"Let him come."
Ting Feng led Yu Zongfan to Jian Dan's cave.
After this period of cultivation, Yu Zongfan's cultivation had recovered to the eighth level of Qi Refinement, and he seemed close to breaking through again. His whole demeanor was energetic and vibrant.
"Zūnshàng, Yu Zongfan pays respects!"
As Yu Zongfan bowed deeply, Bai Bai slipped out from the spiritual beast pouch at his waist, quickly landing on the ground. Then Bai Bai climbed up the leg of the jade table, onto its surface, and hugged her little paws while bowing to Jian Dan. She then chirped two flattering "squeak" sounds at Yue Liang.
Yue Liang gave Bai Bai a disdainful glance. With a sweep of her tail, a gust of wind sent Bai Bai flying back into Yu Zongfan's arms.
Yu Zongfan was not upset. He caught Bai Bai and placed him on his shoulder.
"Zong Fan, what brings you here today?"
"Zūnshàng, it has been a long time since you last came to teach at the Tongzi Hall. Everyone chose me to visit you and to ask when the next lesson will start."
Jian Dan nodded thoughtfully. She had been very busy lately and had not visited the Tongzi Hall for over a month.
"I've neglected the little ones. There has been a lot going on with the Operations Hall recently. After the grand ceremony ends, I will make it up to you with some lessons."
"Thank you, Zūnshàng. Everyone wasn't trying to rush you. They just sent me to say hello and ask when you have time for class."
"Good, you're all considerate. Has your cultivation been progressing well recently?"
Hearing the question, Yu Zongfan answered respectfully:
"Since Zūnshàng explained how to circulate spiritual energy and we began practicing the spiritual consciousness, I have gained a lot. My spiritual consciousness has grown, and my cultivation has also improved."
"That's good. Don't stop taking the body refinement pills. It's normal for spiritual consciousness cultivation to boost your overall cultivation. But you should strengthen your foundation before breaking through. Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment stages are when you lay the groundwork. Don't push your cultivation to rise too quickly."
Yu Zongfan listened carefully. He knew Zūnshàng was usually busy and rarely gave advice, so he silently took note of every word.
"Yes, Zūnshàng. Your disciple remembers."
Jian Dan glanced at Bai Bai obediently sitting on Yu Zongfan's shoulder and smiled: "Bai Bai is absorbing it well. Soon she will return to her original form."
Because of refining the "Undiying Liquid," Bai Bai's bloodline was awakened. His white fur had changed to gold. After this period of refining, his fur was mostly white again but interspersed with several golden hairs.
"Bai Bai has been obedient, following your instructions to train with the 'Burden Ring.' Once fully refined, he should be able to advance one rank."
Yu Zongfan said while stroking Bai Bai's head. Bai Bai squinted and chirped twice, responding to her master's praise.
"In recent days, some outer peak disciples attending the grand ceremony have come, so it's best to keep Bai Bai in the spiritual beast pouch. Don't let anyone with ill intentions notice her. Also, the beast clan will send people to the ceremony. Bai Bai has already awakened the bloodline of the Pixiu. It's better not to expose him in public."
Yu Zongfan nodded seriously, deciding to temporarily leave Bai Bai with his Martial Uncle.
Then Yu Zongfan remembered Mao Dou's matter and awkwardly tugged his robe, asking Jian Dan:"Zūnshàng, do you know who from Heavenly Demon Palace will attend the ceremony? Is Mo Yue Zūnzhǔ coming?"
Jian Dan was a little surprised. "Why was Mo Yue on everyone's mind today?" She smiled and asked:"Why do you suddenly ask me that? Do you know Mo Yue?"
"No. It's my outer sect Senior Brother Douzi. He once met Mo Yue Zūnzhǔ."
Yu Zongfan explained the situation to Jian Dan, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"In that case, on the day of the grand ceremony, you and your Douzi can serve as my attending children. How about that?"
