"Junior Sister, you know that too," Sun Feng said with a conciliatory smile. "I was only tasked by the Master to look into Teng Qingshan's affairs."

Li Jun looked at the demeanor of Senior Brother Sun, who was known for his 'carefree and slovenly' attitude. She realized he had backed down to her. Moreover, both she and Sun Feng were core figures in their sect. It was best not to let the relationship become too strained, so she gave Sun Feng a brilliant smile. "Senior Brother Sun, that casual question of yours really hit the mark. As expected of the most capable among the Grand Senior Uncle’s three direct disciples!"

Sun Feng couldn't help but offer a wry smile at these words.

"Heh!" Sun Feng sighed, hanging his head weakly. "Don't even mention it! If I hadn't managed to atone for my mistake, Master probably would have expelled me from the sect!"

"That serious?" Li Jun exclaimed in surprise. "Look at Senior Brother Wan, hasn't he also failed to reach the Xiantian realm for over a decade?"

Sun Feng snorted in resignation. "How can I compare to you and your Senior Brother? You two specialize in taming demonic beasts, which the sect values most highly in your skills. As for Xiantian experts? Our sect isn't lacking one or two of those. Within the sect, your status, especially yours, Junior Sister, is no lower than that of a Xiantian Golden Core expert!"

Li Jun smiled faintly.

Her Martial Uncle, the Beast King 'Wu Hou,' had already mentioned this point long ago. Furthermore, here on Heavenly God Mountain, she could control several Xiantian Golden Core level demonic beasts.

Although none of these beasts were subdued by her, they were currently under the charge of both her and Senior Brother Wan. However, Senior Brother Wan was indeed far inferior to Li Jun in the skill of taming demonic beasts. Fierce beasts like the Red-Eyed Snow Lion didn't pay that Senior Brother Wan any mind at all; instead, they were quite fond of Li Jun.

Perhaps the female gender held some advantage when it came to taming powerful demonic beasts.

"We are different, Junior Sister. You can tame demonic beasts, but I have no other special talent; I can only cultivate diligently," Sun Feng said helplessly, touching his nose. "Look at my Master, he's the most competitive person! And the strictest with us disciples. I was lucky to escape this time, but what about next time? There’s no way around it!"

Li Jun smiled and comforted him. "Senior Brother Sun! If I were you, I should be spending my time cultivating right now... Besides, I see that Grand Senior Uncle still values you highly, after all, he only has three disciples in total."

Sun Feng nodded. He had now obtained the Yuanmiao Sword Canon, which showed that his Master still held expectations for him, though he was anxious because his disciple wasn't progressing as hoped. Sun Feng smiled and said, "I was planning to focus wholeheartedly on cultivation, but this time I have no choice; I was ordered to deliver a message to Heavenly God Mountain. But unexpectedly, when I arrived, both the Heavenly God and the First Divine General were in secluded cultivation. I had no way to inform the Heavenly God. Anyway, this matter isn't urgent, and I can cultivate here on Heavenly God Mountain just as well. I'll tell them when the Heavenly God and the others emerge from their seclusion."

"Deliver a message, what message?" Li Jun's heart stirred, and she asked.

Sun Feng gave a mysterious smile. "Junior Sister, you will know soon enough. This is a huge matter! Heavenly God Mountain hasn't had much movement in a long time. This time, it will definitely be a massive stir, tsk tsk... I shouldn't disturb Junior Sister anymore." With that, Sun Feng cupped his hands and cheerfully stepped out through the door curtain.

Li Jun watched Sun Feng leave, her brow furrowed as she pondered: "A big stir? Definitely a big stir?"

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

In the spacious room, Teng Qingshan began his morning practice. First, he practiced the Fist of Earth Movement, immediately followed by the Three-Body Stance. He practiced for nearly half an hour, and only after feeling completely comfortable in his body did he cease the movements.

"Hoo!"

Teng Qingshan slowly let out a long breath, his exhalation shooting out like an arrow. Feeling refreshed and invigorated, Teng Qingshan opened the door and walked downstairs. Two maidservants were waiting outside the pavilion. As soon as they saw Teng Qingshan emerge, the two maids respectfully bowed: "My Lord!"

Teng Qingshan had reprimanded these two maids the previous night because they had been preparing to serve him. Teng Qingshan had ordered then: "I am staying here. Unless I permit it, no one, including you two, is allowed to enter this pavilion!"

The two maids were thoroughly frightened and dared not enter the pavilion casually again.

Standing in the corridor, breathing the fresh air, and having taken a hot bath and changed into clean robes the night before, Teng Qingshan's mood was naturally excellent at this moment.

"Hmm?"

Teng Qingshan looked into the distance and saw a slender, white figure dancing with a greenish-blue long whip outside the magnificent Divine Maiden Palace. The whip shadows flashed and moved, accompanied by incessant 'pa-pa' sounds of air explosions. Teng Qingshan's eyes lit up: "This whip technique is truly formidable. I didn't expect Little Jun to have mastered such a powerful technique in less than a year!"

Whoosh!

The flashing, slender figure stopped practicing, slightly out of breath from the whip drill, her delicate face flushed slightly. The white-robed maiden looked in Teng Qingshan's direction. "Brother Hu He!"

"Little Jun, your whip technique is very good," Teng Qingshan praised with a smile.

Li Jun's face was slightly flushed, and there was still sweat on her forehead. "I have no choice; all my senior brothers and sisters are incredibly powerful. Of course, I have to practice my whip technique diligently! And I have my Master personally teaching me... Um, Brother Hu He, are you accustomed to staying here yesterday?"

