Mo Zhang Zūnshàng and Jian Xu Zūnshàng were the first to arrive at the two men's side.
The surrounding cultivators from both sects slowly gathered around. Mo Yi and the captain of the Tianyue squad clearly sensed something amiss, subtly shifting into a ready stance.
Mo Zhang Zūnshàng reached out and grasped Mo Su's wrist. A thick, steady flow of demonic qi entered through the meridians, but in less than two breaths, it was forced back. The overbearing pure yin qi coursing through Mo Su's meridians had driven his demonic qi out entirely.
Jian Xu Zūnshàng summoned the unconscious Jian Feng to his side to investigate, but Mo Su quickly stopped him.
"Zūnshàng, he is refining the cultivation I passed to him. Please do not disturb him."
Only then did everyone notice Mo Su's cultivation had plummeted to the early Void Refinement stage, and even that level was unsteady, while Jian Feng was slowly advancing toward the next realm.
Earlier, everyone's attention had been drawn to Jian Feng's hair—now entirely silver—so only a few high-level cultivators had noticed that both men's auras were unstable.
Mo Zhang Zūnshàng could clearly sense their qi had become linked and harmonious. It was obvious that Mo Su had willingly passed his cultivation to Jian Feng while fully conscious. Yet the silver hair also made it clear Jian Feng had paid a heavy price.
Under the watchful eyes of all, no one spoke first. Mo Su stepped before Jian Xu Zūnshàng, bowed, and said, "Zūnshàng, Jian Feng became like this in order to save me. Everything began because of me. I am willing to bear full responsibility."
The usual gentle curve of Jian Xu's brows now held a hidden edge. "Did Jian Feng willingly assist you?"
The moment the question fell, the air grew taut, as if it would snap at a touch. Even Mo Zhang Zūnshàng felt a bead of sweat in his heart.
"Jian Feng was willing," Mo Su replied seriously. There was no need to lie here; once Jian Feng woke, everything would become clear. He owed the other man a proper explanation.
The still air began to flow again. Jian Xu then addressed Mo Zhang directly. "The mining will proceed as we just discussed. As for these two, once their cultivation stabilizes, there must be a proper explanation. I will take Jian Feng back first."
Mo Zhang could only accept this. Mo Su was clearly in the wrong, and any thought of negotiating further vanished. He clasped his hands to Jian Xu. "Rest assured, Jian Xu Daoyou, our Heavenly Demon Palace never shirks responsibility."
The high-level cultivators of both sects reached a temporary agreement, and the gathered cultivators stepped back.
Jian Xu Zūnshàng waved his hand, sending a streak of silver sword light that carved a deep scar at the junction of two mountain ranges—marking the division between the sects' mining areas.
Mo Zhang's eyes flashed with understanding. Jian Xu meant to finalize the division here and now, leaving no room for later bargaining. But given the circumstances, he could only accept.
Jian Xu then instructed the captains of the "Tracking" Hall and "War" Hall squads, "Guard the mining area and tidy the surroundings. The sect will send personnel to take over, and you may leave then."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
"Jian Feng is likely to face tribulation. I will bring him back to the sect immediately."
At that moment, Bai Bai, who had been fretting all this time, wriggled free from the Zong Hall captain's arms and leapt into the unconscious Jian Feng's embrace.
"Zūnshàng, Bai Bai accompanied Jian Feng on the reconnaissance mission. Please bring him along. Jian Feng said this is Jian Lu Zūnshàng's spirit beast."
"Very well. I understand."
With that, Jian Xu Zūnshàng tore open the void and left the Chonglin Mountains with Jian Feng.
On the other side, Mo Zhang, seeing matters settled, also tore open the void and returned to the Heavenly Demon Palace with Mo Su.
Heavenly Demon Palace – Tianmo Peak
Palace Master Mo Lie saw Mo Zhang return and was just about to greet him when he noticed Mo Su beside him—his cultivation had fallen, his aura unstable. Mo Lie instantly moved to support him.
"Mo Su, what happened? How did your cultivation fall like this?"
Mo Zhang knew master and disciple had much to discuss. He handed Mo Lie a map of the spiritual vein. "Because of Mo Su, I didn't get much in negotiation. Still, the Heavenly Sword Sect was fair; we didn't lose out. At least we recovered half the mining area. As for the rest, ask Mo Su. I must go and arrange people to take over the mine."
"Alright, thank you."
Once Mo Zhang left, Mo Lie led Mo Su into a side hall—what followed was clearly not fit for others to hear.
"What happened? Why do you have a Dao cultivator's aura on you?" Mo Lie asked with a frown.
"Master, I encountered a cultivator with the 'Pure Yang Body'—from the Heavenly Sword Sect. He saved me when my constitution flared."
"What?"
Mo Lie was first shocked, then overjoyed, patting Mo Su's shoulder. "This is good. That means your constitution problem is finally solved. I'll send someone to—"
"He is a man. And a sword cultivator. His cultivation is late Divine Transformation. If I can fully refine the cultivation he passed to me this time, I should be able to reach the Divine Soul stage."
Mo Su decisively interrupted, dropping this revelation before bowing and saying, "Master, I will stabilize my cultivation first. Later, the Heavenly Sword Sect will likely send someone to discuss this matter. As long as their terms aren't excessive, please agree to them. I've troubled you."
He bowed again before leaving the hall.
Palace Master Mo Lie was left standing there, stunned. It took him half a day to fully digest Mo Su's words.
Heavenly Sword Sect
Within three days, Jian Dan had received reports. The Tracking Hall squad members had all been found except for Jian Feng, who was expected to be located soon. Only then did he set aside half his worries.
Later, a map of the mining distribution was sent back by Senior Brother Jian Xu. This operation was considered a success; the rest depended on the Heavenly Demon Palace's attitude. If they tried anything else, the Heavenly Sword Sect would adjust its strategy accordingly.
Seeing the immediate crisis over and the remaining matters left to high-level politicking, Jian Sheng felt at ease and went into seclusion at the Advancement Hall. Before leaving, he brought Wei Zhengrong to meet the Zūnzhǔ.
"Tianyu Peak's Wei Zhengrong greets Jian Lu Zūnshàng!"
Wei Zhengrong was the same as ever, dressed like a walking treasure trove, still insufferably smug. His cultivation, however, was commendable—early Divine Transformation, likely achieved only recently.
"You passed the Law Enforcement Hall's selection and have been stationed at the 'Intelligence' Hall all this time?" Jian Dan asked with a smile.
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I have served at the Xin Hall all along. This time, with the hall master advancing, I was assigned to assist you with daily affairs," Wei Zhengrong replied respectfully.
Standing before Jian Lu Zūnshàng, Wei Zhengrong felt deeply moved. Who could have imagined that in just a century, the former Jīndān Zhēnrén had already become a Unity stage powerhouse?
He had always considered himself diligent, advancing swiftly among his peers. But seeing Jian Lu Zūnshàngnow, he understood what it meant to be heaven's favored.
"Jian Sheng recommended you, and I already think well of you. I have also brought Qi Hua and Jin Liuli here—they were with you in the Law Enforcement Hall selection. You'll see them over the next few days."
"Yes, I understand. I will assist Zūnshàng in managing the Intelligence Hall's affairs."
Their conversation had barely ended when Jian Wu appeared in the hall, brows slightly furrowed. He addressed Jian Dan at the head seat. "Zūnshàng, Jian Xu Zūnshàng has returned with Jian Feng. Jian Feng is currently undergoing the Divine Soul lightning tribulation on Tianming Peak."