Shen Manyi quickly scrambled onto the flying sword in two or three hurried steps.
No sooner had she steadied herself than the sword shot into the sky with a "whoosh," fast as a bolt of lightning.
"Ah—!"
Caught off guard by the speed, Shen Manyi let out a startled cry and instinctively threw both arms around Xiao Mo's waist in front of her.
"Stand steady."
Xiao Mo's voice came from ahead, carrying a hint of barely perceptible tension.
"Oh, okay." Shen Manyi responded verbally, but her hands refused to let go.
The wind at high altitude was fierce, whipping her hair wildly about.
But the man's back in front of her was like a mountain, shielding her from all the wind and snow.
This feeling—it was reassuring.
Gazing at the fabric in her hands, Shen Manyi suddenly asked, "Brother, are you really short on spirit stones?"
"Hm?"
"Don't misunderstand, I'm not looking down on you."
She quickly explained, "I just think, someone as powerful as you shouldn't have to live so frugally. You don't even have a proper dharma robe, and when you're injured, you can only tough it out."
Xiao Mo: "…"
The dharma robe he wore was woven from Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Silkworm Silk—impervious to water and fire, resistant to blades and swords. It was a treasure countless cultivators in the Cultivation World dreamed of possessing.
How had it become "improper" in her eyes?
"From now on, you have me! I'll take care of you!" Shen Manyi's tone was utterly serious. "Whatever you like, I'll buy it for you. Once we're settled, the first thing I'll do is buy you ten… no, a hundred of the most beautiful dharma robes!"
Shen Manyi felt that she was being a truly exemplary little sister.
Xiao Mo fell silent.
He was beginning to think that picking up this little girl might not have been such a boring affair after all.
At the very least, she was amusing.
The flying sword moved at incredible speed, and within half a day, they had crossed the vast snow-capped mountains.
Before them stretched an unbroken range of peaks, shrouded in immortal mist and thick with Spiritual Qi. Towering summits pierced the clouds, with glimpses of jade pavilions and celestial cranes dancing in the air.
And at the very center, atop the tallest peak of all, four bold and flowing characters—"Guiyuan Jianzong"—gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.
"Wow…" Shen Manyi was utterly mesmerized.
So this was the legendary number one sect? Truly magnificent!
Wait—
"Brother… you… you're not thinking of seeking refuge with Guiyuan Jianzong, are you?" she asked with some concern.
After all, she'd heard that Righteous Path sects looked down on Demonic Cultivators like them!
"No, no, this place is too dangerous! Let's leave quickly!"
She grabbed Xiao Mo's sleeve, speaking urgently.
"Don't be afraid." Xiao Mo uttered two words.
"How can I not be afraid? This is the number one sect of the Righteous Path! They're our mortal enemies!"
Shen Manyi was on the verge of tears. "Brother, listen to me—let's go somewhere else. This place really isn't suitable for us Demonic Cultivators to thrive!"
Xiao Mo turned his head and glanced at her.
His gaze was calm, yet carried a power that inexplicably set one's heart at ease.
"We've arrived at my place."
The flying sword didn't stop at the mountain gate but flew straight toward the deepest part of the sect.
Along the way, countless disciples of the sword sect saw that familiar black figure and all halted in their tracks, bowing respectfully.
"We welcome the Jianzun back to the mountain!"
"Jianzun!" The voices rose and fell, filled with reverence.
Hearing these titles, Shen Manyi was bewildered.
"Jianzun? Brother, are they calling you?"
Xiao Mo didn't answer, simply guiding the flying sword to land steadily atop a main peak.
Here lay a broad platform, with clouds and mist surging beneath their feet. An ancient, majestic palace stood quietly above the sea of clouds.
On the palace's plaque were three characters—Tai Shang Peak.
"We're here."
Xiao Mo put away his flying sword and turned to look at Shen Manyi, who was still in shock.
"From today onward, you'll live here."
"Live… live here?"
Shen Manyi's mind was struggling to catch up. "Brother, you… who exactly are you?"
Xiao Mo looked at her dazed, silly expression and suddenly found his mood lifting.
He reached out, intending to pat her head as he had before, but his hand stopped mid-air.
In the end, he simply said flatly, "Your brother."
With that, he turned and walked toward the great hall, leaving Shen Manyi standing alone in the wind, utterly bewildered.
Who was he really? Why did all the disciples of Guiyuan Jianzong call him "Jianzun"?
Could it be… that her cheap brother wasn't an ordinary Demonic Cultivator,
but… a demonic spy embedded deep within the number one sect of the Righteous Path?
The moment this thought surfaced, Shen Manyi startled even herself.
That was way too thrilling!
"Little girl, don't just stand there gawking!"
Tangyuan's voice rang out. "No matter who he is, right now he's your biggest backing! Hurry up and follow him!"
"Oh, right!"
Snapping back to her senses, Shen Manyi quickly scurried after him on her short legs.
She couldn't worry about all that now! As long as she could cling tightly to this golden thigh, who cared whether he was a Demon Lord or a Sword Lord?
Either way, she was sticking to him for good!
Tai Shang Peak was vast, and very quiet.
The entire mountain peak had no other buildings besides that grand palace—not even a single attendant disciple.
Shen Manyi followed behind Xiao Mo, curiously looking around.
"Brother, why is there no one here at all?" she couldn't help but ask.
"I prefer quiet." Xiao Mo's answer remained simple.
Shen Manyi nodded in understanding: "Oh, I get it. Experts all like to act aloof."
Xiao Mo: "…"
He led Shen Manyi through the front hall and arrived at a side hall near the back entrance.
Pointing at a room, he said, "You'll stay here from now on."
Then, looking at the simple bed and table inside, he thought for a moment and added another line.
"If you need anything, go to the storeroom and take it yourself."
"Thanks, Brother! Got it!" Shen Manyi said sweetly.
Inside, she was already scheming about how to make this shabby room feel cozier.
"Mm." Xiao Mo acknowledged with a grunt, seemingly about to leave.
"Wait!" Shen Manyi called out to him.
She immediately pulled a small jade bottle out of her spatial storage and handed it over.
"Brother, these are healing medicinal pills—a bit better than the ones I showed you before. Remember to take them on time."
This was one of the Shen family's most treasured possessions.
Xiao Mo looked at the jade bottle in her hand, then at her eyes full of concern.
Though the medicine was useless to him, he still reached out and accepted it.
Seeing that he took it, Shen Manyi was overjoyed inside.
See? She was such a good sister! She even knew to care about her brother's health!
Holding the jade bottle, Xiao Mo left behind a single line—"Don't let anyone bully you"—before vanishing from sight.
The moment he was gone, Shen Manyi completely relaxed and flopped onto the bed.
"Tangyuan, we have a place to stay now!"
She rolled around happily on the bed.
"Yes, yes, we have a place to stay."
Tangyuan emerged from the spatial storage, hopped onto the table, and looked at the empty room with a face full of disdain.
"But this place is way too shabby! There's not even a cushion!"
"Also, what about my spirit stones? Why didn't he give you any spirit stones?"
Shen Manyi said with a serious expression, "Brother is going through a tough time right now. We need to be understanding."
"Besides, I have some! I'll go fix this place up nicely in a bit!"
Just as the girl and the tiger were talking, footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the door.
Then, a crisp female voice rang out.
"Excuse me, is anyone there?"