Once Wei Xueru's main meridians had been cleared, a layer of foul-smelling, black impurities was expelled from her body. Jian Dan flicked her fingers, casting a Dust Cleansing Technique to leave Xue Ru fresh and spotless.
Within the meridians, the flow of chaotic qi moved slowly, passing through without so much as brushing the meridian walls. Not a trace of damage was left behind—this was the result of Jian Dan's powerful Primordial Soul guiding the process with precision.
Now, Jian Dan turned to clearing the finer, secondary meridians. Because Xue Ru was still young and her meridians were still developing, some were thinner than a strand of hair.
Jian Dan worked with great care, leaving the most delicate offshoots untouched. These would have to be smoothed out by Xue Rru herself once she began cultivating, using her own techniques to support their alignment.
An entire night passed before Jian Dan's painstaking work was done. By then, nine-tenths of Xue Ru's meridians had been cleared.
With a thought, Jian Dan withdrew the thread of chaotic qi and dispersed it into the air. Immediately, the air within the cave residence began to stir. Tiny blue motes of wind spiritual energy seemed to find their home, drifting toward Wei Xueru.
So, she's about to draw qi into her body, Jian Dan noted with clarity. She waved a hand, waking the sleeping girl.
In her dreams, Wei Xueru felt as if she were bathing in warm sunlight. A gentle current moved inside her, driving away the chill from her body, filling her with a drowsy comfort that almost made her hum aloud.
Even in sleep, Xue Ru smiled. Then, a soft breeze passed by and woke her.
Wei Xueru's almond-shaped eyes blinked twice before she rubbed them with tiny fists. When her vision cleared, she saw the ethereal, otherworldly face of Jian Lu Zūnshàng before her and immediately rose to bow.
"Greetings, Zūnshàng. Xue Ru overslept."
She felt a little embarrassed—she should have risen early to greet Zūnshàng, not the other way around. What if Zūnshàng disliked her now?
"I made you sleep more deeply so I could smooth your meridians," Jian Dan said casually. She liked polite children, so she asked, "Has your family ever taught you how to draw qi into your body?"
"I… overheard the elders speaking about it once," Xue Ru admitted after a small pause.
"Good. Feel for the wind spiritual energy and begin drawing qi into your body."
This time, Xue Ru was completely stunned. She knew the meaning of every word, but hearing them together made her wonder if she'd imagined it.
Jian Dan reached out to tap the girl's forehead with a smile. "You're too happy to think straight. Sit cross-legged and absorb the spiritual energy."
Only then did Wei Xueru snap back to her senses. She knelt on the bed to give a proper bow, then sat cross-legged, focusing on the wind spiritual energy surrounding her.
Jian Dan left the guest cave residence and told Ting Feng, "Watch over Xue Ru as she draws qi into her body. Prepare some spiritual meals for her as well."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
With that matter settled, Jian Dan went to the main hall of the Law Enforcement Hall.
Far away, Jian Feng was already with Yue Liang, having met up with the Tianzhen Squad. They were currently patrolling Yuheng City.
As always, Yue Liang hid in Jian Feng's sleeve. Whenever she sensed something amiss with a cultivator, she would subtly signal him.
The two didn't even use voice transmissions, wary of high-level cultivators detecting them. Over time, they'd developed their own silent method of communication, which greatly improved their efficiency in flushing out evil cultivators.
Within Yuheng City, the stationed disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect seemed fine. Operations ran smoothly. Out of caution, they confirmed Jian Feng's identity before allowing him inside.
The steward in charge explained clearly,
"Please forgive us, Jūnshàng. Recently, evil cultivators have joined forces with alien insect swarms, causing considerable damage in Yuheng City. We've raised our defensive measures both inside and outside the compound. No matter who it is, they must be inspected to prevent black-armored insects from taking control."
"I understand. There's no need to explain further. Caution is always wise. The sect can now detect alien insects, but evil cultivators are cunning. Be vigilant."
"Yes, Jūnshàng."
Earlier, Yue Liang had already signaled to Jian Feng that there were no traces of evil cultivators' avatars or split souls within the sect's compound.
"Jian Feng, shall we wait for the Heavenly Formation Squad to return before making a move, or start the inspection now?"
"The squad's Zūnzhǔ is leading a search in the mountains for hidden blood sacs. We can patrol first. If we find anything, we'll hold back until they return, then take action together so the evil cultivators have no chance to slip away."
After some thought, Jian Feng chose the safer approach.
Yue Liang flicked her fluffy tail in agreement. Truth be told, she was missing Zūnshàng and wanted to finish quickly so they could return to the sect.
At that moment, the Tianzhen Squad was combing the Yuheng Mountains inch by inch. Before entering, they had reviewed detailed records of the region and marked a few suspicious spots for priority inspection.
"Captain, there are a few high-grade spirit beasts in these mountains. Should we take the opportunity to collect them?" suggested the squad member codenamed Zhen Qi.
"This is a special period. We still need them for information. They've ruled their territories for a long time, keeping a balance here. Don't disrupt it."
The captain refused without hesitation. Zhen Qi didn't mind—he was mainly looking for a fight.
"I know what you're thinking. You want to push into late Divine Soul stage, but a few more days won't matter."
"Captain, you understand me best. Last time you went to the Law Enforcement Hall to meet the hall master, you returned already at late Void Refinement. We're all envious."
"Don't count me in," Zhen San said coldly.
Zhen San was the squad's only female cultivator, an expert in formations and highly skilled in swordplay.
"I know what you all want. Our new hall master is capable. If we handle this mission flawlessly, I'll see if I can ask the hall master to let you enter the trial illusion."
"Don't worry, Captain. We'll see this mission through without a hitch."
With that, the nine continued deeper into the mountains.
Law Enforcement Hall, Heavenly Sword Sect
Jin Liuli was reporting the latest results to Jian Dan.
"Zūnshàng, per your orders, I had the hall's people 'accidentally' leak that the map to the ancient expert's estate might be a trap and extremely dangerous. I believe any cultivators who hear the rumor will think twice before going."
"Good. As for the one who leaked it, issue a punishment and transfer him from his current post," Jian Dan instructed.
Jin Liuli froze for a moment, then her eyes lit with understanding. "Yes, Zūnshàng. I understand."
She departed swiftly.
By the afternoon, Jian Dan finished her work earlier than usual and left the Law Enforcement Peak.
Back at Tianyue Peak, Wei Xueru had already completed the process of drawing qi into her body and was waiting obediently under the banyan tree.
When she saw Jian Lu Zūnshàng descend in a streak of light, Xue Ru thought she was like a Immortal from the Ninth Heaven, sent by the heavens themselves to rescue her from hardship. She blinked hard, then hurried forward to greet her.