In the Eastern Region, at Wuyou Valley.
Jiang Wentian sat at the doorway of a bamboo house, his gaze fixed on Jiang Cen in the distance. Right now, Jiang Cen wore an expression full of resentment as she carefully watered the spirit herbs and tended to pests one by one. If not for Jiang Wentian watching over her, she would have run away long ago!
She had transmigrated into this book to manipulate the male and female leads and climb to the peak of life, not to hide in this strange place growing herbs like some farmer.
Yet she didn't dare to defy Jiang Wentian. Although he always gazed at her with a warm and gentle expression, she constantly felt an odd discomfort, sometimes even feeling her scalp prickle and her breath catch under his stare.
Still, Jiang Wentian truly treated her well, so much so that she began doubting her own mental state.
Thinking this, Jiang Cen lifted her head and glanced toward him.
Jiang Wentian caught her gaze and gave her a faint smile.
"There it is again, there it is again!"
Panic surged through her heart. Her face stiffened as she forced a smile in return, then quickly lowered her head, no longer daring to meet his eyes. She tried her best to suppress her unease while resentment bubbled up inside.
This Jiang Wentian was far too strange! And what about Liu Xingzhi? Was he entangled with that disciple of his by now? She could not allow such a top-quality male lead to become someone else's man!
So, Jiang Cen began to plot an excuse to leave Jiang Wentian's side. She had endured long enough under his constant gaze. She craved freedom!
And soon enough, an opportunity presented itself. Following the guidance of the Three Lives Mirror, Song Wanníng arrived at a city near Wuyou Valley.
Instead of going directly to Jiang Cen, she sent Jiang Wentian a message talisman, inviting him to meet. To ensure he would come, she mentioned she had news about his daughter.
With everything arranged, Song Wanníng casually checked into an inn, enjoying good food as she waited at her leisure. Her presence was quickly reported to Wu Qingfeng, who was searching for her.
"Heh, a path to heaven and you refuse to take it, but you barge straight into hell's gates instead!" Suppressing the killing intent in his heart, Wu Qingfeng immediately reported this to Mu Zixu before quietly leaving the Medicine King Sect.
Once this mission was complete, he would become a true disciple of Wuji Sect after his ascension!
The thought filled him with motivation. Even if his sect master disapproved, nothing would stop him. He believed he left unnoticed, unaware that both the Ancestor and sect master had already seen through everything.
"Ancestor, Wu Qingfeng has left. And Song Wanníng has reached the Eastern Region." The sect master sighed, a helpless glimmer in his eyes. "Do you think I should stop him…?"
Although they'd had conflicts, Wu Qingfeng was still a member of Medicine King Sect. He didn't want to see him throwing his life away.
But the Ancestor simply opened his eyes, his gaze shifting to a distant point in the void.
"No need. Even if you stopped him this time, he'd go eventually. If he wants to deliver himself to death, let him."
Thinking of Ancestor Mu Zixu, the Ancestor's eyes flashed with disgust. That Ancestor had meddled in Medicine King Sect's affairs for ages, influencing countless decisions from the higher realm.
Though Mu Zixu had brought Medicine King Sect into the Spirit Realm, that didn't give him the right to interfere endlessly with the lower realm. He had no sense of restraint.
The Ancestor had long seen through Mu Zixu's selfishness. Even if he ascended, he would never attach himself to Mu Zixu or strive to join Wuji Sect.
That path would only make him a pawn, a slave to be used, not the life he wanted.
"But… should we tell him that Song Wanníng killed the Ancestors of the Huo Clan?"
When they first received the news two days ago, they'd been too shocked to speak. At the same time, they were immensely relieved they hadn't sided with Mu Zixu. If they had, forget ascension—Song Wanníng would have killed them already.
Could someone even the Central Region feared be provoked by Medicine King Sect?
Mu Zixu clearly didn't care about their survival!
"Do you think he'd believe you? He'd only assume we were trying to block his bright future." The Ancestor closed his eyes again. Some people, he could neither manage nor bother with anymore. "Enough. Stop fretting over this. When Wu Qingfeng dies, go to Song Wanníng personally. Apologize and make our sect's stance clear.
Remove any misunderstandings and avoid harming our other disciples." At first, he hadn't thought much of the matter, but Song Wanníng had grown far faster than he expected. If that was the case, Medicine King Sect needed to adjust its position to reconcile.
"Also, Song Wanníng loves alchemy. Send more medicinal herbs as a gift. After all, our disciples once hunted her. If she bears no grudge, we may find some peace. If she does…"
Not everyone had a forgiving heart. Hopefully, Song Wanníng would let bygones be bygones.
"Yes, Ancestor. Please rest assured!" The sect master nodded and left.
For now, all they could do was respect Wu Qingfeng's fate.
…
"Cen'er, I need to leave for a while. Stay in the valley and do not wander around."
Jiang Wentian's expression was grim. He remembered Song Wanníng well. He had even seen the recent sect transmission mentioning her. But they had been too far apart, so he hadn't returned.
Now, Song Wanníng had suddenly contacted him, claiming it was about his daughter. Jiang Wentian felt a chill of foreboding. That ominous suspicion in his heart felt close to confirmation. Without hesitation, he decided to go. Whether the news was useful or not, he had to find out.
"Is that so?"
Jiang Cen didn't notice the heaviness in his eyes. Her own eyes lit up instantly.
Finally, her chance to escape!
"Don't worry, Father. I'll be good and wait for you." She smiled sweetly, looking every bit the obedient daughter.
Jiang Wentian raised a hand and gently ruffled her hair, his gaze deep and unreadable.
Jiang Cen felt a chill under his stare and instinctively avoided his eyes. Thankfully, Jiang Wentian said nothing more. After one last lingering look, he turned and left. The moment he was gone, Jiang Cen patted her chest in relief, taking deep breaths.
"So terrifying! That gaze of his is truly chilling! I thought he had figured out I was planning to run!"
Swallowing nervously, she quickly packed her things and bolted. She had no idea that the moment she slipped away, Jiang Wentian sensed it. His eyes flickered with a trace of cold fury, but he didn't turn back. He continued heading toward Song Wanníng's location.
Inside the inn, Song Wanníng had already gone upstairs. She sat in her room, reading a book. Despite her consecutive breakthroughs, her swordsmanship lagged behind. Even with a sword spirit, she couldn't fully unleash its power.
For a sword cultivator, this was unacceptable.
She needed to practice diligently, to merge her sword skills with the elements within her body and achieve even greater synergy.