Qian Wanguan nodded after hearing Kuang Dao's words. A flash of disdain for those other elders crossed his face before he spoke.
"You're right to remind me. As long as I'm here, I can keep them under control. If I'm gone, they'll definitely reach their claws this way. Your senior brothers don't have the ability to suppress them yet."
That was the source of his hesitation. The path to the heavens should, of course, be in his own hands. But giving up everything he'd fought for to reach this point wasn't something he wanted either.
"Don't worry, Master. Since Jian Lu Zūnshàng said so, I'll stick close to her. For your sake, she'll look after me."
"Mm, that'll have to do then. I'll owe Zūnshàng a favor."
After the two agreed, Qian Wanguan gave Kuang Dao a pile of talismans and protective charms, making sure his disciple had a better chance of surviving.
Meanwhile, Jian Dan wasn't idle. Knowing Jian Mao would arrive tomorrow, she armed herself carefully.
She took off her wide-sleeved Zūnshàng robe and put on the armor she'd gotten from the Heavenly Demon Palace. She fixed a heart-protecting mirror into place, then changed into a fitted white robe with narrow sleeves. Over it, she draped a translucent gauze outer robe, giving her the look of a celestial fairy.
Next, she filled her storage belt with supplies, enough to endure even if she fell into a land devoid of spiritual energy. Once everything was ready, she chanted the Tranquil Heart Scripture, closed her eyes, and adjusted her state through meditation.
The next morning, as the sun rose, a flying boat carrying five Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators landed at the Purple Sky Sect's Gate.
At the same time, Qian Wanguan brought Kuang Dao to meet her.
"Zūnshàng, the Loose Cultivator Alliance has too many affairs. Lao Qian really can't get away, so I'll let Kuang Dao follow you into the spatial rift. He'll obey your every order. I just ask that if he's in danger, you'll lend him a hand."
He didn't mind lowering himself as he pulled Kuang Dao forward and spoke to Jian Dan.
"As for any treasures he finds with you, if you need them, just take them. Leave enough for him to use, that's all."
"Elder Qian, you're making promises too early. Who knows what opportunities lie inside a spatial rift?"
Jian Dan sipped her tea with a smile.
"Zūnshàng, I really don't have anything worthy to offer. You're already half a step into Mahayana. My little collection is useless to you anyway."
Qian Wanguan grimaced. It was the truth.
"Forget it. For your sake, I'll let Kuang Dao come with me."
She agreed, then asked,
"My senior brothers and nephews are arriving today. Is Kuang Dao ready?"
"Thanks to you, Zūnshàng, he's ready. He'll follow your orders."
Hearing her agreement eased Qian Wanguan's heart. He quickly replied and gestured for his disciple.
Kuang Dao stepped forward, bowed respectfully, then stood by Jian Dan's side, awaiting her command.
Jian Dan nodded in satisfaction. Just then, Lu Xuanyuan rushed into the hall. When he saw she wasn't alone, he froze for a moment, then cupped his hands.
"Jian Lu Zūnshàng, the Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators have arrived. They're waiting in the Zixiao Hall."
"Good, let's go."
Jian Dan rose. Kuang Dao saluted Qian Wanguan before following her out of the guest hall.
Qian Wanguan watched them leave, then returned to his quarters. He placed Kuang Dao's soul lamp on the table and stared at it silently.
When Jian Dan stepped into the main hall, she saw Jian Mao, Jian Jing, Jian Xu, Jian Chun, and Wu Siyuan. All five wore Heavenly Sword Sect robes, their powerful auras making them look like a scene out of a painting.
She smiled and saluted them.
"Senior brothers, you've worked hard."
Jian Mao laughed.
"Junior Sister, you're still the fastest. How long have you been waiting?"
"Not long, just a day before you."
Jian Dan smiled as she walked over. Now the Heavenly Sword Sect's people were all here.
"Purple Sky Sect Master, we're all here. Can you take us to the spatial rift?"
"Now?"
Sect Master Xiaozhi was a bit surprised.
"Yes. I've already spoken with Zi Huan Zhēnzūn, and he said it's fine."
Jian Dan replied politely with a smile.
Hearing that, Xiao Zhi immediately sent a message talisman, then personally led the group of seven toward the rift.
On the way, Jian Mao transmitted a voice message.
"Jian Lu, why so urgent? Did something happen?"
"I'm not sure, but I feel the longer we wait, the more things might go wrong. That's why I pushed Jian Li to rush you here."
A flicker of seriousness crossed Jian Mao's rugged face, but he didn't press further.
Jian Dan, on the other hand, secretly transmitted a reminder to everyone else: prepare their storage items. If they ended up in a land without spiritual energy, it would be disastrous.
The cultivators were all experienced. They'd already prepared some items, but they hadn't expected Jian Lu to allow no rest and head straight into the rift. They quickly pulled out what they'd readied and equipped themselves.
After that, they reached the Purple Sky Sect's restricted grounds.
Sect Master Xiao Zhi took out his sect master's token, opened the restriction, and led them in. The seven followed close behind for half an hour before stopping.
They could all tell the area was covered in formations, so they remained cautious. Finally, they reached a fog-covered place where Zi Huan Zhēnzūn stood with his hands behind his back.
Jian Dan signaled to her group, then stepped forward and bowed.
"Greetings, Zi Huan Zhēnzūn. We've troubled you."
"No trouble. Are you all prepared?"
Zi Huan's gaze swept over them. All five newcomers from the Heavenly Sword Sect were high-level cultivators, their killing aura still sharp but tempered by the righteous pressure unique to sword cultivators.
He frowned slightly, then formed hand seals. At once, the surrounding spatial traps dissolved.
Jian Dan fixed her gaze on the changes. In her eyes, countless spatial threads shifted according to a set pattern. Slowly, they moved aside, revealing a narrow passage just wide enough for one person.
Zi Huan led the way. Jian Dan followed first, with the others trailing behind. After winding through the path, they arrived at an open space shrouded in heavy fog. Only faint greenery was visible around them.
Before them stretched a thirty-meter-high rift, jagged from top to bottom. Occasional spatial turbulence tore through it, radiating a sense of danger.
The Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators studied it carefully. Judging that the turbulence was still manageable, they exchanged glances and huddled together.
Jian Mao spoke first.
"We don't know what's inside. Once we land, the first thing is to regroup with whoever's closest. Best if we form teams before exploring."
Everyone nodded.
"If we can't contact each other, meet at the most recognizable landmark inside."
Again, there were no objections. Jian Mao's gaze shifted to Kuang Dao, the weakest among them.
Kuang Dao understood and obediently handed his message jade slips to the seniors, then stood quietly beside Jian Dan.
Jian Mao looked at her for confirmation.
"Qian Wanguan of the Loose Cultivator Alliance asked me to take care of him. Kuang Dao's capable enough to handle himself."
The others didn't mind. A Divine Soul cultivator was manageable to bring along.
Once everyone confirmed, Jian Mao saluted Zi Huan Zhēnzūn and leaped into the rift. Jian Dan and Kuang Dao followed close behind, one after another, until Wu Siyuan jumped in last.
After they were gone, Zi Huan Zhēnzūn lingered for a moment. Just as he was about to leave, the spatial rift began to contract and shift.