"Zūnshàng, what do you mean by this?" Mo Yi tried to mobilize the demon energy within him but found no response at all. He asked instinctively.
"What? You came to see me, so shouldn't you know what to expect? Why are you so surprised?" Jian Dan took a sip of spirit wine and said calmly. Yue Liang, nestled in her arms, rolled her dark eyes and watched the scene unfold like a spectator.
Mo Su stayed silent but kept his gaze fixed on Jian Dan, waiting for her to continue.
Jian Feng, the only one not restrained, stepped forward and bowed. "Zūnshàng."
Jian Dan nodded and said to Jian Feng, "Though you took the initiative to help him, one day you will die because of this person and your Path will end. Do you still want to be involved with him?"
Her words shocked everyone present, especially Mo Su. He grit his teeth and asked, "Zūnshàng, is this true?"
"Believe it or not, it's your choice. I only promise to keep Heavenly Sword Sect disciples safe."
Mo Yi, anxious, interjected, "If Zūnshàng doesn't want them involved, just send Mo Su away. Why go this far?"
Jian Dan laughed coldly,"Mo Yi, when did you become so childish? If I act, I will cut off all future troubles forever."
At the moment she spoke, she set her wine cup on the jade table. The sharp clink echoed clearly in everyone's ears.
"Zūnshàng, Mo Su is the future Palace Master of Heavenly Demon Palace. You should be careful not to spark a conflict between the two sects."
Jian Dan's lips curved into a cold smile. "Thanks for the warning. Since I've made my move, I won't let Heavenly Sword Sect carry this burden. I think the evil cultivators can take the blame."
The more casually Jian Dan spoke, the more everyone present trembled inside. Mo Yi cursed silently at their carelessness. Because Mo Su was so eager to see Jian Feng, they hadn't even brought the Black Robe Guards. This time, they had truly endangered themselves.
Jian Feng stepped forward and bowed to Jian Dan. "Zūnshàng, thank you for your protection. If my fate truly is like this, then without Mo Su, will someone else appear? You helped me avoid the first disaster. What about the second?"
"What do you mean?"
Jian Dan's eyes flickered as she asked.
"My fate is mine to control, not Heaven's! Cultivators practice by defying Heaven's will. With your advice, I will be extremely cautious and grasp my own destiny."
Jian Dan smiled but asked again, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure."
"Good. Mo Su, what do you say?"
She turned to Mo Su, who was still frozen in place. He straightened his expression and said, "No matter what, I will do my best to protect Jian Feng."
"Even if you die and your Path ends?"
"Even if I die and my Path ends."
Jian Dan looked into Mo Su's eyes and saw his determination. She sighed softly. Now she understood why Jian Feng had given up all his cultivation in his previous life just to send Mo Su's soul into reincarnation.
She was certain that in their past lives, Mo Su had kept his promise and died for Jian Feng. Jian Feng, in turn, had done all he could, composing the "Funeral for the Soul" to send him into rebirth.
"Fine. If you're willing, then why should I be the villain?"
Jian Dan swiped her storage bracelet. From the bamboo tower space holding various treasures, she took out a jade box.
When she opened the box, inside lay a glazed jade heart-shaped knot. It was a treasured artifact passed down from Jian Dan's ancestors to protect future Dao companions.
The moment the box opened, the artifact emitted a unique multicolored glow. Its aura was so powerful everyone felt it. Mo Su, Mo Yi, and Jian Feng all froze, unsure what Zūnshàng intended.
Jian Dan waved her hand, and the heart knot floated into the air, slowly spinning. Then she took a lock of hair from both Mo Su and Jian Feng's heads, tied them together, and flicked them into the knot.
The heart knot shone with colorful light, slowly absorbing the entwined hair.
Once she was sure the knot was infused with their aura, Jian Dan clasped her hands in a formation. From both Mo Su and Jian Feng's chests, she drew a drop of blood, carefully refining it into the knot.
Both lost a drop of blood, their faces paling. Mo Yi nearly panicked, cursing his own weakness. This time Mo Su might really suffer.
As the blood merged into the knot, its glassy surface gradually turned blood red. It spun faster and faster in the air, then split into two, shooting into the chests of Jian Feng and Mo Su.
The moment the heart knots sank into their chests, their pale faces flushed with color again. Mo Su immediately felt the oppressive pressure vanish.
Mo Yi rushed to Mo Su's side, helped him up, and saw his aura steady and complexion restored. He didn't know what to say.
Jian Feng only stared at Mo Su. After Mo Su shook his head to signal he was fine, he stepped forward, and together they bowed to Jian Dan. "Thank you, Zūnshàng!"
Jian Dan stroked Yue Liang and said softly, "This artifact was passed down from my ancestors to me and my future Dao companion. It is called 'Everlasting Heart Knot.'
Wherever you are, you can sense each other. Most importantly, this artifact protects both of you. If one suffers a fatal blow, the heart knot automatically divides the damage, so neither falls on the spot."
"As long as your hearts are united, the artifact's power grows stronger. When necessary, you can even borrow strength from each other."
Mo Yi listened in shock. This was essentially a life bond—they could help each other survive. He couldn't help but gasp. Zūnshàng was truly generous. This was a genuine immortal artifact!
"Jian Feng, this is all I can do for you. The path is yours to choose. I'm only giving you an extra layer of protection. The rest depends on you."
Gratitude appeared on Jian Feng's sharp face as he stepped forward and bowed. "Jian Feng thanks Zūnshàng for everything you have done."
"Mo Su thanks Zūnshàng for the careful arrangement. The favor of this immortal artifact will be repaid."
Only then did Jian Dan smile and say, "As long as you don't mind me meddling, you came a long way. Let Jian Feng accompany you on a tour."
"Yes."
Jian Feng understood Zūnshàng was signaling their departure. He bowed again and led Mo Su and Mo Yi out of the cave.
Yue Liang nudged Jian Dan's chest and finally spoke in a crisp voice, "Zūnshàng, you figured they wouldn't have a good outcome, so you went to such lengths to give them this immortal artifact?"
"Oh? Yue Liang, do you know what a bad outcome means?"
"Of course. Their auras are already linked. Breaking it abruptly would affect their cultivation and even their luck."
Jian Dan gently ruffled Yue Liang's fur and said, "You're right. That's why I went to so much trouble. Jian Feng's talent needs no question, but Mo Su is the future Palace Master of Heavenly Demon Palace. His life and death affect the war with the insect clan."
Yue Liang scratched her head and looked at Jian Dan with sympathy. "Zūnshàng, you've had such a hard day. You finally got some rest but they still took up half your time."
"Ah, only Yue Liang knows how much I suffer."
Jian Dan laughed happily and held Yue Liang close again, stroking her fur. Her thoughts raced, hoping this life they wouldn't walk the old path again.
"Zūnshàng, Yu Zongfan requests an audience!"
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If you didn't know, Dao companion is same as Taoist Partner