Yun Jin Yue’s face was grim as she remained silent, but killing intent raged in her eyes.

She was waiting for her subordinates to return with news.

However, a few minutes passed in the blink of an eye, and the Golden Core Cultivator was the first to return.

He silently shook his head at Yun Jin Yue.

The destination of a Thousand Miles Transmission Talisman is random and cannot be fixed. The distance it covers is vast, making it nearly impossible to track.

Yun Jin Yue’s last shred of hope vanished. Her eyes suddenly turned dark and profound, and the murderous aura erupting from her body surged directly toward Bai Yang.

The Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill was an incredibly rare find. They had gone through so much trouble to locate it, only to have someone else snatch it away.

A moment ago, her plan had been to teach the pair a lesson and compel them to sell the Elixir Pill. That way, the Heavenly Inquiry Sect would have no excuse to vent its fury on Yunxiang City.

Who would have thought that Ye Chuxue possessed such a treasure!

Regret filled Yun Jin Yue’s heart, and she directed all her fury at Bai Yang.

’If Father doesn’t wake up, Yunxiang City will fall into someone else’s hands.’

’It’s a hopeless situation either way. I might as well vent my resentment first.’

"Beat him half to death!"

At Yun Jin Yue’s command, the demeanor of the Yunxiang City contingent shifted. They attacked Bai Yang without restraint.

The Golden Core Cultivator no longer held back. A barrage of fierce attacks rained down on Bai Yang. Despite fighting back with all his might, he was powerless to turn the tables.

"SPIT—"

Bright red blood splattered everywhere.

Bai Yang collapsed to his knees, unable to rise, his body covered in wounds.

Not far away, Song Wanning lounged comfortably in the canopy of a tall tree, eating a Spirit Fruit as she enjoyed the sight of Bai Yang being brutally beaten. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Seeing Bai Yang get beaten was extremely satisfying to her.

The more severe the beating, the more gratified she felt.

"Mistress, your plan is brilliant! Using others to slowly chip away at their fortune, then reaping the rewards yourself. Their protagonist halos are bound to be affected soon!"

The Golden Small Sword swayed back and forth in her Sea of Consciousness, clearly delighted.

"That Bai Yang... he betrayed you for a woman. The more miserable his death, the better!"

People are not simply black and white; many gray areas exist.

But one should always remember who is close to them and have a grateful heart!

But Bai Yang is clearly an ungrateful bastard, unworthy of my mistress’s efforts.

Song Wanning smiled without a word, picking up a fine wine and taking a delicate sip.

In the distance, Bai Yang spat a mouthful of blood that flew ten feet.

She, however, thought the scene would be even better with a plate of snacks to go with her wine.

"Mistress, do you think they’ll actually beat Bai Yang to death?"

The Golden Small Sword grew even more excited.

Song Wanning’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Of course not. If truly cornered, Bai Yang will surely go all out."

"Besides, the Heavenly Dao won’t just stand by and watch him die."

"But he looks like he’s on his last breath already."

A flash of malice crossed the Golden Small Sword’s metaphorical eyes. It wished so badly that this would be the end of Bai Yang.

But Song Wanning stood up unhurriedly and smoothed her sleeves.

"Mistress, what are you going to do?"

The Golden Small Sword asked curiously.

"To save my dear, sweet disciple, of course."

Song Wanning smiled warmly, but the warmth did not reach her eyes.

"What? You’re still going to save him? Why?"

’My mistress wants Bai Yang dead more than anyone, so why save him?’

Song Wanning’s expression was impassive as she glanced at the figure sprawled on the ground, unable to rise.

"Since he’s fated to survive, I might as well make use of him..."

’In my past life, they made me suffer. Now, I’ll make every single one of them feel that same pain.’

She wanted Bai Yang to be completely unable to figure her out, to struggle endlessly between her alternating moments of affection and cold distance.

’Tormenting the body is one thing, but tormenting the heart... that is the deepest form of suffering.’

Just as she herself had, in her past life—constantly doubting and denying herself amidst Gu Qingyuan’s endless excuses, yet always clinging to a sliver of hope.

Only to meet her end in utter despair!

"BANG—"

Bai Yang crashed to the ground once more, his breathing faint. He was barely hanging on.

Yun Jin Yue’s rage, far from subsiding, only intensified. Her longsword flew from its sheath as she charged at Bai Yang.

If this strike landed, Bai Yang would undoubtedly be killed on the spot.

Bai Yang’s heart sank, and he took out his last Life-saving Talisman.

It was a talisman treasure of extraordinary power. Though it had been used a few times, it still had one use left.

It was his trump card, reserved for life-or-death situations, and he had no choice but to use it now.

No treasure, no matter how precious, was worth more than his life.

Junior Sister Ye and her reinforcements had not arrived. He could only hope this would give him a chance to escape and avoid falling into the hands of other enemies.

Bai Yang closed his eyes, preparing to activate the talisman treasure.

Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky, landing in front of him.

The figure descended like a deity.

Just as she always had in the past, protecting him.

At that moment, all his worries and fears vanished.

"Master..."

Bai Yang’s eyes reddened, and a warm sensation streamed from them.

Sprawled on the ground, his eyes held a look of deep, filial adoration that he himself wasn’t even aware of.

’I thought... Master didn’t want me anymore...’

’But she... she still loves me...’

Reassured, Bai Yang fainted.

Song Wanning shot him an indifferent backward glance before turning her gaze, now filled with oppressive power, toward Yun Jin Yue and her followers.

The entire contingent from Yunxiang City was crushed by her spiritual pressure, unable to even stand straight. Their faces were filled with terror, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

Yun Jin Yue, least of all, had expected Song Wanning to suddenly appear!

’It’s over!’

’I’m dead for sure this time!’

Yun Jin Yue braced herself for death, but the pressure on her suddenly vanished.

She raised her head in surprise and finally laid eyes on the renowned Alchemy Grandmaster.

"True Monarch Song, please allow me to explain..."

"I was trying to buy the Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill from them. My father is gravely injured and in a coma. The situation was desperate, so I had no choice but to resort to such measures..."

"A job well done."

Song Wanning’s lips curved into a slight smirk as she waved a hand, cutting off her explanation.

Yun Jin Yue was stunned, not quite understanding what she meant.

Song Wanning offered no explanation. Instead, she produced a jade vial and tossed it to Yun Jin Yue.

"Here is a Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill. Give my regards to City Lord Yun."

In her past life, she had listened to Gu Qingyuan, always holding herself aloof and offending many who sought her elixirs.

’Thinking back on it now, I was an absolute fool.’

She should have used her advantage to turn more people into allies. They would have been a great asset in the clan wars to come!

"What?"

Yun Jin Yue was dumbstruck, unable to process what was happening. She dazedly caught the Elixir Pill and subconsciously opened the vial. It was indeed a Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill—and a top-grade one at that!!!!!

She finally snapped out of her stupor and thanked Song Wanning profusely while respectfully offering a Storage Bag.

"Thank you, True Monarch Song, for overlooking our past transgressions! Not only do you not blame us, but you are willing to save Yunxiang City in our time of crisis! We of Yunxiang City will never forget this immense kindness! When my father recovers, I will have him visit you personally to express his gratitude!"

Yun Jin Yue’s eyes reddened with emotion. She had thought all was lost, but who could have expected such a fortunate turn of events!

Father was finally saved!