Yue Liang lay obediently on Jian Dan's shoulder, looking a little downcast. She was leaving her mother and brother, as well as the land she had known since birth. This was her first time truly stepping beyond her clan's territory.
"I am Shan Yunzu, an outer sect disciple of the Jianyue Peak in Tianjian Sect. From now on, we'll be partners."
"Yue Liang greets Shan Zhēnrén. I'll be good, and I'll help you in battle."
"Don't worry. We're not going to fight anyone right now. First, we need to help you adjust your body's condition. If we don't, it could affect your future growth."
"Thank you, Shan Zhēnrén," Yue Liang said, nuzzling Jian Dan's cheek happily.
Outside the green bamboo grove, four people were growing restless. They were debating who should go in to investigate when Shan Zhēnrén stepped out, catching their attention—not just because she had returned, but because perched on her shoulder was a raccoon beast, about the size of a child's forearm, with a soft coat of brown and yellow fur.
"Whoa, Shan Zhēnrén, you came out with a raccoon beast! That's not the same one from earlier, is it?"
Jīn Liúlí's eyes sparkled at the sight of Yue Liang. She looked like she wanted nothing more than to rush forward and give the little beast a pat.
The three male cultivators didn't say anything, but the curiosity in their eyes betrayed similar thoughts.
"Ahem. This is Yue Liang. We've just formed a contract. She's now my spiritual companion."
As Jian Dan spoke, Yue Liang stood upright on her shoulder and politely greeted the others with her front paws pressed together.
Jīn Liúlí stared at her with even more envy.
"Alright, back to business. We've completed two tasks and defeated two teams, which gives us four points. We need to head down the mountain and report."
"The way down won't be peaceful. Teams that haven't finished their missions may try one last attempt. To them, we're a fat prize. How's everyone doing after this past hour of rest?"
"Shan Zhēnrén, we've taken turns meditating and recovered our spiritual energy. We're ready to go," Cáo Chénfēng stepped forward to report.
"Good. Stay alert. Let's move."
Jian Dan led the team downhill at a swift pace. She spread her divine sense outward and avoided unnecessary fights whenever possible. Thanks to her vigilance, they made it smoothly to the mountainside.
Suddenly, Jian Dan came to a halt and raised a hand to stop the group. Within the range of her divine sense, she had detected a familiar team engaged in battle with a Nascent Soul cultivator. It was the group led by Táo Chéngfēng from the Sword Formation Peak—the same one Jīn Liúlí had set up earlier.
Jian Dan originally intended to avoid them, but the Yuányīng Zhēnjūn had blocked the main path down the mountain and was now engaged in combat with Táo Chéngfēng's group, who had formed a sword formation.
Táo Chéngfēng stood at the forefront of the formation, channeling sharp sword energy from the other four into his weapon. A massive sword shadow formed above him, and he slashed it forward, but the Yuányīng Zhēnjūn shattered it with a single punch. The shockwave broke their formation, sending the group tumbling to the ground, their faces pale.
"A single Golden Core cultivator with four Foundation Establishment disciples, and you managed to last one exchange. That's enough. Go on, head down the mountain."
Jiàn Shèng Zhēnjūn waved them off, allowing them to pass.
"Your team. If you're ready, come on out."
Jian Dan was not surprised that they had been noticed. It was obvious the Zhēnjūn had been waiting for them from the start.
Upon hearing the Nascent Soul cultivator call them out, the five of them stepped forward respectfully and bowed together.
"The Yín Dīng team greets Zhēnjūn."
Jian Dan looked up and saw that Jiàn Shèng Zhēnjūn wore the standard white robe of Tianjian Sect, though his robe bore far more intricate formation patterns. At his waist hung a sword-shaped pendant carved from black jade. His appearance was extremely average, the kind of face one could forget in a crowd.
"If you're ready, begin."
Jian Dan offered another bow. As she spoke, the silver-armored insect from her pendant flowed across her robes like water, covering her in protective armor.
"Zhēnjūn is mighty. Unlike Senior Brother Táo, we cannot form a sword formation. We'll have to rely on external tools. I only hope we don't lose too badly. We're grateful for your guidance."
As her words fell, the five figures vanished into the mist.
Even before they had approached, Jian Dan had arranged for Cotton Candy to act. The spiritual beast obscured their presence while they launched a coordinated attack on the Zhēnjūn.
This time, Jian Dan was the core of the team. Her Twin Moon Flood Dragon Sword was currently in a half-broken state, so the Obsidian Bracelet took the lead. When activated, Jian Dan moved with a ghostlike step technique, using Cotton Candy's cover to launch strikes from multiple angles. Purple fist shadows flew from all sides, but the Zhēnjūn deflected them with ease.
However, for the final strike, the other four poured all their spiritual energy into Jian Dan. Her punch, infused with that borrowed power, darkened from pale violet to deep purple. A massive fist shadow broke through the mist and collided with the white fist shadow of Jiàn Shèng Zhēnjūn.
The force of their clash blasted away Cotton Candy's fog. Both sides were now clearly visible to one another. At the moment of impact, the overlapping fist shadows produced a wave of purple and white light, forcing both sides backward before the energy finally dissipated.
Jian Dan felt her blood churn violently, her spiritual energy surging out of control. Yue Liang clung tightly to her neck, black eyes wide as she stared at the Zhēnjūn across from them.
The team was pushed back several zhang before they could steady themselves.
On the other side, Jiàn Shèng Zhēnjūn had only taken one step back. But now, he drew his sword.
===
[Author Notes]
Some dear readers have said that if the protagonist is reborn, she should slaughter gods when she sees them, destroy Buddhas when they cross her path, and wipe out all her enemies for true satisfaction. But I believe that rebirth doesn't just give one a head start—it also grants greater life experience.
Even when her cultivation is low, the heroine can rely on her hard-earned wisdom to achieve victory.
In this story, the protagonist doesn't fight with the female rival for opportunities in the lower realm—not because she couldn't kill her, but because she felt there was more she could do in the cultivation realm. That's why she entered this world a hundred years earlier than in her previous life.
It's this century of unexplored experience that truly marks the beginning of her journey to change her fate.