Jian Dan's eyes scanned in all directions, ears alert to every sound. She leapt off Xiao Yue, swinging her two swords to split the massive stone into a cross. Then Kuang Dao jumped after her, "clap clap" striking the broken stones with the back of his blade to clear the way behind him, slowing himself just enough so no one following would be hindered.
Xiao Yue's ears twitched. As Jian Dan soared, Xiao Yue worked with Kuang Dao, sending him upward, then jumped herself to catch the descending Jian Dan. With a flick of her tail, she circled Kuang Dao, landing smoothly.
They were only fifty meters from the ancient forest. Jian Dan squinted and said to Xiao Yue,
"Send Kuang Dao in first."
Xiao Yue flicked her tail around Kuang Dao, tossing him into the forest like a projectile.
"Kuang Dao, scout ahead, watch for ambushes!"
Jian Dan called as Kuang Dao flew forward. He barely had time to gesture before disappearing into the trees.
Then it was Xiao Yue and Jian Dan, with the five others right behind them, entering the forest.
Jian Dan had barely gone fifty meters in when a black net dropped from above, aiming straight for her and Xiao Yue.
Purple Sky Sect
Qian Wanguan stared at Kuang Dao's soul lamp. After ten days, the flickering stopped and the lamp stabilized. Though the flame wasn't as bright and lively as before, that was normal—they were inside a spatial rift, and the distance weakened the soul lamp naturally.
Qian Wanguan breathed a sigh of relief. His disciple was alive. Now all they could do was wait.
Zi Huan Zhēnzūn also got the news immediately, relieved. Since even the lowest-ranked Kuang Dao survived, the Tianjian Sect disciples should be fine. Still, he had Xiao Zi send a flying sword message to check the soul lamps of the rest.
Tianjian Sect Law Enforcement Hall
"Chief, Jian Mao Zūnshàng and his group's soul lamps have stabilized. Only Jian Lu Zūnshàng's lamp is still uncertain."
Wei Zhengrong, unusually cheerful, reported to Jian Li.
The hall had been tense for a while. Chief Jian Li usually looked stern, but Wei Zhengrong, Jin Liuli, and Qi Hua all understood his worry. Finally, good news arrived.
Even Jin Liuli and Qi Hua, who'd been quietly handling the jade slips, looked up and smiled at the briskly approaching Wei Zhengrong.
"Are you sure?" Jian Li asked again.
"Yes. After receiving the report, I personally guarded for half a day. No abnormalities appeared before I reported to you."
"What about Jian Jun and the others?"
"The same. Except for the first three that went out, the remaining four soul lamps are intact."
Wei Zhengrong replied immediately. He'd checked them before coming. Over the years, three had gone out, but the rest never changed.
Jian Li visibly relaxed.
"Only Jian Lu's lamp is missing, so we can't confirm his status yet."
"They're fine but still can't protect Jian Lu," Jian Li said aloud, though worry lingered in his heart. He asked,
"What about Jian Lu's spirit companion, Yue Liang? If Jian Lu's in trouble, Yue Liang would sense it."
"Yue Liang's already delivering the last batch of clan members to the beast clan's territory. She should've arrived by now."
"Send a message to check."
"Yes!"
Beast Clan Territory
The moment Jian Dan entered the spatial rift, Yue Liang sensed it. The connection with her master weakened slightly, prompting her to leap to the bow of the ship, concentrating.
The contract wasn't broken. If her master wanted, she could sever it unilaterally. But Yue Liang was worried. Her master had mentioned a dangerous mission. Had she already gone there? Her dark eyes flickered as she pondered.
"Yue Liang, what's wrong? Is something happening?"
Her brother, Xing Xing, noticed her tension and quietly asked, not wanting to alarm the raccoon clan passengers.
"Nothing's wrong. It's my master who's in trouble," she answered honestly.
"What? Then go back to the sect immediately. The elders and I can ensure everyone's safe."
Xing Xing decided firmly. They had maps, tokens, and prior experience delivering people to the beast territory. Yue Liang was her master's contracted partner, so confirming his safety first was critical. Xing Xing wouldn't stop her.
"Master isn't in mortal danger, just our connection is weak," Yue Liang explained after further sensing. Her master hadn't sent a distress signal through the contract.
"If you're worried, return to the sect first," Xing Xing suggested.
"No. The contract's intact, and my master hasn't called for help. I'll escort you all to the beast territory first, then decide my next move."
Xing Xing nodded, told the elders, increased the ship's speed, added more spirit stones, and Yue Liang didn't oppose.
Upon reaching the beast territory, Yue Liang's contract imprint stabilized. But something was blocking her from pinpointing her master's exact location. She handed Xing Xing's group to Elder Xing Chen and hurried to meet the Nine-Tailed Beast Lord.
The Nine-Tailed Beast was currently blocked by Bai Jue in her cave, massaging her ears while listening to important reports. Yue Liang's arrival allowed her a short break. She waved her in.
"Isn't this Yue Liang? Visiting the beast clan again?"
"I'm here to escort the last batch of clan members back," Yue Liang replied respectfully.
"Good job, good job," the Nine-Tailed Beast praised.
"Beast Lord, do you know where my master went?"
"You should know better than I do. Why ask me?"
"My contract imprint feels blocked. I can't sense clearly," Yue Liang explained.
The Nine-Tailed Beast's purple eyes shifted. She turned to Bai Jue,
"Bring Mo Ran and Jade here."
"Jade's out of seclusion?" Yue Liang asked immediately.
"She just came out before you arrived," the Nine-Tailed Beast said, twirling a purple fan embroidered with the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox. It was a decorative fan crafted by the Artifact Sect, just because Jian Dan had used one before.
Mo Ran and Jade had been brought out from the Myriad Beast Hall. Mo Ran was now seventh-tier, inheriting from the ancient demon dragon, while Jade received the Qinglong's legacy, reaching sixth-tier.
Both faced the thunder tribulation immediately upon leaving the hall. After surviving, Jade evolved from python to flood dragon, while Mo Ran's body lengthened, heading toward the demon dragon form. They had endured the tribulation without defense, boosting their physical strength. Even the Nine-Tailed Beast secretly nodded at their progress.
Since Jian Dan hadn't arrived, the two hesitated whether to return or stay, when the Purple Butterfly Demon came to summon them to the Beast Lord.