"Enough speculation. Let's enter the trial ourselves. Once we step in, everything will become clear."
Tian Hong spoke decisively, then turned his gaze to Tian Yun, waiting for his senior brother's word.
"Then you'll enter the Rubik's Cube Realm for a trial run and see what's inside."
Tian Yun made his decision and then instructed Jian Lu, "Your Master's entry will drain more spiritual power from the Rubik's Cube Realm. Go find Jian Chong and collect a high-grade spirit vein from the Operations Hall. Place it beneath the realm to support it."
"Yes, Zhēnzūn." Jian Lu bowed, accepted Tian Yun Zhēnzūn's purple-gold sword token, and left the rear mountain forbidden area.
As Jian Lu departed, Tian Zhen Zhēnzūn, who had been quiet, suddenly stepped forward to block Tian Hong. "Tian Hong, why is it always you? You left the sect last time too."
"Oh? You want to go? Then let's spar. Whoever wins goes." A spark of youthful defiance flashed across Tian Hong's face, an echo of his reckless younger years.
"Hold it, both of you. Save your strength for the trial." Tian Yun, as the eldest senior brother, played mediator and waved them down.
"So, Senior Brother, you mean all of us can go inside eventually?" Tian Shou raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly. We'll go one at a time. We each have duties; none of us can vanish together. Let Tian Hong go first and scout."
"That works. I've been wanting to see inside for ages."
Satisfied, Tian Zhen Zhēnzūn relaxed, returning to his meditation cushion. He picked up a cup of spiritual tea brewed by Tian Yun but had barely taken a sip when he sensed an inquiry message from the Heavenly Sword Peak Scripture Pavilion.
"Senior Brother, someone's gone to the Scripture Pavilion. I'll check it out." Before his words had faded, he was already gone.
Heavenly Sword Peak Scripture Pavilion
After leaving the Law Enforcement Hall, Jian Dan headed straight for the Scripture Pavilion. Matters of cultivation techniques required her personal attention. The Wei Clan would love to see her humiliated; she would never let them succeed.
Her sudden appearance drew attention. Disciples from the inner sect, elite ranks, and even direct disciples all stepped forward to greet her. Jian Dan nodded with a smile and moved toward the entrance.
This was the pavilion on the sect's main peak, guarded by a golden, dragon-engraved circular mirror that verified identity. With practiced ease, she slid her sword token into the slot beneath the mirror. The surface rippled, glowing with text:
[Shan Yunzu, Dao title Jian Lu, Tianyue Peak Core Disciple, Unity Late Stage Cultivation, Access to the Eighth Floor of the Scripture Pavilion.]
Instead of withdrawing her token, Jian Dan summoned a wisp of spiritual energy and inscribed words onto the mirror's surface:
"Requesting to exchange sect contribution points for a technique. Requires access to the ninth floor."
The golden dragon-engraved mirror stirred. The carved dragons slithered across the surface like living creatures, and her message vanished from sight.
The disciples nearby watched in awe. None had ever seen the identity-verification Dragon Mirror respond like this.
A moment later, Jian Dan received a voice transmission: "Jian Lu, head straight to the ninth floor."
It was Tian Zhen Zhēnzūn's voice.
"Yes, Zhēnzūn."
Her figure vanished from the pavilion entrance.
The disciples, who had been sneaking glances at her, realized Jian Lu Zūnshàng was gone. They dispersed, though speculation about her visit spread rapidly throughout the sect.
If Jian Dan had heard them, she would have only laughed and said, "What can I do? I'm famous. Attention comes with the title."
Liu Chuan: "Arrogant."
Cotton Candy: "Zūnshàng is mighty!"
When Jian Dan reappeared, she was on the ninth floor of the pavilion—the tower's pinnacle, noticeably smaller than the lower levels.
Nine rows of shelves filled the room, holding jade slips, bamboo scrolls, wood carvings, ancient tomes, and even beast-hide manuscripts, each radiating the weight of centuries.
Tian Zhen Zhēnzūn, dressed in simple robes, stood waiting, smiling warmly at her.
"Jian Lu greets Tian Zhen Zhēnzūn."
Tian Zhen exuded scholarly grace, a dignified authority reminiscent of a stern teacher. Slim and composed, he carried himself with quiet power. As the Scripture Pavilion's guardian, all nine peaks' collections were under his care, which was why Jian Dan had come directly here.
"You're here to choose techniques for your disciples?" Tian Zhen asked plainly.
"Yes. I've taken three disciples and wish to find techniques suited for them."
"Most people choose disciples who share their spiritual root attributes. You didn't. None of your disciples matches your own." Tian Zhen's voice held a trace of amusement.
"Tell me about it. I took them because of fate, and fate is a debt I can't ignore." Tian Zhen led her forward, Jian Dan following respectfully.
"Does Zhēnzūn have any guidance?"
"There's a wind-element technique, The Wind and Cloud Codex. A Heaven-Tier technique, capable of reaching Mahayana."
Jian Dan's eyes lit up. This technique seemed made for Xue Ru.
"Don't celebrate yet." Tian Zhen's timely warning poured cold water on her excitement.
"Wind is shapeless and formless. Since this codex was placed on the ninth floor, no one has ever successfully found it. Even Jian Hua scoured this level and left empty-handed."
"So, this codex has quite the temper."
"Indeed. What will you do?"
"That's easy. I'm not cultivating it, am I? I'll have Xue Ru come herself. If she has the talent to claim it, she deserves this pinnacle technique."
"You certainly have confidence in your disciples."
"They're diligent." Jian Dan's tone was modest.
Tian Zhen chuckled faintly. Behind Jian Dan's respectful demeanor, she was fiercely competitive and meticulous. No wonder Jian Jun had chosen her early on. The question now was: what kind of disciples would she raise?
"Zhēnzūn, I already have an earth-element technique. But my eldest disciple has gold, water, and wood spiritual roots. Is there anything suitable for him?"
"Let me think." Tian Zhen pondered briefly before replying: "There's no technique for all three elements, but The Water and Wood Pure Radiance Sutra suits his water-wood attributes. As for gold, you can find him a supplemental technique."
Jian Dan considered. Maodou possessed a natural sword physique, already at Foundation Establishment. His gold attribute manifested through his sword bone; no separate technique was necessary. This sutra was perfect for him.
"Zhēnzūn, I'll exchange for The Water and Wood Pure Radiance Sutra."
She respectfully handed over her purple jade sword token.
"Alright."
Tian Zhen Zhēnzūn deducted the required points with a flick, tossing her a violet jade slip. "Don't underestimate this sutra just because of its gentle name. It's a Heaven-Tier technique with lethal potential. Teach it yourself and ensure their safety."
"Yes, Jian Lu understands."
Her sword token returned, its balance reduced by eight figures.
"Tsk, only you could afford that. Otherwise, you couldn't even train them."
Most cultivators only took disciples who matched their attributes, passing down their own techniques. Few went through this much trouble to hunt for compatible arts.
Heaven-Tier techniques were rare treasures. This was why cultivators flocked to sects; deep foundations meant even top-tier techniques were attainable.
"As for The Wind and Cloud Codex, if your youngest has the skill to claim it herself, it won't cost you any points."