Jian Xu had already been pushed to the edge. His brows were furrowed, his gaze sharp with killing intent. Sword in hand, he continued to fight, coordinating seamlessly with Jian Dan.
When Tian Yun Zhēnzūn arrived, the scene unfolding before him earned a satisfied nod. He turned to speak to a cultivator hidden in the distance.
"Yuan Yun Daoyou, since you've come, why not show yourself?"
Yuan Yun Zhēnzūn had already sensed Tian Yun's presence the moment he arrived, but hadn't appeared immediately. Now that he'd been called out, she stepped calmly into view.
"Tian Yun Daoyou, it's been a long time. You haven't changed at all."
"You flatter me. Still, I must thank you for returning these young ones safely."
"They hardly needed my protection. They came well-prepared. Their coordination is tight, their strategy sound. They've held off this Unity-stage demon cultivator all this time. Give them a little longer, and they'd probably finish the job themselves."
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn looked down at the ongoing battle and nodded in agreement. The two juniors below moved with precision and intent. Their attacks landed true, and their strength wasn't lacking.
But since he had come, it was only proper to make his presence known.
"It's been too long since I drew my sword. Some people might have forgotten."
As the words left his mouth, Tian Yun simply raised his hand. A sword beam, brilliant and unstoppable, shot toward the demon cultivator.
"Retreat!"
Jian Dan and Jian Xu immediately sensed the incoming sword intent and withdrew from the enemy's side without hesitation.
The evil cultivator sensed something was wrong and tried to dissolve into black mist to escape, but even in that half-phased state, a sword light found him and struck.
His body disintegrated on the spot, turning to dust.
For a brief moment, the skies were silent again.
Far underground, deep in a pitch-black cavern, a pair of blood-red, ruthless eyes snapped open. Before them lay a shattered Ironwood Puppet, reduced to powder.
A raspy voice hissed out from the shadows.
"Useless trash... Hmph. Tian Yun."
Only now did Tian Yun and Yuan Yun reveal themselves openly in the sky above.
Jian Dan and Jian Xu led the others in respectful bows toward the two powerful cultivators.
"Greetings to Tian Yun Zhēnzūn and Yuan Yun Zhēnzūn. Thank you both for your protection!"
"You've all done well," Tian Yun said. "Even without my intervention, you would've managed to take him down. Still, anyone bold enough to target disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect deserves a reply from me."
"Zhēnzūn is mighty!"
"I'll await your return at the sect."
"Yes. We respectfully send Zhēnzūn off."
The two Zhēnzūn vanished from sight once more.
Jian Dan glanced sideways at Jianxu and said, "That ended too quickly. Feels like it was building to something bigger and then just... fizzled."
"Come on. You're acting spoiled after getting the win. Focus on healing."
The two returned to the warship and began treating their wounds, though they stayed alert. Even though a Zhēnzūn had unsheathed his sword, that didn't guarantee the enemy wouldn't try another ambush.
The warship's defensive shield remained active. It had just proven its worth by withstanding attacks from a Unity-stage opponent. Cotton Candy continued disguising the ship's presence, but flying openly in the sky like this was still a bit too conspicuous.
After exchanging a few words, the two hidden Zhēnzūn took their leave, each returning to their respective sects.
Yuan Yun Zhēnzūn watched Tian Yun's retreating figure, a sigh stirring in her heart. Though he looked unchanged, there was weariness in his eyes that couldn't be hidden. With a flick of her sleeve, she too vanished into the horizon.
The next two days passed peacefully. Not a single enemy appeared. It wasn't until the warship touched down at the gates of the Heavenly Sword Sect that Jian Dan finally allowed herself to breathe easy.
That very day, Mao Dou had just finished harvesting his second crop of Pearl Spirit Rice and was hard at work turning the soil. This time, he planned to plant the higher-grade Topaz Spirit Rice. It would fetch a better price.
With the spirit stones he earned, he could afford another round of body-tempering elixirs. He was mentally calculating that, after soaking again, he'd likely be ready to break into the seventh layer of Qi Refining.
"Mao Dou! Hurry! The Martial Ancestors who went to the competition are back. They returned in a warship! Come with me. I've never seen a real warship before!"
Mao Dou hadn't intended to join the crowd, but when he heard there was a warship, he tucked away his jade hoe and ran off with the others. He had never seen one either.
Jian Dan's group was met with a thunderous welcome. More and more disciples gathered to catch a glimpse of the warship.
The warship, in its full form, stood nearly a hundred meters tall. Forged entirely from deep-sea black meteor iron, it was etched with intricate defensive formations. The emblem of the Heavenly Sword Sect—two crossing spirit swords—was boldly engraved across its side.
