After Jian Dan smoothed out the daily affairs of the Law Enforcement Hall, things became much easier. She no longer had to stay in the main hall all day.
Jian Ning had already handed over her tasks to Qi Hua and gone into seclusion. This time, she was determined to break through to Divine Soul stage; otherwise, it would be difficult to take missions in the Battle Hall.
When Qi Hua was first summoned to the Law Enforcement Hall, she thought Jian Lu Zūnshànghad caught some small mistake of hers. After informing her clan elder, she nervously went to meet Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ.
"Tian Du Peak's Qi Hua pays respects to Jian Lu Zūnshàng."
"No need for formalities."
Jian Dan waved her hand. Only after Qi Hua stood up did she begin to speak.
"I remember Qi Hua once participated in the Law Enforcement Hall selection. She was one of the last remaining cultivators and entered the Tracking Hall."
"Yes."
"Since your usual tasks are light and your cultivation is steady in mid Divine Transformation, I am transferring some of Jian Ning's assignments to you. From now on, you will stay by my side and assist me with the Law Enforcement Hall's affairs."
"Ah?"
Qi Hua hadn't expected Jian Lu Zūnshàng to summon her for this reason.
"Don't tell me you're unwilling?"
Jian Dan gave her a sharp look. Qi Hua immediately responded with eager flattery.
"Unwilling? Not at all. This is a rare opportunity. Being by your side is a blessing. I will definitely assist you and manage the Law Enforcement Hall's work well."
"Heh, don't be so quick to show loyalty. You know the rules of the Law Enforcement Hall—what can and cannot be spoken. You should be clear on that."
"Yes, Qi Hua understands."
Qi Hua knew well Jian Lu Zūnshàng was warning her not to pass any forbidden information back to her clan.
"Good. Go find Jian Ning. She will explain her current tasks in detail. Report to the Law Enforcement Hall main hall tomorrow. I'll notify Tiandu Peak."
"Yes, I'll go right away."
Qi Hua adapted to the role quickly.
As Qi Hua left the hall, she met Jian Sheng returning. They nodded at each other before going their separate ways.
Jian Sheng entered the hall and reported to Jian Dan about the latest news from Cloud Sea Sect's Hai Yan.
"Zūnshàng, I checked the data archives again on Hai Yan. I only found scattered, inconsequential information. Nothing substantial. What do you think?"
"I understand. No need to look further. I'll meet with Tian Yun Zhēnzūn directly to see if he has any unknown information."
"Yes."
"How is the investigation of the Inner Nine Peaks going?"
"Reporting to Zūnshàng, we did find some cultivators acting suspiciously. The Law Enforcement Hall worked with the Nine Peaks to detain them. They are currently held separately on Tian Fa Peak."
"Good. Follow that thread and check the Outer Gate as well. A big forest has all kinds of birds. Especially in such a large sect, the Outer Gate is the foundation of the Inner Gate. It cannot be ignored."
"Yes, I will dispatch a team to assist the Outer Peak investigation."
After Jian Sheng left, Jian Dan went to the back mountain restricted area.
"Jian Lu pays respects to Tian Yun Zhēnzūn!"
No sooner had Jian Dan spoken than the barrier opened an entrance. She followed the path inside to Tian Yun Zhēnzūn's cave dwelling.
This was Jian Dan's second visit to Tian Yun Zhēnzūn's domain. The last time, she came disguised as Mo Yue, a disciple of Heavenly Demon Palace's demon enchantress, to settle some grievances with her master.
The cave remained unrepaired, still bearing the slash marks from Mo Yue Slash Jian.
Jian Dan glanced around, then told Tian Yun Zhēnzūn her suspicions about the evil cultivator.
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn sat casually on a meditation cushion, listening with a slight smile.
"The Hai Yan you mentioned—I do know him. He was once a powerful cultivator from my generation but overly competitive. He couldn't stand anyone stronger than himself and once sparred with me."
"Zhēnzūn surely won that duel," Jian Dan said with a smile.
"Indeed, I won. He said once he leveled up, he would challenge me again. But then word came that he'd been imprisoned for wrongdoing and he vanished from the cultivation world."
"Zhēnzūn, could you send a flying sword message to Cloud Sea Sect and confirm if the imprisoned Hai Yan is still there?"
"That's a bit sudden. What's your reason?"
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn didn't immediately reject the idea but asked Jian Dan to explain.
"If that evil cultivator is really Cloud Sea Sect's Hai Yan, then after this recent raid, Cloud Sea Sect will definitely check. I just wonder if they can see through the opponent's soul splitting technique."
"Oh? I saw the jade slip Jian Li gave me. You suspect that the cultivator who raided Cloud Sea Sect that day was Hai Yan, but not the original body?"
"Yes, Zhēnzūn. Assuming this evil cultivator is Hai Yan, because he cultivates evil arts, he cannot ascend to the higher realm legitimately. So why choose this time to attack Cloud Sea Sect?"
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn gazed toward the Heavenly Sword Sect's mountain gate and calmly answered,
"He has no choice but to leave this realm."
"Yes, I agree. He's likely been locked by the heavenly dao and cannot ascend through normal means. He has to take a detour. Cloud Sea Sect is the place he knows best, so naturally, he strikes there first."
Jian Dan paused before continuing,
"He knows there is a spatial storm inside Yunhai that might give him a chance to leave Lingyun Continent. With his status back then, would he know if other sects have similar spots?"
"Heh. You can just call it a spatial node. I already guessed as much. No need to be so secretive."
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn smiled and glanced at Jian Dan.
Jian Dan felt a headache coming. She didn't want to say it outright or who knew what traps awaited her.
"Zhēnzūn, does he know?"
"That I don't know. What do you think his next move will be?"
The Zhēnzūn tossed the question back to Jian Dan.
"Zhēnzūn, he will stop at nothing to leave. First, he will raid Cloud Sea Sect again. Second, he will try to find other sects' spatial nodes to escape. Worst case, he'll ally with the insect tribe to break through Lingyun Continent's spatial nodes."
Jian Dan finished and lowered her eyes to wait.
Tian Yun smiled and nodded, finally taking Jian Dan's questions seriously.
"Well said. No wonder Jian Jun chose you as her successor."
Jian Dan just wanted to slap herself. "You had to open your mouth and say all this, now look! You dug your own pit and buried yourself."
"Zhēnzūn!"
"All right, I will send a flying sword message directly to Cloud Sea Sect's Yun Yun Zhēnjūn and explain everything. Wait for their reply."
"Yes! I will take my leave."
"Go ahead."
When Jian Dan returned to the Law Enforcement Hall main hall, Jian Wu had already come back.
"Zūnshàng, as per your order, the manhunt order for the Fu family cultivators has been issued on Tianya Haijiao."
"Good. Keep an eye on the progress. Don't let my half treasure map go to waste!"
"Rest assured, Zūnshàng. I will monitor it closely."
Tianya Haijiao Headquarters
The half treasure map had been sent back to headquarters by a middle-aged cultivator from the Huanle City branch.
After Jue Zūnshàng carefully examined the map and confirmed its authenticity, he said to the black-clad man beside him,
"Withdraw the surveillance on the Heavenly Demon Palace perimeter. Be cautious and don't alert the Heavenly Demon Palace."
"Zūnshàng, no more surveillance on Heavenly Demon Palace?"
"Hmph! That Du Yanran only wants us to clash with Heavenly Demon Palace so she can seize the opportunity. Now that half the map has appeared, it proves her intentions. Why should we do extra work?"
"Yes, I understand."
"This Du Yanran clearly cannot be kept alive. Continue the manhunt."