"Yes, I'm heading back to the Sect too. I need to treat my injuries, and there's still a lot waiting for me to deal with."
Jian Dan's expression softened the moment she looked at Xiao Yue. She reached out and gently rubbed his head.
Lang Xiao was replying to the Nine-Tails' questions, but his gaze kept drifting toward Jian Dan. His heart felt painfully sour. Even his own kid wasn't sticking close to him anymore. And this suddenly appearing Jian Lu Zūnshàng, what was with her and his child?
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng. Thank you for protecting Xiao Yue in the secret realm. It's all thanks to you that he returned safely."
Lang Xiao finally couldn't hold it in. He stepped forward to thank her, mostly because he wanted to interrupt her and his cub's little moment.
"Lang Xiao Clan Leader, you're too polite. We only escaped that place because of Xiao Yue."
Jian Dan followed his lead, then lifted her hand. A storage ring appeared on her palm, and she held it out to Xiao Yue.
"This is something I prepared for you. It's one tenth of the gains from this expedition. Keep it safe. It'll help you reach the ninth rank in the future."
The ring glowed faintly silver. Its design was simple yet imposing, and on the band was a carved wolf head. The eye sockets held two tiny blue crystals, no bigger than mung beans, but they brought the whole thing to life. It was probably forged by someone whose spirit beast had also been a wolf.
Xiao Yue clearly loved it, but he still lifted his gaze toward the Nine-Tails.
"Why're you looking at me? Someone's gifting it to you. If you like it, just take it."
The Nine-Tails only needed one glance at the ring to know Jian Dan had picked it with care. Whatever was inside would definitely suit Xiao Yue.
With her approval, he waved his paw and accepted the ring.
Jian Dan spoke again.
"Beast Lord, I wonder where Mo Ran and Jade are now."
"After they came out of the Ten Thousand Beasts Hall, their cultivation rose. Your spirit beast Yue Liang took them away. They should've returned to the Sect."
The Nine-Tails lifted her purple fox-faced fan and fanned herself elegantly as she reported their whereabouts.
Jian Dan felt her heart lighten. It seemed both of them had grown stronger. With Yue Liang guiding them, she didn't need to worry.
"In that case, if the Beast Lord has no further instructions, I'll, "
She hadn't even finished speaking when a shout cut in.
"Xiao Zhuzi! Xiao Zhuzi!"
A burst of rainbow colors slammed into her arms as Yingge dove straight into her embrace.
Surprise lit up her eyes. Jian Dan caught him steadily, then tapped his little head with a smile.
"Yingge, you finished your seclusion?"
"Mm! I just passed my fifth rank thunder tribulation. I was stabilizing my realm, but Brother told me you were in the beast clan territory, so I came out right away to see you!"
The two of them chatted without a care in the world. Even though they hadn't seen each other in a hundred years, there wasn't a shred of awkwardness between them. Eventually, Jian Dan forced herself to stop the conversation.
"It's enough that I got to see you today. I'm relieved. Focus on cultivating. When you've got free time, come visit me at the Heavenly Sword Sect."
She could sense his aura pressing right up against the sixth rank. For his bloodline, this was already incredibly fast.
"Ahem."
Bai Jue had walked in right after his younger brother. When he heard Jian Dan's words, he gave a deliberate cough to remind everyone he was present. Only then did he speak.
"Jian Lu Zūnshàng, Yingge has a connection with you. Because of cultivation, the two of you missed many years together. Now that his realm has grown, he wants to follow you to the Heavenly Sword Sect to broaden his horizons. I've already prepared his cultivation resources. Would that be convenient?"
Yingge's beady black eyes sparkled as he stared hopefully at Jian Dan.
A line practically appeared on her forehead. So he still remembered her promise from long ago, the one where she said she'd take him out to gain experience. Back then she had a mission to complete, and he was still refining his bloodline, so the trip never happened.
Now that he was finally able to leave, Bai Jue couldn't accompany him. He was too tied down with beast clan affairs. And with how much he spoiled his brother, there was no way he'd let Yingge wander around alone. He needed someone trustworthy, and Jian Dan was the obvious choice.
She had history with Yingge, had helped strengthen his bloodline, and had a solid relationship with the beast clan. Her own spirit pet had advanced thanks to the clan too. Combined with her Heavenly Sword Sect background and near-Mahayana cultivation, she was the safest option Bai Jue could possibly choose.
Jian Dan understood his intentions immediately. She was helpless, but she still liked Yingge. After all, he was the first spirit beast she ever met after entering the cultivation world, and he'd even helped her enter that purple-grade secret realm.
"Yingge, have you thought it over? You really want to come with me?"
"I do!"
Yingge flapped his wings firmly to show his resolve.
Since the decision was made, there was nothing more to say. Jian Dan cupped her hands to the gathered great beasts and took her leave.
Xiao Yue and Yingge had always been playmates, and now they'd both bonded with the same human cultivator. Before leaving, the two chattered excitedly in their own way. Only when they felt satisfied did they part.
This time, Lang Xiao stared at Xiao Yue nonstop, afraid he'd slip away again the moment he looked away.
The people from the Heavenly Sword Sect had waited nearly half an hour when they finally saw Jian Dan approach, with a phoenix-blooded Yingge perched on her shoulder. Everyone smiled. Looked like their junior sister was taking another beast out for training.
Bai Jue personally escorted the group to the edge of the beast clan's barrier. After saying goodbye to Yingge, he watched Jian Lu Zūnshàng tear open space itself. The group stepped inside, and the rift sealed cleanly behind them, leaving no trace.
He let out a long sigh before turning back toward the Nine-Tails' cave residence to report.
"Gone?"