Jian Dan once again embedded a life-saving talisman into Jian Miao's body for her protection. She bestowed a storage bag containing materials for setting up a cave abode, along with a separate storage bracelet. It was an infinite-capacity spatial storage device, beautifully inlaid with pink space stone and wrapped in delicate silk filigree. Inside were the same items Jian Feng and Jian Chong had received earlier.
Jian Miao loved the gift at first glance, her eyes sparkling. After acknowledging it as her own through a drop of blood, she slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, then went off with her two Senior Brothers to choose a mountain peak to call her own.
About a quarter of an hour after the three disciples left the area, Jia Zhēnzūn arrived to visit Jian Dan. He was accompanied by Yu Jiajia and Zhao Yunhai, both of whom followed closely behind him.
Mo Ran and Jade led the three visitors into the quiet cave abode. After Jade served fragrant spirit tea to the guests, she withdrew from the main hall.
With her round fan held in her hand, Jian Dan looked toward the guest and directly asked Jia Zhēnzūn, "What decision did Yushu make?"
"Yushu is willing to give it a try," Jia Zhēnzūn said in a deep voice, his expression somber.
"Good, I understand. The Beast Taming Sect's Yu Yan Zhēnzūn's disciple, Shou Chan, happened to come to Tianyue Peak as a guest with my little disciple Xueru earlier today. I have already invited her to lend a hand with the process. When the time comes for the procedure, Yushu will suffer a bit less," Jian Dan explained.
Hearing her speak with such certainty, the weight on his heart eased slightly, though half of it still hung in the air with lingering worry.
"Then when will—"
"Shou Chan is currently communicating with her Master to ensure everything goes smoothly. I am waiting on her to finish before we proceed," she replied.
"Alright, then I will wait and see," the man replied.
After the two finished speaking, it was Yu Jiajia and Zhao Yunhai's turn to step forward and salute.
"Yu Jiajia greets Tian Lu Zhēnzūn."
"Zhao Yunhai greets Tian Lu Zhēnzūn."
"Good, sit down and talk," Jian Dan said.
Yu Jiajia had grown into a stunning Nascent Soul female cultivator over the years. Her attire was proper and elegant, with careful attention paid to every detail of her appearance. The white Zhēnjūn robe she wore set off her noble aura even more, making her look like a celestial maiden.
Zhao Yunhai had also matured into a young man. He carried a hint of refined elegance in his posture and looked far steadier than he had in his youth. He wore a Zhēnjūn robe as well, with the same white jade sword pendant hanging at his waist as the one Yu Jiajia carried, symbolizing his status as an elite disciple of the sect.
"Zhēnzūn, you are finally back," Zhao Yunhai said.
The moment he spoke, all that refined aura collapsed instantly, making his companion roll her eyes at him in exasperation. He ignored the look completely and only greeted Jian Dan.
"What, do you want me back so I can keep drilling you with training?" she teased.
"Heh heh. After getting Zhēnzūn's body refining prescriptions, we finally understood how profound they are over the course of the past two years. Of course we are willing to keep refining our bodies with you," he said.
He wiped the smile off his face and continued, "If it weren't for the foundation of body refinement, Yushu might not have been able to endure the excruciating pain of his spirit roots dissolving."
As soon as those words fell, her expression turned solemn as well. She put away the smile she had worn when she first saw Jian Dan. After all, she had grown up with Jia Yushu. Seeing him suffer like that naturally left her heart heavy.
"If only I hadn't smashed that bottle of pills when I did," she said, blaming herself for the situation.
"Jiajia, whether you smashed the pill bottle or not has nothing to do with this outcome. Since the other party already had malicious intent in their hearts, they had considered everything from the start. It was precisely because you broke that bottle early that they exposed their true colors.
That is why the people who entered that blessed cave abode to explore managed to survive. Have you thought about the alternative? If those pills had actually entered those cultivators' mouths, what would the outcome have been?"
After hearing Jian Dan's analysis, her expression finally eased a little.
"Zhēnzūn, if Yushu replants his spirit roots, what will happen to his cultivation?" Zhao Yunhai asked immediately. He cared deeply about his brother's strength and future.
"After replanting his spirit roots, Yushu will definitely have to switch cultivation methods, and the new spirit roots will need time to be nurtured within his body. I will do my best to help him adapt to the change. Even if his cultivation level drops during the process, he can cultivate it back in time," she explained.
After explaining the consequences, she turned back to Jia Zhēnzūn.
"During the period when he is rebuilding his cultivation, the situation will be critical. I am worried he might develop a heart demon from the setbacks. You will need to keep a closer eye on him during that time," she warned.
"That is only natural. While Yushu is switching his cultivation methods, Jian Lu Senior Sister will also need to put in extra effort to guide him," Jia Zhēnzūn said.
"I will," she replied.
The group chatted on and off in the hall. She knew they were anxious for news, but some things couldn't be rushed. She talked about her group's varied experiences in a corner of the Immortal Realm to pass the time.
It was the first time all of them had heard these stories. He had heard rumors before, but hearing the truth directly from the person involved was a first for him. He listened carefully to her words and even asked about the specific conditions in that corner of the Immortal Realm. She answered his questions patiently, letting them all understand that even the Immortal Realm was a place where strength ruled over all.
While they were talking, Jian Miao and Shou Chan's bright escape lights landed outside the cave abode. Jian Feng and Jian Chong followed closely behind them through the air. The four of them entered the cave abode and greeted Jia Zhēnzūn and the others who were already present. Everyone's gaze focused on Shou Chan as she stepped forward.
Shou Chan steadied herself before speaking to the group. "I have communicated with my spirit beast, Bai Chan. She is willing to give it a try. But I have to make this clear to everyone first. If the attempt fails, you cannot blame me or Bai Chan for the outcome. My Master only told me to do my best for you," she stated clearly.
Jian Dan smiled slightly at the girl and said calmly, "If anything really happens during the procedure, the responsibility won't fall on you. I am still here to intervene."
She then gave the man a look. He understood her meaning immediately and said, "If Shou Chan Xiaoyou lends a hand, my Jia family will remember this favor. If there is truly an accident, it will simply be Yushu's personal tribulation to bear."
Since they had reached an agreement, no one delayed the matter any further. They all mounted their escape lights and headed straight for Tianhua Peak together.
This time, only the three of them—Jia Zhēnzūn, Jian Dan, and Shou Chan—entered the inner chamber. Everyone else stayed behind in the reception hall to wait.
Moments later, the young man's parents arrived as well. Both of them were at the late stage of Divine Soul cultivation. The man was handsome, while the female cultivator appeared gentle and graceful in her movements. Their son perfectly inherited the best traits of both parents.
After greeting the younger generation present, the two parents remained in the reception hall with worried expressions on their faces, their divine sense constantly sweeping over the inner chamber to check on their son.
Inside the chamber, after Jia Zhēnzūn cast his spell to rouse him, Jia Yushu finally regained consciousness.