Chapter 612 - 619: Am I That Kind of Person in Your Eyes?

Song Wanning’s expression was grim. To deal with these monsters as quickly as possible, she had no choice but to use the Purple Cloud Divine Thunder.

As the Innate Divine Ability of the Golden Dragon Clan, its appearance immediately threw the monsters into a frenzy.

They sensed the danger and fell into chaos.

Even the evolved monsters were terrified, screeching as they scattered in every direction.

But the Purple Cloud Divine Thunder was immensely powerful. As it descended, it engulfed every monster within a radius of several hundred meters.

In the blink of an eye, the monsters turned to ash and vanished into thin air.

Song Wanning’s face turned pale for a moment, but her complexion quickly returned to normal. She continued using the technique to annihilate the monsters.

This time, Liu Xingzhi didn’t try to stop her. He simply guarded her silently, slaying monsters by her side.

’If Song Wanning runs out of Spiritual Power, I’ll make sure she gets out of here safely. I won’t let the mastermind behind this get what they want!’

With this resolve, their teamwork grew more synchronized, and they swiftly cut down the monsters.

BOOM—

With another crash of thunder, Song Wanning and Liu Xingzhi vanished from the gully.

Meanwhile, far away in the Ancient Cold Sect, Leng Qingzhu burst out of her room, her expression fraught with anxiety.

Several of her senior brothers and sisters rushed over. Even Song Que stopped her, a puzzled look on his face.

"Qingzhu, what’s the rush?"

Song Que frowned. Seeing his disciple’s state, he had a bad feeling.

"Master, it’s Wan Ning! She and the others have been surrounded by monsters! She’s gravely injured and her life is in danger. I have to go save her!"

"What? Wan Ning is in trouble?"

"Let’s go! We’ll rescue them together!"

Hearing this, they all grew anxious. She was their only junior niece; nothing could happen to her!

Song Que’s brow furrowed as well. He said in a deep voice, "We’ll go together. I’d like to see just who is pulling the strings from the shadows, daring to make a move on my own grand-disciple!"

"Let’s go!"

"Let’s go!"

The group quickly followed Leng Qingzhu, rushing out of the Sect.

Elsewhere, the same scene was playing out, only this time the lead actress was Liu Lan Yi.

She headed in a completely different direction from Leng Qingzhu, also accompanied by people who wanted to rescue Song Wanning.

As soon as both parties had left, Luo Hantian’s figure appeared at the Sect’s entrance.

He watched them leave, his heart filled with a mix of emotions.

These people were the pillars of the Sect, yet he was now forced to test them in this manner.

He had started the screening process ever since Song Wanning made her suggestion.

With Song Wanning’s monster encounter today, he had already managed to rule out several people.

Now, he could only secretly have Liu Lan Yi and Leng Qingzhu put on an act to test everyone’s reactions.

If monsters appeared ahead of time at one of the locations, it would mean the informant was among that group. This would allow him to narrow down the suspects even further.

"Sigh..."

Luo Hantian let out a heavy sigh. To avoid tipping his hand, he could only proceed one step at a time.

But he hoped the leak had come from one of the other Sect Masters, not from someone within the Ancient Cold Sect.

Just as he was about to head back, a figure suddenly appeared behind him.

"Master Jiang?"

It was Jiang Wentian. Luo Hantian had heard he was in seclusion, yet here he was.

His heart inexplicably tightened, and he tried his best to keep his expression natural.

"I heard something happened to Song Wanning?"

Jiang Wentian’s expression was frosty, and his tone was demanding.

"Yes. Wan Ning’s chances are slim. I’ve already sent people out to rescue her!"

Jiang Wentian’s expression changed at the news, and he immediately rushed out of the Sect in pursuit.

His figure quickly disappeared.

Watching this, the feeling of unease in Luo Hantian’s heart grew stronger.

’After all, Jiang Wentian holds a grudge against Song Wanning...’

’For him to be so eager... there must be something fishy about this.’

He quickly sent a discreet Communication Talisman to both Liu Lan Yi and Leng Qingzhu, telling them to be especially wary of Jiang Wentian.

He also relayed this suspicion to Song Wanning.

Meanwhile, Song Wanning and Liu Xingzhi had taken refuge in a cave. She had placed several Array Plates at the entrance to conceal their auras, lest the monsters track them by scent.

She took an Elixir Pill and closed her eyes to restore her depleted Spiritual Power.

She had nearly exhausted her Spiritual Power while fighting the monsters earlier. It was only with Liu Xingzhi’s help that she had managed to escape.

Just thinking about it made her skin crawl.

’An endless, uncountable horde of monsters...’

Liu Xingzhi watched the cave entrance as he wiped the blood from his broadsword, a cold aura emanating from him.

After receiving the message, Song Wanning opened her eyes.

When she heard the insinuation in Luo Hantian’s message, Song Wanning’s head snapped up, her eyes landing on Liu Xingzhi.

"My Master can be a bit direct sometimes, but he’s not that kind of person!"

Jiang Wentian was Liu Xingzhi’s master. He had raised and protected him, taught him everything he knew. He was like a father to him.

Luo Hantian’s tone now clearly implied that Jiang Wentian was highly suspicious.

On the other end, Luo Hantian must have realized his tone was off, because he quickly added a few clarifying words before ending the call.

By now, Liu Xingzhi’s expression had turned grim.

He couldn’t bring himself to believe that his master could be the mastermind, or even one of the informants.

Song Wanning looked at him and said consolingly, "Brother Liu, don’t be anxious. I also believe that Master Jiang would never do something like this."

"But please, Brother Liu, cooperate with us. This might be the very opportunity we need to clear Master Jiang’s name!"

Her words carried a subtle warning. After all, there was no guarantee that Liu Xingzhi wouldn’t secretly contact Jiang Wentian.

If he did, it would compromise the entire test.

’Staying put and doing nothing is the best course of action for everyone involved.’

Liu Xingzhi caught the hidden meaning in her words, and his expression grew even colder.

"Is that the kind of person you think I am?"

They hadn’t known each other for long, but they had already faced so many crises together.

’He thought Song Wanning understood him, but now...’

The cold aura around Liu Xingzhi intensified. He turned and sat down in a corner by himself.

"You can relax. I won’t leave your sight, and I certainly won’t be contacting my master!"

With that, he closed his eyes, refusing to even glance at Song Wanning again.

Song Wanning blinked, watching him in surprise for a long moment.

She had always seen Liu Xingzhi as a cold, detached cultivator, someone driven purely by duty.

’Who would have thought he’d actually get angry over something like this?’

But this version of Liu Xingzhi seemed so much more... alive.

As the Golden Small Sword would say, he was finally acting like a real person.

A faint smile touched Song Wanning’s lips as she also sat down nearby.

She said nothing, simply placing an Elixir Bottle in front of him.

Liu Xingzhi’s eyes snapped open. As he looked at the curious, appraising face beside him, his anger suddenly vanished.