Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Lu Nanfeng Breaks Down and Succumbs to Inner Demons

Song Wanning just stood there, quietly savoring the sight of Ye Chuxue’s frenzied state.

Only when footsteps echoed from the passageway again did she slowly lift her foot and change her expression.

Lu Nanfeng had arrived.

Wary of a trap, he advanced with extreme caution. A flicker of joy sparked within him when he saw the end of the tunnel.

The next instant, however, he spotted someone in the cave and instinctively ducked back into the cover of the passageway.

He hadn’t gotten a clear look at the figure and didn’t dare reveal himself rashly. Just as he was trying to figure out what to do, he suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Ye Chuxue, Bai Yang has already made it clear that you two aren’t a good match. Why must you be so persistent?"

"All you’re doing is causing him trouble!"

’Master?’

’Junior Sister Ye?’

Lu Nanfeng froze, then a wave of delight washed over him.

’They’re friendlies. Nothing to be afraid of.’

But... after hearing what Song Wanning said, he grew tense. Instead of revealing himself, he stayed hidden and strained his ears to listen.

’Junior Sister Ye and Bai Yang have been so on-again, off-again. What’s their relationship now?’

’Do I still have a chance?’

Before he knew it, Lu Nanfeng’s palms were slick with sweat.

Lying on the ground, the frenzied Ye Chuxue froze at the words. The name "Bai Yang" jolted her back to her senses.

’But she didn’t understand why Song Wanning had suddenly brought up Bai Yang.’

’It seems Song Wanning still can’t get over the fact that Bai Yang likes me, can she?’

’Then again, several of her own disciples love me, and I even stole her fiancé. Song Wanning pretends it doesn’t bother her, but who knows how heartbroken she really is behind my back.’

In that moment, Ye Chuxue finally felt a sliver of superiority. She opened her mouth and retorted, "Bai Yang... he’s the one who likes me..."

"He just likes me, and was willing to... leave you for me. You’re just jealous, aren’t you?"

Seeing Song Wanning’s face darken, Ye Chuxue felt a surge of malicious glee.

Spurred on by the floral scent, she began to blurt out whatever came to mind.

"Are you... furious? HAHAHA—but the truth is... your fiancé likes me... and your two disciples like me, too..."

"And you’re just a worthless slut who deserves to be passed around by ten thousand men. My only regret is that I started cultivating after you. Otherwise, who’d give you the right to stand here and criticize me?"

"I would’ve thrown you into a pile of men long ago to let you ’enjoy’ yourself."

"Hiss... that’s right. You’ve probably never enjoyed a man, have you? Let me tell you, when my Master and I are tangled up together, he’s incredible..."

"HAHAHA!"

She burst out laughing. The angrier Song Wanning became, the more delighted she was!!!

Even if she wasn’t going to make it out alive, she refused to let Song Wanning live a happy life!

Every one of these words reached Lu Nanfeng’s ears. He was stunned, finding it hard to believe that Ye Chuxue could say such things.

In his memory, Ye Chuxue had always been gentle yet strong, a hard worker who strove to better herself. She treated everyone with courtesy and grace.

But now...

But then again, he thought, Ye Chuxue was only acting this way because she was being tormented by his Master. She had lost control of her emotions; this surely wasn’t what she truly meant!

With that, Lu Nanfeng prepared to step out and plead on Ye Chuxue’s behalf. He didn’t know how she had angered his Master, but they were fellow disciples. There was no need to go this far.

Before he could act, however, he heard Song Wanning speak again. "Ye Chuxue, since you know my second disciple likes you, why do you keep wavering between them?"

"Do you have any idea how much Lu Nanfeng has sacrificed, searching high and low for Elixir Pills for you?"

"Yet you take his Elixir Pills while pining for other men. How can someone as shameless as you exist in this world?"

Song Wanning’s tone was furious, and every word she spoke was clearly meant to defend Lu Nanfeng.

"My second disciple may be a bit cowardly, but he has defied and pleaded with me time and again for your sake. Do you truly see none of that?"

Overcome with emotion, she crouched down to glare at Ye Chuxue, her expression murderous.

This sight, however, immediately delighted Ye Chuxue.

’So Song Wanning really does care about her disciple, Lu Nanfeng.’

"He’s the one who insisted on giving me the Elixir Pills, I never asked for them..."

Her lips curled into a derisive sneer. "In your eyes, Lu Nanfeng might be a precious disciple, but to me, he’s nothing but a shameless simp!"

"Does he think a few paltry favors will make me fall in love with him?"

"Pah—"

Even Ye Chuxue herself wasn’t sure how much of what she said was true and how much was a lie.

But anything that disgusted Song Wanning would do.

"Ye Chuxue!!!!"

Song Wanning slapped her so hard her head snapped to the side, a sharp CRACK echoing from her neck.

"Bai Yang stopped liking you long ago, and Gu Qingyuan is your master! Neither of them can compare to Lu Nanfeng!"

"I’ll give you one last chance. If you are willing to accept Lu Nanfeng, I can spare your life!"

She delivered her ultimatum, her presence overbearing as she pressured Ye Chuxue.

Back in the passageway, Ye Chuxue’s sharp, disdainful words echoed in Lu Nanfeng’s ears, leaving him reeling and stunned.

Then, he heard that once sweet and charming voice utter the most heart-wrenching words.

"Even if I die, I will never accept Lu Nanfeng!"

"He’s not worthy!!"

"Just like you’re not worthy of Master!"

"All of you are a bunch of damned wretches!!!!"

Once again consumed by hatred, Ye Chuxue roared like a madwoman. The more domineering Song Wanning became, the more defiant she grew.

In that moment, she even felt malice toward Lu Nanfeng, completely disregarding everything he had done for her.

The sounds from the cave faded away, inaudible to Lu Nanfeng.

All he could hear were words like "unworthy," "damned," and "simp" echoing in his mind.

The floral scent wafted over, and he dazedly breathed it all in. A blackness began to creep into the depths of his eyes, his expression twisting into madness in an instant.

For Ye Chuxue, he had betrayed Song Wanning time and time again. He knew how much his Master detested it, yet he continued to meet with Ye Chuxue in secret.

He had even survived hell and back to find a Detoxification Pill for her, only to deliver it to her with hopeful eyes.

During their joint training, he had risked his life to save her on multiple occasions, allowing Ye Chuxue to advance her cultivation again and again while he himself made no progress...

He had done so much for Ye Chuxue.

Even though Ye Chuxue didn’t love him, he had gladly endured it all, thinking that just being able to protect her from the shadows would make his life worthwhile.

And what did he get in return?

What did Ye Chuxue take him for?

Heh heh heh...

The wickedness in the depths of his heart could no longer be contained. It surged forth, engulfing him completely.

His steadfast Dao Heart shattered, completely falling to pieces!

The floral scent stoked the desires in his heart to their absolute peak. Soon, his eyes were tainted with Demonic Qi.

It was the sign of a Heart Demon’s corruption.

Song Wanning took it all in, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.

Lu Nanfeng styled himself as a righteous man, always spouting words of honor and morality, but when it came down to it, he was just as selfish as anyone else.

Even a saint couldn’t endure having their sacrifices trampled upon so thoroughly.

Naturally, he couldn’t either.

Knowing the time was ripe, Song Wanning kicked Ye Chuxue again and said viciously, "Since you’re still unwilling, then you can just wait here to die!"