Back then, He Xiao's constant targeting of her hadn't just been his own idea. The one truly pulling the strings behind him was none other than the He family.
So after finalizing terms with Wu Ying, Song Wanníng had struck preemptively, buying the support of several Yuányīng Zhēnjūn. The result was exactly what she wanted.
"Alright. I understand."
Wu Ying nodded firmly. With the Song family as her backing, her position as Sect Master would be much more stable.
Otherwise, people like the Seventh Elder would be trying to trip her up at every turn.
After a brief explanation, Song Wanníng took Li Ruo and left the Wentian Sect.
She paused at the gate, looking back into the sect one last time. She had spent over a hundred years here, but now, there was no trace of attachment left in her heart.
"Let's go."
…
Inside the He family's main hall, the Patriarch's face was as dark as thunder, his expression full of cold fury.
He Xiao sat below him, his own face equally grim.
"That bitch Song Wanníng really played her cards well. She pulled you down and then put her own people into power. She deserves to die for that alone."
The Patriarch crushed the cup in his hand into pieces, killing intent boiling in his heart.
Over the years, they had relied on He Xiao's position as Sect Master to help the He family's disciples flourish within the Wentian Sect. Who could've predicted this outcome?
"And you, are you brain-dead? You threw yourself under the wagon for someone like Gu Qingyuan? What is he to you, anyway?"
The He Patriarch nearly wanted to crack open He Xiao's skull to see what was inside.
He Xiao was being scolded like a dog, and he could only bottle up his frustration. He scowled and muttered, "Didn't you tell me to keep Song Wanníng in check? Said we couldn't let her rise in the sect? Now that it's blown up, how is it suddenly all my fault?"
He felt wronged. From his perspective, he had only done what he was told.
"You—"
The Patriarch's fury rose again. He couldn't believe his own brother was talking back.
"I told you to watch her, yes. But you should've read the damn situation!"
He had never asked He Xiao to get himself dragged into the fire.
"This wasn't my fault. Song Wanníng laid a trap and I walked right into it."
He Xiao's face was growing darker by the second. "Who would've thought that bitch could be so calculating?"
In truth, much of Song Wanníng's terrible reputation over the years had been his doing. She had the Song family behind her, and she was talented in alchemy. If she ever gained the people's support, her influence in the sect would have soared.
So he'd worked in secret to smear her name. Spread rumors. Undermine her credibility.
Even the rumor about Gu Qingyuan having feelings for Ye Chuxue? That had been planted by his hand. He'd made sure it got to Song Wanníng's ears. He never expected that so-called "rumor" would end up being real. Or that it would cost him the Sect Master's seat.
Just thinking about it made He Xiao want to cough blood.
"Hmph. That just proves you're an idiot. Played like a fiddle."
The Patriarch narrowed his eyes slightly. He had heard bits and pieces about Song Wanníng. Ever since she called off her engagement, she'd seemed like a completely different person.
And now she had outmaneuvered He Xiao. No doubt it was her way of getting revenge for his past favoritism toward Gu Qingyuan and Ye Chuxue.
"This woman holds grudges. I doubt she'll stop at just taking your title."
His voice dropped low, his expression growing heavier.
He'd seen her type before.
Once you crossed them, they'd never stop until one of you was dead. What happened so far was probably just the appetizer.
"You… you've gotten too comfortable sitting in that Sect Master seat all these years."
There was no comeback for that. He Xiao had grown arrogant from being praised too long. He'd gotten careless. And now, he had paid the price for it.
There was no fixing it now.
Face red with fury, He Xiao muttered, "You have no idea how far they took it. They even made me go to the disciple recruitment this year…"
"Those heartless bastards."
He didn't even know how many people would be lining up to mock him.
His face had turned the color of liver, bitter and humiliated.
The Patriarch's face also turned sour. After a moment of silence, he said coldly, "This matter won't be allowed to pass. Song Wanníng will have to pay for this. But it needs to be planned carefully…"
…
In the Song family, the atmosphere was tense as several elders gathered.
When Song Wanníng arrived, everyone visibly relaxed and quickly motioned her over.
"Girl, you're just in time. Come, follow us to the back courtyard."
The elders barely spared Li Ruo a glance before pulling Song Wanníng along in a hurry.
In the rear courtyard, spiritual energy surged madly, sealed in by powerful formations.
From the outside, everything looked normal. But the moment one got close, the pressure was suffocating.
Someone was breaking through.
Song Wanníng's eyes twitched slightly, a smile rising on her lips.
This was her father, Song Qingyun's courtyard.
"Ever since the last beast tide, the Patriarch handed over daily affairs to me and went into seclusion.
A few days ago, the rear courtyard suddenly erupted. Spiritual energy has been flooding in nonstop. Thankfully, the formation has kept things contained. Otherwise, we would've drawn too much attention."
The Grand Elder's voice carried both joy and anxiety. He was clearly hopeful, but also worried that someone might try to sabotage the breakthrough.
With Song Wanníng back, they finally felt more at ease. The relief showed clearly on their faces.
"This must be kept secret. Don't let other families catch wind of it. Delay any information leaks for as long as possible."
Song Wanníng's expression turned serious. The Grand Elder was right to worry. Until the tribulation was overcome, no one could afford to let their guard down.
She first introduced Li Ruo to the elders, then decided to keep her close, setting up camp just outside the courtyard.
Li Ruo was showered with welcome gifts. Her cheeks turned rosy, looking utterly adorable.
Song Wanníng reached out and pinched her soft cheek, her mood rising even higher.
She still had the Seven-Star Lotus Flower. Several monster cores too…
The Song family's strength was on the verge of explosive growth.
Once her father passed the tribulation, she would offer up the Seven-Star Lotus Flower to help him push into mid Divine Transformation.
And then there was her mother. She hadn't seen her in a long time. Once her father's breakthrough was complete, she would head to the spirit veins to visit her.
Watching the sea of spiritual energy surge before her eyes, Song Wanníng felt like the future was full of promise.
…
Four days passed in a blink. The spiritual energy above the Song family estate had become impossible to contain.
All attention in the city turned toward the Song family.
Before long, even nearby cities had received word.
Hearing that someone from the Song family might be advancing, many factions couldn't sit still anymore.
Family clans, like sects, were divided by the strength of their core members.
The Song family originally had only one Divine Transformation Ancestor, which earned them the status of a prestigious family.
But to reach the rank of top-tier family, they needed at least two Divine Transformation cultivators.
If another Divine Transformation expert emerged from the Song family, it would shake the regional power balance.
Territory that had once been beyond their reach… could soon become their domain.
More and more forces began to gather, rushing in from across the region, all eager to see just who it was about to break through.