The corners of Song Wanníng's lips curved slightly. Just thinking about how Mu Zixu's face would twist in "surprise" when she showed up after ascending made her want to laugh. Even pulling a prank like this on him sounded entertaining enough.
Luo Hantian: "..."
His mouth twitched. For once, he had nothing to say.
Mu Zixu, being a grandmaster of alchemy, was obviously full of confidence in his own pills. And even if this failed, so what? It wasn't like Mu Zixu could come down himself. At worst, they just wouldn't fool him.
With that thought, Luo Hantian's worries vanished. He even started plotting how he could give himself an important role in the act.
Seeing him so eager while sketching out his "scenes," Song Wanníng blinked helplessly and sat off to the side.
In the end, they decided Luo Hantian and Liu Xingzhi would join her in pulling this off.
Liu Xingzhi's combat strength was formidable. The moment he struck, anyone could tell he had the power to kill Wu Qingfeng, making him the crucial figure in this play.
Luo Hantian, on the other hand, just wanted to stick his nose in.
So, the plan came together quickly. When Liu Xingzhi heard, he didn't hesitate at all. He agreed immediately and even discussed with Song Wanníng which move he should use to "finish off" Wu Qingfeng.
Wu Qingfeng shivered under Liu Xingzhi's gaze. This man's cultivation had skyrocketed these past years, far beyond what he could ever hope to catch up with. If Liu Xingzhi really hit him with a few moves, there wouldn't even be a place left to cry.
Watching from the side, Song Wanníng couldn't hold back her laughter. She hadn't realized it before, but Liu Xingzhi really was a bit wicked. This was obviously him getting back at Wu Qingfeng for their earlier conflict.
"Alright, since we've agreed on everything, let's fix a time."
She tilted her chin toward Wu Qingfeng. "You'll send him the message, tell him when."
"Alright, I got it."
Wu Qingfeng nodded helplessly. Just the thought of lying to Mu Zixu made him nervous. But nothing was more important than his life. He had to push through.
Once Wu Qingfeng left, Song Wanníng walked over to Liu Xingzhi and smiled. "Thanks."
"It's nothing." He shook his head, his gaze filled with emotion.
Back then, he was the one who'd personally brought her into Guhan Sect. She'd been just a girl who needed his protection. Now she had far surpassed him. Looked like he needed to work even harder.
The next few days, Song Wanníng stayed in the sect. She spent time with her master and Martial Uncle, played a few rounds of chess, roasted some meat, and lived in ease and leisure. In just a short while, all her exhaustion faded. She felt energized again, ready to dig a pit for Mu Zixu.
She pulled out the pills she'd taken from Wu Qingfeng and studied them carefully before beginning to work on a method of breaking their effect. At the same time, she had to refine a pill that could fake death. Only with that could Mu Zixu be completely convinced.
On the other side, Wu Qingfeng secretly got in touch with the sect master of Medicine King Sect.
When the sect master learned that Wu Qingfeng wanted to fake his death to escape Mu Zixu's grasp, his feelings grew complicated. He went to consult the grand elder. With permission given, he replied to Wu Qingfeng and promised to cooperate. They'd all been in the same sect for years. There was some bond there. Naturally, they didn't want him to really die. Some even felt glad he'd finally come to his senses.
Once all preparations were in place, Wu Qingfeng finally contacted Mu Zixu and told him he'd found Song Wanníng. Of course, he acted extremely hesitant and fearful.
Just as expected, Mu Zixu didn't doubt him. He poured out temptations and promises, coaxing Wu Qingfeng along. In the end, Wu Qingfeng gritted his teeth and agreed. He even said that when the time came, he'd reach out again, but asked Mu Zixu to save him if things went south.
Mu Zixu happily agreed. He'd already planned to watch Song Wanníng die with his own eyes. Only if he saw it himself would he believe it.
With everything ready, Wu Qingfeng finally let out a long breath and sent a message talisman to Song Wanníng.
On the morning of the third day, Wu Qingfeng intercepted her in a mountain valley. At the same time, a curl of smoke rose, and Mu Zixu's face appeared over his shoulder.
"Mu Zixu? Figures it's you, clinging on like a ghost!" Song Wanníng widened her eyes in mock shock, glaring furiously at him. "Was the last beating not enough? You send this trash to block my way? Did you forget what happened the last time we fought?"
Her voice dripped with scorn. She didn't even spare Wu Qingfeng a glance.
Mu Zixu's lips twisted into a cruel sneer. "Song Wanníng, do you know how arrogant people end up dying?
If I were you, I'd beg for mercy while there's still time."
He was full of confidence in his pill. As long as it was used, Song Wanníng would die without question. And Wu Qingfeng? He wouldn't live either.
"Hah, you must be brain-dead. You really think this is the Immortal Realm? If you've got the guts, come down here and kill me yourself!
Sending him to threaten me? Don't you think that's looking down on me a bit too much?"
Song Wanníng gave Wu Qingfeng a disdainful glance, her arrogance identical to the way Mu Zixu remembered her. He narrowed his eyes, rage boiling inside him. Every time he saw her, he got furious. That bitch was just as insufferable as Dao Qing.
"Do it. Teach her a proper lesson. Let her see what happens to people who are too arrogant!"
Mu Zixu was done trading insults. He knew he couldn't match her tongue anyway, so he cut straight to ordering Wu Qingfeng.
Wu Qingfeng flinched but nodded. Slowly, he pulled a pill from his robes. But instead of crushing it immediately, he drew his weapon and lunged at Song Wanníng, as if to distract her.
"Oh, you still think you can kill me?"
Song Wanníng gave a cold snort. Her sword whirled in her hand, flashing into an elegant sword flower before slashing at him.
"Die!"
Her sharp cry echoed, her strike merciless.
Wu Qingfeng had no chance of standing against her.
In the next instant, he suddenly crushed the pill in his hand. It shattered into powder that was completely colorless and odorless.
The very next moment, he was blasted away. Sword light pierced straight through his shoulder, nearly cutting the entire joint off.
Mu Zixu's eyes widened. The strength Song Wanníng displayed made his heart jolt in alarm. A genius like this had to be killed. If she ascended and had Mo Yang Xiānzūn's protection, his own end would be miserable.
Thankfully, today would be the day Song Wanníng died!