’The Hundred Ghosts Sect took my full commission, yet they’re using false advertising!’

However, considering they surely had other moves planned, Song Wanning decided to accept this explanation.

The Hundred Ghosts Sect had always been direct and efficient, but this time, they were uncharacteristically releasing bits of information one day at a time. It was a calculated scheme.

By releasing new "inside information" every day, they could keep the topic trending and ensure everyone was constantly discussing it.

The pressure on the Mountain Gazing Sect would naturally mount. If they didn’t make a significant sacrifice this time, there would be no way to quell this matter.

Song Wanning had already written Liu Yao’s ending. But as for Liu Yiyi...

Whether she would be dragged down with them would depend on her own choices—something Song Wanning couldn’t control.

Just as she was thinking, a commotion suddenly erupted on the street below.

"Look, look! It’s one of the Merfolk!!!"

"What? There are still Merfolk around? I thought they went extinct after the Blood Sea Great War."

"Yeah, I heard this one was discovered in the Wuyou Sea!"

Hearing it was one of the long-lost Merfolk, everyone craned their necks in curiosity, staring intently at the commotion on the street.

Song Wanning’s interest was also piqued when she heard "Merfolk." She sent out her Divine Sense and quickly located the creature everyone was talking about.

It was a female of the Merfolk, with a supple figure. Her upper body was human, while her lower half was that of a fish.

The scales on her lower body were iridescent, shimmering with a dreamlike luster. Her upper body was clad in form-fitting white brocade that accentuated her magnificent figure.

Her long, flowing hair was like seaweed, and her upturned eyes held a hint of blue.

A truly beautiful and delicate member of the Merfolk.

Legend said the Merfolk could control water, and some even possessed healing arts. In ancient times, they were considered overlords of the aquatic world.

Later, after several great wars in the oceans, the Merfolk were driven to near extinction, and all traces of them vanished.

And now, one had been discovered in the Wuyou Sea.

But for the Merfolk, this was not a good thing.

Song Wanning glanced over before retracting her gaze. In the memories of her past life, she didn’t seem to recall any news about Merfolk.

’Was information too restricted back then, or have some unknown changes occurred in the Cultivation World?’

She furrowed her brow, lost in thought.

The thought had just formed when Feng Lansi sent her a voice transmission. "Song Dao You, I just asked around. No one has any Westwind Sand on hand, but one of my senior brothers once saw some in the Wuyou Sea."

"Why don’t we go to the Wuyou Sea together and take a look? Coincidentally, I’ve also been wanting to get some to tinker with my Lifebound Magical Treasure!"

Artifact Refiners loved to mess with their Lifebound Magical Treasures, adding all sorts of materials. This was both to improve their quality and to experiment. If successful, the Magical Treasure’s power would increase, potentially doubling their combat strength.

Feng Lansi was someone who loved to tinker, so now that she’d heard about Westwind Sand, she naturally couldn’t bear to miss out.

Hearing the invitation, Song Wanning’s expression tensed slightly. She extended her Divine Sense once more, focusing it on the member of the Merfolk.

’The Wuyou Sea...’

’It is indeed an interesting place.’

After some thought, she sent a message back to Feng Lansi, accepting the invitation.

The two agreed to set out for the Wuyou Sea together in three days.

By now, the street had grown even more lively. Everyone was gathered around the mer-woman, extremely interested in this legendary species.

"Everyone, take a good look at this member of the Merfolk! According to legend, this is a water-type species that possesses healing powers. If you contract her as a companion pet..."

The speaker paused here, giving everyone a knowing look.

"Tomorrow, we will be auctioning this member of the Merfolk at the Hundred Fragrance House! If you have money, come support us with your wealth! If you don’t have money, come support us with your presence!"

With that, the man pulled the mer-woman toward the other end of the street.

The crowd quickly dispersed, but everyone looked restless and eager to act.

The healing ability was the most coveted aspect of the Merfolk.

It was like carrying a medicine pouch with you at all times, and in a moment of danger, it was an extra Life-saving Talisman. How could anyone not be tempted?

’Tomorrow, at the Hundred Fragrance House?’

Song Wanning raised an eyebrow and looked in the direction the mer-woman had been taken.

’If I remember correctly, the Hundred Fragrance House is the Mo Family’s business...’

In her past life, when the Song Family was besieged, the Mo Family had been jumping up and down, making no small amount of trouble.

Back then, the old Family Head of the Mo Family had died, and Mo Wentian had taken his place as the new Family Head.

’If I remember correctly, the Mo Family’s Family Head is due to die any day now...’

Mo Wentian was a brutal man, but his saving grace was his immense strength, which gave him a high standing in the Mo Family.

Rumor had it that before the Mo Family’s Family Head died, he had left a message passing the position of Family Head to Mo Wentian...

This matter had even caused a period of internal strife in the Mo Family, because while he was alive, the Family Head’s attitude toward Mo Wentian couldn’t be called good—in fact, you could even say it was one of disgust.

The two factions were like fire and water; anyone could tell something was fishy about the whole affair.

But after all the internal turmoil, Mo Wentian and his faction still managed to suppress the opposition.

The Mo Family thus changed masters. The previous Family Head’s trusted aides were sent away one after another, gradually removed from the Mo Family’s center of power.

Thinking of Mo Wentian’s arrogant face during the siege on the Song Family in her past life, Song Wanning’s eyes narrowed.

’Merfolk... the death of the Mo Family Head...’

’There’s probably a connection between the two.’

’If the mer-woman is truly responsible, Mo Wentian will definitely find a way to destroy her and silence any witnesses.’

That would also explain why she had never heard any news of Merfolk appearing in her past life.

"Heh, this Mo Wentian... he’s getting impatient!"

Song Wanning lowered her gaze.

Almost every family has its dissenters, and the Song Family had been no different.

But later, as she gradually grew stronger and became an Alchemy Grandmaster, certain people quieted down.

Of course, there were still some voices of doubt from time to time, but when they were besieged in her past life, not a single person chose to desert. Everyone had fought to the death to defend the Song Family.

Therefore, no matter what those people said or did, Song Wanning could tolerate them.

After Song Qingyun learned of this, he also changed his attitude somewhat. Now, the Song Family was far more harmonious than before.

So, a situation like the Mo Family’s was not uncommon. People only cared about who the final victor was.

The winner becomes king, the loser a bandit. It has always been this way!

A strange glint flashed in Song Wanning’s eyes as she turned and went back upstairs.

"Master, are you planning to get involved in the Mo Family’s internal war?"

The Golden Small Sword immediately popped out. It could instantly sense its master’s thoughts.

But its master was not the type to meddle in others’ business. Participating in the Mo Family’s internal war carried no small risk.

"Mm, although I haven’t succumbed to demonic cultivation, I still feel uneasy. Especially with the Heavenly Dao watching like a tiger stalking its prey; there’s no guarantee it won’t find some other pretext to make a move."

"To be absolutely safe, the Song Family still needs to win over some allies." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

No matter how strong Song Wanning was, she couldn’t withstand a combined assault from all those families and sects. With human-wave tactics plus Divinity Transformation cultivators, once she was tied down, the Song Family’s situation would become extremely dangerous.

Therefore, reliable allies were especially important.