Judgment at Law Enforcement Peak

Hua Zhēnrén could only watch as Jian Dan's fist shattered her Golden Core. In the blink of an eye, her youthful form withered into that of a frail old crone. A sharp scream escaped her lips before she collapsed, unconscious.

By the time Tian Wu Zhēnjūn stepped out from his concealment, it was too late to intervene. He looked at the four Foundation Establishment cultivators before him, his eyes pausing briefly on one in particular—his assigned surveillance target.

"Outer disciples He Jintang (Shan Yunzu, Kong Yu, Cao Chenfeng) of Jian Yue (Jian Ming) Peak, pay respects to Zhēnjūn!"

"Return to the sect with me."

With a flick of his sleeve, Tian Wu Zhēnjūn summoned a spatial pocket, gathering the four of them along with the unconscious Hua Zhēnrén and transporting them back to the Law Enforcement Peak, one of the nine great peaks of the Tianjian Sect.

Once they landed inside the grand hall, none of them dared speak. They stood with lowered heads, backs straight and hands folded, silent as statues.

Seated at the head of the hall was none other than Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ. Holding a folding fan in his hand, he turned to Tian Wu Zhēnjūn and said with a calm smile, "Tian Wu, what is this? Causing a scene in my hall?"

Tian Wu Zhēnjūn's brows twitched. Of all the people to be on duty today, it had to be Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ—someone who seemed easygoing, but was known to enjoy stirring chaos. Calculating and sharp, he was the kind of person the other Lords preferred not to provoke.

"Greetings, Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ," Tian Wu Zhēnjūn said with a respectful bow. "These disciples got caught up in some trouble, so I brought them back. I'll handle the matter myself. No need to trouble you."

"It's no trouble at all." Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ tapped his fan lightly against his palm. "Why don't one of you tell me what happened?"

His tone was warm, and his features looked gentle and refined, showing no sign of annoyance. He gave a light wave toward the four standing below.

Clearly, this was the first time any of the four had ever stood before a high-ranking cultivator of the sect, especially in the dreaded Law Enforcement Hall. Even the usually unshakable Cao Chenfeng kept his mouth shut. With unspoken agreement, the three boys took a simultaneous step back, subtly pushing Jian Dan to the front.

Jian Dan rolled her eyes at them and cursed silently, "Spineless traitors."

Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ, watching their subtle reactions, couldn't help but smile. "You may speak," he said, nodding at Jian Dan.

Jian Dan gave a slight bow before calmly recounting the events. "This morning, the five of us had planned to visit the 'Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion' in Tianshu City to choose some new sect robes. While there, we ran into Kong Zhēnrén and Hua Zhēnrén. Kong Zhēnrén denied rumors about becoming Dao partners with Hua Zhēnrén. Her expression darkened, and she insisted that Kong Zhēnrén escort her back to the sect."

"Senior Sister Feng seemed to be in a low mood as well. She said she wanted to wander on her own for a while. When Hua Zhēnrén left, I noticed she flicked some Shadowgrass juice onto Senior Sister Feng's skirt. I felt uneasy, so I dragged my three junior brothers to wait along the return path."

"Eventually, Senior Sister Feng appeared, but she was clearly injured. Not long after, Hua Zhēnrén arrived and brought along a fellow Tianjian Sect disciple. She intended to let him ruin Senior Sister Feng's purity. Thankfully, Kong Zhēnrén showed up in time to save her. Hua Zhēnrén then killed the disciple to vent her anger. Afterward, she discovered our concealment array and tried to kill us as well."

Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ gently tapped his fan against his palm again and glanced at Tian Wu Zhēnjūn. Tian Wu Zhēnjūn nodded in confirmation.

Then Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ looked at Hua Zhēnrén, who had already regained consciousness but was feigning unconsciousness on the floor. He turned his gaze back to Jian Dan, his voice soft.

"Why didn't you kill her?"

