Several of them recalled the day Jian Dan sparred with the nine squad leaders of the Battle Hall. They decided they should also practice joint combat techniques. After all, when the time came, every Mahayana Zhēnzūn on the continent would have to take the field.
Jian Li arrived at the back mountain and entered the restricted area, only to see four Zhēnzūn suspended in midair, their spiritual power weaving a battle formation.
"Jian Li greets all Zhēnzūn."
"Jian Li, do you have business with us?"
The four waved their sleeves, dispersing the formation's spiritual power, and then turned to him.
"There is a difficult mission that requires Zhēnzūn to take action. Please take a look."
Jian Li first handed the jade slip to his Master, Tian Hong Zhēnzūn.
Tian Hong scanned it with his divine sense before passing it to his senior brother, Tian Yun Zhēnzūn. The four examined it in turn, and Tian Hong spoke first:
"I'll go this time. Last time, it was Tian Shou. It's my turn."
Jian Li's lips curved upward. It seemed his Master was eager to step outside the sect for a change.
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn smiled. "This was Jian Lu's idea, wasn't it?"
"Yes. I discussed it with my junior sister. She suggested it and will handle negotiations with the Heavenly Demon Palace." Jian Li answered honestly.
"Sounds just like her style."
The Zhēnzūn all smiled. Anything beneficial to the sect was not something they would refuse.
"Alright. We'll follow your plan. Besides, we'd like to meet this mysterious Zhēnzūn in the shadows."
"Yes, Masters. I'll make the arrangements right away."
Jian Li felt much more at ease now. With the Zhēnzūn's agreement, much of the burden was lifted from his shoulders. He took out the purple-level Zhēnzūn mission token from his storage ring and offered it with both hands.
As expected, his Master Tian Hong took it directly, and the remaining three made no attempt to compete for it.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Jian Li bowed again and left the forbidden back mountain. He still had to arrange the blue-level Zūnshàng mission token for the Unity-stage cultivators.
Jian Dan left the Law Enforcement Peak and went straight to the guest hall on her own peak. As she descended in a flash of light, the guards saluted her and allowed her to pass without delay.
Though called a hall, the guest hall was actually a small mountain adjacent to Tian Yue Peak. In the courtyard, Jian Dan found Mo Su and his two companions seated together. The black-robed guards stood watch nearby and hurried forward to salute when they saw Jian Dan.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng."
"There's no need for such formality. Are you all comfortable here?"
Taking a seat, Jian Dan began with polite conversation.
"Everything is fine. We wouldn't dare trouble Zūnshàng with our comfort."
"It's no trouble. Where is Bi Shu Xiaoyou?" Jian Dan smiled as she asked.
Mo Su coughed softly before replying, "She was a bit frightened. She's staying in her quarters and hasn't come out."
"Tsk tsk. She's already at the Nascent Soul stage, yet she's still so timid. She should train more." Jian Dan chuckled.
Then she got to the point. After listening, the three exchanged glances but didn't respond immediately.
Jian Dan remained patient, speaking softly, "Bi Shu is within Heavenly Sword Sect territory. We will ensure her safety. Besides, her ability to identify cultivators parasitized by blood insects hasn't been verified yet. Instead of risking her return to Heavenly Demon Palace to test her ability, why not verify it here first? That way, when you return, you can report everything clearly to your sect."
Mo Yi rubbed his nose and muttered, "Testing her after we get back wouldn't delay anything."
Jian Dan wasn't offended. She covered her lips with a smile. "When you arrived, you were nearly stopped by two Unity-stage cultivators. I personally drove them back. I can guarantee that next time, they'll send Mahayana Zhēnzūn. Could the three of you handle that? Or would you like to invite a Mahayana Zhēnzūn from Heavenly Demon Palace to visit our Heavenly Sword Sect?"
Though they didn't want to admit it, they had indeed received her help, and her reasoning was sound.
"In that case, we should just kill Bi Shu." Mo Qi gritted her teeth.
Jian Dan understood it wasn't defiance but frustration speaking.
"That's an option. But it's best to kill her in front of those enemies. Otherwise, they'll believe you're hiding her and won't stop hounding you."
She glanced at their expressions and continued, "That blood insect you saw was captured in Tianquan City, under the Heavenly Sword Sect's control. If our sect already has an infiltrator, do you really think Heavenly Demon Palace doesn't? That would hardly befit your sect's status as the leader of the demonic path."
Her point was clear: if Heavenly Sword Sect had blood insect infiltrators, Heavenly Demon Palace surely did too. Killing Bi Shu now might free them from pursuit but would cost them a chance to uncover other hidden threats, leaving danger to erupt later.
"The blood insect I brought back was parasitizing the most gifted wood-spirit-root disciple of the Wei clan in Tianquan City. Their family thrives on cultivating spirit plants. If war breaks out, spirit plant supply directly impacts pill production. I don't need to explain further. You three understand this better than I do."
"Jian Lu Zūnshàng, we understand. We'll do as you say. We'll accompany you from Tianquan City and test Bi Shu's ability. But once we leave Heavenly Sword Sect…"
"Rest assured. The Law Enforcement Hall will escort you back to your sect, and our Zhēnzūn will accompany you."
"In that case, we'll await your summons, Zūnshàng."
Having achieved her goal, Jian Dan rose and said, "I have other missions, so I won't accompany you. But the Law Enforcement Hall will assign high-ranking cultivators to assist. I'll also try to have Jian Feng accompany you. He can coordinate between our sects. Does that sound acceptable?"
"We'll follow your arrangements, Zūnshàng." This time, Mo Su's reply was surprisingly decisive.
Mo Yi and Mo Qi exchanged eye-rolls at him.
After leaving the guest hall, Jian Dan sent Jian Li a transmission talisman: "Heavenly Demon Palace agrees to my plan. You can proceed with arrangements. Suggestion: Have Jian Feng join the mission to keep Mo Su in check."
Receiving the message, Jian Li nodded. His junior sister's efficiency was impressive. He had only just sent inquiries to Jian Xu, Jian Mao, and Jian Jing, and she had already settled the hardest part of the plan, even offering a solid suggestion.
As he finished reading her message, three replies arrived. Only Jian Mao was available and willing to take on the task.
With a wave of his hand, Jian Li ordered Qi Hua to deliver the blue mission token to Jian Mao Zūnshàng.
Back in the guest hall, Mo Qi broke the silence as they watched Jian Dan leave. "This Jian Lu Zūnshàng is thorough and calculating. She's using our Bi Shu, and yet we owe her a favor for escorting us. Truly…"
"Who says otherwise? She spoke the truth, and her plan benefits both sides. Honestly, I'd be embarrassed to ask our Master for help after this." Mo Yi was blunt, turning his gaze to Mo Su, since this was ultimately his decision.
"No problem. We'll lose some time, but as long as we achieve our goal, it's fine. What matters most is that these blood insects seem to choose their hosts carefully. That's what concerns me." Mo Su's calm demeanor showed his ability to see the bigger picture.
"She mentioned the host was a scion of a plant cultivation clan. Who do you think the demons' chosen target will be?"
Mo Yi's mind turned as he mentally reviewed every prominent family in Heavenly Demon Palace.
"Her words reminded me of something. When war erupts, the insect clan will surely devastate what we rely on most!"
"You're right, Junior Brother. Talismans, formations, pills, spirit tools… all critical supplies," Mo Qi added thoughtfully.
"And above all, cultivators. The strongest warriors."