When the white light faded, Song Wanning realized she had arrived in a new chamber.
After a brief moment of thought, she understood.
This was an ancient-era Trial Tower, designed to temper disciples.
That meant the earlier challenge was the first stage, and she had passed.
Trial Towers from the ancient era came in many forms, but they all shared one trait: each level adapted to the challenger's spiritual roots, talent, and even the treasures they carried—like a trial crafted just for them.
And upon clearing a stage, there was usually a reward.
Song Wanning raised a brow. Where was hers?
As soon as the thought formed, a glowing sphere descended before her.
She caught it in her palm. The sphere shattered instantly, and a surge of flame with a fiery aura roared out toward her.
This was Wuyou Pill Fire, ranked among the top five on the Pill Fire List.
It was still far inferior to the Shen You Mystic Flame.
Without hesitation, she tossed the Wuyou Pill Fire to the side, letting it drift to the waiting maw of the Shen You Mystic Flame.
The Shen You Mystic Flame yawned wide and swallowed it in one gulp, looking languid and listless.
Ever since leaving the Dragon Vein, it had been distracted and oddly lovelorn. Song Wanning knew—it was craving the Dragon Vein's rich fire attribute. But the Dragon Vein was still in slumber. Longing alone would change nothing.
The moment she claimed her reward, the chamber's scenery shifted.
A wide river stretched out before her.
Before she could make out what lurked beneath its surface, countless fish turned into weapons and surged toward her in an overwhelming assault.
The next trial had begun.
Song Wanning's lips curved in a faint smile. An opportunity to hone her strength like this was not something she would waste. She swept her sword in a fluid arc, and over a dozen weapons materialized at her side, each emanating the full might of the Divine Transformation stage.
As she struck, every weapon darted forward, tearing into the oncoming shoal.
Wherever they clashed, the fish dissolved into drifting spiritual energy.
Song Wanning quickly understood—this trial's purpose was to reinforce the techniques she had learned in the previous stage.
Unfortunately, her mastery was still shallow. Her conjured weapons lasted only a single breath before dissipating. She was far from achieving the endurance of that long spear from before.
With that realization, her mind grew calm, and she threw herself completely into the trial.
…
In the Huangbei Desert, Bai Yang finally clawed his way out of a sinkhole, battered but alive. His aura had already risen to the early Golden Core stage and seemed on the verge of another breakthrough.
Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, his first act was to pull out a communication talisman and try to contact Song Wanning.
But after half a day, there was still no reply.
Bai Yang's heart sank. His gaze dimmed with disappointment. He had been training outside for so long. Other than telling him of Lu Nan Feng's death, his master had never reached out to him—not once.
As if she didn't care at all.
This had never happened before.
His mood grew heavy. Upon advancing to Golden Core, his first thought had been to share the good news with his master, but…
He swallowed a pill to repair his injuries, his mind turning to the news of Lu Nanfeng being killed by Ye Chuxue.
Even now, it felt like a dream. He decided to head to the nearest city and confirm the details. Yet when he heard the full account, he froze in shock, unable to speak for a long time.
Ye Chuxue had not only killed Lu Nanfeng, she was now with Gu Qingyuan…
Impossible.
Wasn't Ye Chuxue in love with him?
Even if they had quarreled before, that shouldn't have driven her into Gu Qingyuan's arms.
How could she do this?
Face flushed with anger, Bai Yang sent her a message talisman.
He needed to hear her answer directly.
Meanwhile, Ye Chuxue and Gu Qingyuan had been hiding in Myriad Beast Mountain for days. The demon cultivators hunting them were relentless, chasing them here just for the bounty. Whatever the Demon Race had offered, it was enough to send wave after wave after them without pause.
Ye Chuxue was haggard, her once delicate and beautiful features now marked by constant frowning and worry, making her look years older.
Gu Qingyuan was in slightly better shape, but each time danger struck, he was the one shielding her. His internal injuries not only failed to heal, they grew worse.
At first, the two still had moments of heated emotion, even sparring for fun on occasion.
Now, the passion was gone, replaced only by exhaustion from running for their lives.
For Gu Qingyuan, who had always moved through life with ease, these days had been the hardest of his life. He couldn't help but think of Song Wanning. His junior sister's cultivation was close to his own. When danger came, she never hid behind him but fought at his side. Even when injured, she had endless pills for him to take. She had never left him in such a sorry state.
But the thought flashed by and faded quickly.
Gu Qingyuan frowned, guilt stirring in his chest. How could he think like that?
Chuxue had given herself to him. He had a responsibility to her.
Just as he was about to speak, Bai Yang's message arrived.
Ye Chuxue stared at the long-unseen talisman, momentarily dazed.
For some reason, her first instinct was to avoid it. She didn't dare accept.
Gu Qingyuan's expression darkened instantly. His eyes locked on her, searching for any sign that she still had feelings for Bai Yang.
Feeling his intense gaze, Ye Chuxue's heart fluttered with guilt. After a moment's hesitation, she braced herself and activated the talisman.
The familiar voice felt like it came from another lifetime.
But his words were filled with accusations and bitter anger, chilling her to the core.
"Ye Chuxue, was it you who killed Second Senior Brother?
Just because he caught you in your affair, you silenced him? Have you forgotten how well he treated you? How could you be so heartless? I'll ask you one last time. You and Gu Qingyuan—was it real? He forced you, didn't he?"
In the message, Bai Yang's voice was disjointed, almost incoherent. He couldn't accept that Ye Chuxue had turned her heart toward another, much less that she now loved her own master.
Betrayal and the murder of Lu Nanfeng twisted together inside him, leaving only burning hatred.
Ye Chuxue's heart grew cold with each accusation.
At first, she had thought—perhaps he was worried about her safety, her situation.
Reality struck her like a slap to the face.
Her expression hardened, voice dripping venom as she replied, "He deserved it. Dead is dead. What can you do about it? Bai Yang, what right do you have to question me? Let me tell you this—I only regret not killing you as well!"
The angry words spilled out.
Gu Qingyuan's face eased, and he drew her into his arms.
Her eyes reddened instantly. She clung to him tightly. From now on, she truly had only her master.
Far away, Bai Yang read her reply, and the killing intent within him could no longer be contained.
So it was all true.
How dare Ye Chuxue!