"This matter is among the sect's highest-level secrets. Only Mahayana-level Zhēnzūn may review it. For Jian Lu to piece things together from the barest clues… she's truly sharp and perceptive."
Tian Yun waved for Jian Wu and others to leave, then spoke privately with Jian Li. He added a sealing restriction to the jade slip and handed it back to her.
"Keep this jade slip secured. You can verify the contents with your Master, Tian Hong. As for Jian Lu and Jian Xu, give them a heads-up, but make sure this information does not spread."
"Yes, Zhēnzūn!"
"The Fu family's situation must still be fully investigated. If Jian Yu has truly betrayed the sect, the Law Enforcement Hall will need to dig into every angle. For how to proceed, you can consult with Jian Lu. She's likely already thought it through."
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn smiled and added, "You've always complained to your master about how heavy the burden is, running the Law Enforcement Hall alone. Well, here's a capable helper—use her well."
Jian Li's eyes lit up at those words. For the first time, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Zhēnzūn, the War Hall is still waiting for her to take command."
"No need to rush. Everything in its time. Her succession to the War Hall is just a formality by now. I trust she's already proven with her strength that she can hold the seat."
"I understand. Thank you for the guidance, Zhēnzūn."
"The sect's future lies in your hands. We old ones just need to guard the gates. As for charging ahead, that's your generation's task."
"Understood." Jian Li bowed respectfully, and Tian Yun disappeared from the main hall.
Jian Li left the palace and brought Jian Sheng with her to the main peak of Tianjian Peak. It was time to meet with Sect Master Jian Chun and begin a full-scale investigation into the Fu family on Tian Du Peak.
Tian Yue Peak
When Lü Se and the four attendants saw Yue Liang return early, they immediately knew Zūnzhǔ had returned to the sect. They had already made all the arrangements to welcome her home.
Lü Se, at peak Nascent Soul stage, had a solid foundation. Among the four attendants, Ting Feng had been the first to condense a Nascent Soul. Though still at the early stage, she was clearly the most advanced and now faintly the leader among them.
When Jian Dan descended in a streak of light, the five of them greeted her with smiles.
"Welcome home, Zūnzhǔ."
"Mm. Not bad, all of your cultivations have improved."
Back on her own turf, Jian Dan relaxed, slowed her pace, and seated herself comfortably on the cushioned bench under the banyan tree.
On the small table nearby, Yun Juan and Yun Shu had prepared tea and snacks. Yue Liang leapt onto the table, got Jian Dan's nod, then sampled everything. She picked out what she thought was tastiest and nudged it toward Jian Dan.
"Yue Liang, you really know how to eat."
Jian Dan patted the beast's tiny head and pushed the snack back, letting her enjoy it.
Lü Se stood to the side and only stepped forward to report after both master and pet had settled down.
"Zūnzhǔ, while you were away, nothing major happened on Tian Yue Peak. After Jian Wu returned to the sect, the Fu family came by looking for trouble, but they were stopped by Jian Sheng Jūnshàng before they could reach me.
After that, I gave orders for the cultivators on the peak to stay alert. Thankfully, nothing serious occurred."
Jian Dan nodded and addressed the five of them.
"If they come looking for trouble, they're after me. No need for any of you to act rashly. Avoid the conflict and wait for my return. I'll handle it."
"Zūnzhǔ, your care for us is deeply appreciated. Rest assured, we know how to protect ourselves without damaging your authority."
Lü Se's response was skillful, showing loyalty and tact in one sentence.
"While you were away, Tao Chengfeng succeeded in forming his Divine Transformation and was given the Dao title Jian Gui. He came by Tian Yue Peak to pay respects, but upon hearing you were away at the tournament, he left."
"I know. He's headed to Cloud Sea Sect. He came back with me."
"Zūnzhǔ, here's your sect tribute. Since your return, you haven't claimed any of it. I've gathered the past hundred years' worth for your review."
Lü Se presented a storage bracelet—clearly high-grade—with both hands. A hundred years of tributes was no small amount.
"Good. You've worked hard."
Jian Dan casually tossed her a storage ring.
"This is a specialty from Cloud Sea Sect. Sort it out and deliver some to the other Void Refinement Zūnzhǔ on the inner peaks. Think of it as my introduction gift."
Lü Se scanned the contents and found high-tier sea beasts, all intact and presentable. She understood that Zūnzhǔ wanted to build friendly ties with the other Void Refinement elders. She nodded and left to carry out the task.
The four attendants stood quietly, waiting for instructions.
"If the peak is peaceful and your cultivation isn't suffering, you don't need to stand guard here every day. Take turns accepting sect missions, earn some contribution points. You'll need them in the future."
"Yes. Thank you for your care, Zūnzhǔ."
The four exchanged looks, then quietly exited the peak to give Jian Dan her rest.
"Ting Feng, doesn't Zūnzhǔ seem even stronger than before?"
Yun Juan followed behind, speaking softly.
"You're not wrong. Her cultivation likely advanced again."
"Then we better work harder. Otherwise, we won't even be worthy of serving her."
Yun Juan gave herself a pep talk.
"Then stop talking and let's go. You and I will form a team and take a sect mission."
Wang Yu spoke first. The others didn't object, and the two left Tian Yue Peak together.
Jian Dan picked up the tribute storage bracelet and swept it with her divine sense. It held quite a lot. After bonding with it, she wore it around her ankle, storing it away as backup resources.
Then she sent a voice transmission to Liu Chuan.
"Chuan, how's my first disciple doing?"
"He was just watching the fleet return. His cultivation has firmed up a lot. He should be able to break through to the seventh layer of Qi Condensation soon."
"Of course he came to admire me," Jian Dan replied confidently.
"He didn't even glance your way. He was looking at the warships."
Liu Chuan dumped cold water on her pride again. Jian Dan, annoyed, rubbed the leaf-shaped mark on her wrist furiously.
For three straight days, Jian Dan activated the restriction on her cave dwelling and didn't step foot off Tian Yue Peak.
She brought out her bed carved from ten-thousand-year cold jade and slept soundly for three days, finally letting her nerves relax. Afterward, she carefully sorted the spoils from the journey.
Apart from spirit stones, everything else was categorized and labeled. The jade box in her storage ring that held the sealed "Frozen Flame" was moved directly into her spatial storage.
She never planned for Verdant Flame to absorb that particular flame. After all, it had been split from the unique fire held by Zhenzun Yun Yun.
Because of her care for Han Pengfei, she had kept her guard up. Yun Yun Zhenzun had definitely learned of her possession of exotic flame through Han Pengfei and offered this bait accordingly. Jian Dan's current cultivation was still below hers, so caution was best.
Her concern wasn't unwarranted. That flame split off by Yun Yun indeed had sentience, even containing a trace of Yun Yun's will. If Jian Dan ever harmed Han Pengfei, the flame would revolt and backlash.
Fortunately, her restraint saved her from the trap.
On the fourth day, Jian Dan went to the Hall of Affairs, returned the warship, and claimed her sect contribution points.
Then, with Yue Liang in tow, she headed directly for Jianchi Peak. It was time to soak in the Sword Pool and purge lingering ill fortune.
At the foot of Jianchi Peak, the gatekeeper had changed. The boy took her violet jade sword token, verified it, and respectfully led her to the Sword Pool reserved for Void Refinement Zūnzhǔ.
He handed over the control token to her and departed. Having visited once before, Jian Dan moved through the cave effortlessly. Once she completed her defenses, she slipped off her robe and sank into the Sword Pool.
She soaked there for nine full days, leaving Jian Sheng waiting bitterly outside the entire time.