A talent like that, he had to bring her back to Zhetian Peak!
Luo Xingyao had already made up his mind. Trick her, coax her, deceive her, whatever it took, he couldn't miss this chance.
Among the crowd, another person was staring intently at Song Wanníng. It was Situ Yue. The more dazzling Song Wanníng became, the darker Situ Yue's face grew. Especially when she saw the admiration in the eyes of several Senior Brothers, anger burned hotter in her chest.
A suffocating sense of crisis swept through her.
She didn't know why, but something about Song Wanníng filled her with unease. It was like staring at a destined rival, the kind of opponent you could never ignore. Not even Lan Yue had ever made her feel this way.
Situ Yue rubbed her nose irritably, a flash of malice gleaming in her eyes. She refused to let Song Wanníng take what belonged to her.
This world was hers.
Song Wanníng could only ever be the vicious supporting role, one doomed to stay beneath her feet forever.
…
On the stage, blood trickled from the corner of Ouyang Lin's mouth. He clutched his chest, staring at Song Wanníng in disbelief.
How the hell could she control the flow of time? What kind of monster was she?!
His face twisted with shock and fury, but he gritted his teeth and attacked again. Golden light burst beneath his feet, spreading rapidly in all directions.
In moments, the glowing lines reached under Song Wanníng. Her expression darkened as a sharp force surged upward through her legs, racing through her meridians in an instant.
Yet strangely, the thunder seed within her dantian stirred slightly, and the discomfort vanished. Without hesitation, she used Spatial Folding again, flashing right beside Ouyang Lin. Her sword thrust straight toward his dantian.
By the time he reacted, his face had gone pale with terror. He threw himself to the side and rolled away. He didn't realize it was only a feint.
The next moment, time runes froze him mid-roll. A blade of light appeared directly beneath him. When the runes lost effect, his body dropped straight onto it.
"Pfft—"
Her sword pierced through cloth and flesh, the tip emerging from his back. Ouyang Lin vomited blood, his spiritual energy collapsing into chaos.
Song Wanníng pressed her advantage, attacking again. Her sword plunged through his shoulder, then she yanked it free. Blood splattered wildly, soaking his robes in crimson.
Her blade swung once more.
The cold edge rested against his neck. With the slightest pressure, the skin split open, beads of blood blooming like rubies across his throat.
Ouyang Lin's strength gave out. His body slumped, crashing to the floor.
Silence fell across the arena. The crowd's faces mixed with shock and inevitability.
Feng San's expression changed drastically. Bloodshot veins filled his eyes as he stared at Ouyang Lin, trembling with rage and disbelief.
Song Wanníng had actually won!
The realization hit him like a blow. He staggered back a few steps, unable to accept it.
His face turned ghostly pale. He didn't even move to help Ouyang Lin.
"Good!"
Luo Xingyao's shout broke the silence, and the crowd erupted once more.
Lan Yue's face lit up with pride and joy.
That was their Junior Sister—outstanding in every way, a rare genius. But her smile quickly faded as her gaze fell on Luo Xingyao. He was clearly trying to poach her, and worst of all, their master hadn't returned yet!
She quickly sent a message to her master, telling him to hurry back before Martial Uncle Feng got the chance to steal her away.
On the stage, Song Wanníng calmly wiped her blade clean, her cold gaze falling on Ouyang Lin. She'd never had a good impression of Mu Zixu's disciples, especially one who came looking for trouble.
But after this battle, she was even more aware of her own shortcomings. Her current techniques were useless in the Immortal Realm. If she didn't learn a new set soon, she'd always be at a disadvantage in real combat.
She wasn't satisfied with her own strength.
Ouyang Lin, on the other hand, was too stunned to recover. The contempt in the spectators' eyes made him feel like sitting on needles. He'd started this fight, only to end up as a joke. He wouldn't be able to show his face for a long time.
Once he healed, he'd leave the sect for solitary training without a word.
Swallowing a recovery pill, he staggered to his feet, face pale and ashen. Without daring to look at Song Wanníng, he leapt off the stage and fled through the crowd.
Feng San tried to slip away too, but Luo Xingyao stepped in front of him.
"Feng San, why the rush?"
Amusement flickered in Luo Xingyao's eyes as he looked at Feng San's twisted face. His grin only grew wider.
Feng San clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles cracked. With everyone staring, he wanted nothing more than to punch Luo Xingyao in the face.
But he didn't dare.
"Con… gratulations!"
Grinding his teeth, he spat out the words at Song Wanníng, then turned and bolted from the arena. He looked nothing like the arrogant man who'd strutted in earlier.
Several disciples couldn't help but laugh.
"Congratulations, Junior Sister!"
Lan Yue flew up onto the stage, eyes gleaming like she was staring at a prized treasure.
Song Wanníng took a small step back under her gaze but still smiled faintly.
Just then, Luo Xingyao, who'd just scared off Feng San, turned around only to see Lan Yue trying to snatch his prize. He flashed forward instantly.
"Junior Sister Lan, that's not very ethical of you!"
Standing in front of Song Wanníng, his eyes were bright and full of mischief.
"Junior Sister, Master's been nagging non-stop that you must come to Zhetian Peak with us! If you go with them instead, Master will probably kill me!"
He said it so dramatically that everyone burst out laughing.
For a moment, the fierce star everyone feared actually looked alive and human.
Song Wanníng raised an eyebrow, about to speak, but Lan Yue quickly cut in.
"Junior Sister, as soon as Master heard about you, he started rushing back. He's almost here now. He's really missed you."
That was much softer, far more sincere.
Song Wanníng could only smile helplessly. These two were really fighting over her.
"I already have a master from the lower world. I can't acknowledge another. I appreciate both Seniors' kindness, but I can't accept."
She refused once more.
No matter how high someone else's cultivation was, her master would always be her master.
She'd never betray that bond.
Never.
Her words rippled through the crowd, stirring another wave of discussion. Some thought she was foolish. Others thought she was loyal. Many cultivators took new masters after ascending, pretending their past didn't matter.
But clearly, Song Wanníng wasn't like them.