"I'm fine, it's just an old problem..."
Ye Chuxue forced a weak smile. Despite her pain, she still tried to comfort Xiao Jiao.
Feng Jiuxiao grew even more pleased. "See? The one this Immortal King favors can never be wrong. She may be young, but she's kind-hearted and single-minded in her cultivation path. Her talent in formations is outstanding. I truly see no reason to choose anyone else."
Even if she admired Song Wanníng's character, that wasn't enough to sway her decision. She had been stationed here by her true body for hundreds of thousands of years for one purpose—to select a successor.
That was her duty. Her mission. Not something she could change lightly.
Song Wanníng said nothing, but the pressure radiating from her body grew more oppressive. The merfolk hesitated again and again, then finally raised its hand timidly.
"Senior, couldn't you give the legacy to both of them?"
Its master wanted the legacy to go to Yu Cheng, while the senior clearly favored Ye Chuxue. The two were clashing over this—but if both received it, wouldn't that resolve everything?
The merfolk thought innocently.
Feng Jiuxiao was briefly stunned.
There had never been two equally promising candidates before. She had always chosen only one. But now, the idea had been brought up...
Still, when it came to Yu Cheng, she didn't feel much of a connection. Though he was talented, he simply didn't resonate with her.
It was as if this opportunity was never meant for him to begin with.
She frowned, lost in thought, when Song Wanníng's cold voice broke the silence.
"The legacy cannot go to Ye Chuxue."
To give it to both?
Then what had she done all this for?
She wasn't here to negotiate. She was here to ensure Ye Chuxue had no chance to rise.
"Why not?"
Feng Jiuxiao's expression darkened. She was genuinely curious now. What kind of hatred made Song Wanníng so dead set on stopping that girl?
Song Wanníng met her gaze. Her eyes sharpened.
In a voice steady and ice-cold, she said, "Because she is destined to die by my hand. If you choose her, then your legacy is already doomed."
She leaned forward slightly, voice dropping to a chilling murmur. "Unless... you kill me right here and now."
Her words struck like a blade, and her gaze was sharp enough to pierce flesh.
That cold, killing intent sent a shiver down Feng Jiuxiao's spine.
"You—what kind of grudge do you two have?"
What could drive her to the point of defying Feng Jiuxiao herself, just to stop that girl?
Song Wanníng didn't waver. Her eyes were like frost, her voice calm and merciless.
"She stole my fiancé. She annihilated my clan."
Feng Jiuxiao's expression shifted. She looked at Song Wanníng, then glanced at Ye Chuxue again. That girl was only at the Foundation Establishment stage—was she even capable of such things?
Was Song Wanníng lying?
But there was no falsehood in Song Wanníng's expression. Maybe there was more to this than met the eye.
"A mere man—I've long since stopped caring. But this person has unclear entanglements with her own master. Senior, do you still believe your judgment is flawless?"
Her words made Feng Jiuxiao frown deeply.
Romance between master and disciple was a serious taboo in the cultivation world. She herself had always found it repulsive.
But... Ye Chuxue didn't seem like the type. Could this be a misunderstanding?
Unknowingly, Feng Jiuxiao began to make excuses for Ye Chuxue—she didn't even realize she was doing it.
Song Wanníng noticed.
She looked at the other woman, then slowly smiled.
"Senior, why don't we make a wager?
If I lose, you can punish or kill me as you see fit. But if you lose, then you'll owe me an immortal artifact—one that can break this formation."
She let the words fall lightly, her gaze flickering with a deeper intent.
She had finally voiced her true goal.
"A wager?"
Feng Jiuxiao raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by Song Wanníng's sudden shift in tone. She wasn't too concerned about the artifact. Anything on her was a genuine immortal treasure. That wasn't a big deal.
But still...
"What exactly are we wagering on?"
There didn't seem to be anything between them worth betting.
Song Wanníng smiled faintly and turned toward the water mirror. Her tone was calm and meaningful.
"Human nature."
—
"Chuxue, if you keep going like this, you'll die! Please, take a break!"
The merfolk was panicking. Ye Chuxue's internal injuries were growing more severe. At this rate, she was going to collapse any second.
"I'm fine. I have to keep going!"
Ye Chuxue couldn't even sit straight. Her head was spinning, and all her spiritual energy had been drained dry.
And unfortunately, this space restricted the use of storage bags and external items. She couldn't even take a healing pill.
This was a test, clearly.
Someone behind the scenes was using this to assess her willpower.
She clenched her fists.
She could not fail this time.
But her frail body could not keep up with her resolve. Moments later, she collapsed.
Xiao Jiao, heartbroken, rushed to her side.
"B-but... Chuxue, what happened to you?! You're scaring me!"
Seeing her in such a state, the little merfolk bit its lip.
"Chuxue, let me heal you!"
Xiao Jiao had been warned—repeatedly—not to reveal its healing ability to outsiders. That kind of power could easily draw unwanted attention.
But Chuxue was different.
She was kind. She would never harm it.
Determination flashed in Xiao Jiao's eyes. It reached out and grasped Ye Chuxue's hand.
Before Ye Chuxue could protest, a steady stream of healing power surged into her body.
She stared in shock.
"This merfolk... could heal?"
Her knowledge of merfolk was limited. At most, she remembered fairy tales from her past life about mermaids. That was where her understanding stopped.
Now, as her wounds began to rapidly mend, her heart stirred slightly.
But then, she frowned.
"Isn't this hurting you? If it puts you at risk, then stop. I can make it through!"
Hearing her concern, Xiao Jiao's heart swelled.
She really was the kindest person in the world.
"Don't worry about me, Chuxue. I'll be fine.
As long as you recover, I'll be happy!"
Xiao Jiao beamed with innocent joy, smiling with pure sincerity.
Ye Chuxue was deeply moved.
She swore that one day, she would repay this little merfolk's kindness.
As her injuries swiftly healed, her determination to obtain the legacy grew stronger than ever.
But before she could enjoy that momentum, the sky above them shimmered—another water mirror appeared, projecting an image of Yu Cheng.
Ye Chuxue froze.
There was someone else in the immortal estate?
She looked closer.
That person was clearly ahead of her in the formation process—on the verge of success!
A chill swept through her.
No. She couldn't let someone else get ahead!
But her injuries were still healing. Her soul had barely begun to recover. She couldn't return to the formation yet.
And Yu Cheng's speed was terrifying. He was progressing fast—too fast.
What should she do?
What could she do?
Ye Chuxue broke into a sweat, her face flushed with anxiety.
In desperation, she took a deep breath—and suddenly, the merfolk's healing power surged wildly, flowing into her at twice the speed.