"I understand. I'll cooperate with you," Yue Liang replied, wagging her tail.
As Jian Gui predicted, Bian Qikang led the tribulation lightning, scorching nearly the entire forest into barren land and killing most of the purple leaf blood insects. The final wave of nine thunderbolts indeed intensified.
Only then did a breath leave Bian Qikang's chest. He returned to the charred temporary cave and activated the defensive formation. He knew it wouldn't last long, but he wanted to use the chance to repair his damaged meridians and refine the roaming thunder power inside his body.
The defense barely held for five breaths before shattering. The last wave of tribulation lightning struck Bian Qikang's body all at once.
He was burned to a crisp, spat blood, and collapsed, unable to rise.
The tribulation clouds in the sky slowly dispersed. The senior brothers anxiously waited for the signs of a successful Nascent Soul formation.
Jian Gui scanned with his divine sense and saw the injuries on Bian Qikang being repaired. The Golden Core inside had shattered into a Nascent Soul and was slowly absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy.
Bian Qikang's charred fingers twitched. Enduring intense pain, he struggled to get up. As he moved, the burnt skin peeled away, revealing fresh flesh beneath.
A massive sword shadow formed in the sky, signaling Bian Qikang's successful Nascent Soul formation. As the spirit rain fell, it poured directly into Bian Qikang's body, strengthening the Nascent Soul in his dantian.
Relief finally appeared on everyone's faces. Luckily, they had held on until the sect's reinforcements arrived.
After Bian Qikang absorbed the last drop of spirit rain and stood up, Jian Gui immediately summoned a flying boat and took everyone back to Yaoguang City.
Before leaving, Jian Gui sealed off the site of Bian Qikang's tribulation with a formation. He planned to return for investigation after escorting the cultivators away.
Heavenly Sword Sect Law Enforcement Hall
Qi Hua hurried into the main hall and saluted Jian Dan at the head of the hall before reporting loudly:
"Zūnshàng, Jian Gui Jūnshàng stationed in Yaoguang City responded in time and has rescued the two missing Nascent Soul teams. They are currently resting inside the city."
Jian Dan nodded, then asked,
"Has the 'War' Hall arrived?"
"The message came just as they reached Yaoguang City. Jian Gui is already leading them to investigate the place where the Nascent Soul cultivators were trapped."
"Good. If they find anything, have them report immediately."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Qi Hua sent the message, while Jian Wu entered the hall with eight cultivators.
"Reporting, Zūnshàng, these eight are squad leaders from the 'War' Hall. The Tianyue Squad of nine is still missing after a mission."
Jian Dan looked at the eight and smiled.
"Thank you all for coming. Since I took over as head of the 'Zhan' Hall, I haven't formally met everyone. Let's take this opportunity to get acquainted."
The eight bowed,
"Greetings, Hall Master!"
"No need for formalities."
Jian Dan lifted them with spiritual power and smiled,
"To join the 'War' Hall, you must all be quite powerful. I want to get to know everyone quickly, so I'll conduct a test to help us coordinate better in the future."
The eight looked up at Jian Dan, whose eyes shone bright blue. In an instant, they were drawn into a shared dream.
In the dream, Jian Dan recreated the trial space she had entered at Demon's Abyss: a first-rank realm where the eight were tasked with killing insect swarms in a simulated environment.
Jian Wu had been waiting to see how Jian Lu Zūnshàng would test these 'sword maniacs,' but the hall fell silent. The eight stood stiffly, staring blankly at Jian Lu Zūnshàng at the head of the hall.
Jian Dan casually leaned back in her seat, eating a plate of crystal fruits, waiting for the test results.
Those who lasted the longest in the dream had undeniable strength. If any failed a level and were killed by the black armored insects, they would wake from the dream.
Jian Dan wanted to see who could endure the longest.
The eight were trapped in separate spaces. Jian Lu Zūnshàng voice echoed:
"The test begins. Each step you take leads to a specific space. Eliminate all enemies to advance. If you are killed, you will exit the test. Good luck."
With Jian Dan's command, a flood of black armored insect larvae swarmed the eight. Experienced fighters, they quickly launched their attacks. Swords flashed, cutting down the insect larvae like rain.
When Qi Hua entered the hall, she found the eight standing motionless and silent. She glanced at Jian Lu Zūnshàng, who was calmly eating spiritual fruit and gave Jian Wu a questioning look.
Jian Wu shook his head slightly. He was also watching quietly.
"You two stop exchanging looks. I'm just testing their strength. When you both reach Divine Soul, you'll have to take the test too."
Qi Hua laughed and stepped forward, bowing.
"Zūnshàng, they haven't even drawn swords. Your test method is really special."
Jian Dan glanced at her and smiled,
"You want to try?"
Qi Hua shook her head firmly.
"Zūnshàng, I'll wait until I reach Divine Soul stage. At my current cultivation, I dare not show off in front of Martial Uncles and Ancestors."
Jian Dan laughed and shook her head, then asked,
"Do you have any reports?"
"Reporting, the Jian family has several Divine Transformation juniors stranded in Tianshu City, all under our surveillance."
"I see. If they cause no trouble, you don't need to intervene."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. If they request to meet you, should we block them?"
"Of course. Your Zūnshàng is very busy!"
Jian Dan ate spiritual fruit while looking at a jade tablet, not raising her head as she said.
"Understood."
Qi Hua turned and left the hall. Jian Sheng then entered, looking confused at the scene.
He recognized the eight as the 'Zhan' Hall's squad leaders, all in Void Refinement stage and fierce warriors. Why were they being punished to stand here?
"Jian Sheng, what's going on?"
Jian Sheng looked away, then reported with a bow:
"Zūnshàng, Jian Gui reports that among the Nascent Soul cultivators trapped in Ziyu Mountain Range, three are seriously injured and beyond medical aid."
He then described their injuries and symptoms before asking Jian Dan:
"Zūnshàng, is their wound recovery delayed due to evil qi?"
"Yes. Send a message to Jian Gui to arrange for the injured to visit the Buddhist Sect. They have methods to remove such evil qi. Once I'm done here, I may visit as well."
"Yes!"
Yaoguang City
Bian Qikang, newly ascended to Nascent Soul and now temporary leader of the Nascent Soul squad, immediately responded to Jian Gui Jūnshàng's summons and went to the council hall.
"Qikang, you will escort the three seriously injured junior brothers to the Buddhist Sect to remove their evil qi, or their wounds won't heal."
"Yes, I'll arrange it immediately."
Bian Qikang acted quickly, gathering the remaining Nascent Soul cultivators and relaying Jian Gui Jūnshàng's orders.
"I'm only taking the three injured juniors to the Buddhist Sect. The rest of you stay here and await Jian Gui Jūnshàng's command."
"Yes."
"We'll see each other again in the sect!"
Bian Qikang boarded the flying boat, taking the three to the Buddhist Sect.
Meanwhile, the Tianyue Squad of the 'Zhan' Hall, nine people in total, had arrived at the Heavenly Sword Sect base in Yaoguang City.
Jian Gui immediately greeted them, explained the situation briefly, and led the squad back to Ziyu Mountain Range.