In recent days, Yunling City had become the focal point of the entire cultivation world. Peng Xilai was run off his feet with responsibilities, wishing he could cultivate a clone just to help manage everything. Ever since he had accompanied his grandfather, Peng Wang Zhūnzhǔ, to visit Jiàn Jùn Zhūnzhǔ of the Heavenly Sword Sect, things had spiraled into full-blown chaos.
In less than three days, Divine Transformation Lords, Divine Soul Zūnzhě, and Void Refinement Zhūnzhǔ, from major sects had arrived in Yunling City one after another. The entire Lingyun Mountain Range was combed over repeatedly, from its outermost edges to the deepest valleys.
Even the beasts and spirit creatures within the mountain range were eerily quiet. Most of the high-level creatures had fled deeper into the range, avoiding detection by powerful cultivators.
Jian Dan, Tao Chengfeng, and the other Jīndān Zhēnrén who had participated in the battle against the monster kept a low profile. They remained in seclusion at their residences and made no effort to boast or flaunt their deeds.
At the third quarter past noon, Jian Dan and Tao Chengfeng arrived early at the second floor of the "Feast of Gluttony" to await Han Pengfei of the Cloud Sea Sect. They picked a table by the window. Tao Chengfeng ordered a pot of spirit tea from a Foundation Establishment attendant and, taking advantage of the empty hall, discreetly placed a recording stone on the window ledge.
Jian Dan gave him an approving look. Just as they were making idle conversation, Han Pengfei arrived in a hurry, stopping under the tavern sign to double-check the name before stepping inside.
Jian Dan's spiritual sense easily detected someone tailing him: the Jīndān Zhēnrén Xu Meixia.
The fish had taken the bait. Jian Dan gave Tao Chengfeng a glance. He nodded, having noticed it as well.
Han Pengfei made his way up the stairs and directly approached their table.
"Inner sect disciple Han Pengfei of Cloud Sea Sect greets the two Zhēnrén."
"Pengfei, no need for such formality. With our friendship, why bother being so polite?" Jian Dan smiled warmly.
Today, Han Pengfei wasn't wearing the Cloud Sea Sect uniform. Instead, he had donned a flowing green robe with wide sleeves, a matching jade pendant at his waist, and a silver hair crown adorned with a pale-blue jade hairpin. The overall effect was refined and elegant, drawing more than a few looks.
Jian Dan gave him a once-over and couldn't help but laugh inwardly. To the casual eye, he seemed dressed for a date, but a closer look revealed that from head to toe, every item he wore was of spiritual treasure grade. Fully armed, in other words.
Meanwhile, Han Pengfei had already broken into a cold sweat the moment Jian Dan casually called him "Pengfei." He had witnessed her brutal efficiency firsthand—crisp, clean, and ruthless. He blinked rapidly, sending a clear message: he would fully cooperate.
Once they were all seated, Jian Dan personally poured Han Pengfei a cup of tea, brushing against his hand in the process. Tao Chengfeng's expression almost turned green, and he masked it by taking a sip of tea. Han Pengfei's hair stood on end, and inwardly he groaned in misery.
"You shameless woman, stop right there!"
A sharp voice rang out from the stairs. Xu Meixia, in a powder-pink Daoist robe, stormed into the room. Even before she appeared, her voice had already drawn attention. Onlookers in the tavern began to whisper among themselves. Gossip involving romance and scandal was always a crowd favorite.
Jian Dan saw that the person she had been waiting for had arrived. She waved off the nervous Foundation Establishment attendant and stepped forward, walking slowly toward Xu Meixia.
Years of body refinement had paid off. Jian Dan's Ice-Skin Jade-Bone Demon Body Art had already reached the Tendon Tempering Stage. She now stood nearly 178 centimeters tall, towering over Xu Meixia, who barely reached her chin.
"Xu Zhēnrén," she said calmly, looking down, "what brings you here uninvited? I only invited Nephew Han. Also, what exactly did I do that was so shameful?"
Xu Meixia instinctively took a step back, but quickly caught herself. Backing down here would make her look weak. Besides, they were in the heart of the city, surrounded by civilians. Jian Dan couldn't possibly do anything outrageous.
"You are a Jindan Zhēnrén of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Why would you invite a Foundation Establishment disciple of the Cloud Sea Sect? You... you…"
"You what?"
Xu Meixia hesitated, unable to say it aloud. Jian Dan waved a hand, casting a soundproofing spell that isolated their voices from curious eavesdroppers. Then she coldly completed the sentence for her.
"Because I did what you wanted to do but didn't dare to. What you couldn't do."
"You…"
"What about it? How do you know Pengfei didn't come willingly? Just look at him today. All dressed up just to meet me. After all, a man dresses well for the one he wishes to impress."
The two men sitting awkwardly at the table had three black lines across their foreheads. Was that even a saying?
The city patrol had already noticed the commotion, but seeing that it was merely two female Jīndān Zhēnrén fighting over a young man, they lost interest. Such matters were common in Cloud Sea City.
Xu Meixia was livid. This woman had to die. Otherwise, how could her beloved Brother Han ever be truly hers? Though she didn't want to admit it, Jian Dan had pierced right through her heart. She had intended to use the secret realm expedition to finally bring them together, but then that damned black-armored bug had ruined everything. Now, Shan Yunzu had stepped in and stolen the spotlight.
Enraged beyond reason, Xu Meixia suddenly laughed coldly and tossed out a formation disk. The four of them were instantly trapped within a restrictive array. Her spirit sword gleamed with cold light as it slashed straight toward Jian Dan's dantian.
She meant to cripple her completely.