The next day, when Jian Dan arrived at the grand hall of the Law Enforcement Hall, Jian Wu, Qi Hua, Wei Zhengrong, and Jin Liuli were already waiting respectfully to the side. As soon as they saw her, the four of them stepped forward together to pay their respects.
This time, Jian Wu was the first to step out of line and make his request.
"Zūnshàng, for this trip to the mortal realm, I wish to accompany the team. Please grant me permission."
Jian Dan had just picked up a jade slip from the desk. Hearing Jian Lu's words, she paused for a moment before asking.
"Do you have relatives in the mortal realm?"
"No."
"Oh? Then why go?" Jian Dan asked directly.
"Zūnshàng, since we are going to the mortal realm to recruit disciples, I thought I might look for a few promising talents who could join the Law Enforcement Hall directly."
Jian Dan found the idea somewhat interesting. She glanced over all four of them, set the jade slip back down, leaned back in her chair, and smiled.
"Tell me, whose idea was this?"
"It wasn't really anyone's idea," Jian Wu said. "The four of us were chatting yesterday, and it came up by chance."
Qi Hua stepped forward at the right moment to add more.
"This time, with evil cultivators entering the mortal realm, they will surely bring harm to the local lands. We thought perhaps we could find some children with spirit roots—those who have lost their homes and wish to avenge their families—and bring them into the Law Enforcement Hall. Once here, we could train them ourselves. In the future, the Hall will also need fresh successors."
Qi Hua's brief pause carried meaning she didn't speak aloud, but Jian Dan understood well enough. As one of the sect's core divisions, the Law Enforcement Hall would always be among the first to charge into battle. They needed enough people to remain stationed behind the lines, keeping the Hall running smoothly.
Jian Wu and Qi Hua's intentions were clear. Recruiting from the mortal realm meant no entanglements with cultivation-world powers or sect rivalries, and if trained solely by the Law Enforcement Hall, the recruits' loyalty would be to the Hall alone. It would help preserve the Hall's independence in carrying out its duties.
Jian Dan thought it over, then asked Jian Wu.
"Wasn't recruitment for the Law Enforcement Hall always through unified selection from the Nine Peaks, both inner and outer? The three of them entered the Hall that way."
Jian Wu glanced at the others before answering.
"That was only a one-time selection. The incident with the Purple-Rank Secret Realm caused the Hall to lose several members, so we had no choice but to replenish manpower."
"I see. Then we can say we were fortunate."
Jian Dan smiled and addressed the four standing below.
"Your idea is not bad. Very well, Jian Lu, I grant you permission to accompany them to the mortal realm. However, I have one condition."
"Zūnshàng, please instruct me."
"Whomever you wish to recruit, you must find them yourself, without interfering with those chosen by the sect. And remember—quality over quantity. Not just anyone can enter the Law Enforcement Hall. Everyone here today has passed layer upon layer of tests to reach this point."
Jian Wu's expression grew serious. "I will strictly follow your instructions."
Only then did Jian Dan nod.
"Good. The time is nearly upon us. You may lead the team out."
"Yes."
With the order given, Jian Wu nodded to the other three and left the grand hall, heading straight for the Affairs Hall of Heavenly Sword Peak.
When he arrived at the main peak's Affairs Hall, ninety cultivators were already gathered inside, divided into ten teams. Their cultivation ranged from Golden Core to Divine Transformation, with balanced strength across each group.
The moment Jian Wu entered, attention shifted toward him. Some cultivators with quick ears already knew this mission came directly from the Law Enforcement Hall. Seeing Jian Wu, with his ink-colored waist token, only heightened their interest.
He walked to the front, clasped his hands in greeting, and his calm voice carried clearly to all.
"I am Jian Wu of the Law Enforcement Hall. This time, I will be accompanying you into the mortal realm to carry out the sect's mission. I'm sure you've already learned when receiving your orders—this is no ordinary recruitment trip. We also bear the duty of eliminating evil cultivators."
All eyes focused on him, listening intently.
"Members of the Law Enforcement Hall have already gone ahead to locate the evil cultivators. When the time comes, the ten squads will act separately. Make your preparations well. The mortal realm's spiritual energy is so thin it is almost nonexistent. If you encounter battle, end it quickly."
He paused, then added one last point.
"If you run into something you cannot handle, send a signal immediately. Zūnshàng has arranged for hidden support. Do not throw your lives away for nothing."
It was something that had to be said. Cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Sect rarely fled from a stronger foe, often charging forward even in defeat, and almost never calling for aid.
"Yes!"
The strong, unified reply reassured Jian Lu. He tossed each of the ten squad leaders an ink-colored token, to contact the Operations Hall if needed.
"Move out!"
At his command, the ten squads boarded flying vessels crafted from black beetle shells and departed through the Heavenly Sword Sect's mountain gates, heading toward the mortal realm.
Black Robe Guard Post, Heavenly Demon Palace
When Mo Zhang received Jian Dan's flying sword message, he was slightly surprised. After reading its contents, he immediately sent a nearby Black Robe Guard to summon Mo Yi.
As the messenger left, another guard entered, carrying a jade slip which he presented to Mo Zhang.
Mo Yi strolled into the grand hall of the Black Robe Guard post, and Mo Zhang tossed him Jian Dan's message.
"Read it."
Mo Yi skimmed the message, then said directly, "Zūnshàng, you want me to take some people and look around the Heavenly Demon Palace's territory."
"Yes. Take a look. Nothing else worries me, but if 'blood sacs' have truly entered the mortal realm, that would be bad for us. Mo Su has gone out after emerging from seclusion, and will only make it back in time for the Heavenly Sword Sect's succession ceremony. Until then, I'm counting on you. When Mo Su returns, you'll attend the ceremony together."
"Alright. That Jian Lu Zūnshàng is generous—he helped me once before. Now he's even sent you advance warning. When I visit the Heavenly Sword Sect, I'll make sure to meet him in person."
Mo Yi tucked the jade slip away, clasped his hands, then asked.
"Zūnshàng, have the other sects of the demonic path been notified?"
"They have. The Black Robe Guards report that the Demonic Sound Gate, Nine Fiends Hall, Crimson Blood Mansion, and Life-and-Death Pavilion have all received the Heavenly Sword Sect's warning."
"Zūnshàng, have you noticed? These recent reports about evil cultivators always seem to come from the Heavenly Sword Sect, and their actions keep steering Dao, Demon, and Beast factions toward a united front against them."
Mo Zhang turned the jade thumb ring on his finger and nodded. "You're right. I also sense the Heavenly Sword Sect is in a hurry. The Daoist sects are quick to cooperate—almost as soon as they get the news, they take action. The Nine Great Daoist Sects have all been moving lately."
As the Palace's gossip master, Mo Yi had his own sources. His eyes gleamed as he said, "Zūnshàng, I think something big is about to happen. That's why the Daoist sects are so active. This trip to the Heavenly Sword Sect will be a good chance to investigate. I'll work closely with Mo Su."
"That was my plan as well. Because of the Jian Feng matter, Mo Su is somewhat constrained by the Heavenly Sword Sect. Certain things are better handled by you."
"Rest assured, Zūnshàng. I'll make sure to uncover everything clearly."
With that, Mo Yi led a team of high-level cultivators straight into the demonic path's territories. If any evil cultivators dared step into the Heavenly Demon Palace's domain, they would not leave alive.