Yue Liang bared her little teeth at Uncle Yin, standing firmly on Jian Dan's shoulder without the slightest hint of fear.
Jian Dan raised her hand and stroked Yue Liang before speaking calmly, "An entire third of an evil cultivator's Primordial Soul has already fused with your clan's Young Master. That is why my spirit beast struck."
She then added lightly, "The only permanent solution is to end him directly."
Uncle Yin gasped, a chill running through his heart, and turned his gaze toward Yun Yun Zhēnzūn.
After hearing Jian Dan's words, Yun Yun Zhēnzūn frowned and instantly sent her divine sense to sweep across Yin Zhengchuan. Yet she discovered nothing at all. His body bore no trace of demonic aura, and his Primordial Soul was whole.
Her doubtful eyes then shifted to Jian Dan. Jian Dan, patient, explained,"My spirit beast is rather unique. She can scent the aura of an evil cultivator."
Tian Zhou Zhēnzūn waved his hand, signaling Jian Dan to step back behind him. Jian Dan had already said her piece. Whether they believed her or not was their choice.
Tian Zhou Zhēnzūn cupped his hands toward Yun Yun and said, "Yun YunDaoyou, since this person is indeed a disciple of your sect, you should be the one to judge. Matters here are settled. My Heavenly Sword Sect will withdraw first."
But Yun Yun was far too shrewd to let it end so easily. She spoke immediately, "Would Jian Lu Xiaoyou remain a few more days, to aid me in handling Yin Zhengchuan's situation?"
Tian Zhou Zhēnzūn gave Yun Yun a long, steady look before turning to Jian Dan, "I grant you three days. The Heaven's Punishment squad will stay and assist."
"Yes, Zhēnzūn. Jian Lu obeys."
The Heaven's Punishment squad behind her also saluted Tian Zhou Zhēnzūn. Together they watched as their Zhēnzūn, with Junior Brother Jian Xu, split open the void and departed.
The Heavenly Demon Palace's Mo Suo and Mo Yi soon rejoined their own Zhēnzūn. Mo Yao glanced once at Yun Yun, then left with the Heavenly Demon Palace's cultivators.
One after another, the other sects—Buddhist Sect, Purple Sky Sect, and those who had come late—also withdrew under their elders' lead.
As for the Nine-tailed Beast King, she had vanished back to her clan the moment the "Raging Thunderfall" descended, unwilling to waste time watching the aftermath.
With the great powers gone, the remaining cultivators realized there was no more spectacle. They too dispersed. Yet as news spread, Jian Dan's name rose once again in reputation—alongside that of Yin Zhengchuan.
Cloud Sea Sect – Yun Yin Peak
Jian Dan bowed respectfully to the senior brothers and sisters of the Heaven's Punishment squad."This time Jian Lu has burdened you all. Because of me, you were unable to return to the sect promptly. Please accept this bow."
"Junior Sister, why so polite? This battle has already brought glory to our Heavenly Sword Sect. Zhēnzūn left us behind partly to deter petty opportunists, but also to show Cloud Sea Sect how much the sect values you."
"I understand. But precisely because of that, I feel even more ashamed. Were I stronger, Yun Yun Zhēnzūn would never have been able to force me to stay, dragging all of you into this as well."
Jian Dan spoke apologetically, then brushed her storage ring. With a wave, nine jars of "Purple Jade Heart-soothing Wine" appeared and were pushed forward. "Please forgive me. I only carry these few spirit wines on me. Let us share them. Once we return to the sect, I will properly repay you all."
"Junior Sister, you are too courteous!"
Each accepted a jar without hesitation.
"This Yun Yin Peak was used as our temporary base during the last inter-sect competition. It is secluded and quiet. Senior brothers and sisters may rest here for now. Should Yun Yun Zhēnzūn summon me, I will handle it."
"You don't need us to accompany you?" asked the burly, straightforward Jian Mao.
"Thank you, Senior Brother. But with all of you here at Cloud Sea Sect, I already have both support and confidence. The rest I can manage myself."
Jian Dan smiled as she replied.
