"Jian Lu Zūnshàng, is there something bringing you to the Buddhist Sect this time?"
Liao Kong walked slowly with Jian Dan and the others through Baima City, asking as they went.
"Master Liao Kong, I would not visit the Three Treasures Hall without reason. This time I come with a difficult matter that requires the help of a powerful figure in the Buddhist Sect."
Jian Dan said directly, then pulled out her invitation card and a jade slip from her storage bracelet, handing them to Liao Kong.
"Master Liao Kong, please deliver my invitation and the reason for my visit to the Sect Leader of the Buddhist Sect."
Liao Kong had not expected Jian Lu Zūnzhàng to be so formal. Understanding the situation was serious, he respectfully accepted the invitation and jade slip, then said,
"You may enter the sect with me."
"This time I did not send the invitation in advance, which is already very rude. I originally planned to contact you or Liao Chen once at Putuo Mountain to send my invitation, then enter the Buddhist Sect's gate."
Jian Dan smiled lightly.
"I will wait for your reply here in Baima City. You need not worry."
"Amitabha! Then I will return to report first."
"Thank you, Master Liao Kong."
Liao Kong took Jian Dan's invitation and hurried back to find his own Master.
"Luckily we met someone familiar, otherwise it would have taken more effort. Zūnshàng, your connections are broad—you even know disciples from the Buddhist Sect."
Qi Hua whispered nearby, adding a bit of flattery toward Jian Dan.
"When I was at Golden Core stage, I once teamed with Liao Kong to break an evil formation." Jian Dan explained briefly.
"Let's go. I have never been to Baima City before. Let's have a look around."
Since they had arrived, there was no need to rush. The juniors were still in the Putuo Mountains and would return tomorrow, so Jian Dan was relaxed as she led the two to the busiest street in Baima City.
Although Qi Hua had been on missions before, it was her first time in the Buddhist Sect territory, so she looked around curiously.
"Zūnshàng, this street is the busiest place in Baima City. In the past hundred years, evil cultivators have caused frequent chaos, so Buddhist artifacts are very popular. Most cultivators coming here seek to buy a Buddhist artifact for protection."
Jian Wu, having been to Baima City before, explained the situation.
"It's mutually beneficial. The Buddhist Sect also needs to recruit disciples."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. From what I know, the Buddhist Sect has recruited disciples from the secular world for decades. The scale is not large, but they have accepted a few promising talents."
Jian Dan nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly asked,
"I remember since I joined Heavenly Sword Sect, we haven't had large-scale disciple recruitment. There have been two sect competitions, but no open recruitment."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. Because of the insect threat, the barrier between the cultivation world and the secular world has been completely sealed. So no disciples have been recruited from the secular world."
"I know this. When I returned from the Di LIng Empire I was directly teleported to the secular world."
Jian Dan considered this for a moment, then said to Jian Wu,
"Remember to remind me later. Heavenly Sword Sect has not recruited disciples for a hundred years. I think it's time to take on some new blood."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I have noted it."
Qi Hua smiled brightly and said,
"Zūnshàng, since we're out on this rare trip, don't keep thinking about sect matters. We came to the Buddhist Sect, so let's also pick out some Buddhist artifacts to bring back for our senior brothers and sisters."
The three chatted casually as they reached Kanan Street, the liveliest street in Baima City. The straight road of blue bricks stretched directly to the Buddhist Sect's mountain gate.
On both sides of the road were shops with varied decorations. Half of them sold Buddhist artifacts, all prosperous with a steady stream of visitors.
Jian Dan instructed Jian Wu,
"Go to the Xianlai Inn and arrange lodging. When the juniors return tomorrow, they will need to freshen up."
"Yes, I'll go now."
Jian Wu was action-oriented and immediately headed toward the nearby three-story "Xianlai Inn." Jian Dan and Qi Hua entered the largest storefront, marked "Buddhist Artifacts Hall."
After parting with Jian Dan, Liao Kong didn't delay. He returned to the Buddhist Sect's mountain gate and smoothly made his way to meet his Master, Master Jue Zhan.
"Amitabha! Liao Kong requests to see Master!"
Master Jue Zhan was playing chess alone under a thousand-year-old pine tree in the back mountain. Hearing Liao Kong's voice, he waved his robe, and the pine forest opened a path automatically.
Liao Kong entered and respectfully chanted the Buddhist greeting,
"Amitabha, Liao Kong disturbs Master."
Master Jue Zhan's face was kind. His eyebrows and beard were white, but his complexion was rosy and calm, radiating a profound spiritual cultivation.
"Liao Kong, do you have a distinguished guest visiting?"
"Yes, Master. Nothing escapes you. This is the invitation from Jian Lu Zūnzhàng of Heavenly Sword Sect."
Liao Kong respectfully presented Jian Dan's invitation and jade slip.
Master Jue Zhan smiled as he took them, reading carefully. Then he looked up and said to Liao Kong,
"Liao Kong, take a look. Do you think this is feasible?"
Liao Kong examined the jade slip again and answered,
"Amitabha! Master, when I was at Golden Core stage, I once helped Jian Lu Zūnzhàng perform a liberation ritual for human souls controlled by evil cultivators in the secular world. This time it is evil spirits, and far more numerous. I do not have full confidence. Please decide, Master."
"Heh heh! Liao Kong, I see you never planned to refuse this dangerous liberation ritual."
Master Jue Zhan calmly placed a white chess piece on the board and smiled.
"Never. Evil cultivators harm all living beings on Lingyun Continent. The Buddhist Sect is also one of these living beings. We must bear our responsibilities."
Liao Kong answered firmly.
"Moreover, Heavenly Sword Sect has already handled the most dangerous part. The rest we of the Buddhist Sect can manage."
"Good. Then tomorrow, take Liao Chen and Fa Hua down the mountain to welcome the esteemed guests of Heavenly Sword Sect into our Buddhist Sect. I want to meet this Jian Lu Daoyou."
"Amitabha! I will notify them immediately."
Liao Kong chanted and exited the pine forest.
Master Jue Zhan held a black chess piece between his fingers and smiled to himself,
"It seems that Jian Lu Daoyou's relic will not be easy to obtain after all."
Jian Dan and Qi Hua entered the Buddhist Artifacts Hall, immediately greeted by a clever young clerk.
"Welcome, honored guests. What would you like to look at today?"
"No hurry, we'll just browse first."
Qi Hua waved off the clerk, eyes fixed on the shelves.
Inside, a counter stood straight ahead, behind which rose a floor-to-ceiling shelf divided into many compartments. Each compartment contained a Buddhist artifact. Prayer beads were most common, along with demon-subduing pestles, meditation staffs, and blessed jade pendants—all protected by transparent light covers.
"Amitabha! Daoyou, I see you have affinity with our Buddhist Sect. Would you be willing to join our practice?"
A clear voice suddenly rang out, startling Qi Hua. She turned to see a young Buddhist cultivator in a simple monk robe with a half-worn kasaya. He held a string of prayer beads in one hand and a meditation staff in the other.
Jian Dan scanned the Buddhist artifacts, then turned with a smile to politely decline the young monk,
"Master, with respect, I am a secular cultivator who enjoys the hustle and bustle of the mundane world. I fear I am not suited to practice in the Buddhist Sect."
Jue Song, having taken in Jian Dan's full appearance, was inwardly surprised.
This woman's cultivation was impressive and she carried the merit of good deeds, yet her aura held a balance of killing intent that neither clouded her mind nor disturbed her peaceful breath. He had never encountered anyone like her before.