The next day, Jian Dan rode her light of flight, bringing Yu Zongfan along to the Heavenly Sword Peak's Disciples Hall for lessons.
"Zong Fan, do you need to change the cultivation method you're currently practicing?"
On the light of flight, Jian Dan asked the young man behind her.
Yu Zongfan was dressed in the Heavenly Sword Sect's outer disciple robe today. At his waist hung the sect's green-and-white jade sword token, and on the other side, a storage pouch. Inside were resources his family had prepared for him, along with other items he wouldn't need immediately, stored in a ring he wore on his chest.
On his handsome face, he considered her question carefully before replying. "Zūnshàng, are you going to grant me a new cultivation method?"
"You're quick on the uptake." Jian Dan smiled. "You have a single earth spiritual root. When I was exploring a secret realm, I obtained a cultivation art that can be practiced all the way to the Mahayana stage. If the one you're using now can also reach Mahayana, then you can continue with it. If not, you might want to take a look at this one."
"Yes. Thank you, Zūnshàng. I will decide soon and give you my answer."
"Mhm. No rush. You can switch cultivation methods at any time before Foundation Establishment, but after that, it becomes inconvenient to change."
"Zongfan understands. Thank you, Zūnshàng, for your care."
Within a few exchanged words, Jian Dan's light of flight had landed on a side peak at the Disciples Hall.
All twenty of the little ones were already standing neatly in the courtyard before the lecture hall. When they saw Jian Dan's arrival, they immediately bowed in unison, their voices loud and clear. "Congratulations to Jian Lu Zūnshàng for advancing to Unity!"
Jian Dan's lips curved upward. She waved her hand, lifting them up, and smiled. "You're well-informed. Let's talk inside."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Yu Jiajia, Jia Yushu, and Zhao Yunhai led the group inside.
These three were the top of the little pyramid of this twenty-disciple group. Each came from a family with a Mahayana Zhēnzūn seated at the head, and each was a favored child at home. In other words, they were the highest-value third-generation cultivators, and the small circle revolved around them.
Their personalities were distinct. Yu Jiajia was mature, quick-witted, sweet-tongued, and decisive. Jia Yushu was the scholarly type, somewhat rigid, but careful in all he did. Zhao Yunhai—no surprise—was the loudest and most boisterous, sociable to a fault, with the most friends among them.
Once everyone was seated, Jian Dan introduced Yu Zongfan to the group.
"This is Yu Zongfan, my registered disciple. From today onward, he will train alongside you."
Yu Zongfan smoothed his robe, stepped forward, and cupped his hands in greeting. His tone was neither arrogant nor humble. "Yu Zongfan greets his fellow disciples. I look forward to training with you all so we can improve together."
He then took a seat on the last cushion in the back. There was no helping it—he was the tallest.
"Alright, back to business. I'm sure your elders have already informed you. From now on, I'll be giving you four lessons a month. The rest of the time, you may return to your families to train."
One of the younger disciples raised a hand. Jian Dan nodded, and the boy stood up. "Zūnshàng, why aren't you teaching us every day like before?"
"I know the answer to that."
Before Jian Dan could respond, Zhao Yunhai jumped in, raising his hand for permission before standing. "Zūnshàng is now acting head of the Enforcement Hall, with daily duties to handle. The fact that she still finds time to teach us is thanks to me and Jia Jia!"
He looked around proudly after speaking. Yu Jiajia also nodded, signaling her involvement.
"Hehe. Jia Jia and Yun Hai did indeed come to me, hoping I would continue teaching you. I was touched by your sincerity, so of course I couldn't let you down."
Jian Dan accepted Zhao Yunhai's explanation with a smile, then steered the topic back. "Alright, let's move on. I want to see how you've done on the assignments I left before I was away."
"Yes!"
The little ones replied with vigor, then headed out to run laps—an unskippable part of their daily routine.
Jian Dan gestured for Yu Zongfan to join in, and he followed at the back of the group.
Her divine sense swept over them, noting that their physical strength had improved with the aid of the body-tempering decoction, most of them reaching late-stage Qi Refining levels. She slightly increased the weight on each of their burden rings.
"Ow!"
The sudden increase in weight drew cries all around as they stumbled and bumped into each other before adjusting.
Jian Dan sat in the chair at the front of the hall, leisurely fanning herself, calling out encouragement. "Keep your formation tidy. Keep running until you can't move anymore. I'm testing your limits today so I can adjust your body-tempering formula."
"Yes!"
And so began another day of being thoroughly worked to exhaustion.
Two hours of nonstop running left their faces flushed and drenched in sweat, all trace of their young master or young miss airs gone. Yu Zongfan, older than the rest, was the last still standing.
After a quarter-hour's rest, the group staggered back into the lecture hall.
Jian Dan remained relaxed, gently fanning and sending a cool breeze their way before asking, "Do you know why I have you run laps so often?"
"Zūnshàng said it was to test our limits."
"Mhm. What else?"
"To test our perseverance?" Yu Jiajia replied uncertainly.
"Good. Anything else?"
"So we can run faster and longer when escaping for our lives," Zhao Yunhai shouted.
"Mhm, this time Yun Hai is right."
"Zūnshàng, but as cultivators, can't we just use talismans or flying artifacts to escape? Why run ourselves?" Jia Yushu questioned.
"That's a good question, Yushu. Then let me ask you—what if you're in a land without spiritual energy?"
"Ah, Zūnshàng, I neglected that point." Jia Yushu bowed in acknowledgment.
Seizing the moment while they caught their breath, Jian Dan began to explain. "In the cultivation world, needing to rely on your own legs only happens at the Qi Refining stage. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, you can ride a sword. At Golden Core, you can control a flying artifact. At Nascent Soul and above, you can directly traverse the skies. You wouldn't usually need to run for your life.
But—what if? In a land without spiritual energy, you'll be relying entirely on your own body. That's why I emphasize your physical training so much. When cultivators fight until their spiritual power is exhausted, the last deciding factor is the strength of your body."
Her words made the little ones fall into thoughtful silence. Jia Yushu even took out a jade slip to record them.
"Alright, our time for today is up. Here is your new body-tempering decoction formula. Use it when you return, and continue training."
As she spoke, Jian Dan waved her fan, sending the new formulas fluttering onto each desk.
"Thank you, Zūnshàng, for your guidance."
One by one, they received the formulas, bowed in thanks, and left the Disciples Hall with their attendants.
Yu Zongfan also bid farewell before riding a crane to his new residence in the outer sect.
Jian Dan took her light of flight straight to the base of Heavenly Punishment Peak. This was where the sect punished disciples and imprisoned guilty cultivators, a peak separate from the inner nine.
The guards at the base were two Nascent Soul cultivators. Seeing Jian Dan arrive, they stepped forward warily. "Greetings, Zūnshàng. Do you require our assistance?"
"I am Jian Lu. I'm here to visit Jian Wan on the Cliff of Reflection."