The people of the Purple Sky Sect knew that this time, the favor owed to the Heavenly Sword Sect was a big one. But in a place like this, they couldn't exactly repay it. All they could do was try to recover, so that when the next opportunity came, they wouldn't hold their team back.
So the five of them cleared a spot for themselves, sat cross-legged, and focused solely on restoring their vitality. With the help of the black sea pearls, their recovery sped up considerably.
Jian Dan pulled out the Immortal Realm map and studied it carefully. Compared to Lingyun Continent, the Immortal Realm was far larger. Its five major domains—east, west, south, north, and center—held countless immortal cities. The territories were vast, and the number of trial realms for cultivation was endless.
As she was examining the city distribution, Hou San came running in with news:
"Fairy Lu, the Bai sisters are here!"
Jian Dan finally lifted her gaze from the map and motioned for Hou San to let them in.
Bai Shuang and Bai Xia, the two sisters, had spent the time since Jian Dan's group had left tending to their own affairs. The elder sister, Bai Shuang, had focused on healing. After two days of absorbing the medicinal pill, most of her internal injuries were repaired.
Bai Shuang held the empty pill bottle and fell into thought. Bai Xia, knowing her sister was deep in contemplation, didn't disturb her.
Finally, Bai Shuang put away the empty bottle and said to Bai Xia:
"My injuries are about eighty percent healed. I've decided to join that fairy's team and go with them to their continent."
"Sister, I'll follow your lead!"
Bai Xia's reply was quick and decisive; she knew her sister wouldn't lead her astray.
Bai Shuang smiled. They tidied their stall a little, packed away the formation, and left.
The sisters checked in with familiar teams to get a sense of who knew about Old Mao's squad. Seeing that few had accurate information, they exchanged a glance and decided to pay a direct visit.
"Bai Shuang and Bai Xia pay respects to Fairy Lu!"
"No need for formalities, have a seat."
Once they sat down on the mats, Jian Dan addressed Bai Shuang directly: "Bai Shuang Daoyou, your injuries are healing well. Another day should see you fully recovered."
"Thank you for the medicinal pill, Fairy Lu," Bai Shuang said in her calm, clear voice, bowing slightly.
"No need to thank me. We all take what we need. The pill was just my deposit. So, have you two considered what to do?" Jian Dan held her butterfly-patterned golden calendula fan, smiling as she asked.
"Our Bai family's heritage cannot be passed outside the clan."
"Hmm, that's a shame. In that case, I won't put you in a difficult position. Just give me all the poisons you've prepared, and the corresponding antidotes. If any don't have antidotes, just mark them separately," Jian Dan said, pausing briefly before continuing, "Make me a list of what you want to exchange, so I can prepare it."
Bai Shuang and Bai Xia hadn't expected Fairy Lu to be so straightforward. They quickly agreed to the deal, and she didn't even haggle for their poison formulas, which left the sisters momentarily speechless.
Exchanging a glance, Bai Xia spoke first:
"Fairy Lu, we said the heritage can't be passed on, but we never said we couldn't help you!"
"Oh? Is that so? Maybe I was a bit impatient, but I have no intention of coveting your heritage."
"We understand. After all, poison cultivators aren't welcome everywhere," Bai Xia said, her expression dipping slightly.
Jian Dan only smiled and didn't respond.
"Our Bai family's heritage can't go outside, but we sisters can bring our skills and join your sect, as long as we can still take apprentices and preserve the heritage," Bai Shuang said, her calm voice stating the decision they'd made together.
"Are you sure? I've told you, our continent is being invaded by the insect horde. The coming years will be chaotic, wars nonstop. You might not even have a chance to ascend. Are you certain?"
"To be honest, the two of us are direct heirs of the Bai family. But because we're poison cultivators, we were rejected and framed, sent to this space by our elders who said there would be a way out for us here," Bai Shuang said lightly.
Bai Xia added, "We've been lying low here for two years. The team we joined before only wanted to use us to kill cultivators for profit. We didn't want to be someone else's weapon. My sister, despite her severe injuries, fought them off and broke free to come here.
Our aim in attending this trade gathering was just to get some healing pills for my sister. I never expected to meet you on the first day. It must've been fate. After discussing with my sister, we made this decision. As for the insect wars, we'll go and serve as part of your sect!"
The sisters bowed together, their determination clear.
"Since you've made your choice, we welcome you. Once you're ready, come join us," Jian Dan said.
"Good, Fairy Lu is straightforward. We'll come right after finishing up."
With the deal settled, they got up to wrap things up.
After they left, Jian Jing came to find his junior sister. "How did it go?"
"They agreed to join our squad and are willing to go back with us to Lingyun Continent."
"Nice, junior sister. You just went out once and brought in reinforcements."
"Aren't you worried they're poison cultivators?"
"Not at all. Poison is just a different path. As long as they don't cause harm, and follow their principles, once they join the Heavenly Sword Sect and are under its rules, they won't have the chance to go astray."
"You really see through everything," Jian Dan said.
"You should prepare robes for them. Their current outfits won't fly with the senior brothers," Jian Jing added with a chuckle. Jian Dan smiled and rummaged in her storage ring. She was used to these little morale-boosting gestures.
When Jian Mao's group returned, they welcomed the Bai sisters into their team without hesitation. With their nerves still tingling, the sisters received gifts from the team: black robes, black armor, and a pendant with a black sea pearl. Finally, they felt at ease.
They quickly adapted, changing into the new robes and armor, tidying themselves, and greeting the Heavenly Sword Sect members properly. They also gave everyone, including Kuang Dao and Hou San, a small "white stone" about the size of a quail egg.
"These 'white stones' can be carried on your person. If anyone poisons you, it'll absorb the poison immediately. The color change shows the toxicity: black is mild, colorless is lethal. Even we can't counteract the colorless ones," Bai Xia explained.
"You can also fuse them into your gear when you return to the sect; the effect is the same."
The sisters' explanation made it clear this was a unique Bai family treasure.
"Thanks a lot, Bai sisters. Welcome aboard."
On the fourth day of the trade, the Chengzu, Jidu, and Fuhu squads all came to the team at the Bingsi stall.
At first, they thought they were at the wrong place when they saw the Bai sisters, who had changed their outfits. After confirming, they realized the sisters had joined this team.
"Interesting!"