Jian Gui and Jian Peng were stationed at the artillery posts on the second level of the ship. The two happened to be side by side, so Jian Gui casually shared the story of the Chilong Secret Realm. The nearby cultivators perked up their ears, eager to catch any gossip. Soon enough, they were all listening to tales of Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ's exploits during her Golden Core stage.
Even Jian Peng, who was usually silent, spoke up after hearing Jian Gui's words.
"Back when Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ was still in the Foundation Establishment stage, she shattered a Hua clan Golden Core cultivator's core with a single punch."
A collective gasp followed.
The gossip spread like wildfire.
Meanwhile, Jian Dan and Jian Xu sat cross-legged in the control room at the top of the ship, calculating their journey back to the sect.
"We only just left Cloud Sea Sect. The evil cultivators wouldn't dare strike now. It's too close. If anything happened, the Zhēnzūn would arrive immediately."
"Agreed. If they're going to move, it'll be before we enter the Heavenly Sword Sect's territory. Once we're in range, our Zhēnzūn wouldn't let anything slip by."
Jian Dan spoke in a teasing tone, completely unbothered.
"The most likely time for them to strike is during the journey back, right in the middle."
"Exactly. If I were an evil cultivator, I'd make my move a day or two before the ship enters our sect's range. That's when we'll be at our most relaxed."
Jian Xu affirmed Jian Dan's assessment.
"Right. We're just about to reenter our own territory. It feels safe, and with the promise of sect reinforcements nearby, vigilance drops. If the enemy lands a precise strike and retreats immediately, we might not even get the chance to send a warning. Or rather, they won't give us that chance."
Jian Dan absentmindedly stroked Yue Liang's soft fur as she and Jian Xu estimated the most likely time of attack.
"That gives us a couple days to relax."
"Yue Liang, take these jade slips to those overexcited idiots. Tell them to stop daydreaming and review their tactical formations."
"Yes, Zūnzhǔ. Yue Liang is on it."
Yue Liang took a storage ring and vanished to deliver the orders.
Watching her go, Jian Xu said to Jian Dan, "You really dote on her. It's like raising a child."
Jian Dan gave a small smile and explained, "Her mother, a spirit beast, was already dying when Yue Liang was born. And she herself was born with congenital deficiencies. She was entrusted to me only after I was transferred to the Medicine Peak. I had to spend quite a few precious resources to get her healthy. But she's obedient, and she's helped me fend off evil cultivators twice already."
"I see. Then it's fate between you two."
"Heh, who could deny it?"
"Zūnzhǔ, task completed! When I arrived, they were already talking about your battle records."
"Oh? And did you brag about me?"
"Of course. I even showed them the image jade of your fight against a Unity cultivator."
Yue Liang's little mouth began recounting all of Jian Dan's illustrious achievements. She had even gathered stories from before they'd met.
Thus, the Heavenly Sword Sect's airship continued its journey, wrapped in Cotton Candy's concealment, sailing steadily toward sect territory.
The voyage had been smooth. In just two days, they would cross into the Heavenly Sword Sect's range.
Suddenly—
Boom!
A massive black sphere of light smashed into the ship's shield. The entire vessel plummeted a hundred meters before stabilizing.
"Cotton Candy, drop the disguise."
"Yes, Master."
In an instant, the massive warship burst through the clouds and revealed its true form. Jian Dan and Jian Xu stood at the main control platform. Without hesitation, they launched multiple waves of sword light in a preemptive strike, refusing to let the enemy set the pace.
"Hmph. Fleas, the lot of you!"
The attackers still hadn't shown themselves, continuing to bombard the warship from hidden positions. This was exactly the moment Jian Dan had been waiting for. Through the cloud veil, Cotton Candy had already pinpointed the source of the attacks. Interestingly, there were two cultivators hidden up there.
Jian Dan raised an eyebrow and issued a telepathic order. "Fire!"
Powerful spiritual cannons and sword beams enhanced with combat runes fired in unison.
Explosions rang through the sky like thunder, scattering clouds in all directions.
