Meng Dong's triumphant expression froze instantly. He had not expected Wu Rouyun not only to refuse him, but to speak so bluntly. His face flushed with embarrassment, yet he dared not be arrogant in front of Wu Rouyun. As he struggled to speak, Wu Rouyun struck him with a single palm, sending him flying.
Bang!
Meng Dong crashed over the railing at the door, tumbling into the hall on the first floor.
Wu Rouyun's expression remained cold. She flew down from the second floor, landing beside Meng Dong, and immediately incapacitated him.
"You traitor, what are you to dare threaten me?"
The tremendous noise startled everyone. People quickly opened their doors, peering out in curiosity. The gang leaders also emerged, exchanging glances full of subtle meaning as they watched the two.
Gang Leader Song stood on the second floor, about to mock, when Wu Rouyun's communication talisman glowed again.
"Sister! Sister!!!"
Wu Yaozu's frantic, almost incoherent voice echoed from the talisman.
"Sister, I—Dàrén—oh—"
"Spare me the nonsense!"
Wu Rouyun barked sharply, though her heart pounded wildly.
"Sister! Dàrén has refined Supreme-grade Spiritual Elixir! Three top-grade ones at once!
Oh my mother, you wouldn't believe it! Dàrén is beyond human! She has already produced hundreds of lower-grade pills, all top quality, and even ninth and tenth-grade pills!"
Wu Yaozu's words were filled with shock and awe. Had he not seen it himself, he would never have believed it.
What kind of abnormal being was Dàrén?
His voice echoed through the inn, leaving the surroundings in stunned silence. Everyone's faces were a mix of confusion and disbelief. The gang leaders' expressions changed instantly, their eyes snapping toward Wu Rouyun, full of doubt.
Was this a trick, or was it real?
Only gang leader Song's heart skipped a beat, as if a string had snapped in his mind.
On the ground, the immobilized Meng Dong sat dumbfounded, muttering in twisted disbelief.
"Impossible… impossible…"
If it were true, he would become a complete laughingstock.
"All right, keep the pills safe. I'm coming back now!"
Wu Rouyun did not wait for anything else. She rushed out of the inn, heading straight for Langya Gang.
The other gang leaders exchanged glances, sensing trouble.
"Let's go too, and see if Langya Gang is pulling a stunt!"
"Exactly. Wu Rouyun must be putting on a show. Who besides the Valley Master of Ghost King Valley can refine Supreme-grade pills?"
They refused to believe that Song Wanníng had really produced the pills.
Yet, their thoughts were conflicted. If another person could refine Supreme-grade pills, it meant they had a chance to advance as well…
The gang leaders' intentions varied, and many felt relief that they had not embarrassed Wu Rouyun earlier.
Gang leader Song stayed at the rear, nervous, hastily sending communication talismans to Wu Mingxu and the others. He hesitated, worried he might be making the wrong decision…
The gang leaders rushed off, leaving a group of disciples standing awkwardly in the inn.
…
At Langya Gang, Song Wanníng sat in the courtyard. Wu Yaozu stood respectfully beside her, holding tea and fruit. Behind them, rows of disciples carried all sorts of food offerings.
Everyone looked at Song Wanníng with reverence, hoping she would choose their offerings.
Having her approval would allow them to boast later—after all, they had fought hard to secure this chance.
"Dàrén, are these satisfactory? I did my best to choose what I thought you would like. If not, I will have them replaced immediately!
Refining so many pills must have been exhausting. Langya Gang is forever grateful…" Wu Yaozu flattered her to the extreme, a broad smile lighting up his face.
Even Song Wanníng's ghost attendants were arranged nearby, with a spread of delicacies and attendants ready to serve her.
Song Wanníng sipped her tea, expression calm, neither pleased nor angry. She picked two items and began eating leisurely. Refining so many pills had indeed been tiring.
Once she finished, Wu Rouyun's voice came from the door.
"Song Daoyou, I'm back!"
Even a high-ranking cultivator like Wu Rouyun felt a surge of excitement, itching to rush in immediately.
But she waited outside and asked, "May I enter now?"
Times had changed. Even she had to show respect for Song Wanníng's position.
"My sister is back already? So soon?"
Wu Yaozu brightened at the sight, rushing to the door. He knew all too well that his sister was his support; the higher her cultivation, the better his life. He was ecstatic, as if witnessing her breakthrough into Mahayana.
In the courtyard, Song Wanníng raised an eyebrow. If refining Supreme-grade pills could elicit such awe, then cultivators capable of alchemy in the Underworld were indeed rare.
She did not mind their attention and invited, "Please enter."
With that, Wu Rouyun dashed into the courtyard, followed by the gang leaders.
Seeing Song Wanníng, many were shocked.
She looked far too young!
A ghost cultivator over a hundred years old? Ridiculous!
Fengyun Gang's leader could not help laughing.
"Hah! Wu Rouyun, even if you're putting on a show, at least find someone believable. She is just a little ghost over a hundred years old. Reaching the Out-of-Body stage is already a miracle.
And she can refine Supreme-grade pills? I doubt she could even manage a first-grade pill!"
A ghost cultivator over a hundred is little more than a child. No one could deny Song Wanníng's talent, but she could not possibly be an alchemy grandmaster capable of producing Supreme-grade pills.
Many gang leaders silently nodded in agreement. Song Wanníng simply did not look the part.
After all, the Valley Master of Ghost King Valley was already thousands of years old…
Even Wu Mingxu and the others, a few hundred years old, were called geniuses for producing ninth-grade pills. How could an unknown, nameless cultivator like Song Wanníng succeed?
Some gang leaders attempted persuasion: "Wu Rouyun, we understand your urgency to save face, but there is no need to go this far… We will not ridicule you."
"Yes, we are all friends. If you are in difficulty, we will help, never hinder. There is no need to act so drastically…"
Everyone spoke as if thinking of Wu Rouyun's best interest.
Only gang leader Song remained frowning. He knew all too well Song Wanníng's alchemical abilities.
===
Chapter 500 is here!!! ✧｡٩(ˊᗜˋ)و✧*｡
Thank you so much for following the journey this far. If you've been enjoying the novel, please drop a review or some votes to keep it going strong ♡ It really helps both the novel and my account grow!
✨ On Web:
Scroll to the top of the novel's main page and click the blue "Write a Review" button near the bottom, under "You May Also Like." A pop-up will appear where you can rate the writing, characters, and world.
📱 On the App:
Tap the "Rate This Book" section (just below Fandom Rankings). A star rating box will pop up—add your thoughts and hit submit!
As always, I'm not under Webnovel's contract or paid officially, so your support is what keeps this translation alive. If you'd like to go even further, Ko-fi and Patreon donations are deeply appreciated too! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
My [Ko-fi]! ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/rikhi
My [Patreon]!🎨: https://patreon.com/rikhi