This was why Zi Han Zhēnzūn had rushed to confirm with Qian Wanguan after seeing the rift close, and why Jian Li's expression had turned so grim when he got the news.
The Heavenly Sword Sect had sent their top-tier fighters this time, all capable of fighting beyond their rank. If even one of them got hurt, let alone lost, not only Jian Li but even a Zhēnzūn would come to Purple Sky Sect demanding an explanation.
Among the six people who had gone, except for Wu Siyuan, the other five whose titles carried the "Jian" character were the sect's core cultivation talents. Even if they were pushed with resources, they'd still only reach the late Mahayana stage. Imagine losing five of them at once—what a disaster that would be.
Both sides were anxious but silent, waiting to see whether the soul lights would stabilize or go out.
This was different from previous expeditions. The earlier group had entered when the rift was stable, and their soul lights hadn't gone out. That's why they were willing to send people to continue exploring. This time, though, the moment they stepped into the spatial rift, it started closing. The risk was far too high.
Qian Wanguan was anxious too, but his disciple's soul flame was still unstable. Knowing how serious the situation was, Purple Sky Sect's Sect Master didn't let him return to Guest Peak, instead bringing him to a side hall of Zixiao Hall to guard the soul light. If anything happened, they'd be alerted immediately.
Meanwhile, Jian Dan and her group were still being torn by the chaotic spatial forces, inching toward the rift's other exit.
The seven of them activated their defenses the moment they entered the turbulent space, preventing the spatial force from shredding them. But Wu Siyuan, the last to jump in, noticed something behind him and turned his head with difficulty.
In the chaos, even divine senses couldn't reach far. Any probe would shatter in moments, so Wu Siyuan used the floating debris to steady himself, turned slightly, and saw the rift entrance slowly closing. His heart skipped a beat.
He immediately used the obstacles around him to push forward, catching up to Jian Chuang and signaling him with a hand gesture. Jian Chuang glanced back at the shrinking entrance, already down to twenty meters, and nodded grimly.
They pressed forward, while Jian Jing and Jian Xu noticed too. They hastily slapped on acceleration talismans and chased after Jian Dan and Kuang Dao. At the front, Jian Mao saw the exit shrinking and knew something was wrong.
Once Jian Dan was caught up to, she realized their predicament immediately. They couldn't communicate verbally, so they resorted to hand signals, speeding toward the exit.
Jian Mao glanced back, saw his fellow sect members noticing the danger, and stepped onto a floating white meteor to boost his speed. He had to reach the exit first to keep it open.
At that moment, Wu Siyuan's protective shield shattered with a loud bang. Luckily, he'd anticipated this. When the shield started squeaking, he activated the jade pendant defenses on his body, so he wasn't injured by the spatial turbulence—but his face still looked pale.
The original protective treasure could have carried him to the exit, but now, with the rift closing, the chaotic space was even more unstable, pounding the shield with several times the previous force.
Halfway through, the shield couldn't take it anymore and self-destructed.
The others noticed immediately and reinforced their own defenses. Kuang Dao, the lowest-ranking cultivator among them, followed right behind Jian Lu Zhēnzūn and also reinforced his protection. Before entering, Qian Wanguan had anticipated the chaos and given him two extra defensive talismans. Now, he slapped them on without hesitation, pressing forward.
Jian Dan's expression was grim as well. The rift had barely held until they entered. She could feel the chaotic space becoming more erratic, with pebble-sized stones mixed in—definitely not a good sign.
She grabbed a pebble and flung it forward. The white pebble hit resistance, smashing through many black stones before disappearing.
Squinting, she saw a black meteor cluster speeding toward them. If it scattered their group, they'd be done for.
Acting instantly, she flicked her pinky, and the dormant Thousand Threads of Return slithered like a snake, wrapping around Kuang Dao just behind her.
Kuang Dao froze, trying to break free, then sensed something was wrong. He glanced forward at Jian Lu Zhēnzūn, who gestured, sending him flying toward Jian Mao's position at the exit.
Kuang Dao stepped on a stone to boost his momentum.
Jian Mao had already reached the exit, now shrunk to ten meters. He gripped his sword to stabilize himself, just in time to catch the flying Kuang Dao.
One by one, Jian Jing, Jian Xu, Jian Chuang, and Wu Siyuan were pulled through.
Jian Dan's body training, along with the Ice-Bone Demon Body Art, showed its effects. Her defenses couldn't withstand the space turbulence and had already broken twice, but she wasn't out yet.
The approaching meteor cluster slammed into her shield. The exit on the other side had shrunk to three meters, nearly closed. Jian Mao pressed his heavy sword horizontally, slowing the rift's closure.
After sending Wu Siyuan through, the meteors struck again. Jian Dan's shield lasted barely five breaths before breaking. She activated her personal defenses, hoping it'd hold until she reached the exit. She didn't sit still. Seeing Jian Mao's anxious face and the shrinking rift, she smashed the black meteors hitting her and used their momentum to rush toward the exit.
Jian Mao's expression was grim—his true sword was already cracked. If he didn't retrieve it, it would be damaged, and without it, the rift would close even faster.
Those already inside landed with a jolt. There was no spiritual energy here.
"Hurry, the spirit boat can hold spirit stones!" Jian Jing shouted.
They frantically searched their storage pendants. Thankfully, they could open. Kuang Dao pulled out a palm-sized black spirit boat, but when he activated it, it didn't expand. Panic set in.
"Jian Xu, Jian Chuang, toss me up! I'll help our senior brother. Jian Lu isn't out yet!" Jian Jing commanded.
"Understood, Senior Sister!"
Without hesitation, the two grabbed Jian Jing and flung her upward. Without spiritual energy, they could still use their sword training and body techniques.
Kuang Dao gripped his blade, on guard.
Ten meters from the exit, Jian Dan's defenses finally shattered.
The spatial turbulence whipped around, cutting across her face. Her white robe tore into rags in less than five breaths. Luckily, her armor glowed yellow, protecting her.
Jian Jing used a square Heaven Seal, channeling the ambient energy in the chaotic space to wedge it at the rift, giving Jian Mao time to retrieve his true sword.