She couldn't agree too quickly, or he'd think she was easy.
A flash of calculation passed through Li Qingya's eyes, and a faint smile curved her lips.
Gong Ye clicked his tongue and let his gaze wander down her figure, openly appraising her body with an undisguised hunger that burned in his eyes.
Li Qingya's face flushed scarlet under his stare, a suggestive tension hanging between them.
At last, Gong Ye released the restraints he'd placed on her and pulled her straight into his arms. Her cheeks grew even redder, but though she half-heartedly tried to push him away, she didn't really resist.
Gong Ye smiled confidently, then carried her toward his cave abode. He looked all smiles on the surface, but behind that, his eyes were dark and unreadable.
Women, once they've shared a bed, always believe the bond has deepened, that they've become one with the man. But in truth, they're just tools to be used.
"Hahaha!"
His laughter echoed through the cave as he pressed her beneath him, giving in to his desires without restraint.
When it was over, Li Qingya rested in his embrace, her expression soft and affectionate.
"Gong Ye, I hope you won't let me down," she said, her gaze full of longing.
He kissed her forehead and said fondly, "You're such a fool.
From now on, there'll be no more you or me. If I ever treat you badly, may thunder strike me dead!" He raised his hand as if swearing an oath.
Not that it mattered—he'd be struck by lightning anyway during his tribulation when ascending.
But Li Qingya was deeply moved, her eyes glistening.
"Don't worry," she whispered. "I'll help you. Everyone who's hurt you will pay the price. Just like the serpent clan, their entire race wiped out!"
"Good," Gong Ye said softly, tightening his hold on her. Yet in his heart, he was already scheming how to use the Monsters to sweep across the Beast Realm.
When the time came, he'd settle the score with Song Wanníng. Those who owed him blood would repay it with their lives.
Back at the Guhan Sect, after saying goodbye to Liu Xingzhi, Song Wanníng headed straight to the Sect Master's Hall.
"What did you say?"
Luo Hantian shot up from his seat after hearing her words.
"You're saying Li Qingya's also a suspect?"
His expression changed. After thinking about it for a moment, the possibility seemed quite real. Ever since Song Que's death, Li Qingya had disappeared, not showing her face once.
She'd been wandering outside for years, rarely returning to the sect. Song Wanníng's suspicion wasn't baseless.
"I'm only guessing," she said, twirling a flower petal between her fingers. "I've never met her, so I can't make any judgment."
Luo Hantian sat back down with a long sigh.
"To be honest, I've suspected her too," he admitted. "But her peak has already suffered enough. If we accuse her without proof, it'll only hurt them more."
He hadn't expected Song Wanníng to bring it up herself.
"Actually, our master's thought the same thing," she said casually, plucking a leaf and toying with it.
"This matter… I won't get involved."
After all, Song Que's death was indirectly caused by her. Meddling in Li Qingya's affairs wouldn't be appropriate.
Luo Hantian understood her hesitation and nodded. "Don't worry, I'll handle this carefully. No one will find out."
It was a secret that could never be exposed. Otherwise, their positions in the sect would become awkward.
"Oh right," Luo Hantian said, changing the subject, "your and Junior Brother Liu's Ascension Ceremony will be held in half a month. Take some time to choose your mountain peaks."
Both of them had reached the Unity stage and could now establish their own domains as Supreme Elders of the Guhan Sect.
Each would soon have a mountain of their own.
"Got it," Song Wanníng nodded and left the hall.
She sent a transmission talisman to Liu Xingzhi, and the two agreed to pick their peaks together.
Soon, the Guhan Sect sent out invitations to the outside world. They wanted everyone to know that even with Song Que's death, their sect still stood tall. Not only that, their new generation of geniuses was extraordinary, unmatched by anyone!
Half a month later, the Ascension Ceremony began.
Representatives from every major faction arrived to offer their congratulations. The Guhan Sect's gates bustled with activity, filled with laughter and celebration.
Inside the sect, the disciples were bright-eyed and proud. Their sect now had not one but two new Supreme Elders!
Song Wanníng wore a flowing violet gown, her long hair elegantly tied up. She looked like a sword drawn from its sheath, radiant and impossible to ignore. But if one looked closer, they'd notice a faint laziness in her posture, a hint of freedom that softened her sharpness.
Liu Xingzhi had also dressed up for the occasion. Though he still wore his usual white robes, something about him felt different today. On his head rested a green feather crown—a gift from Song Wanníng—which added a touch of life to his normally aloof air.
As the stars of the day, countless people came to congratulate them.
Given their cultivation levels, they didn't need to engage in small talk. A simple nod was enough.
"Damn, what kind of luck does the Guhan Sect have? They lost Song Que but gained two Unity cultivators!"
"And both are young too. Their future's limitless!"
"Especially that Song Zūnzhě! Did you know she's an ascendant? She only ascended around ten years ago, and she's already at Unity stage!"
That piece of news had already spread far and wide, but seeing her in person still left people awestruck.
What kind of monster must one be to have talent like that?
Jealousy and admiration filled every gaze turned toward her.
Then, a ripple spread through the crowd. The demon clan had arrived.
Baili Shang led his people in person, carrying boxes upon boxes of gifts for Song Wanníng.
Ever since the ban on the Central Region had been lifted, the barriers between the four regions were gone. Humans, demons, and beasts were no longer enemies.
Still, Baili Shang's grand entrance drew stares from all directions. Everyone knew who he was—the rising star of the demon clan.
"I heard Song Zūnzhě once went to the Central Region with Baili Zūnzhě!"
"You mean during that alchemy competition, right?"
"Oh right! She's also a grandmaster alchemist…"
The crowd fell silent again, as if suddenly remembering this terrifying fact. How the hell did she manage to do all that?
Every heart brimmed with awe and disbelief.
"Song Zūnzhě truly lives up to her name."
"She's the chosen of Heaven itself!"
There was no other explanation.
Baili Shang ignored the chatter. His eyes lingered on the radiant woman standing on the high platform, and a quiet pride welled up inside him.
That was the woman he'd always chase, no matter how far she flew.