"These two jade bottles, one holds top-grade Spirit Spring Water to repair your hidden injuries. The other contains Undying Elixir, which I obtained after slaying the broodmother of the insect race. It can temper your muscles and bones a second time. There is no cultivation limit. If you cannot absorb it at once, it will settle into your bones until it is fully absorbed."
Jian Dan explained the uses of the two bottles she had bestowed.
Captains Tian Quan and Tian Yu both shot Jian Dan grateful looks. The top-grade Undying Elixir was exactly what they needed.
From that clash alone, the Hall Master had seen their problems. Clearly, this Hall Master was no figurehead.
"Hall Master, is this the same reward you offered that patrolling squad?" asked the Captain of the Tianyue Squad as he swept his divine sense over the white jade bottle in his hand.
"Yes. At the time, all of you had been sent to sweep our Heavenly Sword Sect's territories for any blood sacs, and the Heavenly Sword Squad needed to remain at the War Hall to handle emergencies. I had no choice but to let the Law Enforcement Hall issue the mission, so I made the reward generous."
There was nothing to hide. The mission would not end for the next two hundred years at least. With the appearance of the new blood insect, it had to continue, so she told them plainly.
The nine captains nodded and tucked the treasures away, each already planning to enter a short seclusion to use what the Hall Master had granted. Now was the time to strengthen themselves.
At that moment, squad members arrived in steady streams. Aside from a few who were on missions or in seclusion, almost everyone was present. Seeing their Hall Master, the gathered cultivators were visibly excited.
The squads had compared notes in private. Everyone knew the Hall Master's testing realm was formidable, and anyone who endured it gained greatly.
"Greetings, Hall Master Jian Lu!"
Jian Dan raised a hand and smiled. "I should have met the War Hall sooner, but I was stretched thin. So today is our proper introduction.
I came from the mortal world and, by chance, entered the Heavenly Sword Sect. I have cultivated from the Outer Gate's Jianyue Peak to the Inner Gate's Tianyue Peak. Now I have been appointed Hall Master of the War Hall by the Zhēnzūn. I hope we can work together seamlessly and safeguard the Heavenly Sword Sect."
"Yes. Guard the sect. Let our legacy continue!"
Their ringing response echoed through the hall. In the instant Jian Dan lifted her gaze, all eighty-one cultivators were drawn into a dream. Right now, they were undergoing 'One Stage, One Realm', hacking down insects with all their might.
Satisfied, Jian Dan turned to the nine captains. "They are already in the trial dream. Stand guard for them. When they are eliminated, they will naturally awaken. Once you have repaired your own injuries, we will begin the second round of trials."
"Yes, Hall Master."
The nine bowed in unison.
Only then did Jian Dan leave the War Hall, intending to return to her own peak to check on the cultivation of her three disciples.
She had not yet left Law Enforcement Peak when Wei Zhengrong intercepted her. "Zūnshàng, Hall Master Jian Li requests your presence."
"Seems the Message Hall has good control these days. Everyone knows exactly where to block my path."
"Zūnshàng jests. It is mainly because you were on the arena today. Almost everyone on Law Enforcement Peak knew. I was on duty at the Law Enforcement Hall and could not go watch the match," Wei Zhengrong explained quickly.
"What does Martial Brother Jian Li want with me?"
"This subordinate does not know."
Jian Dan could only turn back toward the main hall of the Law Enforcement Hall. With a wave, she brought Wei Zhengrong along and gave him a private errand on the way.
"Zhengrong, when you have time, go to the Hua Clan. They have a Wind Spirit that has awakened spiritual intelligence. It suits Xueru."
At the mention of his little sister, and hearing it was something that would benefit her, Wei Zhengrong's ears perked up at once. "Yes. Thank you for thinking of her, Zūnshàng."
"When you go, take the Twin Lotus wooden token I passed on to Jian Sheng. It is a Hua Clan pass token. For its sake, they should not try to cheat you."
"Yes, I understand."
Having finished the private matter, they entered the main hall. As usual, Jian Li sat upright at the head. Jade slips had already piled up on his desk.
"Senior Brother, what do you need from me?" Jian Dan cupped her hands to Jian Li, then sat down on her own, waiting for instructions.
"You went to the War Hall today."
"Mn. It was overdue. I finally met everyone properly."
"I heard that everyone not on duty on half of Law Enforcement Peak went to watch you train your subordinates."
"These people just love a lively scene. I merely sparred with the nine captains to gauge the depth of their strength, so I can train them with precision later."
"Good. A strong general has no weak soldiers. I know your capabilities."
"Senior Brother, your praise makes my heart tremble."
She even pressed a hand to her chest, then said, "Please, just say what you want me to do."
A rare smile touched Jian Li's stern face. "Nothing major. I want your opinion."
Seeing he was getting to the point, Jian Dan sat attentively.
"Since your battle beyond Cloud Sea Sect's outer sea, when you forced the Evil Blade to seal itself beneath the waves, our Heavenly Sword Sect's 'Jianzhong' has become famous. Some people want to try their luck here."
Jian Li put it politely, but Jian Dan understood at once. An ancient weapon that did not even need to be drawn to intimidate the world would naturally make cultivators flock like moths.
"Senior Brother, ancient weapons are not Stargrass. They are not growing on every hillside. Even if they exist, they are not all in our Heavenly Sword Sect."
She could only marvel at certain cultivators' train of thought. Why fixate on the Heavenly Sword Sect?
Jian Li spread his hands, imitating Jian Dan's bluntness. "Everyone understands that. But they all cling to a 'what if'. What if there really is another blade in the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
Jian Dan's eyes turned, and her divine sense tapped the Mò Xī Jiàn. If anyone had a say in this, it was her sword spirit.
"Is there another ancient weapon in the 'Sword Tomb'?"
"Tch. With me here, what ancient weapon would dare settle on my turf?"
The sword spirit of the Mò Xī Jiàn sounded very pleased with itself. Then it rolled over and ignored Jian Dan.
"My sword spirit says there will not be a second ancient weapon in the 'Sword Tomb'," Jian Dan said, giving a definitive answer.
"I know. But our word alone may not convince them."
That was true. Jian Dan studied Jian Li's solemn face. "Then what is Senior Brother's idea?"
"There are some people we can refuse outright. There are others we cannot turn away so bluntly. See if you have a good method."
Ah, favors and face.
"In that case, for those we cannot refuse who wish to enter the 'Sword Tomb' to claim a sword, allow them one entry. But they cannot take a blade for free. They must leave behind a weapon of spirit-treasure grade or higher within the 'Sword Tomb'."
Jian Li's eyes lit up. Of course. If you want to draw a sword in the Heavenly Sword Sect, you must pay the price. There is no free lunch. This could work.
"Of course, if they have no spirit sword, they can exchange their entry with spirit stones or rare heaven-and-earth treasures. Either way, our Heavenly Sword Sect will not lose."
A smile touched Jian Li's mouth. He asked, "And if no one who enters manages to draw the so-called ancient sword, how should we reply?"
"Hehe. Then just repeat my Mò Xī Jiàn's words to them. 'With me here already, what ancient weapon would dare take root on my turf?'"
Jian Dan had softened the wording a little, but Jian Li understood. There truly would not be a second ancient weapon in the 'Sword Tomb'.