"How's the Hua family head doing?"
"Thanks to Zūnshàng's blessing, the family head's well."
Hua Xi answered with utmost respect.
The moment she exchanged glances with the other woman, her plant beast had already warned her that this cultivator was dangerous. She needed to be cautious.
Standing behind her sister, Hua Lei stayed silent. His Thunder Vine had also warned him that the woman's plant beast was far stronger than his, and he wasn't a match. He lowered his eyes, surprise flickering in them. His Thunder Vine almost never admitted weakness, not even when facing Redflower.
"Sit."
Jian Dan never made guests stand while speaking, and since these two were clearly the new generation of the Hua clan's Twin Lotuses, she naturally preferred to treat them kindly.
Once seated, Hua Xi was the first to speak.
"Our family head heard that you've returned to the Heavenly Demon Palace, so my brother and I came to pay our respects and report on the matter you entrusted us with."
Her beautiful face carried a rare seriousness.
Jian Dan stroked Xiao Yue's soft fur, nodded, and gestured for her to continue.
"We intercepted some of Du Yanran's resources. While she was in the Yin Yang Gate, she had a falling out with her master and disappeared for a time…"
Hua Xi's voice was steady as she laid out Du Yanran's movements over the years, clear from start to finish, ending with her supposed death.
What she reported lined up with what Jian Dan had already learned from the Law Enforcement Hall. The only difference was that the Hua family had relied too much on their "Flower Seal" and got tricked by Du Yanran's Golden Cicada Shedding technique.
"You've worked hard. You've kept your word."
Jian Dan didn't dismiss the Hua clan's efforts.
"It was only right. Our Hua family benefited greatly. However, while you were away, someone used the token you'd left us and came to our Message Pavilion to retrieve information on Du Yanran."
Hua Xi's tone was cautious as she revealed this detail.
"Mm. That was an old friend of mine. She has her own scores to settle with Du Yanran, so she borrowed my token. But she told me something—Du Yanran didn't die. She only shed her skin."
Jian Dan smiled as she spoke, but her words made the siblings' faces change instantly.
Hua Xi and Hua Lei exchanged quick glances, then stood and bowed together.
"Please guide us, Zūnshàng. For the Hua family's failure, we'll make up for it. We'll never break our promise."
They understood perfectly. Mo Yue Zūnshàng had no reason to lie to them. She'd given them countless resources, and yet they hadn't even managed to watch one person. It was humiliating.
"Sit. It's not your fault. Du Yanran's extremely cunning. My friend tampered with her Primordial Soul, so she could tell her body had died but her soul hadn't perished.
As for who she's possessed now, where she's hiding, that's still unclear. So, I'll be troubling you further."
"Yes. We'll start from the place she fell and trace everything step by step. She might've possessed someone once, but she won't do it a second time. This time, our Hua family won't fail." Hua Xi's promise was firm.
"Good. Naturally, I trust the Hua family."
Hearing that Mo Yue Zūnshàng didn't blame them, the siblings finally let out a breath of relief.
"How's Ancestor Hua?"
Jian Dan changed the topic.
"Thank you for your concern, Zūnshàng. Ancestor Hua has already attended the clan meeting and reunited with the other elders."
The meaning was obvious—the Hua family was stable now, their backing restored.
"That's good."
Jian Dan lifted her cup of spirit tea and took a sip. The siblings took the hint and rose to leave.
"You've worked hard. When I have time, I'll visit Ancestor Hua myself."
"Yes. We'll be sure to pass along your words. And if there's any news of Du Yanran, we'll report to you immediately."
"Good. I'll be waiting."
After leaving Mo Yan Peak, Hua Xi and Hua Lei sent the news straight back to their clan.
Hua Kun received it at once and immediately dispatched people to investigate, hoping to find any remaining clues. From then on, both the Hua family and the Law Enforcement Hall began hunting for Du Yanran's new body.
Jian Dan stroked Xiao Yue's head and chuckled softly. "We've got some free time today. How about I take you to see the Heavenly Demon Hall?"
"Yes!"
The little wolf nodded his furry head eagerly. As long as he was with Mo Yue, he felt at ease.
With four attendants following and her new pet cradled in her arms, Jian Dan strolled toward the main hall of Tianmo Peak.
At the entrance, the guards immediately recognized her. Seeing Mo Yue Zūnshàng, they spun around and rushed inside to announce her arrival to Palace Master Mo Lie.
Mo Lie had been holding a jade slip, but his mind was elsewhere, still chewing on what Mo Zhang had told him earlier. When the guard's voice reached him, he instantly rose from his seat.
By then, Jian Dan had already entered, her smile as dazzling as ever, her voice smooth and enchanting.
"Palace Master Mo Lie, I trust you've been well."
"I greet Mo Yue Zūnshàng!"
Mo Lie didn't dare slight her. He clasped his hands and bowed, then personally invited her to take the seat of honor on his right.
Her attendants knew their duties. They set out spirit tea and fruit for their mistress before retreating quietly from the hall.
Mo Lie's mouth twitched. Mo Yue was still the same—she always brought her own tea, never touching what he offered.
Xiao Yue's eyes widened. It was his first time seeing such a grand hall, sparkling with luminous stones. The sight fascinated him.
Jian Dan slipped a fruit into his mouth, stroked his head, and said gently, "I've got matters to discuss with the Palace Master. Go play on your own, but don't leave this mountain."
The wolf pup nodded, leapt down from her lap, and began his first little adventure.
"This wolf, Xiao Yue, is he your new spirit pet?"
Mo Lie couldn't help asking.
"During the Ming Valley battle, I visited the beast clans and made some ties with the Xiao Yue Wolves. This little one was entrusted to me by Clan Leader Lang Xiao, so I'm looking after him for now."
Jian Dan leaned back in her chair, fanning herself lazily, then shot Mo Lie a glance.
"You went to Mo Yan Zhēnzūn to complain about me."
Her words made his eyelid twitch. He looked awkward but still tried to explain.
"As soon as you returned, you beat up Mo Su. He lost face."
"Mo Su didn't feel humiliated. I think it's Palace Master Mo Lie who felt I embarrassed him.
I still remember back then, you used me as a bargaining chip to balance the Ma family's influence. I never mentioned it because I was weak and powerless.
But I was barely gone a few years, and your disciple stole the man I'd set my eyes on. How could I not be furious? Where's the dignity of me, a Unity-stage Zūnshàng?" Her gaze slid over him, sharp and cold.
Mo Lie froze. He knew about Jian Feng, but no one had ever told him that this man was the one Mo Yue fancied. Now things were awkward.
He'd only ever heard that Mo Yue once made a high-profile declaration of love to a Heavenly Sword Sect cultivator. He'd laughed it off as a joke. Among high-level demon cultivators, keeping concubines or lovers was common.
"I really didn't know. Since that's the case, you've already taught Mo Su a lesson. Let's just let the matter rest." He forced a smile. Truthfully, Mo Su had been in the wrong, and he couldn't defend him too strongly.
Seeing him yield, Jian Dan didn't push further. She glanced at him one last time and said coolly, "Fine. I gave him a small punishment. As long as you're not upset, it's done."
With that settled, she shifted straight to the real reason she'd come.
"Mo Yan Zhēnzūn told me to assist Chief Mo Zhang and Mo Su in reorganizing the Heavenly Demon Palace's operations. Have you received that order?"