Yue Liang, whom Jian Dan had been thinking of, was now traveling with Jian Feng as they bid farewell to the Tianyue Squad. They had just finished assisting in the patrol of Kaiyang City, uncovering a deeply hidden nest of black beetle larvae. Yue Liang had also secretly investigated the movements of the evil souls.
When a cultivator self-detonated inside Kaiyang City, the Tianyue Squad had already entered the city and rushed to the scene immediately.
The moment Jian Feng appeared with Yue Liang on the main street of the City Lord's mansion, Yue Liang's dark eyes flashed and she sent him a quick voice transmission.
"Jian Feng, block that female Nascent Soul cultivator in the pink robes."
Jian Feng didn't ask questions. With a teleportation step, he blocked the woman's path. Yue Liang lunged forward, a paw striking down to tear a strand of black silk from the woman's Primordial Soul. She crushed it in her claws, and the cultivator collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Light flickered in Yue Liang's bright black eyes as she sent another voice transmission to the Tianyue Squad's captain. "Captain, Jian Feng and I are heading to the South Market. There's unusual activity there."
In the next instant, she vanished with Jian Feng. As Jian Feng reappeared, sword in hand, his blade flashed in a decisive strike. Yue Liang disappeared from his shoulder, and each time she reappeared, another high-level cultivator fell.
Jian Feng moved in her wake, cutting down the black beetle larvae swarming through the air. His face remained expressionless, every swing precise and controlled to avoid unnecessary collateral damage.
The Tianyue Squad secured the front of the City Lord's mansion, handed the scene over to the city guards, and then flashed to the South Market.
They arrived to see a man and beast working seamlessly together, clearing half a street in a clean sweep. Silently impressed, the captain waved for his squad to move. In the blink of an eye, they sealed off the entire street and began exterminating the black beetles.
With reinforcements in place, Yue Liang asked Jian Feng to cover her as she pursued a fleeing male cultivator out of the South Market.
"Yue Liang, beware of a diversion tactic."
"I know. He's likely the one behind this attack. He carries the aura of a evil cultivator."
Jian Feng's brows knit slightly, but he did not stop her. Pouring on speed, he gave chase. His hand brushed the dark pendant at his waist, summoning the phantom of a sword that flickered through the air alongside him as he teleported forward again and again.
Seeing the pendant's signal, the Tianyue Squad captain tore open the void and appeared directly in front of the fleeing man. Realizing he could not escape a Void Refinement Zūnzhǔ, the man's eyes flashed with venom as he prepared to self-detonate.
That moment of hesitation was all Yue Liang needed. She appeared behind him, her claws slicing twice in quick succession.
With a scream, a column of black demonic qi surged from his body. His cultivation plummeted from early Divine Soul to Nascent Soul as he fell from the sky.
Yue Liang was already back on Jian Feng's shoulder.
"Many thanks, Zūnzhǔ, for blocking him," Jian Feng said, bowing with Yue Liang.
"No need for formalities. You were assisting my Tianyue Squad in the first place."
The captain nodded at Yue Liang, who dipped her small paws in acknowledgment.
Once the situation in Kaiyang City was under control, the Tianyue Squad reported to the Law Enforcement Hall. Orders came for them to continue patrolling, while Jian Feng and Yue Liang were to assist another Battle Hall squad.
After checking the message from his pendant, Jian Feng told Yue Liang, "Just received news. The self-detonations aren't limited to Kaiyang City. Other cities under the Heavenly Sword Sect's domain are experiencing the same."
"This is the work of the insect race and evil cultivators together," Yue Liang said crisply.
"I've already sent the recording of today's battle to the Law Enforcement Hall. I'm sure Zūnshàng will come to the same conclusion."
"Hmph! The recent purging of so many blood sacs must have struck a nerve. To ally with outsiders… he's even more deserving of death."
For the first time, Yue Liang's voice held no warmth. She still remembered the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, proof of her raccoon beast clan's near extermination.
To destroy it, the Heavenly Sword Sect's Mahayana Zhēnzūn had acted personally, with Jian Lu Zūnshàng even sacrificing all her accumulated merit.
Fortunately, the banner had been destroyed, benefiting many Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators. But the mastermind was still at large, and Yue Liang had never erased his name from her mental list.
She cultivated relentlessly, partly to heal old injuries and catch up with her kin, but also to follow in Zūnshàng's footsteps—so that she could personally kill that demon cultivator and avenge her clan.
"Yue Liang, don't worry. Jian Lu Zūnshàng will make the necessary arrangements. We need to head to the next city and link up with the Battle Hall squad to continue our mission."
"Understood. Let's go."
And so, Jian Feng and Yue Liang made their way to Yuheng City, continuing the purge of cultivators possessed by evil souls.
Heavenly Sword Sect, Law Enforcement Hall
It had been over a month since Jian Chong assumed the position of Sect Master, and he had settled into the daily affairs of leadership. Qi Hua had returned to her duties in the Law Enforcement Hall.
Jian Wu had not yet fully handed off his responsibilities. After reporting to Zūnshàng, he remained at Heavenly Sword Peak to assist Sect Master Jian Chong.
Hall Master Meng was in good spirits lately. The preparations for the Sect Master's succession ceremony were nearly complete. He had even prepared a jade slip outlining the ceremony's full process to present to Jian Lu Zūnshàng for review.
Jian Dan took the jade slip, studied it carefully, and gained a general understanding of the plan. She then offered a few suggestions, which Hall Master Meng noted down for later revisions before resubmitting to Zūnshàng.
"Hall Master Meng, this succession ceremony concerns the face of our Heavenly Sword Sect, but it should not be overly extravagant. It must be grand, yet showcase our Sect's unique character. You can refine the plan further.
Also, after the ceremony, the auction, the trade fair, and the challenge tournament—these should be held within the inner peaks, preferably concentrated on one mountain."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I've made a note of it."
"This ceremony will draw people from all sects. The more people, the more chaotic things can get. Security will be a key concern, especially since the evil cultivators and insect race have started acting up again. Our grand event could be their chance to cause trouble."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I've considered this as well. The main ceremony will be held at the Sect Master's Hall on Tianjian Peak, with its guards taking the lead in security. The rest can be handled by the Shadow Hall, though that will require a command token from the Law Enforcement Hall."
"Good. There's no rush. Once the War Hall squads return, I'll make the full deployment. If he dares come this time, I'll make sure he doesn't leave alive."
Hall Master Meng could feel the flash of killing intent in Jian Lu Zūnshàng's presence and quickly nodded in agreement.
"Hall Master Meng, has the date been set?"
"Yes. I've picked three auspicious days. Which do you think is best?"
Meng Congjian quickly took a jade slip from his storage ring and handed it to Jin Liuli, who was standing nearby.
Jian Dan glanced over the three dates and chose the last one, a month away, to give the squads still in the field enough time to return to the sect.
"Are the invitation posts ready?"
"Yes. We've prepared the Heavenly Sword Sect's Violet Radiance Sword Invitations. Once we engrave the chosen date, they can be sent out."
"Give me two blank invitations. I'll personally deliver the ceremonial invitations to the Heavenly Demon Palace and the beast clans."