The two quickly clashed in battle.
Zhang Shuning had trained seriously since childhood and was quite strong, her combat power far exceeding Jiang Cen's.
But Jiang Cen relied on the many treasures her father had given her, making up for her weaker power. The fight was evenly matched.
She constantly schemed, aiming to force Zhang Shuning into the flaming pool behind them.
Soon, their battle became fierce and evenly matched, both sides suffering injuries.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng was speeding toward the scene.
Long Ling had said that there might be fire spirits in the flaming pool. Once the Shenyou Mystic Flame devoured them, it would immediately evolve and greatly increase in power.
Since following Song Wanníng, the Shenyou Mystic Flame had never had a chance to evolve. Now that opportunity would not be missed.
As for Zhang Shuning, if she truly got into danger, Song Wanníng would gladly lend a hand. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Besides, Liu Xingzhi had helped her before; this was a way to repay that favor.
Song Wanníng's speed increased. The battle in the Three Lives Mirror grew more intense.
Jiang Cen kept pulling out treasure after treasure—so many that even Song Wanníng found it ridiculous, not to mention Zhang Shuning.
Zhang Shuning grit her teeth tightly, feeling her spiritual energy rapidly draining, frustration gnawing at her.
Jiang Cen was ignorant and unskilled, but she had a powerful father.
Zhang Shuning had painstakingly cultivated for years but still couldn't beat Jiang Cen's few treasures. How could she accept that?
But Jiang Cen smirked with mockery, a malicious glint flashing in her eyes.
"I told you, today you will surely die! What use is hard cultivation? It can't compare to my connections, ha ha ha."
Jiang Cen laughed wildly. In her past life, she had chased after wealth and glory her whole life, but this life it came easily.
That was her greatest confidence.
No one knew better than her how bitter those feelings of envy were.
As she spoke, her attacks grew crueler. When Zhang Shuning was overwhelmed, Jiang Cen took out a folding fan and fiercely fanned toward her.
Suddenly, a powerful gale stormed toward Zhang Shuning.
Caught off guard, Zhang Shuning was struck by the wind and blasted backward.
Behind her was the blazing, intense flaming pool.
Zhang Shuning's face turned pale with shock. She tried to save herself, but Jiang Cen attacked again.
"Jiang Cen!"
She shouted with fury and unwillingness, but still couldn't control her body and fell straight into the flaming pool.
The pool was filled with molten lava, its scarlet color instantly engulfing her.
"Ha ha ha!"
Jiang Cen laughed even more recklessly, watching Zhang Shuning fall and finally relaxing.
But to be safe, she decided to wait nearby. If the flaming pool didn't kill Zhang Shuning, she wouldn't hesitate to finish the job herself.
However, before her laughter finished, a powerful force suddenly struck her from behind. She didn't even see who it was and was knocked unconscious, falling headfirst into the flaming pool.
Bang!
Molten lava splashed high as a figure slowly stepped forward—it was Song Wanníng, who had just arrived.
She coldly watched Jiang Cen's figure swallowed by the pool, then swept her gaze over the surroundings.
Jiang Cen had used many treasures, tempting her to plunder.
But first, she had to rescue Zhang Shuning.
Song Wanníng leapt into the flaming pool. What was unbearable lava for others felt like home to her. Her spiritual energy inside surged joyfully, reveling in the dense fire attribute. She swiftly swam through the lava and soon found Zhang Shuning.
At this point, Zhang Shuning was covered in wounds, unconscious, with molten lava seeping into her mouth, nose, and injuries. Even in unconsciousness, she frowned in pain, her face twisted.
Without hesitation, Song Wanníng grabbed her and swam toward the shore.
"Ugh~"
Zhang Shuning groaned softly and, in a daze, opened her eyes briefly.
Song Wanníng's exquisite and striking profile came into view.
Her expression was serious but filled with a sense of safety.
Zhang Shuning finally relaxed and completely lost consciousness.
Song Wanníng looked down at her, quickening her pace, and soon brought her to the shore.
"Sister, what do we do with her now?"
Xiao Jin jumped down and frowned as he looked at Zhang Shuning.
"Keep her here for now. I'll take her back once I'm done."
Since they saved her, they had to ensure the debt was remembered. Otherwise, it would be a waste.
"You guard her here. If anyone comes, alert me immediately!"
Song Wanníng placed several formation disks at the cave entrance to prevent anyone from sneaking in and harming Zhang Shuning.
Xiao Jin nodded obediently and waved to his younger siblings.
"You all better work hard! I'm still waiting for our little sister to advance!"
"Don't worry, Brother. I'll definitely find the fire spirit with Sister!"
Long Ling was confident; no one was more sensitive to spiritual creatures than her.
So Song Wanníng took the two little ones and jumped back into the flaming pool. She did not rush to find the fire spirit but went to Jiang Cen's side first.
Jiang Cen's cultivation was shallow, relying on medicine stacking. Though at the Void Refinement stage, her combat power was worlds apart from Song Wanníng's.
Her Primordial Soul was naturally no match either.
Song Wanníng approached and swiftly stripped Jiang Cen of her storage ring, casually inspecting it before beginning to erase Jiang Cen's soul imprint.
Within a few blinks, the soul imprint was completely wiped.
Pfft—
Jiang Cen, still unconscious, spat a mouthful of blood, her breath weakening rapidly.
What had been only physical injuries were now compounded by severe soul damage. Without the pills in her storage ring, Jiang Cen would gain no benefit from this secret realm trip.
Song Wanníng opened the storage ring, her eyes lighting up.
Inside were spiritual stones, treasures, talismans, and pills in abundance. No wonder she was so arrogant—she really was the daughter of a powerful figure.
But now, all of this belonged to Song Wanníng!
Also, everything Jiang Cen painstakingly gathered in the secret realm was now in her pocket.
"Ha ha ha, she'll be furious when she wakes up!"
Long Ling kicked Jiang Cen's face with a wicked grin.
"But Jiang Cen sure is unlucky. She spends all day scheming against Zhang Shuning, only to find you, Sister, are her true nemesis!"
Jiang Cen's Luck was quite good; otherwise, she wouldn't have survived so many dangers in the secret realm.
If Song Wanníng hadn't intervened, Jiang Cen might have succeeded this time.
"Sister, are we really just going to let her go?"
Long Ling rolled her eyes, feeling that letting Jiang Cen off so easily would be too generous.
Just then, Song Wanníng gave a mysterious smile.