The gate guards had already drawn their weapons, but once they saw that it was Mo Yue Zhūnzhǔ and her group, they let out a breath of relief and stepped forward to greet them.
"Welcome back to the sect, Mo Yue Zhūnzhǔ!"
Jian Dan nodded in return and passed through unhindered, heading straight for the main hall where the Palace Master of Tianmo Peak resided.
Inside the hall were Palace Master Mo Lie and Zhēnzūn Mo Zhang, deep in discussion about a possible return expedition to the Ming Valley. When they saw Mo Yue bringing the black-robed guards back, the conversation paused at once.
"Mo Yue, you returned so quickly. Have matters been settled?"
"The Palace Master's urgent summons could not be ignored. Of course I hurried back," Jian Dan said calmly. "Though, it seems someone didn't want me to return so soon. They set a trap along the way and tried to drag us into a scroll..."
Mo Lie and Mo Zhang exchanged a glance. Jian Dan raised a brow. So they knew who was behind it?
"I needed to report back quickly, so I didn't retaliate. I used a directional teleportation talisman to return instead."
As she spoke, Jian Dan turned the black-gold ring on her finger, then continued.
"To make a move so close to the Heavenly Demon Palace... either they are completely fearless, or they assumed I wouldn't dare act against them right now."
She suddenly changed her tone.
"Since I joined the Heavenly Demon Palace, I may not have achieved great merit, but I've always led from the front. I trust the Palace Master won't let such actions chill the hearts of the loyal. Since the day I began cultivating, I've never feared anyone. I even cut down the cave of Tian Yun Zhēnzūn."
Her words sent a jolt through everyone in the hall.
"Mo Yue, rest assured. Anyone who dares block your return to the sect is going against the Heavenly Demon Palace itself. Mo Zhang will investigate and give you a proper explanation."
Palace Master Mo Lie gave a genial smile, then shifted the topic.
"But your actions at the Heavenly Sword Sect... were they not a bit reckless?"
"I was reclaiming justice for my master. If my master hadn't once been fond of Tian Yun Zhēnzūn, I would have waited until I reached Mahayana and personally ended him."
Jian Dan purposely wore a cold expression, weaving a story that was three parts fiction, seven parts truth. The two across from her were left grinding their teeth.
Had it been anyone else, they might have dismissed it with a laugh. But since it was Mo Yue, they didn't dare take her words lightly.
"Enough. We know you acted for the sect's benefit, and you returned safely. The rest will be handled accordingly. Take some rest. In a few days, you'll be setting out again."
"Very well. Since the Palace Master has spoken, I trust I'll receive the proper explanation. I'd like to settle this matter before I leave again."
Her meaning was clear. No brushing things off. She was not the kind to give up without evidence.
Mo Lie nodded. "For someone to act like this at such a critical time, they clearly have no good intentions toward the Heavenly Demon Palace. It's time they were dealt with."
"With those words, I'm reassured. I'll wait for the good news. Also, this is the jade slip detailing my encounter with Tian Yun Zhēnzūn. Please present it to Master Mo Yan."
She handed over a jade slip to Mo Lie.
With everything said, Jian Dan didn't linger. She left with graceful steps, returning to Mo Ying Peak.
Outside, Mo Yi and the rest of the "Mo" squad were summoned inside. They gave a concise report of the trip, especially about the tiny silver insect. Both Mo Lie and Mo Zhng took it seriously and extracted critical information from it.
The foreign insect race had clearly grasped the situation on the Lingyun Continent. War was inevitable. Only the conflict in the Underworld Valley had delayed both sides from committing their full strength.
"Palace Master, it seems we of the Demon Sect cannot afford to lose this war."
"Indeed. And we cannot lose. Fortunately, the current momentum has been favorable. Many cultivators have been training hard in hopes of gaining enough strength to fight when the time comes."
"Palace Master, with this new intelligence, I suggest we inform all sects and noble families across the continent."
"You want them to understand the Heavenly Demon Palace has been holding the line—and also remind them that this is not a matter only for our sect. They cannot stand aside."
