"This is the cultivation method I practice. It is suited for those with five spiritual roots. These jade slips each contain the techniques from Qi Refinement up to the Unity stage. I have already sealed them. Only cultivators who meet the corresponding realm and conditions can unlock the seals. You will place the Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment techniques into the Outer Gate's Scripture Pavilion."
Jian Dan took out two jade slips and handed them to Jin Liuli. Jin Liuli was so stunned she froze in place, unable to react.
"What is it?"
Jian Dan looked up and asked.
The three in the hall were all staring at Jian Dan. In the end, Wei Zhengrong swallowed hard and forced himself to speak:
"Zūnshàng, you intend to gift your own cultivation method to the sect?"
Seeing their expressions, Jian Dan immediately understood what they were thinking. She smiled and said:
"It cannot be counted as a mere gift. This is a form of inheritance. Besides, fate plays its part. Not just anyone will be able to open the seals I have placed upon these jade slips."
Upon hearing this, Qi Hua stepped forward without hesitation. She took the two jade slips that Jian Dan had just been about to hand to Jin Liuli and, not bothering to avoid Jian Dan's gaze, immediately tried to undo the seals in front of her.
Wei Zhengrong, however, was lost in thought. He knew well that in the past, a Mahayana Zhēnzūn from the hidden Jian family had come to seek out Jian Dan solely for her cultivation method. And now, Zūnshàng was openly placing it within the sect.
Jian Dan noticed the flicker in Wei Zhengrong's eyes and instantly guessed his thoughts. She tossed a jade slip to him:
"On my way back to the sect, I encountered some trouble. I passed through the Jian clan's territory and used their teleportation array to return. At the Chimei Mountain Range, I was ambushed. This jade slip holds the record of the events. Study it carefully."
Wei Zhengrong immediately accepted the jade slip, then asked cautiously: "Zūnshàng, when you were at the Jian clan, did they not give you trouble?"
"Why would they trouble me when I had given them my cultivation method?"
"Ah?"
Her answer once again left the three speechless, staring at Jian Dan with confusion. They could not understand what her intentions were in doing this.
Jian Dan only replied mysteriously: "Heaven will never grant fortune for nothing. Whatever you desire, there must be a price paid. The Jian clan is no different. My cultivation method is not so easily taken."
The three all nodded. Yes, this was exactly in line with Zūnshàng's style.
Jian Dan handed the rest of the jade slips to Jin Liuli and instructed: "The remaining jade slips are to be placed within the Inner Peak's Scripture Pavilion, to await those destined for them."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I understand."
Qi Hua, unable to undo the seal no matter how she tried, returned the jade slip to Jin Liuli and gave her companions a helpless shake of her head.
Wei Zhengrong nearly rolled his eyes. Did she really need to test it?
Jin Liuli, holding the jade slips reverently, bowed and withdrew from the hall to properly place the methods where they belonged.
Only then did Wei Zhengrong step forward and report on pressing matters: "Zūnshàng, the cultivator who risked his life to deliver news to the sect was Xiao Ye of Tianzong Peak, a Divine Transformation cultivator. He was gravely injured while breaking through the encirclement of evil cultivators. Fortunately, the disciples stationed at the Interrogation Hall rescued him. He is still recovering and has not yet returned."
"When he does return, I will have Yue Liang meet him to confirm his condition. Only then are you to question him for details and properly record them."
"Yes, I will have the Interrogation Hall disciples act with caution."
Wei Zhengrong passed on the order via his ink tablet, then continued: "Zūnshàng, the ten squads in the mortal realm have reported smooth progress. They have thoroughly investigated each location and the matter of recruiting disciples is proceeding well."
"And Wu Siyuan has still not returned?" Jian Dan asked casually.
"Correct. After assisting in the eradication of a blood sac in the capital of the Tianqing Kingdom, Wū Zūnzhǔ has remained behind in secret to protect them."
"And what of Jian Wu? Has he sent word?"
"Senior Brother Jian Wu sent word some time ago. He claimed he found a great treasure."
Jian Dan arched a brow, a faint smile tugging her lips. "That must mean he found a promising seedling."
