After a friendly discussion, everyone agreed that Immortal Jianxiao would take the first watch over Dragon-Tiger Mountain. This was chiefly because Immortal Jianxiao had volunteered. The elder had spent a long time in the grotto-heaven, and now that he had taken the Great Corpse Liberation Pill and come out to see the splendid world beyond, he no longer wanted to return to his sect. Afterward, everyone reviewed the battle in the Dragon-Tiger Mountain domain, and the conversation naturally turned into a discussion of the Dao. They talked until daybreak the following morning. After viewing the Three Dragons Contesting the Pearl and offering a good deal of praise, they finally rose to take their leave, each departing thoroughly satisfied. Ji Hehe left afterward as well, taking Zhang Xianyu's fleshly body and Primordial Spirit, along with Zhang Daojian, straight to the Three Pure Ones Grotto-Heaven. A thorough search and interrogation would certainly follow.
As for Cheng Xinzhan, he returned to Bright Governance Mountain, went to the Bamboo-Hiding Stele, and settled into the bamboo pavilion.
He turned his gaze inward, sinking his awareness into his Crimson Palace.
The Daoist's Crimson Palace was now quite a lively place. Above hung his Fate Wheel, and below stood a cloud couch, upon which his Sage Infant rested. Beneath the Fate Wheel, Spirit Breath spread like a sea of stars. A book, a seal, and a sword also hung high in the air, each radiating brilliant magical light. Fortunately, the Daoist's Crimson Palace was spacious enough that all these things together did not make it seem crowded.
And the greatest tangible gain from this assault on Dragon-Tiger Mountain was naturally the treasured sword now floating quietly within his Crimson Palace: the Three-Five Evil-Slaying Female Sword.
When dividing the spoils, the Daoist could hand over both of Zhang