Situ Yue was completely panicked, screaming and shouting in desperation.
She was terrified, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes.
"Dao Qing, I saved your life! Why are you doing this to me?"
"Why? Even if I was wrong, it's not a crime worth death!"
Her tearful accusations echoed through the entire forest.
But the two in front of her didn't flinch in the slightest, their cold eyes fixed on her. The way they looked at her drove her into utter despair.
"Song Wanníng, I was wrong, I really was… I was just jealous of you…
I didn't mean to hurt you, please don't kill me. Please… I'm begging you…"
Situ Yue had lost all her initial arrogance and insults, because she knew such tactics wouldn't work on Dao Qing.
All she could do was beg helplessly, crying so hard she was on the verge of fainting. If it were only Song Wanníng, maybe she'd still have a sliver of hope.
But with Dao Qing here controlling the situation, she had nowhere to escape. Through her tear-blurred vision, she stared at Dao Qing, unable to understand how he could turn so cold, so heartless…
"Do it."
Dao Qing didn't want to see her accusing gaze any longer, so he ruthlessly turned his head away.
As an invader, this was Situ Yue's final fate. She had schemed against others and occupied the body of the real Situ Yue, causing an outstanding cultivator to fall and disappear.
Her very existence had been a mistake.
Even if she hadn't committed any crimes, Dao Qing would still support Song Wanníng's decision.
The higher one's cultivation, the clearer the burden and responsibility of the Heavenly Dao becomes, and the less tolerance there is for anyone trying to mess with it. So there was no room for negotiation.
Seeing Dao Qing's firm stance, Song Wanníng no longer hesitated. She stepped closer to Situ Yue, her long sword already drawn.
Situ Yue shrank back, trembling all over. "Don't kill me… please don't kill me…
I'm begging you, please don't…"
She had nothing left but desperate pleas.
Song Wanníng swung her sword without any hesitation.
"Ah—"
Situ Yue screamed in collapse and fear, her heart racing, wishing she could self-destruct and drag Song Wanníng down with her.
But under Dao Qing's oppressive presence, she couldn't move at all. She could only watch in fear and resentment as the sword came down, her eyes filled with despair. She screamed once, and the sword struck as expected.
This time, no heavenly thunder intervened.
Situ Yue was easily cut down by Song Wanníng, her head cleaved cleanly in two.
Her primordial soul was shattered completely, leaving no chance at all.
Boom—
Her body toppled to either side with a muffled thud. Dust flew, blurring her unwilling gaze.
Song Wanníng sheathed her sword, wiping the blood clean, her expression icy. She stepped aside, giving Dao Qing space.
Dao Qing was silent for a long while, staring at Situ Yue's body with a mix of emotions. After all, she had been his disciple for quite some time.
"Ah—"
He sighed, dug a pit nearby, and burned the body before burying it. It was as if their master-disciple bond had been fully honored.
"Let's go."
He no longer dwelled on it and left with Song Wanníng.
Along the way, Song Wanníng pondered how many invaders might still exist in the Immortal Realm.
Was it really only Situ Yue? The Mùsù star system was already in panic, likely not able to hold out much longer. What would it do to this world in the end?
Her mind was in chaos, imagining countless terrible possibilities. Whatever happened, if it involved this matter, she would have to intervene. She just hoped that day would come slowly. She had only just ascended and wasn't ready at all.
Not long after, Song Wanníng and Dao Qing parted ways.
Dao Qing returned to Wuji Sect, while Song Wanníng continued her journey at her own pace. He still had explanations to give to a few disciples, while she casually chose a direction and moved slowly.
A month passed, and Song Wanníng sat in a loft, sipping tea.
Suddenly, a figure appeared beside her.
Song Wanníng glanced over and recognized the Buddhist cultivator she'd met once before.
"Donor, long time no see." The Buddhist cultivator's expression was calm, a faint smile in their eyes as they stared at Song Wanníng.
She met their gaze, a mocking smile curling on her lips.
"Weren't you watching the last killing I did? Not too long ago, right?"
Her piercing eyes seemed to see through everything, making the cultivator chuckle softly.
"So you had noticed early on." The Buddhist cultivator composed themselves and said, "Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Tian Li. I intended to invite you to explore a secret place. Are you interested?"
Tian Li's tone was frank, not ashamed of having followed Song Wanníng before.
Song Wanníng snorted coldly and didn't answer, slowly sipping her spirit tea.
When Feng San tried to intercept her back then, this person had been secretly watching. She had remained vigilant, but before Feng San was dealt with, the cultivator had already left, so she didn't pursue them.
But this person was definitely not harmless.
"Donor, are you still upset about that last incident?"
Tian Li smiled, casually picking up some food she ordered.
Song Wanníng shot him a cold glance, a gleam of frost in her eyes.
"I was merely impressed by your formidable merit power, so I wanted to observe a bit more. Didn't expect to witness that incident. Please, don't take it to heart."
Tian Li continued as if oblivious to her gaze, the corners of his mouth still curled in a smile.
"Also, I have a secret here… I wonder if you'd like to hear it?"
He moved closer to her, forcing Song Wanníng to instinctively step back.
Tian Li closed the distance again, leaving just a sliver of space, looking almost intimate.
Song Wanníng's expression darkened, her cold eyes locking on Tian Li, guessing at his true intentions.
She hadn't forgotten that countless lives weighed on this person.
Buddhist cultivator? Nothing but a malevolent monk.
Tian Li's eyes gleamed wickedly as he studied her exquisite face.
"Do you know the crisis the world is facing now? Do you know there are invaders in this world?"
His words made Song Wanníng's expression shift instantly.
What did Tian Li know?
"Don't worry, I'm just asking."
Tian Li stepped back, stuffing a piece of demon beast meat into his mouth.
"Now you understand why I carry so many lives on my back, right?"
He raised an eyebrow, his words making Song Wanníng's heart sink again.