"What happened? I didn't hear any commotion over here."
Jian Dan asked calmly.
"It was Jian Wan Zhūnzhǔ's youngest disciple, who got into a dispute with another registered disciple, Pi Jūnshàng, over vying for her favor."
"That's hardly unusual. This kind of thing happens everywhere."
When a Master has too many disciples, conflicts like this are bound to arise. After all, the more favored ones receive more cultivation resources and better opportunities.
So Jian Dan spoke indifferently, and Ting Feng didn't argue. Instead, he continued, "The two got into a fight, and somehow ended up disturbing Jian Wan Zhūnzhǔ while she was still in seclusion recovering. When she came out, she overheard them shouting insults at each other. No one knows exactly what was said, but whatever it was, it infuriated her."
"Heh. Must've struck a nerve. Otherwise Jian Wan wouldn't have gotten angry."
Jian Dan said it lightly, as though the outcome was inevitable.
"How was it dealt with in the end?"
"Pi Jūnshàng was sent to reflect on his actions at the Reflection Cliff. As for Fu Yao, he was taken away by her clan."
"Got it."
Ting Feng had just left when Jian Sheng arrived.
"Zhūnzhǔ, I've finished processing the information you gave me yesterday. I've entered it all into the Intelligence Hall records. Currently, we've only found a return route from the Di Ling Empire back to the Lingyun Continent. No way has been discovered to travel to the Di Ling Empire."
"I got there through a spatial rift last time, so it's not surprising there's no formal path here."
"I've marked the area I came out from—near the Storm Sea. Arrange a long-term surveillance task. If anything goes wrong, someone is bound to try crossing the Storm Sea again to seek help."
"Zhūnzhǔ, why are you so certain?"
"When I left, I gave the Buddha Son of Yunzhong Temple my name card and a message talisman."
"I understand. I'll have the Tracking Hall follow up."
"Thank you."
After reporting his progress, Jian Sheng glanced at Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ. Jian Dan smiled and asked casually, "What's the situation with Jian Wan?"
"The word is: Pi Yao had some twisted thoughts about Jian Wan Zhūnzhǔ. Fu Yao knew but didn't expose him. Instead, she even helped him gain her favor. No one knows what kind of agreement the two made, but they ended up clashing over Yue Liang. Their exchange was overheard by Jian Wan, and that's what set her off."
"Oh? Yue Liang was involved too? What happened afterward?"
"Jian Wan crippled Pi Yao on the spot. Fu Yao barely escaped with her life—she was only spared because Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ rushed in just in time. He was sent back to her clan. Afterward, Jian Wan Zhūnzhǔ went back into seclusion."
"Then it's nothing serious. Jian Wan Zhūnzhǔ isn't fragile. She'll think it through. At her level of cultivation, she's seen and been through enough already."
"Yes, I understand."
Jian Sheng left Tian Yue Peak and returned directly to the Law Enforcement Hall.
"Zhūnzhǔ, I just got back from Tian Yue Peak. I've already briefed Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ on what happened with Jian Wan Zhūnzhǔ."
Jian Li set down a scroll and chuckled.
"You went through all that trouble? I bet Jian Lu didn't let a single crack show."
"No, Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ only asked about the final outcome."
"If you could figure it out, others can too. The key is that Jian Lu left no evidence, no leverage for anyone to use against her."
"Indeed. Even the head of the Punishment Hall personally inspected the scene. No traces of spellcasting. Pi Yao showed no signs of being controlled. His soul was intact."
"The only times they crossed paths were once at the 'Hundred Beast House' in the market at the base of the mountain and again on the day of Jian Wan's duel."
"That's enough. You don't need to investigate further. Leaving someone with those kinds of motives around Jian Wan would only bring her harm."
"Yes, I understand."
"We're heading to Cloud Sea Sect in a few days. Are all preparations complete?"
"Among the participants, a few are still in seclusion to advance their cultivation. Should we reserve their spots?"
