Jian Dan kept her word. Without hesitation, she summoned her mobile mountain and flashed into her own cave dwelling at the peak.
The moment she activated the protective barrier, she sent a message to Mo Su.
"Senior Brother, I'll be resting for a few days. Please handle things for me."
Mo Su, well accustomed to Jian Dan's blunt and trouble-avoiding temperament, replied with just three words: "Understood."
Outside, Mo Yi shrugged and opened the barrier just as a tall, slender man stepped in.
The man wore a dual-toned robe, half black and half white. A golden mask covered the upper half of his face. His aura was restrained, but the pressure of a late-stage Divine Transformation cultivator was unmistakable.
"Greetings. I am Shēngsǐ Kuángjūn from the Life and Death Pavilion. May I ask if Mo Yue Zūnzhě is present?"
"Unfortunately, Mo Yue has just entered seclusion. You came a moment too late," Mo Yi replied before Mo Su offered a polite gesture in greeting.
"How unfortunate," Kuángjūn murmured. His gaze landed on the mobile mountain nearby. Even he had to admit, the Heavenly Demon Palace's strength ran deep.
"If you don't mind, why not join us for tea?" Mo Yi offered with an inviting gesture.
Mo Su formed a quick hand seal, conjuring a sphere of water that spiraled into a stream, cleansing the tea set with practiced grace. The way they brewed tea was effortless, elegant, and oddly soothing.
"The Heavenly Demon Palace played a vital role in reclaiming Ming Valley," Kuángjūn said.
"You flatter us. This was a joint effort of the demon cultivation sects. We only served as the vanguard," Mo Su replied smoothly, offering no ground for arrogance.
Kuángjūn shifted topics. "Do you know when Mo Yue Zūnzhě might emerge from seclusion?"
"Hard to say. She follows her whims. Is your business urgent?"
"If it were, could I knock on her barrier?"
"No," they both answered.
"Then why ask me?"
"We're just being polite. It's etiquette," Mo Yi replied, grinning. "But if it's something worth relaying, I can pass it on."
"Truthfully, I was hoping to spar with her."
Mo Yi blinked. "Spar? With Mo Yue?"
"Yes."
"Well, you do live up to your name. I'll pass along the message, but only if you reach the late stage of the Divine Soul realm."
"Mo Yue Zūnzhě has reached that level?"
"She has. And one more free tip for you—back when she was just in early Divine Transformation, she already slew a mid-stage Divine Soul cultivator."
Kuángjūn's eyes gleamed even brighter. Mo Yi almost regretted speaking, worried he had just inspired the man to go get himself killed.
"Then I'll prepare myself and return once she's out of seclusion. It would be an honor to face her."
Without even sipping his tea, Kuángjūn got up and took his leave.
"You can explain this one to her," Mo Su grumbled as he packed away the tea set. He summoned his own mobile mountain and entered seclusion.
"You could've at least left me a cup! So stingy," Mo Yi muttered, stomping as he summoned his own mountain. Peace settled over the formation.
Back inside her cave, Jian Dan sealed the chamber, left a strand of divine sense to keep watch, then entered her cultivation space after setting a defensive formation within.
The moment she stepped in, something fluffy lunged at her.
She caught it with a casual flick of the wrist.
"Master, it's me! Cotton Candy!"
The voice, soft and spoiled, immediately lightened Jian Dan's mood.
She opened her palm, and Cotton Candy wriggled up, hovering in mid-air. This time, it was rainbow-colored.
Cotton Candy twirled around her joyfully. "Look, Master, I've turned into rainbow mist! I can shapeshift now! Can I go outside with you?"
"Show me your transformation," Jian Dan teased.
"Okay! Watch closely!"
The little cloud spun in place, turning red, then green, then through every color in the spectrum.
"Look, Master! Aren't I amazing?"
Jian Dan chuckled. "Cotton Candy, the colors are great, but you're still a cloud. Anyone will notice."
"Aw, but I tried so hard…" it whimpered, deflating into her palm.
"There, there. You're still the cutest cloud no matter what color you are."
She patted it gently, but it still looked sulky.
"How about this? If you can take on this shape, I'll bring you into battle."
Its ears perked up.
Jian Dan conjured an illusion of a red Manjushahua blossom in her palm.
"This flower is my personal emblem as Mo Yue Zūnzhě. It's the same as the one on my robes. Can you imitate this?"
Cotton Candy circled the illusion, eyes gleaming. "I'll try!"
Jian Dan left the spell suspended and smiled, turning away as Cotton Candy began its new transformation. She made her way to visit Mo Ran and Jade.
The serenity of the inner realm washed over her. For someone fresh from war, this space brought welcome peace.
Though her cultivation had reached Divine Soul, she had yet to face heavenly tribulation. The space remained unchanged.
With a thought, she arrived at a fruit grove where Mo Ran and Jade resided.
Both creatures had grown as thick as a human wrist. Mo Ran circled Jian Dan warily before sniffing her scent. Feicui, on the other hand, immediately climbed up her arm.
"Master, you're back. That took a while."
"There was a sect mission. How's your cultivation?"
"Thanks to your care, we've reached the third stage."
Mo Ran coiled at her feet, lifting its head. "Master, I'd like to go with you. I sense my fate lies outside."
"You'll be facing wild waves of demonic energy. Can you handle it?"
"Yes. I've awakened the bloodline of the black dragon. I can absorb that energy."
"Then come. The rest will depend on you."
"Thank you, Master."
"Let's go view the peach blossoms. Jade, bring some fruit."
"Yes!"
Jade hooked Mo Ran's tail as they darted away.
Jian Dan strolled toward the ancient peach tree. She pulled out her long-unused rocking chair and sat beneath it, letting the soft spiritual air calm her mind.
"Peach Tree, how about some petal rain? Let me enjoy the beauty a little."
As soon as the words left her mouth, vivid crimson petals began to drift down around her.