And what about her?
Her most important mission was to wipe out the intruders, then merge the Spirit Realm with the lower realm. Once she really completed that task, she'd practically be the "favored daughter" of the Heavenly Dao. When her tribulation came, it wouldn't give her trouble either. So this bead could only show its greatest use if it stayed with Liu Lanyi.
"But this…" Liu Lanyi frowned, about to argue further, when Song Wanníng flicked her fingers. A bolt of thunderlight flashed at her fingertip.
Liu Lanyi: "…"
How was her Martial Niece this powerful? She could even control thunder arts?
"Martial Uncle, just take it. If you give it to me it's wasted, besides, I made a huge profit from this trip into the palace!"
If it hadn't been for her Martial Uncle bringing her along to search for the Soul Swapping Bead, she might never have run into such a chance. So there was no need for her Martial Uncle to feel guilty.
"Fine, I'll keep it then!"
Liu Lanyi felt that refusing again would only seem pretentious, so she accepted the bead. As the breeze brushed across her face, she sometimes wondered what kind of fortune she had to deserve such an outstanding Martial Niece.
…
"Pfft—"
Gong Ye burst up from deep underground, unable to hold it back as he spewed a mouthful of blood, then collapsed on the ground, crimson soaking into the earth.
Right now he was hiding in a cave he'd prepared years ago. He thought he'd never need it again, yet here he was, forced to crawl back. He coughed out more blood, grabbed a clump of nearby spiritual herbs, stuffed them into his mouth, and closed his eyes, desperately absorbing their power to slowly heal his injuries.
This time, he'd been careless. He never expected Song Wanníng to advance so quickly, much less summon the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder.
The very thought of that thunder made his nerves twitch. The searing pain slammed straight into his soul again. The agony of the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder left a shadow in his heart. At that moment, he truly thought he'd die beneath that bolt. His brows knitted tight with worry.
Now, with such grave injuries, who knew when he'd recover?
The snake clan, the peacock clan, they'd never let him go either…
Hatred boiled in his chest until his qi surged wildly, and his vision went black. He nearly fainted. He spat a mouthful of black blood before barely stabilizing his mind, then continued drawing in the herbs' medicinal power. Gong Ye swore silently: he'd repay the grudge against Bai Yao Palace!
Every one of them would pay, he'd make sure they begged for death!
As for Song Wanníng…
His killing intent burned even hotter. He already regarded Song Wanníng as his lifelong nemesis. Ever since crossing paths with her, misfortune had dogged him, nearly costing him his life. That woman was born to counter him. She couldn't be allowed to live.
…
"You useless trash! I told you to kill someone, yet I haven't even seen a shadow of her!"
Mu Zixu's furious curses rang out through the lingering smoke.
Wu Qingfeng kept his head lowered, fear flickering in his eyes, though stubbornness and a trace of resentment lingered there too. He'd been ordered by Mu Zixu to hunt down Song Wanníng. But later he found out she'd slaughtered the Huo clan's Ancestors. Those were Mahayana experts, and Song Wanníng wiped them out completely.
What chance did he, a mere Unity cultivator, have? That'd be suicide.
So he deliberately dragged things out. Whenever Mu Zixu asked, he'd say he was still searching. In truth, he'd already given up and didn't dare provoke her at all.
"Ancestor, Song Wanníng even killed Mahayana peak cultivators. I… I wouldn't even be enough to fill the gap in her teeth. Why don't we just let this go? Anyway, she hasn't targeted the Medicine King Sect. We could just make peace instead…"
"Bullshit!!!" Mu Zixu flew into a rage the moment he heard that. "Song Wanníng humiliated countless ancestors of the Medicine King Sect, and you dare say something so spineless? Wu Qingfeng, are you even still a disciple of the Medicine King Sect?"
His anger boiled over. If he could've acted personally, would he need to rely on such an idiot? Couldn't even handle a small matter. Absolutely useless!
"But… but I'm no match for Song Wanníng…"
Wu Qingfeng's former arrogance was long gone. Regret gnawed at him for not listening to the sect master's warning, and now he was trapped. At the same time, resentment against Mu Zixu grew in his heart. The man didn't care about his life at all. How could following someone like that ever lead to a future?
For the first time, the seed of rebellion sprouted in his heart. Still, he didn't dare show it, keeping a worried look plastered on his face.
Mu Zixu snorted coldly. "With the pill I gave you, even if Song Wanníng shows up, she'll still fall into the trap. You just need to follow my orders. I guarantee you'll survive."
His tone softened, sliding into temptation again. "You should understand, if you do this well, the starting point of your ascension to the Immortal Realm will be far beyond what others could reach in a lifetime. Do you really want to throw away that chance?
Go on. Trust me, I won't send you to your death. You're the junior I value most. I'm still waiting to take you as a disciple…" His gaze grew gentler, as if he truly cherished Wu Qingfeng.
But the more Wu Qingfeng listened, the colder his heart became. Since when had Mu Zixu ever treated him kindly? Only now, when he needed him to throw his life away, did he bother to put on this act. He had no choice but to pretend to agree, while secretly planning to escape.
"Good. I'll be waiting for your good news!" Mu Zixu gave him a deep look, then cut off the connection.
Wu Qingfeng exhaled in relief, frowning as he wondered where he should go. Back to the Medicine King Sect?
Or find some place to hide, cut ties with the sect and Mu Zixu forever?
His mind was a mess. He'd just turned around when he nearly dropped dead from fright.
Only two hundred meters away, a flying artifact hovered silently. Song Wanníng sat on it with a woman he didn't recognize, both smiling as they watched him. Cold terror shot straight up his spine. Only one thought filled his head: it's over.
She'd heard everything he just said?
Didn't that mean she knew he wanted to harm her?
At that moment, Wu Qingfeng cursed Mu Zixu with all his heart.
He didn't want to die young. He didn't want to die at all!
"Song… Senior Song…"
Wu Qingfeng instantly made his choice. He bowed low toward Song Wanníng, greeting her with the utmost respect.
Liu Lanyi's expression turned icy as she glared at him, wishing she could stab a hole right through his chest. An elder of the Medicine King Sect, plotting against a cultivator who'd only just ascended?
If it weren't for Wanníng's rapid advancement, she would've already fallen victim to his schemes!