Cotton Candy followed the direction Jian Dan had given, wrapping around the flying boat and darting swiftly through the sea of clouds toward their destination.
The exact location of the Jian Clan's ancestral land had been transmitted to her by Xiao Yin, who had been left hidden within the "Desert Sand Map."
Since that time, when Xiao Yin had boldly concealed itself within the "Desert Sand Map," Jian Dan had lost all contact with it. Back then she had no choice but to instruct the mother silver beetle to remind Xiao Yin to stay hidden and not reveal itself.
This time, contact had been reestablished only because, during her recent clash with the Mahayana Zhēnzūn, the surrounding spiritual energy had been thrown into chaos. Most likely, the Jian Clan had sensed the disturbance, opened their protective wards, and sent someone to investigate.
The instant those wards had opened, Xiao Yin had been able to link up with the mother beetle again and immediately sent the message back. That was why the mother beetle had been the last to return to the pendant on Jian Dan's chest.
Now Jian Dan sat cross-legged with the others on meditation mats, giving a concise explanation of her ties to the Jian Clan.
Although this trip was ostensibly just borrowing a path through, she also intended to settle personal matters along the way. Aside from the fact that she had descended from the Lower Realm, she concealed nothing else and explained everything to her companions.
"According to what you've said, Junior Sister, what they want is your cultivation method. If you go this time, will you hand it over or not? What if one of their Mahayana Zhēnzūn makes a move to keep you by force?"
Jian Mao stroked his chin as he voiced his concern.
Beside him, Jian Jing added, "From what I know, the Jian Clan has at least five Mahayana Zhēnzūn."
She glanced toward the other senior brothers as if asking whether they had anything further to add.
Each of them contributed what they knew. The Jian Clan had not always been in seclusion; in the past, they had been active in the cultivation world.
Because the Jian Clan's female cultivators often carried the rare Chaos Spirit Root, many major families and sects had vied to take them as Dao companions, giving the clan some prestige.
But for reasons unknown, later generations of women with Chaos Spirit Roots cultivated with extreme slowness. Many could not even reach Divine Soul stage. Over time, the Jian Clan gradually faded from the world's attention.
"From what you've all said, I know the reason. Their cultivation method is incomplete."
"That shouldn't be. They had people ascend before."
Jian Dan smiled lightly. "The Jian Clan did have those who ascended. But none of them possessed the Chaos Spirit Root."
With this explanation, the group understood. Clearly, if they went now, the clan would definitely try to obtain Jian Dan's technique.
"It isn't that the method cannot be given. But if they want it, they will have to pay a price."
Jian Dan's smile was brilliant as she went on. "So what if they have five Zhēnzūn? Do you think they can all emerge at once? Do you think they really have the ability to hold me here? I am not alone. You all are my confidence, and Heavenly Sword Sect is my backing. What do I have to fear?"
"So Junior Sister already planned it all out, while we're still worrying for nothing," Jian Jing teased.
"This time I truly have troubled all of you. I never intended to involve myself with the Jian Clan, but there are matters I must get to the bottom of. More than that, I intend to force the Jian Clan to return to the world."
"What do you mean by that, Junior Sister?"
"A great war is coming. No one can stay aloof. Even Heavenly Sword Sect must have allies and reinforcements."
The group aboard the flying boat fell into brief silence at her words.
"Master, we've arrived," Cotton Candy's soft, childlike voice interrupted, breaking the heavy atmosphere.
"I know you now hold temporary charge of the Law Enforcement Hall, and that you've been laboring constantly for the sect's future," Jian Mao said after a long moment's thought. "But everything must proceed step by step, with proper measure. A forced ally can become a burden instead of an aid. You must be cautious, especially since you have yet to formally acknowledge your clan."
Jian Dan bowed deeply. "Jian Lu understands. I will strive for it but not force it. This time, I must trouble all of you to accompany me."
"Very well."
After they disembarked, Jian Mao stored away the flying boat. The group stood upon a perfectly still sea, as smooth as a mirror, reflecting their images.
Jian Dan hovered above the water, closed her eyes to sense the faint spatial fluctuations, and quickly pinpointed the entrance to the Jian Clan. Channeling her Chaos spiritual power, she formed the clan's emblematic Wheel of Fate in midair, then pushed it toward the entrance.
As it touched, five-colored radiance—gold, green, blue, red, and yellow—spread outward. Slowly, the Wheel of Fate rotated, forcing the space open to reveal the folded pocket dimension within.
Guarding the entrance was a high-level cultivator of the Jian Clan. At present it was the Third Elder, Jian Shouqing, a Divine Soul cultivator.
He had just taken a few sips of spirit wine when he noticed the entrance opening. Sweeping his divine sense out, he sought to see who had returned.
In his memory, Jian Shangxi, Jian Yue, and Jian Fen had been the last to return. Since then, no one had gone out, as this was not the time arranged for disciples to leave for training.
Jian Shouqing's expression changed drastically. Crushing an alarm jade slip, he instantly flickered forward, blocking Jian Dan's way.
As Jian Dan stepped into the Jian Clan's territory, she saw the middle-aged cultivator with a taut face standing before her. Behind her, Jian Mao and the rest of the squad followed close, nine in total. With all of them present, Jian Shouqing's expression turned stormy.
He had never faced such a situation before. Gazing at the ten powerful figures before him, he swallowed nervously but forced himself to step forward, bow, and say, "Honored seniors, I greet you. But may I ask why you enter our Jian Clan's ancestral land uninvited?"
Jian Dan stood calmly at the front. She smiled kindly and replied softly, "Was it not your Jian Clan that wished to see me?"
Jian Shouqing's heart jolted. He asked cautiously, "And who might you be?"
"I am Jian Lu of the Heavenly Sword Sect."
At her words, several streaks of light landed beside Jian Shouqing.
"Third Elder, what has happened?"
Before he could answer, the newcomers saw the group standing at the entrance. Recognition dawned. "You?"
One of them gasped in shock.
Clearly, they knew her. Jian Dan arched a brow and said to the one who spoke, "What is this? Do you not intend to invite me in? Is this how the Jian Clan treats its guests?"
The woman who had exclaimed was Jian Fen. At once she stepped forward and bowed deeply."Jian Fen greets Zhēnzhǔ Jian Lu. This way, please."
She shot a meaningful glance at the two behind her, who immediately retreated into the clan to pass the news.
Jian Dan made no move to stop them. With a wave, she sealed the entrance behind her, then followed Jian Fen deeper in.
This folded space was like an independent secret realm: mountains, lakes, and vegetation all arranged according to the five elements, flourishing in order.
At the center of the five elements lay the clan's residence. Cultivators lived in the inner circle, while mortals resided in the outer ring, tilling fields of spirit rice and grain.
Unfurling her Mahayana-level divine sense for but an instant, Jian Dan scanned the entire area before withdrawing. In this way, she both gained a clear understanding of the territory and quietly signaled her arrival to the Jian Clan's Mahayana Zhēnzūn.
As their party advanced, clan cultivators lined the path, eyes wary, watching as Jian Dan and her companions were led into the Clan Leader's great hall.