"Zūnshàng, can you provide proof for what you say?"
Shou Yong pressed the question. Everyone present knew that a Mahayana evil cultivator's destructive power far exceeded that of an ordinary Mahayana cultivator.
"There are indeed witnesses, but as for concrete evidence, only by raiding the enemy's lair can we confirm it fully."
Jian Dan wasted no time, speaking directly.
"So, Zūnshàng, you already know the location of their lair?"
Mo Su immediately caught the key point.
"Yes. That is why I have gathered everyone here today."
"What does Zūnshàng intend to do?"
Xiao Rong of the Purple Sky Sect asked gently.
"What else? I am telling you all the purpose of this meeting: to combine our strength, drag them out from their hiding place, and eradicate them completely, leaving no future threat."
"I agree with Zūnshàng's proposal. My Purple Sky Sect will go along. The blood sacs have already invaded our sect once, and we cannot allow such a thing to happen again."
Xiao Yong spoke first on behalf of his sect.
The other sects also voiced their agreement one after another. Only the Demon Gate remained silent, waiting, as though they wished to see Heavenly Demon Palace's stance before committing.
Mo Su himself did not mind. Beside him, Mo Yi wanted to go and see for himself, but he also voiced his doubts:
"Jian Lu Zūnshàng, forgive my bluntness. Each Daoist sect has spatial nodes under its protection, which makes them targets of evil cultivators. Our Demon Gate has no such nodes. This seems..."
The implication was clear: since they had not been attacked, why should they risk their strength for no gain?
Jian Dan smiled faintly at Mo Su and Mo Yi. The chill in that smile made the two uneasy, and the words that followed pierced directly to their hearts.
"The Demon Gate's guardianship of Ming Valley is no different from the Daoist sects' guardianship of spatial nodes. Do you think that if Ming Valley is abandoned, the node will no longer be attacked? When that time comes, will you have another Mo Yue to stand up again? I believe you both understand the truth that when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold."
Mo Su and Mo Yi had no way to refute this. In the final battle, Daoist sect cultivators had also gathered outside Ming Valley. The Heavenly Sword Sect even dispatched Jian Li Zūnshàng, and Mo Yue herself had fallen into a spatial rift during that battle, vanishing without a trace since.
The two exchanged glances. Finally, it was Mo Yi who spoke:
"Zūnshàng speaks truth. Though your words cut deep, our Demon Gate is not without sense. We too will send people when the time comes, to aid in destroying the evil cultivators."
The leaders of Demon Sound Gate, Crimson Blood Manor, Nine Fiends Hall, and Life and Death Pavilion exchanged looks and nodded in agreement, aligning themselves with Heavenly Demon Palace's stance.
Jian Dan was quite satisfied. The Demon Gate's way was refreshingly straightforward: the strongest fist leads, and the smaller sects follow. The Daoist sects, in contrast, wasted so many words explaining things. Truly troublesome.
"Then my thanks to the Demon Gate sects for your support."
With that, Jian Dan's gaze turned toward Qian Wanguan of the Loose Cultivator Alliance.
The Daoist sects also shifted their eyes subtly in the same direction. They wanted to see if the Loose Cultivator Alliance would make a final struggle.
Qian Wanguan twirled his ornamental folding fan. When Jian Dan's gaze fell upon him, he smiled warmly and spoke:
"Our Loose Cultivator Alliance naturally stands with Lingyun Continent. Evil cultivators have already ravaged the cultivation world, and now they commit atrocities in the mortal world as well. Such things cannot be tolerated. The Alliance will send people to advance and retreat together with you all, and eliminate the evil cultivators."
He cupped his hands around, bowing politely. Inside, however, the Daoist sect leaders were rolling their eyes. This man's ability to follow the wind was unmatched, yet he said nothing that could be faulted. His stance sounded lofty and impeccable.
Inwardly, Qian Wanguan mocked them: "Don't you understand the flow of events? Look at yourselves, weak as you are. Do you think you can do this without the Heavenly Sword Sect? They don't even want to hog all the credit. Why are you acting so coy?"
What he thought was not far from Jian Dan's own mindset: if you can act, don't waste time arguing.
Still, there were merits that the Heavenly Sword Sect should not claim alone. And Jian Dan did not want her sect always to be the one charging in front.
If someday the Heavenly Sword Sect did not take the lead, the other sects would surely attack them with words. Jian Dan would not let such a habit take root.
One must control the balance. Achieve the goal, but without stealing all the spotlight. Let everyone share in the benefits. That was the best outcome.
Since everyone had reached consensus, Jian Dan did not waste more time and directly asked for their opinion:
"The evil cultivator is currently being restrained. We must act quickly. I propose we set out five days from now for the place where they hide. Do any of you object?"
"Would that not be a little rushed?" The representative of the Formation Sect raised a concern.
"Then tell me, when would the Formation Sect find it appropriate to act?"
He glanced around before answering cautiously:
"This matter should be reported to our sect's Zhēnzūn. Only after that can we act. At the least, ten days will be needed."
Jian Dan sighed.
"It is not that I wish to be hasty. But you must understand, restraining the evil cultivator is being done at the cost of cultivators' lives and blood. Each day of delay means more deaths. And these are not only the Heavenly Sword Sect's disciples."
"But could we not at least hold back our disciples—"
The leader of the Talisman Sect began, but stopped midway. He, and everyone else, felt the flash of anger that burst from Jian Lu Zūnshàng at the upper seat.
"Enough. Perhaps I did not make myself clear. I said they are being restrained only temporarily. If we miss this chance, I cannot promise there will be another. Unless one of you has a better plan?"
The sect leaders exchanged glances. Not a single one could offer an alternative.
Jian Dan decided she had said enough. She did not wish to waste more time.
"The Heavenly Sword Sect is only setting the example. We are not forcing your sects to act. But five days is the limit. The longer we wait, the more cultivators die, and the stronger the enemy grows. Up until now, we have destroyed only seven blood sacs. Who knows how many remain? This must be cut cleanly and quickly."
As her words fell, Jian Dan gave a glance to Sect Master Jian Chong. Jian Chong tapped the token at his waist, releasing the restriction of the sect's main hall.
Jian Dan rose, smiled, and cupped her hands to the assembly before striding out with Qi Hua. They disappeared from view.
Sect Master Jian Chong also cupped his hands.
"Jian Lu Zūnshàng has always acted decisively, never tolerating delay. Some opportunities pass in a flash. I hope none of you will take offense."
The assembly nodded in understanding, though what they truly thought remained unspoken.
Jian Chong paid it no mind and added:
"Our Heavenly Sword Sect has also arranged some diversions. There will be an auction and an exchange gathering. You are welcome to attend if you are interested."
Only then did the people disperse in groups, leaving the hall.
Just as Jian Dan and Qi Hua landed from their escape light, Wei Zhengrong and Jin Liuli approached. Qi Hua, trailing slightly behind, gave the two a subtle signal. They immediately understood, said nothing, and simply bowed, handing Jian Dan a jade slip containing that day's intelligence.
Jian Dan accepted it and walked straight to the side hall. She ordered the three of them:
"If someone comes seeking me, bring them directly here."
"Yes."
Once Jian Dan had entered, Wei Zhengrong and Jin Liuli pulled Qi Hua aside to ask for details.
"Woman, this really is unlike you. Normally you'd lead people straight in and kill. Why so many twists and turns this time? Dragging them along will only slow you down."