Actually, when Jian Chun appeared, Jian Dan was no longer so angry. She fanned herself gently with her round fan, smiling as she said:
"Jian Chun, you have already stepped down. Is this your way of setting yourself free? The matters I entrusted to you, have they all been thrown out of your mind?"
"Hehe! Zūnshàng, you overstate. I only went to join the commotion, and I was about to go to the sect's main hall anyway."
"Enough. I understand your thoughts. Making you the Sect Master was like putting you in prison. Now that you've finally shaken off that responsibility, your mood must be quite delightful."
"Hehe! It's rare to have Outer Sect disciples around this time, so it's a chance to exchange ideas."
"Alright, I won't stop you. But for Jian Chong, make sure you manage your time. You should guide him at least a little. He came to see me because of the sect's resource reserves."
When it came to serious matters, Jian Dan did not drag things out. She summarized the two-hundred-year preparation against the insect tribe invasion, then briefly mentioned her own plans along with Jian Chong's suggestions.
"I agree with Zūnshàng's view, and Jian Chong's ideas are also reasonable. During this period, I will assist the Sect Chief and ensure these matters are handled properly."
Jian Dan nodded in satisfaction.
After Jian Chun left, Yun Shu came to report:
"Zūnshàng, Xiao Yong and Xiao Hu, the two Zūnzhǔ of Purple Sky Sect, have come to pay their respects."
"Please bring them in."
After returning to their grotto yesterday, Xiao Yong and Xiao Hu had discussed and decided to visit Jian Lu Zūnshàng today.
Jian Dan had also been considering meeting the Purple Sky Sect representatives, as there were a few matters she wanted to ask in person.
"Please follow me, Zūnzhǔs."
Yun Shu guided them into Jian Dan's grotto, prepared spirit tea, and then stepped out.
Xiao Yong and Xiao Hu were both dressed in purple sect robes, their waists tied with belts patterned in purple, and their purple jade crowns emphasized their noble status even more.
Looking at the pair before her, Jian Dan took a sip of spirit tea and asked them:
"What urgent matters have brought you here today?"
Xiao Yong clasped his hands and spoke first:
"Jian Lu Zūnshàng, the space sanctum in Purple Sky Sect that appeared earlier is showing signs of instability."
Jian Dan's brows furrowed. She set down her teacup and said:
"Are you referring to the rift investigated jointly by several Daoist sects?"
"Yes."
The Heavenly Sword Sect had previously sent Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ to lead the investigation. When she fell into the Di Ling Kingdom, Jade had obtained Jian Jun's sword pendant through the rift above the Cold Pool, and no news had come since. It was not surprising now that the space had become unstable.
"How much longer can it hold?"
"Unknown."
"What is your sect's stance?"
Xiao Yong considered for a moment before replying:
"Zhēnzūn's opinion is to close the rift to prevent the insect tribe from exploiting it to destroy the space nodes under Purple Sky Sect's guard."
Jian Dan shook her head and said calmly:
"I'm afraid that may not be appropriate. Aside from Purple Sky Sect, other sects have disciples inside. If we forcibly close it now, wouldn't it cut off their return?"
Xiao Hu softly explained:
"What Zūnshàng says is also our concern. That is why we are attending the succession ceremony, hoping to consult the opinions of the other sects. We trust that the other sects will understand. Purple Sky Sect does not wish to be the first to be breached."
"Before closing it, should we send in another group to retrieve them?"
Jian Dan lowered her gaze, contemplating for a while before suggesting:
"If we send another group in, and they vanish as before, what then?"
Xiao Yong and Xiao Hu exchanged a glance before saying:
"Then we set a date. If the second group also fails to return, we close the rift. At least we must ensure the safety of Purple Sky Sect."
"That's one way. How will the timing be decided?"
"That will be determined by Purple Sky Sect, as it requires Zhēnzūn intervention. The Heavenly Sword Sect will comply."
They exchanged another look. In their view, the Heavenly Sword Sect would be the most difficult to coordinate.
After all, the rift was in the space sanctum guarded by Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ of the Heavenly Sword Sect's Law Enforcement Hall. The sect would never abandon Jian Jun.
Jian Dan spoke so frankly because the rift above the Cold Pool in the Di Ling Kingdom suggested that if Jian Jun could pass through it to deliver the sword pendant, it meant that the Purple Sky Sect's guarded rift sanctum had more than one exit.
"In that case, I will consult the other sects and then report back to Zūnshàng."
"Very well, I await your good news."
After leaving Tianyue Peak, Xiao Yong and Xiao Hu visited the leader of the Beast Taming Sect.
In the following days, nothing major occurred. The small-scale auction and exchange meetings on Tianyue Peak's side peaks proceeded smoothly, with high-level disciples from all nine peaks of the Heavenly Sword Sect participating.
Everyone knew the great war was coming, so they bid generously for needed resources, exchanging unwanted items for necessary ones, resulting in a win-win situation.
Mortal Realm
With the blood sac in the capital of Tianqing Kingdom destroyed, the imperial throne changed hands, causing a brief period of chaos.
However, a team of Heavenly Sword Sect disciples remained to recruit students, so the disorder did not last long.
Once the transition of power concluded, normalcy returned. The citizens regarded the sect's disciples almost as gods. Any child between five and ten was brought before an Immortal Master, hoping they could accompany the masters to cultivate in the Immortal Mountains.
The sect's recruitment proceeded smoothly.
Jian Wu, however, took a different approach, venturing into remote and impoverished regions. One, to check for hidden evil cultivators, and two, to avoid conflicting with other sect teams. He believed these areas might yield disciples worthy of his satisfaction.
Jian Wu had been in the mortal realm for some time. In a remote water area, he discovered a late Nascent Soul evil cultivator. The cultivator had gathered soul fragments and flesh, preparing to break into Divine Transformation.
The moment Jian Wu discovered him, "Thunder Roar" appeared in his hand. With a strike of "Thunder Flash," the evil cultivator was split in two, and the hidden waters beneath were cleaved as well, revealing countless bones.
Jian Wu followed up with several lightning spells, reducing the two halves to blackened ashes, then waved his sleeve to turn the black ashes into dust, letting it dissipate into the air.
"Come out! The villain has been slain."
As his voice fell, a small head peeked out from behind a tall pine tree. Jian Wu consciously softened his aura and waved gently at the child.
A five-year-old boy, dressed in coarse clothes covered with patches, cautiously stepped out. His face was smudged with dirt, and his hair matted. Behind him, two younger children followed.
Jian Wu smiled in satisfaction. With a flick of his hand, a Spirit Measuring Orb appeared.
The three children stared wide-eyed, fixated on the object they had never seen.
"Come, place your hands on it one by one."
The eldest boy stepped forward. After wiping his grimy little hands on his tattered pants, he carefully placed his hand on the orb.
The Spirit Measuring Orb shimmered in five colors before settling on a dazzling white.
"A Light Spirit Root!"
Jian Wu's lips curved, finally letting out a genuine smile.