At the same time, Gong Ye noticed something strange about the monsters. By now, most of his injuries had healed, and he could easily hide in the surroundings without being detected. Learning that the Snake Clan and the Peacock Clan were still stubbornly hunting him, Gong Ye couldn't help but sneer.
A bunch of amateurs trying to catch him?
What a joke!
He didn't take them seriously at all. His mind was full of revenge plans.
But right now, as he looked at the monsters in front of him, a bold idea formed in his mind. Everyone was hunting monsters. If he could tame them, they could become a powerful weapon for him. Then the Snake Clan and Peacock Clan would regret ever treating him like this.
So he wasn't in a hurry to go after Song Wanníng for revenge. Instead, he chose to roam with the monsters, searching for even more.
Soon enough, he found a monster's lair. He was familiar with most of the Beast Realm, and with his massive Primordial Soul and the help of the monsters, finding them wasn't so difficult.
Facing a horde of monsters, Gong Ye took out a strangely looking pouch. It glowed faintly, with a subtle pattern running across it. On closer inspection, it was snake skin. It was the skin he shed when he transformed into a Flood Dragon.
After refining it, it became a magical tool capable of holding living beings, and it was perfect for the task at hand. His goal was different from Song Wanníng's—he wanted to capture, not destroy—so his actions were much easier.
Soon, Gong Ye captured over a hundred monsters. But the remaining monsters were still numerous. He captured while defending, darting through the crowd with lightning speed.
At that moment, Song Wanníng's clone was passing nearby when she heard the monsters' chirps. Her expression stiffened, and her steps slowed.
She extended her divine sense to scout the area and, to her surprise, saw Gong Ye. Seeing that familiar figure, her brows furrowed. Without hesitation, she took out a communication talisman and quietly approached, recording everything she saw. She focused especially on a monster perched on Gong Ye's shoulder.
To avoid being detected, she attached a few concealment talismans on herself, minimizing her presence.
With Gong Ye busy, it would be hard for him to notice her at all.
Her eyes stayed fixed on the monster on his shoulder. Clearly, it was under his control, almost like a spiritual pet. Her mind raced. She had been worried she'd have no reason to deal with Gong Ye, but now she'd stumbled upon the perfect opportunity. She first sent the footage to Luo Hantian, urging him to broadcast the news immediately.
Now was the perfect chance to ruin Gong Ye's reputation.
After sending the message, a mischievous smile curved Song Wanníng's lips as she pulled out the Sheyin Flower she had obtained earlier. The moment she held the flower, an invisible wave of sorrow spread outward. It was an imperceptible energy fluctuation that no one could detect.
Soon, it reached the monsters.
The once-mighty creatures felt an uncontrollable sadness swell in their hearts. Their movements slowed, struggling against the sensation. But the energy was too strong. Some monsters couldn't resist and clawed at their own chests. They tore out their hearts, instinctively biting down, devouring them in a few frantic bites.
Then, as if realizing what they'd done, they tumbled from the air, motionless. Monster after monster fell, blood spraying across the sky, a scene of sheer carnage.
Even with his Flood Dragon bloodline, Gong Ye's essence was still Snake Clan, and the Sheyin Flower was the clan's natural nemesis. Its effect was absolute.
Gong Ye instinctively struck his own chest as if in a daze. His protective divine light activated immediately. He woke up in shock, but it was too late—he'd been hit, flying backward uncontrollably.
"Pfft—"
Blood spurted from his mouth. Just as he regained a bit of composure, the dreadful emotion surged again, leaving him no chance to react.
The attack meant for the monsters had turned on him instead.
He was utterly frustrated.
He sent out his divine sense, scanning the surroundings, and sure enough, he spotted Song Wanníng.
"Again—it's you—"
Gritting his teeth, Gong Ye glared at her, blood surging in his body.
This persistent ghost of a woman, how was she everywhere he went?
And what the hell trick had she used to control his emotions?
Seeing that he'd been discovered, Song Wanníng didn't panic. She walked out calmly.
"Fancy meeting you here, Your Highness Beast King!"
She smiled brightly at him and immediately joined the fray. Her long sword slashed, and in an instant, the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder struck. Within moments, several attacks followed in quick succession.
Normally, these attacks might not have done much to Gong Ye. But today, under the influence of the Sheyin Flower, he was completely off balance.
In just a few moves, Song Wanníng had already wounded him. He barely restrained his urge to commit suicide, only to be struck again by powerful lightning.
The scene was utterly brutal.
Hearing the sounds, Song Wanníng couldn't help but smirk. She pressed the attack even harder. With the Sheyin Flower aiding her, everything became far easier. No wonder the Patriarch had sent her to retrieve it—it really was the Snake Clan's nemesis.
But…
Song Wanníng's eyes darkened slightly. From the moment the Patriarch assigned the task, he had already given up on She Jiu. He knew anyone taking the Sheyin Flower would inevitably be affected, falling into despair, yet he needed someone capable to retrieve it…
So from the start, the Patriarch had prepared himself. Even if She Jiu died, he wouldn't be surprised. With that in mind, Song Wanníng had no reason to continue acting as She Jiu.
Her attacks became even more ruthless. In just half a quarter-hour, Gong Ye was severely wounded, fleeing desperately. Knowing this could end badly if it continued, Gong Ye was furious but powerless.
Finally, he abandoned the captured monsters, used his emergency survival technique, and vanished from sight in a flash. This was his life-saving measure. He could only use it five times, and after today, only one would remain!