"Master, if you meet him, won't you know?"
Dao Ren stood at the side, his answer blunt and direct.
Qian Wanguan only shook his head and replied to his disciple: "That Qing Rui Zhēnzūn is lofty beyond measure. He does not wish to have any entanglement with a vulgar man like me who is obsessed with spirit stones and rare treasures."
Hearing this, Dao Ren pressed his lips together slightly before speaking: "If not for Master bringing spirit stones into the Loose Cultivator Alliance, where would their offerings come from? They already take advantage of Master's contributions, so why should they look down on you?"
"Hahaha! My disciple sees things clearly. Very well, I shall go meet him."
Dao Ren's words were precise, warming Qian Wanguan's heart. At least someone recognized his efforts. With a wave of his sleeve, he brought Dao Ren with him to the courtyard where Qing Rui Zhēnzūn resided.
The moment they stepped through the gates, both immediately sensed the thick concentration of spiritual energy. Clearly, a Spirit Gathering Array had been laid here.
Qing Rui Zhēnzūn was already seated in the pavilion at the center of the courtyard. Qian Wanguan stepped forward with a smile, bowing deeply:
"Greetings, Qing Rui Zhēnzūn. May I ask, what important matter does Zhēnzūn wish to discuss with me?"
Qing Rui Zhēnzūn glanced briefly at Qian Wanguan and the disciple behind him, raised a hand, and gestured for them to sit.
Qian Wanguan obeyed smoothly, taking a seat, while Dao Ren stood properly behind his master with lowered eyes.
"Do you know of Jian Lu of the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
The question came without preamble.
Qian Wanguan was startled. Why would Qing Rui suddenly bring up Jian Lu Zūnshàng? But his expression never faltered. He kept his pleasant smile and replied with a cupped-fist salute:
"Of course I do. I personally led the team to attend the Heavenly Sword Sect's succession ceremony. The news about the insect race invasion was also disclosed to us by Zūnshàng. She even reminded the Loose Cultivator Alliance to prepare for war."
As he answered, Qian Wanguan carefully observed Qing Rui Zhēnzūn's expression.
But Qing Rui did not hear what he wanted and went straight to the point:
"Is Jian Lu a pure sword cultivator? Does she also excel in music?"
Qian Wanguan's sharp instincts immediately picked up the strangeness in that line of questioning. He lowered his gaze in thought for a moment before raising his head again, his smile unchanged:
"I have only seen Jian Lu Zūnshàng take action twice. At that time, her cultivation was at the late Void Refinement stage, not yet at Unity. Once was at Heafeng Ravine, the other within the Cloud Sea Sect. On both occasions, she fought solely with her sword."
Qing Rui Zhēnzūn pressed further: "And the ancient weapon now rumored to be in her possession?"
Qian Wanguan already had some guesses, but still answered respectfully:
"It should be true. However, when she fought the evil cultivators recently, she used twin swords. Unfortunately, I missed that great battle. Before Zhēnzūn summoned me, I was reviewing the jade slip records of that fight with my disciple."
With that, Qian Wanguan drew out a jade slip from his storage ring and presented it.
Qing Rui Zhēnzūn accepted it but did not immediately look. His gaze swept across Qian Wanguan before he asked casually:
"And what do you think of her?"
He clearly meant Jian Lu.
Qian Wanguan took a moment to weigh his words before slowly speaking: "From what I have witnessed, Jian Lu Zūnshàng is ruthless in battle, decisive in judgment, brave yet wise. Her strength ranks among the finest in the cultivation world."
Qing Rui Zhēnzūn heard the high praise and remarked coolly: "Rare indeed for Elder Qian to commend someone so. It seems Jian Lu truly possesses extraordinary qualities."
"Hehe, this is only my personal opinion, Zhēnzūn may take it as reference. As for whether Jian Lu Zūnshàng is skilled in music, that I do not know. If Zhēnzūn desires, the next time I meet her, I can inquire on your behalf."
