Sect head's Dignity

"Ok,"

Wang Jun chuckled, playing along with the banter.

"If I meet my demise, it's all yours."

As he spoke, he clenched his right fist, and three dazzling rings gradually manifested on his wrist. These rings were a manifestation of his growing power as a Meridian opening warrior. In their world, whenever a Meridian opening warrior's spiritual power surged, these rings would form on their wrist, a symbol of their strength and potential.

"Haha,"

"Just opened the Third meridian, and Solid Strike sends their leader to the front lines!" he declared, his tone laced with a subtle arrogance.

The disciples of Spirit Spring Sect couldn't contain their mirth. They shared hearty laughs, their amusement echoing through the surroundings. To them, the idea of an Elemental adept realm master, even one at the Jiuliu level, vying for leadership without having reached the realm of martial arts was utterly preposterous.

Unperturbed, Wang Jun squinted his eyes playfully, a wry smile on his lips. "Third realm of the Meridian opening should be more than enough to handle you."

"Is that so?" The three disciples responded in unison, their voices laced with confidence. In a burst of energy, four irises shimmered to life on their wrists, revealing their true strength.

A moment of realization dawned upon Wang Jun. It wasn't Meridian opening third realm; they were Meridian opening fourth Realm. No wonder they had the audacity to challenge him.

"Boy," Brother Li, the charismatic spokesperson of the group, grinned slyly. "If you kneel down and beg for forgiveness, our Spirit Spring sect might consider sparing you. We can pretend this little encounter never occurred.''

"Ding!"

"Side mission triggered!"

the system announced, and Wang Jun's face lit up with intrigue as he listened to the prompt.

Pulling up the martial arts panel that only he could see, he discovered the new addition below the main task. It was a set of branch tasks that seemed to materialize out of thin air. The content read:

"0/4 Beat Spirit Spring disciples who provoked."

"I see," Wang Jun mumbled to himself. Side missions were an unexpected but enticing development. He couldn't help but wonder what rewards awaited him.

"Are there more side missions?" he inquired, eager to learn about the possibilities.

The system replied, "Side missions require specific conditions to trigger. If the host completes them, they can obtain a certain amount of Sect contribution."

Wang Jun's eyes gleamed with determination. To him, Sect contribution was a precious resource. It was the currency that allowed him to acquire powerful techniques and abilities from the Martial Arts Mall. If he wanted to grow stronger, he needed to accumulate as much of it as possible.

With a steely resolve, Wang Jun turned his attention back to the Spirit Spring disciples who had provoked him. A cold smile played on his lips as he retorted, "Kneel down? It seems your wisdom is sorely lacking."

With the side mission at hand and the promise of valuable contribution rewards, Wang Jun was determined to see it through.

"Since there's a task and contribution rewards on the line, there's no turning back," he muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with resolve.

The challenge he faced had taken on new significance, and Wang Jun was ready to prove his strength not only for his honor but also to earn the precious contribution value required to enhance his martial prowess.

"Brush!"

Wang Jun's voice cut through the air as he initiated his attack. His right hand clenched into a formidable fist, launching towards his opponent with startling speed and ruthless precision.

The onlookers couldn't help but be captivated by the intensity of the clash. Lu Yan, showing a genuine interest, remarked, "Sect head, doesn't look weak."

"Courting Death!" Brother Li retorted coldly, his own fist rising to meet the oncoming assault.

"Boom!"

The two punches collided with a force that sent ripples through the surrounding air. It was a spectacle born of the collision of their auras, a powerful exchange that hinted at the martial prowess they both possessed.

In Wang Jun's memory, he had learned that high-level warriors confronting each other with their auras could even shatter the very fabric of space itself. The sheer magnitude of their power was awe-inspiring.

Brother Li was forced to take several steps back, struggling to regain his balance. His right fist, once firm, now throbbed and swelled from the impact.

"Damn!"

Brother Li exclaimed, his frustration and bewilderment evident. "How can someone at the meridian opening stage three possess such formidable power?"

"Brush!" Wang Jun advanced with a confident smile on his face. "Because I am the head."

"Boom!"

The collision was swift and powerful. Brother Li was sent reeling backward, landing unceremoniously on the ground with a painful thud. He clutched his chest, wincing from the sharp pain that emanated from the impact.

"Ding!"

"1/4 of the Spirit Spring disciples who dared to provoke had been dealt with,"

The system's notification rang out, marking the halfway completion of the side mission.

Wang Jun couldn't help but smile as he observed the changes in the mission data. "Is it done?" he asked with happiness.

"Damn!"

Brother Li's determination remained unshaken, even though he had been incapacitated with a single punch. He gritted his teeth and barked,

"Keep going! Don't back down!"

"Brush!"

"Brush!"

The three Spirit Spring disciples launched their attacks simultaneously.

