Qian Wanguan's main purpose in visiting Jian Dan had already been achieved. He then brought up another request: to order a batch of spirit swords from the Heavenly Sword Sect. Jian Dan answered directly:
"This is not difficult. You may send someone to the Heavenly Sword Peak Affairs Hall to find Yu, the steward. He will make the arrangements for you."
"That will be good."
"I noticed that Elder Qian has been making deals with the leaders of the Pill, Formation, Artifact, and Talisman sects these past few days. It seems you have already started your preparations."
"Haha, you make it sound far too serious, Zūnshàng. It's just that since such an opportunity presented itself, I placed some orders for pills, formation disks, spiritual artifacts, and talismans. The Loose Cultivator Alliance must also train its cultivators."
Qian Wanguan laughed it off.
"In that case, this succession ceremony of the Heavenly Sword Sect has been held at a most timely moment."
After a few more words of idle conversation, Qian Wanguan excused himself and departed.
Just then, Liu Chuan sent Jian Dan a voice transmission:"That blade cultivator, Dao Ren, is quite impressive. He's already fought two matches on the arena platform, one loss and one draw. Right now, he's fighting his third."
Hearing this, Jian Dan's brows arched slightly. "It seems my judgment was not wrong. This one is worth nurturing."
"I also saw Yu Zongfan and Mao Dou sneaking into the crowd. Those two are running all over the place watching matches."
"Keep an eye on them, make sure they don't get bullied."
"Got it, I'll watch them closely."
This time Mao Dou had Yu Zongfan to thank for entering the inner peaks. The two of them, aside from their daily mandatory lessons, spent nearly all their free time at the competition grounds.
Match after match, they watched intently. The defenders on the platforms were all sword cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Sect, none below the Golden Core stage.
The two, still in the low Qi Refining stage, could not even follow many of the techniques with their eyes, but there were always knowledgeable onlookers whispering commentary nearby. They would listen in and try to learn.
Mao Dou even recorded the techniques he did not understand in a notebook. Seeing this, Yu Zongfan copied him and did the same, knowing that he might one day have the chance to ask Zūnshàng directly for guidance.
On the side peaks of Tianyue Peak, ten large arenas had been opened for the ceremony. Each had a constant defender on guard. As long as one wished to challenge, there were platforms for every cultivation stage.
Hall Master Meng had been in a good mood these past two days. The arenas were the liveliest places by far. Almost none of the ten platforms sat empty. Some sect disciples, unwilling to admit defeat, even launched wheel battles, sending one challenger after another against the same Heavenly Sword Sect cultivator.
If a defender completed ten matches in a row, another cultivator of the same cultivation stage would take over. Everyone soon understood the reason. The Heavenly Sword Sect had no shortage of cultivators eager to test themselves, which was why they limited each to ten matches only.
Yet this did not dampen enthusiasm in the least. Crowds gathered constantly, and Hall Master Meng secretly opened betting pools on the outcomes of each match. His smile grew broader by the day.
Meanwhile, after Mo Suo and Mo Yi reported back to the Heavenly Demon Palace, they split up. Mo Suo visited Tianming Peak almost daily to seek out Jian Hu.
Mo Yi, on the other hand, ground his teeth in eagerness and led the black-robed guards to participate in arena battles. After all, opportunities to spar with high-ranking cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Sect were rare. It was the fastest way to gain experience.
At the same time, Jian Hu sat opposite Mo Suo, who was serenely sipping spirit tea. Jian Hu felt helpless. He had wanted to drive him out, yet the man was still a guest, and Jian Hu could not simply cast him aside.
"Chen Feng, do you dislike me staying here?"
Mo Suo's low, rich voice cut through Jian Hu's thoughts.
Since the two had been bound by the "Everlasting Heart Knot," they could sense one another's emotions with ease. Whenever they wished, they could feel the other's heart.
From that day on, Mo Suo never again called him by his Dao name, but instead addressed him as "Chen Feng."
"I plan to take this opportunity of my breakthrough to reforge my life-bound spirit sword."
