"You have a point. I still get chills thinking about the last Heavenly Tribulation. Good thing you think fast, Sister!"

The Golden Small Sword grew angry just thinking about that Heavenly Tribulation.

’Was that a tribulation?’

’It was clearly a Heavenly Punishment!’

’For it to pull something so brainless... it’s really hard to guarantee the Heavenly Dao won’t try something else.’

At this thought, it also grew anxious. "Then we have to get involved with the Mo Family’s affairs. One more ally means one more guarantee!"

Success was a matter of human effort. As long as they worked hard enough, they would one day be able to contend with the Heavenly Dao!

"Mm, but I can’t just go to the Mo Family like this. It would be too conspicuous."

After some thought, Song Wanning took out a Sound Transmission Talisman and sent a message to Song Qingyun.

After communicating with Song Qingyun, he acted on her behalf, sending a Communication Talisman to the Mo Family Master and arranging to meet at a different teahouse.

The Clan Leaders usually had ways to contact each other. This was the most reliable method Song Wanning could think of.

Song Qingyun repeatedly stressed that no one else should know of this matter. The Mo Family Master would surely understand its importance.

Once the arrangements were made, Song Wanning rested in her room.

...

「The Mo Family Residence.」

The Mo Family Head, Mo Rou, received Song Qingyun’s Communication Talisman and put it away, her face full of doubt.

She was fairly well-acquainted with Song Qingyun, and they often saw each other at gatherings of the family heads. However, private meetings like this were rare. After all, Song Qingyun was a married man, and as a woman, she didn’t want any rumors spreading about them.

But from the sound of his tone, it seemed he had something very important to discuss.

She had to go.

Just as she agreed, someone came to report from outside her door.

"Family Head, the Second Master’s side unexpectedly captured a Merfolk today!"

"A Merfolk?"

Mo Rou raised an eyebrow in surprise. ’Weren’t the Merfolk supposed to have gone extinct long ago?’

Driven by curiosity, she had the Merfolk brought in.

After a careful inspection, Mo Rou’s heart filled with joy. It really was one of the long-lost Merfolk!

She immediately asked, "This Merfolk has healing abilities too, right?"

The one who answered was Mo Rou’s second older brother, known to others as the Second Master. "Of course. I’ve already tested it. Although this Merfolk can’t speak, its healing ability is quite potent. I was thinking about that old injury of yours from over two hundred years ago that has never healed. Perhaps you could give this Merfolk a try!"

The Second Master looked at his younger sister, a trace of pain in his eyes.

His sister had toiled for the Mo Family, not only lacking time for her cultivation, but also being unable to recover from her old injury.

Now that he had found this Merfolk, he had naturally brought it to her at the first opportunity.

"Good! Second Brother, I’ll keep the Merfolk for now. If it can heal my old injury, that would be wonderful!"

Mo Rou was genuinely happy. As long as her first and second older brothers were around, she would always be the cherished child.

The Second Master smiled and nodded, but in the next moment, his face darkened as something else occurred to him. "Hmph, that bastard Mo Wentian! When he found out I’d found the Merfolk today, he actually had someone take it out, show it off everywhere, and even announce it would be auctioned at the Hundred Fragrance House tomorrow!!"

"That ruthless, ambitious bastard! He’s terrified that your old injury will be healed, getting in his way!"

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He swept his robes aside and sat down forcefully. "But I’ve already dealt with that disloyal servant. To think he’d betray his own and take the Merfolk out behind my back! He must have had a death wish!"

"Mo Wentian is the type who won’t rest until he gets what he wants. He’s caused me no end of trouble over the years, and now he’s getting more and more restless!"

Mo Rou’s face was grim as she also sat down, her gaze on the Merfolk gradually deepening.

"The more he wants to see me fail, the faster I need to recover!"

She had long wanted to get rid of Mo Wentian, but his cultivation was profound, and he had a group of supporters behind him. He often left her mentally and physically exhausted, with no energy to deal with him.

Now, his actions were out in the open, and the disciples of the Mo Family were on the verge of splintering.

"If this continues, our Mo Family will only go further downhill!"

Mo Rou sighed with feeling.

Mo Wentian had a violent temperament, acted impulsively and unscrupulously, and was completely unsuited to be the head of a family.

That was also why the old family head had been unwilling to pass the position to him.

"Enough. Let’s not talk about him for now. I have something to attend to. I’ll try this Merfolk when I get back!"

Meanwhile, in another courtyard of the Mo Family residence, Mo Wentian was looking at a ledger. It detailed his private assets outside the family, which generated a significant profit each year—something the Mo Family knew nothing about.

Someone beside him said, "Master, the Merfolk has been delivered."

"From what I saw, the Second Elder and the others were completely unsuspicious. They shouldn’t have discovered our secret."

"Oh? Well done!"

A smile touched Mo Wentian’s lips upon hearing this. Without putting down the ledger in his hands, he said, "Remember to silence them. Don’t let that family say anything."

He had initially promised that disciple that if he took the Merfolk out, his family would be greatly rewarded.

That person had no hope of advancing in his cultivation, so he wanted to secure a future for his family.

But who could guarantee his family wouldn’t talk?

After all, only the dead can keep secrets.

"Rest assured, Master. Your subordinate will handle it!"

"However... the Family Head seemed to have gone out just now. I don’t know what for."

"It doesn’t matter."

Mo Wentian looked up and sneered. "Don’t pay too much attention to her. You might arouse her suspicion and ruin my plans!"

"Yes, this subordinate understands..."

The disciple withdrew, and Mo Wentian picked up the ledger and continued to read.

He propped his legs up on the table, humming a couple of notes in his wonderful mood.

’Mo Rou’s time is almost up. When that day comes...’

’Everything in the Mo Family will be mine!’

*

「Linfu Inn.」

Song Wanning sat in a private room, a cloak that concealed her figure placed beside her.

She had been wearing the cloak when she came in, not allowing anyone to see her true face.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The main door opened and was quickly closed again.

Mo Rou walked in. When she saw that the person waiting was actually Song Wanning, she froze for a moment.

"It’s you?"

"Mo Family Master, it’s been a while. Have you been well?"

Song Wanning remained seated and smiled at Mo Rou.

Mo Rou paused, then came to her senses. She smiled, walked forward, and sat down.

"The last time I saw you, you were just a little doll in your twenties. In the blink of an eye, you’re all grown up!"

She lamented internally. This little one, Song Wanning, had already advanced to Nascent Soul Peak, while she, her senior, was still stuck at the Mid-stage Nascent Soul.

’Truly, the new generation surpasses the old, leaving the old to be washed away.’

"In that case, I’ll just call you Aunt Mo!"

Song Wanning replied with a smile.

Although Mo Rou was over three hundred years old, she still had the appearance of a sixteen-year-old girl. However, her formidable aura made her seem mature and composed.

Calling her Aunt Mo didn’t seem out of place.

Mo Rou raised an eyebrow at her words.

’Song Wanning is trying to get familiar right off the bat. It seems this matter isn’t so simple!’