The flying sword letter from Heavenly Sword Sect had mobilized the sects across Lingyun Continent. Some well-informed cultivator families even recalled their disciples and arranged patrols of their clan territories.
Fewer cultivators ventured out alone for trials. Most formed small teams, reporting suspicious findings immediately to nearby major sects, cultivator families, or large cities. It was indeed a Loose Cultivator Alliance disciple who discovered a blood pool cave in the Lingyun Mountains.
Qian Wanguan Zūnzhǔ volunteered to lead his disciple Kuang Dao and a squad into the Lingyun Mountains to wipe out the blood pool.
The Loose Cultivator Alliance also wanted to show their power. Kuang Dao struck first, cutting all the vampiric vines shielding the area. Then they shattered the defense of the absolute spirit stones and opened the blood pool entrance.
Sure enough, Qian Wanguan found the blood pool described in the letter. It seemed alive, writhing as if trying to drag them in as nourishment. They kept their distance and bombarded the pool with attack talismans until it was destroyed.
In the dark underground cave, beneath the evil cultivator Hai Yan, a brown-red vein snapped. His face paled further.
"Who's there!!!"
A hoarse and rough voice echoed through the cave, but no one answered.
The young disciples, after their initial excitement over the past two days, began their daily cultivation routine.
They ran laps on the deck every day, then practiced swordsmanship. At night, after returning to their cabins, they cultivated under the watchful eyes of their guards. Every seventh day, they soaked in the body-refining potion, eagerly waiting for the ship to land so they could begin mountain trials.
Since everyone was gathered, Jian Dan didn't want to waste time. Every other day, she gave the juniors a lesson lasting one hour, mainly covering trial experience and practical tips.
"You are all late-stage Qi Refining cultivators now. Perhaps none of you have personally hunted a spirit beast yet!"
Jian Dan leaned against the couch, gently fanning herself with a silk fan, speaking calmly.
"Yes, Zūnshàng!"
The young disciples answered in unison.
"Why are you so confident in your answer?"
"Hehe!" A chorus of embarrassed giggles followed.
"I know your starting point is high. Some things are handed to you without needing to lift a finger. That's not wrong. But you need to at least learn how to acquire cultivation resources by yourselves when no one's around to help."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
"Now, I'll share some points to keep in mind when traveling the cultivation world."
The juniors took out their beast leather notebooks and began to take notes carefully.
"First and most important: Never flaunt your wealth. Cultivation is tough. Not everyone has abundant resources. Some unscrupulous cultivators will set their sights on others' wealth."
"Zūnshàng, you mean we should hide our spirit stones and treasures, keep a low profile, and not show off how many spirit stones we have when outside?"
Yu Jiajia was the first to stand and speak.
"Yes, Jia Jia. What you're wearing today is enough for an ordinary cultivator to cultivate from Qi Refining to Golden Core."
Jian Dan smiled.
Jia Jia tugged her pink fairy dress and glanced at her magical boots. She immediately understood Jian Dan's meaning. After saluting, she sat back down.
Seeing everyone understood, Jian Dan continued,
"Second, be cautious when choosing teammates. While out on trials, you'll often team up with other cultivators. Choose carefully or your teammates may stab you in the back instead of helping."
"Zūnshàng, if it's fellow disciples from our sect, it should be safe, right?"
"That depends on your own judgment."
Jian Dan winked with a smile.
"Lastly, always leave yourself an escape route, or a trump card. Don't trap yourself with no way out."
Some of the juniors understood clearly, others were confused but took notes anyway, planning to ask their elders later.
"To be blunt: if you encounter an enemy you can't defeat, don't be stubborn. Run if you have to. Staying alive is what matters most!"
"Zūnshàng, isn't fleeing like that damaging the Heavenly Sword Sect's reputation?" Zhao Yunhai shook his head, questioning.
"You still know the sect's reputation! Then I ask you: with your current cultivation, can you defeat me, your Zūnshàng?"
Zhao Yunhai frowned.
"Definitely not."
"Then what else can you do but run?"
The juniors suddenly understood and quickly noted this down.
Jian Wu, Qi Hua, and the guards tried to keep their expressions neutral. Zūnshàng teaching juniors to run away felt a bit awkward.
Jian Dan didn't mind. The cultivation world was brutal. It was better they realized this early. No one could protect them forever; they would eventually walk this path alone.
After the final lesson, the flying ship landed steadily beneath Putuo Mountain.
After disembarking, Jian Dan waved to store the ship away, then told everyone,
"You twenty-one will split into two teams to train in the Qi Refining zone. Try to hunt a spirit beast, any kind. Meet here at the same time tomorrow."
"Yes, Zūnshàng!"
The juniors' faces lit up with excitement. Given permission, they grouped quickly.
"Your job is to protect them from the shadows. Unless their lives are in danger, do not intervene."
Jian Dan addressed the twenty guards accompanying them.
"Yes, Zūnshàng!"
"I'll wait for you in Baima City at the foot of the Buddhist Sect."
"Yes!"
The twenty-one divided into two teams. One was led by Yu Jia Jia and Yu Zongfan; the other by Jia Yushu and Zhao Yunhai.
After grouping, Jia Jia and Zongfan pulled out ordinary robes from their storage bags, covering their treasures to hide them.
The others copied, hiding their aura and donning plain robes over their usual attire.
Jia Yushu hesitated, gripping the white jade sword pendant at his waist.
"Keep your sword pendant on for now. When you need to perform undercover missions, then hide it," Jian Dan smiled, stopping him.
These kids were clever, catching on quickly.
They nodded and prepared to enter the mountains.
Though their disguises seemed childish to Jian Dan, she didn't expose them. Smiling warmly, she watched them enter the outskirts of Putuo Mountain Range before turning toward Baima Temple.
Jian Wu and Qi Hua accompanied Jian Dan in her teleportation light, arriving swiftly at the city gate.
Baima City lay beneath the Buddhist Sect. At the gate stood two tall white horse statues, giving the city its name. Guards checked jade identity talismans. One line was for ordinary cultivators entering the city, another was for high-ranking cultivators without lines.
Jian Dan led the two directly through the high-ranking entrance.
"Amitabha. A friend comes from afar, is it not a joy? Jian Lu Zūnshàng, it's been a while," a Buddhist cultivator approached. His expression was solemn, wearing a green monk's robe with a red kasaya over it, bowing with a Buddhist salute.
"Master Li Kong, long time no see. Your cultivation has advanced again!" Jian Dan smiled warmly, returning the greeting with a cupped hand.