Jian Li carried the Rubik's Cube in his hand and went straight to the forbidden grounds behind the mountain.
Tian Yun and Tian Hong had been waiting for her. The commotion at Law Enforcement Peak had been so loud that they had both watched the entire tribulation of the artifact from the rear mountain.
Jian Li knew the two Zhēnzūn must have been paying close attention to the thunder tribulation striking Law Enforcement Peak. After presenting the Rubik's Cube and the purple-black jade key, he relayed Shan Yunzu's words.
Tian Hong was the first to take the Rubik's Cube into his hand. His Mahayana-stage Primordial Soul swept over it, immediately sensing that this artifact was extraordinary.
"Senior Brother, this artifact is already infinitely close to becoming an immortal artifact. Its artifact spirit has been born but has yet to fully awaken."
Tian Yun wasn't surprised. A smile tugged at his lips as he said, "It endured ten heavenly thunders! Even its name was bestowed by the Heavenly Dao. It's certainly no ordinary treasure. I must admit, I didn't expect Jian Lu to have this skill."
"Zhēnzūn," Jian Li explained, "Junior Sister Jian Lu had reserved a tribulation peak ahead of time. She said once the Rubik's Cube Realm was completed, it would definitely trigger a tribulation because the materials she used were rather special—they came from the Upper Realm."
Tian Hong Zhēnzūn raised a brow. "Yet I noticed the tribulation peak's defensive barrier was never even activated."
"Indeed," Jian Li admitted, "from the moment the first thunderbolt fell, Junior Sister never activated the defensive formation."
"It seems the happiest person this time is Meng Congjian," Tian Yun remarked with a laugh.
Jian Li's lips curved slightly at the mention of Meng Congjian's name. He then asked, "Zhēnzūn, this Rubik's Cube Realm…"
"I'm afraid this pseudo-immortal artifact won't be easily claimed," Tian Yun interrupted, taking the Rubik's Cube from Tian Hong and examining it carefully.
"What does Senior Brother mean?"
"Tian Hong, place the Rubik's Cube Realm atop Heavenly Sword Peak. Let any high-level cultivators who are curious try their hand at it. Jian Lu mentioned the rewards inside haven't been added yet. Discuss with Meng Congjian what would be suitable to place inside."
"Yes, Zhēnzūn."
Once Jian Li handed over the artifact, she left the forbidden grounds with his master, a new task already in mind.
Tian Hong Zhēnzūn appeared atop Heavenly Sword Peak. Sect Master Jian Chong, sensing his arrival, hurried forward.
"I greet Tian Hong Zhēnzūn!"
"Mm. Senior Brother says to place the Rubik's Cube Realm here. Jian Chong, which peak do you think is suitable?"
Jian Chong had already been briefed by the Law Enforcement Hall about the tribulation at Law Enforcement Peak and knew it was caused by the artifact crafted by Jian Lu Zūnshàng. However, he hadn't expected the artifact would be stationed here.
"Zhēnzūn, there's a peak on the southern side behind the main hall. After adjusting the defensive formations, the main array's core was moved, leaving it vacant. It should be suitable."
"Good."
Tian Hong led Jian Chong and Jian Lu to the southern peak.
The entire southern peak was shrouded in rich spiritual energy, with various spiritual plants growing across its slopes. At the summit stood a grand hall—the original location of the array's core. Now that the core was relocated, the hall had been left unused.
Hovering in midair, Tian Hong waved his sleeve, lifting the hall and its foundation away. He tossed the Rubik's Cube down, using the jade key to enlarge it until it stood firmly at the summit.
The massive Rubik's Cube was six stories tall, a purple-black cube resting on one corner. Array patterns glimmered across its surface as it slowly rotated on its own.
Tian Hong took a massive square stone from his storage ring and embedded it on one side of the cube. With spiritual power, he carved seven bold characters: "Dreamlike Illusory Rubik's Cube Realm."
"Jian Chong, announce through the Operations Hall that all Divine Transformation cultivators and above will have one chance to enter the Rubik's Cube Realm for testing."
"Yes, Zhēnzūn."
"Here's the entry method. You're in charge of the arrangements."
Jian Chong respectfully received the jade slip and immediately went to make preparations.
