The Melody of Rebirth

It had already been a full day since Jian Dan and her group had parted ways with Luo Kong Zhēnrén.

The elder monk was quite satisfied with the way the two had worked together to open the cycle of reincarnation, though he remained curious about the piece Jian Dan had played. It was a tune he had never heard before.

A brief flicker of nostalgia crossed Jian Dan's face before she answered him, "The piece is called Funeral for the Soul."

She had first heard it in her previous life, during her Divine Transformation stage. A Void Refinement stage cultivator had played it for his beloved, a Unity stage Zūnshàng, using all of his cultivation to open the path to reincarnation. After successfully sending him in, he too stepped into the cycle, his cultivation fully dissipated.

Cultivators were said to seek the ultimate Dao, to break free of samsara. So why would someone willingly return to it for the sake of a single melody? That question had stayed with Jian Dan ever since, and the sheet music had etched itself into her memory.

She had not thought of it again until the destruction of Luoxia Village. Then, it had surfaced clearly in her mind. She had believed it could guide mortal souls into the cycle with ease, and so she played it. The result had proved her right.

At the time, she was already a Golden Core cultivator, yet her spiritual power had poured out like a flood while playing. She had managed to hold on until the end only because her meridians were broader than most cultivators of her level, and because of Luo Kong Zhēnrén's help. Together, they had sent every soul in that village into peaceful rebirth.

By the time they returned to Xiangyun Town, they found Feng Nianyue waiting near the outskirts. She exhaled in relief upon seeing everyone return safely, but when she sensed Jian Dan's new cultivation level, she was so shocked her mouth hung open. What in the world had she missed?

After listening to Kong Yu's animated retelling of events, Feng Nianyue locked herself in her room for half a day. She did not emerge until Luo Kong Zhēnrén came to bid farewell.

"Shan Zhēnrén, who knows when we will meet again. This is my communication token. May it help us stay in touch."

He handed over a wood-carved jade slip, embedded with his spiritual imprint.

Jian Dan accepted it and exchanged her own token in return. After a moment's hesitation, she said,"Luo Kong Zhēnrén, this tragedy we encountered, where mortals were so ruthlessly harmed—even though we escaped by luck and the help of our seniors—I fear this will not be the last time."

"I share the same concern," Luo Kong replied. "I plan to travel under the guise of training, visiting all the mortal regions under the Buddhist Sect's care. I have already sent word to the sect about what happened. They will make the necessary arrangements."

"Then that puts me at ease. I will also continue training outside. If fate allows, perhaps we will travel together again."

"Then let us part here. May we meet again."

In Xiangyun Town, at the largest inn, Fortune's Rest, all five disciples of Tianjian Sect were gathered in the guest hall.

Feng Nianyue was putting in one last push to negotiate the journey ahead. "Shan Zhēnrén, I contributed nothing during this mission. In fact, everyone had to look after me. So I've decided not to return to the sect just yet. I want to stay out and train, and perhaps find my opportunity to form a core."

Her words made Jian Dan's teeth ache. "And the rest of you?"

"I plan to travel alone," came a surprisingly quick reply from Cao Chenfeng.

"Senior Sister Feng," He Jintang said, frowning, "we may have completed the mission, but the last team that accepted this task is still missing. We must return to the sect and report. Jian Wu Zhēnjūn is still chasing the mastermind, and we don't know when he'll return. I think we shouldn't split up for now."

He shot a pointed glare at Cao Chenfeng.

Kong Yu glanced around and gave Jian Dan a flattering smile. "I'll do whatever Shan Zhēnrén says."

Seated at the head of the table, Jian Dan smoothed out her sleeves. The silver beetles crawling at her cuffs formed a defensive sigil, adding a bit of flair to her pale-blue robes.

"Seems like you've all forgotten what Jian Wu Zhēnjūn told us before he left."

"Uh..." The group collectively tried to remember what they had chosen to forget.

"Get ready. We set out tomorrow morning. We're returning to the sect."

She issued her decision—more precisely, relayed Jian Wu Zhēnjūn's order—then stood and flicked her sleeves. Four silver beetles flew off in different directions, landing silently on each person.

Only Cao Chenfeng, ever sensitive, gave Jian Dan a thoughtful glance. He said nothing.

Back in her private room, Jian Dan flopped ungracefully onto the bed, pulled out a tray of crystal fruits from her storage pouch, and began gnawing on them. Ever since arriving in the cultivation realm, she had practically become an immortal who subsisted on mist and moonlight. How long had it been since she actually ate something?

Before, she simply hadn't had the time. Now that she had entered the Golden Core stage, she technically no longer needed food—she could survive on spiritual energy and morning dew alone. Still, she was savoring the moment when her divine sense twitched.

All four of them had just left the inn.

Jian Dan rolled her eyes. Of course. Were they really planning to sneak off on their own? She used to be the one under surveillance. Now, she had become their babysitter.

Before departing, Jian Wu Zhēnjūn had not only ordered the group to return to the sect, but had also sent a private transmission to Jian Dan: "Bring everyone back safely. This is your temporary assignment."

She had taken that to mean protecting Feng Nianyue in particular. The girl had barely recovered from her injuries and had left the sect in haste to avoid trouble with Kong Qiankun. It was to protect the sect's plans and avoid unnecessary drama.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a new message:

"Shan Zhēnrén, come quickly to Broken Wall Cliff, southwest of Xiangyun Town. We've made a discovery."

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"Exalted One" (尊上, Zūnshàng) is the formal title for Unity Stage cultivators.