"The scenery is excellent! Pleasant to look at," Teng Qingshan sighed as he looked at the surrounding distance.

The Divine Maiden Palace was located on the upper half of Heavenly God Mountain, surrounded by clouds and mist. Through the sea of fog, one could vaguely see the vast grassy plains below. The view was indeed refreshing and uplifting.

"If you like it here, Brother Hu He, please stay a while longer," Li Jun looked at Teng Qingshan with sparkling eyes.

"Cultivation doesn't require clinging to pleasure," Teng Qingshan said.

"Seeing beautiful scenery is also conducive to cultivation," Li Jun chuckled.

Teng Qingshan gazed toward the north. "That North Sea, vast and boundless. The boundless ocean is also a captivating sight. No less magnificent than this!"

Hearing this, a trace of gloom flickered across Li Jun's eyes. Then, glancing at the sky, she apologized quickly. "Brother Hu He, I have to go to Big Black and Big White every morning. It’s getting late now. I'll go first. After I go back and say something to Big Black and Big White, I'll come back."

"Go on with your business; I'll just look around at leisure," Teng Qingshan said with a faint smile.

Li Jun, clad in white robes, quickly ran down the mountain.

...

On the cliff face of Heavenly God Mountain, there was a huge cave nestled into a broken section of the cliff where two Fierce Wind Divine Eagles, one black and one white, resided.

A slender, white-robed figure was gripping a rope, rapidly climbing along the cliff face.

"Hey!" The slender figure gauged her landing spot and leaped down, landing perfectly at the mouth of the cave.

This person was none other than Li Jun. After landing safely, Li Jun let out a breath of relief and walked into the cave.

"Big Black, Big White!" Li Jun called out loudly. Every morning, Li Jun came to chat with the two great black and white Fierce Wind Divine Eagles, and occasionally she would take a short flight on the back of one of the divine eagles. Just as Li Jun was walking into the cave with a smile on her face—

"Junior Sister!" A voice came from inside the cave.

Li Jun started in surprise.

At that moment, a person emerged from the dark cave. He was quite handsome.

"Senior Brother Wan?" Li Jun looked at him with surprise. "Why are you here?" This person was none other than Senior Brother Wan—Wan Tianyang.

Wan Tianyang smiled. "Master arranged for you and me to be here on Heavenly God Mountain to take care of those few Xiantian Golden Core demonic beasts and the flock of ordinary beasts, didn't he? I always feel bad that Junior Sister is burdened with all the work. Even though Big Black and Big White don't particularly like me, I cannot slack off because of that. I still need to improve my ability to communicate with the beasts."

"Oh," Li Jun nodded. "Then, Senior Brother Wan, you should go back. I’m going in now."

This caused Wan Tianyang to pause momentarily, and he quickly followed, walking beside Li Jun. Catching the faint fragrance emanating from Li Jun, Wan Tianyang felt a stirring in his heart. He had always thought that Junior Sister Li Jun was cold and reserved toward outsiders. Since he was the only disciple of their generation who understood Beast Language, he naturally expected to communicate often with Li Jun, and thus Wan Tianyang was convinced—he would surely marry this captivating little Junior Sister.

Li Jun was indeed the youngest Junior Sister in the sect currently.

Combined with her talent in Beast Language, this secured her position as the future foremost expert in beast taming within the sect. Regardless of status, ambition, or beauty, many people pursued Li Jun. And previously... it seemed Wan Tianyang was the one with the best prospects.

But the sudden appearance of that 'Hu He' made Wan Tianyang feel a bit uneasy.

"Senior Brother Wan hasn't sought out Big Black and Big White?" Li Jun suddenly stopped and turned to look at him.

Wan Tianyang was momentarily stunned, then chuckled awkwardly. "I just went in. Oh, right, Junior Sister. When is your friend Hu He leaving Heavenly God Mountain?"

"He'll be here for a while longer," Li Jun replied.

"Junior Sister, I'm actually very curious... When did you meet this Hu He? I heard that Hu He is the legendary demon 'Alada.' You haven't been on Heavenly God Mountain for long; you shouldn't have had the chance to meet him, right?" Wan Tianyang asked with feigned curiosity.

Li Jun smiled faintly. "Senior Brother Wan, Big Black and Big White and I cover thousands of miles a day on the great plains. Who knows who I've met? Alright, I need to go keep Big Black and Big White company. Senior Brother Wan, please return!" Saying this, she paid no more attention to Senior Brother Wan and walked directly into the cave.

Soon, sounds of eagle cries came from the depths of the cave.

Senior Brother Wan cast a resentful glance, then turned and walked away.

Teng Qingshan walked around the vicinity of the pavilion once, then headed down the mountain path, intending to see what mysteries Heavenly God Mountain held.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Patrolling guards in armor were stationed along the mountain path. When they spotted Teng Qingshan heading down the mountain, a group of them immediately blocked his way horizontally. The guard captain extended his hand and called out loudly, "Guest! Outsiders are not allowed to wander freely on Heavenly God Mountain. Guest, you had best remain in the area around the Divine Maiden Palace!"

"Hmm, what does that mean? I can't go up the mountain? Nor can I go down?" Teng Qingshan frowned.

"Yes!" the guard captain declared forcefully. "This is the rule of our Heavenly God Mountain! Since you are a guest invited by the Divine Maiden, you are only allowed in the area around the Divine Maiden Palace. As for the places where other Divine Generals or Divine Envoys reside, and any key important areas, guests are not permitted to approach!"

Teng Qingshan's good mood from the morning was completely ruined.

Hearing this, if Li Jun hadn't offered her help, if he wanted to go down the mountain... his only options would be to force his way through or jump off the mountain!