All the major families, merchant associations, and loose cultivator alliances in Yunling City, along with the sect leaders who had rushed over later, had now grasped the full picture. After gathering enough information—including details Jian Dan had deliberately released—they quickly departed from Yunling City.
Those cultivators who had sharp judgment and a sense of responsibility could already sense that something was amiss. Various cultivation clans and sects began recalling their disciples from worldly training. At the same time, they sent out new batches of Golden Core disciples for experience and tightened the patrols in mortal territories.
Meanwhile, the Daoist factions, demon cultivators, and the beastkin had reached a rare agreement. Within the next century, they would jointly hold grand competitions in pill refining, artifact crafting, talisman creation, formation arts, and personal cultivation. The first of these would take place in ten years. Until then, each sect would enter a preparatory phase, showcasing their specialties and preparing to recruit new disciples on a massive scale.
In truth, the real purpose behind this effort was to comb through all cultivators within the current cultivation world and identify disciples secretly controlled by black beetle larvae. At the same time, it was also a chance to raise the overall strength of cultivators. Certain resources would be made available to loose cultivators as well, giving those struggling in the shadows of the cultivation world a glimpse of hope and igniting a new surge of enthusiasm.
Jian Dan and Tao Chengfeng had already returned to the Heavenly Sword Sect, bringing back the cultivators who had survived by sheer luck. The inspection mission originally assigned to them in the mortal realm was canceled by Sword Zun Zhǔ, who instead deployed Golden Core cultivators to assist Yuányīng Zhēnjūn with patrol duties.
Back at the Heavenly Sword Sect after a long absence, Jian Dan's mood had visibly improved. After escorting the surviving disciples back, she and Tao Chengfeng made their way to the Heavenly Sword Peak's Affairs Hall to complete their mission.
From a distance, Lü Se spotted them and immediately dashed over with a beaming smile.
"Welcome back to the sect, Zhēnrén!" he exclaimed.
Jian Dan's eyelid twitched. She gave him a look and asked, with mild suspicion, "Xiao Lü, you're a little too enthusiastic today. What happened?"
"Ah, you're being too modest! Everyone knows about the incident in the Chilang Secret Realm, how the insect monsters attacked, and it was the two of you—our Heavenly Sword Sect's heroes—who turned the tide aboard our warship. Not only did you rescue our own disciples, but you also saved those from other sects. Blah blah blah..."
"You got transferred to the Affairs Hall on Heavenly Sword Peak?" Jian Dan cut him off quickly. If she didn't, he'd have them canonized as saviors of the realm by the end of the day.
"Oh, no, I'm just here to pick something up from my clan uncle."
As he spoke, he pulled a palm-sized scroll from his storage pouch and respectfully presented it to Jian Dan, then offered one to Tao Chengfeng as well.
Jian Dan unrolled it and let out a laugh. It was a portrait of herself—surprisingly lifelike. Even Yue Liang had been included, with wide, shiny black eyes gazing at the painting, then pointing to the illustrated version of herself.
Tao Chengfeng, on the other hand, had a slight twitch in his expression. His image was rendered far more heroic and grandiose than in reality.
"What's this?" he asked.
"These are super popular with the outer peaks! The Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and even some Golden Core cultivators admire you two immensely. My little portraits are selling like hotcakes!"
Jian Dan raised her hand and flicked Lü Se hard on the forehead.
Clutching his head, he looked at her pitifully. "Zhēnrén…"
"All right, don't go scheming to make spirit stones off me. If you want to use my image, I'm charging royalties."
"Huh?"
"Go on, get moving. I'm keeping these two scrolls."
"Got it!"
And with that, Lü Se vanished in a flash.
Tao Chengfeng shook his head helplessly. "You're not going to stop him?"
"If the sect doesn't stop him, why should I be the villain? Right now, you and I are under a spotlight. We're the role models held up by the sect, and we're also its targets."
This time, Tao Chengfeng didn't argue. He nodded in agreement.
"I calculate that we won't be able to move freely for the next few years. We should enter the Advancement Hall as soon as possible and focus on raising our cultivation."
They completed their mission at the Affairs Hall. The one receiving them was still Yu Zhēnjūn, who took Jian Dan's task token with considerably more care this time. He officially completed their task and recorded their contribution points.
After thanking Steward Yu, they went straight to the Advancement Hall. Presenting their jade entry tokens, they each chose a cultivation cave and entered seclusion, wisely avoiding the chaos stirring within the sect.
Demon Race – White Crane Clan's Hidden Grounds
Bai Jue Zhūnzhǔ stood silently, watching Yingge's advancement. Ever since refining his bone structure, Yingge's aptitude had improved tremendously. His cultivation had been soaring. He was just about to reach Second Rank, but Bai Jue had made him stabilize his foundation for a long while before allowing this breakthrough. Today, he would personally oversee the advancement.
Yingge lay within the central flame pool of the secret ground, letting the flames engulf his entire body while continuously absorbing their power. Each feather that burned away was replaced by one newly formed from flame. He was currently forming his tail feathers—this was the critical moment.
Just then, a white feather flew through the air and landed in Bai Jue Zhūnzhǔ's hand. It transmitted its message, then dissolved into specks of starlight and vanished.
Bai Jue's eyes narrowed slightly. The message surprised him. He glanced worriedly at Yingge.
By now, Yingge had already grown his final tail feather. His body had increased in size, and his aura surged before settling steadily at the Second Rank.
When he opened his eyes, a red gleam flashed within. He spread his wings and soared once around the flame pool before happily flying to Bai Jue.
"Brother, I've advanced!"
"Good. Your aura is stable. Next, you'll need to practice combat techniques more diligently."
"…Alright."
Yingge had barely started celebrating when he was assigned a new round of training. The bird's entire mood soured instantly.
"This is the latest news from the cultivation world. Take a look," Bai Jue said.
He did not hide anything from Yingge. Some matters, after all, he needed to understand.