The next day, Jian Dan and the group gathered in the inn's main hall. Since the young cultivators were all in the Qi Refinement stage and had not yet begun fasting, they came down to eat breakfast together.
Jian Dan suddenly realized that ever since advancing to Nascent Soul, she had not properly eaten a meal. She waved to Qi Hua beside her and took several large food boxes out of her storage bracelet.
"When you are out training, try not to rely on meals from merchants. These are spiritual rice balls I made during my free time. Give them to the kids."
Then she took out a storage bag and handed it to Qi Hua.
"There are low-grade spirit fruits inside. Let them pick two each."
"You are so thoughtful, Zūnshàng!"
Qi Hua took the food boxes and the storage bag from the table and walked over to the waiting kids.
"Have their attendants check the food." Jian Dan added.
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
In fact, as Jian Dan pulled out the food boxes, the kids' eyes kept drifting over. When they saw the person next to Zūnshàng carrying the boxes, their eyes lit up immediately, curious about the delicious food inside.
The moment Qi Hua opened a box, the fragrant aroma of spiritual rice drifted out. Inside were ordinary pearl spiritual rice balls, perfect for Qi Refinement stage cultivators.
After signaling the attendants to inspect, Qi Hua handed over the storage bag and told the kids,
"This is the spiritual meal prepared by Zūnshàng—rice balls and spirit fruits. After you finish, we will set off for the Buddhist Sect."
"Yes, thank you for the gift, Zūnshàng!"
The little cultivators were well-behaved. They had already changed into the sect's robes early and hung their sword sheaths at their waists before gathering in the hall.
The inn's young waiter had wanted to recommend the breakfast, but seeing the elders had prepared everything, with the rich fragrance of spiritual rice in the air, he could only swallow his saliva and step back.
These rice balls were made by Jian Dan herself during her last life. The spiritual rice was grown in a space and watered with spiritual springs, making it rich in spiritual energy and more fragrant than ordinary spiritual rice.
Zhao Yunhai eagerly took a rice ball and bit into it, juices filling his mouth. The rice ball was wrapped with low-grade antelope meat inside.
"Jia Jia, there is antelope meat in my rice ball!"
Zhao Yunhai smiled happily as he told Yu Jia Jia sitting at another table.
"Mm! I got meat too, but mine is golden pheasant."
Yu Jiajia looked at the rice ball she had bitten and said to Zhao Yunhai.
The kids quietly exchanged notes about their rice ball flavors, which made Qi Hua smile.
Then the spirit fruits sparked a fresh round of discussion.
While the kids ate breakfast, Jian Wu reported to Jian Dan on the tasks assigned yesterday.
"Zūnshàng, the messages have been sent out. The sect replied today, sending more personnel to investigate. The two team leaders who left the battle hall have taken their squads to Tian Xuan and Tian Ji cities respectively. Also, Jian Sheng replied that he has started collecting Cloud Sea Sect's hundred-year records. When you return, he will present the jade slip with the information."
"Good, understood. Liao Chen and Liao Kong will arrive soon. We'll enter the Buddhist Sect first."
Jian Dan's voice had just fallen when Liao Kong and Liao Chen entered the inn's main hall. Seeing the Heavenly Sword Sect group sitting in a corner, they immediately approached.
"Liao Kong, Liao Chen, pay respects to Jian Lu Zūnzhàng."
Jian Dan nodded to them and said,
"We are ready. We will enter the sect together with you two masters. Sorry to trouble you for a few days."
"Zūnshàng, no trouble at all. It is our sect's honor to have you here. This way please."
Led by Liao Chen and Liao Kong, the group proceeded grandly toward the Buddhist Sect's mountain gate.
Cultivators passing through Baima City watched the group of Heavenly Sword Sect disciples in their robes. Their gazes followed, whispering among themselves.
"Are those disciples from Heavenly Sword Sect?"
"Judging by the robes, yes. But I haven't heard of their sect recruiting new disciples."
"How would we know! Seems like they are visiting the Buddhist Sect. I wonder which powerful cultivator is leading them?"
"Look! Didn't you see? Two Buddhist monks are respectfully accompanying that female cultivator."
"Our cultivation is too low to see their faces clearly. Not sure which Heavenly Sword Sect disciple she is."
Jian Dan ignored the chatter. She scanned the surroundings with her divine sense and found no danger, then withdrew it.
"Junior Brother Liao Chen, have any Heavenly Sword Sect disciples come to the Buddhist Sect seeking help in recent days?"
"Amitabha! Due to yesterday's chaos, I have yet to inform Zūnshàng."
Liao Chen recited a Buddhist chant and continued,
"Two days before your arrival, a Heavenly Sword Sect group came seeking help. Three cultivators were infected by evil qi, corrupted, and their wounds would not heal."
"Is their condition improving?"
"Senior Brother Liao Kong and I combined efforts to extract the evil qi. However, because the evil qi had been inside them too long, their cultivation was damaged and their realms may have dropped."
"That is acceptable. Cultivation can be regained. Thank you both for your help."
"Zūnshàng, you are too polite."
While chatting, the Buddhist Sect mountain gate was now in sight. Two monks at the gate saw Liao Kong and Liao Chen leading the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples and immediately clasped hands in Buddhist salute.
Jian Dan nodded in return, and the group entered the Buddhist Sect smoothly.
Past the gate was a long staircase leading to the first great hall, consisting of 108 steps.
"These juniors from the sect came with me to gain experience. Please arrange for them to stay in the same meditation room and have someone guide them to cultivate some Buddhist nature."
"Of course. I already have candidates in mind."
As they stepped onto the hall's front square, Fa Hua and Bian Qi Kang came forward.
"Amitabha! Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnzhàng!" Fa Hua said.
"Greetings, Zūnshàng!" Bian Qi Kang respectfully bowed.
Bian Qi Kang had wanted to visit Jian Lu Zūnzhàng the day before but had to care for three disciples still in the meditation rooms. He also received news of Zūnzhàng's safety, so he patiently waited until today.
"Good! Qi Kang has advanced to Nascent Soul. Congratulations!"
"Zūnshàng, you flatter me. It was thanks to your support that we held on until sect reinforcements arrived."
"This time was more of a close call. I am glad you are safe."
Surrounded by everyone, Jian Dan entered the great hall. Its layout was similar to Puji Temple in the Imperial Spirit Kingdom, and some details matched exactly. This deepened Jian Dan's certainty about the connection between the two places.
After confirming the three injured cultivators had received treatment, Jian Dan asked Fa Hua, who had stayed quietly by her side.
"Fa Hua, how is cultivation here at the Buddhist Sect?"
"Amitabha, thank you for your concern, Zūnshàng. I am doing well, and my fellow disciples take good care of me."
Fa Hua wore a white monk's robe that made his look even more noble. His cultivation aura had also become denser.
Jian Dan nodded, then turned to Liao Kong.
"Senior Brother Liao Kong, are the candidates you mentioned Fa Hua?"
"Heh heh! Exactly. Fa Hua has practiced here for some time and is familiar with the sect. He is perfect to lead the juniors."
"Good. That is just right."
Fa Hua felt pleased. Jian Lu Zūnzhàng had done so much for him, which he had yet to repay. This small task was her chance to serve.
"Zūnshàng, rest assured. During their stay here, Fa Hua will lead and look after them."
"Good. Then I won't be polite. Please take care of these kids. Their daily cultivation is supervised. You just need to guide them to understand the Buddhist Sect's origins and broaden their horizons."
"Hahaha! Jian Lu Daoyou, aren't you afraid I'll convert your Heavenly Sword Sect treasures into Buddhist disciples?"