Jian Chong and Meng Congjian weren't happy about the other party's forceful demands, but neither of them showed it on their faces. Jian Dan, on the other hand, kept her smile as she gently brushed her hand over her fan and said,
"Since Qi Hong Daoyou isn't satisfied with my answer, then let's report to Zhēnzūn and let Zhēnzūn decide!"
When she finished speaking, Jian Dan rose and cupped her hands toward Qi Hong, then turned to Jian Chong."Sect Master, I still have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."
"Yes, thank you for coming personally, Zūnshàng, please!"
Jian Chong knew the crisis here was already resolved. Jian Dan didn't want to deal with Qi Hong Zūnshàng any further, so she left.
"Meng Tangzhu, come with me to the Law Enforcement Hall."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Qi Hong watched their departing backs, deep in thought. Jian Lu might sound gentle and soft when she spoke, but he could faintly sense her strength was above his.
"Qi Hong Zūnshàng, please come to the Guest Hall. As for entering the Dreamlike Illusory Rubik's Cube Realm again, I'll consult Zhēnzūn and then reply to you."
"Alright."
Qi Hong agreed right away. He knew the initiative was in the Heavenly Sword Sect's hands. If he kept pressing, he'd be disregarding the ties between sects.
"Meng Tangzhu, that formation plate I had Lü Se deliver to you, you've already received it."
"Yes, I'll set it up right away. There can't be any mistakes."
"Good, as long as you know what's at stake. I'm afraid you won't be able to compete for Qi Hong's second spiritual vein."
"Rest assured, Zūnshàng, I'll follow Zhēnzūn's orders."
Meng Congjian was strict on this point. Not a single spirit stone that belonged to the sect could be missing, but if it didn't belong to the sect, he wouldn't touch it. What could be saved had to be saved. What could be earned for the sect had to be earned as quickly as possible.
While they spoke, their escape light had already landed in front of the Law Enforcement Hall. Meng Congjian knew she wanted to meet Hall Master Jian Li, so he cupped his hands in farewell and returned to the peak of the Operations Hall.
"Junior Sister, I knew you'd come today. I've already prepared spirit tea for you."
Today Jian Li wasn't seated in the main hall's master chair. Instead, he was waiting at the doorway for Jian Dan.
"Senior Brother, you must've calculated it, waiting here on purpose."
Jian Dan smiled as she bowed. The two of them entered the side hall one after the other.
Inside the hall, Wei Zhengrong, Qi Hua, and Jin Liuli were sorting jade slips. When they saw Jian Dan, they bowed respectfully before continuing their work.
"Did you come from the southern peak?" Jian Li poured out two cups of the prepared spirit tea, pushing one toward Jian Dan as she sat down, then asked casually.
"Mm, Jian Chong asked me to go over. He was worried something might happen, since Qi Hong's a high-level cultivator from an outside sect."
"And the result?"
"His trial was the scene of his sect's destruction. He personally watched his master fall before his eyes. So when he came out of the Dreamlike Illusory Rubik's Cube Realm, he couldn't control his emotions and power. I had to step in and stop him."
After speaking, she took a sip of tea. The bamboo fragrance lingered on her lips and tongue, and she nodded in satisfaction.
"Junior Sister, do you think the trial Qi Hong experienced might actually be something that's about to happen?"
Jian Li was as sharp as ever. Having gone through Tian Hong Zhēnzūn's trial realm, he felt the Dao was using the realm to issue a warning.
"Maybe. That's why Qi Hong insists on going in again."
"Tch, and you didn't agree."
"Of course not. Meng Tangzhu told me his trial consumed a tenth of a supreme spiritual vein."
"Qi Hong won't let it go."
Jian Li was certain.
"He said to ask Zhēnzūn. He's willing to offer another superior spiritual vein. I didn't meddle, just came straight to you. I want to talk about high-level cultivators entering the realm."
"I figured, that's why I was waiting."
Jian Dan chuckled, then said,
"Senior Brother, those cultivators who got kicked out of the realm still have one more chance to enter the trial. But from Meng Congjian's tone, only low-level cultivators went back in. High-level cultivators haven't."
"Mm, I held back anyone above Divine Transformation, didn't let them enter the realm."
"Senior Brother's plan is…"
"I'll let cultivators from the Law Enforcement Hall go in. One person for each cultivation stage. I want to see if everyone's trial is the same or different."
Jian Dan thought about it and instantly understood what Jian Li meant.
"Senior Brother, trials below Mahayana should be different from those of the Zhēnzūn. After all, the Zhēnzūn fought enemies beyond the Lingyun Continent, while those below Mahayana could only fight within."
"That matches your original design."
"Yes. After hearing Qi Hong's description, I'm more certain. Based on my foundation, it's been modified. The higher the cultivation, the closer to actual combat."
"I get it. I'll make arrangements, let them enter one by one, then observe the results. The point is to have a grasp of the situation, so our strategy can be adjusted properly instead of blindly."
"As long as Senior Brother has a plan."
"I suspect Qi Hong's going to keep an eye on you."
"What, he wants to make a move?"
Jian Dan raised her brows.
"Don't worry, he doesn't dare. Even if he does, he'll have to measure his strength first."
Jian Li smiled as he reassured her.
"Oh, so he's eyeing the Dreamlike Illusory Rubik's Cube Realm I refined."
"Of course. Qi Hong's obsessed with refining artifacts and extremely talented. He's one of the top refining masters on Lingyun Continent. Now that your realm's appeared, he came chasing the thunder tribulation straight here. Having entered it once, he'll definitely want to spar with you in refining."
"Tch, troublesome!"
Jian Dan set down her cup, motioning for another.
"There's nothing I can do to help you with that, you'll have to handle it yourself. By the way, the sect received a message from the Beast Taming Sect. They want to borrow a blood insect for research." Jian Li gave the reminder in passing, then changed the subject.
"Borrow? More like never return it." Jian Dan laughed the moment she heard it.
"Pretty much. After all, only we've managed to capture one alive."
"Word sure spread fast. Senior Brother, what're you planning?"
"I wanted to hear your opinion."
"As long as they can control it, giving them one isn't a problem. It's their specialty, after all."
"That's what I think too. The Beast Taming Sect has its strengths."
"From the way you sound, you want me to go to the Beast Taming Sect?"
Jian Dan's eyes curved into a smile as she looked at Jian Li.
"No need for you to go personally. We'll need two of the special formation plates you refined. I'll arrange for people from the Law Enforcement Hall to handle it."
"Senior Brother, those blood insects aren't free. They're damn hard to catch."
"Of course. Have you ever seen Meng Congjian take a loss?"
That made Jian Dan laugh. "Senior Brother, you're planning to have Hall Master Meng handle negotiations with the Beast Taming Sect?"
"Mm. When it comes to bargaining, Meng Congjian's got the skill."
While the two discussed what benefits to demand from the Beast Taming Sect, Wei Zhengrong stepped into the side hall.
"Hall Master, Zūnshàng, a moment ago we received a post from Sect Master Jian Chong." He respectfully presented a black post to Jian Li.
Jian Dan's sharp eyes instantly spotted the Heavenly Demon Palace's insignia on it, something she couldn't be more familiar with.
Jian Li opened the post, read it, then handed it to Jian Dan with a meaningful smile. "The Heavenly Demon Palace is holding a succession ceremony. Mo Su's about to inherit the palace master's seat."