"Most likely." Wei Zhengrong smiled as well.
"Zūnshàng, there is also news from the Yin Yang Gate. Their Gate Master Yin Xuan personally led a team into the Yin Yang Mountain Range and slew another blood sac."
"Another one? Most likely it was the same one from before. Anything further?"
"Zūnshàng is indeed wise. Yes, there is another matter. It is said that Du Yanran betrayed her own Master, defected from the sect, and has been marked for extermination by Yin Yang Gate."
"Which means she has already fled?"
"Yes. By the time they moved to capture her, she had already disappeared from her cave dwelling."
Hearing this, Jian Dan instantly understood. Du Yanran must have hidden within the magnolia pendant and thus escaped disaster. Whether she had successfully fled the Yin Yang Gate, however, remained unknown.
"Look into Du Yanran's whereabouts through the Hua family. Confirm the last place she stayed."
"Yes, I will see to it."
Wei Zhengrong knew well that this Du Yanran had been marked personally by Zūnshàng and thus had to be closely monitored.
"Zūnshàng, another matter. Of the fugitive high-level cultivators of the Fu family, the last remaining soul lamp has been extinguished."
"It seems Tianya Haijiao handled the matter cleanly. Since they have fulfilled their task, we will honor our promise. When you have the time, personally deliver the remaining half of the treasure map to them."
"That is letting them off cheap!"
Qi Hua muttered under her breath as she sorted through the jade slips Jian Dan had finished reviewing.
"They put in the effort. Naturally, they deserve the reward. That is only fair," Jian Dan said offhandedly.
"Understood," the two replied in unison.
At that moment, Jian Dan drew out a jade slip and handed it to Qi Hua: "Deliver this jade slip to Jian Hu. Also, check whether his cultivation base has stabilized."
Qi Hua accepted the black jade slip. Seeing the Heavenly Demon Palace's emblem upon it, her eyes lit up. She immediately put it away, bowed, and left in haste.
Jian Dan could only shake her head helplessly. Qi Hua's excitement had been written plainly all over her face.
Yet barely two minutes later, Qi Hua rushed back into the hall.
"Zūnshàng, a flying sword message has arrived for you."
Jian Dan accepted the message, and Qi Hua once again hurried out.
Glancing at its contents, Jian Dan chuckled. She had just been about to arrange for Wei Zhengrong to investigate the identity of the Mahayana Zhēnzūn who had ambushed her. And here, someone had already provided her with the answer.
It turned out the man was Qing Rui Zhēnzūn of the Loose Cultivator Alliance, a Mahayana early-stage cultivator. His specialty was music. His life-bound artifact was the "Emerald Bamboo Flute," with which he wielded sound as a weapon.
Reading further, she noticed the sender was Qian Wanguan. He had not only relayed the Zhēnzūn's identity, but his wording made it sound deliberately gossipy. He had even asked whether she and Qing Rui had fought and who had won, as if watching a play.
At the end, he reminded her that the Zhēnzūn had personally sought him out to ask about Jian Lu Zūnshàng's background, even inquiring whether she was skilled in music. He warned her to be cautious. After all, being targeted by a Mahayana Zhēnzūn was never a good thing.
Jian Dan was rather satisfied with Qian Wanguan's effort. She casually wrote a reply:
"On my way back to the sect, I crossed swords with Zhēnzūn. He wished to test my life-bound sword. I answered with music instead, entangling him with my zither before slipping away. The Loose Cultivator Alliance does not easily nurture a Mahayana Zhēnzūn. For my part, I hope he will shine in the coming war."
With that, a streak of sword light shot out from the Law Enforcement Hall, flying straight toward the Loose Cultivator Alliance.
Meanwhile, Qian Wanguan was fiddling with his golden abacus when Dao Ren walked in, holding a flying sword message.
"Master, Jian Lu Zūnshàng has replied. Please take a look."
Qian Wanguan immediately set aside his work, accepted the message, and upon reading it burst out laughing. Without hesitation, he handed it to Dao Ren.
Dao Ren read it, and the corners of his lips curled up as well. Jian Lu Zūnshàng was truly an extraordinary woman.