Song Wanníng opened the gate to Leng Qingzhu's courtyard and picked a nearby room to stay in for the time being.
From her storage pouch, she took out ten top-grade spirit stones, a copy of the sect rules, and a booklet detailing the internal affairs of the sect.
She started with the sect rules. It didn't take long before her brows furrowed, and she finally understood why Zhang Shuning had warned her that trouble was coming.
It turned out that Gu Han Sect's true disciples were divided into two categories. One category consisted of the direct disciples of the elders, like Zhang Shuning.
The other category were those who had fought their way up by strength alone—positions that could be challenged at any time.
Inner and outer sect disciples alike could issue challenges to them. The winner would replace the defeated as a new true disciple, while the loser would fall back to their original rank and wait for another chance to climb up again.
The purpose of this was to kindle ambition and sharpen battle skills, and the results spoke for themselves. Guhan Sect disciples were all formidable fighters, and every true disciple was the real deal.
Now, she—an ascendant from the lower realm—had inexplicably taken up a true disciple's slot without being anyone's personal disciple. Naturally, that would stir resentment. It was almost certain that many would come to challenge her.
If it had been someone else, they might already be worrying about how to survive the coming fights.
But Song Wanníng felt no fear. On the contrary, she was brimming with fighting spirit.
In the lower realm, it had been far too long since she'd had the chance for a truly satisfying battle. If she could find worthy opponents in Guhan Sect, it would be a tremendous boost to her own strength.
She didn't particularly care about the title of true disciple, but she certainly wasn't about to hand it over. She knew well that status meant influence, and influence meant having a voice in her own future. If Guhan Sect proved to be a place worth staying in, she wouldn't mind climbing step by step.
After all, she had never liked living under someone else's thumb.
Finishing the sect rules, Song Wanníng picked up the booklet about the sect's current state.
It contained a detailed record: Guhan Sect currently had three Unity stage grand elders, one Mahayana stage Ancestor, numerous Divine Soul stage elders, and more than a hundred thousand disciples. It was indeed a true powerhouse.
It was also one of the five great sects of the Southern Region.
No wonder they had shown no fear of Medicine King Sect's pursuit. They had the strength to back it up.
At least on the surface, they could protect her. As for everything else…
That would be up to her alone.
She committed the details to memory before settling her mind and returning to cultivation. With her master not yet back, she dared not rashly examine the Twin Blood Lotus here and risk unwanted attention. For now, it was best to train well and wait for her master's return.
Medicine King Sect. Wu Qingfeng had just finished reporting all the news to Mu Zixu.
Mu Zixu listened silently, his face outwardly calm.
But Wu Qingfeng knew this quiet meant the Ancestor was furious. What should have been a simple matter had turned into a tangle of failures.
Standing before the Ancestor, he felt ashamed and unable to lift his head.
"So her name is Song Wanníng?"
Mu Zixu let out a cold chuckle, a flash of killing intent flickering in his eyes.
"To draw the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder means this woman is anything but ordinary. But since enmity has already been formed, we cannot allow her to grow."
Only now did he admit he had misjudged her. The fact that she could summon the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder meant her talent was exceptional. But Song Wanníng had shattered his remnant soul and torn down his memorial tablet. That alone was a blood-deep grudge, not to mention her earlier defiance and the pursuit that followed.
These were hatreds that could not be untangled.
If Song Wanníng grew stronger, the one to suffer would be Medicine King Sect in the lower realm. Mu Zixu would never let his life's foundation be destroyed by a single woman.
"Since we can't move against her openly right now, find a way to kill her in secret. This is extremely important—do not underestimate her!
And don't send disciples. That would just be sending them to their deaths. You will go yourself."
Mu Zixu knew people like her had a tenacity that could survive anything. He wouldn't waste his disciples' lives.
"Yes, Ancestor. I will see it done and will not let you down again."
Mu Zixu was the foundation of Medicine King Sect's presence in the Immortal Realm. They all relied on him, hoping to follow him after ascension. Displeasing him was unthinkable.
"Good."
Mu Zixu nodded, then cut off the connection.
His expression darkened.
That woman had escaped death again. Truly, her Luck was abnormally good.
Which only made him more determined to kill her. He could only hope Wu Qingfeng wouldn't disappoint him.
Feeling irritable, he stepped outside, intending to find Wang Yang—only to run into the one man he least wanted to see.
"Well, if it isn't Master Mu Zixu."
A mocking voice carried from ahead, laced with ridicule.
The anger Mu Zixu had just calmed flared once more.
So what if the man had beaten him in the recent Alchemy Dao competition? Did he have to be so smug about it?
One day, Mu Zixu would make him pay it back in full.
Forcing a thin smile, Mu Zixu looked at the approaching figure and sneered. "Junior Brother Dao Qing, I heard your courtyard caught fire recently, and your disciples were fighting quite fiercely. Tell me, which one won in the end?"
The entire sect knew Dao Qing's disciples were at odds—especially the rivalry between his youngest junior sister and his senior disciple.
Mu Zixu knew exactly where to prod.
Sure enough, Dao Qing's face sank.
Sharp gazes clashed like drawn blades, neither man willing to yield.
The tense atmosphere only broke when a passing disciple stopped to greet them.
"Hmph."
They parted with mutual disdain, each unable to stomach the sight of the other.
"A bunch of useless fools, making me lose face."
Dao Qing hurried back toward his peak.
He and Mu Zixu had ascended from different lower realms, but both had been Alchemy Dao prodigies. They had disliked each other from the very start.
Mu Zixu was arrogant and overbearing, while Dao Qing was no less proud. Since their ascension, they had crossed swords countless times.
In the most recent Alchemy Dao competition, Dao Qing had finally won, leaving Mu Zixu seething. He had thought the victory would soothe his resentment, but his own disciples had since shamed him publicly.
Dao Qing drew in a deep breath, forcing down his anger.
If his disciples kept letting the youngest stir trouble, disaster would follow sooner or later.
No—he would assign them missions and send them all out.
Only the youngest would remain at his side for personal guidance. With proper teaching, she might change.
But if she refused to learn, he would show no mercy.
Even a life-saving debt didn't give her the right to manipulate him.
The thought brought to mind Song Wanníng.
Whether in Alchemy Dao mastery or personal conduct, that little girl had been exactly to his taste.
Yet he could only watch from afar.
Fate truly loved to toy with people.
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Okay, this chapter really interesting.