Jun Mo Xie walked side by side with Long Crane toward the stone platform at the center of the clearing.
At the heart of the platform stood a round stone table, surrounded by several heavy stone chairs. Faint claw marks and cracks covered their surfaces, silently recording the long history of Tian Fa.
Jun Mo Xie casually sat down, crossing one leg over the other, as if he were back in his own courtyard rather than deep within the most dangerous forest on the continent. His posture was relaxed, but the faint pressure radiating from him made the surrounding Xuan Beasts keep their distance instinctively.
Long Crane sat across from him, still smiling, but his posture was far more respectful than before. Even now, he could not help but marvel at how natural Jun Mo Xie felt in this place, as if Tian Fa itself acknowledged him as its master.
Before the atmosphere could settle, the ground suddenly trembled.
Thump... Thump... Thump...
Each step was heavy and violent, shaking the clearing as though a mountain were moving.
The trees at the edge of the clearing bent outward, leaves flying everywhere as a massive black bear burst forth from the forest. Its body was enormous, covered in thick fur, and its eyes gleamed with excitement rather than hostility.
In the next instant, light flashed around the beast's body.
The massive bear shrank rapidly, transforming into a tall and burly man with broad shoulders, thick arms, and a chest like an iron wall. His face carried a simple and honest grin, and his laughter rang out before he even fully stabilized his form.
"Brother-in-law!"
Big Bear strode forward with booming laughter, his voice echoing through the forest. Without the slightest hesitation, he opened his arms and wrapped Jun Mo Xie in a crushing hug.
"You finally decided to come and visit!" Big Bear laughed happily. "I missed you so much!"
Jun Mo Xie felt his ribs protest immediately. The sound of bones creaking faintly echoed from his body, causing him to laugh helplessly as he struggled free.
"Enough, enough," Jun Mo Xie said while pushing him away. "If you hug me like that again, I'll have to rebuild my body."
He stood up briefly, rolled his shoulders, and then reached out to pat Big Bear's arm. "I can't come too often. You know how shy Xue Yan is. If I show up here all the time, she'll be too embarrassed."
Big Bear scratched his head and laughed even louder. "Brother-in-law is right! Hahaha! But Eldest Sister really misses you too!"
The moment those words escaped his mouth, Long Crane's smile froze. His facial muscles twitched violently, and his heart skipped a beat.
'You idiot… absolute idiot…'
Long Crane silently cursed his fourth brother, feeling cold sweat form on his back. Everyone knew that Eldest Sister missed Jun Mo Xie.
It was something all of them understood without saying.
But to speak it out so openly?
'Did this fool not care about his life anymore?'
Long Crane quickly glanced around the clearing, half-expecting a terrifying pressure to descend from the sky at any second.
Fortunately, nothing happened. But even so, his nerves remained taut.
All the Xuan Beast Kings had already broken through to the Saint Emperor realm.
But Mei Xue Yan was different.
Jun Mo Xie had spoiled her beyond reason, pouring resources and guidance into her without restraint. And as a result, she had long since stepped into the Saint Monarch realm.
Even if all the siblings joined forces, they still would not be a match for their Eldest Sister now.
Big Bear, completely unaware of the danger he had just invited, plopped down onto the stone chair opposite Jun Mo Xie with a satisfied sigh. He slapped the table loudly and waved his hand.
"You lot! Hurry up! Bring wine and food! The good stuff!"
Several weaker Xuan Beasts immediately rushed forward in panic, carrying large jars of fragrant wine and trays filled with roasted meat and rare forest fruits. They placed everything down carefully, their movements cautious and respectful, before retreating without daring to linger.
Jun Mo Xie leaned back in his stone chair, his gaze sweeping across the clearing.
The night breeze brushed past his face, carrying the scent of earth, trees, and wild vitality.
The forest around them hummed faintly with life, yet everything felt peaceful.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
'This place had changed... and yet… it had not changed at all.'
Tian Fa was still Tian Fa.
The place was wild, honest, and completely loyal.
Jun Mo Xie lifted a wine jar and took a slow drink, his eyes deep and calm as memories stirred quietly within him. He was thoroughly enjoying the meal laid out before him, the fragrance of roasted spirit beasts and aged wine mingling with the fresh scent of the forest.
