Meng Congjian twitched at Jian Dan's teasing words, but instead of replying, he turned his gaze toward Yue Liang, who was undergoing her heavenly tribulation.
The first bolt of thunder descended just as Yue Liang lazily stretched and blinked awake. Before she could even shake off her drowsiness, the strike landed squarely on her, making every hair on her small body stand on end.
Jian Dan couldn't help clicking her tongue in amazement. It was her first time seeing Yue Liang's fur puff up like that, and she burst into laughter. Standing beside her, Meng Congjian's expression tightened. He'd never seen someone so happy to watch their own spiritual beast get struck by lightning.
The second, third, all the way to the sixth thunderbolt fell in relentless succession, giving Yue Liang no chance to breathe. Her once sleek fur turned pitch-black, her body battered until she was left stunned, collapsing into a heap on the ground.
Bloody gashes of varying depths marred her small frame. Lightning energy seeped through her wounds, tempering her bones and meridians with every crackle.
High above, the final tribulation thunder brewed ominously within the roiling clouds. Yue Liang bared her teeth, cradling her charred little paws, and gritted her teeth as she cycled spiritual power through her demon core, gathering strength to face the last strike.
Only then did Jian Dan raise her hand, activating the defensive barrier around the tribulation zone.
The final bolt, fully charged, tore through the sky. It slammed into the glowing barrier first, which held for ten breaths, buying Yue Liang precious time and lessening the strike's power. Even so, the thunderbolt crashed straight down onto her small body, flipping her onto her back. Her paws pointed skyward, her tail stripped bare of fur. The tribulation clouds began to disperse, but no restorative spiritual rain had fallen yet.
Through their soul contract, Jian Dan could sense Yue Liang's fading but steady aura. Relief mingled with anxiety as she called out through their bond, her eyes fixed on the still body lying motionless.
"Yue Liang, are you alright?"
"Zūnshàng," Yue Liang's trembling voice was laced with tears, "all my bones are broken…"
"Good girl. Hold on, whatever you do, don't fall asleep. Didn't you promise to come with me to Purple Sky Sect?"
"Mm… Yue Liang will stay with Zūnshàng."
Her gentle encouragement through their bond helped Yue Liang focus, dulling the sharpness of her pain. Slowly, Yue Liang drew in spiritual power, forcing her small limbs and tail to twitch. At last, the heavens opened and a soft rain of spiritual energy fell, making Jian Dan breathe a sigh of relief.
As Yue Liang absorbed the rain, her wounds began knitting together. Her scorched black fur shed in clumps with a shake, revealing fresh fur beneath—glistening gold and soft brown.
By the time the rain ceased, Yue Liang had fully recovered. Her body expanded, transforming into her true form: a majestic beast nearly twice the height of a man. Throwing back her head, she let out a sharp, echoing cry that carried across the entire sect. The call was soon met with answering cries from the sect's other spirit beasts.
She flipped gracefully in midair before bounding toward Jian Dan. By the time she landed in her master's arms, she'd shrunk back into her small, cuddly form.
Jian Dan stroked Yue Liang's silky fur, nodded politely to Meng Congjian, and left Law Enforcement Peak. Before departing, she returned the jade token to him, much to his obvious heartache.
Tianyue Peak
Jian Dan reappeared outside her cave residence, where Lü Se immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Congratulations, Zūnshàng, on your breakthrough. You're now one step closer to ascension."
"Congratulations, Zūnshàng!" Ting Feng and Wang Yu followed suit, offering their well wishes.
"Mm. How has everything been in my absence?" Jian Dan asked calmly.
"Reporting to Zūnshàng, all is well. Your three disciples have been diligently cultivating. Two days ago, Mao Dou and Yu Zongfan broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Both endured nine bolts of thunder tribulation with their physical bodies and are now consolidating their cultivation," Lü Se reported with a proud smile.
"That's good news." Jian Dan nodded in satisfaction. She had anticipated their imminent breakthroughs before entering seclusion.
She had barely taken her seat when Xue Ru arrived with Yun Juan and Yun Shu in tow.
"Congratulations, Master, on your advancement. And congratulations to Senior Yue Liang for reaching the seventh rank!" Xue Ru said brightly.
At nine years old, Xue Ru was already taller, her features delicate but maturing, her pink robe complementing her lively demeanor. Cultivation had added a sharpness to her presence.
"Come here, let me take a look at you," Jian Dan beckoned with a warm smile.
Beaming, Xue Ru hurried over. Jian Dan swept her divine sense over the girl, pleased to see her cultivation had reached the eleventh level of Qi Refinement. Even in her absence, Xue Ru had trained with diligence.
"Very good. You've worked hard. Soon, you can also challenge the Rubik's Cube Realm."
Xue Ru's eyes lit up with delight. "Master, the Rubik's Cube Realm you created has become the most popular place in the sect."
"Is that so?" Jian Dan chuckled.
Understanding their master wished to speak privately with Xue Ru, Yun Juan and Yun Shu busied themselves setting out refreshments, then stood quietly to the side.
"Ever since the Dreamlike Illusory Rubik's Cube Realm was established on the main peak," Xue Ru explained, "high-level cultivators have been trying it first. Everyone who came out had gains—some broke through, others found new insights into their sword techniques. That made even more cultivators want to enter."
"That's good," Jian Dan said approvingly. Those who could withstand the overwhelming insect swarms inside the realm and had the courage to fight would naturally come out stronger.
Xue Ru continued, her voice animated. "So many wanted to enter that Zhēnzūn had to intervene. Ten days later, both the Operations Hall and Deacon Hall announced it would open to the entire sect. But now entry requires points, and the higher your cultivation, the more points you need."
Jian Dan thought for a moment. Likely, the early testers had cleared the realm without incident, so Jian Li had gone ahead and placed rewards as planned.
"Many Nascent Soul cultivators returning from the Huang Jue Secret Realm traded their spoils for points to gain entry," Xue Ru added. "My two senior brothers and I decided that once their cultivation stabilizes, we'll take on sect missions to earn enough points for the Rubik's Cube Realm."
Jian Dan almost revealed they wouldn't need points at all since she was the creator, but she swallowed the thought. Letting them earn their own way would be better for their growth.
What mattered now was choosing appropriate techniques for them after Foundation Establishment. With the sect contributions she earned for forging the pseudo-immortal artifact, she could visit the Scripture Pavilion to select cultivation arts for her disciples.
Yun Juan and Yun Shu stood quietly, listening to the warm exchange between master and disciple. Admiration gleamed in their eyes. Zūnshàng truly cared for her disciples, teaching them with both diligence and affection.
"Yun Juan, Yun Shu," Jian Dan asked suddenly, "why didn't you two go to the Huang Jue Secret Realm? And Ting Feng, Wang Yu?"
"Reporting to Zūnshàng, Yun Shu and I stayed behind to care for Xue Ru. Ting Feng and Wang Yu said they wouldn't leave your cave residence unattended while you were in seclusion, so none of us signed up for this exploration," Yun Juan replied.
"Master," Xue Ru piped up, "they gave up their chance because of me. Could I ask for a reward for them?"
Jian Dan chuckled. "Tell me what you want."
"Please give Yun Juan and Yun Shu one chance to enter the Rubik's Cube Realm. I'll cover the points for them. If I don't have enough now, I'll borrow from you, Master, and pay you back once I earn enough points."