"Come on, no need to let these clueless fools ruin our mood." Liu Lanyi gave Song Wanníng's hand a reassuring pat, then led her and Li Ruo away without a backward glance.
Behind them, the Sect Master watched the Grandmaster leave. He stood in silence for a moment, then raised a hand to his forehead in frustration.
Gu Qingyuan, still unconscious. An Ze, spiritually crushed. Ye Chuxue, barely holding herself together.
All of this... courtesy of Song Wanníng.
Suppressing his fury, the Sect Master gave out orders to clean up the mess. Once everything was arranged, he swept his sleeve and returned to the Sect Master's Hall.
Moments later, the sound of crashing furniture and shattered porcelain echoed from within. The disciples on guard exchanged glances, instantly on edge.
Meanwhile, on the summit of Lan Le Peak, Wu Dan slowly opened her eyes.
The antidote had worked. She looked lively again, back to her energetic self.
Disciples nearby began to sing praises of Song Wanníng.
"As expected, only Elder Song could cure her so quickly!"
"Exactly. Not like some people, who can't even refine a pill properly but still refuse to admit their mistakes. She nearly got someone killed!"
"Shhh, not so loud..."
They huddled in groups, whispering and pointing toward Ye Chuxue.
Ye Chuxue dragged herself forward with trembling steps, forcing herself to stay upright. Her body was weak, but the humiliation was even harder to bear. She clutched Gu Qingyuan tightly, struggling to support him as she made her way down the mountain.
Bai Yang wanted to step in, but he had to stay and tend to An Ze. He could only watch helplessly as Ye Chuxue disappeared into the distance.
"Senior Brother... she..."
An Ze clung to Bai Yang's hand, a flash of resentment in his eyes.
"She actually cast me out of the sect..."
How could she be so heartless?
Bai Yang paused. Guilt flickered across his expression.
"I'm sorry. I should've stopped her earlier..."
If he had intervened, their Master would've driven him out too.
He couldn't afford to gamble. He had long since lost the right to be reckless.
"But don't worry. From now on, I'll still protect you. I won't let anyone push you around again."
They would always be sworn brothers.
"Alright..." An Ze nodded, deeply moved. He would need to find another path from here on out.
Eventually, the crowd on the peak began to disperse. Lan Le ordered the disciples to clean the area, sweeping away the lingering bad luck.
He glanced toward Yunxiao Peak and sighed heavily.
Opposing Song Wanníng only led to misfortune.
Best to avoid provoking her from now on.
Atop Yunxiao Peak, Liu Lanyi sent Li Ruo away, then pulled Song Wanníng down beside her to sit under a tree.
"Did Gu Qingyuan bully you? I've said before, he's never been worthy of you."
Gu Qingyuan's background was unstable, like a drifting leaf in a storm. No matter how you looked at it, he wasn't good enough for Song Wanníng.
But this stubborn girl had once poured her whole heart into him. She'd devoted herself to supporting him behind the scenes, helping him rise step by step.
"Ancestor, it was my mistake."
Song Wanníng rested her head on Liu Lanyi's lap, nuzzling affectionately.
"I misjudged him. That won't happen again. But... if I said I would fight Gu Qingyuan to the bitter end... would you blame me?"
Her fingers curled tightly in her lap. Her lowered gaze was filled with unease.
In this second life, it was destined that only one of them would survive.
But she didn't dare imagine how her master would react. She was afraid she would make her cry. Afraid she would be disappointed.
Liu Lanyi's hand paused mid-stroke, fingers still tangled gently in her hair.
Something must have happened to push Song Wanníng this far...
As if sensing the girl's inner turmoil, Liu Lanyi sighed.
She understood exactly what Song Wanníng feared.
They had both been her Elder. Her friend would be heartbroken to know this.
She considered for a moment, then gently resumed stroking Song Wanníng's hair.
"If you've chosen this path, then you must have your reasons. I believe you."
Her expression grew cold. "If something is holding you back, if you have no choice but to act, then let me remove all your obstacles."
"Ancestor..."
A single tear slipped down Song Wanníng's cheek. She slowly closed her eyes.
She still remembered.
Back then, she had been pushed to the brink. Gu Qingyuan had led people to force her into the Demon Abyss.
Just when she thought all hope was lost, Ancestor had descended from the skies to protect her. She had been so close to ascension, but she had been forced to self-detonate. Even in her final moments, she used the last of her spiritual energy to send Song Wanníng to safety.
Song Wanníng opened her eyes.
This time, she would not let her master risk herself.
Gu Qingyuan, Bai Yang, and all those love-struck fools around Ye Chuxue—they were all accomplices.
She would settle each debt, one by one. No one would escape.
"Well, well, isn't this our precious Young Master An Ze? What, finally remembered your way back to the An family?"
An Shan blocked An Ze at the gate, flanked by a few other An clan disciples, all smirking like they were watching a good show.
The An family was a minor house under the jurisdiction of Wentian Sect. As one of the main bloodline heirs, An Ze had been accepted into the sect at a young age, and with Song Wanníng backing him, he had always walked with pride.
Who would've thought he'd be expelled over a woman, becoming a laughingstock overnight?
An Shan and the others had suffered plenty of his arrogance in the past. Now they were eager to return the favor.
"Move aside!" An Ze's face turned cold. He tried to force his way through, but the group blocked him tightly, dragging him to a corner and giving him a brutal beating.
He might've had decent talent, but his cultivation was still low. With old injuries yet to heal, he had no chance to fight back. By the end, his face was swollen beyond recognition.
"You bastards!" Slumped against a wall, blood dripping from his lips, An Ze radiated murderous intent. He wanted to tear them all apart.
"What, still got a temper?"
An Shan sneered and kicked him again.
"Thought you were somebody? Without Grandmaster Song protecting you, you're just a piece of trash. You've offended her now. Better start worrying about how you'll survive, haha!"
Never mind the Song family, just Song Wanníng's name alone would keep the rest of the cultivation world from taking him in.
Now that he had lost her protection—and made plenty of enemies along the way—his future looked grim. And yet he still acted like he was above everyone.
"You—!"
An Ze coughed up blood again, helpless as they walked away laughing.
"You'll all regret this! Just wait!"
Staggering to his feet, he wiped the blood from his mouth. His eyes were filled with hate.
"I don't need Song Wanníng. I'll survive just fine without her!"
Limping into the An family estate, he was met with nothing but stares and whispers.
His anger festered deep in his chest, ready to explode.
But he still had things to do. He forced it down and went to find his old friends.
Ye Chuxue needed to bid for the Tianyuan Nurturing Heart Pill. That would require a mountain of spirit stones...
And all his savings had gone to Song Wanníng.
He had no choice but to borrow some from his family.
But those so-called "friends" turned their backs on him too. Not only did they refuse to lend him anything, they laughed in his face.
"What do you know! Senior Sister Ye is a hundred times better than Song Wanníng!"
An Ze, furious and powerless, shouted in frustration.
Just then, someone mentioned something that made his blood run cold.
"Didn't you hear? Your parents have already been transferred to the South Sea branch."
"What did you say?!"