"Heh!"
Mo Wentian suddenly let out a cold laugh.
He stared closely into Mo Rou's eyes, a flash of ice-cold intent passing through his gaze. "Since the Clan Head insists, then forget it. Allow me to wish you a swift recovery."
With that, he flung his sleeves and stormed off. His furious figure vanished swiftly through the door.
The door closed once more. Mo Rou shut her eyes, suppressing the fire and killing intent in her heart. When she opened them again, her gaze was as cold as frost.
"Mo Wentian... such deep scheming. Coming here wasn't about asking for the merfolk. He's worried that I haven't used it yet, and he fears I might grow suspicious."
This so-called request was nothing more than a cover, a way to erase her doubts and observe her closely. Mo Rou clenched her fists. Her patience with him had already run thin.
"They say Mo Wentian is arrogant and reckless. Seeing it in person... the rumors don't do him justice."
Song Wanníng lifted her head and chuckled. "To barge into the Patriarch's private chambers... he's clearly never respected you."
Mo Rou gave a bitter smile. "You must think this is pathetic. Honestly, he usually acts even more brazenly in private."
Song Wanníng said nothing in return. It wasn't what she cared about.
She gestured toward the room. "Bring the merfolk out."
Soon, the merfolk was dragged out. Huddled in fear, her delicate form trembled. Misty blue eyes shimmered with a mysterious luster, full of helplessness.
Standing before her, Song Wanníng suddenly leaned down and hooked the merfolk's chin up with her fingers.
Panic flickered in the merfolk's eyes before she forced her expression back into a pitiful, teary look.
"What a pitiful sight."
Song Wanníng's hand slowly brushed across the merfolk's face. Her slender fingers stroked gently, causing the girl to shudder instinctively, overwhelmed by fear.
Her hand finally pressed firmly against the merfolk's lips. The delicate skin split instantly, and blue blood welled up from the wound.
A strange, sinister hue colored that blue blood.
"What a shame..."
Song Wanníng wiped away the unnatural stain with a handkerchief, expression unreadable.
The merfolk began trembling even harder. Her fear surged beyond control.
Though her opponent appeared to be a simple cultivator, she was terrifying beyond reason.
Fear radiated from her very soul. Her instincts screamed at her.
She should never have made that deal with a human.
"Are your people ready?"
Song Wanníng turned to Mo Rou for a final confirmation.
Mo Rou nodded. "They're stationed throughout the estate. The moment I give the order, they'll act."
"Good."
Song Wanníng's eyes flickered. She tilted her head, glancing at the merfolk again. "I've done all I can. Whether you can truly get rid of this hidden threat... that's up to you."
"As for this merfolk, leave her to me. I have use for it. Agreed?"
She didn't even look at Mo Rou, instead smiling sweetly at the merfolk, which made the girl shudder again in terror.
"Fine."
Mo Rou agreed. Since the merfolk was compromised, it was useless for healing anyway. Giving her to Song Wanníng made no difference.
Their agreement was sealed.
In the next instant, Song Wanníng's eyes turned icy. She raised her hand and thrust it toward the merfolk's head.
The merfolk gasped and tried to flee, but a powerful force locked her in place. She couldn't move an inch.
As the slender jade-like fingers descended, panic overtook her.
Her sea of consciousness was invaded by a powerful divine sense—none other than Song Wanníng's soul, now separated from her body.
After reaching Divine Transformation, their Yuányīng can temporarily leave the body. As cultivation advanced, the range and duration would grow.
While Song Wanníng couldn't wander far in this state, dealing with the merfolk was well within her means.
Her spirit entered the vast sea within the merfolk's mind, waves of deep blue roiling endlessly.
She felt incredibly small, floating in that ocean.
Without hesitation, she soared through the water, searching for the soul's origin.
According to ancient texts, a merfolk's core soul source would be hidden in their mental sea. She had to find it.
Suddenly, waves crashed toward her, full of wrath and force, trying to eject her.
Song Wanníng's eyes chilled. She gazed downward, then lifted her hand.
An invisible sword appeared.
She swung.
Boom!
The sea split cleanly in two.
Water splashed violently, unable to cross the divide. A chasm opened in the center, bisecting the ocean. Diving deeper, Song Wanníng sliced through the current like a fish, scouring the ocean floor.
Outside, Mo Rou watched Song Wanníng with burning eyes, unable to calm her thoughts.
Song Wanning...her Yuányīng can actually leave her body!
Had she already reached Divine Transformation?
How was that possible?
The Wentian Sect had only recently fallen from the major sect rankings. If Song Wanníng had broken through, they would have announced it with fanfare.
A Divine Transformation alchemy master could refine pills no Nascent Soul cultivator could match. Countless experts would flock to her.
For such an event, Wentian Sect would never stay silent.
That left only two possibilities:
Either Song Wanníng had some fortuitous opportunity, allowing her Yuányīng to leave her body early...
Or she had hidden her breakthrough on purpose.
Thinking of their secret alliance, Mo Rou leaned toward the latter.
Watching Song Wanníng fearlessly reveal her Yuányīng before her, Mo Rou felt a rush of emotion.
Song Wanníng actually trusted her this much?
"Ahh..."
Mo Rou sighed, her expression full of complicated feelings.