The last bolt of heavenly thunder, purple streaked with white, split the clouds and struck straight into Xiao Yue's forehead.
"Ahhh!" he howled, his cry torn from his throat as the lightning swallowed him whole.
He felt the thunder rampage through his body, shattering his bones and flesh, then forcing them back together, stretching and reshaping everything. He watched as his wolf claws slowly turned into tender little fingers. Then came the arms, the head, the torso, and finally his whole body.
When it was done, Xiao Yue had turned into a six-year-old boy. Naked, covered in wounds, and trembling from the pain, he lay on the ground. Arcs of lightning still flickered across his skin, and he didn't even have the strength to climb back up.
The drop of supreme spirit spring he'd swallowed earlier hadn't fully been absorbed yet. Now it began to work, repairing the injuries to his organs bit by bit. He blinked hard, forced himself up, and looked toward the sky.
The tribulation clouds were already gone. The heavens cleared, blue and spotless. Just as he lifted his head, a spiritual rain poured down.
"Sit cross-legged, five hearts facing the sky. Start circulating your art, absorb the rain, heal your body and meridians."
Clumsily, with stiff little limbs, he managed to sit upright and began drawing the rain into his body. His wounds closed at a speed visible to the naked eye. By the time the spiritual rain stopped, Xiao Yue leapt up and shifted back into his wolf form.
Now his frame was even larger than before. He threw back his head and let out a resounding wolf howl. Above him, the phantom image of the Howling Moon Wolf appeared, majestic and commanding as it looked down over the land. Ten breaths later, it faded, marking his official breakthrough to the fifth rank.
He was overjoyed. Power surged through every inch of him, and he raced straight toward Jian Dan. Along the way, the mighty wolf shrank down into a fluffy cub that jumped right into her arms.
Mo Qi stared in envy. His fur, gray and white, shimmered with new luster, faintly glowing with silver light. The crescent moon mark on his forehead gleamed even brighter, smooth and radiant, energy visibly flowing within it.
"Mo Yue, I'm fifth rank now!" Xiao Yue cried happily, showing off the moon mark on his brow. His eyes curved into crescents with his grin.
Jian Dan stroked his head. She was just as surprised that he'd endured all five strikes of tribulation thunder without relying on a defensive array. He'd even transformed into human form, though he clearly preferred being a wolf cub.
Mo Qi still eyed him with obvious jealousy. Together, they flew back to the arena atop the peak, where the entire Gong Squad had gathered to watch.
Xiao Yue acted proud and spoiled, letting no one but Jian Dan touch him. He raised his little head high and barked defiantly at the Gong Squad members.
At that moment, a white feather carrying a familiar aura drifted toward Jian Dan. She caught it, and Bai Jue's voice came through:
"Mo Yue Zūnshàng, is Xiao Yue with you? Clan Chief Xiao Yue has been restless lately, worried about him."
Jian Dan smiled knowingly. She waved for Xiao Yue, drew a talisman in midair, and let him say something for his father.
"Father Beast, I'm doing great here. I just passed my fifth-rank tribulation and succeeded in transforming. I'm staying by Mo Yue's side for now to stabilize my realm, so I can't go back yet. Don't worry about me."
He scratched his ear, then turned his little head to Jian Dan, signaling that he was done.
She chuckled, rubbed his head again, and took out a recording jade. She recorded the entire process of his tribulation, slipped it into the talisman, and sent it soaring out of Heavenly Demon Palace.
After the excitement, training started anew.
Back in her cave, Jian Dan checked Xiao Yue thoroughly. Finding no problems, she instructed him:
"Xiao Yue, stay here in the cave for two days. Consolidate your realm, then you'll start working as my assistant."
He was grumpy at first about being confined to the cave. But the moment he heard he'd get to be Mo Yue's assistant, his tail wagged nonstop. He had no idea Jian Dan was tricking him. When she later tossed him onto the arena, he finally realized what being her "assistant" meant. But by then, it was far too late to regret it.
Mo Qi was already sparring with the black-robed guards on the stage. She was Mo Yue's first assistant. Which meant Xiao Yue had no choice but to grit his teeth, transform into his true form, and start brawling with the guards. His fights pushed them to sharpen their combat strength, while also forcing him to hone his own.
Jian Dan wasn't soft about it either. She made him battle in wolf form first. After he got the hang of that, she made him switch to human form, coordinating with the black-robed guards until he could fight skillfully in both bodies.
When he couldn't take it anymore, he looked up at her with teary eyes, hoping she'd relent. But she only laughed and reminded him how he'd once been trapped in a Beast Ring and stuffed into a spirit beast pouch. With Chunyu adding colorful details to the story, Xiao Yue had no choice but to lower his ears and keep training.
He never wanted to be sealed into a spirit pouch again. So he kept fighting as a sparring partner, honing his battle techniques. At night, when he lay under the moonlight and cultivated, his realm rose slowly but steadily. By dawn, he'd be full of energy once more.
It was tough, but his foundation grew solid, and his battle skills soared.
Demon Beast Territory
Three days later, Clan Chief Lang Xiao finally received Mo Yue's reply. A crimson Manjushahua talisman unfurled before him, carrying his cub's cheerful voice. His tense heart finally settled.
A recording jade floated beside it. He grabbed it immediately and watched Xiao Yue's entire tribulation with Bai Jue.
"Whew…" He let out a long breath, relief flooding him. Rising, he cupped his hands toward Bai Jue.
"Thank you, Bai Jue Zūnshàng. Now that I know my son is safe, I can rest easy."
Bai Jue waved dismissively. "I understand your worry. But now that his tribulation's over, if you want to bring him back, I won't stop you. Still, knowing Mo Yue Zūnshàng, she's probably training him right now."
The elder's voice turned firm.
At that time, Nine Tails wasn't in her cave, having gone to the Myriad Beast Hall to check on Yingge, Mo Ran, and Jade. Mo Yue had tossed the flood dragon and python to them, saving herself the trouble. With Xiao Yue at her side, she decided to personally guide him as well.
Clan Chief Lang Xiao was notorious for spoiling his cub, to the point he'd abandoned the Wolf Queen entirely. He could never bring himself to discipline his son. At best, he'd taught him some basic hunting. This time, it was better to let Mo Yue handle the training.
Thinking it over, he nodded. Bai Jue wouldn't lie, and besides, it was Xiao Yue himself who'd gone running to Heavenly Demon Palace. Since that was the case, he might as well stay there and toughen up. Once the Flame Wolf Tribe problem was handled, he could fetch the boy back.
"In that case, I'll follow your advice, Bai Jue Zūnshàng. Let the boy gain some experience outside."
The clan chief cupped his hands again, deciding not to retrieve Xiao Yue for now.
But just as he stepped out of the cave, a black wolf came racing toward him, howling urgently.
"Clan Chief, the Flame Wolf Clan's chief is causing trouble again. Both sides are fighting, the clan elder wants you back immediately!"
"Go!"
Without hesitation, Clan Chief Lang Xiao charged back toward the battlefield.