"Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ, what do you mean by this?"
Qian Wanguan was the first to question Jian Dan. The other sect leaders also turned their eyes to her.
"What do evil cultivators use to cultivate?" Jian Dan didn't answer directly, but posed a question instead.
"Resentment, flesh and blood, souls—especially those of cultivators," Xiao Yong replied with a frown, beginning to understand her meaning.
"Exactly. This attack on Cloud Sea Sect was his attempt to turn us into his nourishment. If Cloud Sea Sect were thrown into chaos, it would become the target of our major sects' retaliation."
"First, Zhen Fan Daoyou broke their formation. Then we destroyed the 'Azure Blood Dragon Array' and ruined his plans. I prevented Cloud Sea Sect from activating their defensive formation, then shattered his second evil formation. After that, we joined forces and drove back the sea beasts. It's fair to say that half of his failure this time was due to us."
The gathered Zūnzhǔs all nodded quietly to themselves.
"So what is Jian Lu Daoyou suggesting?"
"Cloud Sea Sect will not allow another direct strike on their sect, but after the tournament ends, we'll all return to our respective sects. What happens on the road back is uncertain."
"You're saying they might ambush us on the way home?" Qian Wanguan spoke the worst-case scenario aloud, seeking confirmation from Jian Dan.
"I can't say for sure. But if I were that evil cultivator, attacking while everyone is en route would be the safest option. No reinforcements, no help."
"We could ask Cloud Sea Sect's Zhēnzūn for assistance. This matter originated from their sect, after all. Escorting us back shouldn't be too much to ask," Qian Wanguan suggested, eyes gleaming as he proposed a new plan.
"What you said makes sense, Qian Daoyou. Still, it's just my speculation. Take it as a reference."
"What Jian Lu Daoyou said is reasonable. Better to be cautious," Xiao Yong added, fiddling with the jade wine gourd at his waist. Then he added, "All of us here are Void Refinement Zūnzhǔs. If something does happen, escaping shouldn't be an issue. The real concern is what happens to the disciples we brought with us."
"Split them up," Zhen Fan Zūnzhǔ said.
"Only Divine Soul realm disciples are left competing. We can start arranging for our sect disciples to return separately. Use teleportation arrays, city airships, whatever means we have. As for us, we stay behind at Cloud Sea Sect a few more days, delay our own departure."
Everyone agreed with Zhen Fan's proposal.
"Damn it, this is humiliating!" the Artifact Sect Zūnzhǔ growled in frustration.
"Enough. Who here doesn't feel the same? The enemy is a Mahayana Zhēnzūn. In his eyes, we're just food," the Talisman Sect Zūnzhǔ said, trying to ease the mood.
That shut everyone up. It was the cold reality of power difference.
"Now that we have a response plan, there's no need to dwell on this. We're the pillars for our sects. If we panic, they'll fall apart. Better to be prepared than be caught off guard."
Xiao Yong spoke up to conclude the discussion. The Zūnzhǔs nodded in agreement, already beginning to plan their exits.
Jian Dan said no more. She'd said all she could. The rest was up to each sect's own capabilities. The ones who came were all elite disciples. No reason they should collapse like paper when things got tough. A little hardship would temper them.
"Jian Lu Daoyou, how are you planning to return to your sect?" Xiao Yong finally asked, unable to hold back, watching her unchanged expression.
"I'll take our sect's airship back."
"And if you run into evil cultivators?"
"Then we fight."
"Hah. Just now you were advising everyone else to be cautious, and now you're not worried about your own disciples?"
"True cultivators grow through wind and rain. The Heavenly Sword Sect does not raise delicate flowers. This is an opportunity—to hone their swords."
"Respect!"
"There's an exchange meet coming up, just for higher-realm cultivators. Did you receive an invitation?" Jian Dan changed the subject.
"I did. Let's go together when the time comes."
"Good."
The remaining Divine Soul matches wrapped up without much excitement. As if coordinated, the Zūnzhǔs took turns watching the matches—one each day—while the others quietly prepared to depart Cloud Sea Sect.
These Zūnzhǔs weren't narrow-minded people. Reaching this stage of cultivation meant they'd seen and endured plenty. Some requested aid from their sects, others began organizing the return of their disciples in groups. Qian Wanguan even approached Yun Yun Zhēnzūn, asking for an escort for the Loose Cultivator Alliance's airship.
Everyone was making preparations, hoping to protect their sect disciples.
Yunyin Peak
"Senior Brother Jian Xu, how's the preparation going?"
"The Golden Core disciples have already left. They've changed into plain clothes and departed through teleportation arrays."
"Did you give them any tasks?"
"Split into five groups, returning from different directions. They'll also inspect the cities under our sect's jurisdiction, see if they can find any trace of the evil cultivator."
"I knew Senior Brother wouldn't let them off so easily. Thorough as always."
"I've already sent word back to the Heavenly Sword Sect about Jian Yu's disappearance. Her peak, Tian Du Peak, is probably surrounded by the Law Enforcement Hall by now. They'll search it top to bottom."
"Don't forget the peaks she might've passed through. She might avoid her own to reduce suspicion—or she might've set things up there anyway."
"The Law Enforcement Hall will know what to do. No need to worry. Next, we just need to bring back the remaining disciples."
"Senior Brother, what kind of fate is this? Not a moment's peace. When I return to the sect, I'm shutting myself in for a good long rest."
Jian Dan, for once, allowed herself to complain. Jian Xu smiled even more, and said to her:
"The capable get the hard jobs. When we're back, there'll be rewards for sure."
"Fine. For the sake of spirit stones."
The Divine Soul tournament ended without suspense. The sects followed their earlier plans, beginning their return journeys from Cloud Sea Sect one by one.
Jian Dan, Jian Xu, and Xiao Yong went together to the exchange meet.
The venue was a small auction hall on one of the affiliated peaks, only about three hundred square meters. The auction platform stood at the center, surrounded by a ring of jade tables and chairs.
The three casually picked a spot diagonally facing the stage and sat down, waiting for it to begin.
"Xiao Yong Daoyou, anything you're hoping to trade for this time?" Jian Dan asked.
"Nothing in particular. Just seeing what fate brings. If I like something, I'll make an offer."
"Same here. My Senior Brother and I came with that mindset too."
As they chatted, a Divine Transformation cultivator stepped onto the auction platform.
"Everyone, since we're all here, let's begin. I'll go first, just to get things started."
He pulled out a jade box from his storage ring, not opening it. Then, in a mysterious tone, he said:
"Sealed inside is a 'Frostflame'—a sliver of exotic fire separated from the Cloud Sea Sect Ancestor's own. It's been kept in the treasure vault as a reward for cultivators.
Today, with the Ancestor's permission, I've brought it here for trade. Whoever has something of equal value can make an offer."
The Artifact Sect and Alchemy Sect Zūnzhǔs looked interested, rummaging through their storage rings for suitable items to trade.
The host scanned the room, pausing a moment at Jian Dan's table before continuing:
"Anyone interested may bring their item up. Whoever offers the best trade, I'll make the exchange with them."
A glint flashed in Jian Dan's eyes. She lowered her gaze in thought, then sifted through her storage bracelet. She was the third to step onto the platform to make an exchange.