The next day, Wei Xueru soaked in the body-tempering medicinal bath that Jian Dan had prepared. At first, she didn't feel much, but as the medicinal power seeped into her body, a wave of scorching heat spread through her. It felt as if her very flesh was being burned beneath her skin.
This was the effect of the Scorching Sun Grass, a spiritual herb whose potency could range from a hundred to ten thousand years, with its value increasing with age.
Since this was Wei Xueru's first time tempering her body, Jian Dan had only used a hundred-year-old plant. Anything older would risk overwhelming her body.
Wei Xueru endured the burning sensation, sitting cross-legged in the tub with her teeth clenched, determined to withstand it.
"Xueru, start circulating the first layer of the body-tempering technique."
Jian Dan's gentle voice reached her ears, and Wei Xueru immediately followed the instructions she'd been taught. Guided by her spiritual sense, she moved her spiritual energy through her meridians along the prescribed route, merging it with the medicinal power to grind and temper her flesh.
After two hours, the once-green medicinal bath turned clear. Every bit of its energy had been absorbed.
Jian Dan nodded with satisfaction. Wei Xueru's performance was impressive. She had truly stepped through the door of body cultivation.
With a wave of her hand, Jian Dan used a Dust-Cleansing Technique to remove the impurities expelled from Wei Xueru's body.
"You've absorbed all the medicinal power. Now, to help it settle more thoroughly, practice a full set of body-tempering forms, then swing your sword one hundred times."
"Yes, Master!" Wei Xueru changed into her training clothes, slung her ironwood sword on her back, and left the cave dwelling. Her first attempt at the forms was far from perfect.
Jian Dan observed her carefully, condensing droplets of water with her fingers. She flicked them at the spots where Wei Xueru's movements were off, correcting her with words at the same time.
Wei Xueru practiced diligently. After one correction, she repeated the set. This time, most mistakes were fixed.
After a second correction, her third attempt was flawless.
"Very good. You're improving quickly. The technique itself is fine now. What you need is to focus on your strength output, and that takes time."
"Yes, Master. I'll remember. I'll start my sword swings now." Wei Xueru carried her ironwood sword and began her swinging practice.
At this time, Mao Dou and Yu Zongfan arrived at Jian Dan's cave dwelling. After greeting their Master, the two immediately entered a desert trial realm.
They were separated upon arrival, each landing deep within the scorching sands, quickly surrounded by swarms of first-rank sand scorpions.
Both wielded spirit swords, fending off the scorching sun overhead while slashing at the agile scorpions that skittered across the sand. Being stung was no trivial matter.
Mao Dou infused his sword with metallic spiritual energy, leaping lightly across the dunes while cutting through every scorpion that lunged at him, targeting their stingers and pincers.
Yu Zongfan broke free from encirclement by sinking a cluster of scorpions underground with an Earth Collapse Technique before making his escape. But it wasn't long before the buried scorpions clawed their way out, charging at him again.
In the trial, the two dashed about in a desperate struggle, while in reality, they stood motionless before Jian Dan, their faces tight with strain.
Nearby, Wei Xueru, still swinging her sword, noticed her senior brothers frozen in place like they were being punished. She kept quiet.
"Focus on your sword practice, Xueru." Jian Dan sipped her tea, her voice calm but firm.
Wei Xueru snapped her attention back to her training, gripping her ironwood sword tightly as she resumed her swings.
The senior brothers lasted longer than their previous attempt, but in the end, they were taken down by a second-rank sand scorpion. Even after cutting off one of its pincers, they were impaled by its venomous stinger and ejected from the trial realm.
Jian Dan's expression remained gentle. "What did you gain from this round?"
"This disciple's strength is still lacking. I failed to evade the second-rank scorpion's strike," Mao Dou admitted.
Yu Zongfan nodded in agreement.
"Good. Knowing your limits is important. After these two trials, your cultivation is at the edge of a breakthrough. Return to your peaks and enter seclusion to break through to the tenth level of Qi Refinement."
"Yes, Master."
The two disciples bowed, then hurried back to their respective peaks, locking themselves away to advance their cultivation.
Nearby, Bai Bai, seeing his master sent into seclusion by Zūnshàng's orders, became restless. The little creature jumped onto the jade table beside Jian Dan, chittering twice.
"Missing your master already? Don't worry. He won't emerge for several days. I'll have Xueru escort you back soon."
She tossed him a bright red fruit the size of a baby's fist. Bai Bai snatched it happily, chirping twice in delight before stowing it away and watching Wei Xueru's sword swings.
Meanwhile, Lü Se had quietly returned to Tianyue Peak. He waited until Jian Dan finished training the other disciples before approaching.
"Zūnshàng, Lü Se has completed his punishment and returns to duty today."
"Did you gain anything?"
"I followed Zūnshàng's orders. My win rate is fifty percent. My sword qi has fully formed, and after ten days of tempering, it has reached perfection."
Lü Se gave a detailed report of the ten duels he'd fought, including the flaws he'd noticed in himself.
"Good. Keep it up. Spend five days a month defending the arena to maintain your edge."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Lü Se fully understood Jian Dan's intention. She was pushing him to gain real combat experience, and he accepted her discipline without complaint. His previous punishment had been fair, and he bore no resentment.
"Later, meet my little disciple Wei Xueru. She'll remain here for training until she builds her foundation."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
"I've arranged for Yun Shu to handle her daily needs. Keep an eye out for her as well."
"Yes."
Satisfied that her arrangements were complete, Jian Dan rode her sword light toward Law Enforcement Peak. This time, instead of heading to the Law Enforcement Hall's main hall, she turned toward the War Hall.
The guards at the War Hall saluted as she landed.
"Greetings, Hall Master Jian Lu."
"Mm. Who's on duty today?" Jian Dan asked casually.
"Reporting to Hall Master, Captain Tianjian is on duty."
"Alright."
Jian Dan wore a flowing cyan robe, understated yet elegant, its surface shimmering with spiritual light as she stepped into the hall.
The War Hall was a hundred square meters, illuminated by a massive night pearl at its center. Four massive pillars supported the hall, each carved with sword techniques. Together, they formed the Nine Heavenly Sword Forms.
A black meteor-iron chair sat at the main seat, with a mural behind it depicting two crossed swords, one black and one white.
Several ironwood chairs were scattered below. Seated in one of them was Captain Tianjian, nourishing his life-bound sword with spiritual energy. On seeing Jian Dan, he quickly sheathed his weapon and approached with a bow.
"Greetings, Hall Master Jian Lu!"