Almost at the same time that Lü Se replaced their identity sword tokens, every cultivator in the Heavenly Sword Sect with even a shred of capability came to know that Jian Lu Zūnshàng had accepted two direct disciples.
As for Yu Zongfan, there was little surprise. After all, he had already been a registered disciple. The shock was that the other—named Mao Dou—suddenly leapt into the spotlight like a dark horse, forcing everyone to take notice.
This Mao Dou, a small-time Qi Refining cultivator of no renown, was an abandoned child taken in by the Heavenly Sword Sect. When tested, he revealed three spiritual roots—metal, wood, and fire. Since then, he had been quietly cultivating in the Outer Gate, an extremely low-key youth.
The only unusual thing was that while training on Jian Yue Peak, his cave-dwelling happened to be beside Yu Zongfan's, and the two often accepted sect tasks together. They were close Senior Brother and Junior Brother.
Everyone cried out at his good fortune. To think that even like this he could be chosen by Jian Lu Zūnshàng.
But when Mao Dou built his foundation, the higher-ranking cultivators finally saw the truth. This youth was born with a Sword Bone. By the time he reached the Golden Core stage, he would be able to achieve the state of man and sword as one. For most sword cultivators, only upon reaching the Divine Soul stage could they barely hope to achieve such unity.
Only then did everyone realize—it was Jian Lu Zūnshàng who possessed razor-sharp vision.
Yu Zongfan and Mao Dou felt as though they had just been carried through the peaks and valleys of their cultivation lives. They were still dazed, so Jian Dan did not assign them immediate training tasks.
Instead, she instructed Lü Se to exchange materials for them and granted them three days to adapt, prepare their dwellings, and settle into cultivating on the Inner Peak long-term.
Lü Se first guided the two around Tian Yue Peak, letting them become familiar with the environment, and then delivered the materials needed to build their caves.
"You are already high-stage Qi Refining cultivators. I've prepared all the cave-building materials for you. Arrange them as you please. Within the materials there's also a Spirit-Gathering Array. You can set it within your cultivation chamber."
"Thank you, Steward Lü. The spiritual energy here is already more than ten times denser than on the Outer Peaks. We don't even need to place the array," Mao Dou said with a sheepish smile.
"How could the peak where Zūnshàng resides ever lack in spiritual essence? Normally Zūnshàng is occupied with many affairs and rarely stays in her cave. With you two here, it will finally be livelier."
After reminding them of a few matters, Lü Se departed from the eastern sub-peak.
Jian Dan, pleased with her new disciples, planned to personally cleanse Mao Dou's meridians once they had settled down. When Liu Chuan brought them yesterday, she had already probed their meridians.
Yu Zongfan had already undergone cleansing of his marrow and meridians, regularly soaked in body-forging decoctions, and his cultivation was solid. Signs of breaking through Qi Refining ninth level were already apparent.
Mao Dou was somewhat lacking. Having not built his foundation from childhood, his body still retained impurities. Though Jian Dan had instructed Liu Chuan to secretly supply him with body-forging decoctions, and some impurities had been drawn out, traces remained. Jian Dan intended to give him special care.
There was no rush. They were already on Tian Yue Peak, so she would let them rest for two days. After that, there would be no easy days for them.
Unaware, the two busily arranging their caves both shivered without knowing why.
Jian Dan had already taken out jade slips and begun tailoring new training plans for her disciples.
"Zūnshàng, Jian Feng Zūnzhě of Tianming Peak requests an audience."
Yun Juan stepped into the cave to report.
"Let him in."
Jian Dan remembered Qi Hua had said Jian Feng should be forging his life-bound sword these days. It seemed he had finished and come to report.
Jian Feng strode forward and, after a bow, offered a black communication jade slip.
At one glance Jian Dan recognized it as the jade slip Mo Su had given her. She had just entrusted it to Jian Feng—why was it being returned?
"Zūnshàng, this is a message from Mo Su, saying it must be brought to your attention. It is important."
