A full day passed, and Song Wanníng was still sitting by the Ascension Pool.
Those curious glances thrown her way didn't bother her at all. Whenever she had nothing to do, she'd just pull out a book and start reading, leaving everyone completely puzzled. Nobody could figure out what she was up to.
Before long, though, something else drew everyone's attention.
Someone else was ascending!
"Hey, look! Another one's coming!"
The crowd immediately perked up, staring unblinkingly at the shimmering pool.
Moments later, a man's figure emerged from the light.
He had a dangerously charming face, eyes slightly upturned at the corners, and wore a long crimson robe half open at the collar, revealing a stretch of pale skin.
The onlookers went slack-jawed. One glance was enough to tell this man wasn't easy to mess with.
He gave the crowd a faint look, then calmly closed his eyes and focused on adapting to the Immortal Realm's energy.
The others exchanged glances, all thinking the same thing—this one must have real talent.
Seven days passed in silence.
At last, the man rose from the pool, his long wet hair dragging across the floor as he landed.
Immediately, a group of people rushed forward.
"Daoyou, we're from Wují Immortal Mountain. Our sect's got quite the standing here in the Immortal Realm—"
"Daoyou, we're from Penglai Island—"
"We're from—"
A dozen voices overlapped as they scrambled to recruit him, each trying to show off their backing.
The man's brows creased in irritation.
"Don't crowd around me."
His tone was sharp, his presence suffused with hostility. Clearly, he'd been someone powerful back in the lower realm, used to commanding others. Having just arrived here, he hadn't adjusted to how things worked yet.
His bark made everyone's faces darken.
"Kid, this isn't your lower realm anymore. You'd better watch that attitude!"
"Yeah, don't get cocky just because you've got a decent face!"
So what if he was talented? If he couldn't grow stronger, he was just another fool.
They were already thinking about putting him in his place.
The man's expression turned colder. Without a word, he lashed out, attacking the nearest few.
The Immortals he hit merely laughed in anger.
"You're looking for trouble!"
They didn't hold back either and charged at him in return.
They thought they had him cornered—until a sudden surge of spiritual energy erupted behind them.
A figure appeared out of nowhere, striking out with a single palm.
The next second, all the Immortals were sent flying, bones cracking as they hit the ground hard.
When they turned in shock, they saw a woman descending from the sky.
A Heavenly Immortal.
Their faces instantly changed, unease flashing in their eyes.
But the woman didn't spare them a glance. She landed beside the man.
"Old Ancestor."
He immediately bowed with respect, his earlier arrogance vanishing completely.
"Mm."
The Tianxian gave a curt nod and glanced him over. She'd come here specifically to pick him up, and now that she had, she had no reason to linger. She turned to leave—but then caught sight of Song Wanníng, who was still calmly reading by the pool.
Her steps slowed, and a flicker of amusement lit her eyes. Changing direction, she walked straight toward her.
Song Wanníng noticed her right away and closed her book without hurry, rising to her feet.
The Immortal Realm had its own strict cultivation hierarchy.
From lowest to highest: Renxian, Dixian, Tianxian, Jinxian, Daluo Jinxian, Zhunsheng, and Hunyuan Daluo Jinxian.
Mo Yang Xiānzūn was already a Daluo Jinxian, a powerhouse even among the Immortals.
The woman in front of her, being a Tianxian, was two entire realms above Song Wanníng, who'd only just reached Human Immortal.
She didn't know the woman's intentions but remained polite nonetheless.
"What's your name?"
The Tianxian studied her face, a flicker of allure flashing in her eyes.
"Junior Song Wanníng."
There was no reason to lie. Hardly anyone in the Immortal Realm knew who she was anyway.
"Pretty name."
The woman's lips curved faintly, her gaze sweeping over her with a calculating gleam.
Song Wanníng frowned slightly, instinctively feeling repulsed. Her expression cooled.
"Come with me," the woman said, her tone full of confidence. "I can get you a position as an inner disciple in the Supreme Sect."
She'd seen Song Wanníng sitting alone by the pool for days without a single sect approaching her. Clearly, her talent was nothing special. Someone like her could be easily lured with a few sweet promises.
"Old Ancestor, this woman's got poor talent. Just bring her back for fun, no need to waste the effort," the man beside her said, his tone dripping with contempt.
The words were outright disrespectful, but the Heavenly Immortal didn't seem to care.
Instead, she smiled, her voice low and enticing. "I just pity the girl. If you follow me, you can walk freely across the Immortal Realm."
The arrogance in her voice made Song Wanníng want to laugh.
A mere Tianxian, claiming she could let her roam the Immortal Realm unhindered?
"Senior, you're only a Tianxian. How exactly are you gonna let me walk freely across the Immortal Realm?" Song Wanníng met her gaze directly, unafraid. "Please don't joke with me."
The mockery in her eyes was unmistakable. Both the woman and the man stiffened, their faces darkening.
"The Old Ancestor's showing you favor, and you think you're somebody now?" the man snapped, his aura crashing down on her like a wave.
Song Wanníng didn't even flinch. Not a strand of her hair moved.
The man's expression twisted in disbelief.
A nobody who'd just ascended from the lower realm dared to ignore him?
Unforgivable.
Just as he was about to speak again, the Heavenly Immortal stopped him with a raised hand.
"Old Ancestor…" he protested, but she ignored him, her eyes narrowing coldly at Song Wanníng.
Then she struck.
"Let me teach you the rules of the Immortal Realm."
Her tone was calm, but fury burned in her chest.
A newly ascended lower-realm brat dared talk back to her? She'd show her what real power meant.
Song Wanníng's eyes flashed. Without hesitation, she activated a talisman. A rune of temporal energy flared to life, merging with her sword as she slashed.
At the same time, she teleported a distance away using a spatial rune, narrowly dodging the Heavenly Immortal's palm strike.
The woman hadn't expected her to counterattack. When she saw the rune, she froze for an instant—then her face twisted in rage.
She reached out and slapped at it—
And instantly, something went wrong. Though nothing appeared outwardly different, her bone age had suddenly jumped by decades!
She froze, then her killing intent exploded outward. Her eyes locked onto Song Wanníng like a predator's, seething with humiliation. She, a dignified Tianxian, had actually been caught off guard by a mere Human Immortal!
If word got out, she'd be the laughingstock of the entire Immortal Realm!
===
人仙 (Rénxiān) - Human Immortal
地仙 (Dìxiān) - Earth Immortal
天仙 (Tiānxiān) - Heavenly Immortal
金仙 (Jīnxiān) - Golden Immortal
大罗金仙 (Dàluó Jīnxiān) - Great Luo Golden Immortal
准圣 (Zhǔnshèng) - Quasi-Saint / Paragon
混元大罗金仙 (Hùnyuán Dàluó Jīnxiān) - Primordial Chaos Great Luo Golden Immortal