Only after fully absorbing Peng Yu's memories did Song Wanníng leisurely withdraw her hand, wiping the bloodstains off her palm.
"Master, how is it?"
Bai Yang frowned as he looked at the now vacant-eyed Peng Yu, feeling a rush of satisfaction. mWhat could a Divine Transformation cultivator do? In front of his master, she was completely helpless and ended up a fool!
"Should we kill her? I can do it for you. No need to dirty your hands!"
Just thinking about how close she had come to ruining his purity made him want to strangle her. He wished he could crush her bones to dust so she would never find peace, even in death.
"No need. She can't die yet or it will cause trouble."
Song Wanníng shook her head slightly, glancing at the now mindless Peng Yu. She decided to hide her away first.
"Let's return to the cave for now."
Peng Yu's appearance was due to her previous tracking of this cave. Since everyone was searching for her, no one would think to look here for a while. It should be safe temporarily.
"…Alright."
Disappointed, Bai Yang's eyes flickered at the news that the woman could not die yet. But he had to obey his master, so he followed her back into the cave.
Peng Yu was secured inside, bound tightly with the Immortal Binding Rope. Song Wanníng fed her a pill to keep her alive for the moment and casually tossed her into a corner.
"Master, can I come out with you? I've stayed here too long."
Bai Yang hated waiting. The constant fear of someone arriving was unbearable. If another Divine Transformation cultivator came, he might lose his life here.
Song Wanníng would not allow it. Bai Yang was stuck here and nowhere else.
She raised an eyebrow coldly and said, "What? You won't even listen to your master? Should I just send you out for good?"
"Master is angry!"
Bai Yang's heart sank, and he quickly shook his head.
"No, I just want to be with you."
Seeing Song Wanníng still irritated, he pursed his lips.
"Master, I'll wait here for you. Call me when you need me. Then I'll come out." He did not want to anger his master again.
Sometimes he could not understand why he became so cautious around her. He really missed the warmth they once shared.
"Alright. Contact me immediately if anything happens." Song Wanníng nodded softly, glanced at Peng Yu in the corner, and instructed, "Watch her closely. Don't let her die, understand?"
She tossed a pill bottle over.
Peng Yu was still useful. She could not be allowed to die here.
"I understand."
Bai Yang's muffled voice came as he clutched the pill bottle and watched his master leave quickly. His frustration deepened as he turned to the foolishly grinning Peng Yu.
A dark expression flashed through his eyes and he kicked her away.
The memory of nearly being violated surged in his mind, fueling his rage. He began beating her mercilessly. Since the master said to keep her alive, as long as she did not die, he could vent on her.
Fists rained down like heavy rain, quickly covering Peng Yu's face in blood. Her swollen face looked like a pig's head.
Still not satisfied, he drew his long sword and severed her only remaining hand at the root.
Those hands had caused him nightmares.
Blood splattered as Peng Yu spasmed and collapsed convulsing.
Bai Yang looked at her ruined form and suddenly lost interest. He turned and sat aside.
With Peng Yu destroyed, even revenge held no satisfaction.
He sat gloomily by the cave entrance, gazing at the sky outside, wondering when he could finally see the world beyond.
...
Leaving the cave, Song Wanníng headed straight north.
The rest of the Feng family still searched everywhere for Peng Yu. Several elders had not rested, since Peng Yu was a Divine Transformation cultivator.
Ordinary disciples would be in danger if they found her, so only elders pursued her.
But no trace of Peng Yu was found, making everyone impatient and cursing her harshly.
Back at the Feng family estate, Feng Jinchuan wore a grim expression amid broken items scattered on the ground. A nearby formation master lowered his head, afraid to speak. Having known the patriarch for years, this was the first time he saw him furious.
But he understood the patriarch's urgency: more than anyone, Feng Jinchuan wanted to break the restriction and lead everyone out of the Secluded Land.
"Patriarch, the gap we opened before has closed, but if we keep researching, we will soon find another one."
"Please don't overexert yourself."
The formation master worriedly advised.
After all, they had spent their whole lives in the Secluded Land. They could afford to wait. But instead of calming Feng Jinchuan, this only made him more irritated. His clenched fists cracked.
How could he not be anxious?
Without the Dragon Vein in hand, he felt uneasy. Who knew what accidents might happen?
And now the hope he had just grasped had vanished in an instant. He could not accept it. The mass migration of the clan was his ambition, his grand ideal, and his chance to change their fate.
But now, all he could do was rage helplessly. Just as he seethed, a communication talisman beeped. The formation master on the other side had a new discovery.
Feng Jinchuan immediately stood.
Although the formation master from outside was unreliable, as long as there was hope, he would not give up.
"Let's go see!"
Feng Jinchuan rushed with the formation master toward the restriction. They arrived within a quarter of an hour.
The formation master's face was raw from the wind, but he dared not complain, sensing the patriarch's tension and urgency.
"What? Any new findings?"
Feng Jinchuan hurried to the restriction, eyes sharp.
The formation master lowered his head and pointed to a spot on the restriction. "Senior, it's here. We sensed an abnormal spiritual energy fluctuation. Maybe this is the key to unlocking the restriction!"
"Oh?"
Feng Jinchuan's eyes brightened with hope. He immediately gathered all the formation masters to study the restriction closely.
As for Peng Yu and Feng Youming, that could wait.
...
The wind howled and lightning cracked.
Song Wanníng was surrounded by a faint glow, shielding her from the rain. She braved the pouring storm and after two days and nights arrived at a desolate wasteland.
According to Feng Youming's memories, this place had been barren since the Secluded Land was discovered. No matter how people planted, nothing could grow here. It had slowly been forgotten.
Yet here lay her hope to overturn the Feng family!