"Junior Sister, from what you're saying, do you already have a solution?" Jian Jing turned to Jian Dan, his expression expectant.
"Not at all, that's why I want everyone to brainstorm together!" Jian Dan spread her hands openly, speaking in a forthright manner.
Jian Po's lips curved in a faint smile. Her peach blossom eyes flickered as she looked at the group."Since the other party has already been parasitized, even if we find a way to force the blood insect out, there's no guarantee his body will remain unharmed. In my opinion, why not have the Yao family find a suitable vessel and let Yao Bin seize a new body?"
"That's a valid option." Jian Jing nodded in agreement. For cultivators in the cultivation world, there was only one chance in a lifetime to perform body-seizing.
After stepping onto the cultivation path and breaking free of reincarnation, this was the second life granted by the Dao. Unless forced, no one would willingly take this step.
Still, Jian Po's proposal was undeniably practical.
Jian Dan figured the Yao family had likely considered this solution as well. They were simply clinging to hope.
After all, abandoning such an outstanding disciple they had painstakingly nurtured was hard to accept. Furthermore, body-seizing didn't guarantee finding a more gifted body, which was why they had set their sights on Jin Ai.
As the group pondered over a more perfect solution, word of Kong Xingkun's distress message reached the Kong family. They promptly sent reinforcements toward Tianquan City.
The one dispatched to handle the matter was Kong Xingkun's second uncle, Kong Hui.
Kong Hui, known for his diplomatic finesse, often managed the Kong family's external affairs. Being sent to pick up a younger member wasn't something he welcomed.
However, Kong Xingkun was currently the only promising youth among the family's direct descendants. To make amends for abandoning Kong Qiankun years ago to safeguard the clan, the Ancestor had always shown Kong Xingkun special favor.
Kong Hui thought this was a good chance to see the proud younger generation humbled. He decided it was worth enduring, a pleasant distraction even. Moreover, Kong Hui never believed this matter was serious. At worst, it would cost some extra spirit stones to resolve.
Thus, he didn't bother digging into the details, took a single attendant, and departed for Tianquan City at a leisurely pace.
Mortal Realm
The ten Heavenly Sword Sect teams stationed in the mortal realm had successfully completed their mission, patrolling their assigned territories and eliminating several evil cultivators hiding among mortals.
The destruction of Hai Yan and the collapse of the evil cultivators' infiltration plan had paved the way for their smooth progress. Even the assassination plot tied to the "blood sac" in the capital of Tianqing Nation had been thoroughly crushed.
This was a rare opportunity. Immortal masters were personally recruiting disciples in the mortal realm, stirring the entire world into frenzy. Any child meeting the age criteria, regardless of gender, was sent to test their affinity for cultivation.
Everywhere the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples went, they were welcomed with admiration and flattery. Still, they strictly upheld sect rules, maintaining their lofty demeanor.
Truthfully, they were eager to return to the cultivation world. The thin spiritual energy here was hardly bearable.
Since destroying the "blood sac," Wu Siyuan had remained in the shadows, overseeing the operation. His mission was nearly complete: ensure the safety of the sect disciples and crush the evil cultivators completely.
That day, all ten teams assembled with over five thousand children who had passed the initial spiritual root tests. They set out for the boundary between the mortal realm and cultivation realm.
"Senior Brother, the mission's finally wrapping up. We're heading home at last!"
"You're lucky, brat. The sect's deadline for this mission wasn't long, just challenging. Our team was stationed the farthest out, and by the time we arrived, we were just cleaning up the aftermath."
"We wanted to contribute more too, but there wasn't much opportunity. Plus, the spiritual energy here is pathetic, and we had to protect these newly recruited disciples."
"Mortals are unbelievable. Some even brought infants in swaddling clothes to test their affinity."
A female cultivator in the Golden Core stage chuckled at their complaints.
"Junior Sister, you saw the youngest. I met the oldest. The man could barely walk, yet he begged for a pill to regain his youth."
The Nascent Soul cultivator shook his head helplessly. Recruitment usually happened in the cultivation world or within cultivation clans. This was the first time in a thousand years they were gathering disciples from mortals.
Normally, Foundation Establishment disciples could handle this task. However, the involvement of evil cultivators led the Law Enforcement Hall to raise the mission's rank, requiring higher-level cultivators.
For many Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators, this was a rare eye-opening experience, deepening their understanding of mortals' longing for cultivation.
Wu Siyuan observed silently. As a Void Refinement cultivator who had once accompanied Jian Lu Zūnshàng, he easily discerned the sect's true intentions behind this mass recruitment.
The timing was deliberate.
The cultivation world was facing an unprecedented crisis, but spiritual energy was surging. Ancient secret realms sealed for ages were beginning to open.
For new disciples, this was a golden era. With a resolute heart, breakthroughs would come naturally.
When war erupted, whether they became cannon fodder or powerful cultivators would depend solely on themselves. The Heavenly Sword Sect merely offered them a platform.
They would also bear the weight of the sect's future.
"Let's hope you won't regret today's choice." Wu Siyuan sighed softly, trailing behind the flying boats as they approached the border.
The sect disciples presented their identification tokens, passing smoothly through the barrier into the cultivation world.
The moment they crossed over, Heavenly Sword Sect disciples felt invigorated. Spiritual energy surged into their meridians even without deliberate effort.
"Ah, it feels like I'm alive again!"
The mortal children gaped in awe, drinking in the sight of the cultivation world. They crowded by the railings, sniffing the air like puppies, marveling at the mountains, towering ancient trees, dazzling flowers, and crystal-clear streams.
On the last boat stood Jian Wu, accompanied by ten mortal youths he had personally recruited for the Law Enforcement Hall.
Since his last stroke of luck, he had combed through remote mountain ranges, discovering these hidden talents. He was confident he'd impress Jian Lu Zūnshàng upon return. He had no idea his master, Jian Li, had already emerged from seclusion.
The fleet of flying boats formed a perfect line and headed straight for the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Yao Residence, Tianquan City
Jian Dan and her companions' discussion bore no fruit. No one had a better solution.
Just then, Liu Chuan sent a sound transmission: "The blood sac is plant-based at its core. I'm confident I can draw it out, but I can't stop the black insect from leaving its host after consuming his essence."
Jian Dan's eyes glimmered. She wasn't ready to reveal Liu Chuan's involvement to the Yao family, especially with the Kong family connection looming.
At that moment, the protective formation was triggered. Jian Jing lifted a hand, dispelling it. The Yao family head stepped in.
"Honored seniors, please come to the Ice Cavern at once. Bin'er's condition has worsened!"
Jian Dan narrowed her eyes, exchanging glances with Jian Jing and Jian Po. She gestured, then led Liuli and Jin Ai toward the Ice Cavern.