When Jian Dan returned to her own cave, Jian Li Zūnshàng went to the Forbidden Area to meet with his master and Tian Yun Zhēnzūn.
"Jian Li Zūnshàng pays respects to the two Zhēnzūn!"
"Hmm, good. Your cultivation has stabilized."
"Yes, thanks to Master's concern. Your disciple's cultivation has consolidated and I have just emerged from seclusion today."
Jian Li Zūnshàng bowed to the upper-chief Tian Hong Zhēnzūn, replying to his question.
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn also glanced at Jian Li Zūnshàng with a smile: "So you have just emerged, and Jian Lu has already dumped everything back onto you?"
His tone was teasing.
"Respectful Zhēnzūn, Jian Lu did not want to wait a single moment. You should have seen how elated she was, almost banging drums in celebration. She shoved the Operations Hall token into my hand and left in a blink, fearing I might stop her, saying she had to go teach her disciples," Jian Li Zūnshàng explained.
Tian Hong and Tian Yun exchanged smiles. This was exactly the kind of thing Jian Lu would do.
"Cannot blame her. Since your seclusion, the issues with evil cultivators have been tumultuous. Yesterday's jade slips from the Intelligence Hall still contained the latest news. In the Chimei Mountains, the Heavenly Punishment squad and Jian Lu uncovered an insect nest, where a new type of insect appeared."
"Jian Lu already informed me via talisman yesterday!"
Jian Li Zūnshàng shook his head helplessly.
"So that's why. I thought she would send a talisman to your cave every day while you were in seclusion. She must have already prepared everything, waiting for your emergence," Tian Hong remarked.
"Exactly. In Jian Lu's talisman, she documented all the important hall affairs she handled while I was in seclusion, as well as progress on ongoing matters, making it easier for me to oversee. That is why she could leave so gracefully, even skipping a formal handover."
"Only Jian Lu would think of something like this," Tian Hong said, playing with the jade slip containing the latest news, speaking to his disciple.
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn nodded in agreement and continued: "Since you have taken the token, continue performing your duties. During Jian Lu's temporary management, she was efficient, and the few people she selected are competent. You may continue using them."
Tian Hong added: "If any difficult problems arise, go consult Jian Lu. Just say it was our suggestion."
"Yes, Master. Your disciple has noted it," Jian Li Zūnshàng replied.
After meeting with the two Zhēnzūn, Jian Dan returned to her cave.
After sending off her attendants, she brought out a jug of Purple Jade Heart-Soothing Wine and drank with Yue Liang, one for her and one for her companion, celebrating the lifting of her heavy responsibilities.
The next day, Jian Dan meditated to dissipate the wine's effects, letting Yue Liang sleep, then removed the cave's protective seals.
"Zūnshàng!"
Lü Se had been waiting outside the cave early in the morning. Seeing Jian Dan's expression was unusual, he asked with a smile: "Steward Lü, what's the matter?"
Lü Se glanced at Zūnshàng's face before speaking: "The news of Jian Li Zūnshàng returning to the Operations Hall has already spread."
"Hmm. Jian Li Zūnshàng went to the Operations Hall yesterday. I handed over the token and returned."
Lü Se then confirmed that Zūnshàng did not care about the temporary Operations Hall leadership and spoke cautiously: "Some people are jealous, spreading rumors that you lost the position because Jian Li Zūnshàng disapproved of your management, taking back the token on the first day after emerging."
There was a hint of indignation in Lü Se's voice.
"Oh? What else have they spread?"
"Nothing concrete. They just tried to sow discontent among certain cultivators to weaken your reputation."
"I thought it might be serious. Let them talk. They won't dare speak before me," Jian Dan waved it off.
"If they ever speak in front of you, and you don't want to hear it, just act. As long as no one dies, I can cover for you," Jian Dan said.
Lü Se immediately responded energetically, understanding that Zūnshàng did not care about the Operations Hall power at all—the token had been willingly handed over.
"Lü Se, did I not tell you that before I temporarily led the Operations Hall, I was already Chief of the War Hall?"
"Zūnshàng had not informed me, but now I know, and it is not too late!"
Lü Se's voice was loud, a smile impossible to hide. He knew his master was truly capable. He looked forward to seeing the expressions of those who spread rumors once they realized.
"Keep a low profile. Do not flaunt your strength. Otherwise, trouble will come unexpectedly," Jian Dan advised.
"Yes, Lü Se understands."
Jian Dan sat under the banyan tree, taking out a folding fan, gently directing wooden spiritual energy toward the tree. While speaking to Lu Se, she instructed: "Bring Yu Zongfan and Mao Dou to see me. I have free time and need to teach my disciples properly."
Lü Se nodded and sped off to the east peak.
For the past three days, Yu Zongfan and Mao Dou had scouted every corner of the east peak, the closest to their master's residence on Tianyue Peak.
They finally positioned the cave under a waterfall, each taking one side and constructing a two-story stone house.
Bai Bai was delighted. The spiritual energy here was far superior to the outer peaks. Now that she had reached the second tier, she was confident that within a hundred years, she could reach the third tier.
While building the stone house, Yu Zongfan specially left a cultivation room for Bai Bai. She was very satisfied, picking spiritual herbs from the side peak and arranging her room comfortably.
Yu Zongfan and Mao Dou completed their stone houses and, without waiting for Master's summons, began their cultivation routine, training body and sword daily.
While Lu Se went to fetch the disciples, Jian Dan took out two top-grade purple jade talismans.
She had obtained them from Yu Yuanhai for creating life-protection talismans. Now that she had disciples, she needed to protect them.
Although she had no enemies sweeping the world yet, the insects and evil cultivators were relentless threats. Protective talismans were essential.
Yu Yuanhai let Jian Dan exchange minimal points for nine purple talismans as a token of gratitude.
After all, the distinction between a disciple under a Mahayana Zūnshàng and a named personal disciple was significant. Given Jian Dan's advancement speed, it was just a matter of time before she became a Mahayana Zhēnzūn. Yu family's Ancestor had only mid-Divine Soul cultivation.
At Tianyue Peak, Yu Zongfan's clan was joyful but, under the Ancestor's instruction, remained low-key.
From Yu Yuanhai's interactions with Jian Lu Zūnshàng, they knew Zūnshàng was ruthless but silent. As long as one did not cross the line, she would not mind. Once crossed, one would face her thunderous measures.
Before entering Tianyue Peak, Yu Zongfan was thoroughly instructed by his clan uncle.
He understood the significance of being Zūnshàng's personal disciple and promised to cultivate diligently, preserving his master's reputation.
Jian Dan cast a protective shield over herself, then took the first purple jade talisman. Following the hand seals, she opened it, infused her Mahayana-level consciousness, then sealed it. The talisman glowed purple briefly before settling into silence—a completed life-protection talisman.
After finishing the first talisman, Jian Dan considered whether she could also embed her consciousness pressure and sword techniques into it simultaneously.