Ming Yue continued to ponder until the sun had fully risen. She hugged her legs together, resting her chin on her knees as she looked out. Unlike before, she didn't push it aside to train, she just continued to think.

On one hand, she wanted to help her friend. On the other, she had obligations to stay here and protect this camp.

"Xue Yue, what do you think? she asked.

Her question was met with silence before her counterpart answered.

"It doesn't matter, now does it? Either way, you're going to end up fighting something. Do you want to head up there? Do you want to see how Ling Xue is doing? The Idol of Chaos might be there as well, could you fight that thing on equal footing?

" she questioned.

"In the end, I'm just not strong enough yet.

"

Ming Yue thought to herself before sensing something and looking behind her.

Standing there was the senior sister, Jian Yi, who looked at her with a certain respect.

"Greetings, Fairy of the Moon, I hope that I'm not interrupting anything.

", she said.

Ming Yue shook her head and stood up.

"No, and you don't have to call me that. Ming Yue is fine.

"

"Then... Ming Yue, my name is Jian Yi and I'm here on behalf of my juniors to thank you for saving them.

"

Jian Yi lowered her head and cupped her fists as she thanked her. Ming Yue shook her head.

"There is no need to thank me. This is something I would've done no matter the consequence

", she replied.

The senior disciple looked up with a surprised expression.

"Still, I have already reprimanded them for their actions. I thought it would be appropriate to apologize on their behalf. If you think that it is not enough, I am prepared for any punishment.

"

"I'm not that sort of person. There is no need for anything like that. I am just content to know that they are safe.

"

Ming Yue gave a friendly smile although her eyes were unfocused.

Her mind was still elsewhere.

Jian Yi had noticed it as she studied the young woman before her.

"You must have heard the news, haven't you? About the North Fort and the two clans? Are you heading there?

" she asked

Ming Yue was quiet for a moment and looked at her.

"I'm not sure. I would have to discuss it with Commander Yu Zhen and Zi Jing. I don't know enough to make a decision.

"

"I see... I should return now, my juniors are waiting for me. It is good to finally meet someone of your reputation.

"

She then bowed and left. With her back turned, Jian Yi revealed a strange expression.

"That was... not what I had expected at all. I thought she'd be angrier or arrogant but the rumors are right. It's hard to know what she's thinking but she is a virtuous person.

"

As Ming Yue watched her leave, she gave the lake another look before leaving. Out from nowhere, Hei Yue and Xiao Yin appeared, snuggling up to her.

"Haha, finished scouting the area? Was there anything dangerous or strange?

"

She crouched down and stroked both beasts.

They shook their heads, having found nothing to report.

"Is that so? Let's go meet with the commanders then.

"

Making her way to their tent, she watched as the craftsmen and soldiers were hard at work. From the sound of marching feet to cut stone, it was a bustling atmosphere. Those who passed by her would stop to greet her before moving along, an act she returned as well.

Reaching the tent, she let herself in and saw them both, reading through papers and glancing at the war table. '

The both of them looked up to see who had come. She looked at the two, greeting them with a cupped fist and a bow.

"Ming Yue, you're here early. Is there something you need?

" Yu Zhen asked.

The young cultivator walked forward, closer to the war table.

"Could you tell me more about what is happening in the North? Specifically, the Yao Clan and the North Fort?

The two commanders looked to each other before Yu Zhen spoke.

"If you're asking about casualties, it isn't serious but it could've gone very wrong. The Mu Clan had sought to trap them in the mountains, working together with a detachment of ten thousand of Kong Zhi's men. And the Idol of Chaos would deal the killing blow, destroying them under a wave of lightning. It would've meant complete annihilation for the Yao Clan.

"

"But that didn't happen, why?

" Ming Yue asked.

"That is because of the Yao Clan's Princess. While she could not turn the tide, she was able to break past the encirclement and escape before the Idol could strike. As far as I know, she managed to reach a high level in their secret realm. Most likely, she is comparable to a SKy Realm Expert now< she said.

"In order words, she's about as strong as a commander.

"

ZI Jing then chimed in as his eyes focused on Ming Yue.

"So, they are safe. Although their home is gone, Du Xiu has them refuged in the North Fort. Furthermore, the Commanders of the Iron Citadel and Demon's Gate are already sending their own forces to aid. You are welcome to go but we're stretched thinly here. After attacking the north, they will certainly come for us in the south

", he told her.

Their eyes locked with ZI Jing conveying the message through this.

{Don't leave, stay here and protect this place.}

Ming Yue understood it clearly. In fact, she knew that Kong Zhi would not ignore their advances into the south. Thus, she compromised.

"I understand but if the situation gets worse, I will be heading there, with or without my sword

", she replied.

"That's fine. In fact, hand me your dagger and armor, I could make a few improvements to them. Since they're Lower- Divine Ranked, I can improve them just a tad. You can have these as a replacement while I work on them.

"

Without even skipping a beat, ZI Jing spoke and took out a neatly folded set of armor as well as a dagger and a long sword with a handle fit for both hands. There was also an extra set of clothes in there as well.

"I didn't have most of my tools and the smithy has yet to be completed. This is the best I could do out of a standard-issue set. It might not be incredible but it should at least fit well

", he said.

Handing it over to Ming Yue, she looked at it before taking off her Changing Clouds Armor and Pearlstone Dagger giving it to him. She wasn't going to turn down a request to strengthen her equipment.

"How long will you take with them?

" she asked.

ZI Jing studied the two items before thinking of a time.

"Eh, probably about a month, maybe less. Wait, what about your accessories? That hairpin? Or the ring?

" he pointed out.

"Oh, there's no need to work on the ring but this pin...

"

Taking it off, her hair flowed down to her waist as she held the Dusk Lily Pin in her hand.

"I almost forgot about this.

"

One of the first things she had obtained on her own, a treasure from the beginning of her journey. Capable of stopping three attacks at the level of an Earth Realm expert, as useful as it was, she never quite used it to its full potential. As it was now, the Dusk Lily Pin ended up being something of decor.

"A Sage Ranked item? I wasn't quite expecting that but I will certainly make do with it.

"

Handing it to him, Zi Jing examined these three items.

"Let's see, doing anything meaningful to these things will certainly take a month. That is assuming the smithy is completed in time.. It's been a while since I've done some forging.

"