Jian Dan took a few light steps and arrived at the entrance of the forbidden back mountain. What had once been a wall of fog she couldn't pierce with her divine sense was now completely clear to her eyes. She finally understood that the outer barrier of this forbidden ground was formed from the laws of space and time. One misstep would get her shredded instantly.
"Come in yourself."
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn's voice brushed past her ear. She couldn't tell if he was angry or not, but she was sure he meant it as a warning.
She hesitated a little. She might've slipped into the Heavenly Sword Sect under her Mo Yue disguise and even hacked apart a Zhēnzūn's cave residence, but she'd had Mo Mei as her nominal master back then. Even if she caused trouble, people would at least give Mo Mei some face. She'd had good reasons too.
But now that her disguise had fallen, it was a different story.
"Tsk tsk, you can actually get scared?"
Liu Chuan popped out just to mock her.
"Hmph, shut up. Don't think I don't know. That terrifying thunder during my tribulation? You definitely had a hand in that. I haven't even settled the score with you, so what are you jumping around for!"
"..."
Liu Chuan wisely shut his mouth.
Jian Dan stepped forward lightly, her movements flowing with the Shadow-Stepping Footwork. With a few sideways turns, she avoided the twisting forces of space and time, found the Life Gate, and stepped into the forbidden area with ease.
Her last step landed. The mist in front of her opened up, and the figures of Tian Yun Zhēnzūn and Tian Hong Zhēnzūn appeared before her.
"Jian Lu greets the two Zhēnzūn."
Since she was already here, she had no intention of looking sheepish. She stepped forward calmly and saluted.
Both Tian Yun Zhēnzūn and Tian Hong Zhēnzūn had been watching her from the moment she touched the barrier to the moment she appeared before them. They'd seen everything clearly.
"Jian Lu, you really don't make a sound until you shock the entire world, huh?"
Tian Hong Zhēnzūn dropped the chess piece in his hand back into its box and teased her.
"It was just good luck. I don't deserve your praise."
She responded humbly.
"Then should we call you Jian Lu, or Mo Yue? Are you Shan Yunzu, or Jian Dan?"
Tian Hong Zhēnzūn continued. Tian Yun Zhēnzūn held a white chess piece between his fingers and looked at her with a half smile.
"Hehe, Jian Lu is me, Mo Yue is also me. They're just names." She tried to smile confidently, though she felt far from it.
"Alright, junior brother, if you keep asking, Jian Lu's going to run off to the Heavenly Demon Palace and become Mo Yue again."
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn waved his hand to stop the questioning, then said with a smile,
"Since the founding of the Heavenly Sword Sect, no one has ever done what you've accomplished. The Heavenly Demon Palace even tried to steal you away. They're very satisfied with you."
Jian Dan grumbled inwardly. Just what exactly did the Mo Yan Zhēnzūn tell him?
"Well..."
She had no idea how to explain it cleanly.
"Mo Yan said you're a demon cultivator. What's going on?"
Tian Hong Zhēnzūn asked directly.
"I cultivate both Dao and Demon paths." She knew she couldn't hide it anymore, so she simply told the truth.
"Across the entire Lingyun Continent, you're probably the only one who can do that."
"Yes. I was originally a Dao cultivator. By chance, I explored the ruins of a powerful senior and was targeted by Mo Mei's attempted possession. Her demonic energy invaded my meridians and spiritual power. Because I practiced body refinement, my body forced both energies into a delicate balance to keep me alive. After that, I inherited the Heavenly Demon Art and began cultivating both paths."
"No wonder you hid yourself so perfectly. I've been wondering what kind of treasure could disguise someone that well."
Tian Hong Zhēnzūn muttered, giving her another long look.
Tian Yun Zhēnzūn stayed silent. Mo Mei's name had clearly stirred up old memories.
So Jian Dan stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said,
"When I was possessed, my cultivation had already reached the Golden Core stage, but Mo Mei's primordial soul had been worn down by nearly ten thousand years. She was on the verge of dissipating. Even if I hadn't gone there, she would've faded soon.
She only held on because of lingering obsession. Even after she failed to possess me, her remnant soul stayed inside the Mó Yuè Zhǎn. She waited until the last time I met you before she finally disappeared completely."
She paused, then looked up at Tian Yun Zhēnzūn. He seemed lost in old memories, so she continued,
"Because of that accident, I inherited the Heavenly Demon Art. Mo Mei counts as half my master. In that sense, I never meant to deceive you. As for her belongings and ashes, I brought everything back to the Heavenly Demon Palace and gave them to Mo Yan Zhēnzūn. What I handed to you was something Mo Mei left for you alone. As for your cave residence..."
She glanced at the damaged cave behind Tian Yun Zhēnzūn, then said,
"Mo Yan Zhēnzūn lost his beloved disciple. He needed an outlet. As his nominal representative, I acted on his behalf."
"You did it well. If I'd been in your position, I might not have handled it as cleanly. You didn't just destroy my cave residence. You blocked an incoming calamity for me." Tian Yun Zhēnzūn finally spoke.
"I was trapped in a heart demon. I'd already prepared to die. If you hadn't cursed me awake and dragged me out of that realm with one swing, I'd probably be gone."
"Zhēnzūn has great fortune. Heaven protects those it chooses."
She grinned. As long as he wasn't here to settle debts, she'd take it.
"You and your sweet tongue. Words alone aren't worth much."
Tian Hong Zhēnzūn cut in playfully.
"Of course. I'll take responsibility for repairing Zhēnzūn's cave residence."
"That's more like it. Now tell us what you experienced as Mo Yue. Jian Li's report was vague."
"Yes, Zhēnzūn."
Jian Dan talked for more than an hour, drinking two cups of spiritual tea as she went through her entire time as Mo Yue.
"Tsk. Your life's more dramatic than a storybook."
Tian Hong Zhēnzūn couldn't help teasing again.
She was just about to respond when a familiar voice echoed from outside.
"Law Enforcement Hall, Jian Li and Jian Jun request an audience with Tian Yun Zhēnzūn."