Mo Su accepted the jade slip. Though he wasn't entirely sure what it meant, he still cupped his hands respectfully and followed Lü Se to Tianming Peak.
Mo Yi watched Mo Su's retreating figure and smiled before turning to Jian Dan with a bow. "Thank you, Zūnshàng."
Jian Dan knew what he was thanking her for. She held Yue Liang gently in her arms, smoothing her fur, and spoke softly, "This thanks isn't really for me. Jian Feng is willing to help him, and I have no right to stop that."
Hearing this, Mo Yi quickly cupped his hands in response. "Yes. When matters like this happen between our Dao and Demon sects, handling it poorly would be bad for both. Zūnshàng personally stepping in is already the greatest help."
Jian Dan shook her head and muttered, "I still wonder how those two ended up meeting by chance."
She glanced at Yue Liang and wondered if it was truly their innate physiques drawing them together.
Mo Yi chuckled, "Zūnshàng, it's quite a coincidence, but Mo Su came to help because of our sect's Junior Sister Mo Yue."
Jian Dan paused while stroking Yue Liang's fur and raised her eyebrows. "What is his relationship with Mo Yue?"
"Mo Yue likes Jian Feng very much. She has shown interest many times, but Jian Feng seems not to have agreed. Of course, Zūnshàng need not worry. Mo Yue has never forced anything."
Jian Dan listened and began to suspect Mo Yi might already know her true identity. She cleared her throat lightly. "I recall Mo Yue hasn't appeared for some time, possibly trapped in a spatial rift."
"That's right. That's why Mo Su, despite his poor condition, rushed to help Jian Feng when he was in danger, causing his own physical issues to flare up again. Mo Su said they are acquainted, and since Jian Feng is someone Mo Yue values, he naturally wants to protect him."
Jian Dan wiped a bead of sweat in her mind. So this really was connected to her. She wasn't sure what to say. Thinking it over carefully, the two really did know each other because of her.
Her own obvious care for Jian Feng could easily lead to misunderstandings. Mo Su was the type to keep things quiet but was attentive when it came to Mo Yue, who was dear to him. So naturally, he would come to her aid.
Jian Dan shook her head lightly and teased Mo Yi, "Now that things are like this, how do you plan to explain it to Mo Yue when she returns?"
Mo Yi scratched his nose and answered in a single tone, "Let Mo Su handle it. Worst case, he gets a beating from Mo Yue."
The two shared a laugh, but the mood turned awkward when Mo Su met Jian Feng.
Since advancing to early Divine Soul stage, Jian Feng had been hiding in his cave, using the excuse of stabilizing his cultivation. He had only recently emerged and was sorting through the gains from his last mission.
The "golden crystal mud" he found would be perfect to integrate into his life sword, improving its repair ability. Jian Feng had yet to claim his sect points for this mission and was planning to take care of that soon.
"Reporting to Zūnzhě, Jian Lu Zūnshàng's chief steward has brought someone to see you."
A servant at Jian Feng's cave reported.
Jian Feng nodded and said, "Let them in."
Moments later, Lü Se led Mo Su into the cave.
Jian Feng was momentarily stunned when he saw Mo Su, tall and imposing in his black, dark-patterned magic robes, before standing to salute.
"Zūnzhě, this is Mo Su Zūnzhǔ. Jian Lu Zūnshàng asked me to bring him here to see you."
Lü Se explained and bowed meaningfully before stepping outside, leaving the two alone.
From the moment Mo Su entered, his eyes never left Jian Feng. He first scanned Jian Feng's divine sense, noting his cultivation had stabilized. Then he noticed Jian Feng's head of silver hair and the subtle frown it brought to his handsome brows.
Jian Feng's sharp features flickered with slight discomfort. After Lü Se left, he gestured for Mo Su to sit on a nearby chair.
They both took seats, neither speaking at first. The silence hung thick and awkward until Jian Feng finally spoke. "Have you seen enough? What do you want?"
His deep voice was blunt and unwelcoming. Mo Su snapped out of his trance, took the cold jade box from his storage ring, and handed it over.
Jian Feng frowned and asked, "What is this?"
"This is a strange flame I captured from Flame Mountain. Once you refine it, it will help your recovery."
He glanced at Jian Feng's silver hair and added, "Though your silver hair is charming, you're more handsome with black hair."
Jian Feng felt something was off about that comment. Before he could react, Mo Su slipped the cold jade box directly into his hand.
Their close proximity caused their auras to find each other, faintly weaving together, slowly flowing, creating a cycle around them both.
Jian Feng noticed and grit his teeth, "Sit a bit further away."
Mo Su had already sensed the flow of their energies. After Jian Feng spoke, he slowly backed away. They both calmed their aura. Jian Feng put the cold jade box back into his storage ring and stared at Mo Su, unsure how to start.
Mo Su seemed to sense this and spoke first, "I represent Heavenly Demon Palace to attend this succession ceremony. Afterward, I will remain at Heavenly Sword Sect for some time."
"Why stay here?" Jian Feng asked.
"You know."
Silence returned between them until Jian Feng broke it to end the tension. "If it's because of your 'pure yin body,' I will help you suppress it. But as for another intimate dual cultivation, I am unwilling."
Mo Su was not surprised by this. Jian Feng was proud and did not want to rely on his cultivation to advance. "I understand. I'll follow your wishes."
Jian Feng relaxed and nodded. They had reached an agreement.
"Jian Lu Zūnshàng values you greatly. She even went personally to Heavenly Demon Palace for your sake."
With the ice broken, Mo Su spoke more freely, telling Jian Dan's story of going to Heavenly Demon Palace. "Zūnshàng really embarrassed me. In three days, I fought five battles against Heavenly Sword Sect disciples. One win, four draws. The only win was against a Divine Soul cultivator."
Jian Feng smiled lightly at this and said, "Zūnshàng is always like that. She never takes losses."
"Oh? You seem to know Jian Lu Zūnshàng well?"
"She practiced on an outer peak with a senior brother I was close to when she first joined."
They talked about Jian Lu Zūnshàng and eased the awkward atmosphere.
Seeing the mood improve, Mo Su said, "I was eager to see how you were recovering. Zūnshàng told me to come alone first to personally give you this. She instructed that we both go to see her."
"Is it urgent?"
"I don't know. We'll find out when we see her."
Jian Feng stood immediately and, with Mo Su and Lü Se, went to Jian Dan's cave at Tian Yue Peak.
When Jian Feng and Mo Su arrived, they saw Mo Yi talking to Jian Dan. Jian Lu Zūnshàng was smiling and nodding.
She had long known they had arrived. She waved to them, and they bowed.
Jian Dan sensed the faint intertwining yin-yang aura around the two, now growing stronger.
The next moment, Jian Dan unleashed her Mahayana completion pressure. It spread out, instantly freezing Mo Su and Mo Yi in place, unable to move an inch.