"Xiao Dao, in a few days you'll be coming with me to attend the Heavenly Sword Sect's succession ceremony. For now, stop taking any new assignments."
Qian Wanguan fanned himself with a folding fan he clearly carried just for show as he gave the order to "Kuang Dao" Dao Ren.
"Yes, Master."
Hearing this, Dao Ren couldn't help feeling a spark of excitement. Last time's sect competition had left him unsatisfied. Among the opponents he faced, the sword cultivators from the Heavenly Sword Sect were the strongest, and they had been excellent matches. He wondered if he would get another chance to challenge them.
"Xiao Dao, I'm bringing you along to build connections, not to have you glaring like you're there to issue duels. If you do that, I won't dare take you along next time."
Qian Wanguan shook his head in helplessness. He really didn't know what to do with this disciple. If Dao Ren wasn't on a mission, he was on the road to one. Even in rare moments of rest, he carried his blade everywhere, picking fights. By now, every Loose Cultivator in the Alliance at his cultivation level had been challenged by him at least once.
"Understood, Master."
"I know how you think. I won't stop you. The reason I took you as my disciple in the first place was because of that drive to push forward. If you want to find a worthy opponent at the Heavenly Sword Sect, there might be a chance. I'll speak with Jian Lu Zūnshàng."
"Yes, thank you, Master!"
Dao Ren gave a heartfelt thanks. Though Qian Zūnzhǔ was his teacher, their cultivation paths were different, and Qian Wanguan rarely offered him direct guidance. But he had never once stopped Dao Ren from seeking battles to learn and improve. For that, Dao Ren truly respected him.
"When we visit another sect, we represent the face of the Loose Cultivator Alliance. Use this time to prepare some proper attire. You're in late-stage Divine Transformation now—don't look shabby."
"Understood, Master."
"Take my identity jade token. You'll get some discounts. Shop at the Alliance's stores."
"Thank you, Master."
Dao Ren accepted the token with a bow and left the cave abode. The first order of business was to prepare his travel attire. Normally, appearance didn't matter much to him, but this time he couldn't risk embarrassing his master or the Alliance.
Heavenly Sword Sect – Law Enforcement Hall
Since Wei Zhengrong had taken Xue Ru away, Jian Dan had been almost permanently stationed in the Law Enforcement Hall. Two hundred years felt like a tightening curse around her, and there were still so many matters in the sect that needed handling.
At least, she thought, she was a cultivator. No sleep, no food—mortals would have collapsed long ago under this pace.
"Zūnshàng, the latest report from the mining veins in the Chonglin Mountain Range."
Wei Zhengrong entered the main hall, face grim, and presented a jade slip.
Jian Dan skimmed the message without visible reaction—she had already anticipated this.
"Zūnshàng, could this be the work of the Heavenly Demon Palace?" Wei Zhengrong asked immediately.
Without even lifting her eyes, Jian Dan replied, "You know exactly how that top-grade spirit stone vein came to be. Senior Brother Jian Xu marked that territory himself. I doubt the Heavenly Demon Palace would tamper right under the nose of a Unity-stage Zūnshàng."
Wei Zhengrong's face eased slightly, but he pressed on.
"You once said this vein was planted by the evil cultivators to spark conflict between our two sects. Is this just part of that trap?"
"Isn't it obvious? They discovered the vein before we did. For the sake of their scheme, why wouldn't they make a few adjustments?" Jian Dan asked with a faint smile.
"Zheng Rong is slow to grasp, but you mean the evil cultivators may have already harvested part of the spirit stones, leaving the remaining top-grade stones as bait to lure us in."
"Exactly. And?"
"And now that we've mined a third of it along the border between our sects, the top-grade stones are gone. What's left are high-grade, mid-grade, and even low-grade stones. Naturally, suspicion would fall on the other side, provoking friction between sects."
"See? You can think things through."
Wei Zhengrong brightened at her approval. "Zūnshàng, should we send word to the Heavenly Demon Palace explaining this?"
"No need. They're sharp enough to figure it out."
"Shall we continue mining?"
"Of course. Spirit stones are spirit stones, no matter the grade. Why leave them?"
"Understood."
At the same time, the Heavenly Demon Palace's Chief Mo Zhang received the same report.
"What did the Heavenly Sword Sect's mine wardens say?"
"Reporting, Chief: they said nothing, just continued mining as usual."
"Seems they have patience. Maintain normal operations. I'll write to Jian Lu Zūnshàng."
"Yes, Chief."
A Black Robe Guard was sent out with the message.
It took only an hour after Wei Zhengrong's departure for Mo Zhang's flying sword message to arrive in Jian Dan's hands.
Smiling at Jin Liuli beside her, Jian Dan said, "I was just telling Wei Zhengrong about this, and look—the Heavenly Demon Palace has already sent word."
"Zūnshàng truly sees through all."
Jian Dan passed the message to her. "Draft a reply in my tone. Explain exactly how we acquired the vein. As for the Fu family defecting to the evil cultivators, change it—say the previous family head practiced forbidden arts to extend his life for the sake of ascension, and the lead on the vein came from the one who gave him those techniques."
"Yes. Family scandals shouldn't be aired outside."
"Whether they believe it or not is their business. Their Black Robe Guards aren't to be underestimated."
"Understood, Zūnshàng. I'll draft it now."
Jin Liuli quickly pulled out a blank jade slip and began recording.
"When you're done, send it directly to Chief Mo Zhang."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
At that moment, Jian Wu entered and bowed. "Jian Chong has sent for you, Zūnshàng. All sixteen Unity-stage Zūnshàng from the inner and outer peaks are already at the Heavenly Sword Peak hall, awaiting you to preside over the discussions."
Jian Dan took out a communication talisman and infused it with a short message. "Sect Master Jian Chong, I have matters to finish here. Begin the meeting without me, I'll join shortly."
The talisman flew from her hand, and Jian Wu, seeing this, took his leave.
"Jian Wu, how many 'War' Hall squads have returned?"
"Reporting, Zūnshàng: none yet. Yesterday we received word that the first teams to reach Tianji and Tianquan have completed their searches of the cities and nearby mountains. No anomalies found. They are now waiting to rendezvous with Jian Feng and Yue Liang."
"Good. And where's Hall Master Meng? Haven't seen him lately." Jian Dan smiled.
"He's holed up at Tianyue Peak, preparing the entertainment for after the grand ceremony. Seems very busy."
"Oh? Then I should visit. I haven't been back to my cave abode in some time."
"Zūnshàng works tirelessly," Jian Wu said.
"Qi Hua, send messages to the little ones in the Tongzi's Hall. Tell them future classes will be once a month. If I have time, I'll add extra sessions."
"Zūnshàng is already swamped with sect affairs, yet you still care so much for them. They're fortunate indeed," Qi Hua said with a smile.
"I have to care. The future of Lingyun Continent rests on their shoulders."
"Yes!" All three in the hall understood her deeper meaning.
Seeing the time, Jian Dan said, "I'll head to Heavenly Sword Peak, then return to Tianyue Peak. You can all finish early today."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Jian Dan didn't even bother flying. The hall wasn't far—she simply stepped forward, and her figure vanished from the Law Enforcement Hall.