"It's nothing. We're all heading to Cloud Sea Sect. The road isn't ours alone. If they want to follow, let them, as long as they don't cause trouble."
"Yes, Zhūnzhǔ."
Just as Bian Qikang was turning to leave, Jian Dan called him back.
"Before we enter Cloud Sea Sect territory, we'll stop at Tianyue City. Use that time to replenish what we spent fighting in Heifeng Ravine and rest for the night. We'll head into Cloud Sea Sect the next morning."
"Understood. I'll go inform the others."
Yue Liang, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"Zhūnzhǔ, do you have business to attend to in Tianyue City?"
"Not exactly. Tianyue City was the first place I went for a trial after building my foundation. It was there that I caught the opening of a purple-grade secret realm. After the incident in that realm, I handed all the Zixin Fruits I obtained over to the Heavenly Sword Sect in exchange for an outer sect disciple's identity. I've cultivated step by step ever since."
"I see. Then it's only fitting you return. That place must hold a lot of meaning for you."
Jian Dan began telling Yue Liang about her cultivation journey before they met: the people she encountered, the events she experienced. She especially mentioned Yingge.
At the mention of Yingge, Yue Liang's ears perked up immediately. She had just sent Jade off to cultivate, and now another one had appeared. Her status as the favorite seemed a little unstable.
Jian Dan noticed Yue Liang's twitching ears and instantly read her little thoughts. Smiling, she reached out to ruffle her soft fur.
"Don't worry. I never formed a contract with Yingge. He's only accompanying me to seek his own opportunities. I'm his great benefactor."
"Of course Zhūnzhǔ is his great benefactor. So where is he now?"
"He's cultivating in the beast clan territory. He fell behind in his training and is making up for it."
"Got it!" Yue Liang gave a smug swish of her tail. As long as that Yingge fellow wasn't going to stick around Zhūnzhǔ anytime soon, everything was fine.
Loose Cultivator Alliance Airship
Ever since witnessing Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ's strength firsthand, Qian Wanguan had spent half a day digesting the experience. Then, without hesitation, he chose to follow the Heavenly Sword Sect, leading the Loose Cultivator Alliance disciples straight through Heifeng Ravine.
True to his name, Qian Wanguan's spirit stone calculations were perfectly on point.
Taking a shortcut through Heifeng Ravine saved spirit stones that would otherwise fuel the airship. More importantly, the area had already been cleared by the Heavenly Sword Sect, making it completely safe.
He could even send his disciples to gather the local spiritual plants along the way. That was pure profit with zero loss.
The disciples of the Loose Cultivator Alliance certainly didn't pass up the opportunity. They swept the area clean, including the precious Wind-Fixing Pearls.
Just as Qian Wanguan was feeling rather pleased, a voice transmission reached his ear.
"Qian Daoyou, be careful. Those Wind-Fixing Pearls from Heifeng Ravine are hiding little insects."
Qian Wanguan nearly hurled his prized spirit jade abacus in shock.
The voice was unmistakably Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ's. After a quick mental recap of what the message meant, he immediately cursed under his breath.
"Damn!" He vanished from his resting quarters in a flash.
Thanks to the shortcut and another full day's travel, the Heavenly Sword Sect's airship reached Tianyue City.
It stopped a hundred li outside the city. Jian Dan released everyone from the ship and then stored it away.
"Stock up on supplies quietly. Enter the city low-profile. If you prefer not to enter, rest here. We leave at hour of the dragon tomorrow."
"Yes, Zhūnzhǔ!"
Jian Dan, accompanied by Yue Liang, suppressed her cultivation to late-stage Golden Core. Bian Qikang and Wu Siyuan followed behind.
"You two don't need to follow me. Go arrange your own business."
Bian Qikang and Wu Siyuan bowed in unison.
"We have no plans, Zhūnzhǔ. Let us assist you with errands."
Jian Dan glanced over the two. One was peak Golden Core, the other peak Divine Soul, both suppressing their strength to late Golden Core.
She couldn't quite tell if they were acting as bodyguards or errand boys.
Wu Siyuan understood the look in Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ's eyes and promptly adjusted his cultivation to early Divine Transformation, then bowed again.
