Time ticked by slowly, and finally, the towering water column began to show signs of change.
A glowing sphere shot out from within, rocketing toward the sky.
At the instant of impact, a burst of fireworks exploded, and the clouds shimmered with dazzling, multicolored light.
At that very moment, the sea barrier that had persisted began to dissipate.
The surrounding crowd erupted with excitement, all gazes fixed on the sea as everyone prepared to sprint forward with full force.
Song Wanníng's expression was icy, her eyes unwaveringly focused on the water column. When the sea barrier finally vanished, the base of the water column became clearly visible to everyone.
In an instant, all moved.
The crowd surged toward the column, displaying no trace of immortal grace or composure.
Song Wanníng had grown accustomed to this. The Immortal Realm was merely a higher-level world; the environment for survival remained brutally harsh.
For resources, everyone would fight without restraint. No one was exempt.
Knowing her strength was insufficient, Song Wanníng did not compete with them. Instead, she hovered at the rear, following the crowd toward the column. She had a Water-Repelling Pearl, so the waves no longer frightened her and she could breathe freely underwater.
Soon, one by one, the crowd leapt into the water column.
By the time it was her turn, over a thousand figures had vanished without a trace, leaving Song Wanníng alone atop the vast sea. Facing the calm, deep blue waters, she steadied herself and surged directly toward the column. A tremendous force rushed from below, almost throwing her back.
She struggled to maintain her form and plunged in. The expected cultivation restriction did not appear. She broke through the protection smoothly and entered the seabed.
Various fish swam past her, agile and carefree.
Song Wanníng surveyed her surroundings. Apart from the fish, seaweed swayed endlessly with the currents.
What the extraordinary treasure was and where it lay remained unknown. She only felt that she could not miss this opportunity. Even meeting a few seniors would make this journey worthwhile.
"Little one, help me see if there's a spot with especially concentrated immortal energy nearby."
She asked Long Ling directly.
"Got it!"
Long Ling responded decisively, closing her eyes to sense carefully. After a long moment, she pointed in a direction.
"The immortal energy over there seems a bit stronger…"
But it was only slightly stronger, nothing remarkable. Even if a treasure existed, it was not nearby. Song Wanníng nodded and headed in the direction Long Ling indicated. Not long after, her path was blocked by a massive sea beast.
The creature's size was enormous. Angered by the intrusion, it lashed its tail toward Song Wanníng.
She immediately dodged, swinging her sword. The sword, infused with mixed powers from the Sword Realm, stirred a violent underwater storm.
The surrounding water seemed split in two, rushing violently and rapidly.
The sea beast roared, releasing an invisible sound wave that severed the split waters and smoothed the disruption.
Song Wanníng surged forward again, jumping to break the constraints and striking toward the beast's back.
"Roar—"
The sword pierced its back. The sea beast reared, trying to fling her off. She clung tightly, refusing to let go. At that moment, a figure passed by, noticing Song Wanníng battling the beast, and sneered.
"Ha, anyone dares come to Wuyang Sea now."
The speaker was Mu Zixu, this time alone, with Wang Yang nowhere in sight.
Song Wanníng frowned. A narrow world indeed—running into Mu Zixu again. No matter his cultivation stage, he was always unpleasantly sharp-tongued. An immortal mocking a low-stage cultivator had no grace. Such a small-minded person naturally held prejudice.
She looked at Mu Zixu with mild disapproval but said nothing. Wise men do not suffer immediate losses.
"Tch—Dao Qing's taste is as bad as ever."
Mu Zixu cast her one last disdainful glance before departing. The arrogant, contemptuous expression ignited Song Wanníng's fury.
One day, she would make Mu Zixu regret this.
Filled with anger, she struck the sea beast harder, venting her fury.
Soon, the creature screeched and was subdued, becoming Song Wanníng's first prize. Its massive size meant it contained far more immortal energy than the ordinary beast. Absorbing it would improve her physical strength.
She collected the body, a trace of malice glinting in her eyes.
Mu Zixu's haughty expression still seemed before her.
Annoyed, she resolved to trouble Mu Zixu further. Even if she could not seize treasure, she would deny him comfort.
Consider it collecting interest in advance.
Song Wanníng immediately pursued Mu Zixu, abandoning concern for concentrated immortal energy.
The little companions sensed her rage and bristled as well.
United in purpose, they planned to make Mu Zixu pay.
…
A few days later, Song Wanníng arrived at a strange place.
The surroundings were dark with a faint eerie green. No seaweed or other life existed, only segments of white bones mixed with dust, some buried, some exposed.
As she approached, countless resentful energies twisted toward her, attempting to stir darkness in her heart. But Song Wanníng had long overcome her inner demons. With Yin energy still within her, the oncoming resentful forces did not faze her in the slightest.
The resentful energies, unwilling to be defeated, formed grotesque faces, snapping toward Song Wanníng.
"Hmph!"
A cold snort escaped her lips. A heavenly thunder appeared in her hand, crackling with purple-white light.
Instantly, the resentful energies scattered, as if seeing something terrifying. With the energies gone, the surrounding truth was revealed—a tomb. Beneath the tombstone, a door appeared, radiant and blinding.
Mu Zixu had likely entered here.
Song Wanníng guessed as much and decided to investigate. She had to proceed carefully, as someone like Mu Zixu could attack at any moment. After preparing, she cautiously approached the door and stepped inside. A blinding light struck her eyes, filling her vision with white, temporarily obscuring all sight.