Jian Dan, having been thoroughly played, lazily waved the jade slip containing her latest task as she strolled back to Tianyue Peak.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ."
The two guards stationed at the base of the peak immediately bowed when they saw her.
"Hmm. Something the matter?"
One of them quickly stepped forward and offered a stack of visiting notes with both hands.
"Zhūnzhǔ, these were delivered for you in the past few days."
Jian Dan glanced at them. She didn't recognize most of the names. Mostly, they were from cultivators within the sect or minor families trying to curry favor.
"Alright. Got it. From now on, if anyone comes to deliver more of these, just tell them I've gone into seclusion. Say I won't be receiving guests anytime soon. If you can decline on my behalf, do it."
"Understood!"
"And be tactful about it. I don't want them thinking I'm looking down on everyone just because of my cultivation."
"Yes, Zhūnzhǔ. We understand."
Jian Dan rolled up the stack of visiting notes, and in the next moment, vanished from their sight.
Only then did the two guards raise their heads and quietly exchange whispers.
"Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ is so approachable. She doesn't act aloof at all."
"True, but her aura is overwhelming. I can't even lift my head in front of her."
"Same here..."
Jian Dan couldn't care less about their small talk. When she returned to the peak, Lü Se was watering the spirit flowers in front of the cave residence.
"Zhūnzhǔ, you're back."
"Xiao Lü, when you're done here, come inside. I have something for you to handle."
"Yes, Zhūnzhǔ."
Lü Se picked up the pace with his watering.
The banyan tree outside Jian Dan's cave had grown even larger and denser, casting a wide canopy over the entrance. Beneath the tree sat her favorite blood jade table and round stools, with a set of white jade teaware neatly arranged on top.
Inside the cave, the entrance was shielded by a folding screen painted with butterflies and blossoms. Past that was the guest hall.
The decor wasn't overly rigid. Besides the chairs and table, several potted spirit plants added color to the room. All the plants were at least fourth-rank.
A chandelier hung from the ceiling, embedded with a massive luminous pearl that bathed the hall in a soft glow.
On both walls, symmetrical sconces flickered to life as Jian Dan flicked two bursts of exotic flame toward them, lighting up the whole space.
To the right of the guest hall was Jian Dan's training and resting area. She had placed a ten-thousand-year cold jade bed there, complete with sheer shark silk curtains.
To the left was her artifact refinement room. It had a ground fire vein drawn inside and a forging cauldron positioned directly above it, ready to be used at any time.
There was also a spirit beast chamber. Jade had recently made a round through it, removed the snake nest Lü Se had laid on the ground, and set up four ornate antique shelves.
Jade had neatly arranged all her collected "treasures" on them. In the middle, she placed a meditation cushion and even dragged Jian Dan in to admire her collection.
Jian Dan had to admit, Jade might really have potential to evolve into a dragon. Her collection was mostly shiny objects, and surprisingly, a few items were genuinely valuable.
Still, Jian Dan didn't show her thoughts. She was already planning to find a good time to bargain some of those back.
Jade suddenly sneezed, rubbed her nose, looked around cautiously, and said,
"Master, someone's thinking about me."
"Someone's thinking about you?" Jian Dan thought. "They're probably thinking about your stuff."
Keeping a straight face, she said,
"Maybe Mo Ran misses you."
Aside from lounging in her "spirit beast chamber" (which was really more like her personal trash gallery), Jade roamed Tianyue Peak collecting gossip, then ran back to report everything to Jian Dan.
Jian Dan couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry. This snake had become addicted to eavesdropping.
Jade simply said, "Cultivators are pretty much the same as regular folks. Even more interesting, actually. Way more exciting than the storybooks I read back in the Empire."
Jian Dan covered her face. "I definitely didn't teach her that." But she didn't stop her from indulging in such a small hobby either.
Once Lü Se finished up, he hurried inside.
"Zhūnzhǔ, what are your orders?"
Jian Dan came back to herself and handed him the stack of visiting notes.
"These were delivered over the past few days. I don't have time to respond to each one. Handle it for me as you see fit."
"Yes, Zhūnzhǔ."
