"Zheng Rong, pass on a message to the Sect right now. Have the brothers in the Intelligence Hall collect all these reports. When we return, sort them out and deliver them to the Zūnshàng."
"Yes. There's no rush to finish it within the next day or two."
"Liu Li, was that map of the ancient powerhouse's estate already spread out?"
"As per Zūnshàng's instructions, it's already been circulated. I had it spread through the hands of Loose Cultivators."
"Good."
"Zūnshàng, you also mentioned last time that a copy should be sent to Cloud Sea Sect."
Liu Li was meticulous and remembered Zūnshàng's words in detail.
"I thought it over later. No need to be so deliberate. The estate lies near their Sect's territory. Any cultivators who get the map will naturally want to investigate. I'm sure Cloud Sea Sect's information network isn't just for show."
"Yes, I understand."
"Zheng Rong, when the time comes, assign someone to follow up on the situation. If there's any change, I'll let you know in advance."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
After settling those matters, Jian Dan took out a blank jade slip and recorded her suspicions about the evil cultivator Hai Yan, as well as the current alliance between the evil cultivators and the insect race. At the Heavenly Sword Sect's succession ceremony, she would need to discuss this with the leaders of other sects.
While Jian Dan's side was calm, the dueling arena was alive with excitement.
After Mo Su stepped onto the platform, four Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators in the late Divine Soul stage entered together.
"Zūnshàng instructed us: since our cultivation is one stage below Mo Su Daoyou's, we won't waste your time. The four of us will challenge you together, and the rest will spar with you one by one later."
The Heavenly Sword Squad's captain stood with his arms crossed and offered this explanation.
What could Mo Su say? Zūnshàng's arrangements were clear and thorough. He could only nod in agreement.
"Please grant us your guidance, Mo Su Zūnzhǔ!"
The four bowed in unison. Their life-bound swords appeared in their hands, each striking from a different direction. Mo Su's venomous dagger, Cold Moon Blade, flashed in a swift arc, blocking their first wave of attacks.
As the exchange of blows grew faster, more and more water mirrors lit up around the arena. Such a rare chance had the Heavenly Demon Palace disciples eager to see for themselves the Heavenly Sword Sect's true strength.
The Heavenly Sword Sect was the leading Daoist sect, renowned for the greatest combat power. The Heavenly Demon Palace was the head of the demonic path, also famed for ferocity. The two sides had long been compared in private, and their leaders tacitly allowed a healthy rivalry to continue.
After the Battle of Ming Valley, the final strike of the Mó Yuè Zhǎn had boosted the demonic path's reputation higher than ever. The Heavenly Demon Palace had taken the opportunity to recruit many highly talented disciples.
The Daoist side refused to be outdone, organizing a grand competition between sects—though the rise of the evil cultivators had cut it short.
This time, the duels drew a large audience, all eager to witness the Heavenly Sword Sect's prowess. Half a day later, the four late Divine Soul cultivators returned to the Guest Hall.
"Greetings, Hall Master!"
Jian Dan set aside her jade slip, looked at the four with a smile, and asked, "How was it? Did you gain anything?"
"Thanks to Hall Master's arrangement, we gained a great deal. Mo Su Zūnzhǔ is powerful, with rich combat experience. He handled our attacks with ease."
"Good. As long as there's progress. Where are the others?"
"Reporting to Hall Master, Jian Si is now challenging him alone."
Jian Dan chuckled and scolded lightly, "So you're actually running a wheel battle. Send word to your captain—once this match is over, return here. The rest can compete tomorrow or the day after."
"Yes, Hall Master."
When the Heavenly Sword Squad captain received the order, he turned to the waiting members and spread his hands: the message was clear—come back tomorrow.
Mo Su had just finished his second match and was preparing to rest before a third when the Heavenly Sword Sect called the bout to a halt, setting the next round for tomorrow.
A flicker of surprise crossed Mo Su's eyes. He had thought that Jian Lu Zūnshàng's arrangement was to put him in his place. He had even braced himself for injury—yet things had taken an unexpected turn.
Truth be told, both matches had been far from easy. The first four-man team had flawless coordination, precise movement, and clean attacks. If not for being a stage lower in cultivation, he might not have been able to suppress them.
The second match was harder still. His cultivation had dropped and hadn't fully recovered. Facing a fellow Void Refinement sword cultivator left him at a disadvantage, and in the end they fought to a draw.
The Heavenly Demon Palace audience left still hungry for more, looking forward to tomorrow's duels. As for the results, Jian Dan didn't care in the slightest. After hearing the squad captain's report, she only asked about their gains and said nothing more.
Wei Zheng Rong couldn't hold back and asked, "Zūnshàng, we haven't won a single match. This…"
"You're impatient. It's only been two bouts. And besides, this is just friendly sparring. As long as the Heavenly Sword Squad gains experience, the win or loss doesn't matter."
"Hall Master is wise!" said Jian Jiu, giving Wei Zhengrong a sidelong glance.
Wei Zhengrong quickly shifted aside toward Jin Liuli, only to be met with an exasperated glare.
Really, what was he thinking? Giving the most elite combat squad of the War Hall a bad name right to their faces—where did he get that kind of courage?
Jian Dan noticed their silent exchanges and told the squad captain, "Tomorrow, make sure all three matches end in a draw."
"Understood. I will follow Hall Master's order."
Wei Zhengrong was puzzled again, but this time he stayed silent, planning to ask Liu Li later.
The next day, a Black Robe Guard respectfully came to the Guest Hall to invite Jian Lu Zūnshàng to the Black Robe Guard's quarters.
Mo Zhang personally escorted Jian Dan and her six companions to the peak's platform.
The summit was a flattened, ink-black platform with only a jade table and two jade stools.
"Please, Jian Lu Daoyou."
"Chief Mo Zhang, you honor me."
After Jian Dan sat, she looked at the view and sighed. "The scenery here is beautiful."
"It's rare for Jian Lu Daoyou to visit. Naturally, you must see the best of the Heavenly Demon Palace."
"Indeed. But I doubt you invited me here just to admire the view. Speak your mind."
"Straightforward as always."
Mo Zhang swept his sleeve, placing a pot of wine on the table. He poured her a cup, took a half-sip from his own, and then spoke.
"Has the Heavenly Sword Sect discovered the identity of the evil cultivator? Recently, cities under our Heavenly Demon Palace have suffered self-detonation attacks by cultivators. Investigation shows it's the work of evil cultivators in league with the insect race."
Jian Dan picked up her cup, not drinking, instead tracing the rim with her fingers. She smiled. "We do have some suspicions, though nothing confirmed. These self-detonation attacks are indeed the result of those two forces working together."
Receiving her confirmation, Mo Zhang nodded and continued. "This is a grudge my Heavenly Demon Palace will not let go."
"And my Heavenly Sword Sect is no different."
Jian Dan's smile faded slightly as she said, "The Daoist, Demonic, and Beast factions together have already destroyed five of his blood sacs. He must be in a bad state, hence joining forces with the insect race to retaliate."
"What does Jian Lu Daoyou plan to do next?"
"He's allied with the insect race because he can no longer act against us alone. In that case, we must press the advantage. Continue hunting down the blood sacs until they are all destroyed. Force him to show himself."