Bian Qikang bowed behind Jian Dan and reported respectfully, with a cultivator from Cloud Sea Sect following him.
It seemed that Tao and Cao had arrived too suddenly. They didn't present a visiting token and missed the start of the competition, which led the Cloud Sea Sect cultivator to stop them.
"Qikang, go with this Cloud Sea Sect cultivator. Verify their identities and bring them to me once confirmed."
"Yes, Zūnzhǔ."
After the two departed, Jian Dan turned her attention back to the ongoing match. The Heavenly Sword Sect cultivator's strikes were sharp and unorthodox, while the Loose Cultivator Alliance's blade techniques were steady and precise. Blade aura swept across the stage, nearing the threshold of entering the Blade Domain.
"Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ, who do you think has the upper hand in this match?" asked Qian Wanguan beside her.
"Both sides are evenly matched. It will come down to whose spiritual power lasts longer," Jian Dan answered without bias.
Qian Wanguan nodded in agreement. On the other side, Xiao Yong Zūnzhǔ spoke up as well.
"Jian Lu Daoyou speaks fairly. May I ask which side you placed your bet on?"
"No matter the outcome, of course I've bet on the Heavenly Sword Sect," Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ replied.
The group laughed lightly at that. Just then, Bian Qikang returned with three people to meet Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ.
Jian Dan gave them a quick glance. Tao Chengfeng had already entered the early stage of Divine Transformation, while Cao Chenfeng had reached the mid stage. Their auras weren't fully restrained, clearly indicating they had only recently broken through.
Behind them stood a young sword cultivator with a round face and smiling eyes. He, too, was at the Divine Transformation stage and bowed together with the other two.
"Greetings to Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ."
"No need for formalities," Jian Dan said, lifting a hand slightly. Then she added, "You all arrived rather late. The competition is already more than halfway through."
"We were delayed on the road. I met Senior Brother Cao halfway here," explained Tao Chengfeng.
Cao Chenfeng nodded beside him. Jian Dan was about to ask for more details, but the duel on the platform was reaching its end.
In the end, it was Heavenly Sword Sect's Jian Chen who emerged victorious. With his deep well of spiritual power, he endured until the end, delivering two more sword strikes than his opponent, securing his win.
With the Divine Transformation matches concluded, spectators began dispersing in small groups.
Jian Dan had intended to question Tao and Cao in detail, so she left the cleanup to Wu Siyuan and brought the group back with her to Yunyin Peak.
Yunyin Peak
After taking her seat, Jian Dan turned to the round-faced sword cultivator and cupped her hands respectfully.
"And how should I address this Senior Brother from the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
Tao and Cao immediately stepped aside, allowing the person behind them to step forward.
"Aiya, Junior Sister is sharp-eyed. I thought I had hidden myself well. I am Jian Xu from Tianyu Peak, here under the command of the Zūnzhǔ to assist you."
Jian Xu stood about 1.9 meters tall, dressed in a white robe with subtle patterns. A plain white jade sword pendant hung from his waist. His cultivation had reached the peak of Void Refinement. Though his aura was well-concealed, his smiling eyes gave off a harmless, friendly impression.
"So it's Senior Brother Jian Xu. Please, take a seat. You've come a long way, and that's my fault for not arranging this properly," Jian Dan said, motioning for him to sit. She then waved her sleeve and summoned a full tea set, personally brewing and offering a cup of spiritual tea.
"Junior Sister, you just broke through, didn't you? Was it due to the recent battle in Yunling City?" Jian Xu asked after sitting down, accepting the tea without hesitation.
"You have sharp eyes, Senior Brother. I just came out of seclusion two days ago. I gained some insights from the last battle, which led to a breakthrough," she replied.
"Excellent. Once this sect mission is over and we return to Heavenly Sword Sect, let's spar. I'd like to see your skills for myself."
Jian Dan felt like a crow flew over her head. "Who challenges someone right after a first meeting?"
"We'll schedule it after the mission is completed," she replied vaguely, then turned to Tao and Cao.
"It's been a while. Are you both doing well?"
Tao Chengfeng, as steady as ever, replied first.
