The next day, Jian Dan summoned Bian Qikang to her cabin and gave him a few specific instructions.
"The female evil cultivator we killed yesterday was just a clone. The original body still hasn't been located. Let the Golden Core cultivators know: this evil cultivator doesn't just slaughter mortals and imprison their souls. She also preys on cultivators, using sinister techniques to trap dissipating divine souls and refine them into avatars."
As Jian Dan slowly explained, a serious expression appeared on Bian Qikang's usually calm face.
"Zhūnzhǔ, since she showed up near Cloud Sea Sect, could this be part of a bigger plot?"
"You're quick to catch on. I can't say for sure, which is why I'm asking everyone to stay alert. Guard your positions. Golden Core cultivators shouldn't travel alone. If anyone leaves during the tournament, they must go in groups. I don't want Heavenly Sword Sect losing people needlessly. The sect didn't raise you all just to throw your lives away."
"Understood. I'll pass on your orders, Zhūnzhǔ."
Bian Qikang bowed respectfully and left to deliver Jian Dan's message.
After a full night of rest, Lu Xuanyuan had finally come to terms with the reality of Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ's sudden leap in cultivation. The next morning, bathed in the golden light of sunrise, he gave himself a pep talk.
"Lu Xuanyuan, you've got this. One day you'll reach the Mahayana stage too. You'll ascend for sure!"
"The goal is noble, the road is tough. Yue Liang believes in you. But maybe... start by forming a core first?"
Perched on the ship's railing, Yue Liang flicked her tail as she poured a bucket of cold water over his dreams.
Lu Xuanyuan's confidence immediately deflated. He put his hands on his hips and turned to glare at her.
"Yue Liang, you're not cute at all anymore! How can you hit me like that when I'm trying to be motivated!"
Yue Liang beamed and countered sweetly.
"Zhūnzhǔ said, to achieve great goals, you need to set smaller, achievable ones. One step at a time. Get your footing before you try to fly. Besides, with your current cultivation, Mahayana is still a long, long way off."
Lu Xuanyuan nearly keeled over with frustration. But once Yue Liang flicked her tail and sauntered off, he thought about her words more carefully—and realized she wasn't entirely wrong.
Not far away, Uncle Lu nodded to himself. No wonder she was Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ's companion. Even a spirit beast like her was this insightful. Young Master Lu had been living too comfortably these past years. He needed someone to knock some sense into him.
Raised under the sect master's protection since he was young, Lu Xuanyuan had never lacked for resources and wasn't short on talent either. But his cultivation progress had always been just average. When he sneaked away this time, the sect master actually knew but didn't stop him. It was a chance to see the harsher side of the cultivation world.
Though the journey so far had been relatively safe, Young Master Lu had still faced danger. He'd used his quick thinking to get through it. Still, none of that was enough to push him toward real growth.
That only started to change after meeting Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ. For the first time, Lu Xuanyuan was starting to want improvement. That alone was a sign of progress.
Just then, Bian Qikang approached Lu Xuanyuan and Uncle Lu.
"Cloud Sea Sect is near. Zhūnzhǔ wants you to prepare. You'll be disembarking with us shortly."
"Understood. Please thank Zhūnzhǔ for her care during this journey."
"Zhūnzhǔ said our Heavenly Sword Sect departed early, so we'll likely arrive before the others. Once the fellow Daoists from Purple Sky Sect arrive, we'll escort you back to them."
In other words, behave yourselves and stay with Heavenly Sword Sect until your own people show up. This was still a favor, after all.
"Got it."
Uncle Lu accepted the order and pulled Lu Xuanyuan to the back of the formation, lining up with the other Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators.
Jian Dan stood at the prow of the ship, gazing ahead as Cloud Sea Sect came into view. She couldn't help but murmur with admiration.
Cloud Sea Sect truly lived up to its name as the greatest sea-based sect.
Floating above the sea, the sect consisted of nine large floating peaks and eighty-one smaller ones. Each peak was shrouded in drifting mist, as if the entire sect were pinned into the ocean like a divine needle. The tallest of them all was Yunhai Peak itself.
