Song Wanníng showed no expression at the news. Whether these two were getting along or not no longer mattered to her.
"Since it's confirmed to be them, take me to find them."
She glanced at the ledger stacked to one side, the notes clearly visible. Mo Yuan had lived up to his position, managing the demon palace diligently.
"All right, Senior, wait for me a moment!"
Without delay, Mo Yuan called his subordinates, gave some orders, then immediately set off with Song Wanníng. He drove the demon ship swiftly toward the location where Ye Chuxue and Gu Qingyuan had been found.
Before Song Wanníng, Mo Yuan dropped all pretense and spoke quickly, sharing everything that had happened in the demon tribe recently.
Song Wanníng listened carefully, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Mo Yuan's eyes shone as he looked at her.
The Senior seemed gentler now, yet somehow felt more distant. In the end, it was his own cultivation that was still too weak. He silently clenched his fists, vowing to train even harder.
Once they ascended to the spirit realm, he would continue to follow Senior no matter what. Even if it meant being her dog, he would be willing.
After two days of travel, the demon ship reached the demon tribe border. Mo Yuan did not land immediately but hovered quietly in midair, awaiting Song Wanníng's command.
At that moment, Song Wanníng's divine sense had already landed inside the cave, where the two were quarreling.
Ye Chuxue was as stubborn as ever, but with her cultivation crippled and recent setbacks, she now resembled a hedgehog—full of spikes, ready to explode at the slightest touch.
Gu Qingyuan, once the aloof and proud prodigy, had become a worn, resigned drowning dog. Especially with his hair now streaked white, he looked completely unfamiliar.
Seeing them in such a state, Song Wanníng did not feel pleased. Instead, she thought they were lucky to have survived until now.
Inside the cave, Ye Chuxue and Gu Qingyuan remained unaware of the looming danger.
"Master, I'm planning to try that cave we found the other day. Will you come with me?"
Ye Chuxue only wanted to increase her strength quickly. The anxious, restless feeling kept her awake day and night.
Although they were still at odds, she clearly knew that only by staying close to Master could she be safe. Otherwise, at her current level, she would be nothing more than a snack for demon beasts.
Gu Qingyuan hesitated briefly but, thinking of their recent strained relationship, finally nodded in agreement.
"You must stay behind me. Your body can't handle much more strain."
After so much effort to save Ye Chuxue, he did not want to see it all wasted.
Though his words were meant as concern, to Ye Chuxue they sounded like disdain. She was naturally strong-willed, and no matter how she heard it, it seemed like Gu Qingyuan was looking down on her.
She pressed her lips tight, eyes flickering with defiance.
One day, she would return to her peak and make everyone who looked down on her regret it. Hiding her thoughts deep inside, Ye Chuxue followed Gu Qingyuan out.
They had discovered a cave earlier. The treasure-seeking rats had told her there was something good inside, but the presence of fierce demon beasts had kept them from moving.
Now seeing Gu Qingyuan recovered somewhat, she couldn't sit still.
High above, Song Wanníng concealed the demon ship. Even Gu Qingyuan did not notice.
She looked at Gu Qingyuan's weary face and raised an eyebrow. He had once been as outstanding as she was. Now, he did not even feel her presence above him.
Recalling the tragic fate of her past life, she understood one thing more clearly. Being distracted by love only holds one back. Only by wholeheartedly pursuing the Path could one reach a wider horizon.
"Senior, are you just going to watch them leave like this?"
Mo Yuan frowned slightly when he saw Song Wanníng making no move.
"Wait a bit."
Song Wanníng smiled faintly. "Killing them outright would be boring. It's more interesting to personally cut off their hope when they are full of it."
She wanted Ye Chuxue and Gu Qingyuan to experience the pain of having success within reach, only to have it shattered overnight. Besides, since they were about to die anyway, squeezing out a little more value from them would make their deaths not in vain.
Mo Yuan immediately understood, raising an eyebrow.
He liked how Senior struck at people's hearts. These two would certainly be very 'grateful.'
The demon ship followed behind them, watching as the two encountered demon beasts, fought a few times, and hurried onward.
Gu Qingyuan's wounds had clearly not fully healed, limiting his combat effectiveness.
Still, he insisted on accompanying Ye Chuxue.
How could this not be love?
Song Wanníng's smile grew wider. The more broken the enemy, the more at ease she felt.
Finally, Ye Chuxue and Gu Qingyuan stopped before a cave. Gu Qingyuan led, with Ye Chuxue hiding behind him, cautiously entering. Deeper inside, they spotted a white plant. Its stalk was green, but the single leaf was white—an odd sight.
It was the Xuyan Grass, known to enhance cultivation.
Though Ye Chuxue's cultivation was crippled, her meridians had already expanded. Now she only needed to constantly fill her dantian.
This grass fit her needs perfectly.
It was almost tailor-made.
So, despite the risk, she had to try.
"Master, it's right there!"
Ye Chuxue smiled broadly and tugged at Gu Qingyuan's arm.
"When the time comes, you lure the demon beast away. I'll grab the Xuyan Grass."
"...Okay."
Gu Qingyuan swallowed his unease and nodded. He was used to taking the lead when danger came.
When the demon beast appeared, he charged without hesitation, engaging in fierce combat. Ye Chuxue stayed back, and when the demon beast turned away, she rushed toward the grass. But the beast kept watch on the grass and immediately noticed Ye Chuxue's intention.
It abandoned Gu Qingyuan and lunged at Ye Chuxue.
"Ah—"
Ye Chuxue retreated quickly, panic filling her eyes as her strength waned.
Fortunately, Gu Qingyuan rushed to her aid, letting her escape. But Gu Qingyuan was clawed by the demon beast, blood streaming down his arm.
Song Wanníng hid in the shadows, clicking her tongue.
Every time Gu Qingyuan was about to overpower the demon beast, she secretly interfered, making him dirty and battered, his injuries mounting, fueling his frustration.
"Master, hurry up!"
Ye Chuxue wiped sweat from her forehead, panicked when she saw the demon beast trying to tear at the Xuyan Grass.
If it succeeded, what would happen to her cultivation?
Gu Qingyuan grew anxious and increased his spiritual power output, only to be slammed and thrown by the demon beast, crashing hard toward the cave entrance.
In his daze, he thought he saw a familiar figure watching him from afar.
Gu Qingyuan froze immediately.