’Is it possible the Heavenly Inquiry Sect doesn’t know?’

Liu Chan was stunned and uncertain, and the sect masters on the high platform also wore expressions of astonishment.

The Heavenly Inquiry Sect’s Sect Master gave a bitter smile.

’If I were to explain that I was the one who gave him the Elixir Pills, would they even believe me?’

’This Bai Yang... he’s just as stubborn as his master!’

SPIT!

Bai Yang coughed up another mouthful of blood. He raised a hand to wipe it away, his gaze involuntarily lifting to look in Song Wanning’s direction.

’Seeing me injured like this, Master must feel sorry for me now, right?’

He still remembered when he was seven. Driven by curiosity, he had secretly run off to the back mountain, only to be bitten by a small demon beast.

His master’s heart had ached for him so much her eyes turned red.

That night, many of the demon beasts on the back mountain met a disastrous end.

And he remembered when he was fifteen. He had gone down the mountain for training and was bullied by a second-generation immortal. He killed his tormentor in retaliation, only to be hunted by the man’s elders.

When his master heard the news, she had immediately rushed to protect him. Not only did she cripple the other party’s elder, but she also made a bold declaration: anyone who wanted to settle the score should come find her!

Then there was when he was twenty...

Bai Yang suddenly realized that his master’s shadow had been behind him every step of his journey.

He looked toward the figure on the high platform.

But he could no longer find any concern or worry in her eyes. In fact, he could only see the side of her face as she looked away.

His master didn’t even spare him a single glance.

SPIT—

A profound emptiness suddenly hollowed out Bai Yang’s heart. He struggled to his feet, the bloody gashes on his face all the more jarring.

Raising his longsword, he charged at Liu Chan once again.

’Master will definitely feel sorry for me...’

’She’s just putting on a strong front.’

’I must be the person Master cares about most...’

Bai Yang attacked Liu Chan with a crazed, self-destructive fervor, forcing Liu Chan to counterattack fiercely.

Within just a few moves, he was injured again.

But he seemed completely unaware of it, as if possessed.

"What is Bai Yang doing? Does he have a death wish?"

"It looks like he’s deliberately provoking his opponent..."

"Master Bai seems really off today. His aura is unstable too..."

"..."

The spectating disciples’ smiles vanished, their expressions turning grim.

Even the elders of the Heavenly Inquiry Sect on the platform had a slight change in expression, and they couldn’t help but look at Song Wanning.

But what of Song Wanning at this moment?

She had produced a storybook from somewhere and was reading it with great relish, a faint smile playing on her lips.

There was not a hint of worry in her demeanor.

The elders’ hearts sank.

For some reason, they all felt that something was very wrong with Junior Sister Song!

They would rather see the old Junior Sister Song, the one who was competitive, aggressive, and fiercely protective of her own.

Not this current version of her, who was completely unfathomable.

On the battle stage, Bai Yang had already sustained over a dozen new wounds.

"Song Wanning, are you really this cold-blooded? Bai Yang is so heavily injured, and you won’t even spare him a glance?"

Gu Qingyuan couldn’t hold back his frustration any longer and directly accused Song Wanning in front of everyone.

"Your disciple is grievously wounded, yet you sit here reading a storybook. What kind of master are you?"

His words voiced the thoughts of many present. Everyone felt that Song Wanning was going too far, but no one dared to speak up.

Only Gu Qingyuan dared to admonish her with such a condescending tone.

Song Wanning’s hand, which was turning a page, paused. She slowly raised her head.

"You said it yourself—he’s *my* disciple. Why is an outsider like you so worked up?"

Her eyes narrowed, and she continued with a hint of pressure in her voice, "Besides, shouldn’t you be hoping for Bai Yang to die?"

"Once he’s dead, no one will be left to compete with you for your precious little disciple."

With that, a mocking smile spread across her face, dripping with sarcasm.

The entire hall fell silent. The various sect masters smelled gossip in the air and instantly perked up.

