So it was all lies!
Fang Wei's spirit was shaken, and she suddenly coughed up even more blood. Her aura weakened rapidly.
The Wordless Heavenly Tome let out a cold snort. A sudden flash of light burst from its pages and shot straight into her body.
"Pfft—"
Fang Wei stared in disbelief at the one who struck her down. Her eyes widened with despair. She never thought she'd die at the hands of the Wordless Heavenly Tome. Her eyes bulged as her body twitched violently. Then she collapsed on the ground, lifeless.
Song Wanníng watched her fall without a ripple in her expression. She finally understood, the Wordless Heavenly Tome had set its sights on her.
"Little girl, see? Wasn't that enough to show my sincerity?" The book's voice rang out again, this time drifting closer. "I killed her for you."
Its voice carried a strange charm as it went on, "You're not like her. I truly want to help you walk the path to ascension.
In the future, you'll take me back to the God Realm, and together we'll dominate it. How about it?" The words were brimming with bold ambition, full of blood-boiling passion.
Song Wanníng only curled her lips and gave him a look reserved for fools. "You sure you've even been to the God Realm?"
"What do you mean?" The Wordless Heavenly Tome froze for a beat, then snapped back, "I'm a divine artifact! I was forged by a true god, what could you possibly understand?
Follow me, and I'll lead you to treasures like the Bodhi Tree, enough to change your entire life. Miss this chance, and you'll never get another!" His words were dripping with arrogance.
The mockery in Song Wanníng's eyes deepened. She glanced at the Bodhi Fruit, then lost all interest in wasting more words. "You're nothing but a pitiful remnant soul putting on a fake show. Do you really believe you're a divine artifact?
A god? You've seen one?"
Her laugh was cold. Did he really take her for a fool?
At first, she'd thought the Wordless Heavenly Tome might be a peerless treasure that had gained sentience. But the longer she observed, the clearer it became—this was just some old bastard who'd died long ago, clinging to this vessel and fooling Fang Wei.
No wonder he picked the book as his shell, it was perfect for his tricks.
Her words made the air fall eerily silent.
After a few seconds, his sinister voice slithered out, "How did you figure it out?"
He was convinced his disguise was flawless. Fang Wei had believed him in an instant and died without doubt.
But this woman… she was too sharp.
"I don't just know you're a remnant soul," Song Wanníng said with a smile, "I also know you were a evil cultivator when you were alive."
Her interest in the Wordless Heavenly Tome grew. Long Ling had said the book carried an unusually rich spiritual aura, far from ordinary.
This remnant had lucked out, finding such a vessel after death.
"Hahahahaha!"
The Wordless Heavenly Tome burst out laughing as earthy-yellow light flared around it.
"That's what I like about you, but so what? Running into me means your good luck's at its end, hahahaha!"
Strange runes surfaced within the yellow light, and Song Wanníng frowned. She studied them briefly, already plotting her move. She raised her longsword and slashed toward him. Swordlight crashed into the yellow radiance, blasting shockwaves in all directions.
Song Wanníng grunted and flew backward, barely steadying herself a hundred meters away. Her face showed a mix of shock and caution. Still gripping her sword, she charged again.
"Hahaha! I told you, crossing me is bad luck!" He rushed at her, laughing wildly.
After only a few exchanges, Song Wanníng was already injured and forced back again and again. She looked battered, barely holding on.
The Wordless Heavenly Tome sneered. Intelligence was useless when her cultivation and strength couldn't match his. She was doomed. With another surge, he struck her hard, sending her flying. She slammed into the ground, struggling to get back up. Gritting her teeth, she staggered upright and bolted into the distance.
"Oh? Trying to run?" He laughed, the sound full of delight, and chased after her. But this time, instead of striking, his remnant soul broke free from the book and shot straight into Song Wanníng's sea of consciousness.
The moment he entered, he was stunned by the vast starlit expanse inside. Then ecstasy lit his face.
"As expected, you're the one I've been waiting for. You're far better than that Fang Wei woman!"
He gazed around, thrilled at her sea of consciousness. Back then, he'd dismissed Fang Wei's weak potential and only used her as cover, lurking in the book while searching for a real host. Now, with this body, success meant reaching Mahayana with ease. If he pushed further, he might really ascend. His excitement spiked. It was as if victory was already waving to him.
But suddenly, he realized something was wrong. Where was Song Wanníng's soul?
"Shit!"
His face twisted in panic. He tried to bolt out of her sea of consciousness.
But in the next second, crimson firewalls surged up. The Red Lotus Karma Fire sealed off every exit.
Around him floated the Shenyou Mystic Flame, its burning gaze fixed on him.
He recoiled, his expression turning ugly.
"You tricked me?"
His roar shook the sea of consciousness. His face burned with humiliation. Just moments ago, he was boasting, and now…
"How would I dare?"
Song Wanníng's Primordial Soul appeared, smiling as she stared him down.
The remnant soul looked like a gaunt middle-aged man with a sinister air, glaring at her with none of the earlier arrogance.
From the start, she had no intention of fighting him directly. The Wordless Heavenly Tome was too precious, and if her attacks damaged it, the loss would be too great. So instead, she played weak to lower his guard, luring him right where she wanted him—into her sea of consciousness.