The news of Mo Yue's return spread through the Heavenly Demon Palace at lightning speed. Some were overjoyed, some grew wary, and for a time, the sect maintained a fragile balance.
The visiting sects and family representatives, however, buzzed with excitement, debating endlessly about Mo Yue, the once-legendary figure.
Mo Su led the group to Mo Yan Peak, to the cave residence Jian Dan had lived in before moving to Mo Ying Peak as its master. He broke the seal and handed the jade token back to her.
"Since you left, this cave's been sealed. We've kept it untouched, waiting for you to come back."
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
Jian Dan smiled as she accepted the token. She knew the cave was empty, since she'd cleared it out when she became Peak Lord of Mo Ying Peak.
Once inside, she waved her hand, summoning the blood-jade table and chairs. When the four of them sat down, Mo Su prepared a tea set, Mo Qi laid out a few plates of rare spirit fruits, and Mo Yi directly pulled out a jade slip from his storage ring.
"This has all the major events inside and outside the sect since you left. Consider it your homework."
Mo Yi grinned as he handed it over.
"You know me best, Mo Yi. This is exactly what I need."
Jian Dan laughed, taking the jade slip. As the biggest gossip in the Heavenly Demon Palace, Mo Yi's intel was reliable enough. Still, she didn't check it immediately and instead slipped it into her black-gold ring with practiced ease.
She lifted the cup of Black Cloud Jade-Leaf tea Mo Su had brewed, took a sip, then let out a long sigh.
"It feels so good to be back."
"Tsk, sounds like you really suffered out there, otherwise you wouldn't be saying that."
Mo Qi was in a rare playful mood and teased her.
"Of course I did. Out there, I had to stay alert every moment. One wrong step, and I'd never have made it back."
"So, where exactly did that spatial rift send you?"
Mo Yi's gossip-loving soul burned bright, and his ears practically perked up.
Jian Dan had already prepared an answer. She told them she'd fallen into a small pocket realm in the Western Continent, a Buddhist cultivation country where she was branded as a demon they needed to destroy.
Naturally, she mentioned the spatial rift at Windcloud Ridge and the insect invasion, but framed it as if the Buddhists had discovered it. Since she'd survived the Insect War, she'd provided them with valuable intelligence and strategies, which eventually earned her passage out of the small realm.
"They actually let you into the Ring of Buddha's Light?"
Mo Yi was riveted and immediately questioned further.
"Of course. My Dao may not be theirs, but I didn't commit meaningless slaughter. I fought to wipe out the insect race and protect Lingyun Continent from invasion. That's a deed of merit, so they didn't dare move against me."
Jian Dan spoke with pride.
"Guess luck was on your side."
"Luck's a part of strength too."
Mo Su gave his conclusion calmly.
"Don't say I forgot about you three. Here, take some local specialties. One each."
With a wave of her hand, three sealed brocade boxes appeared on the jade table.
As the only female cultivator among them, Mo Qi picked first. She opened her box to find a pair of blood-bodhi earrings. The crimson beads glistened as if soaked in blood, imbued with blessings from eminent monks. They were rare treasures that warded off evil and dispelled calamities. Without hesitation, she put them on, conjured a water mirror, and admired herself with obvious delight.
Mo Yi, nudged by Mo Su, opened the second box. Inside was a bracelet of dragon-bone bodhi beads. He chuckled and slipped it onto his wrist. The serene aura it exuded suited his bold, carefree temperament perfectly.
Mo Su opened the last box. Inside was the most precious of the three, a pair of prayer beads carved from bodhi roots.
He stroked one bead, wore it himself, and quietly pocketed the other.
Jian Dan immediately understood his intention but stayed silent with a smile. Mo Qi and Mo Yi clearly weren't surprised either, already guessing who that second bead was meant for.
"Mo Yue, I love this gift. You don't know what things have been like while you were gone. Evil cultivators rose up in Lingyun Continent and stirred chaos for a while. It took a joint effort from the Zhēnzūn of several sects to wipe them out. Buddhist artifacts are rare enough, let alone something of this level."
Jian Dan, of course, knew all about it—she'd been the one to orchestrate it. But she widened her eyes, feigning surprise.
"Then I guess fate had its hand in things. Otherwise, how could I have ended up in a Buddhist country?"
"In any case, it's good you're back. Everything else is secondary. Mo Yue should rest first. The rest can wait."
Mo Su suggested giving her time to digest all the news. Mo Qi and Mo Yi voiced no objections.
"I'll recall your attendants from Mo Ying Peak and assign you some men from the Black Robes as well, to run errands for you. Sound good?"
Mo Su tapped the table as he asked for her opinion.
"No need. You can pull attendants from elsewhere. I'm no longer Peak Lord of Mo Ying Peak, so let's not make things awkward for the current master."
Jian Dan rejected the proposal without hesitation.
Mo Su considered it and agreed she had a point.
"I only thought you'd be more comfortable with familiar people. Since you disagree, that's fine. I'll send you new attendants from Mo Yan Peak instead. They'll arrive tomorrow. Use them as you like. If they're not suitable, I'll adjust again."
"Alright, I'll trust you on this."
Jian Dan fluttered her lashes at him and teased, "Mo Su, I've never seen you so attentive. Did you do something behind my back?"
Mo Su froze, then gave a stiff cough.
Mo Yi and Mo Qi burst into laughter. Mo Yue's sharp instincts were as keen as ever.
"What? Did I hit the mark?"
She arched her brow knowingly.
"Ahem, I'll explain another time. For now, just rest. Tomorrow, plenty of people will be lining up to see you. You need to catch up on Lingyun Continent's affairs fast if you want to handle what's coming."
Mo Su swiftly steered the conversation away.
Jian Dan feigned suspicion, glancing at the three of them, then waved lazily.
"Fine, I'll handle things my way. You've kept me company long enough. Go on, get busy. If I need you, I'll send a message."
Once they left, she smirked to herself. Looked like she'd be staying in the Heavenly Demon Palace for a while.
"Mo Yue, come to the back mountain."
The voice of Mo Yan Zhēnzūn echoed in her ear.
Jian Dan's smile vanished, and she flickered out of her cave abode.
Back Mountain Forbidden Grounds of the Heavenly Demon Palace
"Mo Yue greets Mo Yan Zhēnzūn."
Jian Dan bowed with utmost respect.
Mo Yan Zhēnzūn sat cross-legged beneath the Bloodthirsty Demon Vine, just as he had the last time she saw him. His stern, chiseled face bore a faint smile this time.
"So you've finally decided to come back?"
"With Mo Su inheriting the Palace Master's seat, this was the right moment for Mo Yue to return."
"You do know how to time things. Not bad, not bad."
"Zhēnzūn, you flatter me."
"Sit."
"Yes."
Jian Dan lifted her head, eyes lingering briefly on the Bloodthirsty Demon Vine that had once exposed her disguise. The vine even rustled its leaves at her, making her chest tighten with annoyance.
"Don't glare at Xiao Teng. You've only yourself to blame for not being careful enough."
"Yes, Mo Yue understands. I'll be more cautious in the future."
She bowed again.
"Since the Battle of the Ming Valley, the Heavenly Demon Palace's enjoyed a rare stretch of peace. But that means it's time to tighten things again."