"Zūnshàng, when Fa Hua followed Senior Brother to the mortal world to recruit disciples, we discovered evil cultivators stirring trouble there. They seem to have gained some momentum. Please, Zūnshàng, make arrangements as soon as possible."
Jian Dan read the words inscribed on the lotus petal, a cold glint of killing intent flashing in her eyes. "So, they had been hunted to the point of fear in the cultivation world and were now moving into the mortal realm to cause chaos."
It was still unclear whether the mortal territories under the Heavenly Sword Sect's jurisdiction were experiencing the same situation. This could not be delayed. Fortunately, before leaving the Buddhist Sect, Fa Hua had given her a fallen lotus petal from his own body to use as a means of communication.
This was a lapse on the sect's part. Previously, due to the appearance of the insect race, the sect had sealed the channels between the cultivation world and the mortal world to prevent black beetle larvae from entering. But in doing so, they had overlooked the threat of evil cultivators.
Jian Dan turned on her heel and returned to the main hall of the Law Enforcement Hall. The hall was bright as day. Qi Hua and Jin Liuli were chatting quietly while sorting the jade slips on the desk, putting away those Jian Dan had already reviewed and neatly arranging the unread ones on the other side.
When the two saw Jian Dan return, they were momentarily surprised, then quickly came forward to bow.
"Zūnshàng, is there an urgent matter?"
"Yes. Summon Jian Wu and Wei Zhengrong."
Knowing the matter was urgent, they immediately sent transmission talismans.
Moments later, the two men hurried into the hall. Seeing Jian Dan return so soon, they quickly stepped forward and saluted.
"Zūnshàng, do you have important orders?"
"I do. I have received news that in the mortal world under the Buddhist Sect's jurisdiction, evil cultivators have appeared. They encountered them while recruiting disciples."
Wei Zhengrong reacted first.
"Zūnshàng suspects the mortal world under our Heavenly Sword Sect will also see evil cultivators appear?"
"It is not suspicion. They will definitely appear. If even the Buddhist Sect's territory is affected, how could we be spared?"
"Understood, Zūnshàng. I will send people into the mortal realm to investigate at once."
Jian Dan raised a hand, stopping Wei Zhengrong before he could turn to give the order.
"Jian Wu, send word to the Tracking Hall to arrange a small squad to enter the mortal world and search for traces of evil cultivators. Maintain constant communication. They will be the first wave. Other squads will follow to aid them in exterminating the enemy.
Zheng Rong, have the Intelligence Hall gather information on the mortal world. Do not limit this to our sect's territory. Any mortal territory under any sect that shows signs of evil cultivators, spread the word immediately.
Qi Hua, go find Yu Yuanhai. Issue a sect mission to send ten squads into the mortal realm to hunt and destroy evil cultivators while also recruiting disciples. Their cultivation must be no lower than the Golden Core stage. Equip each squad with necessary supplies and give each one a Buddhist artifact."
Jian Dan brushed her storage bracelet, and a storage pouch appeared in her hand. Qi Hua received it.
These Buddhist artifacts were gifts from Master Jue Song of the Buddhist Sect when she left, after helping them repel an evil cultivator attack.
Aside from the Vajra Bodhi Bead she had customized for herself, there were also other Buddhist artifacts said to have been offered before the Buddha. They were more than capable of destroying evil cultivators.
"Once the squads are assembled, they are to depart within three days without delay. Also, issue a covert mission with a blue Zūnzhǔ mission token. When the cultivator accepting it arrives, bring them to me. I have further arrangements."
"Yes, Zūnshàng!"
"That is all. Go."
"Yes!"
The three, knowing the urgency, vanished from the hall the moment they stepped outside.
"Liu Li, come with me to meet Sect Master Jian Chong."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Heavenly Sword Peak – Sect Hall
Jian Chong was not idle. He was reviewing jade slips, assessing the sect's resource reserves—what should be sent to the Steward Hall for distribution to cultivators to speed their cultivation, and what should be refined into pills, talismans, or magical artifacts.
With the aid of Jian Lu Zūnshàng, Jian Chong had gathered high-ranking cultivators from every peak to explain the current situation. Everyone understood well what they were about to face.
Next came the issue of resources. In addition to the usual supplies for cultivators, the Heavenly Sword Sect needed to stockpile pills, talismans, array disks, and magical artifacts.
From the reports received by the Law Enforcement Hall, it seemed other sects across the continent were already taking action. The Heavenly Sword Sect could not afford to fall behind. Seeing the dense array of messages in the jade slips, Jian Chong rubbed his temples.
"Sect Master, Jian Lu Zūnshàng has arrived!"
The guard outside the hall announced.
"Please, show them in!"
Setting aside the jade slip, Jian Chong was just about to rise to greet her when Jian Dan entered with Liu Li.
"Sect Master, there is no need for formalities. The matter is urgent, so I came directly."
When Jian Chong bowed, Jian Dan returned the gesture with a nod and seated herself to his right. She quickly explained the message from the Buddhist Sect and her arrangements in the Law Enforcement Hall, then concluded.
"Plans cannot keep up with change. Since things have reached this point, I have arranged for squads to eliminate evil cultivators while also recruiting disciples from the mortal realm. Do you agree with this approach?"
"Zūnshàng has considered all angles. I have no objections."
"Good. Since you agree, let us proceed as discussed. I will not keep you from your sect affairs."
"Zūnshàng, please wait. I have some matters regarding sect resources I wish to consult you on."
Seeing her about to leave, Jian Chong quickly stopped her and presented the issues that had been troubling him.
Mortal Realm – Under the Buddhist Sect's Jurisdiction
Liao Kong and Liao Chen had joined forces to destroy an evil cultivator who controlled an entire small town.
The evil cultivator used twisted sorcery to fulfill human desires. Once a person's wish was granted, he would strip their soul from their body, refine their flesh into a puppet, then lure another victim and repeat the process until the whole town was under his control.
Liao Kong and Liao Chen had been traveling with Fa Hua to recruit disciples when they sensed something wrong. Fa Hua immediately hid the new recruits while the two engaged the Nascent Soul stage evil cultivator.
By rights, with Liao Kong at late Divine Transformation and Liao Chen at early Divine Soul stage, this should have been more than enough to subdue such a foe. But the evil cultivator never fought directly, hiding instead and sending his puppets to battle.
"Amitabha. This one is truly malicious."
Even the normally calm Liao Kong was angered.
Whenever they destroyed a puppet, the puppet's family members would rush in to stop them, believing the puppet to be a sick but living relative, not an enemy to be slain.
This hindered the two monks greatly. They were forced to hold back their blows.
At last, Fa Hua acted decisively, manifesting the Dharma image of the Buddha over the entire town, revealing that the puppets were no longer their loved ones. Their souls had already been taken.
Using the Vajra Bodhi Bead Jian Dan had given him, Fa Hua allowed the townsfolk to see the truth—that the so-called living Bodhisattva was in fact a hideous evil cultivator, devouring their kin's souls and flesh. Only then did they stop interfering.
Liao Chen and Liao Kong wasted no more time. With one move, Buddha's Radiance Shines Upon All, they destroyed all the puppets. Then they caught up with the fleeing evil cultivator, who was attempting to escape with a blood-escape technique, and obliterated both his soul and body.
"Amitabha. Two Senior Brothers, I have already sent word of this situation to the Buddhist Sect. I believe fellow disciples will arrive soon to aid us."
Fa Hua reported from behind them.
"Amitabha. Fa Hua, do you think there will be more evil cultivators causing trouble in the mortal realm?"
"There will."