"The water’s already been muddied. Shouldn’t our Mountain Gazing Sect join in the fun?"

"Hahaha, let’s go! We’ll go take a look too!"

"..."

The five major sects and four schools all brought their people and marched toward the Heavenly Inquiry Sect.

The last time was the Prodigy Tournament, but this time, it was all the pillars of the sects—the Nascent Soul Cultivators—who were heading into battle.

The Heavenly Inquiry Sect’s Divinity Transformation Ancestor had yet to appear, and they couldn’t just wait forever.

Now that the Ten Thousand Sword Sect had fired the first shot, the others naturally couldn’t be left behind. The sooner they forced the Divinity Transformation Ancestor out, the sooner they could carve up the Heavenly Inquiry Sect’s resources.

Unlike the other sects, who were acting like they were on steroids, the elders of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect were currently in a staring contest with Lu Xingyao.

"Are you telling me you challenged Gu Qingyuan to a duel just because you don’t like him?"

The Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect was so furious he could have fallen over backward.

If the Heavenly Inquiry Sect truly fell, it would be fine. But if this was all just a false alarm, then the Ten Thousand Sword Sect, having taken the lead, would surely become the target of the Heavenly Inquiry Sect’s verbal and written attacks.

When that time came, wouldn’t he be the one to bear the consequences?

Meanwhile, this culprit would be sitting pretty back in the Sect.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.

But Lu Xingyao was the Ten Thousand Sword Sect’s treasure. He couldn’t be scolded, couldn’t be beaten—he could only be doted on!

"Sect Master, I’m sorry. At the time, I didn’t know..."

When he had gone to issue the challenge, he hadn’t considered any of this. It was only after returning and listening to everyone’s analysis that he realized what a monumental thing he had done.

But he didn’t regret it.

He just wondered, ’Did Song Wanning think about these consequences?’

’Was it intentional, or...’

"Forget it, forget it. What’s done is done, and we can’t change it. All those old geezers have already taken their people to the Heavenly Inquiry Sect. I imagine we’ll have a result before long."

"When the time comes, our Ten Thousand Sword Sect had better get a bigger share. Who else but us stuck our necks out first?" The Ten Thousand Sword Sect’s Sect Master had a quick, leaping train of thought and immediately began discussing with the other elders which plot of land had richer resources and which city’s tax revenue was the most substantial.

Lu Xingyao: "..."

He left the Sect Master Hall with his longsword on his back. After a moment’s hesitation, he sent a Sound Transmission Talisman to Song Wanning.

It was embarrassing to admit, but after having a secret crush on Song Wanning for nearly a hundred years, he had only just gotten her Sound Transmission Talisman a few days ago...

He rubbed it for a moment, and the Sound Transmission Talisman flew from his hand, heading toward the Heavenly Inquiry Sect.

If Song Wanning needed help, he would go to her aid without hesitation.

If he had brought her trouble, he was willing to make up for it.

...

"Master, Master, is that from Uncle Lu?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Li Rao looked up in pleasant surprise.

"Why are you so excited?" Song Wanning raised an eyebrow, deliberately teasing her. "How old are you? Don’t tell me you’re already starting to have romantic feelings?"

Li Rao froze, embarrassed, and her face instantly turned as red as a flame.

"Master, of... of course not! This disciple just thinks that Uncle Lu is good to you, Master... much better than Master Gu..."

She was just a little girl. ’Master sure has a wild imagination.’

Song Wanning: "..."

She tapped Li Rao on her little forehead and gave a helpless smile. "It seems I haven’t given you enough tasks. You still have the energy to worry about my affairs."

Crouching down, she met Li Rao’s gaze. Looking into the little girl’s innocent eyes, she sighed.

"Li Rao, in this life, the seven emotions and six desires are unavoidable. But you must remember to always put yourself first."

"Experience everything with your heart, and never think highly of someone just because they look good in contrast to a piece of trash."

’Just because he’s better than Gu Qingyuan, she thinks Lu Xingyao is someone trustworthy to devote herself to?’

’That’s not a good habit to have.’