"Also, I'm planning to visit the Buddhist Sect and meet with either Master Liao Kong or Master Liao Chen. Find out who's currently there and deliver my visiting note. Set up a meeting for me. I want to go personally."
"Understood, Zhūnzhǔ. I'll take care of it right away."
"Good. After you finish your tasks, go into seclusion for a bit and focus on your cultivation."
"Yes, Zhūnzhǔ. Shall I arrange for someone to help manage daily affairs in the meantime?"
"No need. I prefer peace and quiet. Don't worry about that."
"Yes, Lü Se understands."
After sending Lü Se off, Jian Dan changed into her casual clothes and headed for Medicine Peak to visit Yue Liang.
At the moment, Medicine Peak was still considered a restricted area. But the restriction was looser when it came to the spirit beasts living there. As long as they wished, they were free to leave the Heavenly Sword Sect and return to their ancestral lands in the beast tribe.
Still, very few chose to leave. The beast tribe's survival was based on the law of the jungle, where only the strong thrived. Since most of the beasts on Medicine Peak weren't native-born, they'd likely face rejection if they returned.
The raccoon beasts, for instance, had remained because of Yue Liang. Their clan continued to live and multiply on the peak, just like before.
When Jian Dan arrived at the base of the peak, the guards spotted her sword token and official robes, and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Zhūnzhǔ."
"I'm heading to the raccoon beast territory. My contract beast is undergoing advancement."
She handed over her purple jade sword token as proof of identity.
The guard accepted it with great care, verified it, then returned it with equal reverence.
"Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ, this way, please."
The two guards formed hand seals, and the protective barrier split open a narrow doorway just wide enough for a person to pass through.
Jian Dan nodded and stepped inside.
A hundred years had passed. This was her second time setting foot on Medicine Peak.
The first time had been to pass the Law Enforcement Hall's test, just so she could avoid surveillance. Thinking back now, it felt like only yesterday.
Jian Dan easily navigated the bamboo forest and soon arrived at the raccoon beast's settlement.
Chirps and squeaks filled the air. In just a few moments, she was surrounded.
The raccoon beasts could sense her powerful aura. They encircled her but didn't come too close, keeping a respectful distance.
Suddenly, one of them jumped up, pointed at Jian Dan, then pointed further inward, chirping twice. The others joined in, echoing its sounds, then cleared a path for her.
Jian Dan smiled and walked straight in.
That same familiar bamboo house stood in the distance. A raccoon beast walking upright approached.
"Xing Xing greets Zhūnzhǔ Jian."
"Long time no see, Clan Chief Xing Xing. How is Yue Liang?"
"Yue Liang is at the final stage of advancement. She should awaken soon. When she does, she'll reach sixth rank."
Xing Xing's tone brimmed with pride.
"That's good. Do you need me to do anything?"
"You've already done more than enough, Zhūnzhǔ. The rest depends on Yue Liang herself. Once she reaches sixth rank, she'll face a tribulation. If she can overcome it, she'll gain a true form."
"I've brought some defensive formation plates. They might help."
"We appreciate your kindness, Zhūnzhǔ. But the thunder trial must be endured alone. Only then can she transform."
Jian Dan paused halfway through retrieving the formation disks. This was a tradition among the beast tribe. It had to be respected.
"I understand. I believe Yue Liang will be fine."
"Thank you for your blessing."
Xing Xxing led Jian Dan to the outside of a straw hut. Yue Liang was sleeping peacefully inside, her aura steadily rising. Even her fur shimmered with spiritual energy.
Above the thatched shelter hung a picture scroll. Jian Dan immediately recognized it as one of Lü Se's cheap portraits she'd once confiscated.
In the image, she wore her Heavenly Sword Sect robes, a sword token hanging at her waist. Her expression was serene and gentle, her eyes bright and lively. Perched on her shoulder, Yue Liang lifted her chin proudly, using her fluffy tail to curl around Jian Dan's neck.
"That's Yue Liang's favorite. She insisted on hanging it there so she could see it all the time. No one else is allowed to touch it."
The smile in Jian Dan's eyes deepened. No wonder they had let her in so easily.
Everyone here knew her.
"Yue Liang..."