Even before their ship reached the outermost edge of the sect's domain, a group of cultivators dressed in sea-blue sect robes flew toward them on swords.
"Is this the ship from Heavenly Sword Sect?"
"Yes. We're here by invitation to attend the sect tournament."
A jade slip flew into the lead cultivator's hand. After verifying its contents, he nodded and led the way, guiding their ship toward one of the smaller floating peaks.
After the ship landed and steadied, Jian Dan led her people off in a graceful arc.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ. This is Yunyin Peak, the temporary residence for Heavenly Sword Sect during the tournament. Here is the restriction token."
The lead cultivator respectfully offered her a blue crystalline token carved from Yunlan Stone, a rare mineral found only in these seas. One side showed a sea of clouds, the other a single word: Yin (Hidden).
"Good."
Jian Dan accepted the token, then turned to the gathered cultivators.
"Based on your cultivation and rankings, assign yourselves one cave dwelling each from the peak down. You'll arrange yourselves."
"Yes, Zhūnzhǔ!"
Only Lu Xuanyuan and Uncle Lu were given separate arrangements. After that, Jian Dan returned to her own cave at the peak.
Yunyin Peak stood opposite the main peak, toward the east. It was a prime location, rich in spiritual energy. The sea breeze carried the cries of sea beasts and the constant roar of waves.
Jian Dan didn't enter her cave right away. She flicked her sleeve, summoning a reclining chair and settled in to enjoy the view.
"Yue Liang, once the tournament ends, what do you think about staying here a while longer?"
"Zhūnzhǔ likes it here?"
"Mm. It's always good to see new scenery."
"Yue Liang's a little scared of water, but if Zhūnzhǔ wants to stay, I'll keep you company."
"Good."
Jian Dan raised a boundary of spatial force around her and closed her eyes. Her consciousness entered the depths of her spiritual sea.
At its center, the magnolia space had already fused halfway with the Zifu Stele. Ripples of light pulsed outward in rhythm, slowly expanding the scope of her inner world.
Her divine sense, now shaped like a tiny version of herself, wandered through the spiritual sea and came to rest before the Zifu Stele. She studied the progress and nodded in satisfaction.
She could already sense it—once the magnolia space and Zifu Stele fully merged, her spiritual sea would become unassailable. It would be one more layer of protection.
Just then, a presence touched her boundary.
Jian Dan's divine sense snapped back to her body. Her eyes opened instantly.
Standing before her were Wu Siyuan and Jian Wu. With a wave of her hand, she dissolved the boundary. Wu Siyuan spoke first.
"Zhūnzhǔ, the item has been delivered to the Hall of Enforcement. Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ specifically sent Jian Wu to report the latest progress."
"Good. You've worked hard. Pick any cave dwelling you like. I won't be sending you out on errands unless necessary."
"Thank you for your consideration, Zhūnzhǔ."
Wu Siyuan gave a respectful bow and left the peak.
Jian Dan turned to Jian Wu.
"So, why did Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ send you here? Something urgent?"
"Zhūnzhǔ, I came as a participant in the tournament."
Jian Wu answered solemnly.
"Oh? So you took one of the five reserved spots?"
"Yes!"
"Zhūnzhǔ, did Jian Wu go through the backdoor?"
Yue Liang piped up suddenly, a teasing glint in her eyes.
Jian Wu's face twisted at once.
"Yue Liang, don't say that! I've got real skill, you know."
Jian Dan pulled Yue Liang over and patted her on the head, reminding her not to bully Jian Wu. Then she asked him.
"Who else is coming?"
"That depends on the situation. By the way, where's Jian Yu Zhūnzhǔ? I haven't seen her."
"Ah, speak of the devil..."
Right on cue, a streak of light descended from the sky.
Jian Yu Zhūnzhǔ landed, though her expression looked somewhat strained.
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I've just finished translating The Villainess Refuses to Repent up to the latest serialized chapter!
(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
Right now, I have one free slot open. I'm thinking about picking another short novel this time — something with either short chapters or a smaller overall word count. It could be another xianxia or maybe a modern story.
I'll share my final choice later in a little blurb about the novel I pick. Stay tuned! (・ω<)