Yun Jinyue's expression remained cold, but the killing intent in her eyes spread like wildfire. She was waiting—waiting for news from her subordinates.
Minutes passed in silence.
The Golden Core cultivator was the first to return, shaking his head wordlessly at her.
The Thousand-Mile Teleportation Talisman had sent its user to a random location far beyond tracking range. It was impossible to pursue.
Yun Jinyue's last shred of hope evaporated. Her gaze darkened, and the killing intent surged violently toward Bai Yang.
The Heavenly Origin Heart-Nourishing Pill was rare beyond words. After all their effort to locate it, someone else had snatched it away.
She had initially planned to teach the two a painful lesson—just enough to make them hand over the pill willingly. That way, even if Wentiān Sect took offense, Xiangyun City could argue there had been no foul play.
But who would have thought Ye Chuxue had such a rare treasure?
Regret flared in Yun Jinyue's chest, and all her rage now turned on Bai Yang. If her father remained unconscious, others would surely seize control of Xiangyun City. It was a dead end either way. She might as well vent her anger first.
"Beat him within an inch of his life!" With one sharp command, the mood among her people shifted. All pretense dropped as they launched their attacks on Bai Yang without restraint.
The Golden Core cultivator stopped holding back. His fierce strikes slammed into Bai Yang over and over. Even as Bai Yang fought back with everything he had, he was utterly overwhelmed.
"Guh—!"
Blood sprayed through the air.
Bai Yang collapsed to his knees, his body covered in wounds.
From a high perch in the treetop canopy, Song Wanníng reclined in comfort, calmly nibbling on a spirit fruit while watching Bai Yang being beaten to a pulp.
The more brutal the beating, the more at ease she felt.
From the sea of consciousness, a golden sword-shaped spirit swayed with delight.
"Elder Sister, that move was brilliant—using others to weaken their luck step by step, while you wait to reap the rewards. Their protagonist halos will start crumbling in no time!"
It laughed gleefully. "That Bai Yang betrayed you for some woman. He deserves to die slowly and painfully."
Right and wrong were rarely black and white. But things like gratitude and loyalty should always be held close to the heart.
And Bai Yang? He was nothing but an ungrateful wretch. Not worth her kindness.
Song Wanníng said nothing. She lifted the fine wine beside her and took a slow sip.
In the distance, blood burst from Bai Yang's lips, spraying over three meters.
She thought the scene would pair nicely with a plate of appetizers.
"Elder Sister, do you think he'll be beaten to death?" The golden sword spirit grew more excited.
But Song Wanníng only smiled faintly and rose, adjusting her sleeves with graceful care.
"Where are you going?" the little sword asked, confused.
"To save my darling disciple, of course," Song Wanníng replied with a soft smile that never reached her eyes.
"What? But why would you save him?" it asked, shocked. "Didn't you want him dead the most?"
Song Wanníng's expression was unreadable as she glanced at the bloodied figure crumpled on the ground. "If he's destined not to die, then I might as well use him."
In her past life, the pain she suffered—she would make sure they all felt it too. She would keep Bai Yang guessing, caught in the endless cycle of closeness and distance. Never sure where he stood.
Hurt the body. But more than that, hurt the heart. That was the deepest form of torment.
Just like how she had once clung to Gu Qingyuan's every word, questioning herself, doubting herself, yet never letting go of hope.
Until she finally chose despair.
Bam!
Bai Yang crashed to the ground once more, his breath faint and ragged. He was barely clinging to life.
Yun Jinyue's fury remained undiminished. She drew her sword and aimed it directly at him.
If the blade landed, Bai Yang would die on the spot.
His heart sank. He reached into his ring and pulled out his final lifesaving talisman.
It was a talisman treasure of considerable power. Though it had been used before, it still had one activation left.
This was his last resort.
No matter how precious a treasure, it couldn't match the value of a life.
With Ye Chuxue gone and no help in sight, he could only hope to escape on his own.
He closed his eyes and prepared to activate it.
Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky, landing between him and the incoming blade.
That silhouette—like a god descending from the heavens.
Just like before, she stood in front of him, shielding him from harm.
In that moment, all his fear and anxiety melted away.
"Master…"
Bai Yang's eyes reddened, and warm tears welled up.
He lay on the ground, staring upward with a devotion he himself hadn't noticed until now.
He had thought she no longer wanted him.
But she had come.
She still cared for him.
Relief washed over him—and then, he fainted.
Song Wanníng turned and cast him a cold glance, then shifted her gaze to the crowd from Xiangyun City. Her presence pressed down like a mountain.
No one from Yun Jinyue's group could stand upright under her spiritual pressure. Their faces were pale with fear, and their limbs trembled uncontrollably.
Yun Jinyue could hardly believe it.
Song Wanníng… had appeared.
It was over.
She was doomed.
Yun Jinyue braced for death.
But just as the pressure reached its peak, it abruptly vanished.
She looked up in surprise and finally saw the legendary alchemy master with her own eyes.
"Song Zhēnjūn, please, let me explain…"
I only wanted to buy the Heavenly Origin Heart-Nourishing Pill. My father is gravely wounded and unconscious. I panicked and made the wrong decision…"
"Well done." Song Wanníng interrupted her with a faint smile and a wave of her hand.
Yun Jinyue blinked in confusion, unsure what she meant.
Without elaborating, Song Wanníng pulled out a jade bottle and casually tossed it toward her.
"There's a Heavenly Origin Heart-Nourishing Pill inside. Send my regards to City Lord Yun." In her past life, she had listened too much to Gu Qingyuan, convinced herself to remain aloof and proud, and in doing so, offended countless people seeking her pills.
Looking back, it had been incredibly foolish.
She should have used her strengths to build alliances. When the great family wars came, those allies would have become her power.
"What?" Yun Jinyue stood frozen for several seconds before instinctively catching the bottle. She opened it and peeked inside.
"A Heavenly Origin Heart-Nourishing Pill. An upper-grade one at that!"
It finally sank in. She dropped to her knees in gratitude, holding out a storage pouch respectfully.
"Thank you, Song Zhēnjūn, for your mercy. Not only did you forgive us, but you even saved Xiangyun City from disaster. We will never forget this kindness. My father will come in person to thank you!"
Tears welled in her eyes. Just when she thought the road had come to an end, a new path had opened.
Her father was going to live.