"Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ is truly formidable, leading the Law Enforcement Hall while still maintaining her cultivation," Jian Dan said with sincere admiration. She knew her own situation well. Hers was a path of retraining, without bottlenecks. As long as her spiritual power accumulated sufficiently, she could advance.
"Jian Lu, you and Senior Sister Jian Jun are the same kind of person," Jian Xu commented, then poured himself another drink.
"Thank you for the compliment, Senior Brother. Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ is my role model," Jian Lu replied.
"Haha! On this ship, you're their role model too!"
Jian Dan was caught off guard for a moment. Then a smile slowly bloomed at the corners of her lips. So, she had already reached that height.
"Whatever position you stand in, you must bear its responsibilities. Don't worry. If there's something you can't handle, the Heavenly Sword Sect still has Unity-level Zūnshàng and even Mahayana Zhēnzūn. There's always a way to resolve any issue."
"I'll drink to that, Senior Brother. Thank you for your guidance. I feel much lighter now."
Jian Xu, with his ever-smiling eyes, raised his cup to clink gently against hers. They both downed their spiritual wine, and Jian Dan's gratitude was silently received.
The next day, someone from Cloud Sea Sect arrived at the Heavenly Sword Sect's flying ship. They informed the leading Zūnzhǔ that the problematic floating peak had been dealt with and invited the participating cultivators to enter the mountain for rest.
"Thank you for your efforts. However, our sect will temporarily deploy a defensive formation disk. I hope that's acceptable?"
Jian Dan's tone was polite. The Nascent Soul cultivator from Cloud Sea Sect visibly stiffened but didn't dare refuse. He simply nodded and left to notify the next sect.
The Heavenly Sword Sect disciples couldn't help murmuring among themselves. "Zūnzhǔ is really bold."
Jian Dan didn't care. They had trusted Cloud Sea Sect once before, and the result was their cultivators being trapped in a sinister formation. She would not allow that to happen again.
As before, they disembarked in batches onto Yunyin Peak. Once everyone was settled, Jian Dan withdrew the flying ship. With a flick of her storage bracelet, she pulled out the Heaven-Earth Pillar Defensive Array Disk, embedding it directly into Yunyin Peak. The array expanded, a cylindrical barrier of light wrapping around the entire mountain.
She inserted high-grade spirit stones into the formation's key points, ramping up the defensive level to its highest setting. Then she used spiritual power to amplify her voice:
"Disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect may enter and leave Yunyin Peak only with their sect sword pendant!"
"Understood!" the disciples responded in unison. Each returned to their respective dwellings to begin healing, organizing their storage rings, and dismantling sea beasts.
Jian Dan swept the peak with her divine sense and suddenly sent a voice transmission.
"Si Yuan, come to me."
Wu Siyuan, who had been categorizing high-level sea beasts, immediately exited his cave upon receiving Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ's summons.
"Zūnzhǔ, what are your orders?"
"All storage rings collected from killing evil cultivators—aside from the spirit stones—must be handed over."
"Understood."
Wu Siyuan understood her concern. During the initial chaos, the Heavenly Sword Sect had clashed directly with the evil cultivators who stormed the floating peak.
Less than two hours later, Wu Siyuan returned to the summit.
"Zūnzhǔ, everything is here."
He presented a storage ring. Jian Dan immediately sealed it inside a jade box and then asked:
"Were there any casualties among our sect members?"
Wu Siyuan answered solemnly, "Half of the Golden Core cultivators were injured. Four have fallen. One Nascent Soul cultivator also perished. The Divine Transformation and Divine Soul levels suffered injuries, but no fatalities."
Jian Dan nodded. The losses were within her expectations.
"They were all elite cultivators of the sect, not easy to nurture. This disaster was undeserved. When we return, the sect will compensate them."
"Yes. Thank you, Zūnzhǔ, for your concern."
"As for the upcoming Divine Soul level competition, there's no need to go all out. Just show up and go through the motions."
Wu Siyuan blinked, momentarily confused. "Wait, that's allowed?"
Jian Dan smiled, explaining gently, "After yesterday's battle, who still has the heart to compete? Everyone just wants to go home. I suspect each sect is already planning their next moves."
Wu Siyuan's eyes lit with understanding. "That makes sense. Thanks to the two Zūnzhǔ leading the charge and shielding us from the brunt of the assault, we likely suffered the least losses."
"I'm glad you understand."
Wu Siyuan fully grasped her intent and went to visit several Senior Brothers in their caves to pass on the message.
During the sect's recovery period, Jian Dan recorded the events of the battle in detail into a jade slip. Then she prepared a second jade slip, where she carefully laid out her speculations regarding the evil cultivators' assault on Yunhai Sect.
Afterward, she rose and made her way to Jian Xu's cave. "Senior Brother, are you free?"
Jian Xu had been meditating, reflecting on his recent clash with a Mahayana-level evil cultivator, trying to validate his sword techniques. Upon hearing her voice, he waved his hand, unlocking the cave's barrier. "Jian Lu, come in."
"Forgive the interruption."
Jian Dan entered with a warm smile, casually took a seat, and handed him two jade slips.
"Senior Brother, I have something to discuss with you."
"Go ahead."
"After the competition ends, I want to ride Purple Sky Sect's flying ship to visit their sect. Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ has yet to return, and the last message we received from her was vague. I want to find out what's going on—and I also have a theory I want to verify."
While Jian Dan was speaking, Jian Xu had already finished reading the jade slips. His brows furrowed slightly. Only someone like Jian Lu would think through so many angles.
"You want me to escort the other disciples back to the sect and deliver these slips to Jian Li Zūnzhǔ?"
"Exactly. Do you think this plan is inappropriate?"
Jian Xu held the slips and pondered for a moment before replying:
"I know you're anxious, but I don't think you should separate from the group."
Jian Dan hadn't expected a refusal. She opened her mouth to explain, but Jian Xu raised his hand to stop her and continued,
"We just came through a fierce battle. That Mahayana-level evil cultivator—do we even know for certain that Cloud Sea Sect killed him? And don't forget, you were the one who exposed his scheme. His entire plan fell apart because of you. If you leave Cloud Sea Sect now, you won't have the protection of two Mahayana Zhēnzūn."
Jian Dan closed her eyes briefly, forcing herself to remain calm. After exhaling a long breath, she asked,
"So, Senior Brother suspects they may attack us on the way back to the sect?"
"Just a guess. Their scheme failed, and we're the most obvious targets for revenge."
"I see. Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother. But if they dare make a move against the Heavenly Sword Sect, I'll make sure they pay dearly for it."
Her voice was soft, but the killing intent in her eyes was unmistakable.
Jian Xu could tell she had already abandoned the idea of going to Purple Sky Sect alone. He secretly sighed in relief. What he feared most was her acting rashly and ignoring advice.
"Jian Lu, from what you're saying… you've already made contingency plans?"
"Senior Brother is sharp. When I accepted this mission, I selected a warship."
Jian Xu's eyes brightened. He hadn't expected that.
"What level?"
"High-grade."
"Heh. Now things are getting interesting. Do you think we can take down that evil cultivator?"
"With your help, Senior Brother, and the high-grade warship, we might not kill him outright—but we can certainly cripple him."
The two Zūnzhǔ began to lay out their countermeasures for a possible ambush on their return journey. Meanwhile, back in their caves, the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect all felt a chill run down their backs. Something terrifying was clearly being planned.
Jian Dan and Jian Xu spent the following days going over every possible contingency in detail.
From outside the cave, Bian Qikang's voice came through.
"Reporting to Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ, Han Pengfei seeks an audience."