Tian Hong Zhēnzūn stroked his chin. Truthfully, he wanted to enter the Rubik's Cube Realm himself, but since his Senior Brother hadn't said anything, he could only suppress his curiosity and return to the forbidden grounds.
Within a single day of the announcement, countless high-level cultivators were lining up to test themselves in the Rubik's Cube Realm.
Meanwhile, Jian Dan had returned to her own cave dwelling—this time, a special cave atop Tianyue Peak designed for breakthroughs. It connected directly to the mountain's spiritual vein, supplying abundant energy for advancement.
Jian Dan's breakthrough was minor this time, and since her spiritual fluctuations were already widely known, she simply ascended to the peak, sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, and released her suppression. Spiritual power from Tianyue Peak surged toward her like a river.
Eyes closed, she circulated the Primordial Chaos Art. Though focused, her heart was filled with wry amusement. All she'd done was successfully forge a pseudo-immortal artifact, and the Heavenly Dao had directly pushed her to break through. She couldn't help feeling a little helpless.
Her cultivation speed felt absurd, like riding a rocket. Even though it sounded boastful, she couldn't deny it.
Spiritual energy poured in as her cultivation art refined it into pure power, channeling it through the Yin-Yang Taiji Disc within her sea of consciousness. Energy filled the disc's Yang side, then overflowed into its core, transforming into demonic qi to saturate the Yin side until both Yin and Yang were brimming.
When the timing was right, Jian Dan retrieved a white jade bottle from her bracelet. Uncorking it, she swallowed the True Dragon Essence Blood in one gulp and began refining its terrifying power. The raw power surged through her meridians, guided by her Primordial Soul to coat her bones, initiating a bone refinement process.
Traces of Undying Liquid lingered in her skeleton. The essence blood treated it like an enemy, aggressively attacking and purging it.
Jian Dan's face paled. She clenched her teeth through the agony of bones shattering inch by inch. Summoning her Wood-element spiritual power, she repaired the damage while expelling impurities. Bit by bit, her skeleton was tempered, the remnants of Undying Liquid driven out.
Spiritual power was consumed rapidly, but waves of fresh energy flowed into her body, replenishing her reserves and converting into chaotic energy to fill the Taiji Disc.
Once her bones were nearly refined, Jian Dan opened her eyes. Rising to her feet, she began a set of body-tempering boxing forms. Again and again, slow at first, then faster and faster—eighty-one repetitions in total. Every bone gleamed from tempering. Her body-tempering technique flowed more smoothly than ever. At last, the refinement was complete, and her cultivation stabilized at the late Unity stage.
Three months passed before Jian Dan finally emerged from seclusion.
Calculating with her fingers, she realized this breakthrough had taken longer than usual, likely due to refining the True Dragon Essence Blood. Feeling the boundless power coursing through her, Jian Dan clenched her fists and grinned. This feeling of strength was intoxicating.
Her advancement also triggered Yue Liang's breakthrough. The racoon, already on the verge of advancement, began frantically absorbing spiritual power. Energy seeped through every strand of fur, cycling through its body before condensing in its demon core, which swelled in size. Yue Liang's cultivation leapt to the seventh rank.
Jian Dan teleported back to her cave just in time to sense this. With a wave, she scooped Yue Liang into her sleeve and whisked him away to the tribulation peak at Law Enforcement Peak. At last, the token for restricted access came in handy.
She set Yue Liang down and withdrew beyond the tribulation area, ready to watch her companion face the heavenly tribulation.
"Jian Lu Zūnshàng!"
Meng Congjian appeared at her side, bowing deeply. As Hall Master, he could clearly feel the weight of Jian Lu Zūnshàng's presence. Her sword intent was sharper and more restrained, yet the pressure was far greater, even though she wasn't releasing her aura intentionally.
"Hall Master Meng, how come you're so free today?" Jian Dan asked with a smile.
"Zūnshàng, the Huang Jue Secret Realm has closed, and the disciples who entered have returned. I was organizing the spoils when I sensed the defensive formation here activate, so I came to investigate," Meng Congjian explained with a respectful bow.
"I think Hall Master Meng is just worried about the cost of spirit stones," Jian Dan teased with a chuckle.