The moment he took over, Steward Lü Se personally went to activate the formation and welcomed the guests inside.
The visitors were Xiao Die Zhēnjūn of the Purple Sky Sect and Lu Xuanyuan. No one else accompanied them.
Jian Dan held no particular feelings toward the veteran Zhēnjūn of the Purple Sky Sect. After exchanging basic courtesies, she invited them into her guest hall. Lü Se, quick as ever, brewed and served a pot of spiritual tea.
"I must apologize for not greeting Zhēnjūn sooner. I was unaware of your visit."
"You are too polite, Shan Zhēnjūn. I have brought Lu Xuanyuan here today to make a request."
Jian Dan offered no promises, simply replying with a nod and a pleasant tone, "Feel free to speak. If it is within my ability, I will do what I can."
She had volleyed the matter back to Xiao Die Zhēnjūn's court.
"Your decisive action in exposing the threat lurking beside the Sect Master's heir was of immense help. On behalf of the Purple Sky Sect's master, allow me to express our thanks."
"You flatter me. Such threats are enemies of the entire cultivation world. How could I stand by and do nothing?"
"We have since arranged for our disciples who returned from the Purple-Ranked Secret Realm to be thoroughly examined. However, it seems some may have slipped through."
"And so?" Jian Dan asked evenly.
"Would it be possible for your spirit beast to reside at our sect for a short period? Just to assist with another round of screening."
"Oh?"
Jian Dan did not answer right away, but she did not refuse either. Her gaze swept past Xiao Die Zhēnjūn and landed briefly on Lu Xuanyuan.
Sensing the attention, Lu Xuanyuan immediately straightened his back and stared intently at the tips of his boots, not daring to speak. Xiao Die Zhēnjūn coughed softly and took a slow sip of tea, patiently waiting for her response.
"I'm afraid I must give this some thought. You know Yue Liang and I are contracted. If she is too far from me, I will worry."
He understood this was a bold request. Asking someone to part with a contracted spirit beast was no small matter. Still, caution was warranted, so he had come despite the risk of offense.
"Of course. Shan Daoyou, please consider it. We are prepared to offer suitable compensation."
"Very well. I will think it over carefully." Jian Dan's tone was light as she turned to Lu Xuanyuan. "Young Lu seems quite fond of Yue Liang. Perhaps they are fated. Let him stay and keep her company. Who knows? Yue Liang might choose to go on her own."
Xiao Die Zhēnjūn did not refuse this offer. In fact, bringing Lu Xuanyuan along had been partly for this purpose. Besides, while stationed at the Heavenly Sword Sect, the safety of the young heir would be assured. He still had to oversee the investigation of the remaining disciples, and it would be inconvenient to keep the young master in tow.
After seeing Xiao Die Zhēnjūn off, Lu Xuanyuan stood stiffly in front of Jian Dan.
"I didn't ask to take Yue Liang," he said quickly. "Because of what happened with You Xinyue, Zhēnjūn did not feel safe leaving me alone, so he made me follow him."
"I know. Why did you come with him to the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
"Uh…"
"I'll let you and Yue Liang enjoy a few more days together on Tianyue Peak."
Jian Dan smiled sweetly, though her tone carried a thinly veiled threat. She saw no issue with teasing a child.
"No, that's alright."
Lu Xuanyuan immediately shook his head, then hesitantly added, "I heard from my ancestor… apparently, at a place we Purple Sky cultivators have been guarding, an entrance appeared. At first it was unstable, but it has since stabilized. Now and then, it even spits out some rare treasures. Recently, they discovered the remains of one of those insects too. They're planning to invite the major sects to explore together. That's all I know. I only overheard it during a meeting."
"You're sure they didn't want you to hear it?" Jian Dan gave him a side-eye full of disdain. This child was still so naive. He clearly didn't understand how adults set traps with their words.
The information was significant. If the space beyond was trying to connect to Lingyun Continent, the upcoming exploration could be extremely dangerous. Jian Dan's current cultivation level was still far from adequate, so she would not be invited. She could not participate. But even so, the sense of urgency was clear—she still had much to improve.
She shook her head. Time was pressing. She had to push her potential further.
When she turned back around, she saw Yue Liang and Lu Xuanyuan locked in a silent staring contest. His eyes were practically crossing from the effort.
Jian Dan chuckled softly and called Yue Liang over. Then she prepared a table of food for Lu Xuanyuan inside the residence. There was spirit beast meat, flatbread, cake, and chocolate—a mix of eastern and western delicacies from her lower-realm stockpile.
Lu Xuanyuan's eyes lit up at the sight. With Jian Dan's encouragement, he began with tentative bites, but quickly transitioned into hearty mouthfuls.
Jian Dan, meanwhile, took Yue Liang out to the banyan tree near the cave's entrance. She leapt lightly onto a thick branch and held Yue Liang close as they began to discuss what came next.
"Yue Liang, I have to take on a sect mission in the next few days. It's not convenient for you to come along this time."
"Why?" Yue Liang straightened in her arms, visibly distressed at the idea of being left behind.
Jian Dan gently patted her head. Those big, tearful eyes, paired with her natural dark circles, made her too adorable.
She pulled her close, reluctant as she was. But this time, the destination was within demon cultivator territory—treacherous, uncertain. She would be going under a different identity, and it simply was not safe to bring Yue Liang along.
"Do you remember our little elephant painting?"
"Of course! It has you and me. I love it. I saved it to show everyone back home when we return."
"Because of that painting, there may be people who recognize us. My sect mission is in demon territory, where there might be cultivators under the control of those black beetle larvae."
"So they might recognize you because of me?"
"Yes."