Jian Dan wasn't surprised in the slightest when the flying sword message arrived. In fact, it had come several days later than she had expected.
She retrieved the Heavenly Sword Sect's sword token and quickly imprinted her reply into it, then stood in place to wait.
Moments later, Jian Wu appeared before her.
"This is a fixed-point teleportation talisman. Crush it, and it will take you directly to Sword Artifact Peak. The place for tribulation crossing has already been prepared."
"Many thanks."
Taking the talisman, Jian Dan crushed it without hesitation. In the next instant, she appeared atop a mountaintop.
"Mò Xī, I'm going to offer the sword for tribulation. Anything else I should know?"
"Avoid using any defensive techniques. Let the heavenly thunder forge it. After the final strike, don't forget to drip blood and establish ownership."
"Alright, got it."
As she and the sword spirit communicated, Jian Dan pulled the secondary Mò Xī Jiàn from the top of her spatial mountain and tossed it into the air.
The moment it emerged, lightning split across the sky. It was as if the heavens had finally found the missing blade. Thunder fell without warning, the clouds scarcely even had time to gather.
"Well, someone's been holding it in for a while," Jian Dan muttered, half amused.
The Mò Xī Jiàn almost rolled its metaphorical eyes.
"Master, it's your sword. Could you not enjoy this so much?"
"That's exactly why I know it'll survive. We need to have faith in him."
Even as they spoke, nine golden tribulation bolts slammed down on the sword, one after another. Each strike sent the blade tumbling from the clouds.
Only then did Jian Dan step forward. She formed seals with her fingers, casting the final shaping hand seal, and flicked a drop of her blood onto the sword blade.
With her spiritual energy guiding the last shaping ritual, and the tribulation lightning finally dissipating, the Mò Xī Jiàn absorbed the last threads of thunder energy and let out a sharp, resonant hum.
The sword's shadow cleaved the sky, slicing through the remaining cloud layers above. Three breaths later, the image vanished.
At the same time, her spiritual link with the sword was established.
The Mò Xī Jiàn returned swiftly to her dantian, where it floated beside the original Mò Xī Jiàn. The newcomer drifted closer, only to be met with disdain from the older sword spirit. In the end, both blades hovered above the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram, where they began to be nourished by her energy.
Without waiting for the surrounding divine senses to arrive, Jian Dan crushed another teleportation talisman and returned to Sword Pool Peak.
Now that everything was properly settled, she considered this trip worthwhile.
She changed back into her black Manjushahua-patterned robe and sent a message to Mo Yi. The group met again at the base of the peak.
As soon as she arrived, Mo Yi led the black-clad guards over.
"Jian Ning, I've received an urgent summons from my sect. I'm afraid I must take my leave."
Jian Ning was surprised. Jian Dan had stayed in the Heavenly Sword Sect for no more than five days, which felt unusually short.
"I'll report to Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ at once…"
"There's no need for such trouble. Zhūnzhǔ has more important matters to attend to. Your seeing me off is enough."
With no other choice, Jian Ning led the group of ten cultivators toward the sect gate.
Once the group had walked off into the distance, a small head peeked out from behind a shrub. Maodou scratched his head as he watched Jian Dan's departing back.
"So that fairy sister was the demoness everyone warned about? But she didn't eat me... she even made my wish come true."
While he was still confused, his little companions began calling for him to help clean the sword pool. Maodou set aside his confusion for now and ran off to do his chores.
What he didn't know was that this brief encounter would lead Jian Dan to take him in as her first personal disciple once she returned to the Heavenly Sword Sect.
She would teach him her sword arts without reservation, and he would become the second sword genius in the sect after Tian Yun Zhēnzūn.
"This visit was brief and somewhat discourteous. Here is my calling card. If you ever travel to the territory of the Heavenly Demon Palace, feel free to visit me at Mo Ying Peak. I would be happy to host you."
Jian Dan handed over a calling card embedded with black silk patterns of Manjushahua blossoms.
"Thank you, Zhūnzhǔ. If fate allows, we shall meet again."
The golden chariot and flying horses at the mountain gate were already prepared. Mo Yi lifted the curtain of shimmering shark silk. Jian Dan stepped in with a light foot, just settling into her seat when a spatial fluctuation stirred the air at the mountain gate.
Jian Wan Zhūnzhǔ appeared. Though her face was calm, it was obvious she was not pleased.
"I appreciate Zhūnzhǔ's escort. My sect has called for me urgently. I'm afraid we must part here."
Before Jian Wan could reply, Jian Dan tore open a rift in the air. The unicorn-horned flying horse gave a sharp whinny and led the group into the void. The space behind them sealed shut instantly.
"Why wasn't I informed that Mo Yue was leaving?" Jian Wan's tone turned cold.
"Master, I only just learned myself. I barely had time to notify Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ before she reached the mountain base."
"Did she do something shady and flee in a panic?"
Jian Wan didn't hesitate to assume the worst.
Jian Ning was stunned. What had gotten into her master? Jian Dan had hardly exchanged a few words with her, yet the prejudice ran so deep?
If Jian Dan had been there, she might have said, "Some people's energy just clashes with yours. Best to treat them like air. The more attention you give them, the more they fixate on you."
"Jian Ning, return to the Discipline Hall."
At some point, Jian Li had appeared behind them. Jian Ning bowed and quickly took her leave.
"Senior Brother, do you think…"
"Jian Wan, enough of these baseless assumptions. As a master yourself, you ought to speak with more restraint."
Jian Wan's expression turned sour at the reprimand. Just as she was about to argue, Jian Li raised a hand.
"It's fortunate she didn't hear what you said just now. Otherwise, you would've had to settle it on the dueling stage."
"If she wants a fight, so be it. Am I supposed to be afraid of her?"
Jian Wan held her own pride.
"I'm afraid I'd have to collect your corpse afterward."
"Senior Brother, how could you belittle me like this? You think I can't win?"
Jian Li turned and gave her a long look.
"Are you confident you could defeat me?"
Jian Wan was taken aback, instinctively shaking her head.
"I fought her. Our chances were even."
With that, Jian Li vanished.
Jian Wan stood there, her expression uneasy, before she too disappeared.
Inside the void, Jian Dan was pleased she had chosen to act quickly. It saved her from yet another pointless confrontation.
The next time she tore through space, her carriage emerged over Huancheng City.
She didn't even bother to dismount. Under the awed gazes of the city guards, the chariot swept straight into the city.
"To the Bi family. I'd like to see an old friend."
Mo Yi received the order and led the way to the Bi residence.
That day, Bi Shu was particularly irritable. Not even her favorite male pet could coax a smile from her. Just as she was about to go out for some amusement, a servant came running in.
"Miss! Bad news! That demon cultivator who kidnapped you last time is... she's back! She wants to see you!"
"Tell Father to stop her! I'm leaving through the back garden!"
Bi Shu wasn't stupid. As soon as she heard the name, she knew her nemesis had returned. She shot up from her chair and grabbed a storage pouch, ready to flee.
"Bi Xiaoyou, are you angry that I haven't visited for so long? Is that why you're refusing to see me?"
That soft, melodious voice sounded like a dagger scraping against flesh in Bi Shu's ears. Her knees buckled, and she nearly collapsed on the spot.
But a fair, jade-like hand reached out and caught her before she could fall.
"No need for such formal greetings. Let's sit and talk."