Ten days later, Jian Dan finally restored all of her depleted spiritual energy, healed her injuries, and took a medicinal bath infused with Undying Liquid and Spirit Spring Water.
She then used the Ice-Skin Jade-Bone Demon Body Art—specifically the bone-refining stage—to temper nearly half the bones in her body, pushing her physical resilience to the next level.
Afterward, Jian Dan changed into a fresh set of white robes lined with subtle protective runes, tidied her appearance, and stepped out from her secluded cultivation chamber. She walked beneath the banyan tree outside her cave dwelling.
Yun Juan and Yun Shu had been guarding the entrance all ten days without leaving. As soon as they saw her emerge, they hurried forward.
"Greetings, Zūnzhǔ!"
Both of them looked visibly relieved but still nervous, their eyes flicking to her with a mix of concern and awe.
That day, when Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ had returned to Tianyue Peak covered in blood and deathly pale, the sight had stunned Yun Shu and Ting Feng, who had been on duty. Steward Lü had followed her closely, his expression dark as storm clouds.
He had entered the cave dwelling with her and reemerged less than fifteen minutes later, announcing that Zūnzhǔ would be entering seclusion for healing. No one was to disturb her. Any visitors were to be turned away.
After agreeing, Yun Juan and Yun Shu stayed stationed outside the entire time. That evening, when Wangyu and Yunjuan returned, they brought news of how Zūnzhǔ had been injured.
The five-day battle in Tianshu City had already spread like wildfire throughout the sect.
On the very day Jian Dan had left Tianyue Peak, the Law Enforcement Hall had activated the protective array around Tiandu Peak. Two more groups were dispatched afterward. It wasn't until Jian Dan returned injured that the mountain-protection array was deactivated, and Tiandu Peak was fully opened again.
Word quickly spread that the Fu Clan's stronghold on Tiandu Peak had been wiped out, likely by the Law Enforcement Hall.
In just five days, the Fu Clan—a long-standing name within the Heavenly Sword Sect—was completely erased. Those who heard of it sighed in disbelief. A family so large and powerful had fallen into ruin because its Patriarch made the wrong call and dragged the entire clan into oblivion.
Among high-level cultivators and major cultivation clans who knew the truth, the sect's decisive purge was widely admired. Even if it meant shaking the sect's foundations, they had eradicated a malignant tumor. It was seen as a display of the Heavenly Sword Sect's deep-rooted strength.
The five cultivators who had carried out the operation, including Jian Dan, were carefully shielded by the Law Enforcement Hall. They were referred to only as Hall cultivators, keeping their identities vague. But anyone with connections knew the mission had been led by Jian Lu, and her combat prowess had once again shaken perceptions.
After regrouping, the four of them had agreed to stick to their plan. Zūnzhǔ had never been one for seeking attention; this time, she'd only stepped into the spotlight because trouble came knocking. Two stayed to watch over the cave while the other two took sect missions and gathered information.
Truthfully, the cave's full defensive formations were active—there was no real need to guard it—but being nearby gave them peace of mind. The tasks taken were all centered around Tianshu City, hoping to learn more.
"You don't need to worry," Jian Dan said with a smile. "Your Zūnzhǔ isn't that fragile."
She was in high spirits. In her battle against the Unity-stage evil cultivator, her magnolia soul artifact had nearly completed its fusion with her Violet Palace. Only the last fifth remained. As a result, her divine sea had expanded exponentially. Her spiritual sense had now reached the late Mahayana stage.
Once seated beneath the tree, Yun Juan and Yun Shu brought out her favorite fruits and snacks, part of her regular offerings.
Jian Dan waved her hand, and her preferred tea set appeared. Yun Shu stepped forward quietly and brewed spiritual tea for her with practiced grace before standing respectfully to one side.
Since her recovery, Zūnzhǔ's aura had grown even more commanding. It was difficult to meet her eyes directly.
"Was there anything important during my seclusion?"
