"Good, good, good!"
The Tianxian laughed coldly, her face twisting with fury.
This girl really didn't know her place. Killing intent surged in her heart. Since Song Wanníng dared to provoke her, she'd make sure the girl's blood painted the ground today.
Her eyes flashed with anger, and her Tianxian aura burst out, crashing toward Song Wanníng like a tidal wave.
In an instant, Song Wanníng couldn't move.
The Tianxian lifted her hand again, her palm glowing as she struck down mercilessly.
A few nearby Immortals sighed softly. That newcomer was bold, they'd give her that. To stand up against a Tianxian right after ascending took either courage or complete ignorance.
In other words, she had no idea how high the Heavens were or how thick the earth ran.
Then a deafening crack split the air.
Boom!
A streak of violet thunder fell from the sky, the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder roaring down like divine punishment.
The blast sent everyone reeling, their faces pale with shock.
The Tianxian's expression twisted. Startled, she stumbled backward, barely avoiding the full force of the lightning. Even so, the edges of the thunder caught her, making her body jolt violently as arcs of electricity crawled over her skin.
When the thunder finally faded, her once-elegant robes were charred, her hair disheveled, and her expression ugly.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng had long escaped, using a spatial rune to teleport a safe distance away. She stood there now, eyes cold and unflinching, like a tiger waiting to strike.
The atmosphere froze. The watching Immortals nearly popped their eyes out.
They thought she was a useless ascendant, yet she'd just called down Nine Heavens Divine Thunder?
Hidden genius alert!
Their eyes lit up. If Song Wanníng survived this, they'd fight to recruit her first.
"Who are you?"
The Tianxian's hands trembled, her face pale.
Nine Heavens Divine Thunder… it really was Nine Heavens Divine Thunder!
She almost died just now!
Thankfully, the thunder's aura had been faint. If it had been even a little stronger, she'd have been wiped out on the spot.
The man beside her was equally stunned, though his shock soon curdled into murderous intent. His eyes darkened as he glared at Song Wanníng.
Right then, a calm voice cut through the tension.
"She's the designated true disciple of the Wují Sect."
The words rang out, cold and sharp. A figure descended from the sky, landing gracefully beside Song Wanníng.
"Mo Yang Xiānzūn?"
The crowd erupted in whispers of disbelief.
Everyone in the Immortal Realm knew that name. His fame was legendary, his power unquestioned.
The Tianxian's expression changed instantly as recognition dawned.
Her gaze darted between Mo Yang Xiānzūn and Song Wanníng in utter disbelief. Not only was this girl the Wují Sect's appointed true disciple, but Mo Yang Xiānzūn himself had come to fetch her?
Who in the world was she? His descendant, maybe?
Regardless, this wasn't someone she could afford to offend.
She quickly tugged her junior forward and bowed deeply. "Greetings, Xiānzūn!"
Then, turning to Song Wanníng with a forced smile, she said, "I'm sorry, Xiaoyou. It seems we've had a little misunderstanding. Please don't hold it against us."
She could bend when she needed to.
The man beside her looked like he'd swallowed poison, but seeing even his Ancestor lower their head, he didn't dare say a word.
Song Wanníng only gave a quiet "Mm."
She never intended to rely on Mo Yang Xiānzūn's power to act arrogant. In the cultivation world, strength ruled all. Her current weakness was still her biggest flaw.
Even if she won this round, it didn't change the truth.
Seeing that she wasn't pursuing the matter, Mo Yang Xiānzūn said nothing more. He knew her well. Once Song Wanníng set her sights on someone, she wouldn't forget. Those two would face retribution sooner or later.
"Let's go."
His tone softened slightly as he looked down at her.
"Alright."
Song Wanníng smiled faintly and stepped onto his flying sword. The two soared into the clouds, disappearing in an instant.
The Tianxian let out a shaky breath, drenched in cold sweat. Beside her, the man's expression darkened with resentment, a poisonous glare flickering in his eyes.
Both Mo Yang Xiānzūn and Song Wanníng had become thorns in his heart.
"That girl's actually a true disciple of the Wují Sect. She'll be a force to reckon with one day," the Tianxian said quietly. "You'd better train hard. Next time you meet her, it might be your death."
Her words were laced with unease, the memory of that divine thunder still haunting her.
The man's lips curled into a cold smirk.
Death?
They'd see whose death it'd be.
Soon after, the Tianxian left with her people, leaving the Ascension Pool eerily calm once again.
The remaining Immortals exchanged glances, a chill creeping up their spines. One by one, these new ascendants were turning out to have terrifying backers. They were unlucky to have gotten involved.
"That girl's name was Song Wanníng, right?"
"Yeah, that's her!"
Within half a day, the news spread like wildfire.
Mo Yang Xiānzūn himself had gone to the Ascension Pool to pick someone up. Everyone wanted to know who the ascendant worthy of such treatment could possibly be.
Inside the Wují Sect, word traveled fast.
Before leaving, Mo Yang Xiānzūn had personally spoken to the sect master, securing a true disciple spot in advance.
The move caused an uproar. Mo Yang Xiānzūn was known for his obsession with cultivation, never taking disciples or meddling in sect affairs. For him to personally request a true disciple position for a new ascendant spoke volumes.
Speculation ran wild—many guessed Song Wanníng was his descendant, perhaps from the same clan in the lower realm.
At that moment, Mu Zixu had just finished refining a batch of pills. When he heard the news, his lips curved into a mocking smile.
"So much for Mo Yang Xiānzūn being impartial. Seems he's not all that different from the rest of us."
He sealed the pills in a box and handed it to a nearby disciple. "Go find out who exactly our Xiānzūn brought back."
"Yes, Master."
The disciple took the box reverently. It contained the pills Mu Zixu owed the sect that month.
Every alchemist under a Peak had to submit their quota regularly to earn cultivation resources in return.
The Immortal Realm wasn't that different from the lower world. The power struggles were just dressed in prettier robes. Everyone was striving for the same thing—to climb higher, toward the distant God Realm.
Mu Zixu was no exception. He'd been talented in the lower realms, but here, progress was much harder.
Ever since running into his lifelong rival, Dao Qing, he'd poured most of his time into alchemy. As a result, he was still stuck at the late Tianxian stage.
Now, on the verge of breaking through to Jinxian, he needed every bit of support he could get.
Little did he know, while he was preparing for his secluded cultivation, Song Wanníng was already on her way.
...
At the entrance of the Wují Sect, Song Wanníng descended from the clouds alongside Mo Yang Xiānzūn.
To her surprise, there wasn't even a grand gate in sight. Just a tall stone stele stood quietly at the threshold, etched with the sect's name in ancient script.
A narrow path wound past it, lined with wildflowers and grass, simple yet vibrant.
As Song Wanníng stepped onto the path, the scenery opened up before her, vast and boundless.
===
Wait, isn't she agree to join the talisman's master's sect? Is her sect also Wuji sect?