"She had a life-saving talisman. We couldn't finish her off. Junior Brother He also said she was a guest of the sect and deserved a little face."

"Face is earned," Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ said with a light smile. "If she chose to throw it away, we're under no obligation to pick it up for her. Next time, if you encounter someone like her again, remember to uproot the weeds completely. Understand?"

"I will remember your teaching, Zūnzhǔ," Jian Dan answered respectfully.

Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ casually flicked his fan. A wisp of sword aura, silent and sharp, struck Hua Zhēnrén. She screamed in pain, followed by an angry voice that seemed to echo through the hall:

"Who dares harm my descendant?!"

A wave of Divine Soul stage pressure spread throughout the hall. But before it could land on anyone, Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ waved his fan once more. The pressure scattered like smoke, then recoiled onto Hua Zhēnrén, reducing her to dust in an instant.

Far away, within a secret training ground of the Hua Clan, Hua Qingshan suddenly experienced a violent backlash. The spiritual energy in his body went into chaos, and he coughed up blood. His Nascent Soul within his dantian weakened drastically. His cultivation dropped from late-stage Divine Soul to mid-stage in a flash.

Ignoring his condition, he immediately sent a flying sword transmission to the Hua Clan members stationed at Tianjian Sect, ordering them to return at once.

Back in the Law Enforcement Hall, Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ remained composed as ever.

"That's enough. The rest will be handled by the Law Enforcement Hall. You four may return."

He paused and added, "Shan Yunzu, hand over the evidence you collected."

"Yes."

Without hesitation, Jian Dan reached up and touched her left earlobe, removing a small stud earring and offering it with both hands. With a flick of his fan, Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ caught the earring on its surface.

"You may leave."

The four bowed and exited the hall quietly.

Afterward, Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ turned to Tian Wu Zhēnjūn. "That girl—she's your assigned target?"

"She is."

"You suspect something?"

"When the first-generation Patriarch ascended, he left behind the war spirit, 'Cotton Candy.' It's recognized her as its master."

"Oh?"

At this, Jian Jun Zūnzhǔ's hand paused slightly, the earring still balanced on his fan. For the first time, a trace of expression appeared on his face.

"How badly is Nianyue injured?"

"She nearly lost her cultivation foundation."

"Tian Yun Zhēnzūn is due to ascend within the century. We can't allow any gaps for opportunists. You know what Tianjian Sect will face if we lose a Mahayana."

"I understand."

"Give Kong Qiankun a black mission order. Exterminate all Hua Clan cultivators at or below the Golden Core stage."

"Yes."

"Use my Zūnzhǔ's Command. Deploy a unit from the War Hall to wipe out the Hua Clan stronghold. Let them understand the cost of scheming against the True Venerable of Tianjian Sect."

==

"Sovereign" (尊主, Zūnzhǔ) is title for Void Refinement stage, usually they also have "King" (之王, Zhīwáng) as alternative. But for this, until now, I still didn't know about the difference between the two title.

Just like Mahayana stage that have 3 known title so far: "Great Ascendant" (大乘天尊, Dàchéng Tiānzūn); "Supreme Ancestor" (太上祖师, Tàishàng Zǔshī); and "True Venerable" (真尊, Zhēnzūn).

Tiānzūn (天尊): This term is used for Mahayana cultivators from different sects or lineages, reflecting respect without implying close association.

Tàishàng (太上): This term is reserved for Mahayana cultivators within one's own lineage, sect, or clan, reflecting both respect and a deeper connection. It's often preceded by "Elder" to indicate closeness, such as "Elder Tàishàng"

Zhēnzūn (真尊) is the formal, neutral title for Mahayana Stage Cultivator.

Here's the analogy:

Tiānzūn is like calling someone "Excellency" or "Your Grace".

Zhēnzūn is like calling someone "True Master" or "Venerable Sage" without assuming loyalty.

Tàishàng is like "Grand Elder" or "Patriarch" from your own family or house.