Mo Yi strolled into the grand hall and, upon seeing Mo Su's furrowed brows, immediately asked, "What's wrong?"
Mo Su, upon seeing it was Mo Yi, tossed over the jade slip in his hand. "I'm still not quite ready to take over as Palace Master, but you'll be the first to know when I do. Here's the latest intel, take a look."
Mo Yi caught the jade slip, swept through it with his divine sense, and his expression turned grave. "You really did guess the worst outcome. These things have already infiltrated the cultivation world."
Mo Su nodded. "Has there been any progress from Bi Shu's side?"
"No. Searching like this is too slow. At this point, I doubt she's even finished combing through all of Heavenly Demon Palace's territory."
Mo Yi spread his hands helplessly.
"The jade slip says one of those 'blood insects' has been confirmed in a cultivation clan in Tianquan City. If all else fails, contact Heavenly Sword Sect and take Bi Shu there. Maybe she'll find something."
"That could work. I'll notify Chenfeng."
"Tsk, just admit you want to see him. No need for excuses, you're so reserved!" Mo Yi teased with a grin.
Mo Su only shot him a glare, not bothering to refute, which was as good as confirmation. He then took out a separate messaging jade slip and sent out the message.
Heavenly Sword Sect
Ten flying boats descended one by one onto the outer peak plaza of Heavenly Sword Sect. More than four thousand nine hundred children disembarked, standing in neat rows though their eyes darted around curiously.
The spiritual mountains within the sect, cultivators riding flying swords, streaks of light flashing through the sky, and celestial cranes gliding overhead—along with exotic flowers and herbs they had never seen before—once again made them feel the wonder of the cultivation world.
Sect Master Jian Chong had been notified earlier and came to the plaza with the sect's treasure, the Heart-Capturing Gate. Seeing Jian Jing, Jian Lu, and Jian Po disembark from a flying boat, he immediately stepped forward.
"Greetings, Jian Jing Zūnshàng, Jian Lu Zūnshàng! Greetings, Jian Po Zūnzhě!"
Jian Jing nodded to him with a smile and said to Jian Dan, "I'm going to meet Senior Brother Jian Mao. You go take care of your tasks. Send me a message if something comes up."
"Understood. Thank you for your help this time, Senior Sister. Jian Lu is deeply grateful."
Jian Jing accepted Jian Dan's thanks with a smile, then rode a streak of light and disappeared.
Jian Po cupped her hands and prepared to return to the Punishment Hall.
Jian Dan tossed her a jade slip and instructed, "Deliver this jade slip to Hall Master Jian Li. Jin Ai will stay at my Tianyue Peak for now. If there are other arrangements, contact me directly."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Jian Po accepted the jade slip and also flew off in a streak of light.
Jin Liuli stayed with Jin Ai, waiting respectfully at Jian Dan's side, intent on settling her aunt before returning to the Law Enforcement Hall.
Jian Dan turned to Sect Master Jian Chong and spoke calmly, "Jian Chong, this time I've already eliminated thirty-one candidates through a trial dream before they even entered the sect. Those left are all determined to cultivate. You can proceed with the entry assessments."
"I understand. I brought the Heart-Capturing Gate to test their temperament first. Afterward, they'll climb the back mountain to test endurance and willpower, and finally have their spiritual roots assessed before being assigned to different outer peaks."
Jian Dan nodded, recognizing the standard disciple selection process of a major sect. Once these disciples received basic instruction, their cultivation progress would be entirely up to them.
"Good. I'll leave it to you." She smiled, then took Jin Liuli and Jin Ai back to Tianyue Peak.
Jian Chong lowered the Heart-Capturing Gate onto the plaza. A massive violet-gold gate appeared before the young disciples, and they entered one by one, officially beginning the sect's trials.
The ten squads that had completed their missions handed over their charges to Foundation Establishment cultivators and returned to their respective peaks, preparing for their next cultivation surge. Meanwhile, whispers of the coming final battle against the insect race quietly spread among Heavenly Sword Sect disciples.
The ten children recruited by Jian Wu were the last to enter the Heart-Capturing Gate. Jian Wu specifically explained to Jian Chong that these were pre-selected by the Law Enforcement Hall and would be taken directly if they passed the assessments.
Jian Chong could only accept this. The Law Enforcement Hall's bold methods were tolerated only because Jian Lu Zūnshàng supported them. Since they'd spoken, he had no objections. They were still disciples of Heavenly Sword Sect regardless.
When Jian Po had shared a flying boat with Jian Wu earlier, she'd already gone over the ten children carefully, claiming an eight-year-old boy with an ice spiritual root for the Punishment Hall's special training program.
Jian Wu had been reluctant, insisting that the War Hall had first pick. But Jian Po's persistent persuasion left him no choice but to agree, grumbling as he went to complain to Jian Dan.
Jian Dan had comforted him, "Don't worry. Soon the sect will recruit more disciples from cultivation clans and the outside world. You'll find someone even better."
That was enough to appease Jian Wu.
Tianyue Peak
As soon as Jian Dan landed, Lü Se and four attendants were already waiting.
"Greetings, Zūnshàng!"
Jian Dan nodded, scanning them briefly before smiling. "Your cultivation is solid."
"Thanks to you, Zūnshàng. We've been rotating through sect missions, and our foundations have strengthened a lot." Lü Se followed her, reporting which missions they'd taken and how they'd fared.
Once Jian Dan returned to her cave residence, Lü Se finished his report. Jian Dan glanced at Yue Liang, still deep in her breakthrough. The steady rise of Yue Liang's aura reassured her, so she turned to Lü Se.
"Let Jin Ai settle temporarily here at Tianyue Peak. Open a new cave residence for her on one of the subsidiary peaks."
"Liuli, accompany your aunt and help her set it up. Report back to Senior Brother Jian Li afterward."
Jin Liuli had been waiting for this and quickly bowed, leading her aunt and Lü Se toward the western peak.
Ting Feng stepped forward and saluted. "Zūnshàng, your two disciples came by a few days ago looking for you. Since you weren't back, they returned to East Peak. They've been diligently cultivating, but asked me to notify them as soon as you returned. It seems they have something to discuss."
Jian Dan considered and immediately guessed the reason. "Tell them to come see me tomorrow. I might need to visit Law Enforcement Peak today."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Just then, a communication talisman floated in front of Jian Dan.
"Junior Sister Jian Lu, please come to the Law Enforcement Hall. I have something to discuss."
Recognizing Senior Brother Jian Li's voice, she smiled.
"Speak of the devil! I'll head over. Everything here runs as usual. Lü Se can contact me if needed."
"Yes."
Law Enforcement Hall
"Senior Brother, I just got back and haven't even had a sip of spirit tea before you summoned me!" Jian Dan stepped into the grand hall, grumbling playfully at Jian Li.
"Relax! I've prepared tea and snacks for you." Jian Li gestured, and Qi Hua stepped forward with a smile, placing a tray of spirit fruits on a jade table.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng. Please enjoy some refreshments!"
"That's more like it!" Jian Dan didn't stand on ceremony, sitting down gracefully and sipping the tea before glancing up. "What's this about, Senior Brother?"
"The jade slip Jian Po delivered to me… you caught a blood insect?"
"Yes. This time it was thanks to Liuli inviting me to Tianquan City and Senior Sister Jian Jing's assistance, or we wouldn't have managed it."
She flicked her sleeve, and a spatial prison materialized before them.