After tattling to Xiao Hei, Jian Chong strolled back to the main hall of Heavenly Sword Peak.
Truth be told, he had not wanted to act this way. Yet ever since the various sect leaders had gathered, everyone had already begun to move in preparation. As the newly appointed Sect Master, Jian Chong had yet to grasp all the inner workings of sect affairs. He had originally wanted to consult Jian Chun Zūnzhǔ, but the latter was preoccupied with guarding the arena. Left with no other option, Jian Chong had gone instead to seek Jian Lu Zūnshàng's counsel.
Once Jian Chong left, Jian Dan sat quietly in thought. After the last gathering in the Heavenly Sword Sect's grand hall, the truth had already been laid bare—the Lingyun Continent would be attacked, and a great war loomed ahead.
Anyone with a clear head, whether in her sect or another, would do as she did—begin laying plans for the sect's future, cultivating new battle strength. Thus, collaborating with the Four Arts sects—Alchemy, Formations, Tools, and Talismans—to procure finished products had become the common choice.
But Jian Dan did not share this view. To her, the Heavenly Sword Sect, as the foremost Daoist sect, must train its own alchemists, tool forgers, array masters, and talisman makers. Otherwise, the sect would forever remain shackled by dependence.
Strictly speaking, Jian Dan was not a pure sword cultivator. Across both her past and present life, she had studied all four Immortal Arts. Furthermore, she had inherited the Magnolia space, which contained her family ancestor's legacy on artifact forging. She lacked neither knowledge nor heritage. Only, since stepping into the cultivation world, she had never truly taken the time to delve deeply into these arts.
With a flip of her hand, Jian Dan retrieved the "Artifact Forging" manual from her space, copying one version. She then recorded talisman-crafting techniques into a blank jade slip before summoning Wei Zhengrong.
"Zheng Rong, these are two inheritances I obtained during my travels—the arts of artifact forging and talisman creation. Place them in the Law Enforcement Hall for internal use."
Wei Zhengrong accepted the jade slips with solemn respect. Jian Dan continued:
"These two inheritances I gift to the sect. The Law Enforcement Hall may manage them. Divide the knowledge by cultivation level. Introductory levels may be placed in the Scripture Pavilions of the inner and outer gates. Higher levels should require sect contribution points for exchange."
"Yes, I understand. To gain these inheritances, one must first be a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, advancing step by step from the basics to the advanced. Only with merit and contribution may one acquire the complete legacy."
Wei Zhengrong instantly grasped her intent.
"Exactly so. Go carry it out."
Holding the two inheritances, Wei Zhengrong left swiftly.
Meanwhile, Jian Dan casually pinched out a transmission talisman, sending it to the captain of the Heavenly Sword Squad.
"Have the Void Refinement cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Squad take turns challenging Jian Chun in the arena. You have two hours to drive him off the stage."
With a flick of her wrist, the talisman flew off.
Standing nearby, Yun Juan and Yun Shu dared not make a sound. Instead, they crept back a few steps in silence.
Although visiting cultivators from the various sects had kept calm outwardly, after the day they left, each leader had already passed word back to their own sects.
Cloud Sea Sect
Yun Yun Zhēnzūn looked over the message returned by Han Pengfei and sighed softly. In truth, ever since Tian Yun Zhēnzūn of the Heavenly Sword Sect had sent her a flying sword transmission, she had known such a day would come.
The Heavenly Sword Sect had clearly pointed out Hai Yan's next possible moves. And now, everything had come true. Yun Yun knew the Cloud Sea Sect had no choice but to declare its stance. If they faltered, before the battle against the insect race even began, they would be condemned for shielding evil cultivators and become the first target of extermination.
For the first time in a long while, killing intent flashed across Yun Yun's serene face. Hai Yan's audacity knew no bounds, daring to remain hidden within Cloud Sea Sect's territory. This time, he would not be given another chance to escape.
