The eight captains of the War Hall had been standing in the Law Enforcement Hall's main chamber for three full days. Jian Dan had not left either, directing Jian Wu, Jian Sheng, and Qi Hua nonstop to handle most of the recent affairs.
Jian Dan planned to visit the Buddhist Sect soon. Matters involving evil cultivators required the intervention of a great expert from the Buddhist Sect, so he pushed himself to quickly wrap up the Law Enforcement Hall's business.
Among the three, Jian Sheng was the happiest. Jian Lu Zūnshàng diligent handling of the backlog made Jian Sheng's work much easier. Some decisions could only proceed once the hallmaster made the call.
Qi Hua, who came and went from the hall daily, was quite curious about the test results of these eight Void Refinement Zūnzhě. She glanced at them every time she entered or exited.
On the fourth day, at the Chen hour, Jian Dan finally finished reviewing the pile of jade slips on the desk. He then took out a teleportation talisman from his storage ring to make his daily report.
"Senior Brother Jian Li, when will you emerge from seclusion? I have already handled most of the Law Enforcement Hall's affairs. I plan to make a trip to the sect soon."
Jian Sheng, who was eavesdropping nearby, twitched at the mention of the Zūnshàng. He wondered what Jian Lu Zūnshàng was planning this time.
Suddenly, a Void Refinement Zūnzhǔ in the main hall stirred with spiritual fluctuations. Their eyes snapped open, and in the next moment, they were already holding their soul sword, ready to strike.
Jian Dan had long noticed this and smiled.
"You have already left the testing space!"
The cultivator scanned with divine sense, found themselves still standing in the Law Enforcement Hall's main chamber, then sheathed their sword and bowed to Jian Dan.
"I failed to meet your expectations, Zūnshàng. I was struck in the last battle."
"The last battle was a group fight. All eight of you were in the same space, but you were at the front and were the first forced out."
With Jian Dan's explanation, the remaining seven captains gradually regained awareness from the test. They had all experienced the same thing as the first. The spiritual fluctuations in the hall became unusually active.
Jian Wu, Jian Sheng, and Qi Hua instinctively edged closer to Jian Lu Zūnshàng. The combined pressure from the eight Zūnzhě was overwhelming, making the three uncomfortable—even if the pressure was not intentionally directed at them.
The eight steadied their spiritual power and fixed their glowing eyes on Jian Lu Zūnshàng.
The Tianjian Squad captain stepped forward first and saluted Jian Dan.
"Zūnshàng, may we enter the testing space again? Are there even tougher levels ahead?"
The Tianjian Squad was the top among the nine War Hall squads and also the strongest. Their captain was the last to be kicked out of the testing realm.
"Still addicted to it?" Jian Dan smiled.
"Yes. Although it's an illusion, it feels very real. The insect types and their attack methods are diverse. We have learned a lot."
"As War Hall captains, you represent the sect's strongest forces. That's why I had you tested, so I could devise a plan to improve our combat strength."
"Command us, Zūnshàng."
The eight cupped their hands and bowed, acknowledging Jian Dan's authority as War Hall hallmaster.
Jian Dan nodded and waved, producing eight black beetle shells.
"To do your work well, you must first sharpen your tools. These are the shells of giant black beetles I killed in Black Wind Ravine. Use them to upgrade your soul swords. It will increase your swords' durability and attack power."
"Thank you for the gift, Zūnshàng."
"Don't thank me yet. When you return, have your subordinates upgrade their soul swords too. You can exchange for shells at the mission hall."
"Yes."
"As for you, take a short seclusion, cultivate, and level up. Then report back to the War Hall."
"Thank you for your care, Zūnshàng!"
All eight showed signs of imminent breakthrough. After receiving permission, they bowed and left the Law Enforcement Hall, teleporting to seclude themselves.
The three onlookers clicked their tongues in awe. Standing in the hall for three days had already boosted their cultivation. They wanted this kind of fortune too.
"Enough. Stop envying. Focus on your own cultivation. One day, you will have your chance."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Seeing Jian Dan finish his work, Jian Sheng stepped forward to report the discovery of the blood pool cavern in the Ziyu Mountain Range.
After reading the jade slip, Jian Dan told Jian Sheng,
"Tianyue Squad performed well on their mission. Make a note to reward them when they return."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I have recorded it."
"Good job on this. Have them continue patrolling the remaining Heavenly Sword Sect cities, especially the mountains near cities with frequent cultivator traffic."
Jian Dan pondered and added,
"After the eight captains finish their short seclusions, assign each to lead a team to patrol a city. Tianjian Squad will stay at the sect. No need to assign patrols to Tianshu City. Under the watchful eyes of Zhēnzūn, their claws can't reach that far."
"Yes, Zūnzhǔ."
Jian Dan took the jade slip and teleported directly to the back mountain to report to Tian Yun Zhēnzūn.
Back Mountain Restricted Area
"Jian Lu pays respects to Tian Yun Zhēnzūn!"
"Sit down. I expected you to come soon—sooner than I thought."
Jian Dan smiled lightly and explained what had happened in the Ziyu Mountain Range, the measures taken, and then added,
"Zhēnzūn, I think this matter should be reported to other sects, including the Loose Cultivator Alliance."
"You believe there's more than one blood pool cavern?"
"Yes. This blood pool cavern seems alive and mobile. We were lucky to destroy one. Others might still exist."
"Very well. Have Jian Chuan notify the others in the sect's name."
"Yes, Zhēnzūn."
Jian Dan agreed and then asked,
"Zhēnzūn, has Cloud Sea Sect replied?"
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn glanced at Jian Dan, then grew serious.
"Your guess was confirmed. Hai Yan of Cloud Sea Sect's Undersea Prison was a puppet clone with a fragment of his soul attached, imprisoned in the undersea prison. He has already been killed by Cloud Sea Sect."
"That day, during the battle with the evil cultivators, a Zhēnzūn exposed his identity. They must have checked after the war."
"Indeed. So when Yun Yun received my inquiry via flying sword, she was not surprised and quickly replied."
Sighing, Jian Dan scratched his head. That opponent was clearly determined to fight the entire continent to the death. Faced with death and entry into the Immortal Realm, he naturally chose the side that benefited him most.
"Don't rush. The person escaped from Cloud Sea Sect, so they bear responsibility. They must be more worried than us. Also, I informed Yun Yun about the suspected next moves. I trust they will make their own judgments."
"Yes."
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn took a sip of spirit tea. Jian Dan promptly refilled the cup with great care, then said,
"Zhēnzūn, I've mostly handled the Law Enforcement Hall affairs. I plan to visit the Buddhist Sect."
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"In a hurry?"
"Ha! Not entirely. I plan to take disciples from the Tongzi Hall to visit the Buddhist Sect for experience. Also, the evil spirit sealed in the 'Evil Seal Bottle' is no permanent solution. I want to offer merit to the Buddhist Sect and either redeem or eliminate the spirit. Plus, the injured Golden Core cultivator trapped in the Ziyu Mountain Range is probably recovering there. We can bring them back together."
After saying this, Jian Dan looked at Tian Yun Zhēnzūn with hopeful eyes.
"You've got a full schedule. How many days?"
"Ten days."