Jian Dan carried the ceremonial invitation to the back mountain to seek instructions from Tian Yun Zhēnzūn.
"The date you've chosen is fine. Have the Affairs Hall send the invitations to the various sects," Tian Yun Zhēnzūn said.
"Zhēnzūn, I would like to personally deliver the invitations to the Heavenly Demon Palace and the beast clans."
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn smiled. "So, you've finally handed off the sect's affairs and now you want an excuse to go out for a stroll?"
Jian Dan could only bow with a helpless smile and explain in detail.
"My trip to the Heavenly Demon Palace concerns the matter with Jian Feng from the Law Enforcement Hall. I must meet with Mo Su in person. Only by knowing his stance can I decide our next steps.
As for the beast clans, in this recent incident where a cultivator self-detonated, they alone escaped unscathed. I need to confirm whether that has anything to do with the Nine-Tailed Beast King's warnings. If the Nine-Tailed Beast King can truly track the whereabouts of the evil cultivators, I will try my best to persuade him to take action."
"Your reasons are sound, but the last time you left, you returned later than promised."
Jian Dan's bright smile only grew softer. "Zhēnzūn, you know last time was delayed because of the 'blood sac' incident. That won't happen again."
With a wave of his hand, Tian Yun Zhēnzūn flicked a jade plaque toward her.
"This is my personal name plaque. Whether you can persuade the Nine-Tailed Beast King will depend on your own skill."
Jian Dan accepted the plaque with both hands and bowed deeply. "Yes, Zhēnzūn. I will use your name plaque with care and return as quickly as possible."
With permission and the name plaque in hand, Jian Dan returned to the Law Enforcement Hall in high spirits. Over the next two days, she handled all pending matters, then left Jian Wu and Qi Hua behind to keep watch. Her reasoning was impeccable.
"Last time to the Buddhist Sect, you two accompanied me. This time you'll stay here. I'll take Liu Li and Zheng Rong to the Heavenly Demon Palace and the beast clans. If anything urgent happens, consult Zhēnzūn. If it's not urgent, wait until I return."
Jian Wu and Qi Hua exchanged a look. They could tell their Zūnshàng was using the sect's grand ceremony as an excuse to stir up trouble outside.
"Enough with those looks. Zhēnzūn approved this trip. I really do have important matters to handle this time."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. We will watch over the Enforcement Hall and await your safe return."
Nearby, Jin Liuli and Wei Zhengrong lowered their heads, chuckling quietly. Accompanying Zūnshàng to visit the demon sect and the beast clans was something worth bragging about for months.
"Jian Wu, summon the 'War' Hall's Heavenly Sword Squad to see me."
"Yes."
After Jian Wu left, Jian Dan turned to Jin Liuli and Wei Zhengrong. "Our first stop is the Heavenly Demon Palace. Zheng Rong, go to the Affairs Hall and rent a flying vessel—low profile yet luxurious. It must show the Heavenly Sword Sect's prestige while matching my status as a Unity Zūnshàng."
Wei Zhengrong found this request tricky, but still accepted the order and went to consult Yu Yuanhai at the main peak.
"Liu Li, since we're the only two female cultivators on this trip, we should dress up a little. We can't have people thinking the Heavenly Sword Sect is full of sword fanatics."
Jin Liuli grinned. "Yes, I'll follow Zūnshàng's instructions."
"Of course, nothing too elaborate. It shouldn't get in the way if we have to fight."
That last line froze Jin Liuli's smile.
Qi Hua, watching from the side, suppressed a laugh. Zūnshàng never held back in a fight, and this time these two would likely witness it firsthand.
Soon, Jian Wu returned with the nine members of the Heavenly Sword Squad.
"Greetings, Hall Master!"
They bowed in unison. Although Jian Dan was Law Enforcement Hall Master, here they addressed her as War Hall Master.
She looked them over with satisfaction.
The squad leader was at late-stage Void Refinement. Four members were at early-stage Void Refinement, and the rest were all peak Divine Soul. Their auras were restrained yet strong, and each one carried himself with striking presence—perfect for representing the sect.
"Tomorrow, you'll serve as my escorts to the Heavenly Demon Palace. I have matters to discuss with their Palace Master."
The squad leader's eyes lit up. "Hall Master, should we be ready to act?"
"That depends. I'm delivering an invitation for the Sect Master's succession ceremony. Preferably, we won't start a fight. Dress respectably."
"Yes, Hall Master. Understood."
"Good. Last time I told you to upgrade your spirit swords—have you all done it?"
"Our life-bound swords are all upgraded and currently being nurtured."
"When the succession ceremony is held, you'll be in charge of patrolling within and around the sect. If we manage to lure out the evil cultivators during the ceremony, you'll get a chance to truly test those swords."
"Yes, the Heavenly Sword Squad stands ready."
With everything arranged, Jian Dan finally returned to her own cave dwelling.
Lu Se spotted her light descending and hurried forward. "Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng!"
"Lu Guanshi, it seems you've stabilized your cultivation."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I don't plan to enter seclusion again in the short term."
Seated beneath the banyan tree outside her cave, Jian Dan instructed him, "You're in time. I'll be leaving the sect tomorrow. Watch over the cave."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
"The Sect Master's succession ceremony is in a month. Things will be chaotic until then. Guard the place well—don't let anyone take advantage."
Lu Se's expression turned solemn. "Rest assured, Zūnshàng, I'll keep watch."
"Good. Go speak with Ting Feng and get updated on the sect's recent affairs so you know the situation."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Not long after Lv Se left, Wei Zhengrong arrived to report. "Zūnshàng, about the flying vessel… I went to the Affairs Hall to see Steward Yu, but couldn't find anything meeting your requirements."
Jian Dan took a sip of spirit wine and sighed. "As expected, the Heavenly Sword Sect doesn't have anything truly luxurious."
Wei Zhengrong's lips curved in a smile. "Zūnshàng, my family owns a Dragonbone Vessel that should meet your needs. I wonder if—"
"That will do. I'll borrow it. What do you want in return? I know the Wei family isn't lacking for spirit stones."
"Zūnshàng is perceptive."
Wei Zhengrong's eyes crinkled with his smile. "We can discuss that after we return."
"You're not shy about it, are you?"
She waved him off in agreement.
The next day, with preparations complete, Jian Dan led a group of twelve aboard the lavish Dragonbone Vessel bound for the Heavenly Demon Palace.
The vessel was crafted from a whole dragon's spine, reinforced with Windcloud Stones. In flight, it transformed into a white dragon, moving at more than twice the speed of an ordinary ship.
Within the Wei family, the Dragonbone Vessel was considered a clan treasure. The reason they had so readily lent it to Jian Lu Zūnshàng was because they, too, had a favor to ask.
In the sky, the snow-white vessel glided like a dragon swimming among the clouds, swift yet steady on its way to the Heavenly Demon Palace.
Above Jian Dan's head, Cotton Candy's voice echoed in her mind. "Master, this is a fine treasure. A flying vessel made from the bones of a ninth-tier white dragon—rare in the cultivation world!"
"Oh? Cotton Candy, I'm surprised you even noticed. You don't usually care about such things."
"Master, at full speed, this vessel would take even a Mahayana Zhēnzūn some time to catch. Cotton Candy's speed still needs work."
Jian Dan's eyes curved in amusement. She understood—he was jealous of its speed. "This is only borrowed, and we'll have to return it. Once I advance again, you'll upgrade as well. Your speed will surpass it one day."