Chapter 717 - 724: The Death of Situ Yue

A frantic panic seized Situ Yue, and she began to scream and shout.

She was terrified, tears welling in her eyes.

"Daoqing, I saved your life! Why are you doing this to me?"

"Why?"

"Even if I did something wrong, it’s not a crime punishable by death!"

Her tearful questions echoed through the mountain forest.

But the two before her showed no signs of softening, their gazes remaining cold as they stared at her.

The look in their eyes filled her with despair.

"Song Wanning, I was wrong. I was really wrong. I was just jealous of you..."

"I didn’t mean to harm you. Don’t kill me."

"Please, I’m begging you..."

"I’m begging you both."

Situ Yue had lost all her initial arrogance and belligerence, knowing such tactics were useless against Daoqing.

All she could do was beg helplessly for mercy, crying until she nearly fainted.

If it were only Song Wanning, she might have stood a chance of survival.

But with Daoqing standing guard, there was no escape.

She stared at Daoqing through her tears, unable to understand how he could turn on her so quickly, so ruthlessly...

"Do it."

Unwilling to look at Situ Yue’s accusing gaze any longer, Daoqing hardened his heart and turned away.

’As an intruder, this is Situ Yue’s final fate.’

’Not only did she scheme against me, but she also occupied the body of the real Situ Yue, causing a talented Cultivator to fall.’

’Her very existence is a mistake.’

’Even if she hadn’t done anything wrong, I would support Song Wanning’s decision.’

’The higher one’s Cultivation, the more one understands the immense power and responsibility borne by the Heavenly Dao, and the less one can tolerate those who scheme against it.’

’On this point, there is no room for negotiation.’

Seeing Daoqing’s resolute attitude, Song Wanning wasted no more words.

She approached Situ Yue, her Longsword already unsheathed.

Situ Yue shrank back, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Don’t kill me... Don’t kill me..."

"I beg you, don’t kill me..."

All she could do was beg.

Situ Yue pleaded in despair.

Song Wanning raised her Longsword and swung it at her without a hint of hesitation.

"AHHH—"

Situ Yue shrieked in terror and desperation, wishing she could self-destruct and drag Song Wanning down to hell with her.

Unfortunately, with Daoqing’s spiritual pressure pinning her down, she couldn’t move an inch.

She could only watch in terror and resignation as the Longsword fell, her eyes filled with despair.

She let out a final scream as the Longsword descended.

This time, no Heavenly Thunder came to interfere.

Just like that, Song Wanning easily slew Situ Yue, her blade cleaving down through the center of her skull and splitting her in two.

Her Divine Soul was shattered along with her body, leaving no chance of survival.

THUD—

The two halves of the body fell to either side with a dull thud.

Dust flew up, obscuring Situ Yue’s resentful eyes.

Song Wanning sheathed her Longsword and wiped the blood from its blade, her expression impassive.

She stepped aside, leaving space for Daoqing.

Daoqing fell silent for a long moment, his feelings complicated as he looked at Situ Yue’s corpse.

’After all, she was my disciple for so long.’

"Sigh—"

He heaved a long sigh, dug a pit nearby, and after cremating the corpse, buried the ashes.

It was a way of bringing their fated master-disciple relationship to an end.

"Let’s go."

He no longer dwelled on the matter and left with Song Wanning.

Along the way, Song Wanning couldn’t stop thinking. ’How many more intruders are there in this Immortal Realm?’

’Or was Situ Yue the only one?’

’The Wood Sculpture Realm is clearly getting desperate; it surely can’t hold on for much longer. What will it do to this world in the end?’

Song Wanning’s mind was in turmoil as all sorts of terrible possibilities played out in her head again and again.

’Regardless, if I encounter this situation again, I have to get involved.’

’I just hope that day comes later rather than sooner.’

’I’ve only just ascended. I’m not ready for this.’

Before long, Song Wanning and Daoqing parted ways.

Daoqing returned to the Wuji Sect, while Song Wanning continued with her plan to gain worldly experience.

Daoqing still needed to explain the situation to his other disciples, so Song Wanning simply chose a direction and headed off at a leisurely pace.

「Another month passed in the blink of an eye.」

Song Wanning sat on the upper floor of a teahouse, sipping Spiritual Tea.

A figure suddenly sat down beside her.

Song Wanning glanced over and recognized the Buddhist Practitioner she had met once before.

"Benefactor, it has been a while."

The Buddhist Practitioner’s expression was placid, but his eyes held a hint of a smile as he stared at Song Wanning.

Song Wanning met his gaze, the corners of her lips curling into a mocking smile.

"Weren’t you watching from the sidelines the last time I killed someone?"

"It hasn’t been that long, has it?"

Her all-seeing gaze fell upon the Buddhist Practitioner, who let out a soft chuckle.

"So, the Benefactor noticed me long ago."

The Buddhist Practitioner straightened his expression and said to Song Wanning, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tian Li."

"I was hoping to invite you, Benefactor, to explore a secret domain. Are you interested?"

The Buddhist Practitioner, Tian Li, had a frank expression, as if he saw nothing wrong with having followed Song Wanning.

Song Wanning gave a cold snort and said nothing, simply taking a slow sip of the Spiritual Tea in her cup.

’Back when Feng San intercepted me, this man was secretly watching from the sidelines.’

’I remained on guard, but he left before I’d even dealt with Feng San, so I didn’t follow.’

’But this man is definitely no saint.’

"Benefactor, are you perhaps still upset about what happened before?"

Tian Li smiled, and with an unearned familiarity, picked up the nearby tableware and began to eat the Spirit Food Song Wanning had ordered.

Song Wanning shot him a glare, a cold glint in her eyes.

"I simply saw that the power of your merit was astonishing, Benefactor, so I wanted to observe you for a while. I never expected to stumble upon such a scene."

"I do hope you won’t take offense, Benefactor."

Tian Li continued speaking, completely ignoring Song Wanning’s glare.

A faint smile remained on his lips the entire time.

"Besides, I have a secret I could share. I wonder if the Benefactor would be interested in hearing it?"

As he spoke, he leaned in close to Song Wanning, abruptly closing the distance between them and causing her to instinctively shrink back.

But Tian Li pressed in again until they were only inches apart, creating an appearance of extreme intimacy.

Song Wanning’s expression darkened, her chilly gaze locked on Tian Li as she tried to guess his true intentions.

’She hadn’t forgotten the countless lives this man had on his hands.’

’A Buddhist Practitioner?’

’He’s nothing more than a wicked Buddha.’

Seeing Song Wanning’s defensive posture, Tian Li gave a wicked smile. His eyes landed on her exquisite face, and a dark glint flashed in their depths.

"Do you know the predicament this world is facing?"

"And do you know that there are intruders in this world?"

His words made Song Wanning’s expression change in an instant.

’What does Tian Li know?’

"Don’t be nervous. I’m just asking."

Tian Li pulled away from Song Wanning and casually stuffed a piece of Demon Beast Meat into his mouth.

"Now do you understand why I’ve taken so many lives?"

He raised an eyebrow, and his words made Song Wanning’s heart sink once more.