The solemn look on Jian Feng's sharp face carried heavy weight, his brows tightly knit.
Jian Dan took the jade slip, swept it with her divine sense, and found it concerned the aftermath of the Chimei Mountain insect nest.
She returned the slip and asked, "Did you read it? What do you think?"
Jian Feng accepted it back. After thinking carefully, he replied, "They are attempting integration. And… they succeeded."
"Then do not allow them the chance to succeed further."
Jian Dan's answer was decisive, cutting like a sword.
Jian Feng froze briefly, then nodded. Zūnshàng was always this forceful, but every time she proved her words.
"Have you finished reforging your life-bound sword?"
"No. Upon receiving Mo Su's message, I came immediately to deliver it to you."
"This matter I will handle. Continue with your forging, then return to the Law Enforcement Hall."
"Yes, I understand."
After Jian Feng departed, Jian Dan sat in her rocking chair, grinding her teeth in frustration. Put down the gourd, the ladle floats up—never a single day of peace.
Yue Liang obediently perched on the jade table, wagging her tail before asking in a crisp voice,
"Zūnshàng, has another mess cropped up?"
Her words made Jian Dan laugh aloud. She scooped Yue Liang into her arms and asked,
"Where did you learn to talk like that?"
Yue Liang squinted her eyes happily, enjoying the caress of Zūnshàng's hand, then whispered,
"When I was patrolling the mountain, I overheard the steward of the Affairs Hall say it."
"Ha! Indeed, another mess has cropped up."
Jian Dan rose, placed Yue Liang back on the table, and tapped her lightly on the forehead.
"Zūnshàng must go to the Law Enforcement Hall now. Stay here and cultivate for a while."
"Rest assured, Zūnshàng, Yue Liang will guard the cave."
Smiling, Jian Dan transformed into a streak of light and appeared before the Law Enforcement Hall.
"Zūnshàng!"
Inside the hall today were Qi Hua and Jin Liuli. Upon seeing her, they immediately rose and bowed.
"Call Zhengrong to see me."
Once seated, Jian Dan gave Qi Hua the order.
Qi Hua immediately replied, "Zūnshàng, Wei Zhengrong has taken on your task. He went to Huanle City to settle matters with the Fu family."
"He went himself?"
Jian Dan smiled faintly. So Zheng Rong was eager too, wanting to go out and stretch his legs.
Since Jin Liuli was closer to Zheng Rong, she stepped forward to explain:
"Zūnshàng, Zheng Rong received word that the sect will soon be recruiting disciples. He took the chance to return to his clan to discuss matters concerning Wei Xueru.
He should have first gone to 'Edge of the World' to pay the promised reward. Previously, Senior Brother Jian Wu went in person, so Zheng Rong felt it safer to go himself."
"So that is how it is."
Jian Dan knew Zheng Rong treasured this younger sister, so she was not surprised.
"Zūnshàng, if you wish, I can send him a message."
"Tell him once he has finished everything, to return as soon as possible. No delays."
"Yes."
Knowing that such urgency from Zūnshàng meant something serious, Jin Liuli immediately took out her ink jade pendant and sent the message.
Jian Dan then tossed each of them a jade slip. "This is what I discovered on my way back. Take a look."
The two high-level female cultivators read them, and their faces paled.
Jin Liuli could not stop her imagination from running wild. Her lips parted slightly, and she whispered,
"Zūnshàng, what sort of thing is this? It is disgusting."
"To me, it looks like insect eggs of the Black Armored Insects merging with blood sacs," Qi Hua said, suppressing her revulsion. Then her scalp tingled with dread.
"This was discovered by the Heavenly Demon Palace's clean-up squad after the Heaven's Punishment team and I eradicated the insect nest. Whether this fusion has succeeded, and what abilities it might yield, we currently have no answers."
Qi Hua and Jin Liuli exchanged a glance. Qi Hua's eyes hardened with anger.
"These wretched insects. One day we will wipe them out completely."