Yue Liang led Mo Ran and Jade into human form, following the Law Enforcement Hall disciples into the grand hall. The three bowed respectfully toward Jian Li, seated at the head.
"Yue Liang, contract partner of Fairy Lu, and her companions Mo Ran and Jade, pay respects to Hall Master Jian Li!"
Mo Ran wore a black robe embroidered with a coiled flood dragon, his presence cold and restrained. Beside him, Jade was wrapped in emerald silk, petite and charming. Both bowed deeply.
"Not bad," Jian Li nodded with approval. "It seems you've all gained much from your tempering."
"Thanks to Zūnshàng's blessings, our cultivation's advanced quite a bit," Yue Liang replied, her bright eyes curving as she smiled.
"Have you noticed anything unusual about Jian Lu's condition?" Jian Li's gaze sharpened. That was the real reason he'd summoned them the moment he heard Yue Liang had returned.
"Please rest easy, Hall Master. My contract mark's stable, there's no sign of change," Yue Liang answered.
Mo Ran stepped forward too. "Reporting to Hall Master, both mine and my sister's contract marks are steady as well. Our master hasn't summoned us." Jade quickly nodded in agreement.
"That's good. The soul lamps of the cultivators who entered alongside your master are also stable, so they're safe for now. But if there's any fluctuation in your contract marks, report to me immediately."
"Yes, Hall Master."
With business concluded, Jian Li shifted topics. "Has Jian Lu left you any instructions?"
"She told me to remain at Tianyue Peak and guard the cave dwelling," Yue Liang replied.
"Very well. If the Law Enforcement Hall has tasks, are you willing to accept them?"
Yue Liang nodded without hesitation. "I'm part of the sect. If there's a task I can handle, I won't refuse."
Mo Ran and Jade cupped their fists too. If they could help, they would.
"Good. I'll notify you when suitable tasks appear. You've just returned, so rest for now."
After bidding farewell, Yue Liang took Mo Ran and Jade back to Tianyue Peak, where Mao Dou, Yu Zongfan, and Wei Xueru were already waiting.
They exchanged greetings, and Yue Liang squinted happily, handing each of the three a high-grade spirit stone. Mo Ran and Jade also brought out gifts they'd prepared during their travels. The three juniors accepted the precious treasures with delighted thanks.
Five years had flown by. Mao Dou and Yu Zongfan had both grown into fine young men, their strength advancing to late Foundation Establishment. Because of their persistence in body tempering, their figures had become tall and steady, their spiritual power condensed, their bearing already showing the shadow of true cultivators.
Mao Dou's birthmark had completely faded as his cultivation rose. With his thick brows and warm eyes, he carried the air of a reliable senior brother. He grew more steady by the day, consciously setting himself as an example for his juniors. Whenever something happened, Zongfan and Xueru would naturally turn to him for advice.
Yu Zongfan was slimmer than his senior brother, but carried the elegant air of a great cultivation clan. His refined features and gentle nature made him well-liked among his peers. Since their master went out on missions, he'd been the one keeping ties with Yu Jiajia, Zhao Yunhai, and Jia Yushu.
Wei Xueru, blessed with the "Wind Spirit," had reached peak mid-Foundation Establishment, just one chance away from breaking through. At thirteen, her beauty had become ethereal, as though she might ride the wind away at any moment. Her two senior brothers took special care of her.
Two years ago, Wei Weie and Qin Qin had secretly come to Heavenly Sword Sect to see their beloved daughter.
The sect had permitted it. Wei Zhengrong personally accompanied them, showing them Xueru's cultivation quarters and introducing her two senior brothers. Only then did her parents' worries ease.
At the time of parting, Qin Qin wept as she clutched her daughter, urging her to follow Fairy Lu's teachings diligently, not to disobey her master, to respect and care for her, and to not worry about her parents.
