Jian Dan was summoned for questioning seven days later.
During that time, she had thoroughly reviewed the events from beginning to end, uncovering several anomalies. Given her memories from a past life, she had a sinking feeling that a great calamity was quietly brewing beneath the surface.
Elder Yin greeted her with a genial smile.
"We meet again, little friend."
Jian Dan bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Senior. This junior is Shan Yunzhu."
"Very good. Tell us in detail about the state of your minor realm."
"Yes."
Jian Dan withheld nothing about what had occurred—except for her own acquired fortuitous encounter. Everything else she explained in full detail.
"You mentioned that during your 'Heart-Testing' phase, you saw space collapsing and came under attack. Describe this carefully."
"This…"
"Is it difficult?"
"Rather than explain in words, allow me to recreate it for the honored elders."
She closed her eyes. When she opened them again, spiritual energy coursed through her as she slowly conjured an illusion, faithfully recreating the scene she had witnessed.
When the spell ended and the image faded, none of the elders present spoke. Instead, they exchanged sound transmissions in silence.
Jian Dan didn't need to know what they were saying. That ominous sense of danger she had felt since leaving the secret realm still lingered like a shadow in her mind.
"That will do. We understand the situation. You may leave now."
"This junior has one more matter to report. It is only a conjecture of mine, but perhaps it may be of use to the seniors."
Elder Yin stroked his beard. A glint flashed across his eyes, though his voice remained steady.
"Speak."
"While escaping the Foundation Establishment minor realm, we were pursued by a black mist. Those enveloped by it seemed... controlled, turning on their allies."
"Indeed."
"I suspect the mist contained parasitic insects."
"Oh?"
"Oh?"
"This junior hails from the mortal realm. In the deep mountains there, there exists a reclusive tribe of humans skilled in nurturing gu insects. Each cultivator raises a single insect throughout their life. These creatures live within their host's body, growing alongside them. Upon reaching adulthood, they accompany their masters into the wilderness, protecting them from wild beasts."
"Moreover, these insects can lay eggs in other people. When the eggs hatch inside the new host, they fall under the control of the mother insect—effectively turning the victim into a puppet."
Elder Shou Feng of the Beast Master Sect nodded in agreement.
"Such gu insects do exist in the mortal realm. Our sect once bred one—it was the life-bound beast of our Yu Yan True Sovereign. No one else has succeeded in raising another since. I believe True Sovereign Yu Yan hails from the very lineage you speak of."
"It's a lead, at least. Anything else?"
"Nothing further for now."
After answering all of the elders' questions, Jian Dan retrieved a sealed white jade box from her storage pouch.
"This junior obtained a fortuitous encounter in the secret realm—a batch of Purple Heart Fruit. I harvested ten in total. I consumed one while inside, which helped me advance from late-stage Qi Refinement to late-stage Foundation Establishment. I now offer the remaining nine to the sect, in exchange for protection. I do not seek a personal master—only a place among the outer disciples."
She offered the jade box respectfully with both hands.
None of the seated elders responded immediately. Each was lost in their own calculations.
The Purple Heart Fruit was priceless—allowing a seamless, bottleneck-free advancement for cultivators below Nascent Soul. Every sect had struggling juniors who'd benefit.
And with the looming crisis, faster cultivation was paramount.
Elder Hai Yue of the Cloud Sea Sect batted her long lashes and spoke with a soft laugh.
"Young Friend Shan shares fate with our Cloud Sea Sect. She even aided Han Pengfei, grandnephew of Yun Yun Zhēnzūn. Han Pengfei himself praised her. Having a familiar face would ease her integration—he'd be delighted to have her join."
Elsewhere, Han Pengfei—meditating to stabilize his late Foundation Establishment cultivation—suddenly shuddered, jolting from his trance. "Why do I feel foreboding...?"
Elder Xiao Die of the Purple Sky Sect gave a warm chuckle.
"Elder Hai Yue, you miss the mark. Since young friend Dan seeks to join a sect, cultivation progress should come first. I have observed her spellwork—meticulous and skillful. Her path in Dao cultivation is bright. She would be a perfect fit for our Purple Sky Sect, which specializes in Dao techniques."
Another elder chimed in,
"I believe the young friend has some understanding of insect-type beasts, and today she provided a valuable lead. She should join our Beast Master Sect. There, she can deepen her study of beast taming, which will aid her in battle. She may not become invincible, but she will at least be able to protect herself."
Seeing Cloud Sea, Purple Sky, and Beast Master Sects compete, the other sect elders quickly joined in, each attempting to recruit Jian Dan.
Only the demon sect elders remained calm, certain she would never choose the demonic path. As for the beastkin clans, their representative, the Bai Jue, had already left, taking their people with him and skipping the inquiry altogether.
"Enough," one elder finally said. "Let's not squabble. Since she seeks protection, it should be her choice. Jian Dan, you may consult the leader of the sect you wish to join."
"…Understood."
After a moment's hesitation, Jian Dan stepped forward and approached one of the only two female True Sovereigns present.
She respectfully offered the white jade box with both hands.
"This junior, Shan Yunzhu, wishes to enter the Heavenly Sword Sect. I humbly ask for Zhēnjūn's permission."
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If this also have same naming title, then "True Monarch" (真君, Zhēnjūn) is title for Nascent Soul/ Yuanying cultivators