Abbot Hui Ming didn't want to agree. But his strength was no match for hers, and in the end, all he could do was introduce Jian Dan.
Cotton Candy, who had already learned what happened, stood by anxiously. She was worried about her friend's safety. And to make things worse, those monks had even falsely accused Jade. That, Cotton Candy could not forgive.
She urged Jian Dan to hurry. What if they got there too late and something had already happened to Jade?
Jian Dan didn't waste time. She tore open space directly, a thread of spiritual silk looping around Hui Ming's wrist and dragging him into the void.
And just like that, a dazed and dizzy Hui Ming was yanked all the way to the foot of Yunzhong Temple's mountain gate.
True to its name, the Yunzhong Temple sat high atop a mountain peak, soaring a thousand meters into the clouds. The entire Yun Mountain was shrouded in mist. From afar, it looked as if the temple floated above the clouds.
Hui Ming was still reeling from the space warp when a white jade slip was suddenly handed to him.
"This is my visitation card. Please pass it to the Buddhist Son of Yunzhong Temple. Tell him I've come to pay a visit."
"Amitabha. Senior Shan, there's no need to worry. I'll go see the Buddhist Son immediately and explain the situation. Please wait here a moment."
Knowing that Jian Dan was in a hurry, Hui Ming didn't delay. He straightened his kasaya and monk's robe, then made his way down the mountain path.
The moment the two of them had appeared, the guarding monks nearby took notice. The spiritual pressure around the visitor was simply too overwhelming to ignore. Thankfully, Hui Ming was with her, which allowed them to ease their guard somewhat.
Seeing the respectful gesture and formal jade slip, the monks returned the courtesy with palms pressed together.
While Hui Ming entered the temple, Jian Dan didn't remain idle. This was a meeting with a Buddhist Son after all. She had to present herself properly, or risk being looked down upon.
So she buried her head into her storage ring and rummaged around until she found the right outfit—her Peak Lord's robes from the Heavenly Sword Sect. Normally, she'd only wear them on significant occasions.
Cotton Candy released a cloud of mist to shroud her as she changed. With a single turn, Jian Dan donned the full regalia.
A flowing white robe with wide sleeves, embroidered with subtle sigils that provided both defense and counterattack. Over it, a gauzy purple outer robe. Around her waist, a belt three fingers wide. At its center sat a round jade ornament carved with cloud patterns, mounted on the belt like a badge of authority. Her Heavenly Sword Sect's sword pendant hung at her side.
By the time she finished dressing, Hui Ming had returned, accompanied by his martial uncle, Yun Yin, who oversaw the Hall of Discipline. He was known for his integrity and blunt manner of speech.
"Amitabha. Greetings, Senior Shan. Please, this way. The Buddhist Son has been waiting for you."
"I appreciate the trouble. Pardon the intrusion."
With Yun Yin leading, Jian Dan in the middle, and Hui Ming bringing up the rear, the three entered the meditation hall where the Buddhist Son cultivated.
"Amitabha. This old monk greets you with respect."
The Buddhist Son was a plump monk, his face glowing with health, white hair and beard flowing. He smiled warmly, joining his hands in greeting.
"Buddhist Son, you're too kind. I hardly deserve such courtesy. I'm afraid I'm here uninvited, disturbing your peaceful cultivation. Please forgive the intrusion."
"Shan Daoyou, I already know why you've come. Ji Shi just arrived at Yunzhong Temple. I've asked him to explain everything personally."
"Good. Then I'll wait here for this Master Ji Shi."
Jian Dan sat calmly on the meditation cushion to the Buddhist Son's right. He took no offense and had a young monk serve her a cup of Cloud Tea before asking:
"Shan Daoyou, do you come from across the sea?"
"Yes. I was in battle with an enemy when I was pulled into a spatial rift and fell into this land."
"I see."
"Since you ask, I have a question of my own. How does one cross the Storm Sea?"
"Amitabha. Only those whose cultivation has reached the peak level may traverse that sea."
Jian Dan turned her teacup thoughtfully. So the Buddhist Son meant that only Mahayana-level cultivators could cross it.
