The moment Jian Dan landed, she scanned the area for Brother Parrot—the little troublemaker had never left her side since they met.
Above her, the sky looked as though someone had upended a basket of dumplings—one cultivator after another was falling from purple beams of light, crashing to the ground below. For a brief moment, Jian Dan felt the immense pressure of a Mahayana-stage cultivator. It lasted only an instant, but it was enough to send weaker cultivators to their knees, trembling and unable to rise. When the pressure finally vanished, those who had just arrived looked stunned, too shaken to move without orders.
Jian Dan didn't hesitate. The moment the pressure lifted, she resumed her search. At last, near the edge of the island, she spotted Brother Parrot flailing in the seawater. She quickly performed a water manipulation spell and drew him safely to her side.
"Are you alright?"
The words escaped both of them at the same time.
"I'm fine!" they replied in unison again.
Above them, the purple light pillars were growing fewer and fainter—until at last, no more cultivators fell from the sky.
At that moment, Jian Dan felt a powerful divine sense lock onto her. Her body tensed; she dared not move. Silently, she tucked Brother Parrot back into her robes and turned to face the one watching her.
Floating in the air stood a man in white robes embroidered with subtle dark patterns. He held a white-feather fan in one hand and wore a crown of polished jade. His swordlike brows and starlit eyes, paired with a high nose and calm gaze, made him look like a figure from an immortal painting. His eyes now rested squarely on Jian Dan.
She lowered her gaze and bowed with the other cultivators on the island.
"Greetings, Senior."
A moment later, the air tore open like paper, and a white-haired elder in grey robes stepped out of the void.
"Bai Jue, why didn't you wait for me?" the elder asked with an easy tone.
Bai Jue stepped back slightly and offered a proper salute.
"Greetings, Elder Yin. I was worried for my younger brother and came ahead."
Out of the corner of her eye, Jian Dan recognized Elder Yin as the man who had once received her at the Treasure Pavilion.
"Brother!"
A joyful cry burst from Jian Dan's chest. Brother Parrot peeked out from her robes and spotted Bai Jue hovering in the air. He flapped his small wings and flew toward him without hesitation.
Jian Dan was left muttering in frustration, "You little traitor…" She grumbled, but in truth, she felt relieved. At least someone had come to take Brother Parrot home.
The bird circled Bai Jue excitedly, then perched on his shoulder and rubbed his beak against his brother's cheek, and then chirped excitedly: "Brother! I can cultivate now!"
A rare smile appeared on Bai Jue's otherwise expressionless face. He gently patted the bird's head and replied in kind.
"Good. I know."
"You have to thank Xiao Zhuzi for me. She's the one who helped me."
"I will. Say your goodbyes—we're leaving soon."
"Alright…" Brother Parrot drooped slightly, his wings wilting as he flew back to Jian Dan.
He landed lightly in her palm, reluctant to speak.
"My brother's come to take me back to the clan," he said softly. "I don't know when I'll see you again."
Jian Dan felt an unexpected pang of emotion. Despite his noise and mischief, the little guy had kept her company through thick and thin. It had made the journey less lonely.
She stroked the feathers on his head, then removed a storage pouch from her waist and tied it around his neck.
"This is my gift to you. When you return, cultivate properly. I know it's hard for beastkin to advance—their path is slow and steep. But don't be impatient. Take each step with care. Alright?"
"I will. Just... wait for me. When I grow stronger, I'll come find you."
"I'll be waiting, Brother Parrot."
He rubbed his head against her palm one last time, then took off toward Bai Jue. As he did, Bai Jue extended his hand and sent a crimson jade pendant, shaped like a phoenix, floating toward Jian Dan.
"This is a token of gratitude from the Bai Clan. It can save your life once. If you bring this to our territory, I will fulfill one request—anything—on your behalf. Just once."
Jian Dan accepted the pendant with both hands and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Honored One. I'll make good use of it."
She glanced at Brother Parrot, then met Bai Jue's eyes.
"Brother Parrot… he's a good one."
"I know," Bai Jue said calmly.
With that, he and Brother Parrot vanished from the sky.
A moment later, Elder Yin swept his sleeve, his voice calm but firm.
"There's been an accident in the secret realm. All of you, come with me."
His sleeve expanded, swallowing the remaining hundred survivors—Jian Dan included—before depositing them onto a massive cloud-skimming airship.
"Each of you, find a room and rest," Elder Yin announced. "The elders of each sect will conduct individual inquiries."
Everyone was still shaken by their escape. No one protested. They quietly filed inside.
Within the main cabin, Elder Yin sat at the head of the table, speaking to the representatives of the various sects.
"I'll take the liberty of conducting these inquiries myself."
The sect leaders had no objections. They nodded their assent.
The first to be questioned was Dan Yang Zhēnzūn of the Pill Sect. A Mahayana-stage alchemist, he wore red robes embroidered with gold thread, with a golden pill cauldron stitched at the collar. His square face and thick brows gave him a presence that exuded quiet authority.
Though usually proud, Dan Yang Zhēnzūn had no choice—he'd lost to Heavenly Sword Sect's Tian Hong Zhēnzūn, and had been left behind to explain the situation.
"The Mahayana-level secret realm was attacked. The space became unstable and ruptured for about two breaths' time. Then it self-repaired—but in doing so, it drew energy from our surrounding space. That triggered the automatic evacuation mechanism on the Purple-Rank Tokens, and those of us in the formation were forcefully transmitted out."
The gathered elders exchanged private transmissions, voices hushed but urgent.
"The Lingyuan Continent won't remain peaceful for long…"
Elder Yin stroked his snowy beard and let out a long sigh.
--
Jian Dan still felt a lingering sense of loss.
Brother Parrot was mischievous, but clever. He had been well protected by his elder brother and, though simple-hearted, wasn't foolish.
Because Jian Dan had never used him or treated him as a tool—but instead as a companion—he had grown fond of her.
She knew if he ever realized she had raised him like a pet, he'd likely throw a tantrum.
But for now, she simply whispered to the sky:
"Fly safe, Brother Parrot."
[Notes]
Let's broke down their naming term:
Dan Yang Zhēnzūn, and Tian Hong Zhēnzūn.
"Dan" and "Tian" in here coming from their sect name "Dan Sect" or "Pill Sect" and "Tianjian Sect" or "Heavenly Sword Sect"
"阳" (Yáng) and "鸿" (Hóng) are their taoist name. Usually when cultivator reach higher realm (currently I forget about the specific realm) they will take a 'taoist name' to represent them. The name that they take is a 'word', it can be chosen by themself, or granted by their elder.
"阳" (Yáng) have meaning positive (electric.) sun, male principle (Taoism), concerned with living things, etc.
"鸿" (Hóng) have meaning grand (adjective), swan goose (noun), letter (noun), etc.
and "真尊" (Zhēnzūn) is the formal, more neutral title for Mahayana Stage Cultivator
This set of naming usually used in formal event or situation.