"Zūnzhǔ, during your recovery, cultivators from the Law Enforcement Hall came by a few times. Upon learning you were still in seclusion, they left. Steward Lü turned away all other visitors."
"I see. Don't spread word of my return yet. Especially not to the Law Enforcement Hall."
"Yes, Zūnzhǔ."
Jian Dan spent the rest of the afternoon on the mountaintop, relaxing for once. She didn't do anything, didn't think about anything. Just allowed herself a rare moment of stillness.
As dusk approached, she cloaked her presence and made her way to Medicine Peak.
Medicine Peak
The guards at the peak bowed the moment Jian Dan revealed herself. No one questioned her arrival. They stepped aside in silence, and she passed through the barrier with a slight lift of her brows, vanishing into the mountain.
When she reappeared, she was already at the raccoon beasts' territory.
Xing Xing and the Raccoon Beast Ancestor had been protecting Yue Liang and immediately noticed Jian Dan's arrival. They stepped forward at once.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ."
"I've come to check on Yue Liang. How is her recovery?"
"Thank you for your concern, Zūnzhǔ. Yue Liang woke five days ago and has been refining the Undying Liquid per your instructions. Her cultivation has improved again—she's now mid sixth-rank."
The Raccoon Beast Ancestor looked genuinely pleased. Though the child had returned injured, the gains were evident. The injury had not been in vain.
"Very good. Yue Liang has worked hard. She experienced several fierce battles at my side. That has helped her progress."
"This is only possible thanks to your care, Zūnzhǔ."
"Zūnzhǔ! You came to see me?"
Still damp from the bath, Yue Liang darted forward and flung herself into Jian Dan's arms.
At last, Jian Dan smiled. She swept her spiritual sense over Yue Liang and found her completely healed. Her broken bones had fully mended. Thanks to the Undying Liquid, all of her bones had turned golden, stronger than ever.
With a flick of her fingers, Jian Dan cast a Cleansing Spell to evaporate the lingering dampness from Yue Liang's fur. She ran a hand along her sleek coat before settling onto the stone bench outside the bamboo house, cradling her.
"Seems you're all better now. Do you feel any discomfort?"
Yue Liang shook her little head, then spoke in a clear, delicate voice.
"I'm sorry for making you worry, Zūnzhǔ."
"As long as you're alright."
Jian Dan chuckled and gently ruffled her head. Then she said softly, "Yue Liang, I haven't had the chance to ask before. Can you tell me exactly what happened during the fight with the evil cultivator?"
"Yes, Zūnzhǔ. I need to explain it to Ancestor and Brother too."
The Raccoon Beast Ancestor and Xingxing already suspected the incident was tied to their clan. They sat down quietly, listening intently as Yue Liang recounted everything.
She perched on the stone table and began her story. As she spoke, the Raccoon Beast Ancestor and Xingxing's eyes burned with fury. The old ancestor even struck the ground twice with his staff before calming down.
"Yue Liang, you recognized the 'Ten Thousand Souls Banner' was made from raccoon beast hide just by its aura?"
Jian Dan asked immediately.
"That was part of it," Yue Liang replied. "But mostly, it was because I saw their souls. The raccoon beast souls trapped in the banner. Their bodies had been turned into that evil weapon, but their spirits refused to succumb. They were waiting… hoping for someone to set them free."
Her eyes brimmed with tears.
"I must tell you, Zūnzhǔ. The weakness of that soul banner—the flaw we exploited—was left behind by those very ancestors. They sensed my presence and used their soul remnants to show me the way."
She wiped her tears, then continued.
"When they were captured and turned into that banner, they were all strong. Fifth and sixth-rank, some even seventh. They were among the brightest of our race. Just like me, they had the ability to harm Primordial Souls."
Jian Dan nodded slowly, her brows furrowing as she finally spoke.
"Yue Liang, I understand now. The Fu Clan cultivator we killed… he was incapable of creating such a cursed artifact. The one who gave it to him—that's the true mastermind behind all this."