"Father, Mother, please don't worry," Wei Xueru said firmly. "This cultivation chance came from you, my brother, and Master. I'll never forget it. I'll work hard and become your support in the future."
"Good, good! That's our daughter. Your mother and I will wait for you," Wei Weie said with pride.
They knew she couldn't leave the sect until she reached Nascent Soul, and whether they'd see her again remained uncertain. Still, knowing she was diligent, cared for by her master, and cherished by her brothers, they left at peace. From then on, they focused on their own cultivation, determined not to hold their children back.
Xueru, with no distractions in her heart, advanced smoothly.
"You've all progressed quickly," Yue Liang said one day, "but what about combat?"
"We don't neglect it," Mao Dou answered as senior brother. "We spar on the sect's arenas, and we even went into the Dreamlike Illusory Rubik's Cube Realm for trials."
Yue Liang nodded. "Because of the coming insect calamity, Zūnshàng values both your cultivation and real battle. But she told me balance is important too. So, rest a few days. Then, attend lectures at the main hall, doesn't matter which. Five days later, Mo Ran, Jade, and I will spar with you. Before you reach Golden Core, we'll help you build a solid foundation."
Instead of fear, the three disciples were thrilled. They knew well that if they weren't Fairy Lu's apprentices, great beasts like these three would never spar with them. Fighting high-rank beasts was a chance beyond measure.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Yue Liang!" the three said in unison, bowing deeply.
"Senior Yue Liang," Yu Zongfan added, "before leaving, Fairy Lu sealed a jade slip on forming the golden core. We'd like to study it first, then attend other courses."
"That's up to you. I won't interfere."
"Yes!"
For the next five days, the three filled their schedules with lectures. Mao Dou, walking the sword cultivator's path, studied artifact forging, intending to craft his own life-bound sword. Yu Zongfan, accompanied by his treasure-hunting mouse Bai Bai, wasn't short on treasures, so he studied formations to support him in battle. Wei Xueru, who'd first studied talismans, chose the lecture on talisman crafting.
Their presence didn't cause a stir, but keen eyes noticed. These three were Jian Lu Zūnshàng's treasured apprentices, rarely seen outside Tianyue Peak. Some wanted to befriend them, others to scheme against them, others to provoke them. Yet before any plans could unfold, the three vanished into seclusion again. All anyone could do was sigh at the missed chance.
The cultivators of the Kong family, however, ground their teeth in frustration. Those three slippery brats never showed themselves long enough to catch. They couldn't even find targets for revenge.
Soon after came days of brutal sparring under the three great beasts. The disciples suffered miserably, but their progress soared.
While Yue Liang helped teach Jian Dan's disciples, she occasionally accepted sect missions. With Mo Ran or Jade by her side, she completed tasks while also letting them witness the filth and scheming of the cultivation world. The experience stripped away their naivety, shaping them toward a sharper, darker maturity.
Meanwhile, Heavenly Sword Sect's youngest disciples, thanks to their initial body-tempering foundation, had almost all reached early Qi Refining. Some with exceptional roots had already stepped into mid-stage, and the sect was pouring resources into them.
Sect Master Jian Chong, with the sect stable, began stockpiling war resources. He believed that no matter how long the great war lasted, it was better to be overprepared.
In the rear mountains, the sect's Zhēnzūn sparred in battle arrays, refining their tactics. They also guided cultivators in Void Refinement and Unity, who benefited greatly. Everything was proceeding in orderly fashion.
As for the Heavenly Demon Palace…
Since Mo Su took over as Palace Master, his style was forceful. He cleaned up the messy debts left by his master, offending some, but gaining more recognition from the sect. With Mo Yan Zhēnzūn backing him, no major trouble followed.
The Black Robe Guard, after Mo Yue's restructuring, had skyrocketed in combat power. Especially the Spirit Division cultivators who'd returned from the trial realm. Less than a hundred of them, but all gained greatly, and their mission efficiency had surged. Mo Zhang couldn't hide his satisfaction.