Er Dan chewed, but its eyes darted around everywhere, as if it wasn’t trapped but was surveilling everyone.

Hidden in the shadows, someone who wanted to observe if Er Dan had any special traits nudged their companion.

"What do you think this bird’s background is? It doesn’t seem special, so why did the higher-ups order round-the-clock surveillance?"

"How should I know? If I knew, would I be standing here watching this bird with you?"

Their voices were low, and logically, only they should have been able to hear what was said.

But somehow, it seemed like the bird glanced at them when they spoke.

Just then, the defensive array associated with Moonlight City was triggered.

Er Dan watched as rings of fluorescence lit up above the nearby pond.

It looked quite beautiful, but anyone or any creature caught by these lights would be in trouble.

Especially since Er Dan had seen similar lights before.

Almost instinctively, Er Dan felt the activation of these lights and linked it to Yun Ran.

Those people previously lurking in the shadows immediately perked up, like they were injected with adrenaline.

Without any commands, they went to their respective positions and quickly dispersed.

In no time, they formed a massive net in the darkness.

Er Dan glanced at these people, then continued to eat grass, paying no heed to these events nor rushing out to cause more trouble.

When Er Dan finished all the grass surrounding it, those who had dispersed returned to their original spots.

Don’t ask how Er Dan knew; somehow, everything that happened in Moonlight City, it knew.

The fluorescence above the pond disappeared, and Er Dan stood up, gracefully leaping into the pond.

With a splash, Er Dan jumped in, causing a big splash.

Er Dan’s various behaviors left those trying to figure out what was special about Er Dan even more puzzled.

This bird was completely different from any they had seen before, like it was a different species altogether.

As the night wore on and the sun rose again, no one noticed anything out of place.

Yun Ran felt fine again and naturally returned to clean up after yesterday’s ’fainting’ incident.

This time, Elder Kang did not show up; he wasn’t a minor figure, and Yun Ran could see him anytime.

Watching Er Dan swimming back and forth in the pond, surrounded by onlookers at the edge,

Yun Ran instinctively felt that Er Dan must have done something to cause such a stir among people.

"May I ask what you are all watching here?"

The person asked didn’t even turn their head, replying directly: "Of course, we’re watching this extraordinary bird. You have no idea how much grass it ate yesterday.

It spent the whole night swimming back and forth in this pond, like a person going for a walk after eating too much..."

As he spoke, the person suddenly realized something and turned his head to see Yun Ran standing obediently by his side,

looking at him curiously.

Man: ...

He felt a bit embarrassed, talking about her mount right in front of her.

Although it was true, a sense of shame crept over him. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"I see, thank you, Fellow Daoist, for explaining." Yun Ran said sincerely.

Er Dan sensed Yun Ran’s presence and immediately stopped swimming around, heading directly to the shore.

Perhaps due to Er Dan’s previous ’impressive’ achievements, people at the shore saw that Er Dan intended to come ashore.

They quickly dispersed, fearing that they might inadvertently provoke the bird and get their arm pierced, which would not be a minor injury.

Only Yun Ran remained steadfastly standing in place.

Er Dan came ashore, shook its body a little distance from Yun Ran, sending water droplets flying.

When its feathers became fluffy again, Er Dan ran over to Yun Ran.

Having not seen Yun Ran for just one night, Er Dan found itself missing her.

It nudged its head intermittently against Yun Ran’s hand, clearly wanting to be petted.

Yun Ran: ...

This Er Dan had a bit of a flunky nature, but Yun Ran still reached out and rubbed Er Dan’s head.

Er Dan immediately felt comfortable.

Those around them: ...

They had spent the whole night on edge, fearing this bird would suddenly go on a rampage and wreak havoc, only to find such a docile bird.

Suddenly, they began to doubt whether they had been tricked.

This bird probably had just been mooching off food and drinks.

The amount of grass Er Dan ate, according to the usual prices in Moonlight City, would have covered Yun Ran’s lodging for several days.

Yun Ran glanced at the person who previously brought her over and spoke sincerely: "Thank you all for watching over my mount last night.

As for the houses it damaged, I am willing to compensate. I wonder if Elder Kang has any available time?"

Yun Ran’s manner now, as someone apologizing, was completely different from yesterday when she had been so angry she claimed she wouldn’t need a mount anymore.

Yet no one thought Yun Ran was being inconsistent; when one is angry, the more composed, the scarier.

A young girl Yun Ran’s age being unpredictable was more usual.

The man glanced at Er Dan and subtly stepped back a safe distance.

Only then did he say, "Follow me."

Yun Ran reached out, grabbing Er Dan by the neck to steady it, then lightly leapt onto Er Dan’s back.

Yun Ran’s weight was nothing for the still juvenile Er Dan, as it easily carried her off.

Now no one doubted that Er Dan was indeed a mount.

Soon, they arrived at another small office, but before they could get near, someone stopped Yun Ran.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, your mount must be centrally managed,"

The person speaking had a bureaucratic tone and pointed to a large cage meant for fierce beasts nearby.

The cage was very large, about two meters tall, two meters wide, and two meters long, enough to easily contain Er Dan.

Not to mention, there were several talisman papers stuck on the top of the cage.

It wouldn’t just imprison fierce beasts; it would be hard for even a Dark Master to escape.

Before Yun Ran could ask why, the person explained: "This is a new regulation from Moonlight City!"