Chapter 396 - 402: Scheming Against Jiang Cen Again

Yue Lin bowed deeply to Song Wanning, both to thank her for saving his life and to express his submission and admiration.

He had never expected Song Wanning’s strength to be so formidable and was even more ashamed of his prior arrogance.

Seeing this, the other disciples also bowed.

"Thank you for saving our lives, Senior Sister Song!!!"

The Cultivation World revered strength, and the disciples were completely won over by Song Wanning, even feeling a faint sense of excitement.

"There’s no need for such formalities. Rise."

Song Wanning wasn’t bothered by the change in how they addressed her. This was precisely the outcome she had wanted.

’If you have strength, there’s no need to hide it. It’s best that everyone knows!’

"We are all fellow disciples. Anyone in my position would have stepped in to help. You don’t need to dwell on it."

She sheathed her Longsword and picked up the jade pendant that had fallen to the ground, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.

’This was the Magical Treasure that protected Song Lan Tian. It’s actually a very decent defensive treasure. It was just unfortunate for her that it’s protected by a restrictive seal, and my Immortal Artifact, the jade hairpin, happens to be able to pass through any restriction...’

’So, Song Lan Tian couldn’t complain about her death.’

Yue Lin and the others straightened up, the way they looked at Song Wanning completely transformed.

Now, they looked to Song Wanning to lead.

They wouldn’t dare have any disloyal thoughts.

"Collect all the Storage Rings, and while you’re at it, dispose of the bodies."

Song Wanning was also remarkably adept at delegating tasks. She possessed an imposing aura that commanded respect without any show of anger, making it clear she had once held a high position.

The disciples obediently did as they were told, quickly disposing of all the bodies.

"It’s a good thing this Secret Realm cuts off all contact with the outside world. Otherwise, if a powerful expert had left a Divine Thought on her, we wouldn’t have been able to stop it!"

The disciples of the Ancient Cold Sect were incredibly relieved.

A Secret Realm was dangerous, but it was truly an excellent place to take revenge. No wonder so many disciples perished every time...

Yue Lin didn’t speak. Instead, he presented the collected Storage Rings to Song Wanning. At the same time, he took out a stone that glowed with a gray luster and handed it to her as well.

"Senior Sister Song, if you hadn’t helped us, we’d all be dead by now. So all of these things belong to you. We have no objections!"

The other disciples chimed in, "That’s right, we have no objections!"

"Is this a Heavenly Stone?"

Song Wanning raised her eyebrows in surprise, instantly understanding why they had been fighting to the death over it.

The Heavenly Stone was an extremely rare, top-grade material for refining Magical Treasures.

Rumor had it that if a Heavenly Stone was added during refinement, the resulting Magical Treasure could birth an Artifact Spirit, multiplying its power.

Song Wanning’s current Longsword was one she had refined herself after reaching the Golden Core Stage. Although she had added some materials to it, it was now struggling to keep up with her level of power.

She had already been thinking about finding time to properly re-refine it, but she never expected the solution to fall right into her hands like this.

"Alright, I’ll take the Heavenly Stone. You all can divide these few Storage Rings among yourselves!"

She picked out several Storage Rings and handed them over.

’They contributed as well; there’s no need for me to take everything.’

"Thank you, Senior Sister Song!"

As expected, the disciples were delighted. They each chose a Storage Ring and transferred its contents into their own.

They didn’t even dare to take items that might have a Divine Soul Mark on them, because once they left the Secret Realm, it was highly likely those powerful experts would be able to sense them.

Then, those experts would know who the killers were, which would undoubtedly attract a mountain of trouble.

Moreover, they couldn’t keep the Storage Rings themselves and could only discard them here.

But Song Wanning had no such concerns, directly placing the few Storage Rings and the Heavenly Stone into her internal world.

Seeing her do this, their respect for her deepened even further.

Song Wanning was mysterious and powerful, far beyond their league.

’Her future is surely limitless. We have to build a good relationship with Song Wanning.’

After the simple distribution of loot, Song Wanning had no intention of lingering.

But seeing the disciples staring at her with such expectant eyes, a thought suddenly struck her.

’There are advantages to having a larger group. If we work together, we might gain even more.’

So she smiled and asked, "Are you interested in cooperating with me?"

"Yes, yes, yes!!!"

...

Half a month later, Song Wanning’s clone led the group, and by working together, they explored many places and acquired quite a few good things.

The disciples were completely captivated by Song Wanning’s charisma, their eyes filled with adoration whenever they looked at her.

Even Yue Lin was no exception.

He had never admired anyone so much; Song Wanning was the first.

’He secretly resolved to follow Song Wanning forever and become her loyal subordinate.’

’As long as Song Wanning wouldn’t cast him aside, he would do whatever she commanded!’

Meanwhile, Jiang Cen had also obtained some good things, but she was still not satisfied.

’Failing to snatch the opportunity was one thing, but Zhang Shuning had to die!’

’As long as the female lead was alive, she, the vicious supporting character, would never have a chance to turn her fate around.’

She tried every method she could think of to find Zhang Shuning, and today, she finally discovered her location.

A vicious glint flashed in Jiang Cen’s eyes as she stealthily followed.

And Song Wanning saw all of this unfold.

The corner of her lip curled up. She took out a Memory Stone and recorded the scene reflected in the Three Lives Mirror.

’The first step in dealing with Jiang Cen isn’t as simple as just snatching her opportunities.’

’I’ll use this chance to drag the powers behind her into this.’

’So what if their Cultivation is profound?’

’When they can’t withstand the pressure of public opinion, they’ll have no choice but to commit even more wrongs to bury the truth.’

’Sooner or later, their day of defeat will come.’

...

"Zhang Shuning, did you really think you could escape?"

Jiang Cen blocked Zhang Shuning’s escape route, a cold light flashing in her eyes.

Today, she would make sure Zhang Shuning died a miserable death.

"Jiang Cen, why is it you?"

Zhang Shuning’s heart sank. She had been extremely careful, but she’d still been followed.

And of all people, it was Jiang Cen.

Her heart tightened as she sensed Jiang Cen’s malice.

"Zhang Shuning, are you surprised to see me?"

Jiang Cen spoke as she sized up the Flame Pool behind Zhang Shuning.

’As long as I push Zhang Shuning in, her death is certain.’

"I came here, naturally, to see you off on your final journey. After all, as long as you’re around, Liu Xingzhi will never see me!"

The thought of that cold man, who only treated Zhang Shuning differently, made her sick to her stomach.

Zhang Shuning’s expression darkened, and she gripped her weapon tightly.

"You are my Master’s junior martial sister, which makes you my Martial Aunt!"

If not for this status, she and her master would have completely cut ties with Jiang Cen long ago.

To Jiang Cen’s ears, those words were a joke.

A sharp glint flashed in her eyes as she slowly advanced on Zhang Shuning.

"It’s just the two of us here now. Even if you die, no one will suspect me."

"Today, only one of us will leave this place alive!"

With that, she launched an attack directly at Zhang Shuning.

Zhang Shuning knew this battle was unavoidable. Killing intent flashed in her eyes as she struck back with equal ferocity.

Even if her Grandmaster were to punish her for it later, she wouldn’t hesitate!

’She had long since had enough of Jiang Cen!’