A subtle way of saying, Better now?
Jian Dan waved them along. If they wanted to follow, fine. She wasn't doing anything shady anyway.
Together, the four entered Tianyue City.
Jian Dan's first stop was Qianwen Pavilion. The shop assistant at the door greeted her with the usual enthusiasm.
"Fairy, are you new to Tianyue City? Need a guide? We have birds and beasts of every kind. You're sure to find one that suits your tastes."
Before Jian Dan could answer, Yue Liang swished her tail and released the pressure of a sixth-rank beast.
In an instant, every beast and bird around Qianwen Pavilion fell silent, bowing their heads respectfully to Yue Liang. Even a scruffy luan bird with a trace of phoenix blood lowered its head.
The shop assistant had clearly never seen such a scene before. Panicking, he rang the bell and summoned the shopkeeper.
"Yue Liang."
Jian Dan's voice brought Yue Liang back to her senses. She quickly retracted her pressure and tucked herself back onto Jian Dan's shoulder.
The shopkeeper's voice came before he even reached the stairs.
"Fairy, did our service fall short in some way?"
He bowed from afar as he descended from the second floor.
"It was my spirit pet being unruly. She startled the birds and beasts here. The fault is mine."
Jian Dan spoke calmly. This wasn't an ordinary shop. It was run by the beast clan, and indeed, Yue Liang had been in the wrong.
Yue Liang seemed to realize it too, hiding her face deeper in embarrassment as her master apologized on her behalf.
When Jian Dan saw the shopkeeper's face clearly, she found it familiar. But the shopkeeper, with lower cultivation, only saw a generic female cultivator's appearance.
After a moment of thought, Jian Dan remembered. This was the same assistant who'd welcomed her during her very first visit here. In a hundred years, he had become the manager.
"It's been a hundred years. Shopkeeper, I trust you've been well."
Jian Dan smiled as she adjusted her appearance to match how she had looked back then.
The shopkeeper's eyes widened. After inspecting her face again, he remembered. This was the cultivator who had taken Yingge with her all those years ago.
"So it's you, Fairy. You are a great benefactor to our clan. Please, this way."
Smiling brightly, he personally led them to a second-floor parlor.
After the three were seated, the shopkeeper offered tea and snacks before speaking again.
"Fairy, are you here in Tianyue City on important business? If our clan can help, don't hesitate to say the word."
Jian Dan gave a soft laugh and shook her head.
"I'm escorting disciples from the Heavenly Sword Sect to Cloud Sea Sect. We're just passing through. This is merely a revisit of old grounds. Nothing serious."
"I see. You must be heading to the inter-sect competition at Cloud Sea Sect."
"Yes."
There was no need to hide it. Almost every cultivator on Lingyun Continent already knew.
"I also wanted to ask about Yingge's recent situation."
The moment Jian Dan mentioned Yingge, the shopkeeper's eyes lit up.
"Bai Jue Zhūnzhǔ gave instructions. If you came to inquire personally, I must report everything truthfully."
Jian Dan brushed her sleeve, signaling for him to continue.
"Yingge has already reached the fifth rank. He's the fastest cultivator in our clan's history. Ten years ago, the Demon King and the clan Ancestors opened the inheritance grounds. After returning, Yingge entered another deep sleep. It seems he's about to advance again."
Jian Dan nodded repeatedly. It seemed Parrot was truly working hard, no doubt thanks to Bai Jue Zhūnzhǔ's guidance.
"I'm happy to hear how far he's come. These are some spirit fruits and herbs I prepared for him. Please deliver them to Bai Jue Zhūnzhǔ. He'll know best how to use them. Also, this is my name token. They are welcome to visit the Heavenly Sword Sect anytime."
The shopkeeper accepted the name token and storage ring with both hands. After confirming the token, his attitude became even more respectful.
"Many thanks, Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ, for your generosity. I will make sure everything is delivered safely."
Jian Dan's purpose was fulfilled. She stood to leave.
Just then, the assistant from downstairs came rushing up in a panic.
"Shopkeeper, come quick. Someone's causing trouble."