Chapter 403 - 409: Exiting the Secret Realm

Not long after they left, Song Wanning made an excuse to part ways with Zhang Shuning. She still had to rendezvous with her clone and couldn’t bring Zhang Shuning along.

Zhang Shuning didn’t ask any questions and left on her own.

Her mind was now consumed with how she would report the incident to her master, and what her master’s reaction would be once she found out.

’To be honest, she wasn’t confident at all. After all, Jiang Cen was the Grand Master’s own daughter, doted on since she was a child, and had never suffered the slightest grievance.’

’Her master held the Grand Master in the highest esteem. And besides, I didn’t die. Would my master really choose to just smooth things over?’

Zhang Shuning fell silent. Her once bright, beautiful eyes clouded over with a complex emotion, and a bitter smile touched her lips.

’Her master can only endure it when she herself is bullied. I shouldn’t be so naive.’

...

The countdown for the Secret Realm had begun. Song Wanning rendezvoused with her clone and headed toward the entrance.

’I have to be the first one out as soon as the portal opens. After all, I’m still waiting to intercept that idiot, Xiao Heyun!’

Outside the Secret Realm, five prominent figures were still waiting for their disciples to emerge. Their expressions were all grave. Every venture into the Secret Realm resulted in the loss of many disciples, and they worried their own sects would suffer severe casualties this time as well.

At the same time, the number of disciples who made it out alive was a silent competition. Each of them hoped their Sect would come out on top and win this round.

"Mr. Liu, I imagine your Ancient Cold Sect will have the most disciples returning this time, won’t you? After all, the winner of the last great tournament was from your Sect."

"Heh heh heh—"

Canglan Sect’s elder, Wu Zongyuan, was looking at Liu Xingzhi with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. His sarcastic tone made the other three elders turn to look.

In the last tournament for the younger generation, the Ancient Cold Sect’s Yue Lin had defeated the Canglan Sect’s Song Lan Tian to take first place.

The Canglan Sect had come just short of defending their title, and they were naturally resentful about it.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xingzhi merely shot Wu Zongyuan a cold glance. "We’ll know when they emerge."

He had no interest in bickering with Wu Zongyuan, and he knew full well of Wu Zongyuan’s displeasure with him.

After all, he had consistently outshone Wu Zongyuan since they were young, even suppressing him during a past expedition into a Secret Realm.

Wu Zongyuan was a vindictive man by nature, and he had caused no small amount of trouble over the years.

"Hmph..."

Wu Zongyuan was so infuriated by Liu Xingzhi’s arrogance that he let out a short, sharp laugh. He shot Liu Xingzhi a venomous glare, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.

’Long before they entered the Secret Realm, I instructed Song Lan Tian to target the Ancient Cold Sect disciples whenever possible. I even ordered her to lead a team to annihilate them.’

’The Ancient Cold Sect disciples must have suffered grievous losses this time...’

A smirk formed on Wu Zongyuan’s lips. ’Be arrogant now, why don’t you? Once the disciples come out, you won’t have anything to be arrogant about!’

His eyes gleamed with anticipation, eager to watch the show unfold as the disciples emerged.

Finally, the time came for the Secret Realm to close.

A group of disciples who had been waiting by the exit were the first to be ejected.

They were from various sects. After exchanging glances, they all headed toward their respective encampments.

Song Wanning was among them, striding toward Liu Xingzhi.

"Elder Liu, someone from the Eastern Domain’s Qingyun Sect infiltrated the Secret Realm! I’ve seen him before!"

She made no effort to lower her voice, speaking directly to Liu Xingzhi.

Her words immediately drew a chorus of agreement from the disciples of the other sects.

"That’s right, Elder! Some kid from the Eastern Domain snuck into our Secret Realm and even obtained a divine beast!"

"Elder, that kid triggered several beast tides and got a lot of disciples injured! We can’t let him get away!"

The crowd of disciples immediately began complaining to their elders. When the elders heard that someone had obtained a divine beast, their expressions instantly shifted.

A divine beast?

That was a temptation even they couldn’t resist.

And to think he had snuck into the Secret Realm right under their noses—it was a slap in the face to all of them!

"Bastards! Someone from the Eastern Domain dared to sneak into a Southern Domain Secret Realm? They’re courting death!"

Wu Zongyuan was the most furious, his interest also piqued by the divine beast.

"If he comes out, I’ll make sure he learns the meaning of a fate worse than death!"

The other elders’ expressions were just as grim. Someone from the Eastern Domain had slipped in, and none of them had noticed. If word of this got out, they would become a laughingstock.

"Point him out to me when he appears."

Liu Xingzhi didn’t make any threats, simply giving Song Wanning a quiet command.

"Alright!"

Song Wanning nodded and stood languidly beside Liu Xingzhi, waiting for the others to return.

Disciples continued to emerge one after another. Many were injured, some even missing arms or legs, but at least their lives were spared. They would recover after returning to the Sect and taking some Elixir Pills.

Many other Cultivators, like Song Wanning, had also encountered fortuitous opportunities. Their Cultivation had advanced, and they flew out looking refreshed and invigorated.

Wu Zongyuan stood in his encampment, his expression growing more and more grave as time went on.

The Canglan Sect had the fewest returning disciples so far, and what’s more, Song Lan Tian was nowhere to be seen.

He frowned. ’The Ancient Cold Sect couldn’t have known about our plan,’ he thought. ’Song Lan Tian should be fine, right?’

But his expression quickly darkened when he saw Yue Lin of the Ancient Cold Sect emerge!

Yue Lin was the person Song Lan Tian hated most, and he was her primary target. Now he had emerged unscathed, while Song Lan Tian was still missing...

A sense of foreboding crept over Wu Zongyuan.

"Senior Sister Song!"

The moment Yue Lin saw Song Wanning, he immediately went to her.

His change in attitude was so abrupt that it left the other Ancient Cold Sect disciples stunned.

After all, as the number one Void Refining Stage Cultivator of his generation on the Sky Curtain List, Yue Lin had always been highly respected. Before entering the Secret Realm, he had completely ignored Song Wanning.

How much time had passed? Not only was his attitude now friendly, but he was even calling her Senior Sister...

Many disciples found the scene surreal, their eyes darting back and forth between the two of them.

Song Wanning nodded, giving him a meaningful look.

’Yue Lin is not on good terms with Jiang Cen’s faction. That’s why I tossed the Memory Stone to him. I hope he doesn’t disappoint me.’

More disciples emerged, among them the very same people she had saved earlier.

"Senior Sister Song!"

The small group approached and greeted her respectfully, further baffling the other disciples of the Ancient Cold Sect.

But they weren’t fools. They all knew in their hearts that they could no longer afford to underestimate Song Wanning.

Especially considering she had ascended less than a year ago and had already advanced two entire stages. What kind of speed was that?

’Not even Elder Liu had been that fast back in his day!’

Liu Xingzhi also cast another glance at Song Wanning.

He was well aware of the strength of the person he had personally brought back to the Sect.

’Someone who could survive an encounter with a Medicine King Sect elder right after ascending couldn’t possibly be ordinary.’

’But... why hasn’t my apprentice emerged yet?’

’And Jiang Cen.’

’Though I dislike Jiang Cen, I was entrusted by my own master to look after her...’

At this thought, the cold aura emanating from Liu Xingzhi intensified.

Song Wanning glanced up at him, a derisive smirk playing on her lips.

’I, too, am quite curious. Between his master’s wishes and his own apprentice, how will Elder Liu choose?’