Jian Dan retrieved the spirit vein she had absorbed. Although it no longer contained even a trace of spiritual energy, she still planned to bring it back to the sect to see if it could be nurtured back to life. After cleansing herself with a Purification Technique, she removed the barrier and stepped out of the cave dwelling.
"Congratulations, Zhūnzhǔ, on your advancement!"
Yue Liang, with Cotton Candy perched on her head, was the first to appear. In the blink of an eye, she leapt onto Jian Dan's shoulder.
A flash of jealousy crossed Jian Yu's eyes before quickly fading. Seeing the surging aura around Jian Dan, she forced a smile and stepped forward to offer her congratulations.
"Junior Sister Jian Lu, congratulations. You've made another breakthrough."
"It was just a small gain. I was lucky enough to barely rise one level."
Jian Dan acted as though she hadn't noticed the envy in Jian Yu's gaze, responding with the same steady calm as always.
"Junior Sister, your timing couldn't be better. The Grand Competition begins the day after tomorrow. I was just wondering if I'd have to interrupt your seclusion."
Jian Yu's words sounded casual, but the meaning behind them was ambiguous.
"I appreciate your concern, Senior Sister. But if I hadn't emerged in time, wouldn't you have represented the Heavenly Sword Sect in my place?"
Jian Dan looked at her sincerely. Jian Yu managed a tight smile, then joked lightly,
"Trying to hand off your responsibilities already, Junior Sister? Luckily, the heavens are merciful and brought you back early."
"I've always trusted Senior Sister with such matters."
After a few more polite exchanges, Jian Yu found an excuse to take her leave.
Having acted as background props the entire time, Wu Siyuan and Bian Qikang finally stepped forward once Jian Yu departed. They bowed respectfully and congratulated Jian Dan on reaching the peak of Void Refinement, just a step away from the Unity stage.
Jian Dan knew they wouldn't be waiting here without reason, so she led them into the cave dwelling.
Wu Siyuan gave Bian Qikang a look, signaling him to speak first. Bian Qikang took a step forward.
"Zhūnzhǔ, during your seclusion, Peerless Young Master visited twice. Upon hearing you were in seclusion, he left both times. The female cultivator he took with him last time also came, but she didn't ascend the peak. She lingered nearby for a while, then left."
Jian Dan nodded slightly, motioning for him to continue.
"Also, Qian Zhūnzhǔ of the Loose Cultivator Alliance visited and left an invitation, requesting that you visit their mountain when convenient. Over the past three days, visitors have been arriving frequently with invitation slips from various Daoist sects. All of them wish to meet with you."
Jian Dan thought for a moment and quickly understood. News must have spread about her and Jian Li working together in Yunling City to slay a Unity stage cultivator. That would certainly draw attention from the other sects.
After all, Jian Li was a well-known figure in the Heavenly Sword Sect, renowned for his strength. Jian Dan, on the other hand, was a newly ascended Zhūnzhǔ with no notable background. Yet she had managed to cooperate with Jian Li and even landed the fatal blow. Naturally, the sects would be watching her closely now.
She could wager that everything about her, Jian Lu, was already laid out on the desks of sect leaders across the land.
"Understood."
Bian Qikang continued hesitantly.
"Zhūnzhǔ, cultivators from the Purple Sky Sect have visited twice, hoping to bring Lu Xuanyuan back. Since you were still in seclusion and had ordered that the two remain here on Yunyin Peak..."
"So you decided to keep him here and refused to release him."
Jian Dan almost laughed. Wu Siyuan also curved his lips in amusement. Bian Qikang scratched his head and nodded sheepishly, admitting that was exactly what he had done.
"Alright. I'll escort him back myself later. This kind of favor must be properly returned. You did well."
"Thank you, Zhūnzhǔ. The Purple Sky Sect's temporary dwelling is located on Yunxiao Peak."
With his report done, Bian Qikang stepped aside. He knew that whatever came next, he wasn't strong enough to be involved.
Jian Dan cast a sound-isolating barrier and signaled for Wu Siyuan to speak freely.
