Challenge

Because Xiao Ziji was in the city, it was easy for people to roll their eyes and mock him. Jun Changxiao ordered him to rest after staying at the inn.

Lu Qianqian, Li Qingyang, and the others did not leave the inn either. They cultivated in their rooms and adjusted their states to prepare for the Heavenly Gates Sect martial arts competition the day after tomorrow.

Jun Changxiao was bored and went to the martial arts market to buy medicinal herbs. In the end, he found several sets of beginner healing pills but did not manage to gather a single set.

"Sigh."

"Mass production is a bit difficult."

He hoped to refine enough Qi Gathering Pills, Body Shaping Pills, and Qi Whirling Pills to provide cultivation resources for his disciples.

"He's the Iron Bone Sect Master!"

"He looks quite young, but it's a pity that there's something wrong with his brain. He insisted on bringing his disciples to participate in the sect martial arts competition."

"It's not surprising that there are cannon fodder sects in every competition."

"There are many disciples participating this time, and most of them are above Stage Ten Meridian Opening. A ninth-rate sect like him will probably be eliminated in the first round."

Without Xiao Ziji following him, Jun Changxiao sadly became the target of ridicule and discussion among martial artists and passersby.

A piece of trash from a ninth-rate sect. If they were to walk down the street and attract the envious gazes of others, that would be really strange.

Jun Changxiao ignored them and walked around the market for a while before returning to the inn. He only walked out with his five disciples on the day of the Heavenly Gates Sect martial arts competition the day after tomorrow.

At this moment, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and the streets were already bustling with people.

The sect martial arts competition held every two years was a grand event in Azure Sun County. Many foreign martial artists had come as early as three to five days ago.

"The Iron Bone Sect's disciples are out!"

"Tsk tsk, they're dressed quite brightly. I hope they'll still be as elegant as before when the martial arts competition starts."

"Xiao Ziji doesn't have any spirit energy around him at all. He's definitely looking for trouble if he goes on stage to compete with the disciples of other sects."

"And that girl, she doesn't seem to have any spirit energy either. Sending such a disciple, are you sure it's not a joke?"

"It's just a ninth-rate sect. To be able to send out Li Qingyang is already a blessing. Do you expect them to send out any decent disciples?"

Facing the whispers and disdain of the crowd, Jun Changxiao turned a deaf ear to them and strode towards the venue with his disciples.

He looked calm, but in fact, anger rose in his heart. He wanted to take an AK and kill all these talkative people.

Li Qingyang, Su Xiaomo, and Tian Qi were also holding back their anger. They could only wait until the Martial Arts Competition to vent it out.

…

South of the city, the location of the sect's martial arts competition.

When Jun Changxiao came to sign up, it was still a spacious martial arts practice field. Now, it was surrounded by walls, forming a circle, a bit like the Roman Colosseum.

At the entrance of the venue, martial artists from various sects had gathered. The middle-aged man who had previously held the brush was examining the bamboo tiles one by one.

When Jun Changxiao walked over, he caught sight of him out of the corner of his eye. He immediately put on a fake smile and said, "Oh, Iron Bone Sect Leader Jun is here?"

Although it seemed like a greeting, it was actually a reminder to the martial artists of the various sects.

Sure enough.

As soon as the voice fell, the higher-ups of various sects standing outside the venue turned their heads to look.

Although these people had smiles on their faces, their eyes were full of disdain and contempt.

Those who came to participate in the Martial Arts Competition were all from eighth-rate sects. Naturally, they looked down on the ninth-rate Iron Bone.

Jun Changxiao also didn't care that they looked down on him. He brought his disciples to the entrance and handed the bamboo tile that represented the disciple's identity to the middle-aged man holding the brush.

The higher-ups of various sects deliberately kept a certain distance, as if they were afraid of being tainted with bad luck.

"Senior Brother, isn't Iron Bone a ninth-rate sect? Why did they come to participate in the Martial Arts Competition? "

"Maybe they're looking for excitement."

"Hahaha, in my opinion, they're looking for death."

The disciples of various sects also couldn't see through Iron Bone from the bottom of their hearts.

It couldn't be helped. Who let the sect's level be low? If it was a seventh-rate sect or above, they would have already nodded their heads and bowed their heads.

After the identity verification of the bamboo tile, Jun Changxiao said, "Let's go."

Xiao Ziji didn't leave. He stood at the entrance of the venue, his fists clenched tightly, his nails digging into his flesh. His eyes were filled with anger as he stared at the other entrance.

Jun Changxiao and others noticed it. Following his gaze, they saw a slender young man in blue walking in front of them.

"I'm sorry, Cousin."

He greeted, but the smile on his face was very hypocritical, especially with a touch of pride in his eyes.

"It's Xiao Linye."

