"I get it now. Seems like Lingyun Continent's been full of excitement this past century, and I just happened to miss all of it." Jian Jun let out a soft sigh.
"That's why we came to pick you up, Senior Sister. Once we get back, you're gonna have to work harder than us."
Jian Dan grinned, her eyes curving mischievously. She loved nothing more than having fewer things to worry about.
Jian Jun lightly tapped her with his folding fan, laughing. She saw right through her thoughts, but she couldn't deny it—Jian Lu and Jian Li had done an outstanding job. Even if she had been there, she might not have done any better.
Even before they stepped into this place, the two of them had prepared thoroughly.
"My injuries have mostly healed. I plan to leave here and regroup with Senior Brother Jian Mao. You two couldn't have just walked in like this. How'd you arrange it?"
"We set a three-day limit. They're waiting outside for me and Senior Sister's signal. If they let us walk out, fine. If not, then they can't blame us for being ruthless."
Jian Dan didn't bother hiding anything. She laid out her plan, waiting for her decision.
"My deal with the Tan Song family was already completed, but Fairy Tan Song's been blocking me at every step. As for the others from Lingyun Continent, they know I was trapped here. They've already spoken with me. They're waiting until a year later when this place reconnects with the Immortal Realm before deciding what to do."
"What's their plan?"
"They don't want to stay trapped. They're planning to join cultivators from other continents and use the cross-boundary teleportation array to reach another continent first, then make new plans."
"Junior Sister, you guys never thought about heading straight to the Immortal Realm?"
"No one did. Taking shortcuts like that, who knows what's waiting on the other side? If we head to another cultivation continent instead, at least we'll still be considered strong. The difference is huge."
"And among those people, anyone planning to cling to the Tan Song family to head directly to the Immortal Realm?"
"I don't know. But I've already made my stance clear. I won't follow the Tan Song family."
Just as they were speaking, Jian Dan curved her lips into a sly smile and said to Jian Jun,
"Senior Sister, looks like Fairy Tan Song's getting impatient. She's already triggered the formation."
"Then it's time we left."
Jian Dan waved her hand, stowing away her array disk. Xiao Yue, who had just finished combing through the entire room, slipped back into the spirit beast pouch. This was their hidden trump card, and there was no way they could let Fairy Tan Song discover it.
Jian Jun pushed the door open. Outside stood Tan Songjia, her expression far from pleasant.
Tan Songjia had been confident. With Jun Qingfeng's two fellow disciples present, persuading her shouldn't have been difficult. Once she offered her prepared immortal pill, he'd have no choice but to obey. But three days had passed without the slightest response. Her expression had grown darker and darker.
The moment Jian Jun stepped out, she instinctively swept her divine sense over her. Her eyes flickered as her voice turned cold. "Qingfeng, your injuries are healed?"
"Yes. I should thank Fairy Tan Song for bringing my fellow disciples. They brought the sect's only immortal pill, and that's what healed my old wounds." Jian Jun's tone was calm and sincere as she thanked her.
Tan Songjia's sharp gaze swept over Jian Dan and Jian Jing, but she didn't act.
Jian Jun continued, "The agreement between Lingyun Continent and the Tan Song family's already been fulfilled. And thanks to Fairy Tan Song's protection, I've recovered most of my injuries. I can't stay here any longer. My fellow disciples came for me, and we must return to the sect."
"Qingfeng, you know my intentions. I gave you time to think, but your answer doesn't satisfy me."
Tan Songjia had never been humiliated like this. She had planned for her fellow disciples to persuade her, but instead they had stolen her chance, leaving her with fewer cards to play. Her tone grew colder.
"Then what does Fairy Tan Song intend?" Jian Jun's voice was calm.
"I told you. You and your fellow disciples will stay as my guards. I'll personally take you to the Immortal Realm." Tan Songjia still spoke loftily, convinced these lower-realm cultivators had no ability to resist her.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then you'll have no choice." A man's voice cut in.
"Big Sister, you're way too indecisive. If you want guards, why bother with all this nonsense? Just plant our Tan Song family's crest on her. Then she won't dare resist."
"Shut up. Don't think I don't know what you're plotting." Tan Songjia's tone was icy, and she didn't even spare her own younger brother any warmth.
But Tan Songyu didn't care. He chuckled and said, "Big Sister, it's been three years and she still hasn't agreed. You should've given up long ago. If you want to use her, then treat her with respect. Why use her injury and her departure as leverage? Now that he's healed, of course he won't agree.
If it were me, I'd have given her the immortal pill right away and found a way to send her fellow disciples out. Maybe then she'd have agreed to be your guard.
But since you missed your chance, you might as well brand her with the crest and be done with it."
Hearing this, Jian Dan lowered her eyes. Her gaze darkened. It wouldn't be easy to walk away from this.
"Young Master Tan Song and Fairy Tan Song certainly share a deep sibling bond." Jian Dan smiled lightly, then turned to Jian Jun.
"Senior Sister , since Fairy Tan Song insists on keeping you, we'll take our leave first."
"You two came here with me. If you anger Big Sister, you think you can just walk away?" Tan Songyu's tone was domineering.
Jian Dan, realizing she and her senior sister couldn't get away so easily, didn't get angry. She only smiled at him.
"Then where would Young Master Tan Song like us to go?"
"To my courtyard. I'll test your abilities myself. Then I'll decide whether you're better suited as cauldrons or as guards."
Jian Jing bristled, stepping forward in fury, but Jian Dan and Jian Jun held her back.
"Fairy Tan Song, must you really go this far?" Jian Jun's tone was still calm.
Tan Songjia's eyes flickered. She knew her brother was right—it was what benefited her most. She had already lost one chance, she wouldn't miss another. She stayed silent, which was as good as agreement.
Jian Dan noticed the look in her eyes and immediately said,
"Fairy Tan Song, Senior Sister only just consumed the immortal pill. The medicine hasn't been fully absorbed. Whatever decision you make, at least don't let her damage his foundation."
"Heh, seems you siblings care deeply for each other."
Tan Songyu chuckled. Jian Dan flashed him an elegant, radiant smile and stepped toward him. Jian Jing gave a small nod to her junior sister and followed close behind.
When the two women stopped in front of Tan Songyu, he blinked in surprise, then smirked.
"Well, at least you know your place."
He gestured for them to follow and turned to leave.
Watching the backs of Jian Jing and Jian Lu disappear, Jian Jun's brows furrowed. She gave Tan Songjia a glance, then returned to her room and reactivated the barrier.
This time, Tan Songjia immediately probed with her divine sense. She found Qingfeng sitting cross-legged on the ice bed, eyes shut in meditation, unmoving. She could only withdraw her sense and leave.