A wave of oppressive pressure swept toward her, and Song Wanníng felt her body sink. Instead of anger, a faint smile curved her lips. Her expression remained calm and composed.
"Senior, you are mistaken. Even if I cannot bind the Trial Tower as its master, as long as I or my clan members hold the boundary token, we can still open it. Whether or not the Trial Tower belongs to me is irrelevant. Wouldn't you agree?"
As she spoke, Song Wanníng lightly brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze carrying a quiet depth. She was telling the truth. So long as the boundary token remained in her hands, what did it matter if she didn't claim ownership?
The Song family would still enjoy its benefits.
A single spot as a true disciple and an uncertain rumor about the Xi Ran, in exchange for giving it back?
She was no fool.
Luo Hantian's expression cooled at her words. He looked straight at her. "Have you not considered what will happen after you ascend?"
If she offended Guhan Sect now, had she thought about the consequences when she eventually rose to the upper realm? There was both testing and veiled threat in his words. But Song Wanníng only spread her hands, unruffled.
"Whether I can survive the Heavenly Tribulation is still uncertain, wouldn't you say, Senior?"
It was a blatant display of nonchalance, and it made Luo Hantian chuckle despite himself. The more she acted like this, the more he found himself admiring her. If Guhan Sect could recruit her early, it would be to their advantage. An ascendant cultivator of her caliber would never lack for sects willing to take her in. After a moment's silence, he sighed, the warmth returning to his features.
"Very well. You are clearly not the sort to accept a loss."
Guhan Sect's heritage was vast; there was no need to scheme against one young woman.
"In addition to helping you bind the Trial Tower and granting you the position of a true disciple, I can also pass on part of our inheritance ahead of time. Naturally, I can share some information as well. You may also select a few artifacts. The only issue is that with the two realms apart, they cannot reach you immediately…"
Before he could finish, Song Wanníng smiled and cut in. "Senior, though I cannot receive them myself, my master has already ascended to the Spirit Realm. You could deliver the treasures to her, telling her they are a gift from me."
Whether she could ascend was still uncertain. Best to get the treasures into her master's hands first.
Luo Hantian was silent for a beat.
Was her heart riddled with holes?
He gave her a sidelong glance, unable to fully suppress his exasperation. But he did not refuse. He was just about to speak again when she continued.
"In addition, I hope Guhan Sect will offer my clan's disciples a place of shelter in the future."
Whether or not they chose to join Guhan Sect, at least they would have another option. That alone was worth something.
Once more, Luo Hantian's words were cut off.
This girl really dared to ask. Was she not afraid he would refuse outright?
"…Fine. I can agree to that."
As long as it wasn't the core disciple position, the rest was no trouble.
"Excellent, Senior! Then I promise I will do everything in my power to return the Trial Tower to Guhan Sect."
Song Wanníng knew when to stop. If the tower could not be bound, the Song family could hardly use it freely anyway.
Working with this senior was a win-win.
"Good. Refreshing!"
Luo Hantian's eyes brightened. If the Trial Tower returned, it would fulfill the wishes of their predecessors. He beckoned her closer and began selecting inheritances and treasures.
Song Wanníng made no attempt at false modesty, carefully choosing until dawn the next day before making her decision.
All three treasures she picked were for her master. She gave Luo Hantian her master's name and a portrait; with his influence, finding one person would not be difficult.
The remaining jade slips she took without hesitation, storing them in her ring.
"I would also ask Senior to give my regards to my master."
There was genuine warmth in her gaze. It had been so long—she wondered if her master was well. Ever since her rebirth, her greatest longing was to see her master again.
"Very well."
Luo Hantian agreed, then went straight to helping her bind the Trial Tower. The boundary token that had resisted all efforts became perfectly obedient in his hands, willingly absorbing her blood.
A ripple spread through her sea of consciousness, and the next moment, a small tower flashed into her mindscape. Recognizing the sub-tower recorded in their texts, Luo Hantian's eyes lit with joy. He circled it several times, satisfied, before finally departing.
Her sea of consciousness stilled again. Song Wanníng looked down at the token in her hand. She would first return to the Song family to secure the Trial Tower.
Thinking over the recent events, her feelings were mixed.
Perhaps the golden little sword was right. Ever since Ye Chuxue's misfortunes began, her own luck seemed to have improved without her noticing.
The jade slips in her storage ring stirred her excitement. Once she studied them, she would have another safeguard when entering the Secluded Lands.
With that thought, she urged her horse forward toward the Song estate, ignoring Bai Yang's message talismans entirely.
It was too late for regret now.
She had no need for them anymore.
…
Back at the Song family, the Trial Tower was quickly installed. Song Qingyun and the elders were overjoyed, their gazes toward her filled with admiration.
Song Wanníng smiled faintly, giving only a brief explanation of the tower before handing over a recorded inheritance to Song Qingyun.
If any of them had the talent to comprehend it, all the better.
Her selfless act moved the elders to tears. Everyone knew the Song family's crisis was near, and that her household had traveled far and wide, giving everything for the clan. Each person silently marked this debt in their hearts. Whatever tensions had existed before now smoothed away, binding them closer together.
Now united as one, every member worked diligently at their post.
The Song family brimmed with renewed vitality.
After securing the Trial Tower, Song Wanníng sought out Li Ruo, offering guidance in alchemy and giving her a suitable inheritance to study.
The legacies of great powers were formidable, but comprehension required talent. Song Wanníng herself had yet to master them, so she could not teach Li Ruo directly.
"Rest assured, Master. Li Ruo will study diligently!"
Her young face was tense. She too had sensed the shift in the family's atmosphere, and urgency bloomed in her heart. She was taller now, and more aware of right and wrong.
The Song family had treated her with true sincerity, and she wanted to help in return. For now, all she could do was train hard, delve into alchemy, and strive to become someone useful.
"Good child."
Song Wanníng patted her head, her heart softening. After a few more instructions, she went into seclusion once again. She had found no news of the Xi Ran; perhaps Luo Hantian might have better luck.
For now, she would focus on studying the inheritances.
Flexing her wrist, Song Wanníng thought to herself that time felt far too short.