A long string of curses broke out next, making Song Wanníng frown. Both Jiang Cen and Xiao Heyun never stopped swearing, their mouths full of filthy words. It was unpleasant to listen to.
But Jiang Cen's completely broken state put Song Wanníng in a very good mood.
Those treasures that couldn't be used would be disposed of somewhere later. Since she had an internal world, even if Jiang Cen's own father came looking, he would never find them.
The moment Jiang Cen appeared, Zhang Shuning's tightly clenched fist suddenly twitched. The killing intent in her eyes flowed uncontrollably.
Jiang Cen was really still alive. What incredible luck she had!
Liu Xingzhi observed the expressions of the two carefully. He took in every detail of their brows, eyes, and features. But their relationship had always been tense, so this did not surprise him.
He stood there coldly, waiting until the secret realm was completely closed before leading the disciples to return.
The disciples from several sects had calmed down significantly by now. They were all talking about Xiao Heyun's situation.
Suddenly, someone brought up the Shadow Stone that Xiao Heyun had given to Yue Lin.
"Yue Lin, I remember it was that guy who gave you the Shadow Stone, saying it was evidence of your Guhan Sect disciples killing each other…"
"Why haven't you shown it?"
A group of people clamored loudly, enjoying the spectacle.
Since it was not their sect's affair, they were happy to watch the drama unfold.
As their words fell, everyone's gaze turned to Yue Lin, even Liu Xingzhi looked over with a colder glint.
Killing each other inside the secret realm?
Jiang Cen's heart inexplicably tightened at the mention. She felt this had something to do with her. After all, she had attacked Zhang Shuning and couldn't help but feel guilty.
But she had already prepared her defense. As long as she stuck to her story and denied everything, the others would have no proof!
She could even turn the tables and accuse Zhang Shuning of conspiring with outsiders to steal the storage ring.
Yue Lin: "…"
Damn it, why did these people have to stir up trouble!
His tense face twitched slightly as he felt speechless.
Seeing that he still didn't produce the stone, the crowd shouted even louder.
"What's this, Yue Lin? Are you trying to protect someone? Could it be that person is close to you?"
"Hiss, never thought Guhan Sect would openly protect those who harm their own! Truly an eye-opener!"
They weren't from Guhan Sect, so they weren't afraid of retaliation.
Besides, Liu Xingzhi never bullied juniors, so they were not worried about getting hurt and were happy to watch the show.
Yue Lin was pressured until his face flushed red. He gritted his teeth and said, "I am not!
That's an internal matter for Guhan Sect. When I return, I will report it. You outsiders, why are you meddling?"
He glared at a few of them, then saluted Liu Xingzhi.
"Elder Liu, I swear I am not protecting anyone. There are too many people here, not the place to show it. Once we return to the sect, I will definitely present the Shadow Stone!"
For now, the Shadow Stone could only be handed to Liu Xingzhi.
Yue Lin was irritated but had no choice.
Liu Xingzhi lightly nodded and glanced at the crowd still trying to stir trouble. They immediately fell silent, no longer daring to cause problems.
…
The secret realm entrance finally closed. Those who failed to come out had all died inside. The losses of the major sects were heavy. Even Guhan Sect lost eleven disciples. Everyone's expressions turned grim and the atmosphere grew gloomy. They had entered the secret realm together, but few expected to be separated by death in such a short time. It was inevitably heartbreaking.
But cultivation was like this. One careless moment and you could fall. You just got used to it. At this moment, several elders returned. Everyone's faces were very ugly. Those Divine Soul elders had actually let a seriously injured man escape!
This was a tremendous humiliation!
They came back scowling and saw how many disciples had been lost. Their mood grew even more depressed. Among them, Canglan Sect suffered the worst, losing twenty-seven people. Wu Zongyuan's eye twitched and the murderous aura around him made people feel afraid.
No one dared speak again, afraid of angering the elders.
"Guhan Sect disciples, board the spirit boats!"
Liu Xingzhi was the first to break the silence. Unlike Wu Zongyuan, he wasn't petty and didn't want to kick someone when they were down.
Once the disciples boarded the spirit boats, he took off first.
The other sect disciples also boarded their boats, still discussing Xiao Heyun on the way back. From the elders' expressions, it was obvious they had failed. It was hard to believe Xiao Heyun could escape under pursuit by Divine Soul stage cultivators. No wonder he was able to kill Song Lantian and the others.
Thus, Xiao Heyun's name spread across the southern region, becoming a public enemy of the major sects. Outside the secret realm, Wu Zongyuan's face was dark as he released his spirit boat.
Thinking about this failure made his blood boil.
He had been responsible for leading the team out but failed to notice Xiao Heyun hiding among the disciples. Over ten disciples had died because of it. Such a major mistake would definitely bring punishment when he returned. More importantly, how could he save face after this?
Wu Zongyuan's murderous aura swirled, making him look terrifying.
"Xiao Heyun, huh? If I don't kill you, my name isn't Wu!"
Yun Yunzou glanced at him before boarding her spirit boat, but her mind was filled with Liu Xingzhi's heroic figure.
She felt motivated and threw herself into cultivation.
Sooner or later, she wanted to be as outstanding as Elder Liu!
…
On the way back, Song Wanníng was very relaxed.
Zhang Shuning didn't stay in her own room but moved into Song Wanníng's. She often found reasons to ask Song Wanníng questions to get closer.
At first, Song Wanníng thought Zhang Shuning was gentle and shy, but she soon found her to be very outgoing. Occasionally, she would crack jokes that made Song Wanníng laugh out loud.
Their relationship grew closer.
Jiang Cen grew more and more unhappy seeing this. Zhang Shuning had gained an opportunity and would advance once back.
Song Wanníng, that bitch, had already advanced inside the secret realm!
"Who was that idiot who sneaked up on me from behind?"
Jiang Cen still didn't know who had attacked her. The person capable of seriously injuring her must be extraordinary. They had also taken her storage ring, so their cultivation must be high.
She suspected Song Wanníng, but Song Wanníng's cultivation was only late Void Refinement. It was unlikely she could do such a thing.
The more Jiang Cen thought about it, the more frustrated she became. She swore to find her father and make him settle things for her. Whoever hurt her would be found.
As for Yue Lin's Shadow Stone, she didn't worry.
Even if it was evidence against her, her father would cover for her. No one could touch her!
Thinking of this, Jiang Cen sneered.