Wang Jun, wearing a confident smile, commented casually, "Taking on three at once? Not a bad challenge."

"Humph," one of the disciples sneered. "It's the ultimate disgrace for our sect to have a trash as you its Alliance member."

"Very well," Wang Jun's cold smile returned. "Since you're so audacious, don't blame me for showing no mercy today."

During their conversation, a peculiar phenomenon unfolded. A ripple of airwaves seemed to materialize around Wang Jun's body, and in an instant, his wrist ring count surged to five.

"Fifth realm of meridian opening!"

''How.... How is that even possible''

The three Spirit Spring disciples stared in disbelief, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing.

Lu Yan, who had been observing the battle closely, couldn't conceal her surprise. When she had joined the Solid Strike faction, she had believed that her boss's highest level was merely meridian opening stage two. The sudden revelation of three and now five meridian opening stage left her astounded.

The original Wang Jun had only reached the second stage of meridian opening. However, the Wang Jun who had emerged from the transformation process was different. He had laughed in the face of adversity, drawing upon the reservoir of experience within him, and had effortlessly broken through to the fifth realm of meridian opening.

Wang Jun, who had undergone this transformation, chuckled confidently, relying on the Talisman of experience to effortlessly break through to the fifth stage of meridian opening.

This level of cultivation might be considered average in the vast expanse of the starry continent, but it still made him more than competent to handle a Spirit Spring disciple at the Fourth Stage of meridian opening.

"Brush!"

Wang Jun walked forward with a serene smile on his face. His right fist, charged with spiritual power, swung through the air and struck one of the bewildered Spirit Spring disciples.

"Ding!"

" 2/4 of disciples of Spirit Springs Sect provoked, resolved!"

"You bunch of trash, daring to be arrogant in front of me, you don't even know your place!" Wang Jun laughed and delivered another powerful blow, sending yet another Spirit Spring disciple sprawling.

The tide of the battle had irrevocably shifted, and Wang Jun's newfound strength was proving to be more than a match for his opponents. With each punch, he was not only defending his honor but also inching closer to victory in this intense martial encounter.

"Ding!"

"3/4 of Disciples of Spirit Spring Sect provoked resolved!"

Wang Jun continued to effortlessly outmatch the Spirit Spring disciples who were at the fourth stage of meridian opening.

His companions watched in astonishment as their fellow disciples were sent flying one by one, and another Spirit Spring disciple attempted to retreat.

"You can't escape," Wang Jun declared with a confident stride, his fist poised for action.

The final Spirit Spring disciple was struck and sent sprawling, landing on the ground defeated.

"Ding!"

"4/4 disciples of Spirit Spring Sect provoked resolved!"

"Ding!"

"Congratulations to the host for completing the side missions and earning 4 contribution points."

"Ding!"

''Sect contribution: 4/100."

With a smile, Wang Jun opened the martial arts property panel and saw that his Sect contribution had risen from 0 to 4 points. A bright, satisfied smile graced his lips as he relished this newfound progress in his martial journey.

Although the reward was relatively modest, Wang Jun smiled and clapped his hands in satisfaction, saying, "Not bad, not bad at all."

He continued, "The green mountains may endure, and the flowing waters may persist, but we'll cross paths again someday!"

Brother Li, having regained his composure, stood up with some effort and added, "Four brothers, wait for me!" With that, he hastily retreated along with the three disciples.

The conflict had come to an end after Wang Jun's true strength had surfaced. With the completion of the side mission, he had gained 4 contribution points, a small but significant gain.

Lu Yan voiced a more ruthless perspective, suggesting, "They should have been eliminated to prevent future trouble."

Wang Jun often smiled gently and replied, "Is such cruelty really necessary?"

As someone from Earth, he found it difficult to embrace the idea of taking someone's life over a minor dispute.

Lu Yan, however, responded indifferently, "In a world where strength rules, being kind to one's enemies is the cruelest act. If you don't understand this, you're not fit to be in a leadership position."

Wang Jun fell silent, realizing that he was no longer the person he once was on Earth. Here, in this martial world, where the weak were at the mercy of the strong, kindness to one's enemies could indeed be a form of cruelty to oneself.

"Ding!"

"Side mission triggered!"

Another mission? Wang Jun quickly accessed the martial arts panel to see the new task:

"Teach Lu Yan the principles of the path and maintain the authority of the head!"

He scratched his head in confusion, muttering, "What kind of mission is this?"

However, he quickly grasped the meaning, realizing that as Lu Yan's mentor, he had to ensure her understanding of martial principles while also upholding the dignity of his position as the head. It was a unique task, one that required a balance between mentorship and leadership.

"Lu Yan," Wang Jun began, turning his attention to his disciple. "Let me share with you the principles of the martial path."