Qing Rui Zhēnzūn shook his head lightly: "No need. You may go about your own affairs."
Recognizing this as dismissal, Qian Wanguan rose at once, bowed respectfully, and departed with Dao Ren.
All the way back to their quarters, neither spoke.
Once seated in the main chair, Qian Wanguan leisurely shook his folding fan and finally said with a smile: "It seems Qing Rui Zhēnzūn suffered a loss at Jian Lu Zūnshàng's hands."
"Master, you mean the two of them have already fought?" Dao Ren asked curiously.
"Hehe! Did you not see? Qing Rui has his eyes set on Jian Lu Zūnshàng's life-bonded sword. If my guess is correct, he failed in his attempt. Otherwise, why call me for questioning?"
Dao Ren frowned, puzzled. "So, in your view, Master, he failed to seize her sword and was defeated. Will he make another attempt the next time they meet?"
Qian Wanguan waved his fan leisurely: "You still don't understand. With Qing Rui Zhēnzūn's arrogance, since he already failed once, unless he has absolute certainty, he will not strike again. And since Jian Lu Zūnshàng has already evaded his first attempt, she will no longer fear him. At this level, would they casually cross swords again?"
He chuckled, adding: "Besides, one must also consider the Loose Cultivator Alliance and the Heavenly Sword Sect."
Dao Ren nodded, then proposed: "Master, perhaps you should send a flying sword message to Jian Lu Zūnshàng and inquire directly?"
Qian Wanguan shot him a glance. Rarely did his disciple show such eagerness.
"Why do I feel like you just want to stir up trouble?"
Dao Ren only smiled in silence, but Qian Wanguan still sent the message. After all, he was equally curious whether the two had truly clashed.
Heavenly Sword Sect, Discipline Hall
Jian Dan only rested for a day before returning to preside over the Discipline Hall. Her departure had been sudden, leaving many affairs unattended.
Qi Hua, Jin Liuli, and Wei Zhengrong had already sorted everything neatly, waiting for their Zūnshàng to return.
As soon as Jian Dan sat down, Qi Hua stepped forward first: "Zūnshàng, when you have a moment, please send a reply to Jian Xu Zūnshàng. He returned with Zhēnzūn ahead of us and has been worried about your safety. Two days ago, he even sent people to inquire whether you had returned to the sect."
Jian Dan immediately sent a message talisman to Jian Xu, assuring him of her safe return, then began to deal with hall matters.
Qi Hua presented a jade slip and continued her report: "Since Zūnshàng departed in haste, other sects soon followed after the news. One by one, they have all left the Heavenly Sword Sect."
"No accidents occurred, I trust?"
"None. All the visiting cultivators have departed. Only the wolf clan's Chief Lang Xiao remains, seemingly waiting for your return."
"Very well, I understand."
"The nine squads from the War Hall have completed their defensive missions and all returned to the Discipline Hall."
"Good. Allow them to rest for a few days. Do not rush them into seclusion. Once I am free, I will conduct special training for them."
Jian Dan spoke without raising her head.
Qi Hua's eyes lit up instantly, her mind turning quickly as she wondered if she might join in the training herself.
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I will inform them."
After her report, Qi Hua stepped back and began sending messages to the Battle Hall captains through her communication jade.
Next, Jin Liuli came forward and bowed: "Zūnshàng, during the succession ceremony, Hall Master Meng oversaw the after-event entertainments and earned quite a number of spirit stones. Part went to the sect, part to the Operations Hall. He has not once complained of poverty since."
"Mmm. Let him keep some profit, it should not all be thankless."
"The two trial realms you ordered to be opened are functioning well. Our disciples cherish the opportunity, and the sect's cultivation atmosphere is rising greatly."
Jian Dan had finished reviewing a jade slip, signed her approval, and set it on the desk. With a small smile, she said: "This is a good sign. Liu Li, keep watch over this matter. The cultivation of sect disciples is of utmost importance."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I will monitor it closely."
At that, Jian Dan raised her hand and placed eight jade slips neatly across the desk.