"The most outstanding genius of the younger generation of the Xiao family!"

"I heard that a few months ago, he was accepted as a personal disciple by the great elder of the sixth-rate sect, Jueyin Valley."

"Could it be that Jueyin Valley also sent disciples to participate in the Martial Arts Competition?"

Everyone whispered.

Xiao Linye?

Jun Changxiao's mouth twitched, and he secretly said, "If the word Long is added, the four strongest surnames of the novel's protagonist will all be occupied by this kid."

Xiao Ziji said, "I'm no longer a member of the Xiao family. I can't afford to be called cousin."

Xiao Linye said with a smile, "If you hadn't helped me open my meridians back then, you wouldn't have been chosen by Jueyin Valley, and you wouldn't have achieved what you have today. So whether you're expelled or not, you'll always be my cousin in my heart."

Jun Changxiao didn't see the slightest gratitude in his eyes. Instead, there was a hint of ridicule.

"Chief, let's go." Xiao Ziji didn't want to have too much to do with the Xiao family, so he turned around and was about to leave.

Xiao Linye blocked the way and whispered, "Cousin, it has been proven that it was a mistake for the family to cultivate you with all its strength back then. I, Xiao Linye, am the future of the Xiao family."

Xiao Ziji lowered his head, and his heart felt like it was being twisted by a knife.

He, Xiao Linye.

He used to take care of his cousin, and even used his weak spiritual power to help him open his meridians. Their relationship was closer than that of brothers.

However, after his spiritual root cultivation regressed, he was the one who mocked and humiliated him the most.

"Cousin."

Xiao Linye said with a smile, "Do you still remember? I once said that one day, I would surpass you and become stronger. Now, it has come true."

"And you?"

The smile on his face became wider, and his smile was hideous, like a madman.

Jun Changxiao furrowed his brows.

It wasn't easy to cultivate confidence for his disciple, and you're looking for trouble here? Do you believe that I'll shoot you right now?

At this moment, Xiao Ziji, who had his head lowered, laughed, and his shoulders were shaking.

"Cousin, what are you laughing at?" Xiao Linye asked.

Xiao Ziji raised his head, and a smile hung on his angular face. "I'm laughing at your naivety, laughing at how you take yourself too seriously."

A trace of anger appeared in Xiao Linye's eyes.

Xiao Ziji patted him on the shoulder and said proudly, "Linye, remember, your brother will always be your brother. Even if you don't have a spiritual root, even if you don't have a cultivation base, you can't surpass me."

With that, he strode into the venue.

Jun Changxiao walked over with his disciple, deliberately stopping in front of Xiao Linye, and said with a smile, "Did you hear that? Your brother said that you have to live in his shadow for the rest of your life."

"Damn it!"

Xiao Linye's face was hideous as he shouted, "Xiao Ziji, in this sect tournament, I will let you, the Xiao Clan, and everyone know that I, Xiao Linye, will never bow to anyone!"

"Dream on." Xiao Ziji's voice came.

Jun Changxiao smiled with satisfaction.

At first, he was quite worried that Xiao Ziji's self-esteem would be hurt by that guy, but in fact, he worried too much.

...

The venue was similar to a gladiator arena. There were many fighting platforms in the central area, surrounded by spectator stands, which could accommodate 200,000 people.

When the various sects entered the venue one after another, the spectator stands were already full, and all the martial artists were looking forward to the upcoming sect tournament.

After Jun Changxiao entered with his disciples, they were placed in the waiting area, where there were almost a hundred people, including the upper echelons of various sects and participating disciples.

Of course.

After entering, there was a lot of rolling eyes.

This was only one of the waiting areas, and there were three others in different directions.

"The upper echelons of all sects, please go to the spectator stands. The participating disciples will stay and wait for the first round of grouping." A middle-aged man came over and said.

Jun Changxiao glanced at the five disciples and encouraged them, "Don't be affected by the noise outside the arena. Bring out your best state, and don't give up easily!"

"Okay."

Li Qingyang and the others nodded.

Jun Changxiao left the waiting area and was led to a high platform with a wide view. The fighting platform below could be seen at a glance.

"Sect Master Jun."

Just as he found a seat and sat down, a fat elder of a certain sect next to him cupped his hands and smiled, "If my disciple and your disciple meet in the first round, please forgive me if he is too heavy-handed."

"Oh."

Jun Changxiao responded.

The upper echelons of the various sects on both sides whispered.

They all hoped that they could meet the disciples of Iron Bone in the first round, at least to guarantee that they would win.

All in all, the elders of the various sects present all regarded the disciples of Iron Bone as stepping stones for their own disciples to advance to the second round.

Jun Changxiao leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced, as if he didn't hear the whispers of the crowd.

A good show was about to begin ....