The vessel had three levels. Every window had a rotating turret. The uppermost deck was lined with offense platforms, glowing faintly as they remained on standby.
When Jian Dan and Jian Xu exited the command deck, Wu Siyuan was already on the top level with the others, waiting for the Zūnzhǔ's instructions.
Jian Dan felt exhausted. She didn't want to talk. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed them all. After such a long series of battles, everyone needed to rest.
Once all the cultivators had disembarked, she made a hand seal and collected the warship into her storage. Any longer and half the sect would've come over just to gawk.
"Senior Brother, I have a feeling we'll both need to give a report for this mission."
"Let's go."
Jianxu knew there was no avoiding it. Next, they'd face the elders at Tiandu Peak, then give testimony at the Law Enforcement Hall. There was a whole mess of formalities waiting. As someone involved from beginning to end, Jian Dan wouldn't be getting much rest.
"Senior Brother, I think you figured it out already. I was planning to go to Purple Sky Sect just so I could avoid all this hassle when we got back."
"You said it yourself."
Jian Dan laughed quietly. They bantered as they entered the sect, heading first to the Law Enforcement Hall.
As they walked side by side, disciples all along the path bowed in greeting.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ!"
"Greetings, Jian Xu Zūnzhǔ!"
The two returned the gestures with polite nods, quickly disappearing from view.
"Mao Dou, did you see her? That was Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ! And the male cultivator beside her is also a Zūnzhǔ. I heard from our Martial Uncles that he's Jian Xu Zūnzhǔ, an exceptional sword cultivator."
Mao Dou's companion was still buzzing with excitement, rambling as they watched the two vanish down the corridor.
"Yeah, I saw. Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ doesn't really look like a sword cultivator to me. But forget that, did you see the warship? That thing was incredible. One day, I'll ride a warship too."
Smack. Smack.
Two loud slaps landed on their heads.
They turned, rubbing their skulls, only to find a Foundation Establishment Martial Uncle glaring at them.
"You want to ride a warship? With your pitiful cultivation? And you dare comment on the Zūnzhǔ? Get back to training!"
"Yes, Martial Uncle!"
The two quickly bowed and darted off using lightfoot techniques. The onlookers chuckled, then slowly dispersed as well.
But even if the crowd had thinned, the news spread through the sect like wildfire.
Jian Dan and Jianxu, along with the other disciples who had gone to the competition, became the center of attention for days—until the excitement finally faded.
Law Enforcement Hall
When Jian Dan and Jian Xu stepped into the main hall, Jian Li was already there, waiting. Seeing them return safely, he let out a sigh of relief, a rare smile appearing on his face.
The two offered formal bows, and the waiting Jian Ning, Jian Sheng, and Jian Wu—who had returned to the sect ahead of them—stepped forward.
"Greetings to both Zūnzhǔ."
Jian Dan glanced at Jian Wu. Before she could speak, he stepped forward.
"Zūnzhǔ, please do not take offense. I was recalled by my Master to assist Jian Sheng in investigating matters regarding Jian Yu Zūnzhǔ. That's why I couldn't return with you."
"I never said anything. You don't need to explain."
Jian Dan smiled.
Jian Wu gave a respectful bow but muttered to himself, "If I hadn't explained fast enough, that glare from Jian Lu would've killed me."
Just as Jian Li was about to speak, a guard rushed into the hall and announced,
"Zūnzhǔ, Jian Wan Zūnzhǔ requests an audience!"
===
Do you love the "misunderstood MC" trope?
You know, those protagonists who are accidentally seen as legendary figures while remaining completely oblivious? Think Momonga from Overlord, Tanya Degurechaff from Youjo Senki (Saga of Tanya the Evil), or Lin Jie from I'm Really Not The Demon God's Lackey.
Just like them, our MC is seen as a terrifyingly brilliant and powerful figure—except she has no idea why everyone fears her so much. If you enjoy watching side characters overanalyze every little thing the MC does—while the MC is just vibing—then you'll love this story!
"The Invincible Money-Grubbing Fairy"
Yao Ranran was just playing a cultivation game when she got isekai'd as a minor side character. Worse, the male protagonist ruined her cultivation, leaving her a cripple! But no worries—she's got a blacksmith shop, a laid-back attitude, and one goal: Get rich or die trying.
While others see her as an unfathomable, terrifying genius, the truth is… she's just winging it. Her disciples and allies? They're convinced every move she makes is 5D chess. Enemies? They tremble at her "ruthless schemes." Meanwhile, Yao Ranran is just sipping tea under her unbreakable 99,000-layer shield, wondering why everyone keeps calling her a peerless fairy.
Will the world ever realize the truth? Or will Yao Ranran accidentally ascend to legend while just trying to run her shop?