There was a map laid out on the paper.
Song Wanníng glanced at it but couldn't make out the details, then withdrew her gaze.
Baili Shang, however, unfolded the map openly in front of her.
"This is a map of the Central Region, smuggled out at great risk by a demon clan cultivator hundreds of years ago," he said, pointing at a location on the map.
"This place is called the Demon God Tomb. It is said to be where the ancient Demon God fell."
Demon God Tomb?
Song Wanníng's heart suddenly sank, her eyes darting quickly toward the spot.
Could this be the Demon God she knew?
What Baili Shang said next shocked her even more.
"Legend says the Demon God once found the Demon God Origin... but with her demise, the Demon God Origin disappeared as well. If I'm right, the Demon God Origin is most likely hidden within this Demon God Tomb!"
His expression was serious, eyes burning with determination.
The Demon God Origin was immensely important to him—he might even become the next Demon God. He dared to tell Song Wanníng this because she was a spirit cultivator. Even if she obtained the Demon God Origin, it would be useless to her, so there was no need to compete.
What Baili Shang did not know was that Song Wanníng's mind shook greatly at these words, though she kept her expression calm.
The Demon God Origin had long since been obtained by her, fused into her internal world.
Her face was serene, but her thoughts raced.
Had Baili Shang noticed her anomaly and was testing her?
She had to be cautious!
"Since you have the map, you can find the tomb yourself. Why tell me? I can't help."
Song Wanníng sipped her tea, eyes fixed unblinkingly on Baili Shang, trying to read his true intentions.
"Huo Jinchuan would not have brought us here just for a pill formula. There must be other motives.
Therefore, I need to cooperate with you. Only by escaping together will we have a chance to seek the Demon God Tomb."
Baili Shang's gaze darkened as he said, "I know you are clever, and your strength is far beyond what you show. I trust my judgment."
Song Wanníng was no ordinary person—his instincts were usually accurate.
"So, if you cooperate with me, I will help you achieve your goals."
Though he did not know why Song Wanníng had come, he was willing to do whatever he could.
As for Xiao Heyun... that fool was better left out.
He might just ruin the plan.
After making his request, Baili Shang quietly finished his tea.
If Song Wanníng refused cooperation, it didn't matter. It would just make things harder for him.
The room was very quiet. Song Wanníng pretended to ponder Baili Shang's words, but inside she had already made her decision.
Demon God Tomb—she wanted to see it too. Maybe she could meet the Demon God's remnant soul again.
As for the Demon God Origin, since it was now part of her, Baili Shang would never detect it.
So he intended to use him to take down Huo Jinchuan.
As for the map—
Song Wanníng smiled coldly in her heart. It was definitely fake.
"Fine, I agree, but I have a condition!"
She said seriously, "I want you to help me steal the Dan Sect's pill refining inheritance."
Baili Shang was speechless.
So Song Wanníng had come for the Alchemy inheritance after all?
He lifted his head, staring into Song Wanníng's eyes, trying to read her expression but only saw his own reflection in her bright gaze.
He looked away and nodded.
No matter what, the apparent cooperation was settled.
How things would develop from there was no longer controllable.
...
Under cover of night, Baili Shang left Song Wanníng's room.
Just as he closed the door, Xiao Heyun opened his own.
Xiao Heyun's cold gaze landed on Song Wanníng, full of criticism and suspicion, like a betrayed spouse silently accusing her.
Song Wanníng's eyes darkened. Suddenly she thought of something and kicked a nearby stone.
Xiao Heyun's lower body tensed instantly, his muscles clenching reflexively, his expression briefly horrified.
"Pfft—"
Song Wanníng laughed aloud, her clear laughter echoing around.
The thick mockery in her tone made Xiao Heyun's face turn black with embarrassment. He wished he could disappear into a hole.
He hurried back to his room and slammed the door shut.
In front of Song Wanníng, his fake persona could not last even a minute.
"Damn it, that bitch actually dared to mock me!"
Xiao Heyun smashed everything in his room, eyes full of hatred.
"Host, remember always: that person is your enemy, not your woman!"
The system's patience was wearing thin.
Xiao Heyun still felt an inexplicable possessiveness toward Song Wanníng. Upon hearing Baili Shang came to visit her at midnight, he rushed out in a panic. But what did she have to do with him?
No, if this kept up, he would be dragged down by this fool.
The system must find a new host!
Baili Shang?
Huo Jinchuan?
Both men were top-tier, powerful and influential. They would have no trouble winning women's hearts, far better than Xiao Heyun.
But how to break the connection with Xiao Heyun?
The system fell silent.
...
The next morning, an elder of the Dan Sect personally led the three on a tour of the sect, even allowing them into the library to read books.
Soon, everyone in the Dan Sect knew about them and that they were here to repair the pill formula.
"Hmph, we can't do it, how could those country bumpkins from the Four Regions?" some disciples scoffed, doubting Huo Jinchuan's decision.
Others thought he was right.
"The Alchemy traditions of the Four Regions may be different from ours. We can't do it, but maybe they can."
"Do you think they will stay in the Dan Sect from now on? Once inside the Central Region, they may never leave!"
"That's possible. Maybe they will become our junior brothers and sisters."
"Ha, who wants to be siblings with those people?"
Everywhere they went, disciples whispered and looked down on them. Song Wanníng and the others pretended not to see the contempt but felt colder inside.
Especially Song Wanníng, who was reminded of her experience in the Secluded Land.
Those people were just as arrogant, thinking outsiders were just country bumpkins unworthy to associate with. She narrowed her eyes, a murderous gleam flashing in them.
The Central Region only dared to act so arrogantly because of the spatial barrier.
Once the barrier was destroyed, the thick spiritual energy would disperse to the Four Regions.
Who looked down on whom would be uncertain.
But the thought passed quickly. Her priority was to weaken Huo Jinchuan's Luck.