Beast Race.
Lang Xiao couldn't shake the unease in his chest. He went twice to check on Xiao Yue's cave and found the little brat just sleeping, not cultivating. At first, he thought Xiao Yue was just throwing a tantrum. But by the third time, suspicion finally struck. He barged straight into the cave, flicked a white light at the figure lying there—
In the blink of an eye, Xiao Yue's form popped like a bubble and vanished. What replaced him was a trembling purple butterfly. Its wings fluttered twice, but Lang Xiao's aura pinned it down so hard it couldn't even fly. It stammered in fear:
"Xiao Yue threatened me, told me to stay here in his cave for a few days. If I didn't, he said he'd tear my wings!" The butterfly decided survival came first. Better to sell Xiao Yue out than get ripped apart by the furious clan leader.
Lang Xiao's rage nearly boiled over, but he forced himself to stay calm and asked, "Where did he go?" He still clung to a sliver of hope that it wasn't the worst answer.
"He said he's going to the Heavenly Demon Palace!"
Blue veins popped on Lang Xiao's forehead, the scar on his face twisting even more hideously. He ground his teeth. "How'd he get on the flying boat?"
"Xiao Yue's got a treasure. It lets him turn into anything, even turn invisible."
The butterfly's wings quivered as it spilled everything without hesitation.
Lang Xiao instantly remembered the rose-gold bell that always hung around Xiao Yue's neck. The brat never let anyone touch it, playing with it by himself all the time.
He'd checked it once while Xiao Yue was asleep. It was a high-grade illusion treasure, with some defensive power. Since it had already recognized Xiao Yue as its master, he hadn't cared too much. He never imagined the kid would actually use it to lay out such a perfect scheme.
"Stop trembling. Go back. When Xiao Yue returns, I'll deal with him. And from now on, you're not allowed to play with him anymore."
Lang Xiao waved the butterfly away, then headed straight to see the Nine-Tailed Beast Lord.
Ever since Bai Jue came out of seclusion, the Beast Lord had been living carefree. She stopped handling beast affairs altogether, tossed everything aside, drank, listened to music, and sometimes stole fruit from the mountains for fun. Her mood was delightful.
When Lang Xiao arrived, the Nine-Tailed Beast Lord was watching a phoenix-tailed bird dance. Seeing him storm in with a thunderous expression, her seductive fox eyes flickered, and she lazily asked,
"Who pissed you off? You come running here with that terrifying face."
Hearing her words, Lang Xiao realized how grim he looked. He forced himself to relax, exhaled a deep breath, and finally said, "Xiao Yue sneaked onto the flying boat when I wasn't paying attention. He's gone to the Heavenly Demon Palace. I came to report this to the Beast Lord before I go retrieve him."
For a seventh-rank beast like him, leaving beast territory required reporting. Otherwise, if something happened, there'd be no explaining it. Just look at the Beast Lord herself—she almost never left the territory, only played around within it.
"Tsk tsk, Lang Xiao. You might as well tie a leash around Xiao Yue's neck. He's a wolf, not a dog."
"Beast Lord, he's only at fourth rank. He doesn't understand how dangerous the cultivation world is. I just don't want anything to happen to him."
"Enough nagging. His death tribulation was already resolved fifty years ago. You don't have to be so paranoid. He went to the Heavenly Demon Palace to find Mo Yue. And Bai Jue's there too, so he's perfectly safe. Treat this as a chance for him to broaden his horizons."
She waved her hand dismissively. Of course she'd seen through Xiao Yue's little tricks long ago. She just didn't expose him, curious to see if the brat could pull it off. Who would've thought he'd actually manage to sneak aboard?
"But wasn't Mo Yue missing?"
"Mo Yue's already returned to the Heavenly Demon Palace."
The Beast Lord smiled, her eyes narrowing like crescent moons.
Heavenly Demon Palace.
Jian Dan had arranged to meet Jian Feng, who came bearing her invitation. Dong Yi led him under the peach blossom trees, where Chun Yu and Xia He set out tea before retreating quickly to gossip from afar.
Today, since he was meeting Mo Yue Zūnshàng, Jian Feng was dressed especially formally.
He wore the Heavenly Sword Sect's Zūnzhě robes, white with subtle patterns. At his waist hung a jade sword ornament. His gray hair was tied with a white ribbon, leaving half loose, his features sharp and defined, his aura brimming with endless vitality.
"Heavenly Sword Sect's Jian Feng greets Mo Yue Zūnshàng!"
He bowed respectfully.
"Sit. It's been a while since I've seen you."
Jian Dan waved casually.
After taking his seat, Jian Feng studied Mo Yue Zūnshàng, trying to find a trace of Jian Lu Zūnshàng in her.
But the enchanting face before him, the beauty mark at the corner of her eye, the high-grade treasures she wore, the black robes—this was the Mo Yue he remembered. Yet there was nothing of Jian Lu in her at all.
"Stop staring. If you keep it up, Mo Su will challenge me to the arena."
Jian Dan sipped peach blossom wine and teased.
"Zūnshàng, you… right now…"
He didn't even know how to ask the question.
"I have a task for you. The details are in this jade slip. When you return, hand it to Jian Li directly."
She tossed him a jade slip sealed with the Law Enforcement Hall's special method. He couldn't unlock it.
Jian Feng stored it away at once.
"Zūnshàng, is there anything else?"
"Pass on a message to Lü Se, Yu Yuanhai, and Wei Zhengrong. Tell them I'll be training outside for a while. They should take care of the three juniors."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I'll remember."
"Your cultivation's reached mid-stage Divine Soul. Barely acceptable speed. Train more with Mo Su, and push your realm up faster."
"Yes."
Feeling the concealed pressure emanating from Mo Yue Zūnshàng, Jian Feng silently complained to himself. None of them could keep up with her monstrous pace.
"As for my identity, don't tell Mo Su. When the time's right, I'll let him know myself."
Jian Feng nodded.
"Your hair looks annoying. Once it all turns black again, you'll be able to step into Void Refinement."
"Yes, I'll keep it in mind."
"Have you ever fought side by side with Mo Su?"
The sudden question stunned him. He shook his head. "No."
"What a pity. When Mo Su comes later, you're going to help me act."
Caught off guard, Jian Feng frowned. "Act?"
"Of course. I, Mo Yue, had my sweetheart stolen away. As a Unity Zūnshàng, where's my face if I don't find an excuse to beat Mo Su up and vent my anger?"
The corner of Jian Feng's mouth twitched. Inwardly, he complained, "Who told you to be so high-profile?" But he still agreed.
Right then, Mo Su's steady footsteps approached.
"Greetings, Mo Yue Zūnshàng!"
"There's no need for formality between us. You're not here just to see me, are you?"
Jian Dan deliberately sighed, then gazed longingly at Jian Feng. "After so many years apart, Jian Feng Xiaoyou has only grown more handsome. My heart's been in turmoil."
As she spoke, her eyes softened with fake affection.
Mo Su instantly grew wary. He quickly stepped forward. "Senior Sister Mo Yue, you promised me."
"Oh no, I suddenly feel like going back on my word. What should I do?"
Jian Dan winked at him.
Jian Feng lowered his gaze, staying silent, not taking part in the sparring.
"You're about to become the Palace Master. Your Unity realm's only stabilized at mid-stage, still a bit behind Mo Yi and Mo Qi. Since I'm in a good mood today, I'll give you some guidance."
Without another word, she waved her sleeve and swept both men toward the main arena on Tianmo Peak.