Situ Yue felt like her soul had been hollowed out. Her face had gone completely pale.
"Junior Sister, what were you two talking about? We didn't understand a single word."
"Yeah, why do you look so terrible?"
Her Senior Brothers grew even more worried. The way the two women acted, whispering about something secretive, looked suspicious as hell.
Their voices finally pulled Situ Yue out of her daze. She shook her head hard.
She forced a stiff smile. "It's nothing, really."
Song Wanníng didn't bother explaining. She just gave Situ Yue a cool glance. "Take care of yourself."
If Situ Yue was an intruder, then she was inevitably an enemy. It wasn't personal. It was simply a matter of standing on opposite sides. They were destined to fight to the death.
After delivering her warning, Song Wanníng didn't linger. She turned and walked off. Lan Yue and Luo Xingyao exchanged a look full of unspoken meaning, then followed after her. Their figures disappeared quickly, and only when Song Wanníng was gone did Situ Yue feel like she could breathe again.
Her legs were unsteady, her heart a complete mess.
Were those transmigrators really dead? Or had Song Wanníng said it just to scare her?
Everything she thought she had under control was suddenly crumbling.
Hearing her Senior Brothers' concerned voices, she didn't dare throw tantrums anymore.
Fear gnawed at her. What if one day, she was abandoned? She'd lose her mind.
…
"Junior Sister, where are you going?"
Like a ghost that refused to leave, Luo Xingyao followed right behind Song Wanníng, staring curiously at her.
Lan Yue shot him a scolding look. Anyone with half a brain would know the answer.
Feng San and the others were guarding the Scripture Pavilion earlier. It was obvious Song Wanníng was heading there for a new cultivation technique.
"I'm looking for a new cultivation art."
Song Wanníng didn't hide it.
Luo Xingyao immediately understood and didn't ask further. He followed her straight to the Scripture Pavilion.
While she went upstairs to browse for techniques, the two of them stayed on the first floor with books in hand, waiting. They had to guard against any tricks she might pull. Anything important should wait till their masters returned.
Song Wanníng watched their overly cautious posture and shook her head helplessly. She ignored them and focused on finding something suitable.
After what happened earlier, every disciple of the Wuji Sect greeted her warmly. No one dared provoke her again.
Meanwhile, Feng San brought the injured Ouyang Lin back. They'd barely reached the foot of the mountain when their hearts jolted with dread.
"Second Brother, if Master decides to punish us…"
Ouyang Lin looked like he wanted to cough blood. His pride was gone, his face was gone, and now he had to face his master's wrath. Could this day get any worse?
Feng San regretted it just as much. He even started suspecting this was a trap set by the First Senior Brother. Deliberately provoking his anger, pushing him forward as the scapegoat, while the man sat back and reaped all the benefits.
Such a vicious mind.
Feng San clenched his fist. "Don't worry. I was the one who led this. It won't affect you."
With a tense face, he helped Ouyang Lin up the mountain.
As soon as they reached the top, Mu Zixu appeared.
He sat in a chair, and standing behind him was none other than their First Senior Brother, Wu Wang.
Feng San's rage vanished instantly. Just the sight of their master's presence chilled him to the bone.
Ouyang Lin went pale, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
Before they even got close, both men dropped to their knees with a heavy thud.
"Master, we were useless. We couldn't vent your anger…"
"We even embarrassed you…"
Feng San started apologizing quickly, eyes red with regret.
Ouyang Lin lowered his head, looking equally ashamed.
Mu Zixu's face never changed.
But they all knew the calmer their master looked, the angrier he was. They blamed everything on Song Wanníng. To them, everything was that bitch's fault.
Mu Zixu stared at them coldly. Then, without warning, he lifted his hand and slapped both of them through the air.
They crashed to the ground with a heavy thump, curling up in pain. Their organs ruptured instantly, blood spilling from their lips.
"Master…"
They shrank back in fear. He was notorious for being ruthless when disciplining his disciples, and everyone knew it. How could they not be terrified?
Mu Zixu stood up slowly, his gaze sharp enough to peel skin.
"I've raised you for all these years, and you turned out to be useless. You couldn't even handle Song Wanníng. What do I need you for?"
He laughed, though the sound was full of fury.
Song Wanníng had only just ascended. His own disciples had gone to challenge her, lost, and humiliated him in the process. He was going to become the joke of the entire sect. And once Dao Qing returned, who knew how much ridicule he'd suffer?
Mu Zixu wanted to strangle the two idiots right then and there.
"Master, Second Brother didn't mean to fail. Who knew Song Wanníng was hiding that much strength? They only wanted to fight for your honor."
Wu Wang stepped forward to speak, eager to show himself as a loyal and caring Senior Brother. Especially in front of their master. If he stayed silent, Mu Zixu would definitely be displeased.
But he'd miscalculated.
The moment he opened his mouth, Mu Zixu's fury spiked again. A single slap sent Wu Wang flying, crashing hard onto the ground. He saw stars, barely able to breathe.
"Hmph. You think I don't know exactly what part you played in this? You still dare scheme in front of me? You're a bit too green for that."
Wu Wang's expression shifted instantly. "Master… knew everything?"
His pupils shrank as he avoided Mu Zixu's gaze.
Mu Zixu glared at them, disappointment and disgust thick in his eyes. He'd known about their little plan the whole time but didn't intervene. He couldn't personally act, but his disciples could. He'd just never expected that Ouyang Lin was such a pathetic waste that he couldn't even defeat Song Wanníng. How had he ended up with such stupid disciples?
Mu Zixu's eyelids twitched with anger.
Just then, Wu Wang spoke again, forcing himself upright.
"Master, we miscalculated this time. We underestimated Song Wanníng's strength. But the alchemy competition is starting soon. Song Wanníng inherited Dao Qing's teachings. When the competition begins, we'll definitely show them who's stronger."
Wu Wang's eyes gleamed with confidence.
Combat power might not be their strong point as alchemists.
But alchemy?
There was no way they'd lose to a freshly ascended cultivator who probably hadn't even seen a proper immortal-grade pill before.