"Congratulations on reaching a new height in your cultivation, Zhūnzhǔ."
Wu Siyuan gave a respectful bow, then retrieved a jade slip from his storage ring and handed it over.
"Zhūnzhǔ, this came from Jian Wu of the Law Enforcement Hall two days ago. He instructed me to deliver it directly to you. Before leaving, he said he would return before the Grand Competition, once he had settled some matters."
Jian Dan took the jade slip and saw that it bore the Enforcement Hall's unique sealing technique. She didn't open it immediately but stored it away.
After completing his official report, Wu Siyuan hesitated briefly, then added,
"While you were in seclusion, Jian Yu left the peak once. I wasn't strong enough to follow her. After she returned, she tried to send the young master from Purple Sky Sect back."
"Oh? Let me guess. Lu Xuanyuan refused to go with her."
"Exactly, Zhūnzhǔ. When she tried to force the matter, the young master held up an attack talisman granted by his grandfather. That was the only reason she backed off."
"Hmph."
Jian Dan's smile vanished. So Jian Yu had planned to trap her, but Lu Xuanyuan had been clever enough to avoid the pitfall.
She was the one who had brought Lu Xuanyuan back. If anything happened while Jian Yu was escorting him, she'd be the one held responsible, not Jian Yu. After all, Jian Dan was officially in charge of this mission, while Jian Yu was only cooperating behind the scenes.
That plan was neat and tidy. Too bad Lu Xuanyuan didn't go along with it.
Jian Dan gave Wu Siyuan a quiet warning.
"Something seems off with Jian Yu's faction. Keep your distance."
She didn't elaborate. Just a reminder.
Wu Siyuan's heart tensed. He trusted Jian Lu's words completely and immediately cupped his hands in a respectful bow.
"Understood. Thank you, Zhūnzhǔ."
"Come. Let's escort the young master back together. I'm worried too many people are watching. You may not be able to handle it alone."
"Yes, Zhūnzhǔ."
Yue Liang had remained quietly by the side the whole time. Now, seeing that Jian Dan was heading out, she bounced up onto her shoulder with Cotton Candy still clinging to her head.
Lu Xuanyuan had been on Yunyin Peak so long he was starting to feel mossy. He'd already toured the entire place with Yue Liang, and the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect treated him politely.
The Purple Sky Sect had sent people twice to fetch him, but the Golden Core cultivator guarding the peak blocked them both times, saying that without the Zhūnzhǔ's permission, he couldn't leave. Lu Xuanyuan hadn't minded. He mingled freely with the disciples.
Three days ago, Jian Yu had approached him, claiming she would personally escort him back. For some reason, he felt uneasy. In the end, he'd pulled out the attack talisman his grandfather had given him, and only then did she back off.
Since then, Uncle Lu had been keeping close watch over him. It wasn't until the massive phantom sword appeared above the peak earlier that day that Uncle Lu finally relaxed and told him to prepare. They might be leaving soon.
Sure enough, an hour later, Jian Lu appeared before them.
"Xiao Lu, you handled yourself well. Here, take this to play with."
Jian Dan tossed him a Wind-Stabilizing Pearl over five thousand years old. Lu Xuanyuan's eyes lit up. He caught it and carefully stored it away.
"Zhūnzhǔ, are you taking me back to the Purple Sky Sect?"
"That's right. Let's go."
Uncle Lu stepped forward with a respectful bow.
"Thank you for personally escorting us, Zhūnzhǔ. We are truly grateful."
"No need for such formality. I was planning to catch up with Xiao Zhēnzūn anyway."
Jian Dan had already stepped out of the temporary dwelling. Wu Siyuan led the way, and the group flew on Jian Dan's light spell. In moments, they arrived on Yunxiao Peak.
As soon as the light was withdrawn, two Golden Core cultivators from the Purple Sky Sect rushed up from the base of the mountain.
"Greetings, Zhūnzhǔ Greetings, Young Master."
Jian Dan narrowed her eyes slightly. One of the two had already flashed to Lu Xuanyuan's side.