Free Web NovelChapter 362: Chapter 362: Old Grudge
Song Wanning opened the gate to Leng Qingzhu’s courtyard and found the nearest house to settle into for the time being.
She opened her Storage Bag. Inside lay ten Top-grade Spirit Stones, a book of sect rules, and a book introducing the sect’s current situation.
She first took out the book of sect rules to read. It wasn’t long before her brows furrowed; she now understood what Zhang Shuning meant when she warned her there would be trouble.
It turned out there were two types of True Disciples in the Ancient Cold Sect. The first type consisted of the direct disciples of elders, like Zhang Shuning.
The other type consisted of True Disciples who had fought their way to the top, a roster that could change at any time each month.
Inner Sect disciples and Outer Disciples alike could challenge them. The winner would become the new True Disciple, while the loser would fall back to their original position and wait for the next chance to win.
The purpose of this system was to foster the disciples’ fighting spirit and combat strength. The effect was remarkable; every disciple of the Ancient Cold Sect possessed considerable combat prowess, and all its True Disciples were genuinely skilled individuals.
Now, as an Ascender who had inexplicably taken a True Disciple spot without being the apprentice of any elder, she was bound to arouse the dissatisfaction of other disciples. It was likely that many people would challenge her.
If it were anyone else, they would already be worrying about how to handle the situation.
But Song Wanning wasn’t afraid. On the contrary, she was filled with fighting spirit.
In the Lower World, it had been a long time since she had met a worthy opponent for a good, satisfying fight.
If she could find opponents in the Ancient Cold Sect, it would also be a great way to improve her own strength.
And while Song Wanning didn’t particularly care for the title of True Disciple, she wasn’t willing to just hand it over.
She was well aware of the importance of status; it was directly related to the influence she would have in the future.
Therefore, if the Ancient Cold Sect was a place worth staying in, she wouldn’t mind climbing her way up, step by step.
After all, she despised the feeling of being constrained by others.
After finishing the sect rules, Song Wanning turned to the book about the sect’s current situation.
It contained a detailed record of the Ancient Cold Sect’s present state.
The Ancient Cold Sect currently had three Supreme Elders at the Body Integration Realm, one ancestor at the Mahayana Realm, several other elders at the Divine Separation Stage, and over a hundred thousand disciples under its banner. It was a Major Sect in the truest sense.
It was also one of the five Major Sects of the Southern Domain.
’No wonder they aren’t the least bit afraid of the Medicine King Sect’s pursuit. They truly have the power to back it up.’
’At the very least, they can protect me openly. As for everything else...’
’I’ll have to rely on myself.’
Song Wanning carefully read through the information, then calmed her mind and resumed her cultivation.
Now that her master hadn’t returned, she didn’t dare to rashly inspect the Twin Blood Lotus here, lest she attract trouble.
’It’s best to just cultivate diligently and wait for Master’s return.’
「...」
Back at the Medicine King Sect, Wu Qingfeng reported all the news to Mu Zixu.
After listening, Mu Zixu didn’t say a word, appearing perfectly calm.
But Wu Qingfeng knew this was a sign that the old ancestor was furious. An affair he thought would be a simple catch had run into so many complications.
He felt so ashamed he couldn’t even lift his head in front of the old ancestor.
"So her name is Song Wanning?"
Mu Zixu let out a cold laugh, the killing intent in his eyes flashing for a brief moment.
"To be able to summon the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder means she is anything but ordinary. But now that we are enemies, we absolutely cannot allow her to grow stronger."
Only now was he finally willing to admit that he had misjudged her. The mere fact that this woman could draw the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder proved her talent was extraordinary.
But Song Wanning had scattered his remnant soul and desecrated his memorial tablet. That alone made them mortal enemies, to say nothing of the prior hunt.
It was all an irreconcilable feud.
Once Song Wanning grew stronger, the one to suffer would surely be the Medicine King Sect in the Lower World.
Mu Zixu could not allow his foundation to be destroyed by the hands of a mere woman.
"We can’t deal with her openly now, so you find a way to kill her in secret. This is extremely important. You must not underestimate her!"
"And don’t send those other disciples. They’ll just be throwing their lives away. You go yourself!"
Mu Zixu knew just how tenacious people like her could be; he had no desire to sacrifice those disciples.
"Yes. This disciple will see it done and will not disappoint the old ancestor again."
Mu Zixu was the Medicine King Sect’s foundation in the Immortal Realm. They were all counting on following him after they ascended, so naturally, they wouldn’t dare to displease him.
"Mm."
Mu Zixu nodded, and in the next instant, he severed the connection with Wu Qingfeng.
His face was grim, his expression incredibly ugly.
’That woman escaped our pursuit yet again. Her luck is just too good.’
’But the more this happens, the more I need to find a way to kill her. I hope Wu Qingfeng won’t disappoint me.’
Annoyed, he got up and left the room. He was just about to go find Wang Yang when he ran into the person he detested most.
"Tsk, if it isn’t Master Mu Zixu?"
A teasing voice came from ahead, laced with a hint of mockery.
The temper Mu Zixu had just managed to suppress instantly flared up again.
’So what if you beat me in the Alchemy Dao competition a few days ago?’
’Is there any need to be so arrogant?’
’Sooner or later, I’ll win it back!’
Mu Zixu looked at the approaching figure with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He curled his lip in a sneer and said, "Junior Brother Daoqing, I hear there’s a fire in your own backyard. Your disciples are at each other’s throats. I wonder which one will come out on top?"
Recently, everyone in the sect knew that Daoqing’s disciples didn’t get along, the main conflict being between his youngest female disciple and his eldest female disciple.
He naturally knew how to strike Daoqing where it hurt.
Sure enough, Daoqing’s face immediately darkened.
A sharp gaze shot toward him, and Mu Zixu met it without backing down.
An invisible clash of blades and shadows swirled between the two of them, and the tense atmosphere was only broken when a disciple passed by and greeted them.
"Hmph!"
Finding each other completely disagreeable, they passed one another with dissatisfaction and went their separate ways.
’A bunch of disgraceful brats! They’ve made me lose all my face!’
Daoqing hurried back toward his own mountain peak.
He and Mu Zixu had ascended from different Lower Worlds. Because they were both prodigies of the Alchemy Dao, they had been at odds from the very beginning.
Mu Zixu was arrogant and conceited, and he himself was proud and haughty. Since ascending, they had clashed countless times.
He had won the last Alchemy Dao competition, which had infuriated Mu Zixu to no end.
He had thought he could finally let out a breath of relief, but who knew his own disciples would bring him such shame.
Daoqing took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart.
’Those disciples are being influenced by the little one. If this continues, something bad is bound to happen!’
’This won’t do. I’ll go back right now, assign them missions, and make them all get out.’
’As for my youngest disciple, I’ll keep her by my side. I’ll discipline her properly. As long as I guide her patiently, she should change.’
’If she truly remains obstinate, then she can’t blame me for being ruthless.’
’Even if she saved my life, that doesn’t give her the right to manipulate me as she pleases.’
At this thought, Daoqing found himself missing that young lady, Song Wanning, even more.
Whether it was her attainments and insights in the Alchemy Dao, or her conduct and way of handling things, she was exceptionally to his liking.
And yet, he could only watch her from afar.
’Truly, fate plays tricks on people!’
