"You've got a good plan in mind, but it still depends on whether I'll accept it."
Jian Dan stroked Xiao Yue's fur casually, not taking things too seriously.
Xiao Yue squinted his eyes, enjoying the touch. He didn't care about the three's conversation anyway, since he couldn't understand a thing.
"In terms of strength, they definitely can't threaten you. What I'm worried about is if they stir up public opinion."
"Hmph, I, Mo Yue, don't fall for that kind of trick."
Jian Dan smiled faintly. She could already guess what those people would do, but whether she'd respond or not was still up to her.
"Thanks for reminding me. I'll keep an eye out."
She was genuinely grateful the two had taken the trouble to warn her. After all, for a clan, having a Mahayana Zhēnzūn meant everything.
"As long as you're aware. The Tang Clan's been in chaos for a while now. Just don't let yourself get dragged into it."
Once Mo Qi finished speaking, she immediately scooped Xiao Yue into her arms.
Before Xiao Yue could react, he was already caught in her clutches.
Mo Qi had been eyeing him since she entered the cave, but she'd held back because business came first. Now that matters were settled, she hugged him tight and teased him mercilessly until his fur stood on end.
Both Jian Dan and Mo Yi twitched at the corners of their mouths. They couldn't appreciate her strange hobbies.
Only after Mo Qi had gotten her fill did she return a teary-eyed Xiao Yue to Jian Dan. Looking satisfied, she left with Mo Yi.
"Mo Yue, she bullied me!"
Xiao Yue whined the moment Mo Qi left.
"She likes you, that's why she teases you," Jian Dan chuckled, smoothing down his fur.
"Hmph, not next time!"
Xiao Yue huffed.
Jian Dan tapped his forehead with a smile, dousing him with cold water.
"At the end of the day, it's just because you're not strong enough. If you were, she wouldn't be able to treat you like that."
"I'll work hard, I promise!"
Xiao Yue clenched his tiny paws, once again swearing his determination.
"Alright, enough slogans. Tomorrow, come with me to the Black Robe Guard Station. I'll have them spar with you for training."
Tang Clan Guest Hall
"So, what have you all found out?"
At the head sat a gray-robed Unity-stage cultivator, asking in a low voice.
"Nothing useful. All we know is that Mo Yue has returned. Her cultivation's at late Unity, and she's living at Mo Yan Peak."
"That's all common knowledge. Nothing else?"
"Nothing. When Mo Su took advantage of the clan's chaos, he rearranged everyone. The important positions are all taken. The rest of us are stuck at the fringes and can't get any real information."
The Nascent Soul cultivator reporting looked grim.
"Ask the other clans."
"We tried. Those people just follow the wind. With our Zhēnzūn gone, they've been brushing us off, not giving us anything of substance."
"Back then, the Zhēnzūn was way too reckless!"
Tang Chang cursed bitterly.
Because of the missing 'Desert Yellow Sands Map,' the clan's Ancestor had chased after a space fluctuation. He never returned, leaving the Tang Clan in a weakened state. If Jian Dan were here, she'd laugh at them. If they hadn't schemed against her and the Gong Squad in the first place, they wouldn't be in this mess now. They had started it.
Think a little deeper and it's clear. Could Mo Su have cut down Tang Clan members without Palace Master's consent? Their actions weren't even hidden from the sect. That alone showed the Black Robe Guard Station had allowed it.
Not to mention, that was the critical moment of the Ming Valley War. The Tang Clan actually dared to target Mo Yue and her group. They touched on the Heavenly Demon Palace's core interests, so of course the other clans rejected them. No one was stupid enough to side with them.
Of course, there were still a few clear-headed Tang Clan cultivators. But since they weren't part of the main line, they had no authority. All they could do was fume silently.
The next day, Jian Dan brought Xiao Yue and four attendants to the Black Robe Guard Station.
The station sat on a subsidiary peak behind the Heavenly Demon Hall. From the outside, it looked no different from the other side peaks. When Jian Dan arrived at the foot of the mountain, two guards in black robes came forward to salute.
"Greetings, Mo Yue Zūnshàng."
"I'm here to see Chief Mo Zhang today. Please report for me."
"Zūnshàng, this way. We've received orders. You may enter directly without notice."
Jian Dan nodded. Clearly, Mo Yan Zhēnzūn had already made arrangements. She led her attendants into the subsidiary peak where the station was hidden.
Once they passed through the formation at the entrance, the mountain revealed its true appearance. Inside was a world of its own, completely different from the outside. The whole peak was lush and green. Ancient trees and pines grew everywhere. Black floating stones wound upward from the base all the way to the mid-mountain Black Robe Guard Station.
Along the way, flowers and spiritual herbs bloomed in vivid colors, contrasting with the old trees and softening the mountain's atmosphere. By the time Jian Dan stood before the station's main hall, guards were already there to receive her.
The hall itself was built along the mountain's slope, three tiers high, all stacked with obsidian. Every wall was reinforced with formations.
The guards respectfully invited Jian Dan inside. The hall's interior was much softer, supported by four carved pillars depicting flowers, birds, fish, and insects, with golden gauze curtains draped elegantly to the side.
On the main seat sat Chief Mo Zhang, smiling as he waved at her.
"Mo Yue, so you finally had some free time today."
Jian Dan smiled as she bowed. "Forgive me for disturbing you, Chief. The other day, I met with Mo Lie, and he hinted I should come see you right away."
"Sit, let's talk."
Mo Zhang waved his attendants aside, letting them continue sorting through black jade slips on the table. Then he personally led Jian Dan into a side hall. The furnishings there were much simpler, with just a white jade table and two jade stools.
It was the first time Jian Dan's attendants had entered the station. They were a little nervous but still paid their respects properly. After setting out tea and spiritual fruits, they tactfully withdrew to stand guard at the door.
"Chief Mo Zhang, try this. It's Bodhi Tranquil Tea I brought back. It calms the mind and clears one's thoughts."
Jian Dan introduced the tea with a smile. Mo Zhang lifted the golden liquid, inhaled its fragrance, and felt his mind lighten. Taking a sip, he nodded in praise.
"Excellent tea!"
"As long as you like it. I'll split some off for you later."
"Good, I won't be polite then." Mo Zhang laughed heartily, then added, "This tea, you must've gotten it from the fallen Buddhist domain?"
"Yes."
Without showing much emotion, he skillfully guided the topic to Jian Dan's experiences while she'd been missing.
She smiled without giving anything away, gently stroking Xiao Yue in her arms as she recounted her time there. For every question, she patiently gave answers, before finally concluding:
"Chief, I was the only outsider in that Buddhist realm, so no one else can confirm what I say. But every cultivator has their own opportunities. It was because of that opportunity my cultivation advanced so quickly."
Her meaning couldn't be clearer. She'd told her story, but since no one else could prove it, he shouldn't dig too deep. Her breakthrough came from her own fortune, and that fortune wasn't something she could share.
"Hehe, I was just curious, that's all."
Mo Zhang smiled, but then his tone grew serious. "Zhēnzūn ordered me to assist you in reorganizing the Black Robe Guards. Tell me, what do you need me to do?"