Gong Yi froze for a moment, looking up at Mo Yue Zhūnzǔ. Her expression remained unchanged.
"Gong Yi, when I left Mo Ying Peak, I said that anyone who dared act against me or Mo Ying Peak would die without even knowing how. Today, I have kept that promise."
Startled, Gong Yi dared not speak further and quickly went to carry out her orders.
The next day, Jian Dan was thinking of visiting Mo Qi Peak to refine several weapons. She understood the principle well—"To do a good job, one must first sharpen their tools."
Just as she was about to summon Gong Yi, he arrived first and bowed.
"Mo Yue Zhūnzǔ, your orders have been carried out. Their duties have already been handed over to their deputies."
"Good. Anything else?"
"This one heard that Tian Yun Zhēnzūn of the Heavenly Sword Sect can no longer suppress his cultivation and is preparing to face his ascension tribulation."
"Oh? Is the information reliable?"
"It is. The tribulation is scheduled for one month from now."
"Understood. I will consider this carefully."
After Gong Yi left, Mó Yuè Zhǎn appeared before Jian Dan, trembling slightly.
"Yes, I planned to go as well. There's enough time."
With her confirmation, Mó Yuè Zhǎn returned to her dantian to rest.
Jian Dan rubbed her brow. Matters had to be handled one at a time. For now, she would deal with what was in front of her.
"Gong Yi, come with me to Mo Qi Peak. I have two artifacts to upgrade."
"Understood. I will make arrangements."
"What arrangements?"
Gong Yi hesitated before replying:
"Zhūnzǔ, since your breakthrough, your identification plaque has not yet been updated."
"Look at me, so busy I forgot. One thing after another."
Jian Dan handed over the plaque and Peak Lord token at her waist.
"Gong Yi, go update this for me."
"Yes. I will take care of it immediately."
Gong Yi returned within fifteen minutes. The process had gone unusually smoothly.
Initially, the steward at the Core Disciple Hall had planned to make things difficult. Gong Yi didn't argue. He simply presented Jian Dan's old identification plaque and Peak Lord token.
One glance at them, and the steward nearly dropped the plaque. Gong Yi stared him down with unblinking eyes.
"Please wait. I will update the information for the Zhūnzǔ immediately."
The steward hurriedly completed the update and handed the new plaque to Gong Yi with utmost respect.
The new plaque used the same black obsidian material but was of higher purity. Embedded around the palm-sized badge were seven uniformly sized and distinct beads, representing Jian Dan's Void Refinement cultivation.
Plaque in hand, Jian Dan led Gong Yi to Mo Qi Peak.
"Zhūnzǔ, shall we notify the Peak Lord first?"
"I'm just using the refining chamber. Is it necessary?"
"I believe it is."
"Very well, notify him. I also plan to make a trade with the Peak Lord."
When Jian Dan's light descended on Mo Qi Peak, two Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding the gate moved to intercept.
One recognized her identification plaque and stopped the other, bowing respectfully.
"Greetings, Zhūnzǔ!"
"Hmm. Is your Peak Lord present?"
"Yes. I will inform him immediately."
Gong Yi stepped forward and handed over a visiting notice.
"Inform your Peak Lord that Mo Yue Zhūnzǔ is here."
"Yes, I will go at once."
He mounted his flying artifact and sped toward the summit.
Meanwhile, Jian Dan and Gong Yi proceeded on foot.
As they turned a corner, they overheard two male cultivators in a heated argument.
"Mo Yue does not represent the Heavenly Demon Palace. She joined us midway, just a Loose Cultivator."
"Rubbish! She earned her status through strength. If you have what it takes, try it yourself. Besides, she has a master here. She's not a Loose Cultivator anymore."
"Senior Brothers, why argue over someone unrelated? Whether Mo Yue Zhūnzǔ represents us is for the Elders to decide, not us."
"Exactly. Well said, Junior Sister. The Elders are our foundation. Their judgment is beyond question."
"Junior Sister, isn't your Ancestor an Elder? What does he think—"
"Senior Brother, you know my Ancestor is always cautious. I can't say. But…"
"But what?"
The one pressing the question leaned closer.
"Our sect needs people to charge into battle..."
"Ah, I see. The Elders think of everything."
A burst of tinkling laughter followed.
Gong Yi heard it too and glanced at Jian Dan. Her expression did not change, though something flickered in her gaze.
She raised a brow and walked forward, appearing around the corner with Gong Yi.
The three ahead jumped in shock.
When they saw the black Manjushahua robe Jian Dan wore, all color drained from their faces.
Jian Dan approached, fanning herself with a folding fan, her every step elegant.
"G-Greetings, Mo Yue Zhūnzǔ!"
Their words stumbled over themselves.
"Gong Yi, whose juniors are these?"
She motioned toward the kneeling female cultivator with a subtle nod.
"You, raise your head!"
Gong Yi's voice was sharp.
The woman trembled and slowly raised her small, pale face.
"Zhūnzǔ, spare me!"
Gong Yi sneered at the late-stage Foundation cultivator and reported:
"Zhūnzǔ, she is from the Tang family. The weakest of their main lineage."
Tang Yuanyuan's face turned red, but she dared not refute him.
"I see. Spends all her energy gossiping. No wonder her cultivation stagnates."
"Mo Yue Zhūnzǔ, forgive me for not welcoming you sooner!"
The Peak Lord of Mo Qi Peak had hurried down to meet them after receiving the message. He saw the trio kneeling but said nothing, greeting Jian Dan first.
"Thank you for coming to meet me. I am here to borrow a refining chamber. Some artifacts need repair after the last battle."
"Of course. Please follow me. I'll take you to Room A."
The towering, broad-shouldered Peak Lord led Jian Dan and Gong Yi toward the summit.
Once they were gone, the cultivator who had spoken in defense of Mo Yue straightened up, dusted off his robe, and walked away.
He had seen enough. The other two were petty and jealous, spreading rumors to drag him down. He would not associate with them.
Tang Yuanyuan's face contorted with frustration. She didn't realize every detail of her reaction had been seen clearly by Jian Dan, Gong Yi, the Mo Qi Peak Lord, and his loyal attendant.
"Tang family?"
A cold smile tugged at Jian Dan's lips.
Gong Yi burned with anger, wanting nothing more than to eliminate her on the spot.
A buzzing fly with no real strength, yet still a nuisance.
Jian Dan flicked her finger, sending a wisp of black mist into Tang Yuanyuan's body. She didn't notice a thing.
Tang Yuanyuan, humiliated, left the peak in haste.
The loyal male disciple who had defended Mo Yue glanced back at her departing figure, then turned and took a different path.