In this life, Song Wanning had long since sealed away her feelings and locked away love, but she wouldn’t force her own views onto Li Rao.

Everyone has their own destiny.

"But you must remember, you are your own greatest pillar of support. Not even I, your Master, can protect you forever."

Li Rao’s little face scrunched up as she earnestly committed the words to memory.

Although she couldn’t understand it all yet, she recorded every word in her heart, knowing she would one day comprehend it.

Her clueless expression made Song Wanning smile.

’I hope this little girl doesn’t walk down the same old path I did.’

...

The Heavenly Inquiry Sect soon became a hub of frantic activity. Wave after wave of people arrived, their intentions hostile and their presence menacing, giving the Sect Master and the several elders a massive headache.

They walked around every day with long faces, looking as if someone owed them money.

The disciples were also in a state of panic. Everyone knew the Sect had run into a difficult problem. Those of slightly higher rank were even clearer on the Sect’s situation and were extremely anxious.

Only Song Wanning and her disciple lived their days in perfect comfort.

Before long, people from the several sects gathered at the Heavenly Inquiry Sect once again. Not much time had passed, but the circumstances were completely different.

Especially when they proposed challenging the various elders, everyone’s faces turned green.

"We all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and we’re all very familiar with one another. There’s no need for duels, is there?"

The Sect Master cursed them over and over in his heart, wishing he could just kick all of them out of the Sect.

"What’s the big deal? We haven’t crossed hands in years. This can be considered a chance to stretch our muscles and have a little practice!"

"That’s right! Years ago, I lost to your esteemed Sect’s Fourth Elder. This is the perfect chance for another lesson!"

"Then we’ll be in line behind you."

"We’ll get in line too."

Everyone began laughingly divvying up the slots, completely ignoring whether the Heavenly Inquiry Sect agreed or not.

Seeing how excited they were, the Sect Master’s face was turning purple from holding in his rage.

This group was scheming to use challenges and coercion to force the Divinity Transformation Ancestors to show themselves!

In a daze, he could almost see the major sects carving up the Heavenly Inquiry Sect’s territory.

The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became.

Suddenly, Liu Yiyi of the Mountain Gazing Sect spoke up. "I hear that your esteemed Sect’s Song Dao You, Song Wanning, has already advanced to Nascent Soul Peak?"

"With such strength, I’m afraid she must be among the best of the best in our seven sects and four schools."

"Oh? Is that so? Song Dao You reached Nascent Soul Peak so quickly?"

Everyone was extremely surprised.

It had been such a short time, yet she had advanced two minor realms in succession.

In an instant, Song Wanning became the number one choice on the major sects’ list of duel challenges.

Everyone wanted to probe her true capabilities. They were afraid that if Song Wanning broke through to the Divinity Transformation Stage at this critical moment, it would greatly affect their plans to carve up the Heavenly Inquiry Sect.

The Sect Master’s expression changed at her words, and he silently glanced at the speaker.

’If I remember correctly, this person’s relationship with Song Wanning seems to be quite good.’

"Heh heh, Junior Sister Song has indeed advanced. However, she only advanced recently, and her foundation is unstable. It is not convenient for her to accept challenges at this time!"

The current situation was different from Lu Xingyao’s individual challenge.

These people’s challenges were a pretense; their true goal was to pressure the Heavenly Inquiry Sect. Even pushing Song Wanning forward would be of no help.

On the contrary, Junior Sister Song was now the person in the Sect closest to the Divinity Transformation Stage. She absolutely could not be allowed to come to harm.

But the others didn’t buy it. One of them said with a smile, "Sect Master, you must be joking. We’re all just planning a casual spar. Who knows, it might even help Song Dao You stabilize her foundation. Wouldn’t that kill two birds with one stone?"

They all looked as if their malicious intent was written right on their faces.

The Sect Master held in his anger, his expression changing several times.

’This group of people is truly going too far.’

"Alright, alright, let’s sort out the order first and see who goes first."

"Okay, to be fair, why don’t we all draw lots?"

"Agreed!"