Traveling through the teleportation array linking the cities, Song Wanníng and her two companions arrived at the Ning Clan's city early the next morning.
The instant her feet touched the ground, Song Wanníng's gaze lifted slightly. The spiritual energy here was far denser than in the Song Clan's city, and the streets looked more prosperous by far.
Top-tier clans claimed the finest resources. Even though the Song Clan was also a family of standing, its foundation could not compare.
This time, she had no idea what tricks they might use to push them aside. The three of them walked toward the Ning Clan estate. Their appearance caused nearby cultivators to pause and turn their heads, eyes flickering with thinly veiled scrutiny. No one liked outsiders coming to claim a share of their resources. The Ning Clan hadn't even bothered to send anyone to greet them.
Song Qingyun's face darkened, and he let out a cold snort. "The Ning Clan's pettiness is astonishing!"
Whatever the grievances, at least a show of courtesy should have been offered.
Mu Yuan's eyes flickered, unbothered. "Those three clans have been perched at the top for too long. They've long since grown arrogant. They look down on us completely. Why waste time on appearances?"
In other words, in the Ning Clan's eyes, the Song Clan simply wasn't worthy. Hearing the truth put even more gloom on Song Qingyun's face. But the cultivation world was nothing if not realistic—strength, wealth, power… those were what dictated worth.
He forced himself to calm. This time, he had to shield his wife and daughter from any humiliation. Whatever schemes came, let them come for him instead.
In the Ning Clan's great hall, the clan heads of the Sui and Mu families were already seated. Each had also sent a Divine Transformation cultivator as reinforcement.
The atmosphere was tense, every expression dark.
"Ning Clan Patriarch, with the Song Clan suddenly on the rise and trying to take our resources, we can't let them succeed."
"You've always been the leader of our three clans, Ning Clan Patriarch. We'll be relying on you to take the lead again."
Their words were icy. Handing over resources already in their grasp was like slicing away their own flesh.
The Ning Clan Patriarch lifted his eyelids slightly, calmly removed the lid from his teacup, and took a sip of spiritual tea.
Now they wanted to call him leader?
Heh.
"This matter will require the combined effort of all three clans. After all, the Song Clan suddenly produced two Divine Transformation cultivators. Who knows? They might birth another before long."
It was only a casual remark, but it would turn out to be prophetic.
The other two clan heads laughed.
"For them to produce even two was already the blessing of several lifetimes."
"Ning Clan Patriarch, you jest."
"Yes. I want to see how the Song Clan dares to open their lion's mouth this time."
"If they want something from us, let's see if they have the ability to take it."
Their words won the agreement of the surrounding Divine Transformation cultivators.
Resources could be divided, but how much—and in what manner—would be decided by them. The Song Clan could keep dreaming.
A disciple's voice rang from the door. "Report! The Song Clan has arrived!"
Everyone's expressions shifted. Before a word was spoken, three figures approached from afar. Following Song Wanníng's instructions, Mu Yuan had hidden his cultivation, appearing only as a peak Nascent Soul cultivator.
Thus, in the eyes of the hall, only Song Wanníng and Song Qingyun showed as Divine Transformation—both appearing to be at the early stage.
A cold light flashed in the Ning Clan Patriarch's eyes, but he still rose, leading the other two clan heads out to greet them.
The other Divine Transformation cultivators stayed seated, eyes fixed on Song Wanníng.
So young, yet already at Divine Transformation. If nothing went wrong, she would one day ascend to the Spirit Realm.
The Song Clan truly had luck to produce such a prodigy.
In the farthest corner, Feng Youming lazily opened his eyes, his gaze landing squarely on the trio. His brows drew together faintly. In an instant, he saw through their cultivation secrets. But since the Song Clan was already known to have three Divine Transformation cultivators, he simply assumed all three had come together and thought little of it.
Until…
His gaze met Song Wanníng's.
A cold light passed between them, sharp and biting.
Feng Youming's eyes darkened. The woman's stare was almost hostile, unhidden. He let out a cold laugh and sent her a look full of challenge.
The next second, Song Wanníng's smile turned dazzling. She lifted her hand and, still smiling, drew a slow, deliberate gesture across her neck.
It was brazen and unapologetic.
The smile vanished from Feng Youming's face. Killing intent surged off him in waves, his eyes locking onto hers with growing depth.
Song Wanníng merely kept her faint smile, moving her hand to her ear to tuck back a loose strand of hair, as if nothing at all had happened.
"What is it?" Song Qingyun asked in a low voice beside her.
As they walked toward the hall, she kept her tone light. "Nothing. Just ran into an old acquaintance."
But the cold glint in her eyes was like ice forged over ten thousand years.
Feng Youming. Here.
Everything had changed.
Her lashes lowered, and a memory from her previous life stirred.
She had seen Feng Youming before. Back then, he had already been an admirer of Ye Chuxue, who called him "Brother Youming" with every breath.
The two of them had worked together in a secret realm, taking most of the treasures and even triggering the realm's collapse.
She had been there as a foil, and inevitably, their paths crossed. For the sake of his beloved woman, Feng Youming had not only injured her, but had tried to strip her of her spiritual veins… saying he would turn her into a puppet doll to gift to Ye Chuxue.
If the secret realm had not collapsed, she might have truly ended up as his toy.
Song Wanníng buried the sharpness in her eyes and, under the guidance of the three clan Patriarch, stepped into the grand hall.
She deliberately chose a seat directly opposite Feng Youming. When he glanced at her, she gave him another slow smile. This time there was a hint of seduction in her gaze, yet inexplicably it sent a chill down his spine. His brows drew tighter.
This woman felt… strange. As though she knew him.
Impossible.
It was his first time in the human cultivator territories. No one here knew his real name.
It had to be his imagination.
Feng Youming lazily broke eye contact, sipping his tea. This time, he wanted to see what the Song Clan was truly capable of. The Feng Clan's plan was already in motion. They needed to find the Song Clan's weakness quickly. If they could wipe the entire clan out in one stroke, all the better.
Song Wanníng turned her attention to the others.
Aside from the three clan heads, there were four Divine Transformation cultivators present—likely one from each clan.
But Feng Youming… where exactly was he from? And why was he here?
She had never heard of a Divine Transformation cultivator by that name. Could it be an alias?