Jian Sheng left Tianyue Peak with a heavy heart, heading straight to Jian Li to report what he had learned. What Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ had said was far beyond anything he could judge alone.
Jian Dan dismissed Jian Sheng with a few words, then had Yue Liang accompany her for a short rest. In truth, she was just closing her eyes to recover her spirit.
She couldn't understand it. Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ had already uncovered the problem with the Fu family all those years ago. Why hadn't she eliminated the threat immediately instead of allowing it to fester within the sect? By now, the infection must be deeply rooted.
Of course, Jian Dan didn't know the full story of what happened back then, so she couldn't judge. Perhaps Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ had done what was most beneficial for the sect at the time.
Just then, the communication jade slip in Jian Dan's storage ring pulsed twice. She opened it and found a message from Qian Wanguan of the Loose Cultivator Alliance. He had safely returned.
As the leader of the Loose Cultivator Alliance's team, Qian Wanguan had a reputation for being the most unreliable among all the sects. Upon learning there might be evil cultivators involved, he had immediately allowed all participating Loose Cultivators to leave Cloud Sea Sect at their own discretion.
Loose Cultivators always went where the resources were. Some stayed in the Cloud Sea Sect's territory, teaming up to hunt sea beasts for cultivation materials. Others formed groups to explore the nearby mountain ranges. Most of them didn't mind this freedom; they had always lived without constraints.
Reading the message, Jian Dan shook her head with a smile. With someone like Qian Wanguan playing by his own rules, even the demon cultivators probably wouldn't know where to strike.
"Zūnzhǔ, Xiao Yong Zūnzhǔ sent word. They were ambushed by a Unity-stage evil cultivator on their way back to Purple Sky Sect," Yue Liang reported, holding a jade slip in her tiny paw.
"Did Xiao Yong Zūnzhǔ make it back safely?"
"Yes! He was prepared. He used a jade talisman that sealed a full strike from a Zhēnzhūn and managed to kill the Unity-stage evil cultivator."
Yue Liang puffed up her little chest and lifted a paw like she was cheering him on.
"Good. He also had a Void Refinement Zūnzhǔ with him. The two of them working together and being prepared ahead of time should have made it manageable."
"Zūnzhǔ, Xiao Yong Zūnzhǔ asked whether we were attacked as well."
"Just tell him the truth."
"Yes, Zūnzhǔ."
Yue Liang tapped out a quick reply on the jade slip, then hopped back into Jian Dan's lap.
"You're getting quite the network now, Yue Liang. Even Xiao Yong Zūnzhǔ contacted you instead of me."
"He said since you just returned to the sect, you'd be busy for a while. He didn't want to bother you, so he reached out to me instead."
"I see. By the way, after we returned, have you visited your Ancestor or your elder brother at the Medicine Peak yet?"
"Not yet. I've been patrolling Tianyue Peak first. And since I've been with you these past few days, I haven't had the time."
"Seems like you're even busier than I am."
Jian Dan chuckled, then said to her:
"Yue Liang, find time to visit your Ancestor. Ask about the origins of your raccoon beast clan, and learn more about your innate abilities.
Also, tell him how you helped destroy the evil cultivator's avatar and soul fragment. Let him know what happened."
Yue Liang straightened up in Jian Dan's lap and said clearly, "Understood. Are you worried that evil cultivator will come after me?"
"Of course I am. Even though it looked like I struck the killing blow both times, we know it was your Primordial Soul attack that made the difference.
You might be the only raccoon beast on the Lingyun Continent with the ability to injure and severely damage a soul."
"Before, your cultivation was too low for it to be noticeable, and I helped conceal it. But as your strength grows, your talent will become more and more obvious. One day, someone will notice."
"I've made you worry. I'll be cautious and protect myself. I won't bring you any trouble."
Looking at her serious little face, Jian Dan smiled and gently rubbed her head.
"I can protect you for now. But I worry what might happen if one day, you're not by my side. So we should both remain vigilant."
"Yes, Zūnzhǔ."
While Jian Dan rested in her personal residence for a few days, Steward Lü was run ragged.
Ever since Jian Dan's gift offerings were sent out, fellow Void Refinement Zūnzhǔs—those who hadn't secluded themselves—began sending return gifts and even challenge invitations. Some wanted to spar, others just to meet.
When Lü Se accepted one of the challenge invitations, the other steward was visibly awkward. Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ had sent them gifts, and now his Zūnzhǔ wanted to issue a challenge. What could he say? He could only smile politely to save face.
Lü Se had seen this before. Sword cultivators from the Heavenly Sword Sect never followed conventional logic. So he politely accepted the challenge note but offered a tactful explanation:
"Steward Qi, I'll accept this for now, but I can't confirm anything on Zūnzhǔ's behalf. Since returning, she's been busy coordinating with the Law Enforcement Hall about the recent mission. She likely won't be free for some time…"
The other steward was quick to respond with courtesy.
"We understand Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ is busy. My Zūnzhǔ said any time will do. But if there's a sparring event, he requests to be first in line."
"Understood. I'll deliver the message."
The two stewards exchanged polite smiles and went their separate ways to report back.
When Jian Dan heard about it from Lü Se, she found it amusing and asked who the challenger was.
"He's from the Qi family line on Tiandu Peak. His Dao name is Jian Cheng."
"Oh, from Tiandu Peak?"
"Yes. Tiandu Peak isn't solely under the Fu family's control. For nearly a century, both the Qi and Fu families have co-led it. But the Qi family aligns more closely with the sect's direction, and they've gradually been gaining the upper hand."
Jian Dan nodded, immediately grasping the implication. No wonder the Fu family was getting anxious, pushing Fu Yao into the peak to build up new influence and eventually replace Jian Wan, whose cultivation had stagnated.
At that moment, Ting Feng rushed over and reported,
"Zūnzhǔ, I've just received news. Jian Wan Zūnzhǔ from Tiandu Peak has been punished for offending a Zhēnzhūn. She's been sent to reflect in seclusion on the Reflection Cliff for a hundred years."
Jian Dan raised an eyebrow. So the Law Enforcement Hall had already begun their move. By removing Jian Wan first, they were clearly pressuring the Fu family, testing how they would respond.
"Has she already been taken there?"
"Yes. Witnesses saw members of the Law Enforcement Hall escorting her in person."
"Good. Keep me updated if anything else develops."
"Yes, Zūnzhǔ."
After Ting Feng left, Jian Dan gently fanned herself and sighed.
"Well, looks like the show's finally starting. I just hope I don't get caught in the crossfire."
Lü Se wasn't quite sure what she meant, but he knew better than to question it.
Just then, Ting Feng returned again, bowing as he spoke:
"Zūnzhǔ, Jian Sheng from the Law Enforcement Hall requests an audience."
"Tsk. Can't even rest for a moment."
Seeing Jian Dan nod, Ting Feng immediately left to bring Jian Sheng in.
For once, Jian Sheng's usually calm expression showed a hint of anger, though he kept it in check.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ."
"What brings you here? It's rare to see you upset."
Jian Dan lifted her fan slightly to motion him to rise.
"Forgive my rudeness."
He took a moment to calm himself, then spoke more evenly.
"A Unity-stage cultivator from the main Fu family in Tianshu City has arrived. He stirred up trouble in the Law Enforcement Hall, accusing you of being responsible for Jian Yu's disappearance and of suppressing Jian Wan to the point where she lost composure before the Zhēnzhūn. The Law Enforcement Hall asks that you come in person to explain the situation."
"Who is currently holding authority over the Fu family in Tianshu City?"