Chapter 616 - 623: Entering the Trap

"Let’s go. Since he’s so eager to die, we should let him."

A hint of disappointment flickered in his eyes before he turned and vanished into the night.

Leng Qingzhu watched in silence, her feelings growing more complex as she recalled Senior Brother Qin Ming’s usual kindness toward her.

But she had never been one for indecision. More concerned that she might jeopardize the plan, she quickly reined in her emotions and followed Liu Lan Yi back to the peak.

Everything was silent, as if nothing had happened.

And yet, something had changed forever.

...

"Here, Junior Sister Song."

Liu Xingzhi handed the roasted meat to Song Wanning, then casually cut off another piece and began to eat slowly.

Song Wanning accepted the meat and popped it into her mouth, her mind preoccupied with their plan.

She had already learned from the Sect Master that Senior Uncle Qin Ming had left the Sect. He was likely heading for the Demon Clan Territory, and now all they had to do was wait for him to walk into their trap.

The night grew colder. With winter setting in, a biting chill filled the air.

The surrounding trees were indistinct shadows. A light breeze rustled through them as She Yi and the Fox Demon appeared nearby, their expressions rushed.

"Mistress, we’re here!"

She Yi’s face was a mask of terror; he had clearly encountered something dreadful.

The Fox Demon was also pale, looking panicked and restless.

"What’s wrong?"

Song Wanning’s expression remained placid. She quickly spread her Divine Sense, but detected no signs of danger.

"It’s... it’s the Snake Clan! The Snake Clan is under attack!!"

"The other Demon Clans have ganged up and surrounded the Snake Clan, demanding they hand over Gong Ye."

"The Snake Clan Leader claims Gong Ye betrayed the clan long ago and is no longer their concern, but those Demon Cultivators don’t care. They just attacked the Snake Clan anyway."

"The two of us were nearly caught in the crossfire. We barely managed to escape!!"

She Yi’s face was filled with lingering fear. If Song Wanning hadn’t given him a talisman, he’d have become cannon fodder in the battle.

"Mistress, I’m afraid the Snake Clan is doomed this time!"

The Fox Demon wiped the sweat from her brow. ’Thank goodness we were fast,’ she thought.

"Heh. Clever little factions. The moment someone offers them a ladder, they start climbing."

Song Wanning sneered, not at all surprised.

’The Snake Clan must feel incredibly wronged, though.’

’They never shared in any of Gong Ye’s glory, but now they’re paying the price for his actions, facing the threat of total annihilation.’

’But this was how the Cultivation World had always been—self-interest reigned supreme. This was especially true for a group of Demon Cultivators...’

She glanced at Liu Xingzhi beside her. He seemed completely uninterested in these matters, sitting impassively in the shadows.

She Yi and the Fox Demon finally noticed Liu Xingzhi as well. Sensing his intimidating, unapproachable aura, they both flinched and shuffled behind Song Wanning.

"It’s not safe in the Snake Clan’s territory anymore. For now, go back to the cave we were at before."

"I have things I need to do. You can’t come with me."

’She Yi and the Fox Demon would only slow her down and get in the way.’

"Yes, we understand."

Not daring to linger, She Yi and the Fox Demon followed Song Wanning’s instructions and headed for the hidden cave.

After they left, Song Wanning fell silent once more.

She closed her eyes and began to cultivate, waiting for Qin Ming to arrive.

...

Seven or eight days passed in the blink of an eye. Song Wanning and Liu Xingzhi continued to clear out monsters as they searched for more of their lairs.

They hunted monsters in the area around the array they had prepared, all while waiting for Qin Ming.

They wanted to capture Qin Ming alive to draw out the mastermind behind him. Luring him into the array was the best way to ensure he couldn’t use some trick to escape.

However, as time ticked by, Qin Ming never appeared. Instead, they were met with a wave of monsters.

Moreover, this wave of monsters was different from the others; they seemed to be luring the pair elsewhere.

Song Wanning and Liu Xingzhi both sensed something was amiss. In a flurry of strikes, they moved back-to-back to discuss a counter-plan.

"It seems our opponent anticipated that we’d be prepared."

Liu Xingzhi’s expression was grim. If their opponent wouldn’t take the bait, waiting here any longer would be pointless.

But if they followed, they might walk into unimaginable danger.

"Should we go?"

he asked in a cold voice, though he already knew the answer.

A stray lock of hair drifted across Song Wanning’s face, making her look all the more severe.

"We go."

she said with conviction.

’If the mountain won’t come to me, then I must go to the mountain!’

"Alright. Let’s go!"

Liu Xingzhi said nothing more, his attacks becoming even more ruthless.

They followed the monsters’ lead, pushing onward into an unknown direction.

Meanwhile, Luo Hantian, Liu Lan Yi, and Leng Qingzhu were hurrying to their location.

To deceive the mastermind, they had forced themselves to wait at the Sect for several days before departing. Now, having finally found a pretext to leave, they were rushing toward the area at full speed.

They were worried for Song Wanning and Liu Xingzhi’s safety, and moreover, they wanted to handle this matter without attracting any attention.

After all, the Ancient Cold Sect could not, and would not, bear the blame for such a crime.

...

"SKREEE—"

"BOOM—"

With a massive explosion, a monster was blown to smithereens.

A flash of sword light flared, and the monsters instantly scattered.

Song Wanning and Liu Xingzhi halted their pursuit, pausing in mid-air to survey their surroundings with caution.

Suddenly, another high-pitched screech rang out.

They looked up and saw countless monsters swarming toward them from all directions.

An array flared to life around them, trapping them inside.

There was a way in, but no way out.

As far as the eye could see, a tide of monsters surged toward them, their expressions crazed, the crimson glow in their pupils unnervingly sinister.

Sword light flashed from Song Wanning’s hand as a battle cry ignited in her eyes. She knew the decisive moment had finally come.

"SKREEE—"

The piercing shrieks of the monsters tore through the heavens. A countless horde blotted out the sun, their overwhelming presence so powerful it seemed to make the very sun recoil in fear.

The native demon beasts had long since fled the area, not daring to linger for a second.

The pair’s ears were filled with the deafening screeches.

"BOOM—"

"SKREEE—"

A massive battle erupted once more. Flashes of sword and saber light filled the air, along with crackling bolts of the Power of thunder and lightning.

Thunderous booms echoed ceaselessly, each one reaping the lives of monsters.

But there were too many of them. Far too many.

Before they could even finish off the monsters in front of them, more would swarm forward to take their place, giving them not a moment’s rest.

Song Wanning’s gaze sharpened, and she yelled into the empty air, "You cowards! Do you only dare to hide and let these monsters fight your battles?"

"And you delusionally think you can unify the Spirit Realm?"

"What a joke!"

Her voice, like the toll of an ancient bell, was deliberately infused with power, ensuring it echoed in all directions, dripping with scorn.

’Since the mastermind lured us here on purpose, they must not intend to hide any longer.’

Sure enough, her words had their intended effect. A figure emerged from the shadows, lingering at the far edge of the monster horde.

"It’s you?!!"