Jian Dan retrieved a recording stone, one that contained a message left by the father of Mo Ran and Jade. She had kept it safely stored in her bamboo tower all this time. Now, she handed it over to them.
The scene in the recording was Luoxia Mountain. Jian Dan had deliberately adjusted the angle to make their father appear imposing and majestic. The coiled king cobra flicked his tongue and gave instructions to his offspring.
Jian Dan left the two of them in the spirit beast chamber to view the message and returned to the bamboo courtyard. She swept her spiritual sense across the space and discovered that beyond the orchard, over a newly formed mountain ridge, a vast prairie had appeared. White, single-horned flying horses galloped freely there, along with antelope and black-horned sheep.
It seemed her personal realm continued to expand and repair itself in step with her cultivation. She looked forward to seeing its complete form one day. After harvesting the mature spirit rice and some mid-grade herbs, she sealed them into jade boxes and placed them on the first floor shelves.
Then, Jian Dan casually pulled a copy of the Compendium of Spirit Beasts from the shelf and set up a soft couch in the flower field outside the bamboo house, flipping through the pages as she refreshed her knowledge.
Half an hour later, Mo Ran and Jade slithered out of the spirit beast chamber and coiled on either side of her.
"We finished watching it."
"Thank you, Master, for bringing us from the nether realm and giving us the opportunity to awaken our bloodline and inherit our clan's legacy."
"Oh? You know quite a bit. Was that from your father?"
"Yes. He told us to follow you diligently in cultivation and obey your arrangements."
"He really passed the burden with ease," Jian Dan laughed, shaking her head.
"Well, I suppose our fates were intertwined. I also borrowed the Cleansing Spirit Fruit he guarded to trick someone else."
"Stay here and cultivate properly. When the time is right, I'll bring you out. But remember, the cultivation world is cruel. Without strength, you'll be prey."
"Understood." Mo Ran and Jade nodded their snake heads.
"Good. Get familiar with your surroundings. If you need any resources, find them yourselves. I'm heading out but will visit when I can."
With a spin of the Yin-Yang Tai Chi disk in her dantian, Jian Dan restored her demon cultivator aura, tidied herself, and left the space.
As she lifted the restrictions on her cave dwelling, Ma Rong had just arrived and was about to knock. Seeing her, he immediately bowed.
"Jian-Jūnshàng, we have arrived at Huanle City. Please, come enter."
Jian Dan nodded and stepped forward, arriving beside Mo Su in a flash. Miao Yunrong was much more restrained this time. When she saw Jian Dan, she immediately bowed.
"Jian-Jūnshàng, I was rude yesterday. Please forgive me."
"No need to blame yourself, Little Palace Mistress. Just a small misunderstanding. I even forgot to give you a gift yesterday."
Still smiling, Jian Dan pushed a brocade box toward her. Miao Yunrong glanced at Mo Su and only accepted it after he gave a subtle nod. Curiosity getting the better of her, she peeked inside and lit up with joy. Inside was a thousand-year Yan Fruit—a truly rare gift.
Jian Dan knew it would be well received. No woman could resist a treasure that preserved beauty and youth. With their tensions eased, the group entered Huanle City.
Jian Dan hadn't had the chance to properly explore the city on her last visit. She had been captured and sold as goods, eventually swept up in Mo Su's black-armored beetle extermination squad. Though the path had been rough, it had ultimately led her to infiltrate the demon sect.
They checked into the largest inn, Immortal Guest Pavilion, planning to attend an underground auction five days later before returning to the Heavenly Demon Palace.
After entering the city, Jian Dan used the ink sword token given to her by the Law Enforcement Hall of the Heavenly Sword Sect to secretly send a message. She reported her safety and informed them of her intent to blend into the Heavenly Demon Palace.
Within a day, the message reached Jian Ning Zhēnjūn, who presented it to Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ. Jian Li nodded after reading it.
"Zhūnzhǔ, Shan Yunzu has been missing for twenty years and only now reports her safety. Is that not suspicious?"
Jian Li rubbed his temples. He hated analyzing intelligence like this, but Jian Jun hadn't returned, so he had to handle it himself.
"Aside from the upcoming talisman competition at the Talisman Sect, any other recent news?"
Jian Ning searched the jade desk, then handed over a jade slip.
"You missed this one. It's the latest news from the Demon Abyss. Mo Su has reached Divine Transformation after undergoing tribulation there."
"Bold, wasn't he ambushed?"
"The Heavenly Demon Palace had people watching the area. It was dangerous, but he pulled through."
"Another demon cultivator woman also ascended with him. Reportedly, she's staying by his side."
"Any theories?"
"Hard to say. The timing feels a bit too perfect."
"Let's wait for more news from Shan Yunzu. There isn't enough concrete information to analyze further. For now, her letter says all is well, so we'll hold off."
Back in Huanle City, Jian Dan hadn't left her room once since checking into the inn. Partly because she didn't want to entertain others, and partly because she was devoting time to studying the Divine Transformation stage of the Heavenly Demon Art. After all, strength was the real truth.
On the evening of the third day, Miao Yunrong knocked on her door.
"What is it?" Jian Dan asked bluntly. It was clear she wasn't feeling hospitable.
Still keeping her smile, Miao Yunrong answered respectfully.
"Jūnshàng, there's a unique tavern in Huanle City. I hoped to invite you to taste their wine and see the sights."
"Such a good chance, and you didn't invite your Senior Brother?"
To her credit, Miao Yunrong replied plainly.
"The Jun Pavilion only welcomes female cultivators, and there's a cultivation threshold. So..."
"So I'm your convenient shield?"
Jian Dan raised a brow.
"I wouldn't dare. I merely hoped to borrow your prestige. I will cover all the costs. Would that be acceptable?"
Behind her, her attendant looked anxious and tried to make eye contact with Jian Dan, but didn't dare speak.
Jian Dan understood instantly. Clearly, the girl wanted to explore the world, but didn't dare go alone. She needed a powerful companion. Jian Dan glanced indifferently at the attendant, then nodded her agreement.
As they stepped out, Jian Dan closed the door with a wave and said, "Lead the way."
"Thank you, Jūnshàng."
The Little Palace Mistress was truly delighted this time. She led the way to the inn's entrance and was just about to step onto the main road when Jian Dan raised a hand to stop her.
"Is this how you planned to go?"
Miao Yunrong looked puzzled. She checked her outfit and found nothing wrong. Then she looked at Jian Dan—flawless as always—and blinked in confusion.
A rookie if ever there was one.
Jian Dan sighed and said, "Since your destination checks cultivation level, it also values status. If you show up without even a proper carriage, it cheapens your image. People respect silk before they respect people."
Realization dawned in Miao Yunrong's eyes. She quickly rummaged through her storage ring and pulled out a palm-sized silver box.