Meng Congjian perked up at once. Nothing was dearer than spirit stones.
"Junior Sister, you think the Zhēnzūn will allow him into the Rubik's Cube Realm?" Jian Li frowned. After all, this was one of the sect's hidden trump cards.
"What Tian Hong Zhēnzūn experienced at Mahayana," Jian Dan said, "we do not know if Qi Hong, one realm lower, will encounter the same."
One sentence and Jian Li understood. The Zhēnzūn had their own considerations, and if Qi Hong entered, the Law Enforcement Hall would certainly be on hand.
"Heh. Your mind turns fast," Jian Li said. "What do you think the Zhēnzūn will ask Qi Hong Zūnshàng for as payment?"
"Artifacts or spirit stones."
"Which do you prefer?"
"Spirit stones. At the very least, a top-grade spirit vein."
Jian Li turned to Meng Congjian. "You heard. Coordinate with the Affairs Hall and host Qi Hong Zūnshàng properly."
At the words top-grade spirit vein, Meng Congjian was grinning ear to ear. He bowed at once to take the order.
"Senior Brother, I will go on ahead. My disciples are waiting."
"Go. See to them."
Three days later, when Lü Se delivered the newly refined plates, he brought back news.
"Zūnshàng, Qi Hong Zūnshàng is entering the Rubik's Cube Realm today."
"You went to watch?" Jian Dan asked from her rocking chair, fanning herself lazily.
"I went to deliver the plates. Hall Master Meng happened to be escorting Qi Hong Zūnshàng, so I ran into them. He seems very interested in anything you refined. When he learned those plates were yours, he insisted on examining them closely."
"Oh? Did he say anything?" Jian Dan turned the round fan between her fingers.
"Qi Hong Zūnshàng praised your ingenuity and said that when he exits the Rubik's Cube Realm, he will visit Tianyue Peak to pay his respects."
"Good. I know. Off you go."
After seeing Lü Se out, Jian Dan looked toward the south side peak behind the Sect Master's hall. She was curious what Qi Hong would face.
Once Qi Hong was drawn into the Rubik's Cube Realm, he appeared atop Qi Zong's own peak. Beside him, his eldest disciple Su Li spoke in urgent tones.
"Master, the Zhēnzūn cannot hold them back. We need to withdraw to the outer peaks at once and activate the inner peaks' self-destruct plates. You coordinate them as one to buy us time."
"I understand."
Before he could react, the words came out heavy as iron. He flipped his palm and a black array plate appeared.
Qi Hong moved fast. He tapped the plate several times. Six points lit at its center. He injected a thread of fire spiritual power and brought it to life temporarily.
"Have the inner peaks all withdrawn?"
"They are already pulling out."
As Su Li answered, the sky over Qi Zong shifted. Blue and cloudless turned a deepening red, and the next instant Qi Pei Zhēnzūn tumbled from the heavens.
After him came a giant black-armored insect, cleaver-armed mantis beasts, and flying centipedes. As Qi Pei Zhēnzūn plummeted, the air filled with the stink of blood. Qi Hong's face changed. He lit the last point on the plate and flung a disc-shaped flying artifact to drag Qi Pei Zhēnzūn back.
Qi Pei Zhēnzūn was at his limit. He could not even stabilize in midair, but he still batted the artifact away and formed a single word with his lips.
"Go."
Behind him, Su Li's eyes reddened. Qi Hong gritted his teeth and triggered the inner peaks' self-destruct plates. Swarms of insects pouring onto the peaks were reduced to ash.
The next instant the sky burst like a shattered dam. More insects surged in like the tide. Qi Pei Zhēnzūn roared within, forced his body to steady right before he hit the ground, slapped his chest, and spat essence blood to trace a flying sigil. He shot toward the torn-open breach.
"No!"
Outside, Meng Congjian stared at the shifting Rubik's Cube, sent his sense sweeping toward the buried supreme-grade spirit vein, then looked back at the portal, hoping Qi Hong Zūnshàng would emerge quickly.
Meanwhile, within the realm, Qi Hong was already locked in fierce battle.
Tianyue Peak.
Jian Dan was instructing her three disciples in the movement art Shadow-Follows-Form.
"What is shadow following form? Silent and unseen. Like a shadow, once you latch on, they cannot sense you and they cannot shake you. The key is a body like lightning, drifting like the wind, and landing precisely."
"Yes, Master. We will remember."
"Train the footwork first. Do not rush to flood your legs with spiritual power. The weighted rings you wear are to build your bodies. They slow you now, but once you are used to them, taking them off makes you faster."
The three understood at once and answered in unison. They returned to the East Peak to drill their steps.
No sooner had she sent the trio off than Lü Se arrived to report. "Zūnshàng, the Sect Master requests you at the main peak hall to discuss a matter."
"Very well."
She could guess why Jian Chong had called, so she streaked to the Sect Master's hall.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng," Jian Chong said, rising to greet her with a bow.
"You are worried that Qi Hong entering will cause the Rubik's Cube Realm to change," Jian Dan said as she halted. When Jian Chong approached, she turned with him toward the south side peak behind the hall.
"Yes. Jian Chong is uneasy and invited you here so that if anything happens, we have a response."
"Then we will wait here for Qi Hong to come out."
"My thanks, Zūnshàng. This way, please."
Jian Chong led her to an octagonal pavilion behind the hall. From here the Rubik's Cube Realm was in full view. He laid out tea and poured for her personally.
"Zūnshàng, I plan to temporarily close the small trial spaces for Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment."
"Too many are going in and the small spaces are strained?"
Jian Dan sipped her tea.
"Yes. Although they can use the Rubik's Cube Realm, it costs more sect points, so most low-level cultivators choose the small spaces."
"Understandable. If they cannot bear the load, close them for now and explain the reason. Then prepare to open the small spaces for Golden Core. Price them lower than entry into the Rubik's Cube."
"Yes. That is my plan as well. I will have it arranged tomorrow."
Jian Dan knew Jian Chong was making conversation. She did not puncture the pretense and instead took the lead.
"You have been Sect Master for a while now. You handle matters more and more smoothly."
"I dare not accept Zūnshàng's praise. I should thank you for recommending me to Former Sect Master Jian Chun Zūnzhǔ. With his year of guidance, I could get up to speed."
"Where is Jian Chun? I have not seen him since the succession ceremony."
"Jian Chun Zūnzhǔ left the sect to temper himself."
A flicker of envy passed through Jian Chong's eyes.
"Do not envy him. When you step down, you can go wherever you like."
Jian Dan smiled. Sword cultivators always grew restless.
"Yes. I will cultivate diligently and strive to reach Void Refinement soon."
Jian Dan nodded, then frowned. With a sharp motion, she turned her gaze to the Rubik's Cube Realm.