The stone plates and cups covered the round table, their surfaces faintly glowing from the residual spiritual energy within the food.
Big Bear sat to his left, drinking noisily and laughing without restraint, while Long Crane maintained his usual composed posture on the other side, occasionally shaking his head at his fourth brother's lack of manners.
As time passed, the clearing gradually became livelier.
One after another, silhouettes emerged from the surrounding forest paths. The greetings rang out, some booming and crude, others refined and dignified, yet all carried the same sincerity.
"Brother-in-law!"
"So it really is Brother-in-law!"
"Hahaha, today's wine won't survive the night!"
Jun Mo Xie responded with a relaxed smile, raising his cup in return.
Aside from Mei Xue Yan and the eighth sister, Mei Qianxun, all the remaining siblings had gathered.
The atmosphere was warm and unrestrained, filled with laughter, teasing remarks, and the occasional roar of laughter that startled the weaker Xuan Beasts responsible for serving food.
Even the newly crowned Xuan Beast Kings, those who had only recently earned their titles, came forward respectfully to pay their respects.
None of them dared to sit immediately. Only after Jun Mo Xie nodded with a faint smile did they finally relax, their expressions brightening as though they had received a great honor.
Big Bear had already drained several jars, his face flushed red as he leaned back and laughed. "Brother-in-law, this wine still tastes as good as ever! Eldest Sister really knows how to hide the good stuff!"
Long Crane snorted softly. "You're drinking like a starving beast. Save some dignity."
"Dignity?" Big Bear waved his hand dismissively. "Can dignity be eaten?"
The table erupted in laughter.
It was during this lively moment that the tenth brother, Earth Cracker, finally couldn't restrain his curiosity any longer. He scratched his head, glanced around at his brothers and sisters, then turned toward Jun Mo Xie.
"Brother-in-law," Earth Cracker said honestly, "I really can't hold it in anymore. Why did you actually start this fight against Xue Hun Manor?"
The laughter gradually faded.
The other siblings paused mid-drink or mid-bite, their gazes shifting toward Jun Mo Xie almost simultaneously. Even Big Bear stopped pouring wine, his expression turning serious. They had all wondered about this matter.
Mei Xue Yan clearly knew the reason, yet she had refused to say anything, and what troubled them more was that she had seemed offended, even faintly jealous for some reason.
Jun Mo Xie calmly placed his cup down.
The sound of the jade cup touching the stone table was soft, yet it carried an inexplicable weight.
He looked at Earth Cracker, then slowly swept his gaze across the table, his voice low and even as he asked, "Tell me… if we forget for a moment about Mei Xue Yan's strength and cultivation, what would you do if someone used dirty tactics to force her to submit to them?"
The temperature around the table dropped instantly.
Big Bear's eyes widened, and before anyone else could speak, he slammed his fist heavily onto the stone table. A dull boom echoed outward, causing the cups to tremble.
"Hmph!" Big Bear's face was filled with fury as he spoke righteously. "Even if Eldest Sister doesn't need us, if someone really dares to force her…"
He clenched his fist tightly. "I'd smash their bodies into pieces!"
A violent aura surged from him before he quickly restrained it.
The other Xuan Beast Kings nodded in unison, their expressions dark and cold. Some let out low growls, while others' eyes flickered with killing intent.
No one spoke, yet their stance was unmistakable.
Jun Mo Xie chuckled softly, breaking the tension. He picked up his cup again, swirling the wine inside before taking a slow sip.
"As Big Bear said," Jun Mo Xie said calmly, "since Xue Hun Manor dared to force my hand by bullying Qinghan…"
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Then I could only make them disappear."
After he replied, the silence followed.
Not because they disagreed, but because the meaning had fully sunk in.
Though some of them didn't completely understand all the details, none of them questioned his words.
To them, that alone was enough.
Bullying someone Jun Mo Xie cared about was no different from provoking the entire Tian Fa Forest.
Earth Cracker exhaled deeply, then grinned. "Good. Then they deserved it."
Big Bear laughed loudly once more, lifting his jar. "Brother-in-law! No more talking, let's just drink!"
Long Crane shook his head helplessly, yet a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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