After sending off the noisy little kids, Jian Dan called Fa Hua over and carefully asked about his cultivation experience at the Buddhist Sect.
"Fa Hua, we only had a brief meeting a couple of days ago and barely spoke. Since these little ones are busy with their matters, come sit with me and talk."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Fa Hua respectfully began to share his experiences after entering the Buddhist Sect and his daily cultivation routine. He then explained that Master Jue Zhan had assigned him to guard the lotus pond and nurture the lotuses there.
"Master Jue Zhan is making full use of you. He knows you are the incarnation of the lotus flower, sharing the same origin as the golden lotus, so it makes perfect sense for you to cultivate and care for this pond."
"Yes. The Master said I am a lotus incarnation, having absorbed Buddha-nature before the Buddha. But my cultivation system differs from Buddhist cultivators. He instructed me to cultivate according to my own path and designated this lotus pond as my cultivation place, while also overseeing the golden lotuses."
"That is right. This place suits your cultivation well. When you face the Divine Tribulation, I will come to the Buddhist Sect to assist you."
"Amitabha! Thank you, Zūnshàng. I will work hard to cultivate and try to pass the tribulation before your ascension."
Fa Hua smiled slightly, chanted a Buddhist phrase, and promised Jian Dan to train diligently.
Jian Dan smiled back. When she sent Fa Hua to the Buddhist Sect, she was in late Void Refinement. Now she had already reached the Unity stage. For a slow-growing spiritual plant, time was indeed pressing.
After sending the little ones back to the meditation room, Jian Dan returned to her own residence to rest and adjust her state to the best condition for the upcoming deliverance ceremony.
Heavenly Sword Sect, Tianjian Peak
Sect Master Jian Chun was reviewing the jade slip Jian Sheng from the Law Enforcement Hall had delivered. It contained the latest report from Jian Lu Zūnshàng.
Reading the part about the blood sac, Jian Chun frowned deeply. This thing was truly evil—feeding on blood, nourishing evil cultivators, and capable of self-division. If left unchecked, the consequences would be unimaginable. It was unclear how long these things had existed or how many remained on Lingyun Continent.
"I have read the news. The sect will soon issue a patrol mission, cooperating with the Law Enforcement Hall's inspection task. As for the Law Enforcement Hall's arrangements, follow all instructions from Jian Lu Zūnshàng."
"Yes, Sect Master."
"You've worked hard these days. Jian Lu Zūnshàng only left you at the sect. Why not assign more people to watch the Law Enforcement Hall?"
Though Jian Chun spoke calmly, Jian Sheng heard a hint of schadenfreude in his tone and respectfully bowed.
"Thank you for your concern, Sect Master. There haven't been many affairs at the Law Enforcement Hall recently. The Zūnshàng promised to wait until he returns before letting me go into seclusion to raise my cultivation. Unless you have further instructions, I will take my leave now."
After bowing, Jian Sheng exited the hall. Jian Chun sighed with boredom and closed his eyes to meditate.
Heavenly Demon Palace, Tianmo Hall
Mo Su had just emerged from seclusion when he received an urgent message from his master to come to the Heavenly Demon Palace main hall.
Mo Su sighed, unwilling, and spat out a breath of turbid air. Without even checking the piled-up communication talismans outside his cave, he swept them into his sleeve. After tidying himself, he went to meet his master.
"Mo Su, has your cultivation stabilized?"
Seeing Mo Su enter, Mo Lie's satisfaction deepened. Mo Su's cultivation had stabilized at mid Void Refinement, his aura calmer, though his complexion looked pale.
"Greetings, Master!"
"Sit down. Your cultivation is basically stable. A lot has happened during your ten years of seclusion. Take a look at the jade slip."
Mo Su took the jade slip and carefully browsed its contents before replying,
"Master, it seems this time the evil cultivators prepared for their attack, but it's clearly aimed at the Dao cultivators."
"Yes! Regarding the blood pool cave discovered by Heavenly Sword Sect in the Ziyu Mountain Range, there is also a device called the 'blood sac.' It is a tool evil cultivators use to collect blood energy and resentment. It can move on its own, changing hiding spots based on the surroundings to lure cultivators or spirit beasts inside. It does not discriminate between Dao or Demon."
"Master means there may be similar blood sacs hidden in our demon sect's mountain ranges?"
"Yes. The likelihood is very high. Evil cultivators wouldn't place blood sacs only in Dao territory and completely avoid ours. Even the Nine-Tailed Demon King of the beast clan has started a thorough investigation of beast lands."
"I understand, Master. You want me to lead a team to inspect the Heavenly Demon Palace's territory as well."
"Yes. This will also be a trial for you. Once this mission is completed, I intend for you to succeed me as Palace Master of Heavenly Demon Palace."
Mo Su frowned and hesitated before saying, "Master, isn't this a bit too hasty?"
"Your cultivation has already caught up to mine. I want to relieve some burdens and go into seclusion to cultivate for a while."
"But..."
Mo Lie raised his hand to stop Mo Su from continuing and said, "I know your concerns. I will try to find a permanent solution for your constitution issue."
Their conversation ended, and Mo Su accepted the task, heading to the mountain where the Black Robe Guards were stationed.
Buddhist Sect, Wonderful Dharma Lotus Hall
Jian Dan received a notice from Kong and rushed to the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Hall with Jian Wu and Qi Hua.
The hall enshrined the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, seated on a lotus pedestal, holding a pure water vase, gazing compassionately at all beings. The vast hall was filled with Buddhist disciples centered around Master Jue Zhan.
Jian Dan instructed Jian Wu and Qi Hua,
"You two protect the perimeter."
Then she appeared respectfully before Master Jue Zhan and bowed, "Greetings, Master Jue Zhan."
She then took the sealed "Sealing Evil Bottle" from her storage bracelet.
Master Jue Zhan raised his hand, activating the hall's protection. A layer of golden light shimmered, rising slowly from all sides and finally converging at the ceiling where it sealed shut.
"Amitabha! Jian Lu Daoyou, please release the evil souls."
"Yes, thank you Master Jue Zhan and all Buddhist disciples!"
Jian Dan sat cross-legged on another meditation cushion, lifted the "Sealing Evil Bottle" into the air, then waved her hand to break the seal, releasing the first batch of evil souls.
The moment the seal was lifted, the evil souls inside the bottle scrambled out eagerly. The entire hall quickly filled with black spirits, their wails, hatred, and bloodstained aura pervasive everywhere.
"Amitabha!!"
With Master Jue Zhan's Buddhist chant, all disciples responded in unison. Their chanting echoed through the hall, carrying Buddhist power.
Jian Dan waved her sleeve, placing the sword-shaped guqin on her lap. Her fingers danced lightly, producing an ancient, desolate melody. The music blended with the disciples chanting the Shurangama Mantra, echoing throughout the hall.
The piece Jian Dan played was "Funeral for the Soul." The tune was mournful and solemn, and she sent the spiritual power to every corner of the hall.
At first, the evil souls still radiated malevolent energy, trying to disturb the disciples' chanting. When the music reached them, their evil aura loosened. Master Jue Zhan flicked his Buddhist beads, enhancing the Buddhist power to purify the hall.
As the Shurangama Mantra was chanted, golden Buddhist scriptures appeared in the air, glowing with Buddhist power. The music flowed like water, spreading the scriptures in circles to each evil soul.
The evil souls seemed frozen, unable to move freely. The golden scriptures gradually consumed the evil energy in their souls, while the music cleansed the evil spirits and helped restore their consciousness.