Jian Hu made no attempt to conceal it. He looked directly at Mo Suo and spoke of his plan.
Mo Suo studied the reluctant Cao Chenfeng with a faint smile. Perhaps it was due to the Everlasting Heart Knot, but he found it easy to read the other's thoughts. And Chen Feng seemed not to hide them at all, so frank it was almost amusing.
"I will stand guard for you. You can take the chance to refine the foreign flame first, and then reforge your life-bound spirit sword. This may take time. I may not be able to stay with you until the end."
Mo Suo set down his jade cup as he spoke and rose, heading toward the inner chamber.
Jian Hu instinctively asked: "You're returning to the Heavenly Demon Palace?"
"No. Before returning, I may accompany Jian Lu Zūnshàng on a trip."
Jian Hu followed him toward his training room, frowning in thought. "A mission, then?"
For in Jian Hu's memory, Jian Lu Zūnshàng was never one to leisurely tour about with a group.
"Mm."
Mo Suo did not elaborate, but that was confirmation enough.
Jian Hu quickly pressed further: "Does it involve evil cultivators?"
Mo Suo settled cross-legged upon a futon taken from his storage ring and gestured for Jian Hu to sit. Only then did he answer: "Yes. Jian Lu Zūnshàng seems to have pinpointed the hiding place of the evil cultivators and intends to eliminate them in one strike."
Jian Hu sat as well, weighing whether he could join the mission.
Mo Suo smiled. "This time may be dangerous. The opponent is an evil cultivator of the Mahayana stage. I suggest you follow your original plan: heal yourself, upgrade your sword. Opportunities for battle will come later."
By the time Jian Hu realized it, Mo Suo had already activated the room's restrictions. Sitting opposite, he silently watched, signaling that Jian Hu could begin.
Jian Hu felt a twinge of annoyance at being so easily led along. He cast Mo Suo a glance, then drew out a cold jade box containing the sealed foreign flame. He began refining it. He knew Mo Suo was right—he needed to arm himself first. The cave grew silent once more.
On Jian Dan's side, after sending Qian Wanguan off, things quieted as well. With the side peaks bustling these days, she did not go to the Law Enforcement Hall. With only five days left, she chose to remain guarding Tianyue Peak, ready to deal with any problem immediately.
"Zūnshàng, Jian Chong Zūnzhǔ has arrived."
Yun Juan hurried in to report, and in the next moment, Jian Chong appeared before Jian Dan.
"The Sect Master himself—has something urgent occurred?"
Jian Dan smiled at Jian Chong.
This was the first time Jian Chong had come to the Jian Lu Zūnshàng's cave. After offering a proper salute and being invited to sit, he explained:
"It is regarding the orders for pills, talismans, artifacts, and formations."
"Have they not been secured?"
"Not quite. It is only that they have also accepted orders from the Loose Cultivator Alliance and several other sects. Our orders will be fulfilled later."
Jian Dan's gaze flickered, then she asked: "And Sect Master's thoughts?"
Jian Chong's stern face showed firm resolve. "I intend to place a small order only. The rest we will rely on our own sect to craft. I do not wish for the Heavenly Sword Sect to be bound by others' hands."
"You have considered this carefully. Do as you believe best. The Heavenly Sword Sect is vast. I refuse to believe we cannot find enough people to refine what we need."
"Yes. My thoughts are aligned with yours, Zūnshàng. We can publish tasks in the Mission Hall and the Affairs Hall, allowing disciples to claim materials and deliver finished products to the sect. This way, they temper their skills, gain sect points, and in turn acquire more cultivation resources."
"The Sect Master's idea is sound. I have no objections. You may also consult Jian Chun and see if he has an even steadier approach."
At this, Jian Chong's eyes flickered ever so slightly. Jian Dan immediately caught it and asked:
"I told Jian Chun to guide you properly in these days. Where is he?"
"He is on the arena platform, defending a challenge."
Pa!
Jian Dan slammed her round fan upon the table.