"She's in seclusion. Let's go." Gu Qingyuan, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. "You're still poisoned. We can't waste time."
They had already told Ye Chuxue that Song Wanníng was in seclusion, but she refused to believe it, dragging her weakened body all this way just to check for herself.
"But... but hearing something isn't the same as seeing it..." Ye Chuxue bit her lip. How could anyone be sure Song Wanníng was really in seclusion?
What if she just put up a sign?
"Enough." Gu Qingyuan snapped. He grabbed her arm without warning. "She said she was in seclusion, so she is. Song Wanníng isn't someone who plays mind games. You're coming back with me."
His tone was a touch firmer than usual, but to Ye Chuxue, it felt like a bucket of cold water. Her master had scolded her—for the first time in over twenty years—all because of Song Wanníng?
"You trust her that much?" She lifted her head, eyes glinting with a stubborn red. The more everyone defended Song Wanníng, the more she wanted to prove she was right.
To show them all that Song Wanníng was a scheming, malicious woman.
"I didn't say anything wrong! But we can't exactly barge in and check!"
Gu Qingyuan frowned deeper. He was worried about her injuries. Why couldn't she see that?
"Uncle Gu, if you knocked on her door, I'm sure she'd open it right away!" An Ze chimed in, ready to stand up for Ye Chuxue.
"Master always gives in to you. It's just a small interruption, she wouldn't be angry! If what Senior Sister Ye says is true, then Song Wanníng's actions are disgraceful. Don't worry, Senior Sister. With Uncle Gu stepping in, there won't be a problem."
He spoke with conviction, completely unaware that everyone else was looking at him like he'd grown two heads. Did he forget how Song Wanníng treated Gu Qingyuan just a few months ago?
And now he wanted him to go knock?
Idiot.
Gu Qingyuan didn't even glance at him. If not for An Ze's connection to Ye Chuxue, he wouldn't bother acknowledging him at all.
But Ye Chuxue's eyes lit up, hopeful.
She still didn't know that Gu Qingyuan had knelt before Song Wanníng to beg for medicine. In her mind, things were still the same as before.
"No."
Gu Qingyuan's refusal was swift and final, crushing her last hope.
"Interrupting someone's seclusion is a disgraceful act. It must not be done."
He cast a faint glance at An Ze. He'd have to make sure Chuxue stayed away from that idiot before he dragged her into something worse.
"Let's go. We're leaving." Without giving Ye Chuxue a chance to argue, he led her away. Bai Yang stood in place, glancing from the main hall to Li Ruo. His eyes turned cold.
No one could replace his place in Master's heart.
...
"Urgh—!"
A sword pierced straight through Song Wanníng's chest.
She spat blood, then silently yanked the blade out.
Across from her, the attacker looked stunned, then vicious. With another roar, the sword came swinging again. Song Wanníng's eyes flared with killing intent. She raised her sword and charged to meet the blow.
Everywhere she looked, there was blood.
"Mom! Help me!"
"Dad, I'm scared!"
"Don't kill him! Please!"
"I'm begging you, please let them go!"
"You monsters will never rest in peace! Even if I become a ghost, I'll haunt you!"
Screams of agony rang out around her.
Song Wanníng's fury surged, and she fought harder.
She had lived with these villagers for over a decade in this illusion.
There were mischievous children, honest uncles, hardworking aunties, and bright-eyed youths.
Just last night, they had laughed together, dreaming of a bountiful harvest.
Tonight, they were being slaughtered by marauding soldiers.
She had wanted to protect them—but her body was empty. No spiritual energy, no cultivation.
She was just an ordinary mortal, no different from them.
So she fought. And swung her sword. Again and again.
She tried to save the crying, pleading people.
But they kept falling, one by one.
Blood soaked the earth. Severed limbs, lifeless bodies.
Corpses piled up around her.
It felt just like that day in her past life, when the Song clan was massacred.
Back then, she had stood frozen too—helpless as her world burned.
Blood red consumed her sight. Killing intent filled her chest, raging unchecked.
Even if she knew it was only a trial, part of the inheritance's illusion, she couldn't hold back.
She threw herself into the illusion completely.
"Urgh—!"
A blade split the air and cleaved her from head to toe.
Her body crumpled to the ground.
Icy darkness wrapped around her, tinged with endless blood.
When she opened her eyes again—it was the night before.
Song Wanníng blinked, dazed. Slowly, the meaning of this trial began to take shape in her mind.
The villagers' voices were kind and sincere.
Their lives were harsh, but filled with hope.
They struggled on, clumsy yet determined.
But fate was cruel. It refused to let them live in peace.
She clenched her fists.
Years of memories flashed before her eyes. She would save them—no matter what.
And so, the cycle began.
Killed. Reborn.
Killed. Reborn.
Over and over again, without end.
...
Half a year passed in a flash.
While Song Wanníng remained in seclusion, something major happened in Wentian Sect.
"Did you hear? Senior Aunt Ye successfully refined a fifth-grade pill yesterday!"
"What? That fast? Already making fifth-grade pills?!"
"It's true! They say she only joined the sect half a year ago. In just a few months, she's already refining fifth-grade pills. She's born for the pill path!"
"She's incredible! Senior Sister Ye is a true genius!"
"No wonder. She's the heir to Yaowang Sect!"
Disciples chattered excitedly, eyes glowing with admiration.
"And she's so kind too. She even gave us outer disciples some of her pills!"
Sure, Elder Song was a renowned pill master, but her pills? Never reached them.
Senior Sister Ye was different. She had actually handed out dozens of pills herself.
"She's so generous. Unlike a certain someone... who made people kneel for a pill."
The more time passed, the more excessive Song Wanníng's demands seemed in retrospect. Like she was a petty tyrant, using her skills to bully others.
Even Gu Qingyuan—an aloof, immortal-like figure—had been forced to kneel. How heartless could she be?
"Anyway, I heard Senior Sister Ye is giving out pills again today. We should go check it out. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky!"
"Let's go!"
In no time, a crowd of disciples had gathered in front of Ye Chuxue's pill chamber, packed wall to wall.
Moments later, Ye Chuxue emerged with a tray in hand, glowing with joy.
She really was a genius.