During the time Song Wanníng was crafting her clone, Bai Yang had not been idle.
After returning to the Sect, he first went back to tidy up his quarters. Standing in the familiar surroundings, he found that none of the familiar faces were there anymore, and a dull ache settled in his chest.
His gaze fell on Lu Nanfeng's belongings. His eyes reddened, and a trace of bloodthirst flickered deep within them. Memories of the happy days spent with his junior brothers rose one after another before his eyes. Clutching at his chest, he ground his teeth, his hatred for Ye Chuxue intensifying.
After briefly cleaning the residences of his junior brothers, Bai Yang went to look for his Junior Sister Li Ruo, only to discover that she too was absent from the peak.
Once lively and bustling, Yunxiao Peak had fallen into desolate silence. Wandering aimlessly about the mountain, Bai Yang felt suffocated. He decided to search for An Ze once more.
Living, he must see him; dead, he must find the corpse. That would be better than letting him vanish without a trace.
Leaving Yunxiao Peak, Bai Yang began by asking disciples if they had heard news of An Ze. But within the Sect, the disciples' gazes toward him were strange, and many whispered among themselves after he passed. With his advancement, Bai Yang's spiritual sense had expanded greatly, and every word reached his ears.
"Tsk… do you think Martial Uncle Bai has lost his mind? Back then, for the sake of Ye Chuxue, he openly opposed Ancestor Song, even stole pills, and in the end was cast aside by Ancestor Song!"
"Ancestor Song used to treat him so well. Who in the Sect didn't envy him? Who didn't wish for such a master? But he… for a woman, he betrayed his master and sect. The fact that Ancestor Song didn't expel him entirely was already mercy."
"Exactly. And now Ancestor Song has advanced to mid-stage Divine Transformation. I bet Bai Yang's guts are turning green with regret!"
"In the end, it's that Ye Chuxue who's formidable. Not only did she win over the master, she played Bai Yang and his two brothers for fools."
"You know, before An Ze went missing, someone saw him heading out to find some pill for Ye Chuxue…"
"Tsk. Several men falling for one woman… now that's skill."
"Hahaha, you don't get it. To die beneath the peony is still romantic. And to be fair, Ye Chuxue's beauty isn't ordinary…"
Their talk grew more and more lewd, sparking bursts of laughter.
Bai Yang's face went pale, a flash of cold malice in his eyes. He turned back abruptly and seized one man by the throat.
"What did you just say about where An Ze went?"
Their idle gossip didn't matter, but An Ze's whereabouts could not be missed.
The group froze, realizing Bai Yang had overheard everything. No matter how much they despised him in private, he was still a true disciple. If he wanted to make trouble for them, they had no way to resist. The man in his grip turned ashen, stammering, "I… I only heard it from them…"
Haltingly, he repeated what he knew. Bai Yang tossed him aside, sending him sprawling to the ground, stars spinning before his eyes.
Fortunately, Bai Yang did not press the matter further. He strode away at once.
Only after he had gone far did the others dare to breathe.
"Tch. Putting on airs. It's obvious An Ze's dead."
"His precious Senior Sister Ye is still waiting for him to detoxify her. No way he'd willingly not return."
So it was easy to guess he'd met with an accident.
"Shh, stop talking!"
…
Following the directions from the disciples, Bai Yang reached a great mountain and searched through it frantically, only to find a scrap of torn fabric hanging from a branch.
The dark red bloodstains upon it stood out starkly.
In that moment, Bai Yang's body swayed.
Truthfully, he had long suspected the truth, but he had refused to admit it.
Now, with this scrap in hand, he could no longer deny it. A tear slid down his cheek.
Both of the junior brothers he had watched grow up… were gone.
And the one behind it all was Ye Chuxue.
Bai Yang's body trembled uncontrollably, killing intent surging like a tangible tide, drowning the black of his pupils. The sheer hatred filling him twisted within his heart. The murderous aura churned and boiled, and even his steadfast Dao Heart began to crack.
He regretted it deeply.
If he had never approached Ye Chuxue in the first place, perhaps his junior brothers would not have grown close to her. Worse still, he had once urged them to protect her, saying she was kind-hearted and prone to being taken advantage of…
Their deaths bore his fingerprints.
He could not accept this. His knees threatened to give way.
The more he thought, the more chaotic his aura became…
Thankfully, he stopped himself in time, breaking off the downward spiral and holding on to a shred of reason.
"I cannot lose my composure. These two blood debts… Ye Chuxue must repay them."
Burying the killing intent deep in his heart, he lifted his head. His eyes had regained their clarity. He was about to resume searching for Ye Chuxue when Song Wanníng's transmission talisman flared.
He opened it at once.
"There is an urgent matter. Wait for me at the Sect."
Song Wanníng's cold voice cut across his plans.
He frowned. Since his master had called, Ye Chuxue would live a little longer.
…
Song Wanníng was unaware of the storm in Bai Yang's heart. Her clone was already on its way to Wentian Sect, while her true body remained at the Song family estate, studying the newly gained inheritances.
The clone, crafted from Xi Rang, was extraordinary. It needed no repeated tempering, could advance alongside the true body, and could instantly use any new inheritances the true body learned. It was heaven-defying.
Arriving at the gates of Wentian Sect, she sent out a transmission talisman to summon Bai Yang.
When Bai Yang arrived, he found a strange man waiting and instantly went on guard.
"Who are you?"
"It's me."
Song Wanníng confirmed her identity in her own voice.
Bai Yang froze, eyebrows rising in surprise. "Master, you—"
She cut him off with a shake of her head.
"Come with me. I'll explain later."
She tossed out a familiar flying carpet.
With that, Bai Yang's last doubts vanished. Curiosity stirred, and he followed her onto it.
"Master, why are you dressed like this?"
He couldn't help but ask. Why would his master disguise herself as a man?
Her expression turned solemn. "Some days ago, I discovered a Secluded Land. The spiritual energy there is rich, and most cultivators within are highly advanced.
They are deserters from the great war of ancient times, and they have preserved many lost texts.
I intend to take the risk of entering to seek inheritances… and to refine the Yuejin Pill."
Only after explaining the Secluded Land did she mention the pill.
Bai Yang's expression darkened.
Ancient war deserters?
He had not yet seen them, but he already looked down on them. In his view, there was nothing wrong with his master seeking such inheritances.