"Today we won't talk about cultivation techniques. I'll tell you about my own cultivation journey."
Jian Dan lightly waved her round fan, ready to share her path, the people she'd met, and the obstacles she'd faced, setting an example for her three disciples.
All three leaned forward with interest. This was a rare treasure. Their master's experiences were worth more than spirit stones, and none of them wanted to miss a word.
"Where should I begin… let's start with when I entered Tianyue City."
She spent two full days recounting her journey into the cultivation world. Of course, the sensitive parts—like disguising herself as Mo Yue to infiltrate the Heavenly Demon Palace, or participating in the Battle of the Ming Valley—were all glossed over as "entering a trial space for training."
They were classified missions. Until the time was right, there was no need for them to know.
The three spent those days cultivating as usual, then rushing back to listen. The harvest was plenty.
As the sun sank, Jian Dan finally finished her tale. Smiling, she asked, "Do you know why I told you all this?"
"Master wants us to learn from your experience so we don't take detours," Mao Dou said first.
"Master wants us to understand the hardships of cultivation," Zong Fan added.
"Master wants to encourage us, so we'll work hard and one day become as strong as you," Xueru said, her eyes shining like stars.
"You're all right, but the most important thing is this—I want you to know who my enemies are."
"Huh?"
The three exchanged puzzled glances.
"A cultivator defies the heavens. To seize opportunities, battles are inevitable, and enemies are made along the way. I have enemies too. Right now they can't touch me, my cultivation's always been above theirs, but that makes you their target. You're my weak point. Do you understand?"
The three thought it through and instantly realized the danger. Since their master's cultivation was high, those enemies couldn't challenge her head-on. But they, new to the path, with shallow cultivation and little experience, were easy prey. If caught, they'd become hostages against their master.
Mao Dou and Zong Fan thought of the time they'd been kidnapped—by Liu Chuan at Jian Dan's orders, just to test their temperament and willpower. That had been before they were her disciples. Now, as direct disciples, the target on their backs was even bigger.
Watching their faces shift, Jian Dan chuckled. She'd made her point.
"Of course, that's just the worst-case scenario. To avoid it, you've got to act cautiously. Don't give schemers a chance."
"Yes, Master, we'll remember."
"Until you reach Nascent Soul, you're not allowed to leave the sect for training. That's the bare minimum. Have you remembered it?"
"We'll obey, Master."
"Good. In a couple of days, I'll be leaving the sect for a while. Keep cultivating steadily. I'll have Lü Se watch over you."
"Yes, Master!"
"Xueru, if your Foundation Establishment breakthrough comes while I'm away, ask your senior brother to guard you. Lü Se can help as well."
"I'll remember, Master. Don't worry about me. When you return, I'll already have succeeded in Foundation Establishment."
"Good. I'll be waiting for your good news. Spend these days absorbing spiritual energy and preparing for the breakthrough."
Once she had arranged everything for her disciples, Jian Dan headed to the Battle Hall at Law Enforcement Peak.
"Hall Master, are you here to spar on the platform with the subordinates?"
This time, the Heavenly Sword squad leader was on duty. Seeing Jian Dan walk in, he nearly bounced with excitement. Ever since the hall master advanced to late Unity, she hadn't fought anyone.
"You all really forget pain once the scars heal. Did I go too easy on you last time?"
She sat down and looked at him with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
"If Zūnshàng personally teaches us, we'd never refuse. Sure, we got beaten up, but everyone gained something. We all hope you'll come more often."
"Fine. When I return from this mission, I'll spar with you again. For now, I'm heading to the Heavenly Demon Palace. While I'm gone, you'll follow Senior Brother Jian Li's orders."
"Yes, understood! Should I assign a team to accompany you?"
"No need. It's a covert mission. No point drawing attention."
"Yes!"
After leaving a few more instructions, Jian Dan returned to Tianyue Peak at ease.
The next few days passed quietly. She stuck to her routine, even slipping into her storage space once to prepare Mo Yue's entire wardrobe, head to toe. Everything was ready for departure.
Bai Jue emerged from closed-door cultivation right on time, cleaned himself up, and headed straight to Tianyue Peak to wait for her.
Not long after, Qi Hong showed up too.
Jian Dan blinked at Lü Se, clearly asking, Why's he still here?
"Zūnshàng, he's at the Heavenly Sword Peak's guest hall. I couldn't ask further." Lü Se's voice came through a transmission.
"Ahem, Jian Lu Daoyou, are you not welcoming me?" Qi Hong's eyes slid toward the eighth-rank beast standing nearby. He clicked his tongue inwardly. Jian Lu really had a wide circle of friends—she even had beast companions.
"How could I not welcome you? I've just been busy lately. I didn't know you were still here. I thought you'd already returned to the Artifact Sect."
"I'd like to take the Heavenly Sword Sect's flying boat to the Heavenly Demon Palace and meet up with my sect members there."
"I see. I'll have someone arrange a quiet room for you."
"Then I'll trouble you."
Jian Dan politely introduced Bai Jue and Qi Hong to each other.
One was dark and striking, with a pair of phoenix eyes that drew attention, the other clean and refined, handsome in a different way. The contrast was obvious.
Both were rather aloof. After exchanging greetings, they said no more.
The silence grew awkward, until Meng Congjian walked in carrying a box of blood insects. He greeted Bai Jue and Qi Hong with a smile before turning to Jian Dan.
"Zūnshàng, I've come on Hall Master Jian Li's orders to deliver something."
"I got Senior Brother's message talisman. Take Qi Hong and Bai Jue aboard the flying boat first. They'll both be traveling to the Heavenly Demon Palace. Make sure they each get a quiet room. They prefer peace."
"Yes, understood!"
With the two present, Meng Congjian couldn't hand the goods over directly. He led them away first, got them settled, then found a chance to pass the space cage containing the blood insects to Jian Dan.
"Zūnshàng, when we trade with the Beast Taming Sect, what price should we open with?" he asked cautiously.
"That's up to your skill. If you can't get a superior spiritual vein, ask for beast cubs or eggs. Our new disciples need spirit beasts to contract anyway."
Meng Congjian's eyes lit up. As expected of Zūnshàng—always thorough. The Beast Taming Sect had plenty of spirit beasts. Cubs and eggs would let the sect's disciples contract beasts and grow stronger. Of course, he still hoped for spiritual veins first.
"Yes, I'll remember."
At noon, a flying boat quietly left the Heavenly Sword Sect. Aboard were ten cultivators bound for the Heavenly Demon Palace's succession ceremony. The team was led by Jian Xu Zūnshàng, with Jian Feng, Meng Congjian for the trade, and the guests Qi Hong and Bai Jue.
Since Jian Dan had taken a covert mission, she didn't board. Instead, hidden in the clouds, she rode Cotton Candy, following behind as they headed toward the Heavenly Demon Palace.