"Good."
The sect master heard the words and glanced at Song Wanníng with newfound respect. With a heart that broad, her future was boundless.
"Since everything is clear now, the rest is for the two of you to handle yourselves. The sect won't interfere any further."
No matter how this was resolved, it wouldn't end well. It was better to let them decide on their own.
After giving that instruction, the sect master left the great hall.
Dao Qing and Mu Zixu stood inside with cold expressions, their eyes filled with hostility. Ever since Song Wanníng arrived, the conflict between them was no longer a simple rivalry. They both understood this perfectly.
Mu Zixu stared at Dao Qing, his gaze dark and heavy. "I'll admit defeat this time, but in the future, I won't always be this unlucky."
Even though he was looking at Dao Qing, his words were aimed at Song Wanníng. She got lucky today, but he lost two disciples. It was a heavy price. But a bet was a bet, and he'd accept the loss. This time, it was their mistake.
Still, Song Wanníng had to be removed. If not today, then another day.
Dao Qing met his gaze without backing down. "Heaven's always watching, and people always pay for their sins. Do enough evil, and retribution will come sooner or later. Some people's good Luck ends right here."
His words were pointed, and while others might not understand, Song Wanníng heard them clearly.
Just the merit she carried was enough to secure her Luck in the Immortal Realm. If Mu Zixu insisted on becoming her enemy, he'd burn through his Luck sooner or later, and that would be the day he died.
But Mu Zixu didn't understand. He only sneered, thinking Dao Qing and Song Wanníng were unbearably arrogant.
Just because they got lucky once, they thought they could suppress him every time?
What a joke.
He shot Song Wanníng a cold, skin-deep smile, then grabbed Xiao Yaoling and strode out of the hall.
Wu Mang and the other disciple hurried after him, their faces burning with shame.
Inside the great hall, Dao Qing watched them leave, emotions twisting inside him. He let out a quiet sigh and told Lan Yue and the others, "Go back first."
"Master..."
Lan Yue wanted to speak, but the words stuck. She only bit her lip, not knowing what to do.
The Junior Brothers were even more anxious. "Master, Junior Sister, she..."
"Master, how do you plan to deal with Junior Sister?"
Situ Yue had made a massive mistake this time. Whether it was providing pills or colluding with outsiders to harm Song Wanníng, the sins weren't small.
Seeing their master so calm only made them more uneasy.
Dao Qing's expression turned colder. "She made a mistake, so she'll pay the price. I'm going to find her now."
How to handle it after that was his business.
"Master, Junior Sister must've just gotten confused for a moment..."
"Yeah, Junior Sister has always been kind, she wouldn't do it on purpose. Please give her another chance!"
Anxiety filled their voices. Their master's tone terrified them.
But Dao Qing didn't waver. "Don't interfere. I know what I'm doing."
He turned to Song Wanníng. "Let's go."
She stayed silent and followed him.
Lan Yue and the Junior Brothers trailed for a distance, their expressions mixed. But no one dared stop him.
"Master won't be too harsh, right?"
"Even if she messed up, she doesn't deserve to die. He's probably just trying to teach her a lesson..."
They anxiously comforted themselves.
Lan Yue showed no reaction. She turned and walked back to Alchemy Peak.
Some people chose their own death, and no one could stop them.
...
Leaving Wuji Sect, Dao Qing said nothing along the way. Using the soul lantern, he traced Situ Yue's direction.
She had left some time ago, and only the lantern's guidance allowed a rough sense of where she went.
Song Wanníng didn't disturb him. Even making this decision, she felt complicated.
Dao Qing trusted her unconditionally, and she was grateful. But Situ Yue was still his disciple. If he regretted later, she'd understand.
They hurried constantly, finally catching up to Situ Yue.
At that moment, Situ Yue was still rushing forward nonstop, her heart uneasy and dreading exposure. She had no choice but to abandon Wuji Sect entirely and disappear. If the green hills remained, there'd always be wood for the fire. One day, she'd take back everything. By then, Song Wanníng would be the one begging through tears.
Fueled by that fantasy, she sped up.
But suddenly, her chest tightened, a surge of dread washing over her. She clutched her heart and looked back cautiously. Seeing no one, she let out a breath of relief, but when she turned around, two figures were already standing in front of her. Her pupils shrank violently, understanding instantly that she was exposed.
She turned to run without thinking, but a formation rose around her, sealing every direction. She crashed against the barrier and almost fell, scrambling to pull out a defensive artifact. Her heart pounded wildly, fear filling her eyes.
"Master, what're you doing?"
She forced her trembling voice to steady, staring at Dao Qing.
Seeing her guilty expression only deepened his disappointment.
"You really don't know why we're here?" Dao Qing's gaze was cold. There was no warmth left between master and disciple.
Situ Yue's heart seized. She tried to stay calm. "Of course I don't know. I just went out to temper myself. You just happened to run into me, right?"
She still held onto the hope of an escape.
Dao Qing laughed coldly. "I didn't know you could act like this. Situ Yue, the matter of you providing pills to Xiao Yaoling has already been exposed. What else do you have to say?"
There was no point watching her pretend anymore.
Situ Yue's pupils trembled again, and her voice shook. "I, I only sold her a pill. I didn't know what she'd use it for...
If I'd known she wanted to hurt Feng San, I'd never have agreed. Master, please believe me! I really didn't know it'd turn out like this!"
Her eyes reddened immediately, fear consuming her.
No one was there to shield her now. Only the cold Song Wanníng, watching like a predator. And clearly, her master wouldn't stand by her side. But she still clung to hope. Since he was here, at least her life wouldn't end just yet.