Among the three disciples, Lu Nanfeng had always been the most middling.
His spiritual root was of the wood attribute, and perhaps because of that, his temperament leaned gentle and steady. Whenever An Ze caused trouble, Lu Nanfeng was the one offering advice or cleaning up the mess. Before Song Wanníng, he always behaved humbly, respectfully.
But sometimes, it was this kind of person who hurt the most.
Even in the face of life and death, he would still preach about virtue and righteousness, his eyes red, his face full of sorrow, yet never truly extending a hand.
In Song Wanníng's eyes, that was even more loathsome than An Ze. She had long since noticed Lu Nanfeng's affection for Ye Chuxue. That had been obvious. But she hadn't expected this loop to close in the same place—Ye Chuxue had still managed to purge the poison.
A cold chill ran through her. Perhaps this wasn't just Lu Nanfeng being hopelessly devoted. Perhaps the Heavenly Dao was intervening once again.
Even now, it was still trying to correct the storyline.
That thought unsettled her.
The Song family had prepared well for this beast tide, but if the Heavenly Dao was pulling strings, then…
She drew out a communication talisman and sent another message to Song Qingyun, warning him to be extremely cautious. Once both parties joined forces, she would do what she could to protect the Song clan.
At the border, the beast tide had erupted into a brutal war.
Though reinforcements from various sects and families had gradually arrived, easing the pressure somewhat, the situation remained grim. This wave was unlike any before. Even fifth-rank beasts had emerged.
Beast ranks ranged from one to six, corresponding to human cultivator levels: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Divine Transformation, and so on. A fifth-rank beast was equivalent in power to a Nascent Soul cultivator, and could even partially take on human form.
A beast that reached fifth rank could take on a humanoid lower body. At sixth rank, full transformation was possible. If they survived the heavenly tribulation, they had a chance to fully remold their form into a human's—an opportunity to be reborn.
But for spirit beasts, demons, and devil cultivators, tribulations were especially deadly. Many perished before succeeding.
Human cultivators had a slightly better survival rate, though fewer could even begin cultivating, and their lifespan was far shorter.
That was how balance in the cultivation world had been maintained for so long.
Wentian Sect's group arrived at the frontlines. This particular stretch of the border spanned over a hundred kilometers, with beast waves attacking daily, trying to breach the line and reach the lands beyond. The stationed commander quickly stepped forward to greet them.
"Greetings, Zhēnjūn."
"What's the situation?" the Sect Master asked, brows tight with concern.
"This tide is unusually aggressive. The lead beast has reached fifth rank," the commander replied, walking with them toward the command tent. "And the beasts are… strange. They're highly agitated, almost desperate to break through the line and reach the far side. We've investigated many times but still haven't found the cause."
He led several Nascent Soul cultivators into the war tent and gestured toward the terrain map at the center.
"Our forces are stationed at the central southern line. The Yuan family holds the upper sector, and the Song family the lower. Here—" he pointed at a cluster of red markers, "this is where the tide is thickest. The Wenjian Sect is stationed here."
The battlefront had already been divided among the major powers. As a mid-tier sect, Wentian Sect had been assigned a comparatively safer zone. The most dangerous areas were held by the Six Great Sects and the Four Clans.
"There was an assault last night, and I fear another will come at midday today," the commander added grimly. "We lost more than fifty cultivators last night."
Some of the fallen had been from the garrison, others rogue cultivators who had joined the defense.
Rogues—wandering cultivators without sects or clans—relied entirely on themselves. Beast meat and pelts were valuable. Consuming them could strengthen one's spiritual energy. Selling them brought spirit stones. And if one was lucky enough to obtain a beast core, the profit was enormous.
So even knowing the risk, many rogue cultivators flocked to the frontlines, hoping to snatch a bit of fortune from the chaos.
The Sect Master stood silent for a moment, then patted the commander on the shoulder.
"My condolences."
With that, they moved straight into planning the next suppression strategy.
Song Wanníng, however, did not participate. She stepped out of the tent. In the military camp, wounded cultivators were everywhere. Missing arms, broken legs—such injuries were almost expected. A heavy air hung over the camp, silence thick with fear and fatigue. She stared toward the distant mountains. Vague but powerful auras were hidden within.
"Master," came a voice from behind. She turned to see Bai Yang and Lu Nanfeng standing there.
"What is it?" she asked, gaze lingering briefly on Bai Yang. Her true reason for staying with Wentian Sect's forces was the spirit beast Bai Yang had contracted.
Otherwise, she would have rejoined the Song family's division by now. She couldn't afford to let the male and female leads gain traction. If they were allowed to grow, they'd surge forward like an unchecked waterfall.
"That spirit beast had to be mine."
"Master, the Sect Master sent us to ask… the camp is running low on pills. Could you help refine some?" Lu Nanfeng asked carefully. He still hadn't recovered from the trauma of being slapped. Just making this request made him tense, ready to flinch.
Honestly, the Sect Master was too much—he knew full well the tension between them, yet still made Lu Nanfeng come plead. As if Song Wanníng was the kind of person who could be reasoned with. But to their shock, Song Wanníng nodded without hesitation.
"Fine." She hadn't planned to throw herself into the frontlines for Wentian Sect anyway. Refining pills was a much better role.
"Ah—really?" Lu Nanfeng blinked. This was way smoother than expected.
"T-then I'll go tell the Sect Master right away!"
"No need. I'll speak to him myself." She waved him off and strode back toward the war tent.
Bai Yang looked slightly stunned, then followed. He couldn't help but wonder—why was she so agreeable?
Ever since breaking her engagement with Uncle Master Gu, she had stopped refining pills entirely, refusing even to support the sect.
And now…
Still confused, the two followed her inside.
"Junior Sister Song," the Sect Master greeted her warmly. "This beast tide has brought massive casualties. Pill supplies are critical. I know it's a huge ask…" His tone was different now. Gone was the past superiority. He could no longer afford it. If too many disciples died under his command, his already shaken authority would collapse further.
"Of course, the sect will provide all necessary ingredients. Any beast cores we collect—one-tenth will be set aside for you. How does that sound?"
"Fair enough," Song Wanníng replied. "This beast tide is perilous. I am willing to do my part for the sect. Even if you hadn't asked, I would have refined pills." Her words carried an air of selfless devotion, making the Sect Master's offer seem petty in comparison.
He laughed awkwardly, cursing inwardly but forced to play along. "That's excellent news."
Standing to the side, Ye Chuxue's eyes lit up.
Pill refining in the camp… with a share of beast cores?
That was an incredible deal—profit guaranteed.