Xiao Yue tapped the rose-gold bell hanging from his neck with his tiny paw. Jian Dan, sitting beside him, passed along the method for refining and activating the artifact.
Despite his size, Xiao Yue was born at the third rank, equivalent to the Nascent Soul stage among human cultivators. He simply lacked real combat experience, which was why Mo Qi had been able to toy with him so easily.
"I'll guard you. Just focus on refining it first."
Xiao Yue nodded, baring his tiny teeth as he pricked his paw. A drop of blood fell onto the bell, beginning the refining process.
Jian Dan couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, reminded of when Ying Ge had once offered her his own blood for a contract. She wondered how he was doing now.
Just then, a beast cultivator stepped into the tea house. He was over two meters tall, wielding a spiked mace and scanning the room as if by chance. Then, with deliberate slowness, he made his way to the table closest to Jian Dan and her companions.
Jian Dan's body tensed. She gathered Xiao Yue in her arms and stepped out in a flash. Mo Qi, Mo Su, and Mo Yi reacted immediately, exiting alongside her and avoiding the strike that shattered the table behind them.
The beast cultivator saw that his ambush had failed and immediately turned and darted into the forest.
Jian Dan narrowed her eyes, about to give chase, when Mo Su spoke calmly.
"Junior Sister, this is an internal matter of the beast race. We protected the child, and that's enough. Don't go making enemies. Let them handle the rest."
She exhaled and nodded, holding back the impulse to unsheath Mó Yuè Zhǎn.
"You're right, Senior Brother."
At that moment, Bai Jue arrived. He glanced at the destroyed tea house and the long-armed monkey jumping in a panic, then turned to the pup in Jian Dan's arms.
Xiao Yue was still immersed in refining the bell, completely unaware of the attack. His fur hadn't even been ruffled.
Relief crossed Bai Jue's face. He raised his hand, releasing a white feather that shimmered in the air.
Moments later, beast aura surged. A fully grown Howling Moon wolf bounded into view, leaping down and transforming mid-air into a rugged middle-aged man. A scar ran from the bridge of his nose down to his cheek, accentuating his intimidating aura.
It was clear this was Xiao Yue's father, a seventh-rank beast, no weaker than Bai Jue Zhūnzhǔ.
"Bai Jue, is Xiao Yue unharmed?"
His gaze fell on the pup curled in Jian Dan's arms. He made no sudden moves.
"Lang Xiao Zhūnzhǔ, someone attacked Xiao Yue just now, but these fellow cultivators from the Heavenly Demon Palace protected him. The attacker escaped into the woods. You may wish to send someone after him."
Jian Dan stepped forward and gave a respectful bow.
"There is no need for concern, Zhūnzhǔ. Xiao Yue is safe. He was simply refining a gift I gave him. As for the attacker, we are only guests here. Unfamiliar with the terrain, it would be inappropriate for us to interfere. I hope you will understand."
Her words were tactful and clear: this was not their conflict to resolve.
Lang Xiao nodded. His expression darkened slightly. Xiao Yue had only just wandered off, and already trouble had found him. If not for these demon cultivators, who knew what might have happened?
As the refining process finished, Xiao Yue blinked his eyes open and spotted his father. His little body squirmed deeper into Jian Dan's arms, presenting his back to Lang Xiao.
Everyone present understood what that gesture meant. Mo Qi nearly laughed aloud.
Lang Xiao could only sigh inwardly. He wanted to be a kind father, but it seemed his son had other ideas.
Jian Dan gently stroked Xiao Yue's fur and said with a soft voice,
"Do you remember what I told you earlier?"
"I do."
"Your father is here to bring you home. He clearly cares deeply for you. Don't be upset. Talk to him properly about why you ran away."
"Mm."
Still curled up in her arms, Xiao Yue hesitated, then raised his little head shyly.
"Senior, I still don't know your name."
Jian Dan tapped his little head and smiled.
"I'm Jian Dan, Peak Lord of Mo Ying Peak of the Heavenly Demon Palace. My courtesy name is Mó Yuè."
"Mó Yuè?"
Xiao Yue tilted his head and poked the crescent moon mark on his forehead.
"Is it because you have a moon like me?"
"Something like that."
"Mm?"
"Because my weapon is shaped like a crescent."
With patience, Jian Dan opened her palm and revealed a miniature version of Mó Yuè Zhǎn.
Lang Xiao and Bai Jue immediately sensed a faint killing intent. This weapon was no ordinary artifact.
Xiao Yue's eyes lit up. It really did look like his moon mark, only much more powerful.
"Thank you, Senior. I will train hard and visit you at the Heavenly Demon Palace one day."
"I'll be waiting."
Only then did Jian Dan formally hand him over to Lang Xiao. The wolf patriarch offered his thanks and gifted them all wolf-hide robes. He also gave Jian Dan a private communication talisman.
Back at the Howling Moon tribe, Lang Xiao quickly pieced together the truth from his son's account. His first action was to arrest the wolf servant who had whispered in Xiao Yue's ear. Investigating further, he traced the scheme back to the soon-to-be wolf queen.
Enraged, Lang Xiao canceled the marriage, clashed with the bride's family, and ultimately exterminated their pack. The survivors were absorbed into his own tribe, ensuring Xiao Yue a peaceful environment to cultivate in.
After seeing Xiao Yue off, Jian Dan was summoned alone to meet the Nine-tailed Fox King.
She bowed respectfully.
"Mó Yuè greets the Nine-tailed Fox King."
The fox king reclined lazily on a plush couch, eyes narrowed.
"You have a kind heart. Seems you share some fate with my beast race."
"Your praise is undeserved. All life is born of the same world. Beastkin has its own innate gifts and boundless potential."
"Heh. You have a silver tongue. No wonder Ying Ge thinks so highly of you."
Jian Dan understood that disguises meant little in front of a being like this. She didn't deny it.
"How fares Ying Ge's cultivation?"
"He is progressing well, thanks to his elder brother's guidance. But your efforts deserve credit too. That egg with Phoenix blood you found was quite a help."
Jian Dan smiled with quiet relief.
"We sensed your presence because you refined Ying Ge's essence blood. But as I recall, the one destined to bond with him was a Dao cultivator from the Heavenly Sword Sect. Care to explain?"
"I won't hide it. I cultivate both the Dao and Demon paths. So naturally, I have two identities."
That was all she said. Her disguise would have to hold until she reached the Mahayana stage. Until then, it was better to lie low.
The Nine-tailed Fox blinked slowly, then suddenly reached out toward Jian Dan's head, clearly intending to read her memories.
Jian Dan froze in alarm. Her entire body tensed, ready to defend herself.
A light burst from the ornamental charm on her forehead, carrying the pressure of a Mahayana expert.
The fox king, once lounging without care, immediately drew back. She sprang from the couch and landed right in front of Jian Dan.
"What is your relationship to Jian Qingyue?"