Outside the Beast Clan's barrier, the three members of the Jian family exchanged glances. Finally, their eyes all settled on Jian Shangxi, waiting for his decision.
"Big Brother, our probe failed. Jian Lu clearly has no regard for blood ties," Jian Yue said, brows furrowed.
"That's right. She didn't even say a single word to plead for us. In the end, she simply dismissed her subordinates and told us not to pester her. She said she would go to the Jian family herself. What does that even mean?"
"What else could it mean? Obviously, we're not qualified to speak with her directly. She's going to seek out the Ancestor."
"Following her around like this won't work. We should return to the clan first, deliver her words, and let the Ancestor decide."
Jian Shangxi finally nodded. He took out a flying vessel and steered it toward the Jian family's territory.
Heavenly Demon Palace
With the Heavenly Sword Sect's help, Mo Yi had managed to shake off the high-level cultivators pursuing him. He traveled day and night without daring to waste a moment and finally returned to the Heavenly Demon Palace's territory today.
After disembarking from the vessel, Mo Yi ordered the Black Robe Guards to escort Bi Shu back to their quarters. He himself went straight to the Heavenly Demon Hall to meet with Palace Lord Mo Lie.
"Greetings, Palace Master!"
"You're back. Was your journey smooth?"
Mo Lie held a transmission jade in one hand, waved the other for Mo Yi to sit, and waited for his reply.
Mo Yi saluted, found a seat, and reported, "We picked up Bi Shu from Huanle City and were immediately chased. The first few waves were wiped out by the Black Robe Guards, but the ones that followed were stronger and stronger. I had no choice but to retreat with everyone."
Mo Lie finally looked up, studying Mo Yi. Seeing he was unharmed, Mo Lie asked, "Any losses?"
"None. I was lucky enough to run into the flying vessel of Heavenly Sword Sect's Jian Lu Zūnshàng. They destroyed our pursuers."
"You truly are lucky. They had just left the Heavenly Demon Palace."
"Oh?" Mo Yi's curiosity instantly flared. "Were they here to settle accounts with Mo Su?"
Mo Lie frowned. "They came to deliver an invitation. In a month, the Heavenly Sword Sect will hold their Sect Master's succession ceremony."
"Oh, I see." The spark of gossip in Mo Yi dimmed—until Mo Lie added his next sentence.
"Mo Su will represent the Heavenly Demon Palace at the ceremony. He is stabilizing his cultivation now. You will accompany him."
"Yes, Palace Master."
Mo Lie shook his head with a faint sigh, then said, "Now that Bi Shu is back, question her carefully. This time, due to a cultivator's self-detonation, several cities under our control suffered losses."
Hearing this, Mo Yi's expression hardened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Anyone who dares stretch their claws into the Heavenly Demon Palace's territory will have them cut off."
Mo Lie continued, "Mo Zhang has spoken with Jian Lu. This incident is a joint operation between evil cultivators and the insect race. Our top priority is to root out the evil cultivators. When you accompany Mo Su to the Heavenly Sword Sect, see if you can gather any intelligence on this matter."
"I understand."
"In the meantime, see if Bi Shu can lead us to the insect race's nest. Keep a close watch on this before Mo Su leaves seclusion."
"Yes. I will go now."
Having received his orders, Mo Yi headed straight for Mo Yan Peak, intending to visit Mo Su first before going to the Black Robe Guard's quarters.
At the same time, rumors began to spread across the cultivation world of a map leading to the estate of a great cultivator. Many Loose Cultivators and small clans started converging on the outskirts of Cloud Sea Sect's territory, following the markings.
The Cloud Sea Sect quickly intercepted a copy of the map. Sect Master Hai Yun examined it carefully and determined the location was in the outermost reaches of the deep sea. He knew the place well—it was an undercurrent zone with no sea beasts and rarely explored by cultivators. Could it truly hide a great cultivator's estate? Unable to decide, he resolved to consult Yun Yun Zhēnzūn.
Meanwhile, Han Pengfei, who had been leading a team to hunt down traces of evil cultivators within the Cloud Sea Sect's range, also tracked their trail to that same undercurrent zone. The undercurrents blocked his way, and he was about to return to request aid when he received a message from the Sect Master summoning him back.
Han Pengfei marked the location on a jade slip before heading back, intending to ask his grandaunt about it.
Beast Clan
Thanks to the one hundred jars of fine wine Jian Dan had gifted, the Nine-Tailed Fox Beast King agreed to let Mo Ran and Jade cultivate within the Beast Clan's territory for a while.
Jian Dan smiled and took out a sealed jade box and a white jade bottle. "Beast Lord, I heard Yingge has entered the Ten Thousand Beasts Hall for training. I was hoping Mo Ran and Jade could also enter to temper themselves and keep Yingge company. Would that be possible?"
She pushed the two items forward for the Nine-Tails to inspect.
Inside the jade box was the last mid-grade spiritual vein Jian Dan had taken from the Jia family. The white jade bottle held half a bottle of golden Undying Liquid—an extraordinarily generous gift.
"I know opening the Ten Thousand Beasts Hall will cost you, Beast Lord. I prepared these so you wouldn't think it too much trouble."
The Nine-Tails glanced at the items and, without refusal, tucked them away. "You're quite generous. But by the time you ascend, they might still not reach the ninth rank. Is it worth it?"
Jian Dan gently waved her butterfly-gilded fan. "It's fine. I've already invested this much. If they can't reach the ninth rank before I ascend, they can keep cultivating here and strengthen the Beast Clan."
The Nine-Tails' eyes gleamed. She gave a charming smile and nodded. "Then perhaps you should let me meet your two treasures."
"Of course. Forgive me for keeping them from you."
Jian Dan had already sent word to Mo Ran and Jade. Mo Ran roused Jade from her cultivation, and the two were released.
Mo Ran wore black robes, his striking features held a dark, dangerous allure. Jade was dressed in a green fairy gown, her features bright and delicate. Despite being pulled from seclusion, neither was flustered. They bowed respectfully to the figures seated above.
"Mo Ran and Jade greet the Nine-Tailed Beast Lord and Bai Jue Zūnzhǔ."
The Nine-Tails narrowed her fox-like eyes, seeing through their forms at a glance—one had already transformed into a flood dragon, the other was close to reaching the fifth rank. Both had good aptitude, steady auras, free of killing intent, and even carried the golden light of karmic virtue like their master.
"Tsk tsk. Jian Lu, you've raised them far too delicately. They lack the rough edges."
Jian Dan knew the Nine-Tails spoke truth. This was Mo Ran and Jade's weakness. At least Yue Liang had fought by her side and could handle missions alone. These two had almost no combat experience. Mo Ran had only once ventured into the inner ring of the Ming Valley to scout a path.
"That's why I've brought them to you, Beast Lord. Put them through their paces. Let them take some hard knocks so they can stand on their own."
"All right. Since I've taken your gifts, I'll see it done. For the next few days, they'll follow Bai Jue. Later, I'll send them into the Ten Thousand Beasts Hall."
"I leave it all in your hands," Jian Dan said, giving the two a meaningful look. "Aren't you going to thank the Beast Lord?"
"Thank you for your guidance, Beast Lord," Mo Ran and Jade said, bowing deeply.
They obediently went to stand beside Bai Jue.
Bai Jue rose and cupped her hands toward Jian Dan. "I'll take them around the clan grounds first."
With the Nine-Tails' nod of approval, she led Mo Ran and Jade out of the cavern.