Even if others knew, it didn't matter. Everyone in the Immortal Realm took it for granted anyway. But the fact that Song Wanníng kept rejecting every powerful cultivator who tried to take her as a disciple made her seem… unusual.
To most, that was just plain stupid. Without a master, surviving in the Immortal Realm wasn't easy at all. Even geniuses needed mountains of resources to climb higher.
Still, none of those whispers could sway her.
She met Luo Xingyao's and Lan Yue's silent gazes and smiled as calmly as ever.
"Thank you both for standing up for me today." Her tone was sincere.
The two exchanged a glance, originally planning to argue over who'd win her over, but she didn't even give them the chance.
Still, neither of them was the type to give up so easily.
"Junior Sister, don't say that so quickly. Let's wait till Master returns, then we'll talk again!"
"Yeah, we can always discuss it later!"
Both of them laughed it off, smoothing things over for now.
Song Wanníng could only sigh helplessly as she stepped down from the battle stage with them.
They walked beside her, one on each side, looking like her personal guardians.
Situ Yue and a few Senior Brothers quickly followed.
They caught up to Lan Yue, then leaned around her to greet Song Wanníng enthusiastically. They showered her with praise, eyes shining with admiration.
She was stunningly beautiful and ridiculously talented, without a single flaw in sight. If she became their Junior Sister, that'd be great. So they all tried to win her favor, talking over each other in their eagerness to make her feel welcome.
Lan Yue, surprisingly, didn't interrupt them this time. She just watched quietly.
Situ Yue, however, clenched her fists so tight her palms nearly bled. Watching her Senior Brothers crowding around Song Wanníng with such warmth made her want to scream.
All that attention should've been hers. How dare Song Wanníng steal it?
Her resentment burned so strong that both Song Wanníng and Luo Xingyao felt it immediately.
Song Wanníng finally turned her gaze toward Situ Yue. From the very first glance, this woman had been openly hostile to her. But why? She hadn't done anything to offend her.
Noticing her glance, one of the Senior Brothers quickly introduced them. "This is Junior Sister Situ Yue. She's lively and adorable. You'll definitely like her!"
It was subtle, but somehow, everyone had already accepted Song Wanníng as their new Junior Sister. Even their way of addressing her had changed.
Situ Yue's face froze for a moment. She forced down her anger and smiled sweetly.
"Junior Sister's clearly favored by Master. Your alchemy talent must far surpass ours. With you joining, our lineage will definitely bring glory to the alchemy path!
After all, our talent's pretty average, and we never learned much from Master anyway."
The moment those words left her lips, the atmosphere shifted. That wasn't praise—it was a provocation. No one liked being told they weren't good enough.
The smiles on the Senior Brothers' faces faded slightly.
Lan Yue frowned. "Situ Yue, what nonsense are you spouting again?"
That woman was always stirring trouble. Before, she'd gone after Lan Yue. Now it was Song Wanníng's turn. It was like she couldn't stand anyone.
But Situ Yue widened her innocent eyes, feigning confusion.
"Did I say something wrong? Master values her so much, obviously because she's more talented than all of us!"
Her tone was pure, her expression sincere—an act polished to perfection.
Luo Xingyao's eyes narrowed as he studied her meaningfully. He'd already heard that Dao Qing's disciples didn't get along, but now he was seeing it firsthand. She really was a troublemaker.
Song Wanníng understood Situ Yue's tricks right away.
A cold smile tugged at her lips. "Senior Sister, I don't recall offending you. Why are you in such a hurry to turn everyone against me?"
Her gaze locked on Situ Yue's, sharp and steady, carrying an unmistakable pressure.
"I'm not stupid enough to fall for that act."
Her words also served as a warning to the others. If they couldn't even see through this woman's petty scheming, they'd only end up as her pawns someday.
The group's expressions stiffened. They glanced at one another, realizing that Situ Yue's usual charm didn't seem to work on Song Wanníng at all. A hint of doubt flickered in their eyes.
Had she done it on purpose?
Feeling all their eyes on her, Situ Yue froze. Tears welled up almost instantly, her hands trembling as she shook her head.
"I didn't… I really didn't…
I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way…"
Her pitiful look tugged at the hearts of her Senior Brothers, who'd spoiled her for years.
They couldn't bear to see her cry.
But Song Wanníng only sneered softly, her gaze sweeping up and down Situ Yue's trembling figure.
That look alone made Situ Yue's spine stiffen. Even crying suddenly felt forced.
"There's something familiar about your aura."
Song Wanníng leaned closer, her tone low and quiet.
"I'm curious. When did you arrive here?"
The question came out of nowhere, confusing everyone around them.
But Situ Yue understood instantly. Her entire body went cold, and the tears vanished from her eyes. What did Song Wanníng know? How could a mere ascended cultivator possibly know?
Unless…
"Are you… one of them too?"
Her voice trembled as she asked, fingers shaking uncontrollably.
Song Wanníng lazily leaned back, smiling faintly.
"Of course not."
Her tone was light, but her eyes held something sharp and deliberate. She'd only been probing, and Situ Yue had fallen for it immediately. So much for being clever.
Still, Song Wanníng hadn't expected this—there were other infiltrators in the Immortal Realm. She'd thought it was over already.
"But I've seen plenty of people like you."
"What?"
Situ Yue froze, her mind spinning.
Had Song Wanníng really met others like her?
"Where are they?" she blurted, her heartbeat quickening.
Were they also here, somewhere in the Immortal Realm?
Excitement and dread warred in her chest. It was comforting to think there were others like her, that she wasn't alone. But if there were others, did that mean she wasn't special anymore?
Was she still the Heaven's chosen one? The protagonist… or just another supporting role?
Before she could spiral any further, Song Wanníng's lips curved into a cruel smile.
"They're all dead."
The words froze Situ Yue where she stood. Her hands and feet went ice-cold, like some unseen monster had just fixed its gaze on her. Her instincts screamed that Song Wanníng wasn't joking.
All the other transmigrators… dead? Then what about her?
Her entire worldview shattered.
She'd always believed transmigrators were Heaven's favorites, children of fortune. Everything revolved around them. The natives were just side characters, pawns, stepping stones for their rise.
But now… that belief was crumbling before her eyes.