Chapter 635 - 642: The Flower Clan Leader’s Request

Schemes flashed through Li Qingya’s mind as she hurried over.

Song Wanning heard the cry and felt a chill in her heart.

’I knew she was up to no good, and now it’s clear.’

Her gaze turned frosty, carrying a bone-chilling cold. With a flicker of movement, she reappeared a hundred meters away in the next instant.

The Blood Evil still descended upon everyone, yet it didn’t harm Song Wanning in the slightest.

Everyone saw this. They were shocked and confused, but a new idea immediately sparked in their minds.

Almost instantly, everyone, including the Flower Clan Leader, subconsciously drew closer to Song Wanning.

The Flower Clan Leader’s eyes were filled with astonishment as he reached Song Wanning’s side first.

But instead of seeking shelter with Song Wanning, he seemed intent on protecting her. While fending off the Blood Evil, he forced back the other approaching Cultivators.

After just a few exchanges, everyone could see the Flower Clan Leader’s protective intent.

Just as Li Qingya got close, the Flower Clan Leader sent her flying with a gust from his palm.

SPURT—

She was sent flying backwards. The Blood Evil from above descended, swiftly corroding a gaping hole in her body, deep enough to reveal bone. Pain contorted her features.

Song Wanning hadn’t expected the Flower Clan Leader to suddenly protect her, especially since she was clearly the safest one there.

A flicker of doubt arose in her heart, and she quietly distanced herself from him.

However, the Blood Evil came quickly, and it vanished just as fast.

The crisis had been dire, but the Blood Evil abruptly receded, as if the whole event had been nothing but an illusion.

Many were unable to retract their attacks in time, unleashing them on empty ground and leaving the surroundings in a state of chaos.

The towering trees remained unscathed, but the Cultivators were a miserable sight. All of them were injured to some degree, their clothes tattered. Even the hem of the Flower Clan Leader’s robes was riddled with several large holes.

Only Song Wanning stood amongst them, pristine and untouched, looking utterly out of place.

As the crisis subsided, the atmosphere grew strange. All eyes fell on Song Wanning, filled with contemplation and suspicion.

Li Qingya wiped the blood from her lips. She now had a much deeper appreciation for Song Wanning’s strength and knew her own malicious intentions had been exposed. Deciding to drop the charade, she gave Song Wanning a meaningful smile.

Song Wanning, of course, saw it. The corner of her lips tilted up as she returned the smile.

’Her intentions are impure. She’ll definitely try to make a move against me again.’

’But I’m sure I’ve never seen her before.’

’Let alone offended her.’

Suddenly, an idea flashed in Song Wanning’s mind. She thought of someone.

She raised a brow, the smile on her lips turning mischievous.

’This person is most likely Li Qingya.’

’So she really is Song Que’s accomplice!!!’

’Is she coming after me now to get revenge for Song Que?’

’Thinking about it that way, it all makes sense.’

Still, the look the Flower Clan Leader was giving her felt odd.

A little too fervent, perhaps.

"Alright, what everyone just encountered was the Blood Evil in this forbidden land. You’ve all witnessed its power. But thankfully, the crisis has passed. Everyone follow me, and let’s continue trying to save Little Eighteen!"

The Flower Clan Leader suppressed his excitement and led everyone back into the tree hollow.

Soon, everyone had changed out of their tattered clothes and regrouped, trying to figure out how to save Little Eighteen.

But as time passed, no one dared to step forward.

The Flower Clan Leader’s expression grew darker and darker. ’I shouldn’t have held out any hope,’ he thought. ’How could these people possibly be more skilled at cultivating plants than I am?’

"Fine, fine. Since none of you are confident, you may all leave!"

Now, he had more important things to do.

He shot a subtle glance at Song Wanning. ’Who would have thought I’d have such an unexpected windfall?’

"What about the reward..."

A Demon Cultivator spoke up, dissatisfied. They had been injured; they couldn’t just leave with nothing, could they?

"Heh heh... I have prepared some modest gifts. Now, let me see you all out!"

He produced the prepared gifts and began to lead the crowd toward the exit of the forbidden grounds.

The group followed sullenly. They had all thought they might get the Soul-shaping Flower, but now it was all ending so abruptly.

But no one dared to intervene. After all, that Little Eighteen was clearly dying. Whoever got involved would just be asking for trouble!

"Fellow Daoist, could you possibly stay a while longer? I have an urgent matter and would like to ask for your help!!"

Hearing the Flower Clan Leader’s voice transmission, Song Wanning paused.

As if fearing she would refuse, the Flower Clan Leader quickly added, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, I have absolutely no intention of harming you. I truly have a favor to ask!"

"If you agree, Fellow Daoist, I will present the Soul-shaping Flower with my own two hands! You may also take your pick of my other treasures!!"

His tone was urgent, clearly afraid she would refuse.

Hearing the hint of reverence in his tone, Song Wanning grew even more astonished.

She considered it for a moment before deciding to agree.

’If his request is too outrageous, I can just leave. It’s not like this place can hold me captive.’

"Alright!"

She agreed coolly.

The Flower Clan Leader instantly smiled as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He eagerly escorted the group out of the Flower Clan’s territory.

Before the others could even react, the Flower Clan’s restrictive wards sealed shut behind them, the entrance vanishing from sight.

...

"Why didn’t that woman come out?"

"Right, right! Why are we one person short?"

The crowd soon realized Song Wanning was missing, and they all grew alarmed and suspicious.

Li Qingya’s brow furrowed, a murderous glint flashing in her eyes.

’Did Song Wanning somehow team up with the Flower Clan Leader?’

’Or does he plan to kill her for her treasures?’

All sorts of guesses flooded her mind, and a flicker of impatience crossed her face.

’The Flower Clan Leader has messed up my plans. Now I’ll have to post monsters here to keep watch. Otherwise, I won’t even know when she gets out, and how am I supposed to scheme against her then?’

’What a pain!’

A vicious thought crossed Li Qingya’s mind.

’After I take care of Song Wanning, I have to cultivate diligently. Otherwise, I’ll never keep up with Gong Ye, and he’ll just abandon me.’

She was keenly aware that if she had nothing to offer, Gong Ye would not focus his attention on her alone.

...

「Within the Flower Clan territory.」

Song Wanning was invited into the Clan Leader’s study.

A cup of clear tea was placed before her, but she simply sat with a placid expression, making no move to drink it.

The Flower Clan Leader saw this and sighed.

"Keeping you here was presumptuous of me, Fellow Daoist, but the Flower Clan is truly in desperate need of your help."

"May I ask your name, Fellow Daoist?"

he asked amiably.

’I have a good idea of what he wants,’ Song Wanning thought. ’After all, his whole demeanor changed the moment he saw that the Blood Evil couldn’t harm me. His objective must be related to that.’

"My name is Song Wanning."

She didn’t try to hide her identity.

"Song Wanning? So it is Song Dao You!"

The Flower Clan Leader was out of touch with news from the outside world; this was the first time he had ever heard her name.