In the past, only because her master still lived had Hai Yan been imprisoned in the undersea water prison. A thousand years they had guarded him in vain—only to have him shed his shell and escape. This time, she would see him destroyed.
After settling her thoughts, Yun Yun Zhēnzūn went directly to the forbidden ground of "Yunhai" to seek Yun Tao Zhēnzūn. Only with her senior brother's approval could she act.
Heavenly Demon Palace
Mo Lie received a flying sword message from his disciple Mo Su and wasted no time, rushing to the back mountain forbidden ground to meet Mo Yan Zhēnzūn.
As always, Mo Yan sat beneath the Bloodthirsty Vine. After reading the message, he asked,
"Is it the Jian Lu of Heavenly Sword Sect who leads this operation?"
Mo Lie replied, "The message does not say, but it should be her. After all, she presided over that meeting."
"I see. Notify Mo Zang. Have the Heaven-ranked squad of the Black Robed Guard rendezvous with Mo Su. We will not sit idle while the evil cultivators are purged."
"Yes, Zhēnzūn."
"And remember, what Jian Lu said is also a warning to us. Though Ming Valley has severed itself from the Lingyun Continent, the former connecting points remain key targets for insect attacks."
"This need not worry Zhēnzūn. When the rift closed, Mo Yue and the others were already concerned. They arranged people to guard that place. If anything unusual happens, word will come at once."
"Good. They are vigilant."
Mo Yan Zhēnzūn's gaze lingered, then shifted.
"And your prized disciple? Has his constitution problem been resolved?"
At the mention of Mo Su, Palace Master Mo Lie chuckled.
"It was fortune within misfortune. While investigating the blood sacs, he met Jian Feng of the Heavenly Sword Sect—who, unexpectedly, is of the Pure Yang constitution.
During the battle to eliminate the blood sac, the two were trapped together. Because of Mo Yue's matter, Mo Su took particular interest in Jian Feng. When Jian Feng was attacked by a sixth-rank pangolin beast, Mo Su intervened, triggering his Pure Yin body. Jian Feng then aided him, resolving the imbalance. Though Mo Su's cultivation slipped slightly, the crisis of his physique has been resolved."
Mo Lie recounted the matter briefly, then added,
"This time I sent him to the Heavenly Sword Sect not only to attend the ceremony but also to observe their stance. What follows will depend on his ability."
Mo Yan Zhēnzūn gave him a sidelong smile.
"Clever schemes. But whether things proceed as you wish depends on them, not you. Are you not afraid this is a trap, letting him walk straight into it?"
Mo Lie hesitated, then muttered, "Surely not..."
But when he re-read Mo Su's message, he found himself staring into Mo Yan Zhēnzūn's amused eyes, and suddenly felt uneasy.
"When Mo Su returns, question him carefully. The Heavenly Sword Sect handles matters with restraint. They would not recklessly sour relations between our sects, especially at such a time."
"Yes, disciple understands."
"Good. Since we now have accurate intelligence, set our Heavenly Demon Palace disciples into preparation as well."
Mo Lie's face hardened as he bowed. He accepted the order and returned to the Tianmo Hall.
Heavenly Sword Sect
The captain of the Heavenly Sword Squad received Jian Lu Zūnshàng's talisman, gave the order to his members, and melted into the crowd by the arena.
Under the relentless challenges of the squad's Void Refinement cultivators, Jian Chun was forced to complete his matches within two hours.
Feeling a little unsatisfied, Jian Chun stepped down from the platform, only to see the squad captain waiting. The man spoke only one sentence:
"Zūnshàng gave us the task—to drive you off the stage within two hours."
Only then did Jian Chun realize the last five challengers had all been Heavenly Sword Sect disciples. The hand behind it all was Jian Lu Zūnshàng.
Quick-witted, he immediately soared off on his escape light, heading straight for Jian Dan's cave.
"Zūnshàng, why summon me in such a way? A simple transmission talisman would have sufficed. Why go through all this trouble?"
Jian Chun's face carried an easy smile, far livelier than his expression in the main sect hall.