"You are harsher and more unrestrained than Senior Sister Jian Jun."
Jian Wan's thoughts had been hit squarely. She didn't refute it—at their cultivation level, that kind of insight was expected.
"I'll take that as a compliment. I am unrestrained because I have no ties holding me back, but that doesn't mean I have no bottom line or principles."
By now, Jian Wan had recovered from her initial shock. She didn't believe the Fu family had been completely wiped out—after all, they were a long-standing cultivation clan.
As for their involvement in evil cultivation, she had always suspected the family was hiding something from her. Still, she never guessed it involved evil cultivators. She had thought the clan was simply growing disloyal to the sect. For nearly a century, she had used the excuse of being stuck at her current realm to remain at the Heavenly Sword Sect, seldom returning home.
Just as Jian Lu had said, the Fu family was both her shackle and her support. Her cultivation up to this point had been sustained by their resources. Even if it turned out she wasn't truly of the Fu bloodline, she had to find out why.
"If you ever feel like causing trouble for me, Jian Lu, I'll be here."
With that final parting line, Cotton Candy carried its master back up from the cliffside to the law hall's front.
"Senior Brother Jian Pan, sorry to trouble you. I've already met with Jian Wan. This is my thanks."
Jian Dan swept her sleeve, setting down a neat row of wine jars on the table, each filled with spirit wine she had brewed herself.
Jian Pan hadn't expected a gift. Clearly, this acting Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall understood courtesy. He made no pretense of refusal and simply swept all the jars into his storage ring.
"Senior Brother, there's something I don't understand and want to ask."
"Speak."
"Wasn't Jian Wan sentenced to meditate in isolation for a hundred years? How did it become fifty?"
"The Law Enforcement Hall's decree was fifty years. If you want to increase her sentence, that's possible too."
"Oh? How?"
Jian Pan had only been speaking casually, never expecting her to actually pursue a longer sentence.
"You just need the Hall Master's order token."
Jian Dan reached into her storage bangle and brought out the Hall Master token given to her by Tian Yun Zhēnzūn, handing it to Jian Pan Zūnshàng with a smile.
"Increase Jian Wan's meditation to a hundred years."
Jian Pan's mouth twitched, but he accepted the token. From the pile of jade slips on his desk, he selected one, modified it with his spiritual power, and finally tapped it with the Hall Master's token to mark it. He handed the token back to Jian Dan.
"Much obliged, Senior Brother. I'll be leaving now. When you have time, you're welcome to visit my cave abode on Tianyue Peak."
"Very well, thank you for the invitation, Junior Sister. I'll come by when I can."
By the time Jian Dan reached the base of Heavenly Punishment Peak, word of Jian Wan's extended sentence had already reached Jian Sheng. Puzzled, he investigated and discovered that Jian Lu Zūnshàng had personally used the Hall Master's token to issue the command, prompting him to contact Jian Ning directly.
Law Enforcement Peak
When Jian Dan stepped into the main hall of the Law Enforcement Hall, Jian Sheng and Jian Ning had already been waiting for a while.
Jian Dan took her seat. Jian Ning stepped forward to salute, about to speak, but Jian Dan waved her sleeve to interrupt.
"I just saw Jian Wan and exchanged a few words. She still doesn't have her head straight, so I decided she can come out after a hundred years of meditation instead."
Even Jian Ning's usually composed face twitched at that. Beside her, Jian Sheng rubbed his forehead.
"Zūnshàng, isn't this—"
"You mean autocratic? So be it. In any case, it's decided and cannot be changed." Jian Dan's tone was calm.
Jian Ning's worry deepened, but she didn't know how to voice it. She had originally come to plead for Jian Wan's life, not expecting the punishment to be extended instead.
"Jian Sheng, how many Fu family soul lamps has the Intelligence Hall collected?"
"Zūnshàng, aside from the four still burning for the fugitives, there are three that have already gone out."
"Replace the blood essence in those extinguished lamps and keep them for later use."
The order left the two baffled.
"I told Jian Wan that she isn't truly of the Fu family's blood, which is why I spared her. She doesn't believe me. She'll investigate. Just be ready."
Realization dawned for Jian Ning—this was Zūnshàng's roundabout way of saving her master's life. She immediately stepped forward in gratitude.
"Many thanks, Jian Lu Zūnshàng."
"Don't thank me yet. I've bought us time, but she may not believe it completely. The first thing she'll do after leaving Reflection Cliff will be to come question you."
"I'll be prepared, Zūnshàng, you needn't worry."
"Hmph. The entire sect knows she and I don't get along. I'm not worried for myself—I'm worried for you. That extra time is for your sake."
"This…?"
"This time, when Senior Brothers Jian Xu, Jian Li, and I advanced, you also benefited from the spiritual rain. Your cultivation should be right on the edge of breaking through, isn't it?"
"Yes. Jian Sheng and I have both been suppressing our breakthroughs, hoping to leap directly into the Divine Soul stage next time."
"No need to wait. When Qi Hua arrives tomorrow, hand over your duties and go into seclusion. Try to reach Void Refinement before your master walks out of Reflection Cliff."
"Zūnshàng, do you think everyone can advance like you? A hundred years to reach Void Refinement is still a tall order." Jian Sheng spoke up for her.
"Don't worry. You don't call me Zūnshàng for nothing. I extended her sentence and pushed you to advance for two reasons. First, Jian Wan knew of the Fu family's dealings with evil cultivators but failed to report them. Second, I worry she might make a reckless move when she gets out—and you won't be able to resist."
Jian Dan tapped her finger on the table, turning to the silent pair. She looked directly at Jian Ning.
"This time, because you pleaded for her, and because she had no direct hand in the evil matters, I took the roundabout way to spare her. Whether she appreciates it or not, you'll have to bear the consequences."
"Thank you for thinking of me, Zūnshàng. She is my master—whatever happens, I will accept it. I'll go into seclusion tomorrow and work to meet the goal you've set."
"Good. But closed-door cultivation alone won't raise your power quickly enough. When you emerge, report directly to the War Hall and join a combat unit to sharpen your strength."
"Yes, and thank you for planning so thoroughly for me."
Once Jian Ning left, Jian Dan turned to Jian Sheng.
"Just inform Zhēnzūn about this matter. Don't let the news spread."
"Understood."
After giving that instruction, Jian Dan took out a communication talisman, speaking into it.
"Senior Brother Jian Li, since you weren't here today, I went ahead and handled the Jian Wan matter."
She sent the message and then asked Jian Sheng, "When do you think Senior Brother Jian Li will leave seclusion?"
"Likely soon. Zūnshàng needn't worry. With the sect's abundant spiritual energy, stabilizing his realm won't take too long."
"You said that yesterday too." Jian Dan sighed.
"That's because you asked the same question yesterday," Jian Sheng replied with the faintest smile.
"Tch. Can't even give me something to look forward to. All right, let's get through today's hall affairs."
She picked up a jade slip to read through reports, asking, "No news yet from the 'Tracking' Hall? They still haven't found the two missing teams of Golden Core cultivators?"
"Not yet. They're still searching and will report immediately if there's any discovery."
Yaoguang City
Jian Gui and Yue Liang also traveled by teleportation array, taking three days to reach Yaoguang City.
Jian Gui had Yue Liang hide within the wide sleeve of his robe. After stepping out of the great hall housing the teleportation array, he did not head straight for the Heavenly Sword Sect's local station.