She had to stay on her guard.
Song Wanníng withdrew her gaze from the crowd of curious true disciples and turned back into her courtyard.
Not long after, the news that she'd clashed with Mu Zixu the moment she arrived spread through the entire sect like wildfire.
Within hours, rumors about her were flying everywhere.
Everyone knew the name of the newly ascended cultivator now.
…
The next morning, Song Wanníng stepped out of her courtyard, planning to visit the sect's Scripture Pavilion.
Now that she'd ascended to the Immortal Realm, the cultivation methods from the lower world no longer suited her. She needed to find a new one that matched her current level.
The Scripture Pavilion of Wuji Sect stood at the far end of a secluded mountain range. Though the area seemed peaceful, it was covered in powerful formations.
With her identity jade token, Song Wanníng passed through without any obstacles.
The pavilion had twenty floors, each filled with different types of techniques. Some were focused on cultivation theory, others on combat arts, and they were categorized further by elemental affinity.
The lower floors held biographies, travel journals, and basic knowledge for beginners.
Song Wanníng decided to start from the first floor, wanting to understand the Immortal Realm's structure and major powers first.
She walked along the bookshelves, scanning each spine carefully before picking up a few books to study.
Disciples came and went, glancing her way when they noticed her, but none lingered.
Before long, she was completely absorbed, losing track of time as she read for several days straight. By the time she finished, she'd already mapped out the Immortal Realm's major factions, noted down lists of rare treasures, and memorized the names of several top experts.
Among them was Mo Yang Xiānzūn.
After reading about Mo Yang Xiānzūn's life, Song Wanníng couldn't help but feel admiration. Whether it was power or cultivation speed, that immortal stood unmatched.
Respected by all, shining above the rest.
Silently, Song Wanníng set a goal for herself—to one day catch up to Mo Yang Xiānzūn.
Putting the book back, she stretched and straightened up, ready to look for a cultivation method that suited her.
But before she could go upstairs, someone blocked her path.
"So you're Song Wanníng?"
The person leading the group strode forward with his chest puffed out, his gaze openly hostile. Among the people following him was a familiar face.
She remembered him from when she'd first registered at the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall—the man with that strong herbal scent that lingered in the air.
Seeing him now, Song Wanníng instantly knew what this was about. Mu Zixu's disciples were here to cause trouble.
Her brows lifted slightly. "So Mu Zixu still couldn't let it go, huh?"
"I'm talking to you, are you deaf?"
When she didn't answer, the man's expression darkened immediately.
His aggressive posture drew the attention of nearby disciples.
"Hey, isn't that Feng San, Mu Xiānjūn's second disciple?"
"And the one behind him's Ouyang Lin, the youngest disciple!"
"Tch, looks like they're here to mess with Song Wanníng. I heard she's got bad blood with Mu Xiānjūn…"
"No kidding. Guess they're here to vent their Master's anger."
"Well, of course. Mu Xiānjūn's got a high status, can't possibly dirty their hands with someone who just ascended."
The disciples whispered among themselves, watching from behind the shelves.
But since both sides carried heavy backing—Song Wanníng had Mo Yang Xiānzūn behind her, and Mu Xiānjūn was a top-tier alchemy master—no one dared get involved.
"Song Wanníng, I heard you're pretty arrogant?"
Feng San stopped right in front of her, eyes sweeping her up and down.
So this was the ascendant his Master had reacted so strangely to? What did Mo Yang Xiānzūn even see in her? That face, maybe?
His eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of calculation flashing within.
Their Master couldn't make a move, but disciples like them could.
Even if Mo Yang Xiānzūn found out, they could just say it was a spar between juniors. So once he heard Song Wanníng was at the Scripture Pavilion, he came straight over.
"I think the arrogant one here is you."
Her voice was calm, her expression flat.
Before joining Wuji Sect, Song Wanníng had already prepared herself for situations like this. Being targeted or tested was inevitable.
But fear? She didn't feel any. In fact, a spark of excitement flickered inside her.
Pressure like this only helped her dig deeper into her potential, pushing her growth faster.
She already had a good idea of what they were planning.
"Heh."
Feng San laughed instead of getting angry. So the rumors were true—Song Wanníng really was as arrogant as they said.
Fine. He'd make sure that arrogance was crushed.
He'd show her what it meant to face an insurmountable gap and teach her to be humble.
"I heard you were some unrivaled genius from the lower world, that's why you got a spot among the true disciples.
But none of us have actually seen your skills. So, my Junior Brother here wants to challenge you to a duel at the arena. Do you dare to accept?
If you don't, just hand over your position as a true disciple. How about that?"
True disciples enjoyed privileges and resources far beyond what ordinary ones had.
When Song Wanníng was granted that status upon joining, plenty of people were quietly unhappy about it.
Still, no one dared question the sect's decision—except Feng San.
At this point, Ouyang Lin stepped forward. "Sister Song, I ascended not too long ago myself. I've been under Master's guidance for over ten years, and my cultivation's only two minor realms higher than yours.
But since you're a peerless genius, I'm sure crossing realms isn't a problem. So, will you accept?"
He spoke politely, but his tone carried a thin layer of provocation, as if daring her to refuse.
Song Wanníng only waited a couple of seconds before she nodded.
"Since Senior Brother's so eager, how could I possibly refuse?"
She wanted to see the difference between herself and the immortals. Even if she lost, it didn't matter. It wasn't like pride could fill an empty stomach anyway.
To her, the fame and aura she once had in the lower realm were already gone. Her new life began from the moment she ascended.
"You agreed?"
Ouyang Lin blinked, surprised. Then he smirked, assuming she was still naive from her time in the lower world.
All the better for him.
If he could teach her a lesson for his Master's sake, he'd surely earn their praise.
And if something unexpected happened? Well, this whole thing was Feng San's idea. Let him take the blame.
"Good. Let's go."
Song Wanníng nodded lightly and walked straight out of the pavilion.
Feng San froze for a moment. He hadn't expected her to accept so readily. He'd even prepared a list of taunts to provoke her, but it turned out he didn't need any of them.