After the grand assembly dispersed, all of Kunwu’s peaks were shrouded in beautiful scenery.

The lively atmosphere of festivities had faded, finally revealing the serene tranquility of an immortal blessed land.

Ancient trees coiled around steep rocky cliffs, with occasional waterfalls cascading down. In this peaceful setting, they added a few sounds that made the place seem even more tranquil.

Jian Chou walked along the path, observing the scenery, feeling completely at peace.

These past few days, like the others, she had been staying in the accommodations arranged by Kunwu, focusing on cultivation.

She had originally broken through during the small assembly’s competitions, forming her Golden Core, but had never had time to stabilize her realm. Now with time to organize everything properly, both her insights from battle and that momentary vision on the One-Person Platform were all clearly understood.

Though she had only cultivated for a few days, not only had her cultivation stabilized, but it had also made significant progress.

As she walked, her steps were steady and her face calm, yet people could sense that subtle sharpness about her, like a precious sword constantly waiting to be unsheathed.

Even walking silently along the path, she would draw sidelong glances from Kunwu disciples along the way.

Many would stop and respectfully call out “Grand Senior Uncle” before continuing on their way.

From this, Jian Chou could see that the relationship between Kunwu and Yashan was indeed quite good.

Following the stone steps upward, Jian Chou soon saw the great hall ahead.

Wu Duan, the third true disciple under Master Hengxu, saw her from afar and came over to greet her, smiling: “Senior Sister has arrived. At this moment, Master and Elder Fudao are speaking with the two Jianzhu Sect disciples in the hall. Everyone will probably have to wait a bit longer.”

Jian Chou looked up toward Yihe Hall and saw several shadowy figures indeed within.

There were also several figures standing outside the hall, all people familiar to Jian Chou.

Xia Houshe still wore his usual expression of being poor at dealing with people, standing to the side. Seeing Jian Chou arrive, he glanced over with his eyes.

Young Master Ruhua held a small fan in his hands today. Perhaps Kunwu’s propriety couldn’t accommodate the eight charming maidservants by his side, nor could it allow him to carry that flower palanquin around Kunwu, so today Young Master Ruhua stood alone.

Nevertheless, seeing Jian Chou, he still revealed a meaningful smile.

Jiang Wenchao gave a light nod.

The other two were simpler—one was Zuoliu, holding that blue booklet, gnawing on his finger with a tightly furrowed brow, seemingly pondering some difficult problem.

Even now that Jian Chou had arrived, he unusually hadn’t noticed.

Jian Chou thought to herself that this was good—it would be best if he never noticed her.

Xiao Jin was different, holding a watermelon and making continuous crunching sounds. Hearing that Jian Chou had come, he quickly looked up and called out: “Senior Sister Jian Chou!”

Jian Chou smiled at him, winked, then glanced at Yihe Hall ahead.

Xiao Jin immediately understood and quickly covered his mouth, afraid of disturbing those inside.

Jian Chou then walked back to the front of the hall with Wu Duan.

These were all people who had entered the third trial—presumably there was something to discuss.

Kunwu had given everyone time to rest and recover, and judging that enough time had passed, they sent someone to invite them to Yihe Hall.

On the day of the small assembly, when Fudao Shanren struck with the Imperial Heaven Seal, taking the life of Jianzhu Sect’s Fairy Zhuxin, it had ultimately stirred up quite a commotion.

But it seemed that neither Fudao Shanren nor Master Hengxu cared much about what others said.

Jian Chou gazed at the hall, her brow slightly furrowed.

Wu Duan was familiar with her, and having witnessed her secret battle with Zhou Chengjiang on Nine Head River, he considered their relationship different from ordinary people, so he readily stood beside Jian Chou.

Noticing her gaze, he lowered his voice: “When Senior Brother Qu… when Qu Zhengfeng destroyed Jianzhu Sect that day, he gave them three breaths of time. Those with kinder hearts he spared, not killing them all. In the Cloud Sea battle, those who came were all Zhuxin’s trusted confidants, so few survived. However, counting both internal and external disciples, Jianzhu Sect still has about thirty percent of their disciples unharmed.”

Jian Chou listened and looked toward him.

Wu Duan continued: “A sect cannot be without a leader. During Senior Sister’s closed-door cultivation these past days, you may not know—Master and Elder Fudao have already selected Junior Sister Jiang Ling as Jianzhu Sect’s new sect master. I hear Junior Sister Jiang Ling has had dealings with Senior Sister, so you probably understand her character better.”

Jiang Ling…

So this was how the Jianzhu Sect matter was ultimately handled.

Now those of Zhuxin’s faction were probably nothing but bones and dust, and there was no one left in Jianzhu Sect with authority to speak. Having Fudao Shanren and Master Hengxu step forward to smooth over this matter was naturally most appropriate.

