Jian Dan leapt out of the void and saw that the battle around Putuo Mountain had ended. Buddhist disciples were tidying up the aftermath.
"Zūnshàng, did you catch up with the enemy?"
Jian Wu and Qi Hua, relieved to see their Zūnshàng safe, stepped forward to salute and ask.
"He did not reveal his true body. I only severed his divine consciousness, but it counts as a heavy blow."
Jian Dan replied to them, then scanned the area. The Buddhist master who appeared before Jian Dan left had already gone.
"Amitabha! Jian Lu Daoyou, were you injured?"
"Not at all!"
"Thank you for your assistance, Jian Lu Daoyou. The losses this time are minimal."
"No need for thanks. Eradicating evil cultivators is the joint responsibility of our Dao and Buddhist sects."
"Amitabha! I will have Liao Kong and Liao Chen handle the remaining matters. Jian Lu Daoyou, please come with me to the Buddhist Sect."
Master Jue Song invited.
"Thank you for your kindness, Master. Our group was already planning to visit the Buddhist Sect. But with the evil cultivator trouble at Putuo Mountain, news has surely spread and your sect will be busy."
"Our juniors are staying at an inn in Baima City. They were shocked but are recovering. After calming them, I will join Liao Kong and Liao Chen tomorrow to enter the Buddhist Sect. May I?"
Jian Dan bowed politely.
Master Jue Song nodded. Jian Lu Daoyou was careful and modest, assisting the Buddhist Sect without seeking credit. She was trustworthy.
"You are considerate, Jian Lu Daoyou. Very well, we shall meet tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, I will definitely trouble your sect."
After a few words with Liao Chen and Liao Kong, Master Jue Song quickly returned to the mountain gate.
Jian Dan brought Jian Wu and Qi Hua to Liao Chen. He had now reached the late Divine Transformation stage, becoming more elegant and ethereal. His Buddhist light shone brighter and purer.
"Amitabha! Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnzhàng. Do you have any instructions for me?"
"After our last parting at Heavenly Sword Sect, I didn't expect to meet so soon. Your Buddhist skills have improved, Junior Brother Liao Chen."
Jian Dan smiled warmly.
Liao Chen bowed, his eyes briefly scanning Jian Dan's shoulder respectfully.
"Thank you for the compliment, Zūnshàng."
"Yue Liang is on a mission for the sect and did not accompany me. When you have time, you should visit her at Heavenly Sword Sect."
She continued,
"Evil cultivators are cunning. While investigating, be cautious. I will return to Baima City to meet the juniors. Tomorrow, we will enter the Buddhist Sect together."
"Amitabha! Master Jue Song instructed Senior Brother and me to meet you at the 'Xianlai Inn' at noon tomorrow."
Jian Dan nodded and left Putuo Mountain with Jian Wu and Qi Hua.
Xianlai Inn, Baima City
A group of young cultivators gathered in their rooms, sharing their experiences at Putuo Mountain, excitedly exchanging stories.
Jia Yushu asked Yu Jia Jia and Yu Yuan Hai,
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister, did your group encounter problems? You sent us back before the agreed meeting time."
Yu Jiahia sighed like a little adult, sipping spirit fruit juice before recounting their ordeal. The young cultivators listened in awe.
When Jian Dan appeared at the inn's entrance, Yu Yuan Hai greeted her,
"Zūnshàng, are you unharmed? We felt the spiritual fluctuations from Putuo Mountain. The Buddhist Sect sent powerful monks to investigate."
"I am fine. The matter is resolved. Tomorrow, join me to enter the Buddhist Sect."
"Yes, Zūnshàng!"
Jian Dan walked slowly upstairs and asked Yu Yuan Hai,
"Manager Yu, did you finish recording with the spirit recording stones I gave you?"
Yu Yuan Hai smiled respectfully,
"As instructed, everything is recorded. Here are the spirit recording stones for both teams."
He took the stones from his sleeve and handed them to Jian Lu Zūnzhàng.
"Good. Let's go see the kids!"
Jian Dan opened the door to find the young cultivators gathered quietly, exchanging their half-day trial experiences. Upon seeing Jian Lu Zūnzhàng return, they immediately crowded around and bowed,
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnzhàng!"
"Good. Are you all well?"
Jian Dan sat down and asked casually.
"Thank you for your concern. We are fine, but a great battle seems to have happened at Putuo Mountain. Can you tell us what happened?"
Jia Yushu stepped forward to speak for the group.
Jian Dan nodded at Qi Hua, who then gave a rough account of the events.
The kids listened attentively, then looked at Jian Dan with admiration and envy.
Jian Dan smiled and said,
"This trial was cut short by unexpected events, but I believe everyone gained something. Tomorrow we enter the Buddhist Sect. I will assign your new tasks."
"Yes, Zūnshàng!"
Jian Dan took out two spirit recording stones and handed them to the two team leaders with a sly smile.
"These are recordings from your arrival at Putuo Mountain to departure. Watch them and evaluate your performance. What were your weaknesses? Your strengths? How would you handle similar situations next time? Each team should write a trial report and submit it after returning to the sect."
"Yes, Zūnshàng!"
Jia Yushu and Yu Zong Fan carefully took notes and took their team's stones to review with their teammates.
Jian Dan returned to her private room, finally relaxing. She instructed Qi Hua,
"Give me the spirit recording stone from the battle."
Qi Hua took one from her storage bracelet and handed the black stone to Jian Dan.
Jian Dan quickly reviewed the footage, then passed the stone to Jian Wu.
"Send a flying sword letter to the sect immediately. Order the war hall to check the remaining cities for blood sacs."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
"Also, tell Jian Sheng I am certain the evil cultivator is hiding within Cloud Sea Sect's territory. Today's battle ended when I chased his divine consciousness just as it reached Cloud Sea Sect boundaries."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. Should Jian Sheng collect recent Cloud Sea Sect intel?"
"Yes, have him gather information from the last hundred years. I want to review it when I return."
Jian Dan tapped the table rhythmically, then added to Jian Wu,
"Send a message to the peerless young master of Cloud Sea Sect in my name. Say I chased the evil cultivator who vanished near their borders. No further details."
"Yes, understood."
Jian Wu waited a moment, then left to carry out the orders.
Qi Hua watched Jian Wu leave and asked Jian Dan,
"Zūnshàng, why not just tell them the evil cultivator is in Cloud Sea Sect?"
"They already know."
"They do?"
Qi Hua looked puzzled and turned to Jian Dan for explanation.
"They know who the cultivator is and that he hides within Cloud Sea Sect territory. But they have yet to find his exact hiding place. My message only narrows their search."
"I see."
"It won't be long before they unearth him."
Jian Dan smiled and said happily to Qi Hua.