Song Wanníng's expression darkened, the shadows in the hidden cave deepening the sharp lines of her face. The Mùsù star system had prepared for this invasion a long time ago, planting seeds of discord and systems of control across the realms while the cultivators remained oblivious.
Now, the moment was critical, a tipping point between survival and total subjugation. She had to race against time to flush out those people—the system carriers and hidden agents—ideally resolving everything before the final invasion forces could arrive at the world's edge.
With such a heavy goal weighing on her, she prepared to forge her spiritual sword, knowing her current blade would not withstand the coming storms. So for the next few days, she stayed in the cave, the air shimmering with the heat of the Shenyou Mystic Flame and the Red Lotus Karma Fire as she attempted to temper the foreign material.
At Wuji Sect, several top cultivators sat together in a cramped, austere space where the air hummed with the immense spiritual pressure of their combined presence. When Mo Yang Xiānzūn finished speaking, his voice trailing off into the stillness, the room fell completely silent. These were the highest-ranking figures of Wuji Sect, the pillars of their world. Some were Zhunsheng, and one was a Hunyuan Daluo Jinxian, their auras so refined they seemed to blend into the very fabric of the room.
They were just one step away from ascension to a higher state of existence. But that one step had taken Song Wanníng thousands of years in her own journey, and she still could not cross it. She had grown calm through those ages, sitting there so quietly in spirit that it was easy to overlook her presence even when she was the center of the conversation. Today, they had gathered to discuss the matter of the invaders and the looming threat from the Mùsù star system.
Everyone was hearing of it for the first time and listened skeptically, their long-cultivated composure masking their internal doubt.
"Mo Yang, are you sure everything that girl said is true?" A Zhunsheng frowned as he asked, his voice echoing slightly in the small chamber. They all knew Mo Yang would not speak without reason or a solid foundation, but they knew nothing about Song Wanníng. To them, she was an unknown variable. She had just ascended from the lower realms, and her background was unclear. Could Mo Yang have been deceived by a clever facade?
"This is absolutely true. I guarantee that Song Wanníng has not lied in the slightest!" Mo Yang Xiānzūn's expression was serious as he replied solemnly, his eyes meeting each of his elders in turn. "The previous monster invasions already proved the problem. You all know, Martial Uncles, those monsters destroyed the Golden Dragon Clan and several other ancient races. They have not fully recovered since those tragedies.
After my last encounter and the evidence she provided, I finally discovered the monsters' origin," he continued. "The Mùsù star system's intentions are clear. If we ignore this, when they invade in full force, none of us will escape the fallout!"
Mo Yang Xiānzūn's trust was not blind. He had seen everything himself, from the manipulation of the Yao clan to the strange mechanics of the system she had captured. Everything Song Wanníng had done, he had witnessed with his own eyes. It was not just for herself, but for the safety of the whole world. Now, the top figures of Wuji Sect had to believe it too, so they could consult the other leaders and form a united front.
That is the difference cultivation makes—the power to command attention and demand action. Mo Yang Xiānzūn paused, still dissatisfied with his own cultivation level. No matter how talented he was, if he reached the rank of Hunyuan Daluo Jinxian, he would not have to spend so much time persuading anyone; he could just act, and the world would follow his lead.
After his repeated assurances and the weight of his testimony, the other top figures finally believed him, their skepticism replaced by a grim realization.
"We are not saying we do not trust you, it is just that this matter is huge," one of the elders admitted, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the stone table. "One mistake and the whole Wuji Sect suffers for generations. Since you guarantee it, we will take it seriously. After further discussion among ourselves, we will approach the elders of the other sects. You can rest assured."
"Protecting the world is not just Wuji Sect's responsibility," another added. Their expressions grew heavy. Learning the world would be invaded by an outside civilization was not something anyone could rejoice over.
Mo Yang Xiānzūn nodded, then spoke thoughtfully, "Back then, to change the seal and save the lower realm from certain destruction, Song Wanníng and the others ascended directly, even bringing immense merit power with them! The Heavenly Dao never wrongs anyone who has worked hard."
