"Please instruct me, Zūnshàng," Meng Congjian asked respectfully.
"The Sect Master Jian Chun has stepped down. The new Sect Master will soon take over, and the Heavenly Sword Sect will hold an inauguration ceremony."
Jian Dan said this casually, then gave Hall Master Meng a meaningful glance. You understand, don't you?
"What do you mean by that?"
Hall Master Meng genuinely hadn't caught on.
"High-ranking cultivators from every sect will come to witness the ceremony. You could host an auction to deal with the treasures your Operations Hall has collected. Sell some of the information you've gathered as well. There are plenty who want to test themselves against the swordsmanship of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Is the dueling platform just for decoration? Open it to the public for matches. Surely you wouldn't waste a chance to charge for its use?"
It was the first time Meng Congjian had heard that an inauguration could be handled this way. He nodded repeatedly. Zūnshàng's ideas were always many and clever.
"Tomorrow the new Sect Master will come here for the handover. You will be present as well. I will set things in motion and you will assist the Affairs Hall in making sure the ceremony is carried out properly. Any problem with that?"
"No problem. I will see it done exactly as Zūnshàng commands."
"Good. Go publish the task immediately, and do not delay the later inspection assignments."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
With a smile, Meng Congjian left the Law Enforcement Hall's main chamber. On the way out, he crossed paths with Jian Wu, who was hurrying inside. He even nodded cheerfully at him.
"What in the world? Since when does Hall Master Meng look that happy?" Jian Wu thought, baffled.
He didn't slow his pace. Entering the hall, he presented a jade slip to Jian Dan."Zūnshàng, incidents of cultivators self-detonating have occurred in all seven cities under the Heavenly Sword Sect."
"Oh? What's the casualty count?" Jian Dan asked as she accepted the slip.
"Lower-ranked cultivators suffered the most. The ones who self-detonated were mostly at the Golden Core stage, though there were also two Nascent Soul cultivators."
Jian Dan's expression hardened. "Was this the work of evil cultivators, or were they controlled by the insect race?"
"Zūnshàng, we are still investigating. No definite news yet."
"It seems the enemy has been pushed into a corner and is starting to strike back."
At that moment, Wei Zhengrong also hurried in, presenting a recording jade as he reported,"Zūnshàng, these self-detonation incidents are not limited to our sect's cities. Cities under several other major sects have also been struck. This recording jade was the first to be sent back. Please take a look."
At the same time, the Daoist and Demonic sects were also hit by self-detonation attacks. Several cities fell into brief chaos. Only the lands of the beast clans were spared.
The worst-hit sects were precisely those that had fought most fiercely against the evil cultivators and insect race. All seven cities under the Heavenly Sword Sect were targeted, and the Heavenly Demon Palace was no exception. For a while, cultivators everywhere were on edge.
After receiving this news, Jian Dan stayed in the Law Enforcement Hall all night. Jian Wu, Qi Hua, Wei Zhengrong, and Jin Liuli went in and out, filtering the incoming jade slips, recording stones, and transmission talismans, and presenting only the most important reports to Zūnshàng.
By dawn, Jian Dan's face was grim. With the rising sun, she went straight to the forbidden grounds of the rear mountain to see Tianyun Zhēnzūn.
"Jian Lu greets Tian Yun Zhēnzūn."
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn was still practicing sword outside his cave dwelling with an ordinary wooden sword. He sheathed it, glanced at Jian Dan, and said, "Judging from your face, this is not good news."
"Zhēnzūn, the evil cultivator and the insect race have joined forces. These self-detonations were their first joint operation."
Tianyun Zhēnzūn's hand paused for a moment before he spoke. "You're certain?"
"I am."
"It seems our actions have been effective, or they wouldn't have been forced to cooperate."
"Zhēnzūn, could it be that we pushed too hard, and that's what drove them together?"
"Didn't you already foresee this possibility back when Hai Yan struck against Yunhai Sect?"
"Yes. I just wanted to take out Hai Yan first before focusing fully on the insect race."
"If you force someone into a corner, of course they will resist. That is inevitable."
"I understand, Zhēnzūn."
"What's your next step?"
"The insect race still doesn't have the ability to enter Lingyun Continent. So, according to plan, we eliminate Hai Yan first."
"You already have a lead?"
"Yes. Just yesterday, I discussed it with Jian Po."
"Good. As long as you have a clear plan, follow your steps. Do not let the enemy disrupt your rhythm. You must not lose focus."
"Understood. Thank you for the guidance, Zhēnzūn."
"Go, then."
Jian Dan took her leave and returned to the Law Enforcement Hall.
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn, meanwhile, sent out a few transmission talismans. Within five breaths, Tian Shou, Tian Zhen, and Tian Hong—three other Zhēnzūn—appeared outside his cave.
"Senior Brother, you summoned us today. Is something wrong?"
"Can't I call you just to sit and talk?"
"Senior Brother, I know your nature. Out with it—what's the matter?"
Tian Shou Zhēnzūn was direct.
"Hehe, I'm giving you all a chance to get out of the sect for a while. Who wants to go?"
"Senior Brother, I knew you wouldn't call us for nothing. What mission is it this time?"
"Sit. I'll tell you."
What happened in the rear mountain was unknown to Jian Dan. But after her talk with Tian Yun Zhēnzūn, her target was clear. Murderous intent flashed in her eyes. She would make the enemy pay.
When Jian Dan returned to the Law Enforcement Hall, Jian Chong was already waiting outside. Meng Congjian arrived right after.
"Let Jian Chong in."
Jian Dan smiled. Her mood had improved. At last, she could hand off a burden.
"Jian Chong greets Jian Lu Zūnshàng."
Jian Chong was a Divine Soul stage cultivator, tall and straight, with steady, resolute eyes. Like Jian Feng, he was upright to the core—a typical sword cultivator.
"Mm. I have a lot on my plate and want to hand over the sect's affairs to you as soon as possible, so you can get used to them."
"Yes. Thank you, Zūnshàng."
Jian Dan nodded, then suddenly asked, "Did you win your match, or lose?"
Jian Chong glanced at Jian Lu Zūnshàng, a flicker of frustration in his eyes. "It was decided that the loser would take the position."
"Hehe. And in the end, the winner became the new Sect Master?"
"Yes. They said it would be bad if word got out that the loser became Sect Master."
"It's fine. Jian Chun took the position precisely because he lost."
Jian Dan waved toward Jian Wu and the others. They stepped forward, each carrying a tray, and placed them before Jian Chong.
"This is the Sect Master's token, the sect's territorial map, your authority as Sect Master, and a summary of the sect's assets and daily affairs."
Seeing the pile of jade slips in the last three trays, Jian Chong's scalp tingled.
"Don't worry. You'll have time to go through them and get familiar with everything."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
"Now for your first task as Sect Master."
Jian Chong felt a bit lost. Since when did the Law Enforcement Hall assign tasks to the Sect Master?
"Ahem. I only handled the sect's affairs for a few days. You'll need to get familiar yourself. Your first job is to make sure the inauguration ceremony is a success."
"Ah?"
"Normally, the Affairs Hall handles it with assistance from the Law Enforcement Hall. But because Jian Chun's sudden advancement kept him from handing things to you directly, I've brought in the Hall Master of Operations Hall's to assist you."
Meng Congjian immediately stepped forward, cupping his hands toward Jian Chong. "I am Meng Congjian, Hall Master of the Operations Hall under the Law Enforcement Hall. I await your instructions, Sect Master."