Xiao Yue's howl rang out loud and far, so clear that unless someone was deaf, they couldn't miss it. Besides, everyone already had a hunch—this had to mean the passage was opening. Any cultivators nearby would've heard it too.
The crowd who'd been sitting cross-legged on their meditation mats instantly stood, swiftly gathering their last belongings before leaving the cave dwelling beneath the cliff wall. One by one, they gathered at the edge of Greenleaf Lake.
Jian Dan had long since received Xiao Yue's signal. When everyone arrived, she said directly, "Everyone, get ready. The passage is about to open."
Faces grew solemn. All eyes turned to Xiao Yue, whose entire coat of fur had turned silver. Standing atop the cliff, he howled again, and the thin veil of green mist hanging over Greenfield Lake slowly began to dissipate.
They'd stayed here long enough to know the truth. Greenfield Lake might look like a flawless piece of emerald jade, cool and pure, but the green mist wafting above it was poisonous. Sometimes, it drifted toward the shore. Jian Dan's group had managed to ambush Mao Wu last time partly thanks to this mist.
Once the green haze touched land, its toxicity weakened, but it still blocked divine sense. Out on the water, though, it was far more deadly. The Bai sisters, who specialized in poisons, were naturally intrigued. They'd even collected samples of the drifting mist and some lake water, carefully bottling it away.
Still, neither dared dive into the lake. Divine sense and spiritual power didn't work there—if they went under and couldn't return, they'd be finished.
Now, as the mist faded, ripples spread across the lake's surface, as if someone were stirring it with invisible hands. Xiao Yue's howl continued, and the clouds above churned until a full moon broke through.
The silver radiance of moonlight spilled onto Xiao Yue's body, making him swell larger, more majestic with every breath. His voice shook the air, and the lake below twisted into a massive whirlpool that grew wider and wider until the entire lake was spinning.
At the whirlpool's heart, five colors shimmered. Jian Dan's divine sense immediately picked it up. The passage was open.
Xiao Yue drew in the last strand of lunar light and leapt from the cliff. "Jian Lu, the passage is open."
"Good. You've worked hard. You lead, I'll cover the rear!" Jian Dan didn't waste words. The disturbance here was already attracting others, so the sooner they left, the better.
Xiao Yue barked once, then dove straight into the whirlpool.
The others clasped fists toward Jian Dan in thanks before following. Under the coordination of Jian Jun and Jian Mao, Jian Jing and Jian Xu slipped in behind Xiao Yue. Then disciples from the Purple Sky Sect, the Artifact Sect, and Yin Yang Gate followed. Even Kuang Dao, Monkey San, and the Bai sisters were ushered through first.
"Jian Lu, let's go too!"
The remaining cultivators were all from the Heavenly Sword Sect. They'd stayed last only out of concern for Jian Lu.
This time, Jian Dan didn't argue. He nodded, stepped beside Wu Siyuan, and tapped his toes, ready to enter the whirlpool's heart.
Suddenly, a piercing whistle split the air, an arrow streaking straight for Jian Jun. Jian Dan already had her sword in hand. But Wu Siyuan, standing in the line of fire, reacted first, swinging his blade in a backhand slash. Unfortunately, it only deflected the arrow off course. The arrow's force blasted Wu Siyuan backward instead.
Jian Dan's pinky twitched. Thousand Threads of Return! Silver silk lashed out, wrapping Wu Siyuan and yanking him back. Without hesitation, Jian Dan flung him into the whirlpool's core.
Jian Jun and Jian Mao's expressions turned grim. Their gazes locked onto two figures standing on a flying artifact—Tan Songjia and Tan Songyu.
So it was them. Days ago, Ming Yuan had taken a commission and delivered a jade slip to the Tan Song family's shop. At first, the shopkeeper hadn't cared, just stored it away. But two days ago, Tan Songyu came to restock supplies, spotted the jade slip, and everything changed.
He'd learned it was from Jun Qingfeng, given to his eldest sister. The moment he picked it up, he realized something was off. The slip was sealed, and it bore a clan crest—the mark of the Jian family from the Immortal Realm. His face went pale. He seized the slip and rushed home.
Tan Songjia and Tan Songyong had been sorting through recent intel when Tan Songyu interrupted, handing the slip over. One look at the crest, and Tan Songyong knew. It was indeed the Jian clan's.
He gritted his teeth, trying to break the seal. But without the right method, a crack appeared instead. If he forced it open, the jade slip would shatter at the moment of release—a standard family safeguard.
"Yu'er, where'd this jade slip come from?"
Tan Songyu quickly explained the origin. His eyes flicked toward his elder sister, uncertain.
Tan Songjia lost her composure. She'd never imagined Jun Qingfeng had such a powerful backing. No, something didn't add up. If he really had this connection, he would've used it long ago. Why wait until he was gravely injured?
"This can't be his trump card. If it were, he wouldn't have waited that long," Tan Songjia said coldly.
"Who delivered the jade slip? Did you ask?"
"I've already sent someone to find out. We should hear back soon."
As soon as the words left their lips, someone arrived with members of Ming Yuan's squad.
Ming Yuan wasn't reckless. After trading resources, he personally delivered the jade slip, but to avoid trouble, he'd left a man behind in case the Tan family asked questions. He himself took most of the squad back.
"Was it Jun Qingfeng who handed the jade slip to your boss?"
"No, it was Fairy Lu who gave it to our captain."
"You'd seen her before?"
"Once. Fairy Lu wore a cyan robe."
Tan Songjia and Tan Songyu exchanged glances. They both knew exactly who he meant.
"Where are they now?"
"On the outskirts, by Greenfield Lake."