The moment Song Wanníng appeared, the Sect Master already knew why she had come. Still, being questioned so directly in front of everyone made it hard to save face.
He forced down his irritation and said with a stern expression, "This matter can be discussed later. Can't you see we're in the middle of an important meeting regarding the demon cultivator?"
He had hoped Song Wanníng would have some sense of timing, or at the very least, wait until after the meeting.
But this was Song Wanníng.
She snorted coldly. "Oh? The Six Sects and Four Clans are gathering to discuss serious matters. What does that have to do with Wentian Sect anymore?"
Her words struck like a blade, slicing straight into the Sect Master's sorest spot.
What he cared most about right now was the possibility of Wentian Sect being demoted. The others gathered here had once stood as equals with him, yet now, they had completely sidelined him. Just being ignored was hard enough—Song Wanníng had now torn off the last scrap of dignity he had left.
Anger surged through him.
But Song Wanníng was already at the peak of Nascent Soul. The sect still relied on her. A thousand thoughts spun through his head. His expression shifted between fury, guilt, and calculation.
In the end, he forced himself to speak gently. "Let me explain everything to you later, alright?"
The other sect leaders exchanged looks, clearly enjoying the spectacle. It was rare to see him humbled like this.
But Song Wanníng's face darkened further.
"Bai Yang's life is still unknown, and you want me to wait?"
She stepped forward, voice rising with every word. "Sect Master, this is too much!
I've been refining pills day and night for the sake of our disciples on the frontlines, afraid to rest, afraid someone might die because I didn't work fast enough. And what about you? The moment Bai Yang went missing, not only did you hide it, you even forbade others from telling me! What were you thinking?"
Her voice trembled, eyes reddening with disappointment. She didn't bother to keep her voice down. Her words echoed across the entire camp.
"That's not how it was…" the Sect Master tried to explain, eyes darting as he scrambled for an excuse. "I heard you were in seclusion, so I didn't want to disturb you. Besides, I did send people to look for Bai Yang. It's not like I abandoned him."
Song Wanníng laughed coldly. "Oh, yes. A few people made a symbolic search and then gave up. That's your idea of 'looking'?
And even if I was in seclusion, it was for refining pills, not cultivation. At worst, interrupting me might cost a few spirit herbs. But you didn't even try. Let's be honest—you never intended to tell me at all."
Her voice dropped, thick with hurt. "I gave everything for this sect, and all you ever did was use me. Has Wentian Sect forgotten what loyalty even means?"
Her words struck a nerve.
Around the camp, disciples who heard her voice felt their hearts stir.
Though Song Wanníng hadn't fought on the battlefield, the pills she refined had saved countless lives. Many owed their survival to her efforts. Yet now, Bai Yang had gone missing, and the Sect Master had ordered silence?
If it had happened to them, wouldn't they be furious too?
"This… this was too much, even for the Sect Master," someone whispered.
"Yeah. He's changed. I'm starting to think he's not fit to lead anymore…"
"Shh! Don't say that too loudly!"
"Sigh… I hope Bai Yang's alright. If something really happened to him, how could Master Song possibly bear it?"
As the camp buzzed with whispers and concern, Bai Yang and Ye Chuxue arrived at the edge of the camp. A disciple spotted them and froze in shock.
Then came a shout. "Bai Yang's back! He's alive!"
Excitement surged through the crowd. Dozens rushed to greet them, surrounding Bai Yang in a flood of relief and joy.
He stood there, stunned for a moment, moved by the concern on everyone's faces. Yet part of him couldn't help wondering—why did they all seem so... emotional?
Then he heard her voice.
"Bai Yang is missing and possibly dead, and you dared to keep it from me? Did you think I was a fool? I'm deeply, thoroughly disappointed. From this day forth, I hereby remove myself from Wentian Sect. Whatever happens from now on, I have no ties to this sect!"
The camp fell silent.
A beat passed, then the entire crowd erupted.
Even the sect masters from the other factions were stunned.
She's leaving the sect?
Just like that?
Surely this was too extreme?
But no one dared intervene. They all watched from the sidelines, eyes glinting with interest.
"Junior Sister Song, what nonsense is this?" the Sect Master shouted. His face flushed green with rage and panic.
Inside, his heart dropped like a stone.
Song Wanníng was the most promising candidate in their sect to advance to Divine Transformation. If she really left, it would be a catastrophic loss.
Abandoning all dignity, he began trying to placate her.
Outside the tent, the disciples were still reeling.
"Master Song is really leaving the sect? No, she can't!"
"Seriously? All because of one disciple? Isn't that a little—"
The crowd fell into heated discussion, but Bai Yang heard none of it.
His mind had gone blank.
He had only heard one thing: his master had been kept in the dark about his disappearance.
She had cared.
She had cared so much she was willing to cut ties with the sect over him.
So all this time… she had truly, deeply cared for him.
Joy surged through his chest. A sense of being lost and found all at once.
She still loved him.
He knew it.
Bai Yang took off at a run toward the main tent.
Behind him, Ye Chuxue clenched her fists tightly.
That gap between her and Bai Yang… it had never been another woman. It had always been Song Wanníng.
Even if she and Bai Yang loved each other deeply, he would never give up his master for her.
At first, Ye Chuxue had been ready to let go. She had resolved to leave and walk her own path.
But now… she had changed her mind.
She would fight for him.
...
Inside the tent, the Sect Master and several elders were still desperately trying to persuade Song Wanníng to stay. Her cultivation, her alchemy skills—losing her would be a blow the sect might never recover from. They couldn't afford to let her walk away.
"Junior Sister Song, you're the pillar of our sect. Please don't be rash."
"Yes, the Sect Master was in the wrong, but he was thinking of the disciples' safety. Don't take it to heart."
"We'll go look for Bai Yang immediately. Just calm down, alright?"
Their words fell over one another, some scolding the Sect Master while others tried to appease Song Wanníng.
The Sect Master stood stiffly, shame coloring his face. The looks from his old comrades made him feel as though he were standing naked in front of them, every flaw on display. There had been a time when he too had stood tall and proud. When had it all started to fall apart?
"When did I start losing everything?" he wondered.
Song Wanníng wasn't done.
"I'm not being unreasonable," she said sharply. "But his actions were unacceptable."
Second Elder narrowed her eyes, lips twitching with a trace of amusement. She had to admit, Song Wanníng's acting was impressive.
All this fuss about Bai Yang, yet she was still here, arguing instead of going out to look for him herself. If she truly cared, wouldn't she already be out there?
Anyone with a bit of sense could see through that.
She glanced out toward the camp.
And that fool Bai Yang—so determined to cling to Ye Chuxue when he had a master like this?
Ridiculous.