Violet lightning crackled with intense thunder-elemental energy, lighting up the hall with a deafening crackle.
In the blink of an eye, the lightning streaked straight toward Song Wanníng.
She showed no fear. Calm and composed, she raised her longsword and stepped forward to meet Feng Jiuxiao head-on.
There were no words, only battle.
Boom—!
The clash sent a thunderous explosion rolling through the grand hall, shockwaves surging in all directions.
The merfolk cowered in a corner, shrieking, "Master, save me—!"
Both Song Wanníng and Feng Jiuxiao were knocked back over ten steps, each holding their ground from opposite sides of the hall. Gales of spiritual force billowed out, whipping their skirts into a frenzy.
Their long hair flared and danced in the storm of killing intent, cutting across the space between them like sharp blades.
Feng Jiuxiao's ears twitched, her brows furrowing as her gaze shifted to the merfolk.
"What did you just call her?"
Locked under her sharp gaze, the merfolk trembled. Clutching a stool like a shield, it peeked at Feng Jiuxiao's lightning-infused eyes and felt its limbs go cold.
Barely holding back a sob, it stammered, "M-master... She's... she's my master."
It didn't know why Feng Jiuxiao asked, but the moment the words left its mouth, the air shifted. The oppressive pressure around her noticeably changed.
She withdrew the violet lightning and narrowed her eyes, her tone laced with accusation.
"You formed a contract with it?"
Her own guardian beast, now bound to someone else?
If she killed Song Wanníng now, the merfolk would die too!
Song Wanníng's expression didn't change. She planted her sword on the floor and stared back coldly, her killing intent sharp and unyielding.
"So what?"
As if she owed Feng Jiuxiao any explanation.
"Hah!"
Feng Jiuxiao actually laughed in disbelief.
"You're bold—"
She stared into Song Wanníng's eyes, trying to find a flicker of fear, a trace of panic behind her arrogance.
But she found nothing. Only murderous intent.
Feng Jiuxiao's smile twisted with interest.
"It's been a long time since I've met someone this arrogant. Do you truly not fear death?"
Most who made it here groveled with awe and reverence.
This was the first time someone had dared draw a blade on her.
Song Wanníng glanced at her sword, then replied flatly, "You don't get to decide who lives and who dies."
No matter how powerful Feng Jiuxiao was in the Immortal Realm, here in the lower realm, she had to follow this world's rules.
And since the cultivation cap here was Divine Transformation, Song Wanníng still had the right to fight. Why should she be afraid?
Her sheer nerve made Feng Jiuxiao laugh again, though this time with genuine irritation.
So young, yet so brazen.
Still, she didn't strike again. She had only acted so violently earlier because she'd thought Song Wanníng had forcibly soul-searched the merfolk.
Now that it was a misunderstanding, there was no reason to press the issue.
Feng Jiuxiao leaned lazily back into her seat again, resting her chin in her hand as she gave Song Wanníng a teasing wink.
"Little girl, do you want this Immortal Lord's legacy?
If you apologize, I might feel generous enough to consider—"
She only wanted to test how stubborn this girl really was. Let's see how hard her bones were.
"Never."
Song Wanníng cut her off without hesitation. She had done nothing wrong. Feng Jiuxiao was the one who struck first—what was there to apologize for?
"In your dreams."
She slipped her sword back at her waist and, without sparing Feng Jiuxiao a glance, strode to a nearby stool and sat down.
The casual way she settled in made it seem like this palace was her own territory.
Feng Jiuxiao's eye twitched. Somehow, despite her irritation, she found herself a little impressed. Her own temper wasn't exactly great, but this girl's was worse. Much worse.
Anger and amusement warred inside her, twisting her expression from second to second.
The merfolk peeked at both women. Once it was sure no more fighting was coming, it dared to shuffle over to Song Wanníng's side.
Seeing her guardian beast cozying up to another human only made Feng Jiuxiao angrier. Her face turned frosty as she glared at the merfolk.
"One trip outside, and it had gotten itself contracted by some stranger. Fool!
It was a mutated beast—it could've hidden its sea of consciousness so well..."
The more she thought about it, the dumber it seemed. She turned away entirely, unwilling to look at it anymore.
The merfolk, totally confused, rubbed its nose and mumbled to itself. It had no idea what it did to upset her. Though it had protected the pearl for hundreds of years, it had never seen Feng Jiuxiao before, so her reaction was lost on it.
Suddenly, it caught a glimpse of something in the water mirror nearby—and leapt to its feet.
"It's Xiaojiao! Xiaojiao!"
"Master, it's Xiaojiao!!!!!"
It pointed excitedly at the mirror showing Ye Chuxue, eyes wide with joy.
"My Xiaojiao, she's safe... thank the heavens... sob sob sob..."
Tears and snot streamed down its face as it broke into emotional sobbing.
Feng Jiuxiao and Song Wanníng both turned away. "..."
Utterly disgraceful.
Song Wanníng's attention quickly shifted back to the mirror.
Feng Lanxi was still stuck on the fifth floor—slower than her.
Meanwhile, Yu Cheng and Ye Chuxue were on the sixth floor, carefully analyzing the formation array.
Yu Cheng frowned deeply, progressing step by step with precision.
Ye Chuxue was deathly pale, drenched in sweat, clearly struggling much harder.
Her cultivation and soul strength were lower than Yu Cheng's. The fact that she had lasted this long was already remarkable.
She was holding on with sheer determination.
Song Wanníng tilted her head toward Feng Jiuxiao and, as expected, saw appreciation flickering in her eyes as she watched Ye Chuxue.
A chill crept into her heart.
She spoke coldly. "Yu Cheng's talent is clearly superior, and his cultivation is higher. If anyone should receive your legacy, it should be him. He would surely carry it forward."
She had no affinity for formations, but Yu Cheng was upright, studious, and devoted to cultivation.
He was a far better candidate than Ye Chuxue.
But Feng Jiuxiao didn't agree.
"I rather like that little girl. She's young, but extraordinarily gifted. To reach this level so quickly despite having no foundation—now that's true potential."
Feng Jiuxiao lazily flicked her gaze toward Yu Cheng, as if deliberately opposing Song Wanníng's stance.
"That boy only gets by because he's older and knows more."
Song Wanníng quietly rubbed her fingers together, eyelids half-lowered.
"Yu Cheng is pure-hearted, immersed in his studies. He's far more reliable than certain others with complicated intentions."
"Senior, don't be fooled by appearances."
Though she still addressed her as 'senior,' her tone held not a shred of respect.
Feng Jiuxiao's mouth twitched.
"This little brat... really knows how to throw shade."
"My eyes are sharper than most. Stronger than some people's too. Unlike those who gossip behind others' backs just to serve their own interests."
===
Wow, we've already reached chapter 150! (｡☌ᴗ☌｡)
If you've enjoyed the story so far, I'd really appreciate it if you could leave a vote, write a review, or even recommend it to others.
These small things help boost both my account and the novel's visibility a lot!
And of course, if you'd like to support me further, you can also donate through:
My [Ko-fi]! ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/rikhi
My [Patreon]!🎨: https://patreon.com/rikhi
Thank you so much for reading and staying with me this far ♡