Jian Dan wasn't surprised by the report. She chuckled inwardly before asking, "Is this information reliable? How is the cultivation world reacting?"
"It's accurate," Wei Zhengrong confirmed. "The Yin-Yang Gate cultivators tracking Du Yanran discovered it. One of them lay in ambush along her escape route but watched her vanish into thin air. At first, he thought she had used a high-level invisibility talisman, so he and his companions scoured the area. They found nothing, except for a discarded magnolia-shaped jade pendant."
Wei Zhengrong paused and glanced at Jian Dan.
Every Heavenly Sword Sect cultivator knew that Jian Lu Zūnshàng's insignia was the magnolia. Her calling cards and even her spatial domains bore its design.
Jian Dan toyed with the fan in her hand and asked, "And then?"
"They didn't detect anything unusual about the pendant at first, but its presence felt suspicious. They collected it, planning to study it back at their sect."
"And then it disappeared," Jian Dan stated plainly.
"Yes!"
"That alone isn't enough to prove Du Yanran possesses a life-bound spatial treasure. It's just their speculation, isn't it?"
"Exactly as you said, Zūnshàng. They're unsure themselves. They spread this rumor hoping to rally more cultivators to join the hunt for Du Yanran."
"Hmm. And to cover up their incompetence," Jian Dan said lightly, "since they can't even kill a traitor from their own sect."
She waved her hand dismissively and instructed, "Track her movements closely and report to me immediately."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
With the main report complete, Wei Zhengrong finally broached the subject of his younger sister."Zūnshàng, may I ask… how is my sister doing?"
"Xue Ru has been training diligently," Jian Dan replied. "I've allowed her to go to the eastern peak to set up her future cultivation cave abode."
Wei Zhengrong's lips curved into a smile, already picturing his sister's excited face.
"I've also contacted our parents," he added. "They've followed my advice and entered seclusion. The clan hasn't delivered your calling card to the Ancestor either. They intend to pressure my sister regarding cultivation techniques."
He shared the clan's latest messages, wanting Jian Dan to be aware.
"I see," Jian Dan said calmly. "Leave her cultivation techniques to me. You just need to stabilize your parents."
"Yes, I understand. Thank you for your efforts, Zūnshàng," Wei Zhengrong said, bowing deeply.
If Jian Lu Zūnshàng hadn't intervened to block Wei Chengze, Wei Zhengrong might have acted rashly, which would have created trouble for both their clan and sect. He was deeply grateful that Zūnshàng not only protected him and Xue Ru but also ensured she had a safe environment to grow.
"Alright, there's nothing more here," Jian Dan said. "Go see Xue Ru at the eastern peak. Share your parents' news so she can cultivate in peace."
"Yes."
Led by Lü Se, Wei Zhengrong left for the eastern peak, while Jian Dan departed Tianyue Peak and headed toward the Battle Hall of the Law Enforcement Hall to check on the current trial dreamscape.
As Jian Dan's flight light descended, the Tianyue squad leader hurried to greet her.
"Greetings, Hall Master."
"Mm. How are the ninety trial participants faring?"
"Hall Master, this time they're holding on much longer. So far, only ten have exited the dreamscape. Their cultivation levels range from early to mid Divine Transformation, and some even show signs of breaking through. They've been escorted back to their caves by their squad leaders."
This was Tianyue Squad's second time participating in the dream trial. Not a single one had been ejected prematurely; all were still persevering.
"These next two days will be the limit. You and the other squad leaders should stay vigilant," Jian Dan instructed as she sat down.
"Yes, Hall Master. We already inspect them daily and will respond immediately if anything happens," the squad leader replied.
Jian Dan's eyes glimmered blue as she swept her divine sense through the dreamscape. Inside, all Battle Hall disciples had gathered for the final battle.
This trial dream was modeled after the final battle in the Underworld Valley War: countless insects charged fearlessly toward the exit while Battle Hall cultivators fought to hold the line.
Those who had endured the earlier "Stage-by-Stage" trials were now at their limits.
Back then, Jian Dan herself had been ejected from a similar trial when she triggered a demonic energy riot after breaking through within the dreamscape.
But in this version, she'd designed it so that participants could only leave through "death."
The disciples fought fiercely. When they realized they couldn't hold off the insect tide alone, they formed formations. One squad fortified the exit, while the other seven advanced in a fan-shaped battle line, slaughtering insects relentlessly.
When the leading group weakened, they rotated out with the reserve squad at the exit. Rested teams returned to the fray in an orderly cycle, maintaining the fight as long as possible.
Yet the waves of insects seemed endless. The battlefront was forced back, shrinking their battlefield and increasing their exhaustion.
As casualties mounted, more cultivators fell and were ejected from the trial. The moment they emerged, spiritual energy fluctuations rippled from their bodies, triggering breakthroughs like falling dominoes. One after another, they exited the dreamscape and began advancing their cultivation.
Though the hall was filled with high-level cultivators, the chaotic spiritual energy disturbed those still trapped in battle. Some instinctively began drawing in qi, preparing to break through.
The squad leader acted swiftly, sending transmission talismans.
Jian Dan raised her hand, whisking the advancing cultivators out of the hall, leaving only those who were stable.
She flashed outside and rose into the sky. With her finger as a brush and spiritual energy as ink, she drew a Gathering Spirit Talisman and pushed it downward.
The sixty cultivators she had removed sat in meditation, guiding their breakthroughs as spiritual energy from all of Law Enforcement Peak converged.
Even so, the ambient qi wasn't enough to satisfy so many breakthroughs. Squad leaders arrived one after another.
"Send your people back to their respective peaks to advance," Jian Dan ordered. "This place can't sustain everyone at once."
"Yes!"
The leaders wasted no time, whisking their disciples away. Within half a stick of incense, every cultivator breaking through had departed.
Returning to the hall, Jian Dan found twenty disciples still stabilizing their qi.
She nodded in satisfaction. This trial was equivalent in difficulty to the dreamscapes used for squad leader assessments.
The Tianjian and Tianyue squads had fought their way to the end, proving their determination and skill.
Deciding to reward their perseverance, Jian Dan summoned her guqin, a sword-shaped ancient instrument. She plucked its strings, playing "Drunken Dream."
The serene melody drifted through the hall, calming their turbulent hearts and restoring clarity.
When the song ended, all twenty disciples rose and bowed deeply to thank their Hall Master.
Just then, Jian Feng's flight light descended outside the Battle Hall. After a guard announced him, he entered hurriedly.