"If they're not out by the departure date, consider it their own decision to forfeit. You can't have both fish and bear's paw. Any vacant spots should go to those next in line."
"Understood."
"Make sure to inform the Sect Leader as well. And notify Jian Lu too."
"I've already given Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ the mission token, but she hasn't yet claimed the sect's provisions for the task."
"Don't worry. She may forget other things, but she'll never forget to collect her supplies."
Two days before departure, Jian Dan brought Yue Liang with her to Tinjian Peak to collect the mission supplies.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ."
Yu Yuanhai spotted her from afar and immediately called out as she entered the hall.
"Steward Yu, I'm here to collect the supplies for the mission I'm leading. Here is my task token."
She handed over her jade-green Zhūnzhǔ token.
"Understood, Zhūnzhǔ. Please wait a moment."
After verifying the information, Yu Yuanhai went into the inner hall and returned with a green storage ring, handing it over.
Jian Dan swept her spiritual sense over the contents. Everything was in order. She put the ring away and asked offhandedly, "What class of warship can I operate now?"
"High-grade."
Yu Yuanhai paused after answering, then asked in surprise, "Zhūnzhǔ, are you requesting a ship change?"
"Can I?"
"I'll need to request approval before I can give you a definite answer."
"Fine. I'll wait here. Go ahead."
With a resigned sigh, Yu Yuanhai went back into the inner hall to report to the Disciplinary Hall. Since it involved a high-grade warship, only Jian Li could authorize it.
Jian Li rubbed his temples. Jian Lu always had a way of stirring things up. But her instincts were sharper than anyone else's.
"I understand. Do as Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ asked. Set the control permissions for two users. I'll send you the details."
"Yes, Zhūnzhǔ."
Jian Dan waited calmly in the main hall. After all, requesting a high-grade warship wasn't a trivial matter. It had to be approved through several layers of authority.
The sect mission itself wasn't particularly difficult—just showing up and holding the line was enough. But because of that message jade from Jian Jun Zhūnzhǔ, she wasn't quite at ease. She planned to swing by Zixiao Sect afterward.
While she was deep in thought, another person entered the hall. Seeing Jian Dan standing alone, the woman approached and asked, "Excuse me, Shimei, do you know where Steward Yu went?"
The woman's voice was soft and melodic. She stood about 1.7 meters tall, dressed in the standard Heavenly Sword Sect robes of a Zhūnzhǔ, and was accompanied by four attendants.
Jian Dan turned to look. The woman had delicate features—a classic oval face, large round cat-like eyes, and her cultivation had already reached the late Void Refinement stage.
"Senior Sister will have to wait a bit. Steward Yu is preparing the sect's provisions for me."
"Oh? So you're Junior Sister Jian Lu."
Jian Dan nodded with a faint smile. "And you are?"
"I'm Jian Wan's junior. My name is Jian Yu."
Jian Dan offered a respectful salute. Yue Liang, still perched on her shoulder, also raised her front paws in polite greeting to Jian Yu Zhūnzhǔ.
"Is that your spirit companion?"
Clearly, the woman was making small talk, trying to keep the conversation going.
"Yes, Yue Liang is my partner."
"I heard that one of Junior Sister Jian Wan's registered disciples had his eye on Yue Liang and even asked you to give her up."
"There was a minor misunderstanding. It's already been resolved. From what I've heard, Senior Sister Jian Wan wasn't pleased with that disciple and sent him to the Reflection Cliff."
"Oh? I hadn't heard that. Could there be some misunderstanding?"
Feigning confusion, Jian Dan tilted her head. "That, I wouldn't know. You'd have to ask Senior Sister Jian Wan yourself."
Before the other woman could press further, Yu Yuanhai emerged from the inner hall. He bowed as soon as he saw Jian Yu Zhūnzhǔ, who merely nodded in return.
Jian Dan accepted the new storage ring and, after seeing the three-tiered warship inside, gave a satisfied nod.
"Thank you, Steward Yu.
Senior Sister, I'll be going ahead."