He hadn't just erased their former friendship. He went a step further and spread rumors, accusing her of stringing him along while secretly loving Gu Qingyuan.
As if her reputation wasn't already bad enough, he made sure it sank even lower.
Thinking of those vile slanders, a cold gleam surfaced in Song Wanníng's gaze.
"This siblings—ungrateful, treacherous, utterly disgusting."
But that was fine. Today, she would start collecting interest. The real debt could be settled later.
…
Sensing her gaze, Liu Yao smiled and nodded toward her.
At this point in time, he hadn't met Ye Chuxue yet. His heart still belonged solely to Song Wanníng.
When he heard about her annulled engagement to Gu Qingyuan, he had been overjoyed, nearly rushing straight to Wentian Sect to profess his love.
Now that he saw her again, even more radiant than before, his emotions surged uncontrollably.
Liu Yiyi, sensing her brother's excitement, glanced back at him. Disdain flashed through her eyes.
Her brother was pathetic—completely bewitched by a woman. Disgusting.
"Since everyone's here," the Sect Master of Qixing Sect said, drawing attention back to the gathering, "why don't we begin?"
"Sure, who's up first?"
Polite words exchanged.
With a sweet smile, Liu Yiyi stepped forward. "Let me start. If I lose, don't laugh. After all, Song Daoyou's cultivation is much higher than mine."
She flashed dimples and deliberately mentioned the difference in their cultivation levels.
The greater the gap, the more shocking her "victory" would be.
She was ready to step on Song Wanníng's back to rise.
If she won, Wentian Sect's morale would crumble. The rest of the duels would only grow more dangerous. The more she thought about it, the more pleased she became.
But those watching gave her strange looks.
The higher the cultivation realm, the harder it was to advance—and the harder it was to challenge someone above your level.
Did she really think she could cross that gap? Or was she just deluded?
The Sect Master of Wangshan Sect looked resigned. He had warned her countless times, but Liu Yiyi insisted on challenging Song Wanníng. She even claimed she wouldn't lose.
But no matter how he looked at it, he was certain she would.
"Yiyi, we've been friends for years," Song Wanníng said with a bright smile, "be careful not to hurt yourself out there."
Her casual tone lit a fire under the disciples of Wentian Sect.
Clearly, Liu Yiyi didn't know who she was dealing with anymore.
"Don't worry, Wanníng. There are no friends on the battlefield. You don't need to go easy on me."
Liu Yiyi's smile remained sweet as ever.
"Of course not."
Song Wanníng's smile deepened as she stepped gracefully onto the platform.
Liu Yiyi followed, taking position across from her.
The dueling array rippled, sealing them in.
All eyes were locked on the stage.
"Please."
With a flick of her hand, Liu Yiyi's expression shifted to one of solemnity. She summoned a long, silver-white sash. Like a silver dragon, it shot toward Song Wanníng.
The sash shimmered with watery light. In an instant, it transformed into a roaring waterfall crashing down from the heavens like a river from the stars. The only sound that filled the air was the deafening roar of cascading water.
Several disciples blanched in fear.
"She's improved fast," someone on the high platform murmured. "That move, 'Galaxy Falls from the Nine Heavens,' is no joke."
"Last I saw her, she was still a little girl. Amazing how quickly the next generation rises."
Just that one technique showed her dedication. Maybe she really had a chance against Song Wanníng.
"Song Daoyou may have a higher realm, but she's a pill cultivator. Her combat power might not match."
"I doubt it. She's at peak Nascent Soul. That kind of difference isn't easy to overcome."
Whispers spread among the onlookers. These duels were the perfect opportunity to test each sect's true strength. But Song Wanníng wasn't listening.
She had no intention of letting Liu Yiyi save face. Her first move was infused with sword intent, a killing force barreling toward Liu Yiyi like a tidal wave.
In an instant, Liu Yiyi saw flames erupting across the sky. The searing heat stung her skin.
Then came the barrage of fire arrows, pouring in from every direction.
She flew up to defend, flinging her silver sash to summon walls of water.
Song Wanníng remained composed, lifting her sword once more.
With a soft slash—
A dragon's roar shattered the air. The illusion of a massive dragon soared upward, turning the sky blood-red. The array trembled violently as if the heavens were collapsing.
The roaring waterfall that had dominated the arena was cleaved clean in two.
Boom!
The crash echoed like thunder.
The waterfall shattered.
A beam of light screamed forward.
Liu Yiyi's eyes widened. She raised her artifact to block.
The beam pierced through, slicing across her cheek with a hiss.
"Ah—"
A strip of flesh tore away.
She gasped in pain.
Her eyes shook as she almost blurted out, "You—"
But she stopped herself just in time.
Rage flushed her cheeks. The blood-streaked cut distorted her once-sweet face.
Didn't Song Wanníng say her cultivation wasn't real?
Why was she this strong?
"She tricked me. That bitch tricked me!"
As the thought passed, another blade of light came screaming in.
She whipped her sash up to block—only for the sword light to vanish.
Just as confusion crept in, she felt something behind her.
She spun, barely managing to block another strike.
A smug grin touched her lips. Was that all?
But before she could savor it—
Countless sword lights erupted around her.
A crimson wall of fire encircled her.
No—
She threw up her defenses, but it was too late.
The swords rained down like a crimson storm.
"Pfft—"
She was skewered.
Several blades pierced her meridians, cutting off her spiritual energy.
Song Wanníng pressed down with her aura.
Liu Yiyi collapsed to the floor.
Defeated.
In only a few breaths.
Too fast to react.
And yet, no one was surprised.
The gap between realms was too great. If Liu Yiyi had won, that would have been shocking.
Song Wanníng stood still, expression calm.
She could have ended it in one move but chose not to.
She was saving the real surprise for Liu Yao.
Knowing Liu Yiyi's nature, she would never let this go without dragging her brother into it.
Standing above her, Song Wanníng looked down.
Liu Yiyi's face twisted in disbelief.
She clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Oh dear. I'm so sorry," Song Wanníng said sweetly. "I didn't mean to go that hard."
"Yiyi, are you alright?"
She blinked innocently, just like Liu Yiyi always did.
Liu Yiyi nearly coughed up blood in rage.