In the blink of an eye, a flash of white light engulfed him, and he vanished before everyone's eyes.
The murderous aura he left behind was so fierce that the surrounding stones shattered and flew in all directions. It was enough to show just how furious Huo Yang was at this moment.
"Tsk, the Huo family is going to have a good show on their hands now."
The Huo family's actions had indeed been questionable, but Huo Yang's display had been just as unsightly. No doubt, the Huo Ancestors had their own considerations.
"Let's just sit back and watch. If Huo Yang really manages to turn the whole place upside down, I'll have to give him some credit."
One comment after another rippled through the crowd. Everyone was curious to see the spectacle—after all, the removal of a family patriarch was no everyday matter.
"Two Xiayou."
Elder Murong strode toward Song Wanníng and Baili Shang, a friendly gleam in his eyes. They had no enmity with Song Wanníng, so naturally, there was no hostility.
"Senior."
Song Wanníng and Baili Shang returned the greeting politely, though their expressions were still somber.
Even so, both realized that as the Huo Patriarch, Huo Yang would not be so easily killed. That he had suffered such a setback was already a victory.
Their expressions eased, the tension in their faces gradually softening.
"Hehe."
Elder Murong chuckled as he came closer. Right there in front of everyone, he asked, "Would the two of you be willing to join my Murong clan? I can promise right here—this young friend," he nodded toward Baili Shang, "would be made an Elder of our clan immediately."
Then he looked to Song Wanníng. "As for you, you would receive the personal tutelage of our core bloodline, and our resources would be heavily tilted in your favor."
If these two joined the Murong clan, it would not be long before they produced two more experts.
Unfortunately for him, neither had any such intentions.
Especially Baili Shang—he was the Demon Race's young master. How could he pledge himself to another faction?
"Many thanks, Senior, but neither of us has such plans."
They refused without hesitation, leaving Elder Murong no room for hope.
"The resources of the Central Domain are nothing like those of the Four Domains. Surely you've felt the dense spiritual qi here? If you stay, it might not be long before you ascend."
Elder Murong was unwilling to give up. Losing such outstanding juniors would be a loss to the Murong clan.
But Song Wanníng and Baili Shang's attitude was unwavering. No matter how he tried, they would not yield.
Seeing there was no hope, Elder Murong could only swallow his disappointment. "Here, take my messaging talisman. If you change your mind, you can contact me at any time. My promise will stand."
He handed each of them a talisman, exchanged a few more words, and left in haste—he needed to report back to the clan patriarch and perhaps let the patriarch himself persuade them. Maybe their resolve would waver.
Once Elder Murong was gone, the other cultivators began to drift away as well. A few lingered to greet Song Wanníng.
Many were curious about her Time Talisman.
Song Wanníng smiled with measured courtesy, responding briefly before she and Baili Shang took to the air toward the cliff.
With the formation gone, the ominous pressure that once lingered below had completely vanished.
Song Wanníng felt a touch of nostalgia. She had just eliminated two intruders in succession—something she wasn't entirely used to.
Back in the lower realm, it had taken all her effort just to kill someone like Ye Chuxue.
The Heavenly Dao of the Spirit Realm was indeed far more formidable. If her plans went smoothly here, her progress would be much faster.
…
In the days that followed, Song Wanníng turned her attention again to finding a way to open the barrier.
She still found nothing.
Even so, she did not give up, continuing her search—until one day, news from the Demon Race arrived.
Baili Shang's expression darkened, eyes flashing with murderous intent as he cut off the transmission.
"What happened? Trouble?" Song Wanníng frowned in concern.
"Yes. The Demon Race has a secret ground where ancient alien races are sealed. Recently, those aliens have been restless, and it seems something has happened. I must return immediately."
Baili Shang felt a pang of regret—he did not want to leave Song Wanníng.
Unfortunately for him, she felt no such reluctance.
"Then go quickly. The Demon Race's affairs are far more important."
She waved him off calmly, which only deepened his frustration.
Heartless woman.
"Do you want to come with me? I'm worried you might not find a way to break the restriction."
He simply wanted to spend more time with her.
But Song Wanníng shook her head. "The restriction is no problem for me. You should return first. I want to study this barrier a little longer. Who knows, maybe the next time we meet, it will already be open."
She smiled, her flawless face bathed in sunlight, beautiful enough to daze anyone.
Baili Shang stared for a long moment before snapping out of it.
"All right. Take care of yourself. If you run into danger, send me a message. I'll come at once."
For the first time in his life, he had fallen for a woman. He could not allow anything to happen to her.
"You too—stay safe and be careful."
Song Wanníng patted his shoulder, watching as he left.
Baili Shang was her first true friend in the Central Domain, a companion she could entrust her life to. She hoped they would have the chance to fight side by side against invaders again.
After he was gone, she rested for a night, then resumed wandering near the boundary line.
In the meantime, she heard news from the Huo family.
It was said that after being stripped of his title, Huo Yang had gone straight back to confront the Huo Ancestors and elders.
But the Murong clan, angered by the deaths of the City Lord and his son, had come to demand justice.
Faced with both sides, Huo Yang's position in the Huo family completely collapsed. A father is responsible for his son's faults; removing him as patriarch was entirely justified.
Especially since the forty-some treasures had not been recovered, the Huo family had already shown leniency in sparing him for his years of service.
Yet Huo Yang could not accept it. He clashed with the elders, injured some, and fled. Now, relations between him and the Huo family were extremely tense.
When Song Wanníng heard this, she was not surprised.
From start to finish, Huo Yang had always been arrogant, treating lives as if they were nothing. Accustomed to high status, his pride was greater than most. Losing everything at once was something he could never accept.
Simply put, Huo Yang cared too much about saving face.
Otherwise, he could have remained in the Huo family, waiting patiently for a chance to rise again.
Song Wanníng thought little more of it. As long as Huo Yang did not provoke her, she would not go looking for trouble.
Time passed quickly, and she once again arrived at the spot where the Face Flowers grew. After just a short absence, the flowers' human-like faces had become even clearer. She didn't leave immediately, but crouched in a tree to watch.
When night fell, the faces emerged again to absorb the moonlight, each one now far more distinct than before.