The two young men emerged from the formation, looking even more refined and graceful, already displaying the demeanor of cultivated youths.
"Thank you, Master!"
They first bowed to Jian Dan in gratitude, then turned to Jian Jing Zūnshàng sitting across from her Master.
"Yu Zongfan and Mao Dou pay respects to Zūnshàng!"
Jian Jing lightly waved her spiritual power, lifting the two, and tossed them a storage pouch each:
"I came today to visit your Master and happened to meet you here. I didn't prepare much, so take these spirit stones. Buy whatever you need with them."
Yu Zongfan and Mao Dou immediately turned their gazes toward Jian Dan.
Jian Dan smiled:
"You two were lucky today. Make sure to thank your Senior Uncle!"
"Thank you for the reward, Senior Uncle!"
"Good!"
Jian Dan chuckled at their manners and then instructed:
"I'll give you five days to stabilize your cultivation, get familiar with the power and spells of the eleventh level of Qi Refinement. In five days, I plan to let you practice in real combat."
"Yes, Master!"
They responded in unison, then bowed to Jian Dan and Jian Jing before leaving the peak.
Jian Jing picked up the spirit tea on the jade table, sipped it, and then said:
"Junior Sister, your two disciples are quite impressive. I was wondering how you trained them as 'War' Hall cultivators. Was it very strict?"
Jian Dan, understanding that Jian Jing Zūnshàng meant well, did not hide the truth:
"I have two hundred years. I need them to reach Nascent Soul so that they can protect themselves in a great war."
"Two hundred years to Nascent Soul? Only you would dare say that!"
Jian Jing's eyes widened.
"Human potential is limitless. Their aptitude is decent; a bit of pressure can make them achieve much."
"You are not worried they will be scared away?"
Jian Jing teased.
"Don't worry, Senior Sister. I haven't told them yet! We'll take it slowly."
Back at the eastern peak, the two opened their storage pouches.
Mao Dou gasped, seeing the pouch filled with low-grade and mid-grade spirit stones, and even two high-grade spirit stones.
Yu Zongfan's heartbeat quickened when he saw the contents but soon returned to normal.
The protective formation of the cave house had been triggered. Seeing this, Yu Zongfan realized it was Mao Dou and opened the formation to let him in.
Mao Dou, entering the stone house without hesitation, asked his junior fellow:
"Junior Brother, the storage pouch from Zūnshàng is all spirit stones."
"Yes, mine is the same."
Yu Zongfan did not hide it either, since their rewards were received simultaneously, there should be little difference.
Seeing Yu Zongfan's calm demeanor, Mao Dou steadied himself and said:
"Since joining the Sect, it's my first time receiving so many spirit stones. I was a bit surprised!"
"Don't just talk about me. I am surprised too. Though I was born into a cultivation family, this is the first time I can freely manage this many spirit stones, especially the high-grade ones. Even Nascent Soul cultivators value them highly."
Mao Dou smiled a little at Yu Zongfan's words:
"I thought, given your calm attitude, that such things were normal for you."
Yu Zongfan's handsome face also showed a faint smile:
"We two young Qi Refiners are just small fry in Zūnshàng's eyes. Only because of our Master are we noticed. To be honest, these rewards are given because of our Master's favor."
Mao Dou, not foolish, understood after thinking for a moment.
"You are right, Junior Brother."
Yu Zongfan continued:
"This is also why disciples of the Sect and family cultivators compete to become students of great cultivators."
"You mean cultivation resources?"
"Yes."
It was the first time the two had discussed such a profound topic since meeting.
"For example, today Zūnshàng helped you with Essence Washing and Marrow Purification and expanded my meridians. The materials used would make even Nascent Soul cultivators envious. By my experience, it was definitely high-grade spirit spring water."
Yu Zongfan recalled while speaking.
Mao Dou nodded repeatedly, benefiting from the gentle energy remaining in his body from the spirit spring water, which would aid his breakthrough to the twelfth level of Qi Refinement.
"So, besides cherishing what we have now, we must be careful in daily life. If we accept things we shouldn't and trouble our Master, that would be bad."
"Right! We can only accept what Zūnshàng permits. When Zūnshàng is absent, we should report everything."
Mao Dou shared his view.
Their caution would save them from many troubles in the future and even help them avoid Du Yanran's schemes, though that was later. For now, they treated the storage pouches carefully.
Nearby, Bai Bai sat on a small custom-made mat. Watching them be so careful over a few spirit stones, the black eyes sparkled with amusement. If she revealed the top-grade spirit stones she found in the Chonglin Mountains, it would surely startle them.
Meanwhile, Jian Dan and Jian Jing conversed happily. Lü Se appeared again and reported:
"Two Zūnshàng, Jian Po Zūnzhě requests an audience."
Seeing Zūnshàng nod, Lü Se went to fetch her.
"It's lively here today!"
"Hehe, I guess she heard the rumors and came to comfort you," Jian Jing said directly.
"Jian Po pays respects to the two Zūnshàng!"
Jian Po wore a black robe with a black gauze overlay, her figure graceful, and her peach blossom eyes made her even more radiant.
"Jian Po, why have you come to me today?"
She tilted her eyes, glanced at the two Zūnshàng, and said softly:
"I went to the Law Enforcement Hall today and saw Jian Li Zūnshàng. I learned that you had returned to Tianyue Peak."
"It was just in the past few days. Senior Brother Jian Li returned, I handed over the hall duties, and now I have a rare few days of free time."
Jian Po saw Jian Dan's expression and realized it was not, as the rumors suggested, that Jian Lu was dissatisfied with her handling of matters.
"I see. Jian Po thought Zūnshàng was displeased with the orders given to the 'Punishment' Hall and that's why the rights were revoked."
"Those people! Such rumors even reach your Punishment Hall?"
Jian Dan rolled her eyes, speaking calmly:
"The cultivation world is vast. Heavenly Sword Sect does not speak with one voice. There are always those who cannot stand others' success. They stir up trouble in the Sect, thinking that as long as they do not collude with evil cultivators or harm the Sect, nothing will happen."
"Recently, I have accepted new disciples and am in high spirits, so I will not bother with them!"
Jian Dan said generously. The few restless monkeys truly treated her like a dish to be stirred.
Jian Po smiled lightly:
"Zūnshàng is magnanimous. These voices will not last long."
"Let them be. Hearing this will not lower my cultivation!"
Jian Jing listened with a smile, realizing Jian Po had come specifically out of concern for Jian Lu, only to comfort her Master.
"Zūnshàng, Jin Liuli requests an audience. It seems urgent."
"Bring her in," Jian Dan said directly, then smiled:
"Looks like the Enforcement Hall has been keeping an eye on me."
Jian Jing and Jian Po chuckled at Jian Dan's teasing.
Jin Liuli appeared before the three, eyes full of anxiety. She bowed and said:
"Zūnshàng, please intervene to help my aunt!"