She leisurely made her way through the crowd, heading for the main tent.

Inside the tent, Ye Chuxue was presenting her Elixir Pills to the Sect Master. The other Alchemists, despite a slightly lower success rate of pill formation, had also managed to produce some Elixir Pills.

This was the fruit of just half a day’s labor. If they gave it their all tomorrow, they should see even better results.

The Sect Master looked at the Elixir Pills with great satisfaction. He accepted them with a smile, promising to distribute rewards later based on everyone’s contributions.

Everyone was delighted by the promise. Only Ye Chuxue’s expression remained unchanged as she took the initiative to say, "Sect Master, as members of the Heavenly Inquiry Sect, this is our duty!"

"It’s just... this disciple has heard that Uncle Song did not stay in the Alchemy Room to perform Alchemy today, but instead took it upon herself to go to the Song Family’s camp. This action has caused considerable gossip among the disciples, and I’m afraid it’s inappropriate..."

At her words, the few others present all lowered their heads, unwilling to get involved.

It wasn’t their place to comment on Grandmaster Song’s actions.

But Ye Chuxue had no such qualms. Her faction had long since had a complete falling out with Song Wanning. What was there to fear?

The Sect Master’s expression instantly soured upon hearing this, and displeasure welled up within him.

’Song Wanning is always so willful! Even now, at a time like this, she only cares about the Song Family!’

He was just about to speak when Song Wanning walked in. He immediately cut himself off, changing the subject. "Junior Sister Song, I heard you went to the Song Family’s camp today? Has something happened to them?"

His veiled question brought a slight smirk to Song Wanning’s lips.

’And this is the kind of person who expects my undying loyalty?’

She shot Ye Chuxue a cool glance. She’d heard every word.

Song Wanning felt that Ye Chuxue had changed a great deal from the person she remembered in her past life.

She’d never liked her, but the Ye Chuxue of her past life had been intelligent, rational, and far more graceful in her words and deeds.

This current version of her... it was almost like looking at her own past self, after her own composure had shattered...

Withdrawing her gaze, Song Wanning stated calmly, "I hadn’t seen my family in a long time. I went to visit them."

"Here are the Elixir Pills."

Done with the pleasantries, she took out a jade vial and tossed it over.

The Sect Master caught it, opened it, and was instantly stunned.

"It’s a Sixth Grade Muscle Regeneration Pill!"

"And there are five of them!"

The main purpose of a Muscle Regeneration Pill is to rejuvenate flesh and skin.

A Low-level Muscle Regeneration Pill can enhance one’s appearance, mend scars, and fade bruises and blemishes.

An Intermediate Muscle Regeneration Pill can regrow hair and even reattach severed limbs.

A High-level Muscle Regeneration Pill is exponentially more effective, capable of rapidly regrowing new flesh and skin on a body that has been reduced to mere bones.

A single one of these pills was worth far more than all the Elixir Pills the others had made combined, to say nothing of the fact that Song Wanning had produced five.

The Sect Master’s expression changed in an instant. When suppressing a beast tide, it was commonplace for disciples to lose limbs. Without Muscle Regeneration Pills, they would be permanently crippled.

The Sect had brought some Muscle Regeneration Pills, but none were nearly this high-grade. The value of these Elixir Pills was therefore self-evident.

"You absolutely should have gone to see them. If the Song Family needs any help, Junior Sister Song, don’t hold back. Just say the word."

He smiled happily, then took out a large box of Medicinal Herbs and handed it to Song Wanning. "We’ll have to trouble you again tomorrow, Junior Sister Song!"

"It is no trouble. It’s just that hearing someone question my devotion to the Sect is truly disheartening."

Song Wanning’s expression was aloof, her eyes never once straying toward Ye Chuxue. "My actions have never required an explanation to others. I will let this slide today. But if there is a next time, do not blame me for abandoning all decorum!"

With that, she turned and strode away, appearing furious.

Back in the tent, the remaining few exchanged glances before all turning to look at Ye Chuxue with contempt.

’How could a common person dare to question the strength of Uncle Song?’

’Ye Chuxue is just a joke...’

Ye Chuxue: "..."

’That woman really knows how to put on an act.’

’She left so early today. How could she possibly have had time for Alchemy?’

’Those Elixir Pills must have been ones she refined ages ago!’

Her expression turned grim, and a fighting spirit ignited within her.

’Just wait until I’ve grown stronger. We’ll see how arrogant Song Wanning can be then!’

Flicking her sleeves, Ye Chuxue hurried towards her own Alchemy Room.

’With such an abundance of Medicinal Herbs, this was the perfect opportunity to practice. It couldn’t be wasted.’

She couldn’t stand Song Wanning’s arrogant attitude for a second longer.

...

「Later that evening.」 The entire camp learned of the unpleasantness between the two women. But when word spread that Song Wanning had submitted a Sixth-grade Elixir, everyone fell silent.

"Sister, you did that on purpose today, didn’t you?"

The Golden Small Sword bounced out of her Sea of Consciousness and landed on Song Wanning’s shoulder.

’Master stormed through the camp today. Wasn’t it just to make sure everyone knew she’d fought with Ye Chuxue?’

"Yes."

Song Wanning took out an Elixir Bottle and placed it to the side. Inside were Elixir Pills she had refined in advance.

As she spoke, she took out a Scarecrow and dripped a drop of her own blood onto it.

Instantly, the Scarecrow seemed to come to life, walking back and forth inside the room.

The aura it emanated was also identical to Song Wanning’s.

During her previous seclusion, she had already been preparing for the beast tide.

The scene she caused today was also to let everyone know that she had brazenly gone to the Song Family, creating the illusion that she would always be open and direct whenever she went out.

Then, when she secretly departed, between the Scarecrow and the Elixir Pills she provides, no one will suspect she’s not in the camp.

She needed to hide her true movements, first to figure out the matter with the Song Family, and second to follow Bai Yang and seize the divine beast.

Every single part of her plan had to be executed flawlessly.

"So when are we leaving?"

The Golden Small Sword jumped up excitedly. It couldn’t wait to have a good fight with those Half-beastmen.

"Tonight, we’ll go to the Song Family camp first. The trap has already been laid; we’re just waiting for that person to fall into it."

"As for Bai Yang, I’ve placed a wisp of a Spiritual Mark on him, so I can track his location."

Song Wanning’s eyes darkened. The war was only just beginning.

’I have to protect the Song Family!’

Late that night, Song Wanning donned the same black clothes as before. A mask completely concealed her aura, making her identity unrecognizable.

Her figure departed silently, unnoticed by any of the Cultivators on night watch.

*

"ROAR—"

A bear-like demon beast gave chase, roaring angrily as it swiped its claws at Bai Yang.

The advantages of a demon beast are its great strength and its thick hide.

A few demon beasts can awaken an Innate Divine Ability, possessing more attack methods.

And this demon beast pursuing Bai Yang had awakened a wind-type Divine Skill. As it swung its paw, countless whirlwinds attacked him from behind.

Bai Yang planted his feet on the back of a nearby demon beast, using it as a springboard to leap away. He narrowly dodged the whirlwinds, only to land on another demon beast.

Before he could leap into the air again, the sharp claws of the demon beast beneath him grabbed his foot.

Bai Yang’s expression turned fierce as he swung his sword down.

"BOOM—"

A flash of white light, and the demon beast’s claw was directly severed.

At the same time, a whirlwind struck, grazing his face as it bore down on him.