The fox beast met Song Wanníng's gaze without a trace of guilt. Instead, she smiled sweetly, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "Elder Sister, please don't blame me for acting rashly. I only made a move in the heat of the moment…"
She covered her lips with her hand as she laughed, her expression pure and innocent.
Song Wanníng's lips curved slightly higher. "No harm done. I should be thanking you for your help."
Without the fox beast's aid, capturing the two-headed eagle without harming it would have taken her far more time. The bird's terrifying speed combined with her own cultivation techniques—most of them fatal killing moves—had put her in a difficult position.
"Hehe, you're too kind," the fox beast replied, her smile growing brighter. But in her eyes, a glimmer of excitement flashed.
If she could cling to the snakes, she would gain a temporary place of safety. At the very least, she would have protection the next time her pursuers came hunting.
She began plotting how to stay close to Song Wanníng. Unexpectedly, Song Wanníng was the one to extend the invitation, asking her to travel with them. The fox beast was delighted, though deep down, the smoothness of it all made her uneasy.
And so, a fox beast became the newest member of their company.
With the two-headed eagle captured, Song Wanníng guided their flying artifact toward Bai Yao Palace. Only now did the fox beast realize that Song Wanníng, not She Yi, was the one making all the decisions.
No wonder her coquettish glances at She Yi had failed. If she wanted to survive, she'd have to curry favor with Song Wanníng herself.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng held the Immortal Cauldron in her hand, studying the furious two-headed eagle trapped inside.
Once it regained its strength, the eagle screeched curses, its vulgar words spilling out despite never having taken human form.
Song Wanníng's temples throbbed. With a flick of her hand, she sealed its mouth for peace and quiet.
She then used the bloodline guide, attempting to have the eagle locate the spatial fragment tied to the senior. To her surprise, the guide didn't react to the eagle itself.
Her expression darkened as her divine sense penetrated deeper.
Following the bloodline connection, she carefully traced it to its source and discovered that it wasn't the eagle at all but the strange fleshy growth atop its head.
There's something inside that lump?
A sharp gleam flashed in Song Wanníng's eyes. Without hesitation, she used telekinesis, tearing the lump open.
A strange-looking inner core floated before her eyes.
The eagle shrieked in pain, throwing itself wildly against the Immortal Cauldron's walls.
This time, Song Wanníng showed no mercy. She ended its life with a decisive strike.
Tossing the carcass to She Yi, she examined the inner core in her palm, lost in thought.
The closer she held it, the stronger the bloodline guide's reaction became. This had belonged to one of the senior's descendants, only to be swallowed by the eagle by chance. Unable to refine it, the bird had grown the grotesque lump instead. So… the senior's descendant had perished?
Song Wanníng's face grew somber. If that was true, it was truly unfortunate. She sighed. There was nothing to do but take one step at a time. If the bloodline had been extinguished, so be it.
On the flying artifact, She Yi clutched the eagle's corpse, tears of joy welling up.
A Unity-level corpse… with its inner core intact!
And his master had given it to him without hesitation.
The fox beast watched with envy, silently marveling at Song Wanníng's generosity. If only she could earn such a reward herself. Her resolve to cling tightly to this "golden thigh" only strengthened. Her bright eyes sparkled as she looked at Song Wanníng.
Song Wanníng opened her eyes, having stored the inner core away. Seeing the fox beast's eager gaze, she smiled faintly. "Next time we encounter something similar, I'll give it to you."
She Yi was bound to her by contract, so naturally he took precedence.
The fox beast nodded rapidly, her gaze full of admiration and stars.
The rest of the journey passed without incident, and soon the trio arrived outside Bai Yao Palace.
Song Wanníng sat on the flying artifact, her expression tightening. As they drew closer to the palace, the bloodline guide stirred again. She felt unease coil in her heart. Could the intruder be here? Please don't let the senior's descendant be the invader…
If so, it would end tragically, like Jiang Cen.
"Go."
Song Wanníng instructed She Yi to knock and request an audience.
Inside Bai Yao Palace, Gong Ye had been admiring flowers when he heard the report. The bloom in his hand was crushed to pulp, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.
Those who had abandoned him now dared to come seeking benefits. Did they take him for a fool?
"Let them in!"
Gong Ye swept into the inner hall and took his place on the highest seat, waiting for the snake clan to appear. He had never forgotten their betrayal. Now he would savor their humiliation.
Before long, Song Wanníng entered the grand hall with She Yi and the fox beast.
At the center sat a black throne, upon which a figure in crimson robes reclined. His long, silky hair cascaded down his back, pooling across the floor. He exuded an aura of ease, and his position aligned perfectly with the Three Lives Mirror's reflection.
So this was the invader from the beast clan.
Song Wanníng's eyes gleamed with recognition, but the bloodline guide didn't point to him. That meant the person she sought was somewhere within Bai Yao Palace—likely one of its beast cultivators.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Beast King!"
She Yi bowed deeply, bringing Song Wanníng forward. As planned, he would handle negotiations.
Gong Ye's gaze swept over the trio. His eyes lingered briefly on Song Wanníng and the fox beast before settling on She Yi.
"What are you here for?"
He asked knowingly, already planning how to ridicule She Yi.
"Our Patriarch sent me with an invitation, hoping the Beast King Daren would return to the snake clan for a meeting."
Snake Yi respectfully presented the invitation.
Gong Ye accepted it with a flick of his wrist. The snake clan's sigil on the letter confirmed its authenticity, but his expression remained cold, his lips curling in derision.
Laughable.
"We have nothing to discuss. I severed ties with the snake clan long ago. Why should I return?"
He had long since seen through their hypocrisy. He would make them regret their choices and watch him rise with their own eyes.
"Beast King, the Patriarch and elders are deeply remorseful. Please consider this carefully. We are willing to wait here for your decision," She Yi said, repeating the words Song Wanníng had instructed him to deliver.
But even as he spoke, She Yi trembled inwardly. He still couldn't understand what his master was plotting. Staying in Bai Yao Palace felt like courting death. He wanted nothing more than to leave.
"Oh?"
Gong Ye's expression shifted slightly, curiosity glinting in his eyes.
Stay here? Heh.