When Song Wanníng heard that, her heart tensed. She couldn't tell if the Snake Clan Patriarch was testing her, or if there was something more behind his words. She shook her head slightly, pretending to look confused.
The Patriarch chuckled softly. "You were only two back then, so it's normal you don't remember."
He pointed at a spot on the map again. "There's something very important here. I want you to help the Snake Clan retrieve it. If we succeed, we might finally be able to kill Gong Ye.
But this must stay a secret. You can't tell anyone, no matter what."
The thing he wanted Ah Jiu to find was a forbidden object of the Snake Clan, something absolutely not meant for outsiders to know. He'd chosen Ah Jiu because he knew she'd always been defiant toward Gong Ye and would seize this chance without hesitation.
"Patriarch, don't worry. I'll get it done." Song Wanníng nodded, then lowered her voice. "But Patriarch, what exactly is this item?"
The Patriarch gave a mysterious smile, leaned close, and whispered something in her ear. She didn't actually understand what he meant, but she still played along, widening her eyes in feigned shock. Judging from his tone alone, whatever it was had to be extraordinary.
"Heh, whether Gong Ye dies or not, it all depends on you now." The Patriarch patted her shoulder, his eyes filled with hope and trust.
Song Wanníng instantly looked fired up, promising over and over that she'd complete the mission no matter what. Then she took the map and left the hall.
Watching her go, the Patriarch's face showed deep satisfaction. If the clan had a few more talented juniors like Ah Jiu, the Snake Clan's standing might rise again in the future. Unfortunately, their descendants had been getting worse with each generation. The only promising one, Gong Ye, had turned out to be a traitorous piece of trash.
"Sigh."
He let out a long sigh, hoping this time Gong Ye would finally be killed for good. Otherwise, he feared the man's revenge would bring ruin upon the clan.
...
"Master, the Patriarch didn't give you trouble, did he?"
She Yi rushed up the moment he saw Song Wanníng's figure, looking genuinely worried. Right now, he and Song Wanníng were on the same rope—if she got in trouble, so did he.
"He gave me a mission." She walked into the courtyard, set up an isolation barrier, and only then explained what the Patriarch had told her.
"What? The Patriarch wants you to find the Sheyin Flower?!" She Yi's eyes went wide, and he almost jumped up from shock.
Mei Huan, the fox demon, turned her head toward him. "What's that? And why're you reacting like that?"
Song Wanníng frowned slightly too, feeling that his reaction confirmed how unusual the item really was.
She Yi sighed helplessly. "The Sheyin Flower is our clan's natural nemesis, and it's strictly forbidden. We can't even touch it. Why would the Patriarch ask you to find it?"
They'd been warned about the flower since childhood, and that fear was practically etched into their Primordial Souls.
Now, the Patriarch was sending her to look for it? What was he thinking?
"Could it be... he's discovered your real identity?" She Yi began pacing the room, muttering under his breath. "No, that doesn't make sense. If he knew, he'd also know the flower's useless against you. It wouldn't hurt you at all!"
The more he thought, the more confused he became. Then he turned and saw Song Wanníng calmly sitting at the table, sipping tea. He froze for a second, then sighed and plopped onto a stool.
"Forget it. You don't even look worried, and here I am freaking out for nothing." He finally realized he'd been panicking by himself.
Mei Huan couldn't help laughing, thinking She Yi looked pretty silly.
Song Wanníng gave him a small amused glance. "The Patriarch wants me to find the Sheyin Flower to deal with Gong Ye."
"Seems he really does want Gong Ye dead."
Since their goals aligned, there was no reason to refuse. In fact, she should take the chance to complete the task.
"Ah? So it's for that?" She Yi finally exhaled in relief.
"As long as he's not suspicious of your identity, that's fine." His feelings toward her were complicated now. He sincerely wanted her to do well, but deep down, he still yearned for his own freedom.
Too bad that as her contracted beast, freedom was something he'd never have again. His mood sank, and he quietly stepped aside.
Mei Huan shot him a confused look, feeling he was oddly sentimental—sometimes even more emotional than her.
With a trace of disdain in her eyes, she turned to Song Wanníng. "Do you want me to go with you?"
She shook her head. The Patriarch had said the mission was secret, so bringing a "concubine" along would only attract suspicion.
The next morning, she left the Snake Clan grounds under the pretense of completing her task. According to the map, she had to head east. Following the route, she started flying in that direction. She'd thought it'd be a smooth trip, but before long, she stumbled upon a group of people being chased by Monsters.
They were human cultivators, all wearing matching robes, but what puzzled her was why they were here in beast territory.
"Run!!"
A chorus of panicked shouts rang out.
Behind them surged countless Monsters, moving fast and feral, closing in from every direction. The humans tried to fight back as they fled, but their spiritual energy was almost depleted.
"Damn it, I'm out of spiritual power! What the hell are these things? There are too many, we can't kill them all!"
"Split up! Maybe someone'll make it out alive!"
With that desperate shout, the group scattered in all directions.
Song Wanníng normally wouldn't meddle in others' business, but the moment she saw those Monsters, her expression darkened. The sheer number of them made her heart sink. She drew her sword and charged straight into the horde. With a single swing, the leading Monster was sliced clean in half, falling from the air.
The survivors lit up at the sight.
"Senior! Please, Senior, help us!"
Seeing a spark of hope, they started begging frantically.
She didn't respond. Her eyes stayed cold as she unleashed her sword again and again, waves of sword light cutting through the Monsters.
Then she took out a formation disk, activating it to trap the Monsters inside so none could escape. But there were just too many. Killing them one by one was far too slow.
Her gaze sharpened. Without hesitation, she summoned the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Thunder after thunder roared down from the skies. The Monsters screamed miserably, bodies turning to ash that scattered in the wind.
The human cultivators were completely stunned.
When the last Monster was gone, they finally snapped out of their daze, eyes full of awe and admiration.
"Thank you, Senior, for saving our lives!"
They bowed deeply, gratitude overflowing from their voices.
Song Wanníng only glanced at them coolly. "Where did you find these Monsters?"