Central Divine Island, located in the center of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise continents. Many people believe that Central Divine Island is the center of the world. Of course, the people of Central Divine Island believe this even more so.

On Central Divine Island, there are three large sects, namely the Western Sea Sect, the Great Wilderness Sect, and the Green Mountain Sect.

These three sects hold the dominant position on Central Divine Island, lofty and unshakable.

Across the entire Mortal Realm, these three sects also possess considerable strength. Although they are just a notch below Longevity Heaven, an ancient sect, the difference is not substantial.

In size, Central Divine Island is equivalent to two Great Xia Empires. Therefore, to some extent, it could also be considered a small continent.

Zhou Jun returned, alone.

This puzzled many people in the Western Sea Sect, because all the other emissaries had returned with the people they had invited.

In the Western Sea Sect, Zhou Jun was the only one who returned alone.

In the room.

Zhou Jun cautiously stared at the solemn sect leader, and his own unwell-looking master, sensing that he might have provoked trouble this time.

"Tell the sect leader everything that happened from beginning to end in detail", Zhou Jun's master said with a stern face, "Don't hide anything, understood?"

Zhou Jun kneeled there, nodding,"This disciple understands, and dares not to hide."

Thus, Zhou Jun narrated his entire experience after he arrived in Chu Kingdom and met Miao Yi Niang.

He dared not admit that he was led astray by his desires and merely mentioned how he belittled Miao Yi Niang and the King of Chu, considering a secular sect and a worldly king unworthy of the respect from a disciple of a major sect like himself.

"So foolish!" After hearing, Zhou Jun's master sighed, "The sect leader and I always believed you to be intelligent and steady, which is why we entrusted this important task to you, but who would have thought... you would actually... Oh!"

Zhao Qing, the leader of the Western Sea Sect, asked with a furrowed brow, "In the end, they did agree to come, didn't they?"

"Yes... they agreed," Zhou Jun replied honestly.

"As long as they come, that's all that matters. I have other things to attend to." Zhao Qing said, then swung his sleeves and left straight away.

Only Zhou Jun and his master were left in the room.

Zhou Jun's master had always been fond of this disciple, otherwise, he wouldn't have managed to secure a spot for Zhou Jun in the Ruins, considering Zhou's current strength.

Zhou Jun's master's name was Wang Tong, a man over fifty years old, thin and of ordinary looks, but his eyes were extremely bright, as if he could see through people's hearts. At this moment, Wang Tong sighed, "Now I am not sure if it was right or wrong to secure your spot for the Ruins."

"Master... this disciple...knows his mistake!" Zhou Jun wore a frightened expression on his face, fearing that his spot would be revoked. Being mocked by others was minor, what mattered the most was that he wanted to take this opportunity to find his own chance, to rise to prominence.

"It's not about right or wrong, but about... your strength, alas!" Wang Tong sighed again, shook his head, and said, "The Ruins, it's definitely not what you imagine it to be. According to legends, it's a corner of the Supreme Heaven. While opportunities of unimaginable magnitude indeed exist, it's also filled with perils. One misstep could lead to your downfall there."

Then, Wang Tong looked at Zhou Jun, "Otherwise, why did the sect leader insist that you personally invite the King of Chu?"

"Huh?" Zhou Jun looked at his master with a puzzled face, not understanding the meaning of his words.

"Do you think the Lone City Sword and Beyond Heaven, these Four Great Sects, would benevolently open the Ruins to all without any reason?" Wang Tong scoffed, "That place, they have controlled for many years, but as far as I know, not only have they achieved nothing, there have been many casualties among their disciples!"

"How is it so?" although Zhou Jun knew the Ruins were dangerous, he had never imagined that even disciples of the Four Great Sects would suffer heavy casualties there.

"Even though the Four Great Sects control the entrance to the Ruins, they simply do not have control over the Ruins! So, this time they seized the opportunity of the Sect Alliance Meeting, selecting outstanding young disciples from all sects to enter. On the surface, they only wanted 30% of the profits. But in reality, this is their act of desperation!" Wang Tong glanced at Zhou Jun, "That King of Chu is a young expert of extraordinary talent! Don't look down on him just because he has not joined any sect. Everyone respects him. In fact, it's our fault too for not clearly communicating this to you. But considering the gravity of the situation, its disclosure would have caused an uproar. So, the sect leader and I discussed and decided to withhold this information from you temporarily. Who would have thought that it would go awry."

"This… How could it be like this?" Zhou Jun twitches at the corners of his mouth, unable to imagine how a secular king could be regarded so highly by a major sect.

Wang Tong watched Zhou Jun, knowing that he was still unconvinced, and said, "Let me tell you the truth; whether that King of Chu comes or not doesn't matter to our Western Sea Sect one bit."

"Then?" Zhou Jun shivered, but he dared not believe his guess.

Wang Tong looked at Zhou Jun: "It's the Four Great Sects!"

"..." Zhou Jun looked shocked.

Wang Tong said: "In order to ensure that they can gain something from the Ruins this time, the Four Great Sects have paid a great price too. Of course, they want to enlist all the people in this world who are suitable to enter the Ruins. They hope to gain something big from this exploration. In the eyes of the Four Great Sects, that King of Chu is an indispensable figure. Now, do you understand?"

Zhou Jun nodded: "This disciple understands." Now he truly did. As it turned out, this was arranged by the Four Great Sects themselves. If he had known this from the beginning, even if he borrowed several times his courage, he would not dare to cause trouble in the Chu Kingdom. On the contrary, he would have tried every means to befriend the King of Chu.

Wang Tong knew his disciple very well; he could tell what he was thinking by his expression. He said lightly, "Since things have taken a turn for worse, let them be, after all, they agreed to come. If my predictions are correct, even if that King of Chu truly gains something from the Ruins, the Four Great Sects…will not allow him to easily take his gains away! When the time comes, who knows what conflicts would arise. Maintaining a bit of distance between him and you is not necessarily a bad thing."

Instead of any joy on Zhou Jun's face, he was shocked to learn that the king, whom he did not appreciate at all, had already earned the right to be taken seriously by the Four Great Sects.

Compared to him, what does his status as a Yellow Rank, sixth layer Gold and Stone Realm warrior, amounts to?

Just at that moment, someone reported from outside, "Elder Wang, the people from Chu Kingdom have arrived!"

Zhou Jun's master, Wang Tong, was the elder responsible for receiving them this time. Upon hearing the words, he immediately stood up and said loudly, "Immediately greet them! According to the standard of a major sect leader! Quickly, I'm coming!"

Then he looked at Zhou Jun, "Jun, come with me. When you meet them, find some way to apologize, and then we can get past this hurdle. Remember, there are always differences between people. In this world, you're not the only one who is talented."

Although Zhou Jun's eyes held a bit of reluctance, he nodded anyway, "Yes, Master."

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Today's the third update. (To be continued. If you like this work, I welcome you to cast recommend votes and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile phone users can read at m.qidian.com.)

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