The towering figure of Jian Li Zūnzhǔ stepped out into the bamboo grove of the Raccoon Beast Clan, his voice confirming Jian Dan's speculation.
"Senior Brother, I've only been out of seclusion for half a day. How did you already find me?"
Jian Dan blinked at him and smiled.
"I knew you'd be concerned about Yue Liang, so I came to check on her recovery. Figured you'd show up too, so I waited here."
Jian Li spoke while walking, soon arriving at the stone table. Jian Dan, along with the Raccoon Beast Ancestor, Xing Xing, and Yue Liang, all greeted him with formal bows before taking their seats.
"Did you come to find me because something urgent came up?"
"Not especially urgent," Jian Li replied. "I just want you to help me handle some matters in the Law Enforcement Hall."
Jian Dan frowned, ready to refuse, but Jian Li caught her intent and raised his hand to stop her before she could speak.
"I know you're not fond of dealing with these things, but this time it involves the Fu family and the matter is tied to an evil cultivator. It requires discretion. I hope you'll lend me your insight. And besides, your assistance was approved by Tianyun Zhēnzūn."
Jian Dan felt like her world had just collapsed. "When did I catch Tian Yun Zhēnzūn's attention"
Jian Li noticed her confusion and gave a small smile before explaining.
"The second jade slip you gave me after returning from Cloud Sea Sect, the Zhēnzūn read it. He said the information inside pertains to the sect's highest-level secrets—knowledge that shouldn't be known to anyone below the Mahayana realm. Yet you managed to piece it together from the slimmest of clues. That level of insight, he said, marks you as someone with great promise. He's taken a liking to you."
Jian Dan clenched her jaw, cursing herself inwardly. She never should've handed over that second jade slip. She should've just let Senior Brother Jian Xu deal with it.
Seeing the way her expression shifted, Jian Li seemed even more pleased and added one more piece to the pile.
"During the five-day battle in Tianshu City, you managed to avoid civilian casualties and prevent chaos from erupting. That showed not only your strength but also your remarkable leadership and coordination. The Zhēnzūn has decided to cultivate you as a key talent."
"Alright, alright! Enough, Senior Brother. I'll go to the Law Enforcement Hall."
Jian Dan waved a hand, her good mood soured despite Yue Liang's recovery.
"You still want to find the true mastermind behind Yue Liang's attack, don't you? This is a good opportunity."
Jian Li pressed further, trying to get her to accept the task willingly.
Now that the discussion had returned to the heart of the matter, Jian Dan collected herself and continued from where they'd left off.
"Senior Brother, I already have a lead on this evil cultivator."
"Go on."
"He should be from the same generation as Tian Yun Zhēnzūn, so he must also be at the Mahayana stage. Only someone with that level of power could bring the Raccoon Beast Clan to the brink of annihilation.
And since he's an evil cultivator, even if his natural lifespan is running out, he can prolong his life using dark methods. That's how he's lasted this long. The attack on Cloud Sea Sect before—he was behind it. One of their Mahayana-level Zhēnzūn recognized him."
Jian Li nodded. "That matches the intelligence we've gathered."
"But what I still don't understand," Jian Dan added, "is why he was in such a hurry to flee through the spatial rift. What was he running from?"
She had a bad feeling. If her hunch was right, Lingyun Continent might face threats both inside and out. That would be disastrous.
"We don't know the full answer yet," Jian Li said. "Tian Yun Zhēnzūn wants us to organize all the information we have, map out the situation and the stakes involved. He plans to personally send a flying sword message to the Zhēnzūn of Cloud Sea Sect. We can't afford to face an unknown enemy passively."
Jian Li then gave her a rundown of the tasks she'd need to complete at the Law Enforcement Hall, concluding with a warning.
"What happened in Tianshu City was a stroke of luck. We won't be that lucky again. This time, we need to be prepared and deliberate."
"I understand, Senior Brother."
Yue Liang had quietly listened the entire time. Now, having a better sense of how her clan had been wiped out in the beast territory, she stepped forward.
