This little girl's temperament was nothing like the youngest disciple's. She feared neither heaven nor earth. Yet he happened to admire this kind of boldness, although the situation was still unclear for now. He could not help feeling a little worried.
"Senior Brother, rest assured. I will see this through to the end as well. Even if it costs us our old lives, we will protect our disciple." Ruan Mingyue's gaze was firm. As Supreme Elders, it was their duty to protect their disciples. All the more so for a disciple as exceptional as this.
After they finished discussing, everyone waited for Song Wanníng to return to the sect.
…
Two days later, Song Wanníng finally came back. From the moment she stepped into the mountain gate, disciples greeted her one after another. They admired her courage and were convinced by her ability.
She responded with a smile and very soon arrived at the Sect Master Hall. The moment she entered, the crowd inside almost startled her.
The hall was packed, most of them with impressive cultivation, and there were even two Unity cultivators seated within.
Song Wanníng's eyes fell at once on her master, Leng Qingzhu. She offered a reassuring smile, then looked to the Unity cultivator behind Leng Qingzhu, Song Jue.
Just as she was about to speak, figures entered from the doorway. It was Liu Xingzhi, who had rushed back covered in dust from travel.
Liu Xingzhi had already advanced to the Unity stage.
Song Wanníng raised a brow. He was indeed someone the intruder had set their sights on, his talent extraordinary.
With the two returning almost back to back, Luo Hantian felt secretly pleased. One more Unity cultivator meant one more layer of security.
"Greetings, Grandmaster."
Song Wanníng withdrew her gaze and first saluted Song Jue, then bowed to Ruan Mingyue, Liu Xingzhi, and the others.
These were her Seniors. One could not measure them by cultivation alone.
"You have already reached late Out-of-Body?" Song Jue stared at Song Wanníng's cultivation in surprise. Even with all he had seen, he was shocked. How long had it been since Song Wanníng ascended?
Ten years?
He almost doubted his own eyes.
At his words, the bustling hall fell instantly silent. Everyone probed Song Wanníng's cultivation. Confirming late Out-of-Body, they all froze.
Several Martial Uncles and Martial Elders were dumbfounded. A few years ago they had suppressed their cultivation to serve as her sparring partners, and now…
Song Wanníng had left them far behind.
A hint of heartache rose in Leng Qingzhu's eyes. For her cultivation to soar so fast, how much hardship had this little girl suffered, how many dangers had she braved. Even if her disciple's realm had surpassed her own, Leng Qingzhu felt no displeasure at all, only worry for her disciple's situation.
"Yes. I encountered some opportunities in the Central Region and, by luck, advanced." Song Wanníng smiled calmly and stepped to the center of the hall.
Looking at this group of Seniors gathered here for her sake, and at Liu Xingzhi, who had specially rushed back, warmth spread through her heart. For a sect she had not stayed in for long, a sense of belonging quietly took root.
"This matter of breaking the barrier was done by me. One person acts, one person bears the consequences. I will not implicate the sect.
The people of the Central Region will not come to trouble me. Grandmaster, Martial Uncles, please do not worry." Song Wanníng did not want the sect living in fear because of her, so she explained with a smile.
But to the others, it sounded only like she wished not to burden them.
"Girl, rest easy. I have already spoken with the Ancestor. If they come, the Ancestor will step out to shield you."
"With so many of us here, we will not let anything happen to you. Do not keep thinking about burdening anyone. We are a family."
Luo Hantian's face was full of relief. He felt more than ever that his judgment back then had not been wrong.
Others looked ready to add their persuasions. Seeing this, a wry smile touched Song Wanníng's lips. She hurried to stop them and explained, "That is not what I meant. The people of the Central Region truly will not come looking for trouble with me.
You all should know the Huo Clan, yes? The Huo Clan's three Ancestors all died by my hand. The Huo Clan has already fallen.
The Central Region does not dare lay a hand on me." Song Wanníng was not boasting.
Being able to slay three Mahayana cultivators already proved her strength. If anyone wished to kill her, those Mahayana cultivators would have to stake their lives.
They were all on the verge of ascending. Who would be foolish enough to come settle accounts with Song Wanníng.
Thus, they would not dare to come.
"…"
Silence fell over the hall again. Everyone stared at Song Wanníng in utter shock.
Had they misheard?
Song Wanníng had killed three Mahayana cultivators?
Were they mad, or was Song Wanníng mad?
How could that be possible?
Yet her expression was solemn, not at all like she was lying. Besides, there was no point in lying about such a thing.
Only after a long time did they finally digest the news. The way they looked at Song Wanníng changed completely. No one dared treat her as a junior any longer.
Song Wanníng could only smile helplessly. "I came back for two reasons. First, to see Master. Second, to tell everyone not to worry.
With the barrier opened this time, our Guhan Sect will not be affected. Just continue as before." She spoke a few more sentences, then left with Song Jue and the others.
Luo Hantian and the rest were left a little at a loss, and then a faint, irrepressible excitement rose among them.
"Let those old fellows keep sniping and sneering. They will get what they deserve."
"Hmph, mocking my poor judgment, were they?"
"Serve them right."
The great weight on Luo Hantian's chest finally fell away, and he began to gloat. He could not wait to see the looks on those people's faces when they had to eat humble pie.
At his side, Liu Xingzhi remained expressionless, his aura rising and falling. Song Wanníng's rapid growth had become his motivation as well. The little girl from back then had grown to such a height. It was truly astonishing.
Since that was the case, he would have to cultivate diligently and strive to ascend as soon as possible. As for that Junior Sister Jiang Cen, he had long cast her to the back of his mind, completely forgotten.
The so-called teacher-student romance she had spoken of had never happened. His heart was set on the Dao. He had never entertained any other thoughts.
…
Back at Zhui Xun Peak, Song Wanníng gave Song Jue a proper salute and also received a meeting gift. Everyone happily caught up, then roasted meat and drank at night, utterly carefree. Only after several rounds of wine did Song Wanníng look up at the sky, a little melancholy.
"It has been so long, and still no news of Martial Uncle." Her Martial Uncle Liu Lanyi had ascended long before her, yet despite asking around everywhere, there had been no trace.
She had even gone to the Central Region, and still had not seen Martial Uncle. She could not help feeling worried.
Hearing this, a touch of sorrow clouded Leng Qingzhu's brows and eyes. "Junior Sister has great fortune. She will be fine. She is likely trapped somewhere.
Do not worry about her. Focus on your cultivation." Some time ago she had gone out to search for Liu Lanyi again, but there was still no result. Her heart was uneasy as well.
All she could do was pin her hopes on this. With Song Wanníng's name now so prominent, if Liu Lanyi heard, she should come seek them out.
Hopefully nothing bad would happen.