Among her three disciples, Lu Nanfeng had always seemed rather moderate.

He possessed a wood-attribute Spirit Root, and perhaps because of its influence, his temperament had always been quite gentle.

When An Ze caused trouble, he was always the one on the sidelines, offering admonishments and cleaning up the mess.

Before her, he also appeared humble and respectful.

But sometimes, that kind of person could be the most hurtful.

Even in moments of life and death, he would be there, preaching about benevolence and righteousness.

Though his eyes would redden and his expression show reluctance, he would only offer empty words, never a helping hand.

Song Wanning even felt he was more detestable than An Ze.

Lu Nanfeng had long been in love with Ye Chuxue.

She had noticed long ago.

But unexpectedly, after all that, Ye Chuxue had still been cured of the poison.

A chill went through her. ’Perhaps this wasn’t just Lu Nanfeng’s "deep, unwavering love," but also involved the hand of the Heavenly Dao.’

’Even now, the Heavenly Dao is still correcting the plot.’

This made her feel a little uneasy.

The Song Family was well-prepared for this beast tide, but if the Heavenly Dao showed favoritism, she feared...

Song Wanning took out a Sound Transmission Talisman and sent another message to Song Qingyun, warning them to be extremely careful.

Once the two groups met, she would naturally find a way to protect the Song Family.

...

At the border, the battle against the beast tide was fierce.

As people from the various sects and clans gradually arrived, the pressure on everyone slowly lessened, but the situation remained grim.

This beast tide was larger in scale than any before, and even Fifth-rank Demon Beasts had appeared.

The ranks of demon beasts range from one to six, each corresponding to a Human Cultivator’s stage, such as Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Divinity Transformation.

A Fifth-rank Demon Beast’s combat power is equivalent to the human Nascent Soul Stage, and they can even partially take on human form.

If a demon beast wishes to take human form, upon reaching the fifth rank, it can transform its lower body, and upon reaching the sixth rank, it can transform its entire body.

When crossing the Heavenly Tribulation, it can completely change its form, which is equivalent to an opportunity to be fully reshaped into a human.

However, for spirits, demon beasts, and Demon Cultivators, Crossing the Heavenly Tribulation is extremely difficult, and it is easy to die beneath its might.

The Human Clan finds it slightly easier to cross the tribulation, but the proportion of them who can cultivate is far smaller, and their lifespans are also shorter.

Thus, the Cultivation World has always maintained a certain balance.

The group from the Heavenly Inquiry Sect arrived at the border.

The border under siege by this beast tide stretched for hundreds of kilometers, and every day, massive numbers of demon beasts launched attacks, trying to break through the line.

The commander of the garrison stationed there immediately came forward to greet them.

"Greetings, True Monarchs!"

"What is the situation?"

the Sect Master asked with a frown.

"This beast tide is ferocious. The leading demon beast has already reached the fifth rank."

The commander explained the situation as he led them. "The number of demon beasts in this tide is staggering. And there’s something off about them—they seem extremely agitated, desperate to cross the border and reach the other side."

"We’ve studied it many times but still haven’t found the cause."

He led the several Nascent Soul Cultivators into a tent, pointed at a sand table in the center, and continued, "We are currently stationed in the middle of the southern section. The Yuan Family has taken charge upstream, and the Song Family is downstream."

"Look here. This is where the beast tide is densest... and this is the Ten Thousand Sword Sect’s station!"

The stations had already been assigned. The Heavenly Inquiry Sect was now only a mid-tier Sect, so their assigned position was relatively safer. The most dangerous territories were all held by the stations of the Six Major Sects and Four Great Clans.

"The demon beasts already launched an attack last night. I’m afraid they’ll come again today at Noon."

The commander’s face was grave. He sighed, "We lost over fifty more fellow Daoists last night..."

Some of these people were garrisoned soldiers, while others were Loose Cultivators who had come of their own accord.

Loose Cultivators are Cultivators without a Sect or family to rely on; their entire cultivation journey depends on themselves alone.

The flesh and hides of demon beasts are quite valuable.

Eating them can increase one’s Spiritual Power, and selling them can earn Spirit Stones.

If one were lucky enough to obtain a Demon Beast Inner Core, they would strike it rich.

Therefore, despite knowing the danger, many Loose Cultivators still came to the border, hoping to acquire some resources.

The Sect Master was silent for a moment after hearing this. He stepped forward and patted the commander’s shoulder. "My condolences." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

After that brief moment of comfort, everyone immediately threw themselves into arranging the suppression operation.

Song Wanning did not participate, instead walking straight out of the tent.

In the military camp, injured Cultivators were everywhere. Missing arms and legs were a common sight.

Everyone wore grave expressions, and the atmosphere was oppressive.

She gazed at the high mountains before her, faintly sensing several powerful auras concealed within them.

"Master." Lu Nanfeng’s voice came from behind her.

Song Wanning turned to see both Bai Yang and Lu Nanfeng standing behind her.

"What is it?"

she asked coolly, her gaze lingering briefly on Bai Yang.

’My goal in coming out to battle with the Heavenly Inquiry Sect this time is the divine beast contracted to Bai Yang.’

’Otherwise, I would have returned to the Song Family’s contingent long ago.’

’I know I can’t give the male and female leads a chance to rise up. Otherwise, it would be like opening a floodgate, completely unstoppable.’

’Therefore, I must obtain this divine beast!’

"Master, the Sect Master sent us to ask if you could help everyone with Alchemy, as the station needs a supply of Elixir Pills?"

Lu Nanfeng watched Song Wanning nervously. He was now traumatized by his master’s slaps and feared she would suddenly strike him.

’That Sect Master... His relationship with Master isn’t good, so he sends the two of us to be his spokesmen. But is Master the kind of person who listens to persuasion?’

He sighed inwardly, feeling put in a very difficult position.

But Song Wanning nodded briskly. "Fine!"

She hadn’t planned on risking her life on the front lines for the Heavenly Inquiry Sect anyway; Alchemy was a good alternative.

"Huh?"

Lu Nanfeng was utterly astonished, but it was wonderful that his master had agreed!

"That’s great! I’ll go tell the Sect Master you’ve agreed!"

"No need. This Monarch will go herself."

Song Wanning waved her hand and headed toward the main tent herself.

Bai Yang’s expression flickered slightly, and he followed her.

There was a hint of doubt in his eyes; he was very surprised that his master was being so agreeable.

Ever since she broke her engagement with Senior Uncle Gu, his master hadn’t performed Alchemy, nor had she been willing to provide the Sect with Elixir Pills.

’And now...’

Filled with doubt, the two of them followed her inside.

"Junior Sister Song, this beast tide is immense, and the disciples are suffering heavy losses. The supply of Elixir Pills is especially crucial!"

"I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you!"

The Sect Master forced a smile, no longer having the same confidence he once had when facing Song Wanning.

If too many disciples were lost while he was leading this expedition, his own position would become even more precarious...

"Of course, the Sect will provide all the materials for the Alchemy. As for the inner cores obtained each day, we’ll give you an extra ten percent share. What do you think?"

"Good!"

Song Wanning nodded. "The beast tide is a perilous crisis. This Monarch should contribute to the Sect. Even if the Sect Master had not mentioned it, this Monarch would have refined Elixir Pills."

She nodded with an air of great righteousness, which in turn made the Sect Master seem petty.

He gave an awkward laugh, cursing inwardly. "That’s wonderful, then."

Standing to the side, Ye Chuxue’s eyes lit up when she heard this.

’Getting inner cores just by performing Alchemy in the camp? That’s a deal with guaranteed profit and no risk.’