"Zūnzhǔ, I have a request. Would it be possible to destroy the Ten Thousand Souls Banner and release my ancestors from torment?"
Yue Liang stood with solemn dignity before the two Zūnzhǔ as she made her plea.
Jian Dan glanced at Jian Li. He nodded and said, "This falls under your responsibilities. Handle it as you see fit."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Jian Dan clasped her hands in a formal bow, accepting the task. Yue Liang, too, bowed gratefully, her tiny paws folded in respect.
"Report to the Law Enforcement Hall the day after tomorrow."
With that, Jian Li disappeared from sight.
Holding Yue Liang, Jian Dan turned to the Raccoon Beast Ancestor and Xing Xing.
"Yue Liang just recovered. I'll probably be busy at the Law Enforcement Hall these next few days. Let her stay here with the clan for now."
"Understood. Thank you for your compassion, Zūnzhǔ."
Yue Liang wagged her tail, visibly happier now, and looked up at Jian Dan.
"Zūnzhǔ, I'll rest here for a couple of days, then come find you."
Jian Dan smiled at her, ever patient.
"No rush. There's nothing pressing. Take this time to visit your friends. Come back whenever you're ready."
"Yes!" Yue Liang replied brightly, eyes crinkling with joy.
Jian Dan returned to Tianyue Peak and had a restful sleep on her bed carved from eternal cold jade. At dawn, she completed a full small cycle of cultivation. The flood of spiritual energy through her meridians grounded her, left her clear-headed.
Under the banyan tree, she brought out her personal collection of materials, ready to forge a defensive treasure for Yue Liang.
This time, the injuries Yue Liang suffered weren't just because the enemy was strong, but also due to her own lack of protection. Jian Dan was determined never to repeat the same mistake.
And with that unknown evil cultivator still in the shadows, she needed to craft something that could handle more than just brute force. She sat down and began to consider which combination of materials could satisfy both defense and longevity.
"Zūnzhǔ, Qi Hua Jūnshàng from Tiandu Peak is here to see you."
Lu Se had come to deliver the message personally.
He had turned away all other visitors, but Qi Hua had insisted she knew Jian Dan had emerged from seclusion and claimed that she would be granted an audience. So Lu Se had no choice but to inform her.
"Heh. Seems her sources are sharp. She knew I was out."
Jian Dan waved her hand carelessly and told Lu Se, "Let her through."
"Yes."
Moments later, Qi Hua appeared at the peak, dressed in a crimson robe with dark embroidery, exuding poise and confidence.
"Qi Hua of Tiandu Peak greets Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ."
"No need for formalities. What brings you here?"
Jian Dan always got straight to the point. She didn't like wasting time.
Qi Hua hesitated. Could she just admit she'd come to test the waters? After all, Jian Dan was now in charge of the Fu family matter. The Qi clan didn't want to get caught in the fallout. In just ten short days, Tiandu Peak had become the sect's center of gossip, and the Qi clan had taken a hit from the rumors.
"Are you here because of the Fu family?"
Jian Dan took a sip of freshly brewed spiritual tea. It was a new offering from the Zūnzhǔ's tribute collection—Bamboo Leaf Green Cloud Tea. Rich in aroma and mellow in flavor. Just her taste.
"Yes. I won't lie to you, Zūnzhǔ."
Seeing Jian Dan take the lead, Qi Hua responded immediately.
"The Fu and Qi families share a peak. With the Fu family in trouble, the Qi family naturally gets dragged into the gossip."
"That's right," Qi Hua said through gritted teeth.
"If the Fu family had issues, and you shared a peak, there's no way your Qi clan didn't notice. You two constantly monitor each other. Any strange activity from them should've reached you first. So why didn't you report it to the sect? That's what people are saying, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"There's no need to sound so bitter about it. Honestly, they aren't wrong. You didn't report it because you were hoping to watch the Fu family implode, and then sweep in to benefit."
"Zūnzhǔ!"