"Shan Zhēnrén, this feels a bit unfair. We fought side by side just days ago, and you were the only one who made it through to the end. Isn't that..." Yan Su Zhēnrén wore a look of mock indignation.
Jian Dan understood his meaning and cleared her throat lightly. "Of course. There's another piece of explosive news, one that concerns not only each sect and palace, but potentially the entire future of the Lingyun Continent."
At that, the other Jīndān Zhēnrén exchanged glances. Jian Dan flicked her fingers, sending a jade slip flying into Yan Su Zhēnrén's hand.
She gestured for him to check its contents first. He made no fuss, sending his spiritual sense into it. A quarter of an hour later, his expression had darkened. Without a word, he tossed a black storage pouch at Jian Dan, tucked the jade slip away, cupped his hands in a quick farewell, and promptly left the teahouse.
The others saw this and didn't hesitate any longer. One by one, they dug through their storage pouches and came forward to exchange items for the jade slips. Some, impatient, examined the contents on the spot. Their expressions likewise soured before they swiftly took their leave.
When Su Chui from the Artifact Sect stepped forward, Jian Dan suddenly blocked him. Su Chui paused, confused, until Jian Dan quickly explained.
"Su Zhēnrén, I came across a collar that I'd like to use as a storage accessory for my spirit beast. However, it's missing a spatial stone. I was wondering if you'd be willing to take on this refinement task. The intelligence in this jade slip can be considered payment for your work. If it's not enough, I'll add spirit stones to make up the difference. What do you say?"
"So that's what it was. No problem at all. Just give me the item. Once it's refined, I'll return it to you."
Jian Dan nodded and handed over the collar she had picked up from the western market, along with the jade slip.
Moments later, only Jian Dan and Tao Chengfeng remained in the private room. Tao Chengfeng sipped his spirit tea leisurely, completely unhurried. Jian Dan smiled, laying out all the items she had received in trade onto the table so he could have a look.
Tao Chengfeng gave the collection a glance, saw nothing he needed, and shook his head.
Then, Jian Dan suddenly stood up, her eyes narrowing.
"Let's go. Back to the City Lord's manor. Yue Liang has been taken."
She had not brought Yue Liang with her when she left the manor earlier, letting the little one stay in the courtyard to cultivate. Who would dare capture her spirit beast within the City Lord's residence unless—
The two of them rushed back, only to arrive just in time to see Fan Ji'an gripping Yue Liang's neck. Spiritual light flickered in his palm, as though he were moments away from snapping it. Yue Liang flailed helplessly, but when she saw Jian Dan, her eyes lit up briefly.
Fury surged through Jian Dan. This old bastard hadn't been able to find any leverage over her, so now he was targeting her spirit beast.
Almost simultaneously, Yue Liang let out a sharp chirp, piercing directly into Fan Ji'an's sea of consciousness. At the same time, Jian Dan's Nascent Soul-level divine sense transformed into fine needles and stabbed into his mind.
The combined assault stunned Fan Ji'an for a split second. Though he was already in the late Nascent Soul stage, his sea of consciousness flared with sharp pain. Taking advantage of the moment, Jian Dan flashed forward using her Shadowstep technique and snatched Yue Liang from his hands.
When Fan Ji'an came to, Jian Dan was already holding Yue Liang, her expression cold as ice as she glared at him. He was about to lash out, but she was faster.
"So this is how the City Lord's manor treats guests? Senior, why would you harm a junior's spirit beast without cause? You should know that we are bound by contract. If she's injured, I suffer as well."
Fan Ji'an's eyes lowered slightly. That had indeed been his plan—cripple the spirit beast to injure Jian Dan's consciousness in the process. He hadn't expected her to return so quickly. Just a few more seconds, and he would have succeeded.
"It attacked me first. Was I supposed to stand by and let it act arrogantly before me?"
"I don't believe that. Yue Liang is well-behaved and never causes trouble. If that's the case, then let's take this to the City Lord for judgment."
"Hmph. You think the City Lord sees just anyone on demand? Fine. It's already been punished. Make sure it stays out of my way next time."
With a final flick of his sleeve, he left with the air of someone being generous and above it all. Jian Dan said nothing, simply watching him leave before turning and heading back to her quarters.
"Should we inform Zhēnjūn?" Tao Chengfeng asked.
"No need. I'll handle this myself. There's no reason to trouble them over something this small."
Tao Chengfeng looked down at Yue Liang, now curled up weakly in Jian Dan's arms, and frowned with visible anger.
"He did that on purpose. He lost face twice already and took it out on Yue Liang."
"I know."
As she stroked Yue Liang's fur, Jian Dan channeled wood-type spiritual power into her, gently mending her injured neck.
"Then—"
"No rush. We'll get our chance eventually. As long as he remains in Yunling City, we must be careful. A Nascent Soul cultivator like him could ambush us easily if we're not careful."
"Understood. You be careful too."
At that moment, Jian Wu was reporting to Jian Jun about the incident.
"Shan Yunzu's spirit beast didn't attack that old man at all. He just saw Yue Liang sunbathing in a tree and went straight for the kill."
Jian Jun didn't even look up from the jade slip in her hand, only responded with a faint "I see."
"Should we report this to City Lord Peng?"
Jian Jun smiled and shook her head.
"If the owner herself hasn't made a scene, there's no need for us to step in. Let her handle it. It'll be a good chance for her to sharpen her claws."
In the City Lord's study, Peng Wang was giving instructions to Peng Xilai when someone came in to report the incident. Peng Xilai looked a little awkward. A Nascent Soul cultivator bullying a mere Golden Core was a clear case of overreach.
Peng Wang, however, only shook his head and said to Peng Xilai, "Leave it be. Don't interfere. Reality will teach him how to behave."