Jian Dan and Yue Liang talked for half a day inside the cave residence, but they still couldn't find anyone suitable. Jian Ning, Jian Sheng, and Jian Wu were all going all out in secluded cultivation. None of them would come out unless they reached Void Refinement.
Meanwhile, Wei Zhengrong, Jin Liuli, and Qi Hua each had family obligations weighing them down, and their strength was still a bit lacking. They weren't great candidates.
"Zhenzun, why don't we just pick from the squad leaders in the War Hall? Their strength's enough, and everyone respects them."
Yue Liang swished her fluffy tail as she offered the suggestion.
"Mm, Yue Liang's right, that's one way to do it. I'll drop by the War Hall these next two days, take a look at them, and pick someone suitable."
With that settled, Jian Dan didn't waste any time. She took out the Purple Jade Talisman she'd exchanged for, reworked it, then resealed her divine sense and three sword attack techniques inside.
This time her strength was the real deal, late stage Mahayana. As long as her little disciples didn't provoke two Mahayana Zhēnzūn at the same time, keeping their lives wouldn't be a problem at all.
Of course, she couldn't just make one. She had three disciples, so naturally she needed to make three talismans. Then she took out everything she'd gained from her trip to the Immortal Realm, sorted through it, and divided what she selected into two storage rings and one storage bracelet. Once the disciples returned, she would gift them properly.
"Yue Liang, take a look. See if there's anything you like. Pick a few for yourself."
She didn't hide anything, letting Yue Liang choose freely.
Yue Liang had been watching quietly. When she heard Jian Dan speak, she smiled and wagged her tail, then stepped forward to look, but she didn't immediately touch anything. Instead, she said softly:
"Zhenzun, please grant me one piece of the merman scale. I'm a raccoon beast, I'm not good at water battles. If I have one, I'll be able to travel over mountains and seas more smoothly."
"No problem. You're a land spirit beast, so that part really isn't your specialty."
Jian Dan agreed happily. She picked a shimmering merman scale, plus fifty low-grade immortal stones, along with some soul-enhancing spirit plants, and placed them all into a storage ring before handing it to Yue Liang.
"Refine the scale when you get time. Immortal stones are the Immortal Realm version of spirit stones, but the energy inside's something you won't be able to absorb yet. Save them for after you ascend. The spirit plants will help strengthen your primordial soul and might boost your innate abilities. The storage ring has unlimited space, so consider it your reserve resource."
"Thank you for the reward, Zhenzun!"
Yue Liang didn't decline. She accepted the ring obediently.
Thinking about the merman scale reminded Jian Dan that she'd gotten a complete merman tail scale piece from Anthony. Back then she couldn't refine it, but now that she was back, she could claim it sooner and give herself another layer of protection.
Jian Dan wasn't someone who dragged things out. She waved her hand to collect everything she'd prepared, took Yue Liang with her, and left the cave residence, heading for Sword Pool Peak.
Because she'd gone on impulse, she hadn't notified anyone. Lü Se was helping Maodou tidy up a new cave residence, so she didn't disturb them. She rode a streak of light and landed directly on Sword Pool Peak.
"Greetings, Senior!"
The two young gatekeepers saw the Purple Jade Sword Pendant at Jian Dan's waist and instantly recognized her as a powerful figure. They couldn't even see her face clearly, and their backs bent even lower, terrified of offending her.
"Open a Sword Pool at the summit for me. I need to use it. I want a cave residence with two pools, one large and one small."
Jian Dan stated her request without fuss and handed over her sword pendant. If she wanted the best Sword Pool, she needed to let them confirm she had the qualification.
The boys respectfully accepted it. One hurried away to verify her identity and check for an available cave residence, while the other led her up the mountain.
Before they reached halfway, the first boy ran back, even more respectful than before. He returned the Purple Jade Sword Pendant and presented a black jade key.
"Tian Lu Zhenzun, this is the Sword Pool key for the summit. It's the finest pool on the entire peak, shaped like a gourd with one large and one small pool, exactly matching your request."
This time Yue Liang accepted the key and urged Jian Dan to hurry. She'd never soaked in a Sword Pool before.
Jian Dan arched a brow and smiled, dismissing the boys, then headed straight to the top. When she reached the summit, she discovered the pools were actually outdoors.
The large and small Sword Pools were shrouded in swirling sword intent. Even before getting close, they could feel a fierce sharpness. Yue Liang, perched on Jian Dan's shoulder, was stunned.
"Zhenzun, this sword intent's insane. I thought Sword Pools were like sword-shaped hot springs or something."
She scratched her ear awkwardly as she spoke.
"This place's incredible. When I'd just returned from the Heavenly Demon Palace, the killing intent in my body was too heavy. I resolved part of it right here. If I didn't, it would've affected my mind sooner or later."
"So that's how it is."
"You're mid stage seventh rank now. As a beast cultivator your body's naturally stronger than a human cultivator, but you were born with deficiencies. Even though I washed away your lingering ailments with the Spirit Spring, your physical growth already missed the best window. This is a good chance to strengthen yourself, so soak well."
"Thank you for thinking of me, Zhenzun. Yue Liang won't forget."
Yue Liang's eyes curved into crescents, and her fluffy tail looped itself naturally around Jian Dan's neck.
Jian Dan scanned the area with her divine sense, found the groove for the jade key in the ground, and waved her hand to insert it.
The moment the key slid in, the Sword Pool reacted. A massive barrier descended from above, flashing once before turning pitch black, completely sealing off everything inside.
Only then did Jian Dan bring Yue Liang in.
Yue Liang immediately chose the smaller pool, set down the formation plate Jian Dan had given her, and dipped a paw to test the water. The sword intent in the center was a bit much for her, so she slid down along the edge, planning to adjust slowly and work her way inward.