The dragonbone flying vessel needed less than five days to reach the territory of the Heavenly Demon Palace. When the white dragon phantom formed by the vessel swept over the skies of Tianmo City, it immediately drew the attention of the palace's high-ranking cultivators.
With a resonant dragon's roar, the vessel revealed its true form and descended before the palace gates.
Jian Dan was quite pleased with her group's dramatic arrival. Turning to Jin Liuli at her side, she said,
"Liu Li, deliver my visiting card."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
The Golden Core realm guards stationed at the mountain gate had been staring unblinking ever since the extravagant vessel landed. One had already sent out a message talisman.
In truth, there was no need for him to send word. Every high-ranking cultivator in the Heavenly Demon Palace had heard that dragon's cry and knew an important guest had arrived.
Jin Liuli was dressed to impress that day, wearing a moon-white robe with subtle patterns befitting a Jūnshàng. A jade sword hung at her waist. From the hairpin in her hair to the boots on her feet, every item was a top-grade spiritual treasure, clearly crafted by a master.
With a light touch of her toes, she descended from the vessel and landed before the guards, her smile warm and gracious as she presented the card in her hands.
"From the Heavenly Sword Sect, Jian Lu Zūnshàng comes to pay respects. Please deliver this to your Palace Master, Mo Lie."
Recognizing both the formal introduction and the courtesy of the visit, the guard respectfully accepted the card.
"Please wait a moment, Senior. I will inform the palace at once."
"Very well."
Jin Liuli turned and returned to the vessel.
Tianmo Hall
Since that day Mo Su had left those troubling words behind, Palace Master Mo Lie had been pondering how to handle the matter. He had been waiting for Mo Su to leave seclusion to question him in detail.
A guard hurried into the grand hall, presenting a visiting card with both hands.
"Palace Master, someone from the Heavenly Sword Sect has arrived."
Mo Lie's eyelid twitched. Taking the card, he saw it was made of Heavenly Sword Sect's amethyst jade—a level of formality reserved for only their highest-ranking cultivators. The front bore a blooming magnolia, the back the sect's insignia. The name inscribed was Jian Lu- Shan Yunzu.
"Quickly, invite them in."
"Yes!"
After the guard left, Mo Lie paced the hall once, then sent a message talisman to Mo Zhang Zūnshàng.
"Mo Zhang Zūnshàng, the current head of the Heavenly Sword Sect's Law Enforcement Hall, Jian Lu, has come to visit. Please come join me. I fear I may not be able to hold the situation alone."
Not long after the talisman left, Mo Zhang appeared in the hall. He got straight to the point.
"Looks like they're here to demand an explanation. Have you thought of how to respond?"
After Mo Zhang sat, Mo Lie sighed.
"Mo Su is still in seclusion. That's why I need you here to help smooth things over."
"I understand. We'll play it by ear. Surely they haven't come to tear our Heavenly Demon Palace apart."
As they finished speaking, the guard led Jian Dan's group into the hall.
One glance at their cultivation levels, and Mo Lie exchanged a meaningful look with Mo Zhang. He suspected the Heavenly Sword Sect might indeed be ready to take action at the slightest provocation.
Jian Dan was dressed formally in a white patterned robe for a Zūnshàng. At one hip hung a purple jade sword, at the other a black jade sword. A magnolia pearl hairpin adorned her head, a five-colored glass ornament rested on her brow, and she wore only a simple pair of earrings and a pendant on her chest. An exquisite storage bracelet graced her wrist, with no unnecessary adornments.
Her long hair swayed gently as she walked. On her clear and elegant face was a touch of just-right warmth.
"Forgive my unannounced visit, Palace Master Mo Lie. I fear I have disturbed your peace."
"Jian Lu Zūnshàng, you are too polite. Your visit honors us—how could we not welcome you?"
Mo Lie returned the salute and courteously invited her to sit. Mo Zhang also exchanged formal greetings.
Jian Dan had only brought Jin Liuli and Wei Zhengrong into the hall; the Heavenly Sword squad remained outside. Yet the way they stood casually by the door immediately outclassed the Heavenly Demon Palace guards.
Their formation was telling—two loose lines, deceptively casual yet fully capable of attack or retreat. Mo Lie and Mo Zhang both saw it clearly but said nothing. Jian Dan, naturally, did not bring it up. This battle-ready stance was an instinct of the War Hall's teams.
The hall fell silent for a moment. Jian Dan lifted the spiritual tea before her, touched the rim to her lips, then set it down. She retrieved a purple-sun sword invitation and handed it to Wei Zhengrong, signaling him to present it.
"The Heavenly Sword Sect will hold the Sect Master's succession ceremony in one month. I present this invitation, and hope the Heavenly Demon Palace will honor us with your presence."
Mo Lie had expected accusations, not this reversal. He paused before smiling.
"Congratulations to the Heavenly Sword Sect. This is indeed joyous news. The Heavenly Demon Palace will surely send representatives."
The guard who accepted the invitation glanced briefly at Wei Zhengrong. As a direct heir of a major cultivation clan, he had been raised with the full backing of his family. His attire left no doubt—every piece was at least a spiritual treasure.
Once the invitation was delivered, Wei Zhengrong returned to stand behind Jian Dan. Mo Lie passed the card to Mo Zhang for inspection.
Jian Dan's smile remained.
"I would also like to meet your Mo Su."
Mo Lie sighed inwardly. It seemed the real reason had arrived after all. He forced a smile.
"Mo Su is still stabilizing his cultivation and has yet to leave seclusion."
"Then I must trouble you, Palace Master, to have someone knock on his door and invite him out."
Though her tone was gentle, her stance was unyielding.
Mo Zhang turned to a black-robed guard.
"Go summon Mo Su. Tell him an esteemed guest from the Heavenly Sword Sect wishes to see him."
"Yes."
The guard withdrew. Silence settled over the hall, the kind that carried its own weight.
Mo Lie was wondering how to steer the conversation to protect his disciple's interests. Mo Zhang, meanwhile, felt an odd sense of familiarity toward this Jian Lu Zūnshàng and decided to ask.
"Jian Lu Daoyou, you are currently acting head of the Law Enforcement Hall?"
"Yes. Hall Master Jian Jun has not returned from an expedition, so I am filling in temporarily. Chief Mo Zhang, please pardon the imposition."
"Not at all. Your record in recent years speaks for itself."
"You flatter me. It is merely the result of my sect's full support."
Jin Liuli and Wei Zhengrong listened as their Zūnshàng deftly traded polite words with the palace's top figures, never directly stating her purpose in seeking Mo Su.
Then they both sensed a shift in the atmosphere. A high-ranking demon cultivator entered, his Void Refinement aura not yet fully retracted. They exchanged a glance—this was surely Mo Su Zūnzhǔ.
With a casual wave, Jian Dan dispelled the oppressive aura, easing the strain on her companions.
"Mo Su pays respects to Jian Lu Zūnshàng."
After greeting his own masters, Mo Su bowed to Jian Dan.
She did not return the bow. Instead, her divine sense swept over him. She found that the Yin chill accumulated from his "Pure Yin Body" had mostly been dispelled, his meridians carrying a trace of Jian Feng's unique "Pure Yang" energy. His constitution had reached a balance that would no longer hinder him.
"So you are Mo Su. It seems your body is no longer troubled. But Jian Feng… is not doing so well."