"No need. It's too noisy, it wastes time, energy, and resources."
Jian Dan rejected it outright.
"We just need to pick out the peak with the most hidden infiltrators, adjust the mountain-guarding formation there, redeploy it, and before the battle, raise its defenses one level higher."
"You're worried the news might leak and we'll get targeted?"
"It's just a guess."
Jian Dan spoke bluntly.
"Still, we can't ignore that possibility. That's my oversight, thank you for the reminder, Junior Sister."
"Anything else that needs adjusting?"
"That's all I can think of for now. If I find more while reviewing, I'll let you know."
"Good, thanks for your trouble!"
"Please trouble Chief to tell Mo Yan Zhēnzūn I've done my best."
Mo Zhang's lips curved when he heard that. Clearly, she wasn't too eager, and now he could see it.
"So, what's your plan next, Junior Sister?"
"I want to see the Spirit Division's overall strength."
"Alright, I'll tell the Ninth Squad's leader to meet you."
"First, notify the three squads of the Gong Squad. Tomorrow they're to gather directly at the arena on the peak of the Black Robe Guard's mountain."
"Got it, I'll take care of it."
Jian Dan nodded in satisfaction, gave a quick farewell to the two of them, and left.
Mo Zhang turned to Mo Yi. "Did you write down everything Mo Yue said?"
Mo Yi handed over the jade slip without a word.
Mo Zhang took the slip straight to Mo Yan Zhēnzūn.
"Zhēnzūn, these are the issues Mo Yue raised after reviewing all the jade slips."
Mo Zhang respectfully presented it. After looking it over, Mo Yan nodded to himself. A few points matched his own thoughts exactly.
"Now do you understand why I brought Mo Yue in?"
"Yes, Zhēnzūn, you're wise."
Mo Zhang hesitated, then cautiously spoke. "Some of the issues Mo Yue mentioned are old problems that've piled up in the sect for years. They can't be fixed overnight."
He didn't spell it out, but these matters involved entrenched power blocs inside the sect and certain powerful clans. If one thread was pulled, the whole thing could unravel. For now, he thought it safer to tread carefully.
"You're too cautious. It's better to break bones now than let hidden dangers fester into something even worse!"
"This…"
"Besides, Mo Yue didn't say we need drastic reforms right this instant. With her temperament, she'll take it slow. Back when she only controlled Ying Peak and had Mo Lie supporting her, she used harsher methods. But now she's dealing with the whole sect. She won't pick an overly destructive approach.
And don't forget, you're here. Mo Yue points out the problems, but you can't expect her to handle all the details. That's your job."
Mo Zhang thought it over. So Zhēnzūn wanted Mo Yue to provide direction and solutions, but the actual implementation fell to him. She'd only step in personally if it was unavoidable.
"Mo Yue is the strongest below Mahayana right now. You'd better make good use of that advantage."
"Yes, Mo Zhang understands."
After a trip to the forbidden grounds at the back mountain, Mo Zhang started reorganizing the sect. Outwardly relaxed but inwardly tightening, the Heavenly Demon Palace began its gradual adjustments.
The next day, Jian Dan arrived on time at the peak of the Black Robe Guard's mountain. A massive arena covered two-thirds of the summit. Usually, it was for drills and assemblies, but during duels, the defensive barrier would activate.
Captain Gong Yi of the First Squad followed Mo Yue up the peak. Qiu Feng and Dong Yi, both named personally by Zūnshàng, came along too, their eyes gleaming.
The two attendants set up Zhēnshàng's favorite blood-jade table and chairs outside the ring. Once Mo Yue Zūnshàng sat down, they respectfully stood behind her.
"Zūnshàng, everyone's here."
The three squads, twenty-one demon cultivators in total, stepped forward and saluted, waiting for her orders.
"Gong Yi, you've been with me the longest. Take your squad and fight one of the others."
"Yes!"
Without hesitation, Gong Yi led his squad onto the arena, turned to the two other captains, and said, "Which one of you is coming up first?"
The two captains didn't hold back. As if they'd agreed beforehand, one squad immediately leapt onto the stage.
As soon as the defensive barrier opened, chaos erupted. Swords clashed, spells flew, and bodies slammed against the barrier. Just watching made Jian Dan's bones ache in sympathy.
But soon, the chaos shifted. Gong Yi's squad split into three-man groups and attacked from three angles. They quickly disabled two enemy cultivators.
The opposing captain realized it and gritted his teeth, ordering his people to regroup. But with two men down, their counterattack lacked weight. He had to fall back on forming a three-man array and a four-man array.
Jian Dan nodded approvingly. The other squads watching below also noticed and stole glances at Mo Yue Zūnshàng, sipping tea with serene calm. Each silently wondered what they'd do if their own squad were in that fight.
After an hour and a half, Gong Yi's squad wiped out the opposition and claimed victory.
The barrier dropped. The defeated squad staggered off the arena. Jian Dan didn't let Gong Yi's squad step down. Instead, she turned to the squads waiting below.
"Your turn. Get up there and show me what you've got."
She smiled sweetly, but the squads below felt a chill crawl down their backs. They scrambled onto the arena, this time wiser. They immediately formed into three-man groups and charged.
Gong Yi's face was fierce, but there wasn't a trace of fear. He barked, "Formation!"
This time his squad abandoned the three-man style and went straight into the nine-man Ninefold Array. They clashed head-on.
The air inside the barrier bristled with killing intent. The three squads' combined attacks were deflected one by one, then pushed back as Gong Yi's squad advanced in unison. They shattered the enemy formations and wrapped it up in less than two hours.
Jian Dan looked on, satisfied. Gong Yi's squad had the weakest cultivation base in the Gong Squad, yet they'd used formation tactics to crush the others. It was impressive.
Now the three squads lined up before her. She didn't speak, just idly waved her fan, sharp eyes sweeping across them. One by one, they lowered their heads.
After half a stick of incense, the suffocating silence was finally broken when Jian Dan spoke.
"If this were real combat, you'd be the first to get wiped out. No teamwork, slow reactions under pressure, and when you're pinned, you just sit there taking it instead of finding a way to break free. What are you doing? Thinking you can outlast the enemy just because your cultivation's a little higher?"
The squads stayed silent. Nobody dared argue. They all knew Mo Yue Zūnshàng was right.
"Tomorrow, you'll watch the Mo Squad's battles."
"Yes, Zūnshàng!"
"Gong Yi, inform the Mo Squad to gather here at the same time tomorrow. I want to see if their combat strength has dulled."
"Yes, I'll pass on your order immediately."
Without taking time to rest, Gong Yi hurried off.
Jian Dan waved her hand, stood, and left with her two attendants, heading straight for Chief Mo Zhang.
"Mo Yue, you came at the perfect time. I've marked three peaks where the formations need to be shifted. Come take a look for me."