Once Song Wanníng left, the leaders in the courtyard instinctively withdrew, not daring to make a sound. The earlier Heavenly Thunder had now become their shadow, one they could not shake.
Yet when Wu Rouyun appeared, they swarmed around her, desperate to purchase the other two Supreme Spiritual Elixir.
Wu Rouyun did not immediately agree.
Now that Song Wanníng had slain members of the Ghost King Valley, she feared they might seek revenge. Keeping these two pills for the moment could serve as leverage, ensuring the other factions sided with them.
After all, Song Wanníng was under their protection.
"Let's go, we'll take care of those few factions first!"
Wu Rouyun waved her hand, leading her subordinates toward the Fengyun Gang.
This left four major factions. The Langya Gang's strength made conquering them all a daunting task, but it was more than enough to seize control of the Fengyun Gang alone.
The members of the remaining factions brightened at her words. After planning, they headed toward the other three gangs.
Those resources would be divided among them, which was more than enough.
As for the grand competition, it had long been forgotten.
Meanwhile, the Ghost King Valley was shaken to its core.
A new-generation prodigy had fallen.
The disciples of Ghost King Valley rarely perished, especially those like Wu Mingxu and Fang Lan, the pride of the heavens.
Out in the world, who would not give them some respect?
Yet their sudden demise left everyone in the valley shocked.
Wu Mingxu's master, Fang Wei, was furious upon hearing the news.
After understanding the circumstances, he immediately hurried toward the back mountain of Ghost King Valley to report to the Valley Master, his own master.
The Valley Master had been meditating, previously instructing that unless it was urgent, no one was to disturb him. Now, with a letter from his disciple, it must be a major incident. He had no choice but to interrupt his meditation and step out.
"Master, it's bad!"
Fang Wei rushed to the Valley Master, reporting everything exactly as he had learned.
The Valley Master's expression changed. Without a second thought, he swished his sleeve and headed toward the Langya Gang.
Seeing this, a grim expression flashed across Fang Wei's eyes.
Song Wanníng, right?
Langya Gang, right?
Killed my Ghost King Valley disciples and expect to leave unscathed?
Hah, let her die then.
-
The disciples of Ghost King Valley had been slain.
The Valley Master had gone to the Langya Gang.
The successive news caused a stir.
Everyone lamented for Song Wanníng. A Dan Master so rare, now about to fall.
Truly a pity.
The Langya Gang members, on high alert, prepared defenses early. Yet worry persisted, for the Valley Master was a Mahayana cultivator, and a casual strike from him would be unstoppable.
Recently, the disciples of Langya Gang had experienced tremendous ups and downs, a reality only they truly understood.
Outside the courtyard, Wu Rouyun stood vigil, her expression equally anxious. Song Wanníng was strong, but she might not match the Valley Master.
Yet the day eventually came.
In less than two days, the Valley Master personally arrived at the Langya Gang.
Song Wanníng, having learned the news, sat calmly in the courtyard, waiting. She did not fear the Valley Master and even looked forward to testing her strength against him. Even if she were injured, she did not mind.
At that moment the Valley Master appeared, and a flicker of excitement shone in Song Wanníng's eyes.
"You are Song Wanníng?"
Fang Wei shouted, his gaze toward Song Wanníng filled with resentment.
"You killed my disciple? Give me your life—"
He moved to strike Song Wanníng.
But in the next instant, Fang Wei crashed to the ground.
It was the Valley Master who had acted.
Everyone in the courtyard was stunned, looking at him in disbelief.
Was he not here to avenge Wu Mingxu?
Fang Wei himself froze, staring at his master. "Master, what are you doing?"
Why attack our own instead of Song Wanníng?
The Valley Master merely swept his gaze over him coldly, a glint of frost in his eyes.
"Did I not teach you? Meeting a senior, yet showing such disrespect, is sheer foolishness!"
Then he turned to Song Wanníng, a smile appearing on his face.
"A person so young, achieving such heights, would deliberately target someone like Wu Mingxu? It is clear that Wu Mingxu acted recklessly and offended the wrong person! Being killed is a matter of skill, no one else is to blame.
Instead, I must apologize to you on his behalf. I hope you will not take offense, Wu Xiaoyou."
The Valley Master's demeanor was gentle, his eyes devoid of anger, full instead of excitement at seeing a kindred spirit.
For thousands of years, the Underworld had never produced someone capable of refining Supreme-grade pills.
How could he not be moved?
Fang Wei was utterly shocked, and Wu Rouyun and the others were equally astonished.
She had prepared for a desperate struggle, and yet it ended like this?
"Senior, you are too kind. This matter concerns only Wu Mingxu and me. There is no need for your apology."
Song Wanníng smiled, firmly defining the incident as private.
In this way, Ghost King Valley had no further involvement.
"Thank you, Song Xiaoyou."
The Valley Master's admiration deepened. He strode to Song Wanníng.
"My visit, in truth, is to exchange knowledge on pill refinement. I wonder if you might grant me that honor?"
Indeed, he had not come for revenge.
Fang Wei was utterly disheartened.
He felt like a clown.
Song Wanníng raised an eyebrow, considered for a moment, and nodded in agreement. If she could obtain more pill formulas from this old man, it would be even better.
"Very well!"
The Valley Master followed Song Wanníng into the room, leaving behind a dazed crowd, exchanging bewildered glances.
Inside, the Valley Master examined the pills Song Wanníng had refined. His excitement was uncontainable. She had produced Supreme Second-grade pills of exceptional quality.
This surpassed his own abilities.
"After refining pills for a thousand years, yet I cannot match Song Xiaoyou's extraordinary talent…"
He sighed in admiration, quickly putting aside his envy, and began seeking advice from Song Wanníng.
At first, Song Wanníng had ulterior motives. But as they continued to exchange knowledge, her mindset shifted.
The Valley Master truly loved pill refinement. Even with moderate talent, his persistence was unwavering. Though his hair was white, speaking of pill refinement reignited his passion, his reverence evident in every movement. This was what Song Wanníng had lacked.
Perhaps her path had been too smooth; she had never truly felt awe.
The success of her pills had seemed almost ordinary. Now, enlightenment dawned, and her mindset transformed. She began to study seriously with the Valley Master, learning and experimenting together, even opening the furnace to refine pills side by side.
Her state of mind evolved, and her Primordial Soul power surged faster than before.
Surprised, she eagerly delved into refining even higher-grade pills with the Valley Master.