As for the person taking over as sect master, Jian Chou thought briefly, remembering Jiang Ling’s behavior protecting Zhou Baozhu beneath Yashan’s Sword-Drawing Platform in the past.

“Kind-hearted and quite strategic, daring to speak and act. With some experience, she would be a good choice.”

Presumably Fudao Shanren had also taken a liking to this aspect of her?

As for what Master Hengxu thought, Jian Chou didn’t know.

Wu Duan naturally didn’t understand the full situation and nodded upon hearing this, just about to smile and ask something more when he suddenly heard “Go then” from within the hall. Turning around, he saw the figures of the two Jianzhu Sect disciples appear.

Jiang Ling’s eyes were slightly red, her face somewhat pale, but her gaze was quite determined.

She wore plain clothes, holding the Jianzhu Sect master’s seal with both hands as she slowly walked out.

Looking up and seeing Jian Chou, she bowed: “Senior Sister Jian Chou.”

Behind her followed Shang Liaofan, whose face also showed some haggardness.

From the Black Wind Cave expedition, he had also met Jian Chou, who had used the alias “Wuchou” at the time. Now seeing Jian Chou, he also bowed: “Senior Sister Jian Chou.”

These two people, strictly speaking, weren’t very old, their faces still showing some youthfulness.

Now that Fairy Zhuxin and Jianzhu Sect’s top-level elders were gone, they had to shoulder the burden of an entire sect—the pressure was probably considerable.

Strictly speaking, this wasn’t really a joyous occasion.

However…

Jian Chou lowered her eyes slightly, her expression calm, only giving Jiang Ling a helping gesture as she said: “Washing away old ink to paint new landscapes—this can be considered a good thing. Congratulations, Sect Master Jiang.”

Wu Duan glanced at Jian Chou.

Jiang Ling was also startled, remembering Jianzhu Sect’s past actions, thinking of those sect elders who had cultivated the Insufficiency Manual but ultimately gained nothing, making it all like drawing water with a bamboo basket.

When Fairy Zhuxin had led a group to storm Kunwu that day, demanding so-called “justice,” she had wanted to use Qu Zhengfeng’s destruction of Jianzhu Sect to ruin Elder Fudao’s reputation, so that at the upcoming sect assembly, she could successfully remove Elder Fudao from his position as Law Enforcement Elder and grasp the Imperial Heaven Seal.

Only her master probably never imagined such an outcome.

Though it was chaotic outside, Jiang Ling’s heart was clear about what kind of people that group really were, whether they died innocently or deservedly.

Hearing Jian Chou’s words, Jiang Ling didn’t know whether to feel melancholy or relieved.

Since Master Hengxu and Fudao Shanren were summoning those from the third trial, there was probably business to discuss. She shouldn’t linger long, only showing an extremely faint smile, her eyes hiding some timid bitterness.

“The sect is currently in troubled times. Having newly received the appointment from the Master and Shanren, Jiang Ling must quickly return to Jianzhu Sect to handle various matters. I bid farewell to Senior Sister Jian Chou.”

“Take care, Sect Master Jiang.”

Jian Chou cupped her hands, watching as she and Shang Liaofan left one after the other down the mountain path until they disappeared from sight.

Wu Duan stood behind her, somewhat sighing: “I feel like she quite admires you, yet you’re politely distant with her?”

“Though she’s certainly a good person, I’m not very familiar with her.”

For Jian Chou, this was merely a chance meeting.

Moreover…

“Though Yashan is currently under criticism, those receiving even more criticism are probably her and Shang Liaofan. Above Cloud Sea, only these two emerged completely unharmed, and now they’re returning with the heavy responsibility of sect leadership—there will probably be those within Jianzhu Sect who won’t accept them. She may admire me, but I must respect that she’s now a sect master.”

Among those remaining in Jianzhu Sect, most were people of pure intentions.

However, there were probably also quite a few cowardly and greedy people. Such people were accustomed to causing trouble within sects. Though no one would dare say anything about a Jianzhu Sect master appointed by the two great powers of Kunwu and Yashan, the details might be another matter.

Jian Chou’s considerations had their own reasoning.

Wu Duan hadn’t thought this deeply before.

As disciples of Yashan and Kunwu, wherever they went in the Central Domain, they were probably respected by others.

If Wu Duan were in Jian Chou’s position, when Jiang Ling called her “Senior Sister Jian Chou,” he would only reply “Junior Sister Jiang Ling,” not realizing that the other party’s status had already changed to that of a sect master…

His gaze fell back on Jian Chou’s face, and Wu Duan suddenly remembered when he had met her at the Great Dream Reef in the Western Sea in the past—Jian Chou had just been a Yashan disciple traveling with Qu Zhengfeng, not particularly noteworthy.

But now standing before Yihe Hall, her conversation already showed brilliant wisdom.

With a seven-aperture exquisite heart, comprehensive thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and bearing the honor of being the One-Person Platform champion, she was truly a worthy “Yashan Senior Sister” now.

