Both Song Wanníng and Liu Xingzhi turned at the same time, their pupils tightening sharply.
The person who appeared wasn't Qin Ming, but Song Jue!
Unlike his usual neat and refined appearance, Song Jue was now dressed in black, his collar slightly open, revealing part of his chest. His long hair fell loosely over his shoulders, giving off a wild and unrestrained aura. His gaze was lazy and slanted, but the usual warmth in his eyes had vanished, replaced with mischief and a dark, wicked gleam.
"Tsk tsk, as expected of Guhan Sect's so-called geniuses. You've wiped out so many of my Monsters in such a short time. Tell me, how do you plan to make up for all that loss?"
Cold light flickered in his raised eyes as he smiled faintly, a look that felt completely foreign to Song Wanníng.
The horde of Monsters, which had frozen upon his arrival, only deepened the turmoil in her heart. Her encounters with him had been few, but from those brief moments, she'd always believed Song Jue to be a patient elder, stern but kind.
He'd scold her master mercilessly in public, yet secretly slipped pills and spirit stones to the disciples. He'd seemed like the kind of master who was strict but protective, fair but compassionate. At least in her eyes, he'd been far more qualified than she ever was as a master.
But now...
The person behind all this, the one controlling the Monsters, was actually Song Jue.
If she was shocked, Liu Xingzhi was outright horrified.
This Martial Uncle Song had always been one of Guhan Sect's pillars. He was calm, reliable, and a key figure in the sect's major decisions. Yet now, to hear that these Monsters were raised by him?
"Martial Uncle Song, are you saying you raised them?"
Liu Xingzhi's voice was cold, but a trace of hope lingered, as if praying this was all a misunderstanding. But the answer shattered that hope completely.
Song Jue crossed his arms and smirked. "That's right, I raised them. How is it, do you like them?
I didn't plan to wipe you out, but you had to go too far, trying to destroy everything I've built. How could I let you ruin a century of effort?"
He spoke lazily, not the least bit worried about them spreading word of his betrayal. The formation sealing them in made escape impossible.
"Why?"
Song Wanníng's voice broke through the tense silence, her eyes burning as she stared straight at him. She couldn't understand. As Guhan Sect's Grand Elder, Song Jue had power, status, and respect. Why destroy everything?
"Why?" Song Jue raised a brow, his long fingers brushing his hair aside, his tone playful. "I don't need a reason to do what I do. And I sure as hell don't need to explain myself to you."
He took a single step forward, and immediately the Monsters reacted, forming a bridge beneath his feet. They escorted him step by step toward the barrier until he could almost touch it.
"Song Wanníng, I admit you're remarkable, even to the point of being dangerous. But in the trap I've set, there's only one outcome for you—death." He leaned closer, eyes glinting with temptation, his dark pupils reflecting both admiration and hunger.
"Girl, why keep being stubborn? If you just follow me, I'll guarantee your safety. When I unite the Cultivation Realm, you'll both stand at the very peak, admired by millions!" His gaze turned skyward, greed gleaming openly in his expression.
"When we ascend to the Immortal Realm, to the God Realm, no one will ever be able to restrain us again! Do you really want to stay as minor elders in a tiny sect like Guhan?"
His voice was smooth, enticing, weaving visions of glory and power that shimmered before their eyes. If they agreed, he might truly let them live.
For talents like these, he preferred to win them over rather than kill them outright. Even the wind stilled, as if waiting for their answer. The Monsters quieted too, their gazes locked on the pair, waiting.
Liu Xingzhi's grip on his blade tightened until his knuckles went white. He'd never imagined he'd see this side of Song Jue. "So this was what deceit looked like. So deep, so vile."
Song Wanníng's expression turned sharp, a mocking smile curving on her lips. "You really think these Monsters are enough to make you king of the world?
Song Jue, you've lived for centuries and still haven't learned a damn thing. How naïve can you be?"
The mockery in her tone was a dagger straight to the chest.
Song Jue snorted coldly. "I knew you'd have a sharp tongue. Anyone who could bring down the Huo Clan wouldn't be simple. But you've overlooked one thing. I'm not as stupid as the Huo Clan. Since I dared lure you here, I've made sure everything's ready!"
The smile faded from his face, replaced by a cold, ruthless calm. "This is your last chance. Die, or join me?"
The wind howled, whipping his hair across his face. The Monsters stirred again, hissing and baring their fangs.
Before Song Wanníng could respond, Liu Xingzhi raised his blade and slashed straight toward the barrier. With that, she stopped wasting words.
This wasn't a negotiation. It was war.
If they wanted to end this, they'd have to fight.
And as for Song Jue, since he'd come, he wasn't leaving alive.
"Fine, fine!" Song Jue's voice rose with fury, eyes flashing with murderous intent. "So be it. Then you can die together!"
He thrust his hand forward, sending countless Monsters charging into the formation.
The battle exploded once more.
He stood outside the barrier, arms crossed, watching with a dark, steady gaze. There was no need for him to step in. The Monsters would wear them down, and when the time came, he'd strike the final blow himself. He watched the blood-soaked chaos calmly, as if enjoying a performance.
But after only a few moments, a surge of intense energy made him whip around.
A familiar figure appeared—Song Wanníng's clone.
The clone arrived at full speed, the Sheyin Flower in hand, and immediately released its power. It wasn't as devastating as when she'd used it against Gong Ye, but even so, it was more than enough to disrupt the Monsters and even affect Song Jue.
His gaze darted between the clone and the real Song Wanníng inside the formation, realization dawning instantly.
"So, you had a clone prepared too. Perfect. Saves me the trouble of hunting you down later." Suppressing his rising irritation, he sent part of the horde toward the clone.
The clone's eyes went cold as she charged toward him, the Sheyin Flower's aura spreading wide. With the flower's power at play, many of the Monsters fell into chaos, tearing into one another as the battlefield erupted once again.