Yu Zongfan did not expect such an arrangement from Zūnshàng. Surprised but mostly happy, he quickly replied:
"Thank you, Zūnshàng! I will inform Senior Brother about this good news immediately."
After bowing to Jian Dan, he left the cave to share the great news with Mao Dou.
"Tsk tsk! Woman, your schemes don't spare even your own disciples." Liu Chuan teased.
"If they get caught in my schemes, it's their luck."
At that moment, Mao Dou had just used the body refinement pills to break through to the ninth level of Qi Refinement. After stabilizing his cultivation, he suddenly sneezed. He rubbed his nose, put away the water basin that had turned to clear water, dressed properly, and tidied himself up. Then he heard Yu Zongfan calling out to him.
When Mao Dou learned he could serve as Jian Lu Zūnshàng's attending child alongside Yu Zongfan, he was ecstatic. He repeatedly thanked Yu Zongfan and offered some of his saved spiritual stones, insisting on treating him to a spiritual meal. For Maodou, this was a lavish gift.
Yu Zongfan shook his head. He knew Mao Dou trained hard and rarely saved spiritual stones. But he felt bad refusing thanks, so he proposed:
"The sect's spiritual meals are expensive and not filling. The last time you made golden pheasant, it was delicious. I've been thinking about it since! Why don't you cook that for me instead?"
"No problem. Tomorrow I'll hunt two in the back mountain. I'll prepare two recipes and make some spiritual rice porridge with rice I grow myself."
"Great. We'll hunt together and take a mission, then return early."
The two arranged their plans for the next day, ensuring cultivation, missions, and meals all fit in.
At Guest Peak
Jian Feng bowed to Mo Su and Mo Yi as he said farewell. He hesitated before speaking:
"Mo Su Zūnzhǔ, please do not take offense. Zūnshàng's actions were to protect both of us."
Mo Su's complexion had improved, with a faint flush. Hearing Jian Feng's explanation, he smiled:"This matter was my gain. I received an immortal artifact for free. No explanation needed. Also, just call me Yan Su from now on."
Jian Feng glanced at Mo Su, confirmed there was no anger, then bowed and left Guest Peak.
Mo Yi looked at Mo Su, then at the departing Jian Feng, and complained: "So I'm the only one worrying here? You've given half your life to him and you're so calm? You really like him that much?"
Once Mo Su lost sight of Jian Feng, he withdrew his gaze and smiled rarely: "He gave me half his life too, so I'm not losing out. Now I can seek him openly."
He turned and went back to his cave.
Mo Yi stood there pondering, thinking Mo Su made sense. But Mo Su hadn't answered his second question, so he chased after him:
"Senior Brother, you still haven't said if you really like him!"
After entering his cave and activating the restriction, Mo Su said:
"Our safe passage this time was because the Daoist sects all seem to be moving. Heavenly Sword Sect cannot afford to make enemies with Heavenly Demon Palace right now."
Mo Yi sat cross-legged, folding his arms, grinning slyly. He wasn't surprised by his Senior Brother's forced topic change. He then turned serious: "Before you came, Chief Mo Cang told me to handle what you can't appear for. But it seems Jian Lu Zūnshàng means no harm."
Mo Su nodded lightly: "She said she wanted to kill me just to test Jian Feng's attitude and my resolve. I didn't sense a hint of killing intent."
"You're lucky."
"I think after the grand ceremony, there will definitely be another chance to meet. Then we'll see."
After business was done, Mo Yi's gossip nature reignited. In a muffled voice, he asked: "Did you look at the jade slip Jian Lu Zūnshàng gave you earlier?"
Reminded by Mo Yi, Mo Su took the jade slip from his storage ring. After scanning with his Divine Soul, the jade slip shattered with a crack.
Mo Yi looked at Mo Su's grim face and asked: "What happened?"
"A stinking insect. He dares to have designs on Jian Feng!"