Yu Zongfan finished receiving Shadow-Follows-Form, opened his eyes, and saw that Senior Brother Mao Dou was still absorbing the techniques.
"Yu Zongfan, go back and practice the movement art first," Jian Dan said. "Mao Dou will need a little longer."
"Yes, Master."
Yu Zongfan bowed and returned to the East Peak.
He knew Senior Brother Mao Dou had been an abandoned child taken in by the sect, with no backing. His core cultivation method would surely be bestowed by Jian Dan, so it would take more time.
A quarter of an hour after Yu Zongfan left, Mao Dou opened his eyes. A gleam flashed in them. He rose and bowed to Jian Dan.
"Mao Dou thanks Master for bestowing these techniques."
Jian Dan beckoned Mao Dou to sit to the side, then explained why she had kept him back alone.
"This Clear Splendor Scripture of Water and Wood was redeemed from the Scripture Pavilion," Jian Dan said. "It suits your spiritual roots."
Mao Dou scratched his head, puzzled and a little embarrassed, but he still asked, "Master, forgive my ignorance. I have three spiritual roots—metal, water, and wood. Should I also seek a metal-type cultivation method?"
"I kept you behind to speak about this."
Mao Dou straightened up at once, eyes on Jian Dan.
"You were born with Innate Sword Bones," Jian Dan said with a smile. "Your metal root is your sword bones."
Mao Dou's mouth fell open. He walked the path of a sword cultivator and knew somewhat about this physique. It was rare and prized among sword cultivators, and just as coveted by certain high-level cultivators.
Jian Dan gave him a moment to digest her words. When Mao Dou looked up again, she continued, "Innate Sword Bones are a gift from the Heavenly Dao, one of the few inborn talents meant for human cultivation. It has strengths and drawbacks. If you never realize you possess it, you'll cultivate as an ordinary three-root cultivator. Without the proper method for tempering sword bones, you'll be stuck at Foundation Establishment for life."
Mao Dou listened carefully, matching her words with what he already knew.
"To protect its bearer, the physique doesn't reveal itself early," Jian Dan said, fanning herself with a round fan. "Even Mahayana cultivators would struggle to spot it at first. It only begins to manifest after you build your foundation."
"As for how I discovered it ahead of time," Jian Dan went on, "it was when you and Yu Zongfan were ambushed. I rescued you, examined your wounds, and checked for lingering traps. That was when I found it." She said it with a straight face.
She definitely wasn't going to admit she had set her sights on him long ago and was simply waiting to bring him back to the sect as her disciple.
Mao Dou's expression brightened with sudden understanding. He was grateful it was his Master who had discovered it. If someone else had found out after he built his foundation, it could have been disastrous.
"The life-preserving talisman I placed in you now conceals your physique," Jian Dan added with a pleasant smile, still idly waving her fan. "You don't need to worry."
"Next, remember what I'm about to say."
"Yes, Master."
Mao Dou's face grew solemn. He pricked up his ears.
"I'll pass you the cultivation method for Innate Sword Bones today. Start training it tomorrow. And do not tell anyone about your physique," Jian Dan said.
Mao Dou nodded immediately at the first instruction. At the second, he hesitated, then cupped his hands. "Master, not even Junior Brother and Junior Sister?"
"Yes," Jian Dan said. "It's not that we don't trust them, but once a secret is known by a third person, it's no longer a secret. Not knowing is safer for you and for them. I can't protect you forever."
"Understood," Mao Dou said.
Seeing his ready agreement, Jian Dan flicked a speck of light into his brow.
"This is a body-tempering method, the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Scripture, and a metal-element sword method, the Golden Severing Awl Sword Formula. Together with the Clear Splendor Scripture of Water and Wood and Shadow-Follows-Form I just bestowed, these are enough to guide you all the way to ascension. As for further opportunities, those are up to you."
"Thank you for planning so far ahead for me, Master. Mao Dou won't disappoint your expectations."
"Good. A Master leads you to the door, but cultivation is your own."
"Yes, Master."
After thanking Jian Dan, Mao Dou returned to the East Peak. He intended to familiarize himself with the methods at once and seize every moment to cultivate.
With the major matter of her three disciples' techniques settled, Jian Dan turned her focus to nourishing the Rubik's Cube Realm and guiding the Novice Hall's children. She had a feeling she wouldn't remain in the sect for long.
Recently, Yue Liang had rarely gone visiting, but when Yue Liang returned to Jian Dan's side and found Mao Dou, Yu Zongfan, and Wei Xue Ru all absent, she hurried over.
"Zūnshàng, I went to Medicine Peak to see Elder Brother."
"Oh? News from the beast clans?"
"Yes. The Ancestor asked Elder Brother to send the second group of our clan over." Yue Liang's tail swished as she reported.
"It seems the raccoon beast clan's return is going smoothly."
"Zūnshàng, I'd like to request permission to escort the second group to the clan grounds. May I?" Her black eyes shone as she looked up at Jian Dan.
"That's no problem. I won't be leaving the sect in the near term. If you're worried, go with them and keep watch."
At Jian Dan's approval, Yue Liang flipped in midair with delight, saluted, and hurried off to tell Elder Brother Xing Xing the good news.
Jian Dan shook her head, amused. A short while ago Yue Liang had been eager to accompany her to the Zixiao Sect, and now she was focused on escorting her people. It was understandable. This concerned the future of the raccoon beast clan.
The next day, Yue Liang came to take her leave and set off with the second group toward the beast clan's lands.
"Yue Liang, be respectful when you meet the Nine-Tailed Beast Lord. Convey my regards. Also, check on Jade's trial progress."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I'll remember. Is there anything else I should carry over?"
"Bai Jue is at the critical stage of advancement in the Advancement Hall. He should reach the eighth rank soon. Tell the Nine-Tailed Beast Lord not to worry."
Jian Dan patted Yue Liang's ear with a smile, sending the message along.
"Got it. I'll remember."
The following day, Yue Liang boarded a flying boat, bade Jian Dan farewell, and departed the Heavenly Sword Sect with her clansmen.
That day, as planned, Jian Dan went to teach the Tongzhi Hall's children. When she entered the lecture hall, the young disciples rose in unison.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng!"
"Sit," Jian Dan said. "I won't teach new material today. I'm just here to answer your questions."
She took her seat and lifted her fan, smiling kindly at the little ones.
"Zūnshàng, we want to enter the trial realm again," Zhao Yunhai blurted, the first to stand and speak for the group.
"Are you preparing to assault Foundation Establishment?" Jian Dan asked.
Zhao Yunhai scratched his head and muttered, "Nothing slips past Zūnshàng."
"As long as you're ready, you can go in anytime."
The children of the Tongzhi Hall were already more than nine years old, the age of fierce competitiveness. Seeing Mao Dou and Yu Zongfan both reach Foundation Establishment had made them restless. Jian Dan had seen it all.
"Cultivation is never achieved in one leap," Jian Dan said. "Go back and copy the Tranquil Heart Scripture. When your hearts are quiet, I'll let you enter the trial realm again."