"This is our gift, to congratulate Song Wanníng Zūnzhě on advancing to the Unity stage!"
The patriarchs from the Central Region were all smiles, their respectful tone so genuine it stunned everyone else in the hall.
Back when the Huo Clan was wiped out, they'd only heard rumors. Most people thought the story was exaggerated. But now, seeing this for themselves, they finally understood—it was all true!
Even the top families of the Central Region feared Song Wanníng. For Wushang Sect to provoke her on purpose, they must've lost their damn minds!
"You've all come such a long way. It's me who should apologize for not welcoming you properly," she said with a soft laugh. "Please, everyone, take your seats!"
Luo Hantian immediately stepped forward to help, personally arranging the guests' seats with the utmost care.
In just a few moments, everyone was seated and chatting warmly, as if Wushang Sect didn't even exist.
The members of Wushang Sect stood awkwardly to the side, looking like a bunch of clowns. They couldn't leave, but staying was even worse. Even those who'd spoken up earlier now wished they could find a hole and crawl into it.
At this point, the truth didn't matter anymore.
What mattered was that no one dared mess with Song Wanníng.
The Cultivation Realm had always been brutally realistic. Strength ruled everything, and that would never change.
Only the strong had the right to speak.
The Sect Master of Wushang Sect's face flushed red, burning hot like fire. His lips trembled as he struggled to think of something to say, but in the end, he could only force out a stiff smile.
"I suddenly remembered there's something urgent at Wushang Sect. I'll take my leave first!"
He turned around immediately, not daring to look back. He didn't want to meet the mocking stares around him, and he definitely didn't want to meet Song Wanníng's eyes.
The crowd that had arrived in such pomp now slunk away, heads down. The sight was almost comical.
Laughter broke out here and there, followed by open ridicule of Wushang Sect's pitiful behavior.
Meanwhile, the sect masters of other sects seized the opportunity. Cups of wine in hand, they approached the main table to toast the King Yama and the Central Region patriarchs. It was a rare chance to build connections, and no one wanted to miss it.
Out of respect for Song Wanníng, those at the main table didn't refuse and politely accepted their toasts.
When the guests finally left, Song Wanníng raised her own cup with a warm smile.
"I'll always remember the help you've given me today."
She downed the wine in one go, the smile in her eyes softening into something genuine.
Whatever their motives, these people had still stood by her. She'd remember that.
Song Wanníng had always protected her own and prioritized her interests. She didn't think anything she'd done today was wrong.
"Hahaha, you're too polite! We only came to deliver our gifts, no need to thank us."
"Exactly, we're here to celebrate your advancement, Song Wanníng Zūnzhě. Don't let those irrelevant people ruin your mood."
They clinked glasses, laughed, and quickly changed the subject.
Besides offering congratulations, many of them were also here to gather information about the Monsters. They'd heard those creatures could reproduce terrifyingly fast, and if not eradicated completely, they might rise again.
Song Wanníng didn't hold anything back. She told them everything she'd experienced.
"We should take this seriously," said the King Yama in a low voice. "That Gong Ye is still at large."
He'd already looked into Gong Ye's reputation and knew the man wasn't easy to deal with. If even a group of Mahayana cultivators couldn't find him, that said plenty about how dangerous he was.
The patriarchs of the Central Region nodded grimly. "We should join the effort too. The sooner Gong Ye is caught, the sooner this hidden danger will be eliminated."
Compared to rumors, they trusted what they saw and heard firsthand. And from what they'd just learned, Gong Ye really had been controlling Monsters. That alone made him a massive threat.
Song Wanníng's lips curved slightly. It seemed the trap she'd set for Gong Ye back then was finally paying off.
Compared to Song Jue, Gong Ye was the true menace of the Spirit Realm. Everyone needed to unite against him.
The advancement ceremony came to an end, and the guests gradually dispersed.
Song Wanníng and her companions personally escorted the most distinguished guests out. When they finally returned to the sect master's hall, everyone let out a long sigh of relief before breaking into laughter.
Everything had gone smoothly, and their worries about being exposed had vanished.
"It's all thanks to you this time, Wanníng," said Luo Hantian with a sincere smile.
He still remembered the day she'd made her first request down in the lower realm. Who would've thought she'd grow this much in such a short time?
That pride, mixed with a touch of guilt, made his heart feel strangely heavy.
"We're family, no need for such formality."
Song Wanníng smiled and then spoke directly to him.
"Sect Master, I have only one request. When disciples of my Song family ascend in the future, I want them to be allowed to join my Zhuiyu Peak."
It was her only condition as a Supreme Elder.
She'd done a lot for Guhan Sect, and naturally, she wanted her family to have a stable foothold in return. Especially once the two realms merged, the Song family's meager resources wouldn't be enough to support higher cultivation. Guhan Sect would be their best option. She'd always planned ahead, thinking of her family's future.
Luo Hantian smiled. "Of course. From now on, any disciple from the Song family will always be welcome at Guhan Sect."
"Thank you, Sect Master."
Her smile deepened, satisfaction shining in her eyes.
They discussed the Monster problem a bit more before she mentioned that she'd be leaving soon and might not return for a while.
Since Gong Ye's matter was still unresolved, she couldn't just stay idle within the sect.
Hearing that she was leaving again, the others could only laugh helplessly. They all knew Song Wanníng was like a free bird, never one to stay confined in a single place.
Luo Hantian once again felt grateful for his decision to recruit her into Guhan Sect. If he hadn't, a talent like her would've been snatched up by someone else. He chuckled and led her to the Treasure Pavilion, telling her to pick whatever herbs she needed.
"Junior Sister Song, be careful on your journey. Make more defensive pills just in case," he reminded her.
"Got it!"
She replied with a bright smile, her heart full of gratitude. She'd met so many good people along the way, and she truly felt lucky.
Meanwhile, the Sect Master of Wushang Sect left the Southern Region in disgrace.
On the way back, all he could see in his mind was Song Wanníng's fierce, commanding face. His chest tightened with unease. That woman had dared kill Patriarch Huo himself. What if she came after him next?
The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became, and he hurried his disciples toward the Eastern Region. His disciples, frustrated and disappointed, shot him looks of disapproval along the way, which only fueled his anger further.
Once they reached Wushang Sect, he immediately pulled out a communication talisman and contacted Gong Ye.
He told Gong Ye everything that had happened and anxiously asked what to do next.
Greed had blinded him from the start. All he'd wanted was the Seven-Colored Flower to help him advance. After being stuck at his current realm for decades, he'd become desperate for a breakthrough.
Only the Seven-Colored Flower could grant him that without side effects.
That temptation was what had led him to work with Gong Ye in the first place—and to slander Guhan Sect.