Qi Hua smiled brightly as she saw the two Yin Yang Gate Zūnzhǔs off at Tianyue Peak. She presented the same spirit tea that Yu Shu had praised earlier. Not allowing them to refuse, she then turned and returned to Jian Dan's residence.
"Have they left?"
Jian Dan had already replaced the jade stools with her rocking chair. As she swayed gently, fanning herself with a round fan, she noticed Qi Hua returning and casually asked.
"They have. But their expressions were not very pleasant."
Qi Hua sent Yun Shu away, then flattered Jian Dan by refilling her tea before cautiously asking:"Zūnshàng, it seems you are not fond of this Du Yanran. She is only early Divine Transformation now. If necessary, you could send someone directly..."
Qi Hua made a slitting gesture across her neck.
Jian Dan did not deny it, simply saying: "Du Yanran brought this on herself. She won't have long to live. There's no need to dirty Heavenly Sword Sect's hands. She thinks just because she reached Divine Transformation and hid in Yin Yang Gate, everything is fine."
Jian Dan's eyes flashed with disdain as she instructed Qi Hua: "Send the news of her return to Yin Yang Gate to 'Tianya Haijiao,' and ask about how the remnants of the Fu family are being handled."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. Regarding the escaping high-level Fu family cultivators, only one soul lamp remains lit. Wei Zhengrong checked the other three recently, and they are all extinguished."
Jian Dan paused in the midst of fanning herself, then continued: "Then urge them to act quickly. This Du Yanran is skilled at finding opportunities. The enemies of 'Tianya Haijiao' are her friends. Don't let the two sides unite. What cultivation level does the remaining Fu family member have?"
"Late Void Refinement!"
"No wonder they escaped for so long. Inform Wei Zhengrong to apply pressure on 'Tianya Haijiao.' Some rewards are not easy to claim."
Qi Hua immediately understood Jian Dan's meaning. She bowed and went to the Law Enforcement Hall.
At this time, Du Yanran wore a perfect smile, still receiving praise from her sectmates in Yin Yang Gate, unaware that disaster was approaching. It is said that your enemies always know you best.
Jian Dan's guess was largely correct, though some events had already unfolded.
Du Yanran hid in Tianyue City at Divine Transformation. She had spent tremendous effort raising her cultivation to the late Nascent Soul peak, yet she could not break through the barrier of Divine Transformation.
She planned to purchase a Divine Transformation Pill to increase her chances. Such a pill was not easy to find, so she disguised herself and went to the largest alchemy shop.
On the way, she encountered the Fu family cultivator being pursued. He urgently dodged into a nearby shop.
Du Yanran also recognized a 'Tianya Haijiao' cultivator and was momentarily frightened, thinking her movements were exposed. She later realized that the cultivator was chasing the Fu family member.
Du Yanran acted decisively, using a "Conceal Flavor Pill" to alter his aura, then pointed out the mark left on him by 'Tianya Haijiao,' helping him escape the pursuit.
Fu Song looked at the beautiful female cultivator in front of him, his eyes flickering, and asked:"Why are you helping me?"
Du Yanran brushed her black hair behind her ear, revealing her delicate profile, and said softly:"Zūnshàng, please forgive me! I am also being pursued by 'Tianya Haijiao.' To evade them, I have spent much effort, which has prevented my cultivation from advancing. Helping you now serves my own purpose."
"Oh? And what is it that you need?"
Fu Song, seated at the head, spoke faintly, enduring his injuries.
"A Divine Transformation Pill!"
Du Yanran did not hesitate to state her request. To increase her leverage, she added: "Once I reach Divine Transformation, I can return to my sect. The sect will protect me, and I can help Zūnshàng find a safe place to recover from your injuries."
Fu Song, desperate to escape his predicament, agreed to ally with Du Yanran.
He needed someone capable to act outside, and Du Yanran needed a high-level cultivator to support her. The match was perfect. Du Yanran obtained the pill and finally achieved Divine Transformation.
She kept her promise, disguising and modifying Fu Song before bringing him under Yin Yang Gate's jurisdiction.
To repair the internal injuries caused by pursuit, Fu Song stayed in the Yin Yang Mountain Range. He found blood sacs, using them to restore his body, and even showing faint signs of a breakthrough, though he dared not advance on Yin Yang Gate's territory.
The incident with the blood sacs was later exposed by Heavenly Sword Sect. All sects took action. Fu Song and Du Yanran staged a play, placing credit for eliminating the blood sacs on Du Yanran.
The reality was that Yin Yang Gate cultivators had expended effort to destroy them. Fu Song and the blood sacs had merely created a false appearance. The blood sacs quietly lurked in the Yin Yang Mountain Range, occasionally luring one or two practicing cultivators, from Yin Yang Gate or other sects alike.
Back in their residence, after leaving Jian Dan's place, Yu Ze and Yu Shu returned. Yu Shu, ever meticulous, set up the protective talisman before asking her daolü: "Yu Ze, do you think what Jian Lu Zūnshàng said is true?"
Yu Ze retrieved the jade slip from his storage ring, carefully reexamining its contents. After hearing Yu Shu's question, he said: "Jian Lu Zūnshàng is not a reckless person. Her words are believable to about fifty percent."
"The remaining fifty percent, we will need to verify ourselves."
"If Du Yanran is a troublemaker, she should be eliminated early. Otherwise, the whole sect could be implicated. You must know, as long as she carries the Yin Yang Gate title and associates with evil cultivators, even if we expel her, the bad impression remains."
"I understand. This matter is urgent. We do not need to wait until we return. You should immediately send a flying sword message to our Master, explain the situation. I trust the Master will make a decision, and let her enjoy her success for a few days first."
They agreed. Outside the residence, the attendants disengaged the protective talisman. Yu Ze waved to unlock it and asked: "What is it?"
"Zūnzhǔ, Heavenly Sword Sect sent invitations, including for auctions and exchange events."
The attendants respectfully handed over two invitations.
Yu Shu accepted them, waved the attendants away, and passed them to Yu Ze: "Yu Ze, Heavenly Sword Sect arranged everything well. There's a small auction and exchange event. We can check it out for anything useful."
"Good."
Meanwhile, high-level cultivators from Dao, Demon, Beast, and other major sects all received invitations.
Everyone coordinated to avoid scheduling conflicts between the auctions/exchanges and the visit to the sect leader's hall the next day.
On the appointed day, Jian Dan dressed casually and went to the Tianjian Peak main hall with Qi Hua.
Team leaders from each sect arrived early. Their attendants remained outside. When a teleportation light descended, the Unity Zūnshàng of Heavenly Sword Sect appeared. All attendants immediately bowed.
Jian Dan smiled and nodded. She entered the hall with Qi Hua. As Jian Lu Zūnshàng's light arrived, he had already risen.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng!"
"Please, sit!"
After sitting, Jian Dan gestured to Sect Msater, who tapped the sect master token at his waist, activating the hall's protective barriers.
"This gathering is also due to the great war soon to come on Lingyun Continent!"