-scale design, so the third round of repairs can begin.”

“This is already pretty good. We can leave more repairs for later.”

Jun Changxiao paused, then added, “Transmit these orders: have the disciples rest well for the evening and we will head to Death Valley tomorrow.”