"May I ask, have any other outsiders arrived in the Empire of Lìng before me?"
"There have been a few, but none had your level of cultivation. And those who did come… it seems they were unable to continue cultivating here."
"You mean, they couldn't reach the higher realms, and thus could not cross the Storm Sea?"
"Amitabha. That's correct. Some with strong spiritual roots chose to study Buddhism instead, but none of them attained full realization."
Jian Dan shook her head. Switching to a different path halfway through rarely led to true success.
Just as she was about to ask more, Ji Shi arrived outside the meditation hall.
"Amitabha. Ji Shi of Pǔjì Temple greets the Buddhist Son."
"Come in, Nephew Ji Shi."
The moment Ji Shi had arrived, he felt someone's gaze fall on him. Stepping into the hall, he spotted Jian Dan.
She looked him over from head to toe, unreservedly. Then she extended a hand.
A bowl flew out from Jìshì's sleeve and into her grasp.
Startled, Jìshì instinctively reached out to retrieve his Buddhist implement, but the bowl brushed his fingers and still flew into Jian Dan's hand.
Yún Yín stepped forward to stop her, but the Fózǐ merely waved a hand. Yún Yín withdrew.
"Senior, what is the meaning of this?"
Jian Dan gave Jìshì a glance, then said with a smile:
"I heard that you captured a serpent beast, accused of slaughtering an entire village, leaving only one child alive. Is this true?"
Jìshì's heart sank. He looked between her and the bowl in her hand before replying:
"Senior, you are slightly mistaken. I did catch a green snake, but it was not responsible for the village's deaths."
"Then why capture her?"
"It is a beast. Who's to say it wouldn't eventually harm civilians?"
"Hmph. Then let me tell you. That green snake's name is Jade. She is my spirit pet. She has a master."
As she spoke, Jian Dan forcefully erased the spiritual imprint from the bowl.
A surge of energy rushed through Ji Shi. His Buddhist power nearly erupted before he managed to steady himself. At that moment, Jian Dan released the green snake from the bowl.
The bowl then floated neatly back into Ji Shi's sleeve.
When Jade emerged, she was still curled like a coil of incense. But the pressure had lifted. As she opened her eyes and saw her master, her body shot forward like a green flash of lightning, twining around Jian Dan's wrist.
Jian Dan swept her with spiritual sense. Jade appeared unharmed. Just to be sure, she touched her gently to confirm. Only then did she relax.
Yun Yin spoke up.
"Amitabha. Senior, don't you think you're being rather domineering?"
Jian Dan merely glanced at him but said nothing. She looked down at the serpent wrapped around her wrist and sent a voice transmission.
"Jade, tell me what happened."
With a reluctant hiss, Jade slithered down and transformed into a young woman in green robes.
"Jade greets Master, and all the esteemed monks present."
The Buddhist Son had been observing the beast since earlier. She was at fourth rank, her aura clean and free of killing intent. He had even sensed the subtle withdrawal of Buddhist light from her when she was released.
"Jade. Explain."
"Yes, Master. Here's what happened..."
Jade chattered on for half an hour before finishing her account, and shot Ji Shi a resentful glare at the end.
Once she finished, Jian Dan only said:
"Give me what you found."
"Yes."
Jade understood the gravity of the situation. She retrieved a severed leg and a sword pendant from her storage pouch and handed them to Jian Dan.
Jian Dan ignored the insect leg but took the sword pendant and studied it.
It was indeed from the Heavenly Sword Sect. As for whom it belonged to, only the sect's records could say.
Judging from the material, Jian Dan estimated its owner was at least in the Void Refinement stage.
Her expression stayed calm, but inwardly she was troubled. Had the eastern region of Lingyun Continent already clashed with the insect race?
She would have to find a way to return quickly.
"Master… did I mess anything up?"
"You did well, Jade. As for what happens next, I'll leave that to you, Buddhist Son."
Jian Dan took out a jade slip from her storage bracelet and handed it to the monk.
"Buddhist Son, this is the reason I ended up here. I'm afraid you'll need to start preparing too."