After leaving the main hall of Tianmo Peak, Jian Dan headed straight for the Treasure Pavilion. It was always safer to pocket good things immediately.
The Heavenly Demon Palace's Treasure Pavilion was a towering black nine-story pagoda.
Jian Dan took her time, circling around the tower slowly until the guardian emerged.
"Who goes there?"
The guardian was a Unity-stage expert. Jian Dan had already sensed a divine sense locking onto her, so she didn't put on airs. She bowed respectfully in the direction of the concealed presence.
"Peak Lord of Mo Ying Peak, Mo Yue, greets Zūnshàng. I've come to claim my reward, as granted by the Palace Master."
She also presented the token, infused with her spiritual power.
After inspecting the token, the guardian tossed it toward the tower door. It merged with the entrance, which opened moments later.
"You have one hour to choose. Floors one through seven are open to you. Whether or not you make a selection, you will be automatically ejected when time is up."
"Many thanks for the reminder, Zūnshàng."
Jian Dan didn't waste time. She stepped directly into the tower.
Inside, the space expanded exponentially. Endless shelves stretched in every direction.
Each shelf was clearly labeled with the name and purpose of the treasures it held. This was just the first floor. Even browsing would take too long, let alone choosing.
Jian Dan figured the better items would be higher up. Her cultivation allowed her access up to the seventh floor, so she didn't hesitate and used the internal teleportation array to reach it.
The seventh floor was far smaller, with fewer and more refined items.
She released her divine sense to scan everything at once.
To her surprise, she found something unexpected—a Black Dragon Pearl.
It was the size of a grown man's fist, pure black. Upon closer inspection, a tiny five-clawed black dragon coiled inside.
Jian Dan was tempted. This would be perfect for her Mo Ran.
She herself didn't need anything urgently, and this was a rare chance. Without hesitation, she selected the Black Dragon Pearl.
The moment she made her choice, she was teleported out. Jian Dan bowed once toward the guardian's direction, then left.
"A decisive one. The Heavenly Demon Palace has a worthy successor."
Upon returning to Mo Ying Peak, Jian Dan summoned Gong Yi.
"Gong Yi, quietly pass a message to the stewards. Tell them Mo Yue only targets the ringleaders. Anyone who can provide strong evidence of innocence or assistance will be considered for exemption from the Ming Valley trip."
Gong Yi immediately understood her intent and nodded.
"Make sure the information is accurate. I don't want vague reports."
"Yes. That we caused Zūnshàng trouble is our failure. Please punish us."
"Forget it. Those who should be punished already have. The Black Robed Guard is not under my command. Any punishment or judgment is up to the Zūnzhě of the Demon Vault, not me."
After dismissing Gong Yi, Jian Dan began reviewing the jade slips piled before her. Among them was a message from the Hua family.
Du Yanran's cultivation had fallen, and now she was eyeing the Chengli Secret Realm. Jian Dan wasn't surprised.
But Fan Jian had also started stirring again. Clearly, he hadn't learned his lesson. She wondered if her Yue Liang had advanced yet.
Back in Yunling City, Fan Jian had injured Yue Liang. Jian Dan had not forgotten. That debt was still noted in her little notebook.
Heavenly Sword Sect – Medicine Peak – Raccoon Beast Territory
Yue Liang had already advanced to Tier Four during Jian Dan's breakthrough to Divine Transformation. After waking, she had gone excitedly to find Jian Dan.
Instead, she found only Lü Se at Jian Dan Zhēnjūn cave residence.
Lü Se, being sharp, immediately treated her with utmost respect, offering spiritual fruits and delicacies without hesitation.
After all, he had seen the Heavenly Sword Sect's sword token hanging from her neck.
He had also heard she was brought back personally by Tao Chengfeng Zhēnjūn from the Purple Sky Sect.
There were even rumors that Shan Zhēnjūn had given Yue Liang her life-saving jade talisman. When Yue Liang had been attacked, she used it and ended up toppling Purple Sky Sect's rear mountain.
In short, this was not someone to offend. In fact, she should be flattered and spoiled.
Thankfully, Yue Liang had been well raised by Jian Dan and was sensible. She would stop by the cave from time to time but never made trouble for Lü Se.
Lü Se, naturally, was thrilled.
Not long ago, when Yue Liang felt her beast core stirring, she realized another advancement was coming. She found Lü Se to inform him of her closed-door training.
She even rewarded him with a mid-grade spirit stone and told him to focus on his own cultivation.
Scene Reconstruction
Yue Liang sat primly at the stone table outside Jian Dan's cave, fluffy tail swaying as she spoke earnestly:
"Xiao Lü, as the steward of Zhēnjūn, you really should raise your cultivation. Only then can you manage the cave properly."
"Yes, I understand, Senior."
"Hmm, since Zhēnjūn chose you, you must have strengths. Let me reward you on her behalf."
She pulled out a mid-grade spirit stone from her storage collar with her tiny paw and handed it to Lü Se.
He accepted it with both hands, bowing in gratitude.
"I've made some progress lately and may enter seclusion. You'll have to take care of things."
"I will do my utmost."
Yue Liang nodded, then teleported away.
Lü Se held the spirit stone with joy. His clan uncle had been right. Choosing the right person to follow was everything.
He focused even more on cultivation, grinding diligently for several years until he broke through to the Golden Core stage.
Back in the raccoon beast territory, Yue Liang returned to her ancestral grounds and reverted to her silly, cuddly self.
"Ancestor, why do I feel like I'm about to advance again?"
The raccoon beast ancestor examined her carefully and nodded.
"Nothing unusual. It's likely the other party in your contract advanced again, pulling you along."
"You mean Shan Zhēnjūn advanced again?"
"Yes, based on your reaction."
"Zhēnjūn is amazing."
"Don't get complacent. You two share an equal contract. She can help you rise, but your strength must come from your own cultivation. No one can do that for you."
"I know, Ancestor. Zhēnjūn told me that true power must be earned in battle and effort."
The ancestor nodded, pleased. Clearly, the cultivator she had chosen for Yue Liang had integrity. No wonder Yue Liang was so loyal.
"Good. Go into seclusion. When Zhēnjūn returns, show her what you've gained."
"Alright."
Mo Ying Peak – Heavenly Demon Palace
Since Jian Dan had Gong Yi spread the message, the atmosphere on Mo Ying Peak had become lively.
Those willing to go to Ming Valley and who kept a low profile simply waited for the designated time to follow the group.
Those with guilty consciences, however, started pointing fingers in every direction, hoping to escape their fate. No one wanted their life in Mo Yue's hands.
This stirred the waters thoroughly.
Ten days later, Gong Yi presented a jade slip to Jian Dan. Scanning it with her divine sense, she found that the conspiracy against her wasn't limited to one faction.
The Ma clan had taken the lead, but the Pan clan was involved too. The Tang clan was waiting to pounce, and Lei Li had tried to strike preemptively.
Ironically, none of the old noble families in the Heavenly Demon Palace had made a move.
"Is the information confirmed?"
"Yes. All verified. I even had the Black Robed Guard assist with the investigation."
"Good."
A cold blue light flickered in Jian Dan's eyes. She looked up at Gong Yi.
"Go collect their corpses."