Chapter 581 - 588: Gong Ye Escaped

The lightning finally dissipated, revealing Gong Ye’s battered figure.

He was kneeling on the ground, his aura incredibly faint. He looked utterly depleted.

His eyes were bloodshot. He lifted his head to look at Song Wanning, the shocking hatred in them completely unconcealed.

Any favorable impression he’d had of Song Wanning had long since vanished. All thoughts of a powerful alliance were gone, replaced by nothing but endless killing intent.

’Song Wanning is terrifying!’

’If someone like her is allowed to grow stronger, she’ll become a fatal threat to me.’

’Her Purple Cloud Divine Thunder alone is enough to strike me dead.’

’Therefore, Song Wanning must not be allowed to live.’

’She must not!!!’

Killing intent flared in Gong Ye’s heart. He gathered what strength he had left and launched a counterattack.

The two Clan Leaders and Song Wanning didn’t stand idle, either, and launched their own attacks.

The situation between them was irreconcilable. No one was willing to hold back.

But Gong Ye was only putting on a show. He knew he couldn’t win this time—he was already heavily injured. How could he possibly be a match for the three of them?

So, he merely feinted before turning to flee.

He suddenly shot into the air, transforming into the shape of a flood dragon.

The flood dragon charged toward the trio, but just as its immense power was about to reach them, it suddenly self-detonated.

"BOOM—"

The powerful explosion instantly destroyed a dozen nearby rooms. The entire palace shook for several moments before the tremors slowly subsided.

Song Wanning and the two Clan Leaders immediately fell back, dodging the blast. But by the time the danger passed, Gong Ye was nowhere to be seen.

The Peacock Clan Leader’s expression changed drastically. "He actually sacrificed a limb to survive?"

"After him!!"

All three of them knew that if they missed this chance, they might never get such a perfect opportunity again. Without hesitation, they sped out of the palace in pursuit.

By detonating the manifestation he had condensed, Gong Ye had essentially severed one of his own limbs. It would undoubtedly cause his Cultivation to regress.

If they could catch up to him now, they might actually be able to slay him for good.

However, the trio’s expressions soon turned grave.

This was especially true for Song Wanning, who discovered that even her Three Lives Mirror couldn’t pinpoint Gong Ye’s location.

The three of them searched the area for dozens of kilometers around the palace but found no trace of him.

It was as if Gong Ye had vanished into thin air.

"Gong Ye escaped!!"

The Snake Clan Leader’s face turned ashen with rage.

With Gong Ye’s escape, the Snake Clan’s future was now in peril.

The mere thought of such a terrifying enemy lurking in the shadows sent a chill down his spine.

The Peacock Clan Leader’s expression was just as dark. The opportunity had been right in front of them, and yet they’d let him escape...

Only Song Wanning remained inwardly calm.

’Gong Ye was chosen by the Wood Sculpture World’s Heavenly Dao and cultivated to the peak of the Spirit Realm. Of course he wouldn’t be so easily slain.’

’But... what method did he use to prevent even the Three Lives Mirror from locating him?’

"Now that he’s escaped, no one knows his whereabouts. We’ll have to mobilize others to join the search!"

The Snake Clan Leader sighed. If they could just determine his direction, they could give chase immediately.

But unfortunately, the world outside was vast, with paths leading everywhere. It was impossible to know which way he went.

"Yes. The Peacock Clan will continue to pursue this matter. Every day Gong Ye lives, he remains a threat. I trust your esteemed clan understands the gravity of the situation."

The Peacock Clan Leader’s warning was blunt. After all, if the Snake Clan were to betray them, the Peacock Clan would be made to look like fools.

"Rest assured. The Snake Clan has absolutely no room for a traitor like Gong Ye!"

The Snake Clan Leader snorted. ’I gave Gong Ye a chance, but not only did the brat refuse to play along, he even tried to set a trap for the Snake Clan.’

’Does he really think I’ve lived for several thousand years for nothing?’

’Be led around by the nose by some young punk?’

’So, I pretended to fall for his act while secretly allying with the Peacock Clan. I just never expected that brat Gong Ye would still manage to escape in the end!’

"Good!"

The Peacock Clan Leader was temporarily relieved. When he faced Song Wanning again, his initial anger was gone.

"I haven’t had the honor of learning my fellow Daoist’s name?"

His previously arrogant attitude had done a complete one-eighty as he humbly inquired after Song Wanning’s name.

Seeing this, the Snake Clan Leader had the same reaction. Both of them looked at Song Wanning, each with their own calculations running through their minds.

"Song Wanning."

Song Wanning smiled faintly. She no longer saw a reason to be evasive and stated her name plainly.

"You’re Song Wanning?"

Upon hearing her name, both Clan Leaders’ pupils constricted, their eyes filled with shock.

After all, Song Wanning was of the Human Clan, but the person standing before them most certainly possessed the aura of the Demon Race.

Therefore, they had never made the connection.

Now, hearing her name, both of their hearts sank. At the same time, they began to feel relieved that they hadn’t attacked her earlier.

She was a figure who could topple the entire Huo Family; they couldn’t afford to provoke her.

Even if his daughter’s death was related to her, the Peacock Clan Leader no longer dared to press the issue.

"So it is Song Dao You," he said. "Truly, the new generation surpasses the old."

He sighed. ’My daughter actually provoked Song Wanning. The fact that she wasn’t killed outright is proof that Song Wanning showed mercy.’

’I can’t blame anyone else.’

’Now, I can only accept reality.’

"My daughter was willful. I hope you will let bygones be bygones and not hold it against her."

The Peacock Clan Leader had officially put the matter to rest, and his attitude toward Song Wanning became much warmer.

Seeing this, the Snake Clan Leader also rushed to extend a warm invitation for Song Wanning to visit the Snake Clan as a guest, promising they would welcome her with the highest honors.

However, he was unaware that her avatar had already infiltrated the Snake Clan, giving her a crystal-clear understanding of their internal affairs.

"Thank you for the invitations, Seniors. I will certainly visit when I have the chance."

Seeing their reactions, Song Wanning also grew more courteous. ’There’s no need to turn a reconcilable opponent into a mortal enemy.’

The three of them were now, in a sense, "allies."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the three went their separate ways.

Neither of the two Clan Leaders mentioned the stolen pearl again. Such was the importance of strength.

A smile touched Song Wanning’s lips as she quickly headed in the direction of her Martial Aunt.

The thrill of her advancement left her feeling deeply satisfied and accomplished.

The breakthrough had come abruptly, and with surprising ease, which still caught her off guard.

However, once she found a safe place, she would have to release her true aura and undergo her tribulation.

She had been suppressing her newly advanced Cultivation while searching for Gong Ye to avoid being targeted by the Heavenly Thunder.

Now, she had to rendezvous with her Martial Aunt first and undergo her tribulation only after ensuring her safety!

「Several days later」

Song Wanning finally arrived at the cave from before.

The Fox Demon had been cultivating in the cave. Liu Lan Yi’s sudden appearance a few days prior had given her a fright.

But when she remembered that Song Wanning had left a Space Talisman there, she quickly recovered and happily welcomed Liu Lan Yi.