The journey after that was smooth, and five days later, they finally arrived at the Heavenly Demon Palace.
When the flying boat landed before the mountain gate, Mo Su was already waiting with Mo Yi and Mo Qi.
"Greetings, seniors of the Heavenly Sword Sect!"
Mo Su cupped his hands respectfully.
"No need to be so formal. Let me congratulate you in advance, Mo Su Xiaoyou, for succeeding as the new master of the Heavenly Demon Palace."
Jian Xu kept his usual smiling expression as he offered congratulations.
"Everyone, the Welcome Peak is already prepared. Please follow me."
Mo Su's pale face remained calm and stern. His black, wide-sleeved robe with dark patterns made him look even more composed. He gestured for the Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators to follow. His gaze casually swept over Jian Feng, pausing at the man's graying hair. A faint gleam of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
Mo Yi and Mo Qi studied the group from the Heavenly Sword Sect. Aside from Jian Xu and Jian Feng, they didn't recognize anyone. Mo Yi had once seen Jian Xu at the Chimei Mountains, though.
What surprised them was the presence of Qi Hong from the Artifact Sect and an eighth-rank great beast among the group. The siblings exchanged a glance, puzzled.
Jian Xu noticed and chuckled as he explained, "Qi Hong Daoyou and Bai Jue Daoyou happened to be visiting the Heavenly Sword Sect, so they joined us on the way. Have the Weapon Sect and beast clans sent their representatives yet?"
"So that's how it is. The Artifact Sect has already arrived. As for the beast clans, they should be on their way and will arrive shortly."
Qi Hong nodded at that. Mo Yi stepped forward and said, "Qi Hong Zūnshàng, please follow me. I'll take you to the Weapon Sect's temporary residence."
"Very well."
Qi Hong's phoenix eyes swept across the group with a smile. "Thank you all for your company. Once you've settled down, come visit the Weapon Sect's quarters when you have time."
After the polite farewell, Qi Hong followed Mo Yi away.
Mo Qi was dressed in the sect's black robe today as well, with only a red ribbon tying her hair. She looked clean and refined, with a quiet elegance.
She smiled at Bai Jue. "Bai Jue Zūnshàng, please come with me. This way to the beast clan's quarters."
Bai Jue nodded, bid farewell to the Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators, and followed her down another path.
With that, the Heavenly Sword Sect delegation was fully settled. Jian Dan, still carried by Cotton Candy, didn't descend. Once she saw everyone properly arranged, she quietly left the Heavenly Demon Palace and slipped into her own space.
Inside, she changed into Mo Yue's signature robes, the Manjushahua gown. Then she put on the ruby defensive set bestowed by Mo Yan Zhēnzūn, fastened the black-gold ring, and hung the Heavenly Demon Palace's black identity token at her waist.
Cotton Candy circled her, then turned into a crimson Manjushahua blossom and nestled into her hair.
Jian Dan conjured a water mirror, touched Cotton Candy, and nodded in satisfaction. She redid her makeup, with Xiao Yin still playing the role of her tear mole, then tapped her brow to reveal the forehead ornament.
After checking everything, she activated the Yin-Yang Taiji Plate, converting her spiritual qi into demonic qi. Above it, the Mó Yuè Zhǎn trembled slightly. She knew it was her cue to appear.
"Liu Chuan, did I miss anything?"
"No. How're you planning to show up?"
"Mo Yue's return to the sect should be high-profile, of course."
A day later, she finally emerged from her space and released the spirit beast bag containing the winged tiger.
Hu Yi tumbled out, only to be pinned mid-air by a terrifying aura. Before him stood a woman he'd never seen.
The female cultivator had a tall, slender figure, her black robe outlining her graceful shape. Her face was strikingly alluring, with a tear mole at the corner of her eye adding to her charm. Crimson ruby hairpins and earrings radiated killing intent, making it clear she was no easy opponent. Her red lips curved as she spoke:
"My name's Mo Yue. Someone gave you to me. I'm returning to the palace and need a beast to pull my chariot. That'll be you."
The bewitching voice made Hu Yi's massive body tremble. He wanted to run, but the murderous aura she exuded was even heavier than the one who'd captured him before.
Instinct told him that if he dared refuse, she'd cut him down in an instant.
"Hu Yi's willing to serve Mo Yue Zūnshàng!"
He lowered his body, showing submission.
"Good, you know your place. My Heavenly Demon Palace has a Beast Peak. I won't bind you with a contract. Once you're there, you'll cultivate and be fed well. Why wouldn't you agree?"
"I'll follow your orders!"
The moment he realized he wouldn't be bound, Hu Yi's mood lifted, and he quickly pledged loyalty.
Jian Dan tossed out her golden chariot. It expanded instantly, and Hu Yi obediently took his place at the front, ready to pull.
Satisfied, she lifted the gauzy curtain, sat inside, and commanded, "Return to the Heavenly Demon Palace!"
"Yes, Zūnshàng! Hold on tight!"
Hu Yi roared, spread his wings, and soared skyward, flying straight for the palace gates.
In these few days, sects and clans had been arriving one after another for the ceremony.
Then, a thunderous tiger's roar echoed from afar, drawing everyone's attention. The black-robed guards at the gates, personally deployed by Zūnshàng Mo Zang, instantly tensed. Coincidentally, they were the same "Palace" squad who'd once followed Jian Dan.
They spread out their senses, scanning the incoming chariot.
When they saw it clearly, their hearts pounded. That golden chariot belonged to only one person.
In the blink of an eye, Hu Yi landed the chariot before the gates. The silken veil lifted, revealing the stunning side profile of Jian Dan's current guise. The Palace squad couldn't hold back their smiles.
She stepped down gracefully, her voice carrying as she declared, "Mo Yue returns to the Heavenly Demon Palace!"
Behind her, the Mó Yuè Zhǎn appeared, surging with demonic qi. The weapon let out a clear resonance, confirming her identity and proclaiming her presence.
"Welcome back, Mo Yue Zūnshàng!"
The Palace squad bowed deeply. The next moment, Mo Su, Mo Qi, and Mo Yi appeared at the gates.
"Mo Yue, you finally decided to come back!"
Mo Qi was the first to speak, stepping quickly toward her.
"Sorry to make you worry. I barely found my way back through a spatial rift. As soon as I landed, I heard about Mo Su's succession, so I rushed here. I couldn't miss such a grand occasion."
Mo Yi, standing slightly behind, immediately noticed her cultivation.
"Mo Yue, you advanced to late Unity without saying a word!"
"I was lucky to get some opportunities. I barely made the breakthrough. Otherwise, I wouldn't even have the face to return. I have to be here to support Mo Su." She smiled and even winked at Mo Su.
His expression shifted from joy, to brief awkwardness, then back to calm composure.
"It's good you returned safely. Come with me to Mo Yan Peak first."
"Alright."
She turned to the Palace squad. "Take my winged tiger to Beast Peak. Make sure he's well kept."
"Yes, Zūnshàng!"
The four of them entered the gates together and vanished quickly from sight.
Only then did the other sects' representatives whisper to each other, confirming that this Mo Yue was the very same female demon cultivator who'd unleashed the final strike in the Battle of the Nether Valley.
Soon, the news spread like wildfire across Lingyun Continent: Zūnshàng Mo Yue had returned alive to the Heavenly Demon Palace.