"This is a life-saving jade talisman I made. Once you drip your blood to recognize it, the jade plate will enter your dantian. If something like that incident at Purple Sky Sect's Guest Peak happens again, you'll be safe, and you'll even be able to counterattack."
Bi Shu's eyes lit up. She didn't hesitate to drip a drop of blood. The black jade absorbed it, gave a faint tremor like it was waking, then transformed into a streak of light and entered her dantian.
The members of Tian Squad all let out a breath of relief. If a Mahayana cultivator attacked, they honestly weren't confident they could protect Bi Shu.
Even though Dao Gate's Mahayana Zhēnzūn was watching over them, in a critical moment, he'd naturally prioritize his own sect's disciples. Now that Mo Yue Zūnshàng had stepped in to fill the gap, they felt much more secure.
"I don't have a Zhēnzūn's life-saving talisman on hand, so use mine for now."
Jian Dan smiled as she explained, then turned to the Tian Squad leader.
"We left in a hurry this time, since the Dao Gate sects were urging us on. That's why there were some oversights. When you return, tell Mo Zhang and Mo Su to ask Mo Yan Zhēnzūn for a life-saving talisman for Bi Shu."
"Yes."
Hearing that, Bi Shu's face brightened, her heart settling a bit more. She bowed gratefully to Jian Dan.
"I've got another mission, so I won't be traveling with you. Take care of yourselves."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
After saying her farewells, Jian Dan watched as they left with the Beast Taming Sect cultivators, then turned and disappeared into the clouds, heading back toward Purple Sky Sect.
"Xiao Yue, go into the spirit beast pouch for now. I'll release you when we arrive. Don't scratch it open. If you fall into spatial turbulence, your life won't be guaranteed. Even if you survive, you'll be separated from me, and then—"
The moment Xiao Yue heard "spatial turbulence," he obediently nodded. His wolf clan's inheritance memory had warned him about that. He climbed into the pouch on his own. Inside, he found the space quite large, with a spirit spring and fresh beast meat Mo Yue had prepared for him. Feeling satisfied, he drank the spring water and closed his eyes to cultivate.
Jian Dan extended her divine sense to check. Seeing the little one adapting well, she sealed the pouch and stored it away.
"Cotton Candy, let's transform!"
"Yes, Master!"
The scarlet Manjushahua fell from Jian Dan's hair, instantly wrapping around her. The red gradually shifted to white. Once she had transformed into Jian Lu, Cotton Candy turned back into a little cloud and stuck itself onto her hair.
This time, Jian Dan wore the Heavenly Sword Sect's Zūnshàng robe: a white robe with dark patterns, its collar, sleeves, and hem embroidered with pale violet runes, giving her an elegant, regal air.
Her long black hair was tied with a white ribbon, adorned with a magnolia hairpin. A pendant containing Xiao Yin hung at her chest. On her slender fingers was a white jade ring. One wrist carried a storage bracelet, the other her own Obsidian Bracelet.
After several upgrades, the bracelet was now black streaked with purple. Unless someone was very familiar with it, they wouldn't recognize it.
Once everything was in order, Jian Dan had Cotton Candy lift her straight toward Purple Sky Sect. This time, she was going as Jian Lu.
As her light descended, the Purple Sky Sect guards rushed forward. They immediately recognized the Heavenly Sword Sect robe and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Senior!"
"Heavenly Sword Sect's Jian Lu."
"Please come in, Zūnshàng."
Clearly, they'd already been instructed. Since outside cultivators were expected, they welcomed her politely. At the same time, someone had already rushed to report Jian Lu Zūnshàng's arrival.
Halfway in, Lu Xuanyuan came out to greet her.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng!"
"Oh, it's Xiao Luzi! It's been a long time!"
Jian Dan smiled brightly, gesturing for him to walk by her side.
Lu Xuanyuan had grown a lot, now taller than her by a full head. After bowing respectfully, he fell half a step behind, pointing out the sect's scenery and sharing his experiences over the years.
"When are you planning to reach Divine Transformation?"
"I still need a few more years to polish my foundation."
He spoke honestly.
"Planning to train outside, or pick up a craft?"
"I was going to train outside, but the sect's had some trouble. Because of my status, it's not convenient for me to leave, so I'll stay in seclusion for now and see about opportunities later."
He respected Jian Lu deeply. She'd saved him twice, guided him, and his situation wasn't exactly a secret, so he told the truth.
Jian Dan's eyes flickered. She understood what he didn't say.
The sect was afraid insects would target him. With his current cultivation, he couldn't resist them. And since he directly influenced Purple Sky Sect's master, they weren't letting him leave, especially now while the sect was purging infiltrators.
"Then follow the sect's arrangements. But if you really want to train, you can come to the Heavenly Sword Sect. We've opened a trial realm, and it's excellent. Bring enough spirit stones, and take my nameplate with you."
Lu Xuanyuan's eyes lit up. He hadn't been to the Heavenly Sword Sect in a hundred years.
"Really?"
"As long as your elders agree. Think of it as the Lu family owing me a favor."
Her nameplate wasn't something easily obtained.
"Yes, I'm sure my grandfather will be glad."
His smile deepened.
When they entered the main hall, Purple Sky Sect's master was already waiting. After formal greetings, Jian Dan spoke directly.
"I received word from the sect. The spatial rift will close soon."
"Zūnshàng intends to investigate alone?"
"Not just me. A squad from my sect is already on their way. They should arrive in a day or two. I was outside training, so I rushed here as soon as I got the news."
She could tell the sect master's expression wasn't good. No wonder, after three blood insects had been rooted out under his watch. That kind of blunder was humiliating.
"In that case, please rest here for two days, Zūnshàng. Once everyone's arrived, we'll move together."
"Good. That's exactly what I wanted."
Afterward, Lu Xuanyuan took her to the newly built Guest Peak.
"This place saw a great battle, didn't it? It looks newly constructed."
Jian Dan asked even though she already knew.
"You can't hide it from Zūnshàng's eyes. That's right."
"Can you tell me more?"
He nodded. They sat in the reception room, with attendants serving spirit tea.
Jian Dan listened quietly, playing with her butterfly-patterned fan, while piecing together Purple Sky Sect's recent actions from his account.
"Your sect reacted fast. Back when the Heavenly Sword Sect had the same issue, we also found two blood insects. Catching them is always better than letting them burrow deeper. It may look like you've suffered losses now, but in the long run, it'll strengthen the sect."
"Jian Lu Shishu speaks the truth."
A deep voice came from outside. A man in purple robes entered.
Both Jian Dan and Lu Xuanyuan rose to greet him.
"Greetings, Ancestor Zi Huan!"
"Greetings, Zi Huan Zhēnzūn!"
"Sit."
Zi Huan Zhēnzūn seated himself with scholarly grace, then swept his gaze toward Jian Dan. She'd already taken in his appearance when bowing, and only one phrase crossed her mind: a smiling tiger.
"I've heard it was you who first discovered the blood insects."
Jian Dan thought, "you can drop the 'I've heard.'"
Out loud, she just smiled and replied, "Yes. It was a coincidence, really."