"Sorry to trouble you, Beast Lord."
Bai Jue's expression stayed calm, but the Nine Tails still caught the trace of reluctance hidden on his face.
"Jian Lu can be trusted, and Yingge only managed to cultivate because of her. She's Yingge's benefactor, so following her won't ever steer him wrong.
"Just look at Xiao Yue. That little guy's sharp, clinging to Jian Lu like that. He's already close to breaking into the sixth stage, and his bloodline awakening isn't weaker than mine at all. As long as he works hard, reaching the ninth stage won't be a problem. You can start treating him as your successor now."
The Nine Tails originally meant to comfort Bai Jue, but somehow the conversation drifted, and he ended up persuading Bai Jue to start grooming his next heir.
Bai Jue's reluctance vanished instantly. He actually began thinking it through. If Xiao Yue was to become the future king of their beast tribe, then from this moment on, the evaluation could begin. Once Xiao Yue reached the sixth stage, he could bring him to his side.
Back at the tribe, Xiao Yue sneezed without warning, feeling like someone was staring at him. He shook his head and the feeling faded. After scanning his surroundings and finding nothing, he continued on his way back to the wolves' territory.
He wanted to check the cultivation resources Jian Dan had left for him. If he found anything good, he planned to share some with his father so he could break into the eighth stage faster. After traveling with Jian Lu, he'd learned a few things. The crisis looming over the Lingyun Continent was real, and the stronger they became, the better. He couldn't slack off.
After that, Lang Xiao entered secluded cultivation under Xiao Yue's supervision. Tribe matters were temporarily handled by Xiao Yue with the elders' assistance. As long as nothing major went wrong, it was fine. With Xiao Yue pouring resources into him without hesitation, Lang Xiao broke through to the eighth stage right before the spatial node guarded by the beast tribe reopened.
Heavenly Sword Sect
These past few days, the mountain gate guards had been far more alert than usual. The cultivators of the Law Enforcement Hall came to patrol once every day. They didn't know why, but that didn't stop them from focusing with everything they had.
Today, the four guards suddenly sensed something odd with the spiritual energy in the air. A heartbeat later, a crack split open above them. A male cultivator stepped out calmly, followed by thirteen more, each one carrying an imposing aura.
All four guards tensed immediately, hands resting on their sword hilts. The alert was sent out at once. A Void Refinement divine sense probed them the next second and withdrew instantly.
Jian Jun and the others stood before the massive crossed twin-sword gate. Everyone felt overwhelmed with emotion. They were finally home.
A wave of spiritual energy surged and several sect powerhouses appeared at once, startling the four late Foundation Establishment guards so badly they almost stumbled. Was this an invasion?
"Senior Sister, you're finally back!"
Jian Li was the first to appear. His usually stern and serious face broke into a rare smile. His gaze swept over everyone, pausing on the three unfamiliar cultivators.
Hou San and the Bai sisters cupped their hands respectfully, excitement flooding their hearts. They had interacted with other cultivators from the Lingyun Continent and knew the Heavenly Sword Sect was the leading Daoist sect on the entire continent.
Whether it was resources, strength, combat ability, or how they trained disciples, the sect was unmatched. Just the sight of its mountain gate today proved at least a glimpse of its power and reassured them that choosing to come here had been the right decision.
On the other side, more figures appeared beside Jian Li, including Wei Zhengrong, Jin Liuli, Qi Hua, and Jian Chong. After everyone exchanged greetings, they were welcomed into the sect and headed straight to the main hall on Heavenly Sword Peak.
It was only then that the four guards realized these were their own sect's returning cultivators, and not just anyone but high level ones.
Jian Dan followed her senior brothers into the main hall. The familiar furnishings were unchanged, although the guards at the entrance were now all at the Golden Core stage.
Once everyone was seated, she introduced Hou San and the Bai sisters to Sect Master Jian Chong and Jian Li, then continued:
"They trust us completely and were willing to come to the Lingyun Continent to contribute their skills to the sect. Before deciding which peak they'll join, I'd like them to rest at Tianyue Peak for a few days. How does that sound?"
"Of course there's no problem. Whatever Zūnshàng instructs is fine."
Jian Chong and Jian Li exchanged a look before Jian Chong spoke.
"I'll have the guards take them to Tianyue Peak."
He gestured, and the guards entered the hall.
Jian Dan turned to the three. Her tone softened.
"I've already messaged Steward Lü Se. He'll meet you at the foot of the peak. Since you're here, there's no need to rush. Rest properly and take some time to learn about the Lingyun Continent."
"Thank you for the arrangements, Zūnshàng. We won't disturb you further."
After bowing to everyone in the hall, the three followed the guards out.
Jian Dan's message arrived at Tianyue Peak before they did.
When Lü Se heard the familiar voice from the talisman, he practically jumped three meters high. He burst out of his secluded cave residence and shouted:
"Yun Juan, Yun Shu, Ting Feng, Wang Yu, Jian Lu Zūnshàng is back. Prepare three caves. I'm going to meet her guests."
The four attendants appeared the moment he finished speaking, faces full of joy. They split up immediately to handle their tasks, while Lü Se took Ting Feng to greet the newcomers.
Hou San and the Bai sisters followed the guards all the way to Tianyue Peak, where two figures were already waiting at the foot of the mountain.
"I'm Lü Se, steward under Jian Lu Zūnshàng. I've come to escort the three of you up the peak. Please follow me."
Steward Lü delivered every word with elegance and courtesy, warm but respectful, and the three cupped their hands in return.
"Thank you, Steward Lü."
They saw clearly that Lü Se was already at the peak of the Divine Transformation stage, only a step away from Divine Soul, and the attendants beside him were all Nascent Soul peak. It was obvious that Jian Lu Zūnshàng held a high position within the sect.