Hu Yi finally stood up from the ground. With the stride of a king, he walked toward Miao Yunrong, spread his wings, and stirred up a fierce gust that made the trees all around rustle and shake.
Miao Yunrong looked at the towering, majestic beast and her eyes lit up with joy. She walked forward, stroked his head, and laughed. "Zūnshàng, did you bring him back?"
"Sort of. He pulled my flying carriage for a few days."
The moment she heard that, her smile grew even brighter. After all, she'd been the one who gifted the flying carriage. Letting a winged tiger pull it didn't cheapen it in the slightest.
"I'm Miao Yunrong, daughter of the former Palace Master of Heavenly Demon Palace. The current Palace Master, Mo Su, is my senior brother. I'm now a Divine Transformation cultivator. I don't lack cultivation resources, but my strength still needs sharpening. If you're willing, we can form an equal contract."
She spoke seriously. She'd long envied Mo Su's contract with a mighty falcon. When she saw this winged tiger, she was instantly captivated.
Hu Yi thought it over. An equal contract didn't sound too bad. Besides, she had backing. He wouldn't lose out. With a reluctant nod, he spoke in a deep voice. "My name's Hu Yi. I'm a Golden Winged Tiger, skilled in both metal and wind attacks."
"Wow, that makes you way stronger than a falcon."
Man and beast came to an agreement. Miao Yunrong cupped her hands to Jian Dan, then led Hu Yi away to seal the contract.
Xiao Yue, having watched the commotion, bounded off happily to play, completely forgetting how pitifully he'd just been chased.
Half an incense stick later, Miao Yunrong came riding Hu Yi. They circled once in the sky before descending slowly, landing on the open ground in front of Jian Dan.
She leapt down and smiled. "Zūnshàng, Hu Yi and I have sealed the contract. He'll be my partner from now on."
Hu Yi looked very satisfied with her words. He shook his head proudly, then followed her slowly toward the old mulberry tree.
"Good. Hu Yi's got some skills. Once you're back at your peak, practice working with him in battle," Jian Dan advised.
"Yes, thank you for the guidance."
She smiled in response, then asked, "Zūnshàng, I'm planning to head out for training in a few days. Do you have any good places to recommend?"
"If you haven't decided where to go, stay a while longer. The sect's about to hold a grand competition."
"What? I really didn't know about that. When does it start? Can I join too?"
In her impression, Heavenly Demon Palace hadn't held such a competition in ages.
Jian Dan took a sip of spirit tea before answering calmly. "I only proposed it a few days ago. The Palace Master's working with Mo Yi and Mo Qi to finalize the rules and rewards. Anyone from Qi Refining up to Void Refinement can join, if they're willing."
"Zūnshàng, you're suggesting I take part?"
She wasn't stupid. She understood the meaning behind those words right away.
"Your cultivation's gone up, but your combat power leaves much to be desired. This is a good chance to sharpen your skills."
Her lips pouted, but she didn't dare talk back. After all, Mo Yue Zūnshàng was right about her weakness.
"Don't pout. With your current strength, you'd only manage to fight Xiao Yue to a draw at best."
She froze, not knowing who Xiao Yue was. Hu Yi, gloating, whispered, "Xiao Yue's that little wolf pup in Zūnshàng's arms earlier. He's at the fifth rank."
Hearing that, Miao Yunrong rubbed her nose awkwardly. She felt like Mo Yue Zūnshàng had completely dismissed her.
"Thank you for the advice, Zūnshàng. I'll focus on training with Hu Yi first. After the grand competition, I'll head out for real training."
She accepted the suggestion without argument.
When business was done, Miao Yunrong hesitated for a moment, then quietly asked, "Zūnshàng, does my senior brother already have someone he likes?"
Jian Dan raised a brow. Clearly, she didn't know about Jian Feng, and Jian Dan had no intention of saying more. Instead, she countered with a question. "What makes you ask that?"
"I feel like he's changed. When I saw him after coming out of seclusion, he seemed lighter, softer at the edges. He doesn't shut people out the way he used to, though he still doesn't pay me much attention."
She pouted again.
Jian Dan smiled faintly, twirling her fan. "If you still like your senior brother, just tell him. If he already has someone, he'll reject you. If not, you might still have a chance."
"Really?"
Her eyes lit up, clearly unwilling to give up.
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you? But be ready for Mo Su to turn you down."
"Why?"
"Didn't you just say you think he already has someone?"
"Zūnshàng!"
"Enough. Acting spoiled with me won't help. I can't make decisions for Mo Su. You'll have to handle it yourself." Jian Dan waved her fan dismissively, sending her off.
Miao Yunrong stamped her foot, then left with Hu Yi. She needed to figure out how to confess her feelings to her senior brother. Like Zūnshàng said, maybe she still had a chance.
After brushing her off, Jian Dan returned to her own cave once Xiao Yue finished playing.
Meanwhile, Heavenly Demon Palace began its careful preparations. The first step was the grand sect competition.
This time was different. The results would directly affect resource distribution for each peak. Some were delighted, others unhappy, claiming it would stir internal conflict. A few even went straight to Mo Su.
His face remained cold. After hearing them out, he said lightly, "What, you don't have confidence in ranking top six? Then go back, push your disciples to train harder, and raise your peak's combat strength. Two hundred years from now, will you still complain your peak's weak? If that's the case, send fewer people, or none at all. Let the stronger peaks field more."
"Palace Master, you've misunderstood my meaning—"
"Misunderstood or not, you know the truth in your heart. Stop arguing. Just follow orders."
That settled it. Everyone realized his stance. Since resources were at stake, no one wanted their peak to become a laughingstock. In the past, poor rankings didn't mean much. But this time, spirit stones and supplies were on the line. Naturally, every peak began mobilizing their disciples in earnest.
Thus, Heavenly Demon Palace's grand competition began.
From Qi Refining to Nascent Soul, disciples faced elimination rounds, arena battles, and defense matches to decide their ranking.
From Divine Transformation to Void Refinement, the fights were even more thrilling. With fewer participants, it went straight to head-to-head duels, followed by defense matches that gave losers another chance to climb higher. The competition burned hotter with each round.
Of course, the Spirit Division opened betting pools at the perfect time, taking wagers on outcomes and rankings of the high-stage battles. Officially, it was to build atmosphere. In reality, it was an open way to earn spirit stones. With Mo Zhang Chief's approval, business boomed.
Jian Dan only showed up when she had spare time, mainly to watch the high-stage fights. She paid special attention to Miao Yunrong, who was representing Mo Yan Peak.