Her casual little greeting sent his rage spiraling.
The arrogance in Song Wanníng's expression never stopped crashing against his mind.
With the violent power of the Berserk Burst Pill raging inside him, his skin split open inch by inch, gold-red blood flames gushing out from the cracks. His strength soared to a peak he'd never reached before.
The pill's effect had reached its absolute limit.
"Die!"
He roared and swung his staff straight at Song Wanníng. That strike focused every ounce of weight into a single point. Where it passed, destruction tore everything apart, the world collapsing into chaos.
Right then, Song Wanníng snapped her head up, her eyes bursting with a razor-sharp brilliance. She stopped dodging and instead stepped into the path of that devastating blow, spitting out a mouthful of clotted blood as she moved.
The strike slammed into her chest, sending her body flying backward.
But the sword in her hand still pierced through Feng San's shoulder. The wound was tiny, yet the sword tip carried powdered medicine.
The powder slipped into the cut and instantly shattered the Berserk Burst Pill's effects.
Feeling the power burning inside him suddenly vanish, Feng San's eyes widened with shock.
"You, how did you know?"
Song Wanníng had just ascended. How could she possibly know how to counter a Berserk Burst Pill?
Why? Why did Dao Qing teach her everything, while Mu Zixu hid it all?
Back under Mu Zixu, they'd been treated like fresh disciples from the lower world, forced to process herbs, record properties, and slowly earn the right to handle higher grade pills.
Mu Zixu would never reveal rare formulas. Especially the pill arts he developed himself, which he guarded as tests for worthy disciples to pass before learning them.
But Song Wanníng?
She'd only just ascended, and Dao Qing already taught her how to break the Berserk Burst Pill.
In that moment, comparison carved the first crack into Feng San's faith in Mu Zixu.
So not everyone was treated the same.
Jealousy twisted inside him, darker than ever, and he burned with the desire to destroy everything Song Wanníng possessed. But now that the pill's power had collapsed, his immortal force was spinning wildly out of control. Panic finally sank into his heart.
He had to kill Song Wanníng within a few strikes, or she'd escape.
With grim determination, he poured every drop of immortal power into his staff.
The strike erupted again, packed with annihilating force as it surged toward Song Wanníng.
The space within several kilometers fractured, countless trees collapsing into dust, grass shredded into nothing. He expected her to retaliate desperately. Instead, Song Wanníng suddenly curled her lips into a smile.
Feng San's heart lurched. He had no idea what she meant by that expression. Instinct screamed that something was wrong. Almost without thinking, he stepped back.
That tiny step put him directly beneath the thunder descending from the heavens.
A deafening boom shook the world as Nine Heavens Divine Thunder crashed down, sending every bird and beast within dozens of kilometers fleeing in terror.
Feng San's eyes bulged. He never even reacted before the thunder swallowed him whole. A flash of blinding light tore through the air. Electricity convulsed his body, his immortal power losing all control.
Song Wanníng's move was too sudden. He never imagined a fire-spirit-root cultivator could summon thunder.
By the time he realized what was happening, he was already struck.
Song Wanníng folded space again, closing the distance in an instant, and hurled a Time Freeze at him.
It normally lasted one breath, but because of his injuries, it held for two.
Her sword plunged straight into his chest.
A wet burst echoed through the storm as Feng San sprayed blood, a massive hole opening in his chest, flesh tearing and bleeding uncontrollably.
He stared at Song Wanníng in shock, hatred twisting his face as if he wanted to peel her alive.
But survival came first. Without hesitation, he turned and ran.
The very next second, space folded again. Even though he'd run far, he reappeared right in front of Song Wanníng.
The blood at her lips had dried. Her eyes were cold and feral, her smile terrifying.
Chill crawled up his spine.
"You planned this?"
Only now did he understand Song Wanníng's true intent. She never meant to escape. She'd been waiting for him to burn through his power, just to summon thunder and strike when he least expected it.
Everything before now had been bait.
She'd waited until he exhausted himself, then called down thunder to shatter him.
This woman's scheming ran too deep. How could he ever defeat her?
Realizing that, he wanted nothing more than to run. If he didn't, he might really die here.
Song Wanníng was a monster. She wasn't human at all.
Feng San swung his staff at her and bolted.
Song Wanníng didn't dodge, stepping in again, her sword stabbing through his back. With a thought, she summoned divine thunder once more.
Feng San froze in terror, scrambling to escape.
Song Wanníng threw Time Freeze again, slowing him just enough to seal his fate.
Lightning swallowed him once more. He crashed forward, thunder driving him deep into the ground. Blood gushed from his mouth as his vision blurred. Fear drowned him completely.
He didn't want to die.
He'd finally made it to the Immortal Realm. He refused to die here.
"Song Wanníng, I, I misunderstood you, I'll clear your name…
Let me go…"
He begged desperately while searching for a chance to flee.
Song Wanníng wasn't someone who showed mercy. He couldn't put his fate in her hands.
"It's all my fault, I, ugh, I…"
Blood spilled and hatred twisted inside him.
Song Wanníng appeared above the crater, her voice icy calm as she looked down at him struggling beneath the thunder.
"Not a single word you say is worth believing."
She struck again.
Feng San fought back, and when the thunder finally faded, he burst from the crater and fled at full speed. He hurled talisman after talisman behind him, trying to block her, but Song Wanníng folded space and swept past them like they didn't exist.
"Damn it!"
He cursed and pulled out a formation plate. He just needed to stall her for a few breaths. Then he could escape.
But Song Wanníng walked straight through the formation, untouched. Time and space wrapped around her, and the array couldn't even touch her.
Feng San's teeth nearly cracked from the pressure. What kind of Monster was Song Wanníng?
Fear swallowed him whole, and he abandoned all thoughts of fighting back, running like a madman.