Even though she was not actively cultivating, the thick spiritual energy continued to seep into her body naturally.
Song Wanníng had deliberately drawn some of it into her inner world, but when the time came, there was no stopping it.
She restrained herself carefully, avoiding any public display. Instead, she first visited the Wentiān Sect.
That place held many fond memories of her master and martial uncles. It almost carried all her youthful moments.
Now, as she prepared to leave, she had to arrange the follow-up matters properly.
After a long conversation with the new sect master and confirming that nothing would go wrong in the next hundred years, Song Wanníng finally left the sect.
She immediately contacted Mo Yuan to inform him about her impending ascension.
Mo Yuan wished he could rush over to see her off, but she refused.
Helpless, he stayed in the demon clan, eyes fixed on the horizon, waiting anxiously for news.
Song Wanníng also arranged many things in advance. Once sure nothing was left undone, she returned to the Song family and shared the news with her parents and disciples.
They were overjoyed but filled with reluctant sorrow.
"Wanníng, the Spirit Realm will be unfamiliar. Your parents can't take care of you there. Take all these spirit stones and treasures."
The storage rings Song Wanníng had given them before were opened by Mu Yuan.
Their daughter was growing up and about to go somewhere without them. How could they not worry?
Song Qingyun's eyes reddened as he said, "Yes, your mother is right. These things belong to you anyway, take them all!
As for the Song family, don't worry. We will take good care of it. Once your cultivation matures, we will come find you immediately!"
None of them could match their daughter's talent, and their cultivation speed lagged behind by tens of thousands of miles.
They didn't know how long it would take for her to ascend.
Just the thought was painful.
Seeing their worried eyes, Song Wanníng did not tell them about the possible dangers of the ascension tribulation. She just smiled and held their hands. "Father, Mother, you will ascend soon too. Then the three of us will be together again.
Now that I'm leaving, the Song family is steadily developing. Everything is moving in a good direction, so my heart is at ease. If you ever have trouble, you can contact Mo Yuan. I have given him all the instructions..."
She spoke a lot. While her parents worried about her, she worried more about them.
After all, having experienced loss, farewells only made the anxiety worse.
Nearby, Li Ruo stood quietly without interrupting. She had grown almost as tall as Song Wanníng, her face bright with youthful spirit.
But this was the first time she had seen her master so talkative. She stared with wide curious eyes.
Only when her master suddenly turned and playfully tapped her head did Li Ruo grin.
"Master, don't worry. I will protect grandfather and grandmother too!"
She patted her chest confidently, looking more mischievous than before.
Song Wanníng laughed and gave her a playful glare. With those little arms and legs, maybe her parents were the ones protecting her.
But seeing Li Ruo grow from an introverted girl to this confident young woman made her happy.
Confidence made a person shine.
"You, study hard. When you ascend, I will still check your homework!"
She ruffled Li Ruo's hair and headed toward the preselected tribulation site.
Mu Yuan and Song Qingyun brought Li Ruo along, careful not to alert others.
This matter was not to be publicized. If anyone interfered, it would bring trouble.
...
The thunder tribulation clouds gathered relentlessly, surging with oppressive pressure in all directions.
Song Wanníng stood on the mountain peak, her expression cold but tinged with killing intent.
This step was crucial to completing her mission.
To prepare, she took out the soul token obtained from the Trial Tower.
The Trial Tower itself rested quietly in the storage ring, waiting to be returned to its master after she reached the Spirit Realm.
The tribulation clouds gathered fast. Thick black clouds pressed down, darkening the sky for hundreds of kilometers, with only faint flickers of lightning visible.
Xiao Jin stood seriously on Song Wanníng's shoulder, instructing Long Ling and Shenyou Mystic Flame to prioritize protecting their master if it came to utter destruction.
The three were ready in formation. The three people below were anxious.
Ascension tribulation thunder was far more terrifying than usual tribulations.
Rumble—
From deep inside the clouds, rolling thunder echoed, pounding heavy in everyone's hearts.
Song Wanníng gripped her longsword tightly. It trembled with fierce battle intent.
Finally, the sky tore open wide. A divine thunderbolt struck down from the horizon.
Boom—
In that instant, the earth shook and mountains trembled. Layers of clouds shattered as endless pressure wrapped the dense lightning, smashing toward Song Wanníng.
Her heart sank, but she rose swiftly, holding the longsword to meet the divine thunder head-on.
She swung her sword. Gray chaotic energy surged forth without holding back.
Boom—
The divine thunder collided with the attack, erupting in a deafening roar. Then, it exploded like shattering lightning, crackling and spreading in all directions.
Nearby flowers, grass, and trees were instantly reduced to powder. Countless dust clouds rose, blocking all sight.
Song Wanníng's figure was swallowed by the divine thunder.
Song Qingyun and the others changed expression, clenching their fists tightly.
"What... what is happening?"
Mu Yuan turned pale. She had seen ascension tribulation thunder before, but never such a powerful first strike, as if it intended to wipe his daughter out completely.
They were not fools and sensed hostility.
Mu Yuan's heart tightened. She grasped Song Qingyun's arm, gasping for breath.
Song Qingyun's face grew grim. He recalled his daughter's words and his heart sank deeply.
Could it be that because she was reborn, they were targeting her?
"If... if it's truly dangerous, I will—"
He did not finish.
Mu Yuan understood what he meant.
If life and death came, no matter the cost, they would rush to save their daughter.
If one died, they all would die.
"I'm going too!"
Li Ruo, sensing the danger, whispered beside him.
She stared intently at the divine thunder engulfing her master, hoping for her to break free soon.
But she also believed in her master.
No obstacle could stop her ascension. All difficulties were temporary.
Master would definitely succeed!
The thought barely crossed her mind when Song Wanníng suddenly broke through the thunderbolt and flew out.
Yet before she could recover, another divine thunderbolt struck straight down.
Everyone gasped, but Song Wanníng was unfazed.
She narrowed her eyes and swung her sword to slash it away.