After they both spoke, their eyes met again, and a subtle tension filled the air.

The Merfolk at the side shrank back, a flicker of fear in its eyes.

’Both of them look like they have terrible tempers. If they actually start fighting, I’ll be the one who suffers!’

Song Wanning stared at Feng Jiuxiao. She despised anyone who sided with Ye Chuxue.

So, naturally, she didn’t give Feng Jiuxiao a pleasant look.

She had already made up her mind. It would be one thing if Feng Jiuxiao changed her choice, but if she remained obstinate, they were going to have a proper fight.

’No matter what, this inheritance cannot fall into Ye Chuxue’s hands!’

Perhaps because Song Wanning never bothered to hide her intentions, Feng Jiuxiao immediately sensed them and laughed in exasperation.

’This girl is truly audacious, thinking of killing me again and again. I have no idea where she gets such nerve!’

Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she put on a troubled expression.

"Little girl, since that other young lady isn’t suitable for the legacy, how about I leave it to you? I can see you’re quite a character yourself. I’m sure you could make my legacy flourish."

Who could resist the temptation of an Immortal Monarch’s legacy?

And Song Wanning was no exception.

With that said, a smile played on her lips as she waited leisurely for the moment Song Wanning would give in.

But Song Wanning simply leaned back on the stool, her expression cool and her eyelids half-closed, showing not a single trace of excitement.

She was no fool.

Anyone else, even knowing this might be a trick, wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity.

But Song Wanning was different. She was short on time and had too many important things to do. She had barely managed any proper secluded cultivation since her rebirth.

’So what if I really did get the inheritance?’

’I simply don’t have enough time to dedicate myself to studying it.’

’That Immortal Artifact is a much more practical prize.’

Song Wanning’s gaze shifted as she began to scheme. ’I need to find a way to get my hands on that Immortal Artifact.’

’Even though I can’t stand Feng Jiuxiao, she’s not as detestable as that person from the Medicine King Sect. Maybe it’s worth a try.’

"Why so quiet? Are you stunned speechless with joy?"

Feng Jiuxiao chuckled. Her attention was now completely captivated by Song Wanning; she had all but forgotten the two people in the Water Mirror.

Feng Lansi had it even worse. Absolutely no one was paying attention to her as she continued to diligently study the array.

"I’m not interested in your legacy."

Song Wanning shot her a sidelong glance before turning her gaze to the Water Mirror. "Senior, if you have the time, you should pay more attention to the candidates. Don’t waste your energy on me!"

"I’m not the type to accept just any legacy."

Her tone was so dismissive and filled with contempt that it made Feng Jiuxiao laugh out loud.

’This brat! She’s deliberately trying to provoke me.’

But even though she knew it was intentional, she couldn’t help getting angry.

’Unbelievable...’

"I was just wondering, with a mouth like that, how many people do you piss off on a daily basis? How have you managed to stay alive this long?"

Feng Jiuxiao crossed her legs, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity.

Song Wanning turned to look at her and raised a challenging eyebrow.

"Your mouth is no better than mine, and didn’t you ascend to become an immortal?"

"You—"

Feng Jiuxiao was so furious her vision swam.

’It’s been hundreds of thousands of years! No one has dared to speak to me with such a tone in hundreds of thousands of years!’

’But why... why is it that while I’m angry, I also find this a bit exhilarating?’

The corner of her mouth twitched. ’I must have gone mad from loneliness, to finally meet someone I can banter with.’

’I’m really not used to this.’

"Hmph! Go on, be stubborn. We’ll see you cry when I give the legacy to that little girl."

Feng Jiuxiao huffed. She could see it clearly now—Song Wanning and that girl were enemies!

’The more Song Wanning dislikes that girl, the more I’m determined to give the legacy to her!’

Song Wanning didn’t get angry. Instead, the sword on her back hummed and trembled twice.

"You’re welcome to try, Senior."

A sinister light flickered in her eyes as flashes of Demonic Qi and Spiritual Energy danced around her. Her very presence became oppressive.

The more Feng Jiuxiao looked at her, the more she resembled a certain person.

’It’s just... that person cultivated the Heartless Path and barely spoke a word. They were nothing like this chatty Song Wanning!’

But that killing intent, that aura... they were strikingly similar.

Feng Jiuxiao was momentarily dazed. An image of that figure seemed to flash before her eyes, only to quickly dissipate.

’Impossible. That Immortal Monarch couldn’t possibly be connected to Song Wanning. It must be a coincidence!’

This distraction, however, killed her mood for bickering with Song Wanning. She turned her gaze back to the Water Mirror.

Her task was not yet complete, and choosing a successor was of the utmost importance.

In the Water Mirror, Yu Cheng had reached the final step. He was completely absorbed in his study of the array, seemingly having forgotten the outside world entirely.

As for Ye Chuxue, her body was at its breaking point.

She was gasping for breath. Both her Spiritual Energy and Divine Sense were nearly depleted, and she was in desperate need of rest.

But the opportunity was right before her, and Ye Chuxue was terrified of losing it.

Having missed out on chances time and time again had already cast a shadow over her heart.

The scorn and insults from others, Song Wanning’s mocking glares, the disappointment in Bai Yang’s eyes... She was sick of it all!

"No, I must keep going!"

Ye Chuxue closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they were filled with renewed determination.

Even though her body was in terrible condition, she chose to persevere.

Seeing this, Feng Jiuxiao smiled in gratification.

She had seen the girl’s passion for arrays with her own eyes.

’If I can entrust the legacy to her, she will surely make it flourish.’

As for Yu Cheng, his talent was also impressive, but compared to the girl, he never seemed to stand out.

It was a strange feeling, as if the girl was simply meant to be seen...

Feng Jiuxiao frowned slightly, but she immediately pushed the strange feeling down.

She stared intently at the image of Ye Chuxue, a smile slowly spreading across her lips as her eyes filled with fondness for the younger generation.

Song Wanning took it all in.

Her heart grew colder and colder.

Even after she had wasted so much breath and effort, the other woman’s opinion remained unchanged.

’As long as Ye Chuxue is present, no one else’s hard work will ever be acknowledged. Even if someone outperforms her, they’ll find some excuse to dismiss them.’

Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the armrest, the gloom in her eyes deepening.

The Merfolk at her side sensed that something was wrong with its master and grew anxious.

But it was even more worried about Jiao Jiao.

’Jiao Jiao is with an injured human right now. Who knows what that person might do?’

It wrung its hands anxiously, its face flushing.

Time ticked by. Finally, Ye Chuxue could hold on no longer and collapsed.

She was drenched in sweat, her Divine Soul felt like it was being torn apart, and her face was completely drained of color, as pale as a ghost.

Jiao Jiao was startled and rushed to her side.

"Chuxue, are you okay? Don’t scare me!"

"What’s wrong with you?"

Jiao Jiao was deeply worried about the human before it.