"Zheng Rong, have you truly thought this through?"
Wei Weie, Wei Zhengrong's father, asked in a deep voice.
At his side, Qin Qin tugged at her Dao companion's sleeve, her face heavy with sorrow, though she still tried to ease the tension between father and son.
Wei Zhengrong looked at his father's weathered face, exhaled slowly, and then began: "I returned this time not to quarrel with Father, but for the sake of Xue Ru's future."
Nestled quietly in her brother's arms, Xue Ru glanced at her parents, then at her elder brother, remaining obediently silent.
"Let's hear what Zheng Rong has to say first. Do not rush to a decision," Qin Qin soothed, her gentle temperament always serving as the bridge between father and son.
Wei Weie nodded, signaling for Wei Zhengrong to continue.
"Father, Mother, in the clan I have received the Ancestor's favor, so much so that our branch is faintly overshadowing the patriarch's direct line."
Wei Weie was about to interject, but Wei Zhengrong pressed on:
"I know Father has no intention of vying for the patriarch's seat, and you do not wish for me to contend for it either. But others in the clan do not think the same, especially Eldest Uncle's branch.
Since I began cultivating and displayed my talent, how many times have I been tripped in secret and in open? Do you think I dress so ostentatiously by choice? Every bit of it is to shield my own life!"
"Zheng Rong!"
Both parents' expressions darkened. Qin Qin's face grew especially grim, for as a mother she had long suspected as much.
"Only when the Ancestor intervened and sent me directly into the Heavenly Sword Sect as the clan's representative did I gain a moment's respite, maintaining ties between sect and clan. But now they have even reached for my little sister. That is something I will never allow!
This time I was willing to expend the clan's treasured heirloom, just to beg a sliver of chance from Jian Lu Zūnshàng. I will not sit idly and watch my sister be taken from us."
"Zheng Rong, this time you were able to use the clan's heirloom because your father lent support. Otherwise, do you think things would have gone so smoothly?"
Unable to restrain herself, Qin Qin spoke up, both to defend her Dao companion and to let her son know the family truly valued Xue Ru, not intending to abandon her.
"I know. That is why I have come today to speak plainly with you both."
Wei Zhengrong softened his tone, smoothing Xue Ru's round little hair bun before continuing:
"After curing Xue Ru, Jian Lu Zūnshàng once said, if the Wei Clan could not tolerate her, then I should send her to the Heavenly Sword Sect."
Wei Weie and Qin Qin exchanged a long glance, then turned their eyes toward Wei Zhengrong. Wei Weie tentatively asked: "Does Zūnshàng intend to accept Xue Ru as a disciple?"
"Zūnshàng did not say so explicitly, only that she treasures talent."
He paused, then added firmly: "This time, as the sect recruits new disciples, I want Xue Ru to participate. Her ability to cultivate cannot be concealed forever. She must gain experience, advance her realm, and make a few trustworthy companions."
His words left his parents silent. They knew all this, yet because their daughter had only just begun cultivating, they thought time still remained.
"I wish to enter the Heavenly Sword Sect," Xue Ru's crisp voice suddenly rang out, shattering the silence. "I want to bow under Jian Lu Zūnshàng as master. She treats me well, allowed me to cultivate, and I would not need to part from Father, Mother, or Brother."
"So be it. Zheng Rong's efforts are for Xue Ru's sake. I will explain matters to the clan. When the day of the sect's disciple recruitment arrives, let Xue Ru go."
Wei Weie spoke with difficulty, but in the end he still agreed to his son's proposal.
"In that case, let us prepare Xue Ru well. When I return, I will subtly raise the matter of accepting her as a disciple with Zūnshàng. But in the end, this depends on fate."
"Good!"
Beside them, Xue Ru's eyes sparkled brightly. She could now openly cultivate, and she would see Zūnshàng again.
Over the next month, the great sects and clans of the Lingyun Continent all received the Heavenly Demon Palace's warning. Each was enraged.
In the Nine Fiends Hall, Hao Meng, upon hearing this news, broke into a cold sweat.
He had led his training party to that very location because word had spread that someone found a demonic plant there, refined it into a "Mo Yan Dan," and broke through from Divine Soul into Void Refinement.
Hao Meng had hoped to try his luck and thus led his men to the Chimei Mountains.
But back in his cave, the more he thought, the more wrong it seemed. Coupled with the Heavenly Demon Palace's message, he realized that rumor of the demonic plant must have been deliberately spread, to lure high-level cultivators into that insect nest.
From the brief glance he had taken, he knew this was not something a single Divine Soul cultivator with a few Nascent Soul juniors could withstand. The mountains of insect corpses alone, in sheer number, meant entering would have been certain death.
Grinding his teeth, Hao Meng swore he would not let the one who spread that news escape. Now he even had sufficient cause. He rushed out of his cave immediately. Such vital intelligence had to be reported to the Hall Master, and it might even count as a contribution to his merit.
Fate's twists often come where none expect.
Because Hao Meng, driven by personal spite, wanted to retaliate against the one who misled him, the Nine Fiends Hall followed the trail and truly uncovered an insect infiltrator. Ultimately, they discovered where the fused insects were headed.
Beast Clan Territory
Lang Xiao's party, riding their flying boat, finally arrived at the Beast Clan's homeland.
The Raccoon Beast Ancestor, leading the first wave of clansmen who had migrated, followed behind Lang Xiao. Together they passed through the great barrier into the Beast Clan's domain.
Lang Xiao waved, dismissing his tribesmen to return to the Howling Moon Wolf grounds, while he himself led the raccoon beasts to seek audience with the Nine-tailed Beast Lord.
Since assisting in the slaying of Hai Yan, the Nine-tailed Beast Lord had returned to guard the Beast Clan.
After sending Bai Jue to cultivate in the Heavenly Sword Sect, the clan's affairs had fallen squarely on her shoulders. Nine-tail regretted that decision, wishing she had let Bai Jue handle matters before leaving.
Reclined lazily on a soft couch, the Nine-tailed Beast Lord kept her eyes closed while Bai Ling read aloud the latest message in her clear and pleasant voice.
It was the Heavenly Demon Palace's warning. When Bai Ling finished, she too was drenched in cold sweat.
"Beast Lord…"
Nine-tail opened her shimmering violet eyes and gave a low snort: "I knew Hai Yan was scum, a calamity for generations. Even with his soul scattered, he leaves such a hidden hand behind. Had I known, I would have fought his master to the end back then!"
Bai Ling did not dare reply. That was before her time.
"Bai Ling, summon the Dragon Earth Clan chief."
"Yes, Beast Lord!"
She set aside the jade slip and went to summon him. But as she stepped outside, she saw Lang Xiao striding quickly toward the cave and hurried back inside.
"Beast Lord, Clan Chief Lang Xiao has returned!"
"Tch! He finally bothers to return. Let him in!"
Outside the cave, Lang Xiao turned to the Raccoon Beast Ancestor: "I will first report to the Beast Lord. You wait here."
"My thanks, Clan Chief Lang Xiao."
The raccoon elder bowed respectfully, leading his clan to wait outside. Curious gazes fell on them, but he only narrowed his eyes slightly, awaiting the summons.
"Lang Xiao pays respects to the Beast Lord!"
"Hm. You have brought the raccoon beasts back?"
Nine-tail's eyes narrowed. She had already noticed the clan waiting outside.
"Yes. Jian Lu Zūnshàng did not bar their return, even asked me to look after them more. This trip was for their sake, which is why I returned later than expected."