Twilight Shadow Sect had a new problem.
And, for once, it wasn't caused by Lin Fan.
"Why is there a carriage outside the gate?" Yun Xi asked, blinking.
"With embroidered banners?" Xue Rong added, frowning.
Han Li peeked from behind a bush. "Is… is that a golden rooster emblem?"
Shen Mo's brow twitched.
"Of all the noble clans… why the Golden Rooster Pavilion?"
"Sounds fancy," Lin Fan said, dragging Bubba the Cauldron up the path.
"They're loud, rich, and addicted to flashy entrances," Shen Mo muttered. "They only care about power rankings and face."
"So they're like cultivator influencers?"
"Exactly."
At the Gate
A tall young man stepped from the carriage, surrounded by two maids and a beast handler.
He wore silken robes that shimmered with embedded spirit patterns and carried a folding fan decorated with gold leaf.
He also looked thoroughly unimpressed.
"So… this is the famed Twilight Shadow Sect?" he said, fanning himself.
"You've heard of us?" Shen Mo asked flatly.
"Naturally. I make it my business to track emerging talents." He sniffed. "Though I expected more impressive infrastructure."
Lin Fan whispered, "Do I get to hit him?"
"No," Shen Mo replied. "Not unless he insults Bubba."
"Understood."
The noble snapped his fan closed.
"I am Gong Zhen, direct heir of the Golden Rooster Pavilion. My beast companion—" he motioned, "—has gone berserk."
A heavy iron cage was lowered from the cart. Inside, a majestic black-feathered beast thrashed, screeching and foaming at the mouth.
"Spirit rank," Xue Rong muttered. "High-tier."
"It's been poisoned," Yun Xi noted, narrowing her eyes.
Gong Zhen huffed. "I've visited three alchemists. None dared touch it."
"And yet you came to us?" Shen Mo asked.
"You humiliated Blazing Sun. You cleared a rogue band. Word is, your sect... specializes in chaos. I need unconventional help."
He paused, then added with a smirk:
"Also, your fame is rising. Better to extend an olive branch before you attract the wrong enemies."
Shen Mo gave him a slow, knowing smile.
"Translation: your clan wants to control us before someone else does."
Gong Zhen returned the smile, equally sharp.
"We're nobles. We never admit that."
Later – Inside the Sect Grounds
The beast snarled inside a makeshift enclosure, chained and foaming.
Yun Xi and Lin Fan worked on a purification formation, while Han Li fanned the creature to keep it cool.
"You sure this won't explode?" Yun Xi asked.
"I'm fairly sure," Lin Fan replied. "Which is more than I can say for my usual experiments."
"You're not comforting me."
Xue Rong stood watch. The beast kept glaring at him.
"It respects your aura," Shen Mo said.
"It also looks like it wants to eat me."
"That's just noble pets. They're taught to bite anything not wearing silk."
Nightfall – Treatment Begins
Lin Fan tossed a glowing pill into the array. Yun Xi activated the formation.
A circle of green light engulfed the beast. It thrashed. Screamed. The sky flickered with qi turbulence.
Then…
Silence.
The beast collapsed, chest heaving, foam gone.
It opened one eye—and for a moment, its gaze locked with Shen Mo's.
It bowed its head.
[System Notification:]Spirit Beast CalmedAlchemy Skill: Lin Fan +1Formation Skill: Yun Xi +1
Gong Zhen's Favorability: +30Sect Reputation: +6 (Noble Circles)
Gong Zhen stepped forward slowly, amazed.
"You... cured it."
"We restored it," Shen Mo said. "Curing takes time."
"This is… impressive."
He bowed slightly. "The Pavilion thanks you. And I…"
He paused, clearly fighting pride.
"I would like to offer… a formal alliance."
Shen Mo smiled faintly.
"We'll consider it."
That Night – On the Rooftop
Shen Mo sat alone beneath the stars. The beast's gaze still lingered in his mind—ancient, intelligent.
"Another pawn added to the board," he muttered.
"That's three nobles watching us now. Maybe four."
From the darkness, the Black Sky Fragment pulsed in his ring.
"...Let them watch."