"I had a moment of insight during the sect's grand competition and broke through to Divine Transformation, which is why I went into seclusion. I couldn't make it in time for this match, but as soon as I emerged, I hurried here. On the way, I encountered some evil cultivators and followed them here."
"I found Jian Gui locked in a fierce battle. That's how I got involved and traced the trail to Cloud Sea Sect," Jian Xu interjected.
Tao Chengfeng nodded in agreement. Jian Dan then turned to Cao Chenfeng.
"What about you?"
Cao Chenfeng's features were sharp and handsome, and his words were simple and to the point.
"I went out to explore the ruins of an ancient cultivator. After breaking through, I returned to the sect. On the road, I discovered traces of evil cultivators and tracked them here."
"I realized that Senior Brother Cao and I were following the same group, so we joined forces," Tao added.
"Looks like someone orchestrated this, deliberately luring you both here," Jian Dan said calmly. She then handed each of them a jade slip containing the latest updates and instructed Bian Qikang to arrange temporary residences for them.
Once they left, Jian Dan turned to Jian Xu Zūnzhǔ to explain the current situation.
"Senior Brother Jian Xu, I hadn't planned on troubling you, but the other sword cultivator assigned to this mission, Jian Yu, has become a problem."
She summarized the key points, then cupped her hands.
"Senior Brother, do you have any insights?"
"Insights might be a stretch, but I agree with your assessment," Jian Xu said, setting aside his smile. Still, his naturally arched brows made him look cheerful.
While tracing the rim of his teacup with a finger, he said, "They've drawn us all here, which means they plan to make their move here. After all, this place is currently filled with Dao elites."
His words struck a chord with Jian Dan. She stood up and began pacing slowly inside the cave dwelling. As she pieced things together, a blurry idea began to take shape in her mind. But there were still a few missing clues.
"Senior Brother Jian Xu, I have a rough idea. Let me run it by you so we can plan our next move."
Jian Xu accepted the jade slip she handed over, scanned it with his divine sense, and gave a slight frown before nodding.
"Proceed with your arrangements. I'll assist from the shadows. This way, we can avoid involving Jian Yu."
"Good."
As Jian Dan began formulating her countermeasures, Han Pengfei, who was cultivating inside the cave of his grandaunt Yun Yun Zhēnzūn, was also making rapid progress. With an abundant supply of spiritual energy, his cultivation had risen to the peak of mid-stage Divine Transformation. He was just one step away from reaching the late stage, and even that was being held back on purpose.
Han Pengfei emerged from the cave radiant with energy. He cast a purification spell on himself before bowing to his grandaunt.
"Thank you for protecting me, Grandaunt."
"Mm. Stand up," Yun Yun Zhēnzūn replied, accepting the gesture with calm dignity. She used her spiritual power to lift him to a seat.
"Looks like your progress was good. You should be able to reach late-stage soon. Why did you hold back?"
"Grandaunt, I want to reforge the Wushuang Sword and nourish it for a while. When the time is right, the breakthrough will come naturally."
As he spoke, he took out the black wooden box that Jian Dan had entrusted to him and offered it respectfully.
Yun Yun Zhēnzūn nodded. Pengfei was being cautious and had brought the item for inspection. Without declining, she opened the box.
Inside lay a chunk of black shell, about the size of two adult palms. Yun Yun picked it up and examined it. It seemed freshly harvested, and was a newly discovered refining material.
It had been developed by the Artifact Sect. This chunk came from a giant black-shelled insect and could significantly enhance both the offensive and defensive qualities of a weapon.
Its only drawback was that it required exotic fire to melt properly. Otherwise, it would take time to refine. But for Yun Yun, that wasn't a problem.
"This is a good material. Once fused with your sword, it will raise its grade. You may use it. There's no issue."
"Yes. Thank you for the guidance, Grandaunt."
A faint smile appeared on Han Pengfei's face. Yun Yun caught the look in his eyes and asked:
"Pengfei, do you fancy Jian Lu from the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
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I recently found out that the correct pinyin for 尊主 is Zūnzhǔ not Zhūnzhǔ, apologies T_T