"Song Wanning!!!!"

Gu Qingyuan’s face instantly darkened as he struggled to suppress his rage.

"He is your disciple, but he is also my martial nephew! Why would I ever wish for his death???"

"Don’t you dare slander me!"

He had practically watched Bai Yang grow up. He wasn’t that vicious!

But upon hearing this, Song Wanning actually laughed out loud.

"Hahaha..."

She stared into Gu Qingyuan’s eyes, her laughter deep and meaningful.

"I hope you can continue to think that way in the future!"

Gu Qingyuan’s heart skipped a beat at her words. Annoyed, he turned his head away, refusing to look at Song Wanning any longer.

’I never should have spoken to her again. It’s just asking for humiliation!’

At this point, the battle on the stage was growing even more intense.

Bai Yang’s vestment robe was torn to shreds by various wounds. He was covered in blood, with injuries everywhere.

Liu Chan kept urging him to concede, but he stubbornly refused.

He was fighting in a way that was tantamount to self-mutilation, allowing himself to become covered in wounds.

The longer Liu Chan fought, the more alarmed he became. His attacks grew hesitant. They had no grudge against each other, and he didn’t want to damage Bai Yang’s foundation.

But Bai Yang relentlessly pressed on, aggressive and unyielding, forcing him to strike ruthlessly.

SQUELCH—

The long spear pierced Bai Yang’s thigh, its tip going straight through.

THUD—

Bai Yang collapsed heavily. A haze of red blurred his vision.

The Spiritual Power within his body was almost completely depleted.

He struggled to lift his head and look toward the high platform, at the figure who had long occupied his thoughts. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Fear began to creep into his heart...

’Will Master be worried about me?’

’As long as Master still cares about me, I can forget all the pain I’ve suffered.’

But...

On the high platform, the figure in red quickly blurred in his vision.

Song Wanning was smiling as she gently stroked Li Rao’s head, saying something with a cheerful expression.

She still hadn’t looked over, not even once.

Not a single glance.

Bai Yang froze, clutching his chest tightly.

Jealousy, resentment, agony.

They crashed over him, overwhelming him completely.

He had lost.

Utterly and completely.

...

"Battle Stage Two, Liu Chan is victorious!"

A Heavenly Inquiry Sect elder stepped forward and regretfully announced the result.

Bai Yang, who had been the most promising contender for the championship, didn’t even make it into the top three.

The elder looked at Bai Yang, who was lying motionless on the ground. He wanted to go and help him up, but Bai Yang refused him.

He just lay there stubbornly, staring fixedly at the high platform, though it was unclear what he was hoping for.

Liu Chan was also at a loss. He had clearly won the match, but he couldn’t feel the slightest bit of happiness.

"First Senior Brother has lost!"

An Ze clenched his fists tightly, his eyes red with anguish.

But he no longer dared to shout randomly at Song Wanning, nor did he dare to rush down and help Bai Yang up on his own.

Only upon hearing this did Song Wanning cast a cool glance toward Bai Yang on the stage.

Her indifferent gaze met his, which were filled with expectation.

One could even see a glimmer of light spark in Bai Yang’s eyes.

But Song Wanning merely swept her cold gaze over him before speaking to An Ze in a frigid tone, "Why haven’t you taken him down yet?"

"What a disgrace."

As soon as the words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent. Even the disciples spectating below were instantly hushed.

Everyone was bewildered and shocked, unable to understand why Song Wanning’s behavior had changed so drastically.

’Could it really just be because he stole the Elixir Pills?’

"Junior Sister Song!"

The Heavenly Inquiry Sect’s Sect Master’s face fell. He shot her a displeased glare, signaling for her to watch her words.

Regardless of whether Bai Yang won or lost, she should not have said such a thing.

Hearing this, Song Wanning shut her mouth and turned her head to the side.

In that moment.

Bai Yang felt as if his heart...

Shattered.