After leaving the Law Enforcement Hall, Jian Wan could only return to her own cave dwelling on Tiandu Peak. Tiandu Peak was now under the control of the Qi Family Ancestor, and since he treated her politely, the place hadn't been neglected. The sect had assigned disciples to maintain the entire cave residence, and even the spiritual plants she'd planted outside in her personal fields had their harvest delivered straight to her.
She sat alone in her cave dwelling for an entire day, motionless, her thoughts heavy. In the end, she let out a long sigh, lowered the cave's protective barrier, and started cultivating again. After all, she hadn't cultivated in a hundred years. She'd already fallen far behind others.
Everything she did that day was soon reported to the Qi Family Ancestor. Qi Hua was standing beside him, and after hearing the report, she said, "At least she knows her place. Otherwise, all the arrangements Jian Lu Zūnshàng laid out for her would've been completely wasted."
"Hua'er, don't be rude. She's a Void Refinement Zūnzhǔ. If these words reach her, dealing with you would be as easy as lifting a finger."
"Ancestor, I know. I'm only saying it here. Since we're clear about her situation, I'll head back to the Law Enforcement Hall. I'll also report everything to Jian Li Zūnshàng. Still, I hope you'll keep an eye on Jian Wan. Don't let her stir up trouble again."
"Alright, I understand. Go on."
The Qi Family Ancestor waved her off. With such an odd element on Tiandu Peak, he'd naturally keep an eye on her.
Time passed until Jian Dan returned to the Heavenly Sword Sect and narrowly survived the Mahayana thunder tribulation. Jian Wan had managed to catch some of the spiritual rain brought on by the tribulation, raising her cultivation to the late stage of Void Refinement. After stabilizing her realm, she headed toward Tianyue Peak.
The moment Lü Se heard the name she reported, his eyes flicked with recognition. He instantly knew who she was. This woman had a grudge with his family's Zhēnzūn, and now she'd come knocking. He had no idea what she wanted, but he still greeted her politely.
"What unfortunate timing. Jian Lu Zhēnzūn just entered seclusion to stabilize her cultivation. I don't know when she'll emerge. May I ask what brings you here, Jian Wan Zūnzhǔ?"
Looking at the polite steward across from her, Jian Wan couldn't help feeling complicated. Even one of Jian Lu Zūnshàng's cave stewards was on the verge of breaking through to Divine Soul. Times really had changed.
"It's nothing important. I only came to congratulate Jian Lu Zhēnzūn on advancing to the Mahayana stage."
A stiff smile squeezed onto her usually stern face. That smile made Lü Se's scalp tingle. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was here to cause trouble.
"Thank you, Jian Wan Zūnzhǔ. When Zhēnzūn leaves seclusion, I'll definitely pass your message along."
Lü Se kept his warm, respectful smile. Once he'd said the proper words, he fell quiet. Right as the atmosphere grew painfully awkward, Hou San and the Bai sisters arrived together.
They'd received Fairy Lu's message talisman and knew everything had already been arranged for them. All that was left was to carry out their own part. Once everything was in order, they came to find Lü Se.
As for Jian Dan's Mahayana tribulation two days ago, the three had watched the entire thing with their hearts in their throats. Only when the spiritual rain finally fell did they dare breathe again. They were incredibly grateful they'd chosen the right backer. As long as they didn't act recklessly, joining the Heavenly Sword Sect wouldn't be a problem.
Thanks to that rain, they'd all benefited greatly. Hou San broke through to the peak of late Divine Transformation, and with a brief seclusion, breaking into Divine Soul wasn't an issue. The Bai sisters had combined the toxic mists they'd collected from Greenlake with the spiritual rain, and the boost was so great they pushed straight into mid Divine Soul. It made them even more determined to stay.
During their days of rest, all three kept a low profile. They knew Fairy Lu had just returned, needed to heal, needed to meet with her peers, and had mountains of affairs to handle. None of them went to disturb Jian Dan.
Since they'd already been assigned to live on the same peak as Fairy Lu, there was nothing to worry about. They simply went to Lü Se and requested basic information jade slips about the Lingyun Continent, as well as the Heavenly Sword Sect's rules. That bit of initiative left the people secretly observing them with a very good impression.
Hou San waited two more days for the Bai sisters to stabilize their cultivation. Once they were ready, the three set out to find Lü Se and greet Fairy Lu. Just as they approached, hoping to hear if she had more instructions, they spotted Lü Se awkwardly talking to a stern-faced female cultivator.
Jian Wan noticed them too. Her brows pinched together, and Lü Se along with the three newcomers saw it clearly.
Hou San had been a loose cultivator struggling at the bottom for years. His appearance was never impressive, and his mannerisms carried a hint of slyness he'd honed for survival. After arriving here, he no longer had to calculate his every move to survive, and as his cultivation increased, a lot of that sly aura faded, leaving him looking much calmer.
The Bai sisters restored their real hair colors after arriving. Bai Shuang's long silver hair paired with her cold beauty gave her the air of a frosty enchantress. Bai Xia's blazing red hair matched her lively, playful looks, completely different from her sister yet just as eye catching.
They both possessed poison spiritual roots, beautiful like blooming flowers yet deadly. The moment Jian Wan saw that, her dislike sharpened. It flashed plainly in her eyes.
The three raised their brows but didn't respond. They hadn't officially joined the sect yet, and this was Fairy Lu's territory. They didn't want trouble, but they wouldn't forget her expression either.
"Steward Lü, we received Fairy Lu's message talisman and we're ready. We can head to the Law Enforcement Hall anytime."
Bai Shuang spoke politely with a respectful bow.
"Zhēnzūn originally planned to take you herself, but as you know, she just advanced and is stabilizing her cultivation. She instructed me to escort you instead. I hope none of you mind."
Lü Se spoke just as politely. Jian Lu Zhēnzūn had already made it clear these three were brought in for the sect's benefit.
"Of course not. Fairy Lu's already done so much for us. We're grateful, not offended."
Hou San answered with a cheerful bow.
Both sides stayed polite and warm toward each other, and they all prepared to head toward the Law Enforcement Hall.