"Cotton Candy!"
"Here!"
"Track their positions. The moment they shift, notify me. Stay hidden."
"Understood."
The barrage didn't cease. Jian Dan's second command triggered a synchronized shift in all turrets. The second wave of attacks began instantly.
Each time the attackers shifted positions, a brief opening appeared. That's when Jian Dan and Jian Xu's sword light surged, targeting the gap. The hidden evil cultivators were baffled. No matter how often they changed locations, they were always struck head-on by the cannons.
Eventually, one of them was hit directly and forced to reveal himself.
He wore black robes, a hood, and a cloth mask. Only his eyes were visible.
Jian Dan raised her hand. The attacks halted.
"You're not the one who attacked Cloud Sea Sect last time."
She was certain. This man's cultivation was only at the early Unity stage. The one who attacked before had been at Mahayana.
"Hmph. The Heavenly Sword Sect has quite the reputation. But today, none of you are leaving alive!"
He sneered, brandishing a massive Green Dragon Crescent Blade. A sculpted dragon curled around the hilt, mouth open wide in a ferocious snarl. Blood-red eyes gleamed hungrily at the cultivators on deck.
"You missed your best chance. Now it's the Heavenly Sword Sect that's taking your life!"
Jian Dan's voice was sharp and cold. Her presence alone refused to yield.
"Attack!"
This time, the order came from Jian Xu.
Beams of spiritual cannon fire carved through the sky, roaring toward the enemy. The barrage resumed.
Jian Dan had already summoned Cotton Candy to assist her. Her movements were faster than the enemy's. Every time he tried to reposition, she was there to block the path, sword already mid-swing. Her blade carried the power of merit, and even a glancing blow left the enemy wounded.
Jian Xu and Jian Dan attacked with full force. The evil cultivator was starting to regret this mission. What he thought would be an easy task had become a nightmare. The green dragon spirit embedded in his blade was fading fast, its spirit eroded by that strange sword aura.
In the forbidden zone behind the Heavenly Sword Sect, Zhēnzūn Tian Yun opened his eyes. He sensed something. In the next instant, he vanished from his secluded chamber.
Inside the Law Enforcement Hall, Jian Li heard the Zhēnzūn's voice echo in his mind.
"I'll be back shortly. There's a disturbance near the sect border. Wait for my command."
"Understood, Zhēnzūn."
Jian Li rose and stepped outside the hall. He looked up at the clear, boundless sky, a flicker of worry in his eyes.
According to Jian Xu's message, the ship should be returning within the next day or two. If this had drawn the Zhēnzūn's attention, it must be serious.
Back on the battlefield, Jian Dan and Jian Xu had unleashed everything they had.
"Xuan Guang Slash!"
"Flames of Heaven!"
Silver and red sword lights crossed paths, attacking in coordinated waves. Each time the enemy dodged, even for a breath or two, the spiritual cannons would already be in place.
Driven into a corner, the evil cultivator retaliated with a desperate move: "Azure Dragon Rises from the Sea!"
A surge of black energy blasted upward, trying to pierce through the warship's shield. A sharp, grating screech echoed as two opposing forces collided, cancelling each other out.
"Senior Brother! Merge the sword domains!"
"Got it!"
The two cultivators teleported outside the ship. Each unleashed a sword. "Domain of Light" and "Chaos Sword Domain" were about to merge—until a black sword beam tore through and scattered them both.
Jian Dan and Jian Xu were forced backward, blood trailing from the corners of their mouths.
Jian Dan's silver armor and inner battle gear absorbed some of the backlash. She fared better than Jian Xu.
As they fell back, the cultivators aboard the warship resumed firing. But without the two Zūnzhǔ assisting, their timing lagged by a heartbeat.
"Scatter-fire mode!"
Jian Dan gave the order telepathically. She wiped the blood from her lips and turned to Jian Xu.
"Senior Brother, are you alright?"
Jian Xu took a moment to steady his turbulent qi and blood before answering:
"I'm fine. Let's go again."