Young Master Ruhua beside them sighed admiringly: “What a cold-hearted woman. Even when faced with such a delicate flower, you show no pity…”

Delicate flower…

Jian Chou gave his flower-embroidered robes a cool glance. Was he referring to himself?

“Wu Duan, bring them into the hall.”

Just as the few people outside seemed about to create “undercurrents,” Master Hengxu’s peaceful voice came from within the hall.

The people outside immediately became solemn.

Seeing that Zuoliu was still immersed in his little booklet with a thoughtful expression, Xiao Jin quickly elbowed him: “Let’s go!”

Only then did Zuoliu react, hastily putting away his things and following along.

Wu Duan led the way, gesturing for everyone to enter the hall.

This hall was located at the highest point of Kunwu Mountain and had always been where Kunwu people held their regular discussions. Just inside the door near the entrance stood a bronze cauldron, and walking further in revealed mirror-bright black stone flooring carved with intricate patterns. Eight immortal cranes holding lamps stood gracefully on both sides of the great hall.

Above the hall, Fudao Shanren and Master Hengxu stood side by side, watching the group that had just entered.

“Paying respects to Master and Elder Fudao.”

Wu Duan bowed first.

Behind him, Jian Chou, Xia Houshe, Young Master Ruhua, Jiang Wenchao, Zuoliu, and Xiao Jin—six people in total—also bowed: “Paying respects to Master Hengxu and Elder Fudao.”

“Please rise.”

Master Hengxu’s gaze swept over them. These six were all talented individuals who had entered the third trial of this year’s small assembly, though none came from Kunwu.

He smiled slightly: “In this assembly, you six performed excellently, and your cultivation ranks among the best of your generation. Today I’ve gathered you here to discuss the matter of Qingfeng Monastery’s hidden realm.”

“Several years ago, when Fengmo Sword Sect cultivators crossed the sea, they discovered a hidden realm left by a great master cultivator in a seaside Qingfeng Monastery on the mortal island. Our Central Domain has sent three waves of cultivators to enter it, all returning empty-handed.”

Master Hengxu gradually explained the hidden realm matter.

“The most recent time, our Kunwu and Yashan sects sent Qu Zhengfeng, a disciple under Fudao Shanren, and Xie Buchen, a disciple under me—one at Nascent Soul stage, one at Foundation Establishment stage—to explore the hidden realm together.”

Jian Chou was aware of this matter.

However, Qu Zhengfeng’s betrayal of Yashan was something she hadn’t anticipated.

Undeniably, hearing this name mentioned again stirred strange feelings in her heart: back then at Guihe Well, when she received that mayfly’s letter, Qu Zhengfeng had said “what is righteous and what is evil”—was this now proven true?

Fudao Shanren stood beside him, listening to Hengxu’s calm, almost waveless voice, and boredly yawned.

From his demeanor alone, one couldn’t see any effect that Qu Zhengfeng’s betrayal of Yashan had on him.

However, after Master Hengxu’s next words, he rolled his eyes in disdain.

Master Hengxu said: “Unexpectedly, Qu Zhengfeng had already developed demonic intentions, scheming against my disciple within the hidden realm, causing him severe injuries. The hidden realm was also damaged by him and can now only withstand the pressure of Golden Core stage cultivators.”

“Jianzhu Sect discovered the secrets of the Nine Curves River Map within the hidden realm. Now, having searched their entire sect, the River Map is nowhere to be found—it has probably already fallen into Qu Zhengfeng’s hands.”

“Within the hidden realm, Qu Zhengfeng must have discovered some secret that drove him to commit such treacherous acts.”

The Nine Curves River Map—when Jianzhu Sect’s Fairy Zhuxin had revealed its existence on Cloud Sea Plaza, this object was destined to stir up bloody storms in the Central Domain.

Carrying the River Map while betraying Yashan…

This “Junior Brother Qu” wouldn’t have easy days ahead.

Jian Chou thought this calmly, though her face remained peaceful. Having heard this much, she roughly understood why Master Hengxu had summoned them here.

Indeed, Master Hengxu smiled slightly and continued: “Besides you six, my disciple Xie Buchen, though he has already formed his Golden Core, and Lu Xiangleng from Baiyue Valley are currently on their way back to Kunwu. Today I’ve summoned you all to dispatch you to explore Qingfeng Monastery’s hidden realm. When Buchen returns, having previously entered the hidden realm, he can guide you all and re-enter the hidden realm, which should eliminate some dangers along the way. Consider this expedition your training after the small assembly.”

After his words fell, the blood flowing through Jian Chou’s body suddenly stopped for just an instant.

Slowly raising her head, Jian Chou saw only Master Hengxu’s peaceful expression and profound gaze, no different from usual.

It was as if he didn’t know that these two people harbored a deadly grudge.