"Exactly."
"Good. Do as you suggest. I have no objections."
"What do you think, how much of Mo Yue's tale about her time at the Heavenly Sword Sect was true?"
Palace Master Mo Lie asked Mo Zhang.
"If she said it, it's likely true. With her fierce temperament, she wouldn't let them off lightly."
As he spoke, Mo Zhng took out a jade slip and handed it over.
"Tian Yun Zhēnzūn has delayed his ascension. No specific time has been announced, but I suspect Mo Yue's interference played a part. The timing matches exactly with the five days she spent at the Heavenly Sword Sect."
"Sigh. If that's the case, no wonder Master Mo Yan is so satisfied with her.
Whatever Mo Yue did, it served our Heavenly Demon Palace's pride. I've heard from my master that back then, Master Mo Yan was furious enough to nearly destroy Tian Yun's life-bound spiritual sword. It was only because Tian Ji Zhēnzūn, who had already ascended, intervened that disaster was avoided. Master Mo Yan has been holding that grudge ever since.
My master still grieves over that junior sister. I'll send him the jade slip that Mo Yue brought back. It may lift his spirits."
Mo Zhang nodded and dismissed the "Mo" squad, instructing them to report back to the black-robed guard headquarters.
Palace Master Mo Lie, holding the jade slip, had already risen to leave. Before departing, he added,
"Look into which Unity cultivator from the Tang clan recently left the sect. Give them a warning. We can't let Mo Yue harbor resentment."
"Understood. I'll look into it right away."
This time, Palace Master Mo Lie's visit to Mo Yan Zhēnzūn went smoothly. The elder was still beneath the bloodthirsty vine tree, resting in seclusion.
"Master, Mo Yue visited the Heavenly Sword Sect and disrupted Tian Yun's ascension. This is the jade slip she brought back."
Mo Yan took the jade slip. Within a few breaths, he had read its contents. His ancient, still eyes opened, calm yet sharp.
"Mo Yue is clever. She stood up for your junior sister's justice, yet didn't offend the Heavenly Sword Sect to the point of no return. They now owe her a favor. Remarkable."
Mo Lie hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Master, you mean…?"
"See for yourself."
The jade slip returned to his hand, its seal now undone. Mo Lie read its contents thoroughly and couldn't help but be shocked.
Mo Yue had indeed dared much. She had entered the forbidden back mountains, confronted a Zhēnzūn head-on, and destroyed the man's cave dwelling. Before leaving, she had even declared that he would not ascend. Bold and consistent with her usual style.
"She reminds me of myself in my youth. Never tolerated injustice. But she's even more intelligent. She knows how to weigh the moment."
Mo Yan began instructing his disciple.
"Do you really think she doesn't know Tian Yun's ascension is a dead end? She knows. That's why she struck now, to drain his momentum.
The matter between Mo Mei and Tian Yun—only the two of them know what truly happened. But Mo Yue inherited the Mó Yuè Zhǎn. She is the most qualified to seek justice.
Back then, I was weaker and failed to kill Tian Yun. He was rescued. Now, with my current cultivation, I cannot act so easily. If I did, it would no longer be a personal grudge. It would become a full sect war.
Mo Yue is smart because she framed everything she did as being for her master. Her questions, her actions, all upheld her loyalty. That shows her respect for the master-disciple bond."
"I understand now, Master. She may have acted forcefully, but she was in the right. The ones involved cannot even refute her. And in the end, she saved Tian Yun Zhēnzūn from a doomed ascension. The Heavenly Sword Sect should be thanking her for preserving one of their Mahayana cultivators."
"Exactly. In the future, consult Mo Yue more often. She has good judgment. Find out who tried to obstruct her return. Show her some protection. She is, after all, Mo Mei's only successor."
"Yes, Master."
"This is a set of celestial-grade artifacts I prepared for her. Offensive and defensive in one. Deliver it for me. Tell her I was very pleased with how she handled the matter at the Heavenly Sword Sect. It's for her protection."