The room fell silent again at his words, the mention of merit power catching their interest. Then someone teased, "What, you think we are that selfish in your eyes? Are you worried we will not take it seriously unless there is merit involved?"
Mo Yang Xiānzūn's thoughts had been seen through, but he did not feel embarrassed. He merely adjusted his sleeves. "I just think it is necessary to inform you of the full context, Martial Uncles."
"Heh heh heh—" They all laughed suddenly, the tension in the room breaking for a brief moment.
"You have grown a bit wiser since we last saw you!" one of the elders chuckled. "That is good. I always said your 'ruthless path' was unreliable for a leader. This is much better!"
"Ha ha ha…" Everyone laughed. They had always had high hopes for Mo Yang Xiānzūn, and seeing him change and grow more grounded made them happy.
Mo Yang Xiānzūn allowed a small smile to appear on his lips. Now he understood the ruthless path differently and had changed considerably since meeting the cultivators from the lower realm. But it still was not enough. He had to quickly improve his cultivation. Otherwise, when the real war came and the skies opened up, he could not protect his disciples or his sect.
-
In the cave, Song Wanníng kept forging her spiritual sword, the rhythmic clanging of her hammers echoing against the stone walls. Since she was not particularly skilled in the art of forging, trying to integrate the system material into her blade was proving to be extremely difficult. After several days of constant effort and intense heat, the black material had not melted a bit; it remained as cold and stubborn as the day she found it.
She had no choice but to stop, her brow slick with sweat. It was no wonder the forge failed; the Mùsù star system had carefully selected this material for its durability and resistance to elemental forces. It could not be melted easily by standard cultivation flames. But that also proved its extraordinary quality.
She stared at the material, unwilling to give up, but she didn't dwell on the failure for too long. She stored it away in her spatial ring. She refused to believe she could not find a way to forge it eventually! Determination flashed in her eyes. She tidied up her tools, extinguished the flames, and left the cave.
She did not have a specific goal in mind, so she just wandered in a random direction, her steps taking her across vast plains and through ancient forests. The journey went smoothly, and in the blink of an eye, half a year passed. Song Wanníng had not encountered any other awakened invaders during her travels, which surprised her given the urgency she felt.
That day, she arrived at Wángyōu City, a bustling metropolis under the jurisdiction of the Xiāndào Sect. The city had a mysterious origin that every traveler seemed to know. Legend said a god, drunk and wandering the Immortal Realm after a celestial feast, drank from a lake here and immediately forgot all sorrow, hence the name Wangyao City—the City of Forgotten Sorrows.
Of course, this was probably false. Both the God Realm and the Immortal Realm obeyed the laws of the Heavenly Dao, and a deity could not just come down to the lower planes on a whim. Even if a consciousness descended, it would be through forbidden methods, severely limiting their cultivation and risking a massive backlash from the world's spirit. So the story was hardly credible to someone like her.
Still, the lake became famous across the realms, and every year cultivators came from far and wide to drink from its waters. Curious about the local lore and the spiritual quality of the place, she came to see for herself.
The city was bustling with life. The streets were full of outsiders, many of whom were from the various lower realms, speaking in a dozen different accents and wearing exotic robes. Many noticed Song Wanníng as she moved through the crowd and stole a few glances at her. No matter where she was, her beauty and the cold aura she carried drew attention, though she remained unaware of the stir she caused.
She wandered casually through the markets, heading straight for the legendary Divine Water Lake at the city's heart. Before she got close to the shore, she overheard departing cultivators excitedly chatting, their faces flushed with hope.
"I heard drinking from this lake brings a god's blessing," one man said, clutching a small vial. "Our chances of ascending to the God Realm increase with every drop!"
"When we face our next tribulations, the thunder will be lighter!" his companion added, nodding vigorously.
"Exactly, I just drank two big cups myself!" another chimed in. "I feel lighter already."