"Chief Mo Zhang just left me and already delivered Mo Yan Zhēnzūn 's orders."
Mo Lie didn't mess around when it came to business. His tone grew serious as he carefully asked,
"Zhēnzūn ordered the Chief to say you'll go to the Black Robe Guards first, then gradually sort out the other peaks?"
"That's right. When the time comes, I hope I'll have the Palace Master's full support."
"Of course. Whatever you need, just find Mo Su. This is the perfect chance for him to fully take over the Heavenly Demon Palace's affairs."
"That won't be difficult. I'm sure you've guided him for a while already. Mo Su's always been steady, this should be child's play for him."
Hearing Jian Dan's assurance, Mo Lie relaxed a little. His smile even grew more genuine.
"Naturally, but let me say something unpleasant in advance."
"Go ahead."
"Sorting through the sect will definitely mean big changes, and it'll touch the interests of families and individuals. I hope during this period, no one will use the chance to eliminate rivals or stir up fights between cultivation families. Internal chaos isn't something Mo Yan Zhēnzūn wants to see."
"I understand. But Mo Yue Zūnshàng, don't let your blade fall too harshly either. Breaking bones makes it hard to mend."
"We're all from the same sect. Why would I harm the foundation of the palace? Rest easy. If I ever went that far, Mo Yan Zhēnzūn wouldn't allow it anyway."
"That's true."
The two reached an agreement on their future actions.
Meanwhile, Meng Congjian's talks with Beast Sect's Shou Feng were wrapping up.
"Blood insects plus two custom trapping array disks. Your sect's exchange is one high-grade spiritual vein and one hundred spirit beast cubs."
"Yes, that's what Yu Yan Zhēnzūn personally ordered before I left the sect."
Shou Feng couldn't help admiring this 'smiling tiger' of an Operations Hall Master. Meng Congjian had actually bargained all the way to his bottom line.
"In that case, I'll report back to Zūnshàng. After the succession ceremony, we'll hand over the blood insects and array disks. We're all here as guests, after all. We still need to respect the Heavenly Demon Palace."
Shou Feng felt helpless. With Meng Congjian saying everything so neatly, what else could he do? After agreeing, he returned to Beast Sect's temporary cave dwelling, exhausted.
Meng Congjian, satisfied enough, later reported the results to Jian Xu Zhūnshàng.
"Not bad. A high-grade vein is already good. As for the hundred beasts, what ranks are they?"
"They're settled. Rank one to five. Twenty-five rank one, twenty-five rank two, twenty rank three, twenty rank four, and ten rank five. Anything higher costs extra spirit stones."
"That's already a good deal. Tell Jian Lu Zhūnshàng the results. The rest will follow what you and Beast Sect agreed."
"Yes. I'll contact Jian Lu Zhūnshàng."
Tianmo Peak
Xiao Yue had just left the beast lands. Everything outside was new and fresh, so with Jian Dan's permission, he ran wild all over Tianmo Peak.
On the way, the guards all saw the little wolf pup had been carried in Jian Dan's arms. It was clearly Mo Yue Zhūnshàng's spirit pet, so none of them interfered. They let him roam as he pleased.
Xiao Yue chased after a green dragonfly, darting into grass one moment, squeezing into a crack the next, until he'd gone from the summit all the way to the base of the mountain.
By coincidence, another Beast Sect elder, Shou Min Zūnzhě, spotted him. Her eyes lit up immediately.
A Moon Wolf, only rank four, no contract, free-roaming with no mark… She instantly had ideas. Patting her beast bag, she released three Golden Bees. They buzzed off to lure the pup.
Xiao Yue had grown up playing with butterflies in his clan, so when he saw the shiny Golden Bees, he leapt after them. He didn't even realize he was being led away from Tianmo Peak.
The silly little wolf even pounced on one of the bees, pinning it with his paw, thinking he could bring it back to show Mo Yue Zūnshàng.
The next instant, a golden Beast-Binding Ring dropped down, trapping him in one go. A hand grabbed him and stuffed him straight into a beast bag.
Shou Min knew she was stealing from the Heavenly Demon Palace, so after she succeeded, she immediately turned to leave.
But then a lazy, seductive voice brushed past her ear.
"And where does Shou Daoyou plan to take my spirit pet?"
Shou Min froze. She turned her head and saw a stunning woman in a black Manjushahua robe. It was none other than Mo Yue Zūnshàng. There was no mistaking her.
After finishing talks with Mo Lie, Jian Dan had followed Xiao Yue with her four attendants. At the foot of the mountain, Chun Yu was about to scoop him up, but Jian Dan stopped her with a flick of her fan.
"Let him learn a lesson."
She'd already noticed Shou Min's tricks and decided to let Xiao Yue experience a little hardship. So, every move Shou Min made had been under their watchful eyes. Only after she succeeded did Jian Dan speak up.
The four attendants surrounded Shou Min, faces blank.
Caught red-handed, Shou Min's face twisted with embarrassment. She could only bow deeply.
"Zūnshàng, forgive me, please hear my explanation. I lost three Golden Bees and tracked them here. I found an unclaimed Xiao Yue Wolf that happened to catch one, so I scooped them all up. I was planning to hand it over to the Heavenly Demon Palace guards."
She tried desperately to salvage her dignity. If this got out, Beast Sect's face would be ruined.
"Oh? Really?"
"Yes. If I'd known it was your spirit pet, I wouldn't dare, not even with ten lives."
Her forehead was already beaded with sweat. She'd never admit she tried to steal it.
"Hmph, nonsense. You just wanted a noble-blooded Moon Wolf for yourself!"
Xia He cut in coldly, her words stabbing right at the truth. Shou Min's face burned hotter.
Jian Dan wasn't in a rush. She played with her fan, then her smile curved as her gaze slid to Shou Min's beast bag.
A moment later, the bag split open. Xiao Yue rolled out and instantly expanded into a one-man-tall wolf. His fur gleamed silver-white, and the crescent mark on his forehead shone brighter. He bared his teeth and growled, eyes locked on Shou Min. With a low roar, he lunged, his paws glowing white as they slashed, leaving arcs of light aimed straight at her.
Shou Min swung her yellow robe, blocking with her sleeve, but it tore with three long gashes.
Xiao Yue flipped in midair and landed, already pouncing in for a second wave.
Jian Dan narrowed her eyes. The little guy had spirit and decent strength, but he lacked experience. That was why he'd been captured so easily.
"Xiao Yue, come back!"
She waved her fan. His towering form shrank back to a pup and floated into her arms.
"Uuuh, so embarrassing. Xiao Yue got stuffed into a beast bag…"
"Haha, and you've got the nerve to feel wronged? It's your own fault for not paying attention. Next time, no one's saving you."
Jian Dan ruffled his fur, then lifted her gaze to Shou Min. A blue light flickered deep in her eyes.