The moment Jian Dan's figure drifted away with that effortless grace of hers, the courtyard fell into a brief, heavy silence. The air still carried the lingering pressure of her presence, as if the world hadn't caught up with the fact that she'd already left.
After a moment, Tian Hong finally broke the quiet.
"Senior Brother, do you believe what Jian Lu said?"
"About eighty percent."
Tian Hong frowned a little. "What's the benefit for her? Why go through all that trouble?"
No one knew whether he was asking Tian Yun, or whether the question was meant for both Jian Li and Jian Jun.
Tian Yun's mood was surprisingly calm. He sounded like he'd already thought this through. "There's definitely something in it for her. Look at her cultivation. In just two hundred years, she reached the Mahayana stage. Sure, because she cultivates both Dao and Demon, she might've had a fall in realm and rebuilt her foundation at some point, but even so, that speed is unmatched across Lingyun Continent. Think about how many years it took the rest of us to reach where we are now."
Tian Hong blinked, then nodded slowly.
Jian Jun twirled her folding fan, her voice quiet but firm. "If what Martial Uncle Jian Lu said is true, then after Lingyun Continent's destruction, she wouldn't have had any way to survive either. It's only natural she'd fight to change the outcome."
"Forget it." Tian Yun waved lightly, though his eyes were serious. "No matter what her reasons are, everything she's done benefits you and the Sect. I choose to trust her."
And even if he didn't, there wasn't much choice. With Jian Dan's current cultivation, she could stand toe to toe with any one of them, and even if they joined forces, killing her wouldn't be simple. That was exactly why she'd been so straightforward earlier. She'd admitted everything without hesitation, her attitude so open that she hadn't left them any opening to doubt her intentions.
"She's now a Mahayana Zhēnzūn of the Heavenly Sword Sect. She has disciples under her, she has clans attached to her, and she's completely tied herself to the Sect. There's no need to worry about her doing anything reckless."
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn added this with a nod, and even Tian Hong seemed convinced.
"Zhēnzūn, what about Jian Lu's position as the Chief of the Battle Hall?" Jian Li asked respectfully.
"Let her continue. Unless she personally trains someone capable of taking over, she'll remain Hall Chief." Tian Yun smiled as he spoke.
"Honestly, if you assigned someone else today and asked them to take the Chief token, she'd probably toss it straight into your hands. She's never been greedy for authority." Tian Hong snorted with a half laugh while checking the new storage ring he'd been given.
"I believe that. Back when she managed the Law Enforcement Hall in my stead, the day I left seclusion, she immediately threw the Hall Chief's token back at me, terrified I'd make her keep the job." Even Jian Li, who rarely smiled, twitched at the mouth at that memory.
"Enough." Tian Yun's voice turned low. "Everything Jian Lu spoke of today is only for the four of us. I don't want it spreading and causing unnecessary panic."
"Yes, Zhēnzūn, we understand."
The four of them came to a quiet consensus. Tian Yun and Tian Hong needed time to digest Jian Dan's revelations, so all remaining affairs were handed over to Jian Li and Jian Jun.
The two immediately stored away the mountain of resources Jian Dan had left behind. They would hand everything to Meng Congjian to sort, register, and record into jade slips.
After leaving the back mountain, Jian Li and Jian Jun continued discussing the follow-up arrangements.
"Once the materials are sorted, distribute a portion through the Operations Hall so Sect disciples can exchange for what they need."
"Agreed. And the higher-grade resources can stay within the Law Enforcement Hall. Armor, Immortal Realm swords, any specialized tools, all of that should go directly into the Hall's reserve."
"That works for me."
Jian Jun tapped her folding fan lightly against her palm as she spoke. "Also, about the three people Jian Lu mentioned. Arrange their entry examination tomorrow. When I was with them earlier, I watched them from the side. Since they've been following Jian Lu for a long time, they're naturally inclined to trust her.
As long as they pass, we'll keep them. If they have other intentions, we won't keep them for long. I'll send Jian Lu a message talisman. The Law Enforcement Hall will bring them in within the next few days."
Jian Li knew Jian Jun was preparing to enter seclusion soon, so she wanted everything arranged properly before that.
Meanwhile, Jian Dan had already reached the Heavenly Sword Peak's Operations Hall.
The moment she stepped inside, the entire hall trembled under the pressure she gave off. Lang Yu reacted instantly, hurrying forward with a respectful bow.
"Senior, greetings."
Jian Dan cast him a glance and recognized the face. "Where's Yu Yuanhai?"
"Yu Yuanhai completed his century-long tasks for the Operations Hall and returned to enter seclusion."
"So you're the new steward?"
"Yes, Senior. I'm Lang Yu."
"Good. I've advanced to Mahayana, so I'm here to update my sword token and collect the offerings I haven't yet claimed."
She handed him her amethyst sword token.
Lang Yu stiffened and immediately understood who she was. This was the newly ascended Tianlu Zhēnzūn. He didn't dare delay for even a breath. He accepted the sword token with both hands, updated the information at top speed, and retrieved three storage bracelets.
"Zhēnzūn, here's your updated token, along with the offerings you previously hadn't collected."
Jian Dan swept everything with her divine sense. The amount was impressive, and there was even a supreme-grade spirit vein inside. Her satisfaction rose instantly.
"Zhēnzūn, your Sect points have also been transferred into the sword token. If you need to exchange anything, simply tell me."
"Alright. Thank you."
She left without lingering, leaving Lang Yu standing in the hall with a complicated feeling. Not long ago, she'd been the one saluting him. Now, he had to bow to her.
When Jian Dan returned to Tianyue Peak, she summoned Lü Se.
"The Law Enforcement Hall will come soon. Take the three currently staying here and bring them to the Sect's entry examination. I'll leave a message talisman for them. Make sure they receive it and explain everything clearly."
"Yes, Lü Se understands."
"This jade slip contains the information I recorded. Read it, then send a copy to your clan. The Sect has already approved it."
Lü Se's eyes brightened and he accepted the jade slip with gratitude.
"And send a copy to the Yu clan as well. I'm entering seclusion."
With that, Jian Dan slipped into her cave residence, set down the protective array, and officially started her closed-door cultivation.
She didn't realize that she'd shut the gate just moments before Jian Wan arrived, leaving the woman staring helplessly at the sealed cave entrance.