"Do you have to try it yourself to know?"
Peng Yu's eyes flickered with a seductive glint as she stared at Feng Youming. She refused to believe Feng Youming could really be indifferent to ascension. Surely, he was pretending!
"Feng Youming, have you made up your mind?"
Peng Yu smiled confidently, asking again.
Song Wanníng's expression remained unchanged, but she had likely guessed Bai Yang's special nature by now. It seemed Bai Yang had more going for him than just good luck.
"I do want to ascend, but your proposal… Better go and discuss it with the dead."
With those words, Song Wanníng's expression suddenly shifted. She struck swiftly with her sword. At the same time, a golden light ring burst forth, spreading rapidly around her.
Peng Yu's eyelids twitched. Without hesitation, she activated the talisman in her hand. She had planned to trick Feng Youming first, then detonate the talisman, minimizing her own risk.
Unexpectedly, Feng Youming truly did not care. Without a word, he charged at her!
Her face went pale. The initiative was lost. To guarantee no mistakes, she had no choice but to use this treasure, a mutually destructive gambit. Yet, as the talisman activated, the golden light spread with incredible speed, leaving no chance to retreat.
The moment the golden light covered her, Peng Yu's heart shuddered, and her Primordial Soul staggered briefly.
For a moment, she lost focus.
At the same instant, the sword light arrived, its cold threat slicing toward her hand holding the talisman.
Clang—
The sword severed her arm cleanly.
Boom—
The talisman exploded violently, the shockwave flipping the entire cave inside out.
Song Wanníng had already carried Bai Yang out of the cave the moment she launched her attack. The explosion's force pushed them even further away.
Rumble rumble—
The cave collapsed. Trees and grass were scattered, turned to mist by the shockwave. The smell of smoke and burning filled the air for miles around.
After several minutes, the aftershocks finally ceased.
All was calm again. Song Wanníng quickly flew back with Bai Yang. She wielded her long sword and struck forcefully at the buried cave entrance, clearing stones to search for Peng Yu's form.
Two minutes later, the buried Peng Yu was finally exposed. Her aura was weak and faltering. Already wounded, the talisman's blast had shredded her body, bones exposed in many places. She looked utterly pitiful.
She opened her mouth, releasing a puff of black smoke. Even Song Wanníng couldn't help but curl her lips, almost laughing aloud.
This was a perfect example of hoisting oneself by one's own petard.
"You—"
Peng Yu shakily lifted her only usable hand, eyes full of fury and hatred. She had almost succeeded, only to be ambushed by Feng Youming. Otherwise, she wouldn't have ended like this. His victory was dishonorable and utterly despicable!
"What 'you'? Put your filthy hand down!"
Bai Yang's heart surged with satisfaction as he growled coldly, then kicked Peng Yu hard.
Peng Yu was immediately knocked to the ground, grimacing in pain. Her eyes filled with venomous hatred as she glared at Bai Yang. "You little bastard, don't think you'll escape just because I'm dead. Your master won't spare you either!
Feng Youming, I know you're tempted by ascension. Spare me and I'll tell you everything, how about that?"
She had worked half her life for this, even doing disgusting things, all for ascension. She refused to live like the elders, wasting away to death. Now, one step away, how could she give up?
"Feng Youming, believe me. I really can help you ascend. If we leave this place, our future will be limitless. Trust me. I won't lie to you..."
Desperation filled her eyes. She no longer hoped to kill Feng Youming, only to live.
Bai Yang's eyes flashed coldly but he did not attack again. He sneered and stood aside. He wanted to watch Peng Yu's despair with his own eyes.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng's lips curved up, a sharp gleam flashing.
"You were just thinking of killing me. Saying this now, isn't it too late?"
If she hadn't sensed it early and learned this new technique to briefly stun opponents, she would have been the one severely injured earlier.
Back then, Peng Yu would have struck even faster and left no survivors.
Now to beg for mercy, how naive.
"It's not too late, Feng Youming, not too late. I really can help you ascend..."
Peng Yu tried to struggle. The once proud and domineering woman now looked like a weak mortal, begging for mercy.
"I..."
Before she could speak further, Song Wanníng's figure flickered and she swiftly appeared before her.
"I am indeed interested in this method of ascension you speak of."
Looking down on her, Song Wanníng's lips twisted with a hint of wickedness.
Peng Yu's eyes lit up, but suddenly Song Wanníng raised her hand and grabbed her head.
"You—"
Peng Yu's expression changed drastically as Song Wanníng took full control of her spiritual sea. Peng Yu struggled in terror as the golden light spread from Song Wanníng's feet again. In a moment of confusion, Peng Yu's face went blank and she lost all reaction.
Song Wanníng coldly held her skull and began the soul-searching technique. Since discovering the power of soul-searching, she had grown fond of this method: simple, brutal, and practical.
She did not want others to know Peng Yu was captured, nor that her soul talisman was broken, so soul-searching was perfect.
...
Bai Yang stood nearby, looking at his master with growing respect and awe, mixed with fear.
What move had she just used that could cause a Divine Transformation cultivator to lose focus?
In cultivation battles, victory or defeat often came in just a breath or two. Once the opponent lost focus, it was basically handing over the win...
Bai Yang's heart raced as a thought crossed his mind. If he asked to learn it, would his master teach him?
He was truly envious.
Looking at the expressionless Song Wanníng, he paused and put the idea aside for now. Their relationship was only just repaired. Better to wait until after this mission.
Time passed, and Song Wanníng's expression grew subtle. If one looked closely, they could see her hand trembling slightly.
Not from fear, but excitement.
She fought to suppress the thrill inside, but the corners of her mouth kept rising rapidly, impossible to contain.