The Heaven's Punishment squad exchanged looks, understanding her intent, and agreed. They soon returned to their respective caves.
"Junior Sister Jian Lu is clear-minded and responsible. No wonder Zhēnzūn holds her in such regard," Jian Mao said to the others.
They all nodded in agreement.
"Rest assured, I can tell. She is not one to be trifled with. Had Zhēnzūn not been present, that Yin clan cultivator who struck earlier would already be dead."
The crisp voice of a female cultivator echoed her conviction.
"Indeed. Otherwise, would she have been entrusted to act as the acting head of the Law Enforcement Hall? Since my entry into the Heavenly Sword Sect, she is the only female Hall Master I've ever seen."
"Exactly. All we need do is hold the stage steady. The rest will be up to her. After all, the heavens are not about to fall apart."
"You are far too carefree."
The nine laughed and talked as they walked back to their caves.
Inside her sealed cave, Jian Dan's expression darkened. That Yun Yun Zhēnzūn truly had no scruples, daring to detain her by leaning on her ties with Tian Yun Zhēnzūn.
"Hmph."
"Zūnshàng, don't be angry. This time it was Yue Liang who moved too late, failing to kill the target outright."
Yue Liang leapt from her shoulder onto a jade table, speaking up.
Jian Dan chuckled, pulled Yue Liang into her arms, and stroked her soft fur. "It isn't your fault. Whether you struck swiftly or not, Yun Yun would have found an excuse to keep me."
As she spoke, Jian Dan touched the willow-leaf mark on her wrist and summoned Liu Chuan."Chuan, monitor Yun Yin Peak. I do not want my senior brothers and sisters dragged into risk because of me."
Liu Chuan's lazy voice drifted out, "Relax. You need not even tell me. The moment we landed here, my eyes and ears were already linked."
"Good."
"I noticed you had been keeping a close watch on that evil cultivator Hai Yan. But now, with part of his soul lingering in Yin Zhengchuan, you seem surprisingly unconcerned."
Liu Chuan rarely asked questions, but this time he did.
Jian Dan smoothed Yue Liang's fur as she answered, "Hai Yan is dead. As for his split soul, I already told Yun Yun Zhēnzūn. If they wish to finish Yin Zhengchuan, it ends there. If they want to raise a tiger to invite disaster, that will be their burden. Others will deal with it later. Why should I care?"
"Heh. Don't think I don't know. That evil blade is still in the seas near Cloud Sea Sect. A thousand years from now, if Yin Zhengchuan still lives, he will surely find his old master again."
"And who says otherwise?"
"Then you're not afraid of his rise, of being attacked from both front and back?" Liu Chuan pressed.
Jian Dan narrowed her eyes, a mysterious smile tugging at her lips. "I have already divined it. A thousand years from now, the war with the Insect Clan of the outer regions will have ended. There will be no such thing as fighting on two fronts."
"Even so, it means the threat remains. What do you say to that?"
"In cultivation, there must always be a common enemy. Otherwise, how will the realms unite? How will the younger generation be spurred to advance?"
Liu Chuan pondered this deeply before realization dawned.
"And if they truly choose to kill Yin Zhengchuan?"
"They won't."
At that moment, Yin Zhengchuan himself was still in a daze. What had begun as a simple exploration of a ruin had cost him a century, leaving him now trapped in this precarious situation.
When news reached the Yin clan, their Mahayana Ancestor rushed to Yun Yun's cave. Both he and Yun Yun probed with spiritual power, even the Ancestor investigating Yin Zhengchuan's Primordial Soul. Yet they discovered nothing.
"Is Jian Lu exaggerating matters? Besides, the evil weapon has not recognized Chuan'er as its master. The so-called soul fusion may well be her fabrication."
The Yin clan Ancestor voiced his suspicion. Uncle Yin, standing to the side, nodded hurriedly in agreement.
Unable to listen any longer, Han Pengfei stepped forward. Bowing to Yun Yun and the Yin clan Ancestor, he declared,
"Jian Lu Zūnshàng is not one to speak without proof. She has never relied on slander to raise herself. If you insist on sparing Yin Zhengchuan, she will not object."