Tian Li and the beast clashed even more wildly.
Song Wanníng stood to the side, silently criticizing in her mind, though a hint of worry crept onto her face.
After a few exchanges, Tian Li got injured again, clearly running out of energy. He staggered backward, spitting a mouthful of blood.
Just as he was about to speak, Song Wanníng suddenly tossed him a pill.
"This is a Baotu Pill!"
She shouted sharply, and Tian Li immediately understood. He grabbed the pill and swallowed it, his spiritual power surging instantly. His movements became ferocious, and after just a few turns, he gained a slight upper hand. Soon, under the pill's effect, Tian Li's strength skyrocketed, forcing the beast into a rapid retreat.
Finally, the beast let out a frustrated snarl and was cut down by Tian Li's blade. Blood sprayed across the ground. Tian Li collapsed, completely drained, suffering the backlash of the Baotu Pill's exhaustion. He lay there without hiding anything, right in front of Song Wanníng, showing absolute trust.
Song Wanníng was genuinely moved. She quickly went over, helped him up, and fed him a few pills.
"Feeling better?"
Her voice couldn't hide her concern, though her face remained icy as ever.
Tian Li gave her a weak smile, his eyes full of warmth. "Nothing serious. As long as you're safe, that's enough. Someone's gotta shoulder our responsibility."
Song Wanníng went silent, but she no longer rejected him like before.
Tian Li noticed and forced a faint smile, blood trickling from his mouth as he said casually, "These injuries are worth it, as long as you can trust me…"
"Stop talking." Song Wanníng cut him off, looking conflicted.
"I'll deal with the beast's body. You just rest." She turned away, avoiding him, and began handling the carcass, leaving her back to him.
Tian Li lowered his gaze, a glint of calculation flashing in his eyes. Song Wanníng was suspicious by nature, but it wasn't too hard to sway her. If he stayed sincere, she'd believe him eventually. He closed his eyes and resumed meditating to heal.
…
For the next few days, Tian Li focused on recovery. Song Wanníng stayed nearby, growing slightly closer in attitude.
Once he fully recovered, they prepared to move deeper. This time, they didn't encounter any danger.
Song Wanníng's lips curved slightly as she followed him, and they finally reached a strange spot.
Before them was a pile of black excrement, reeking foully. On top of the pile grew a flower, exuding a corrupted aura. Yet around the flower swirled countless traces of Immortal spiritual energy. The two forces intertwined, mingling in a strange harmony.
"This is it!"
Tian Li's eyes gleamed as he looked at the flower. He explained to Song Wanníng, "This should be where the flaw truly lies! Perhaps there are more clues about the invaders inside!"
He strode toward the flower.
Song Wanníng stepped back a few paces, gripping her sword tightly, a dark glint in her eyes.
In the next instant, Tian Li stepped onto the pile, spreading his arms toward her direction.
"Hahaha, it's here!"
His expression shifted sharply, a profound aura emanating from his body and settling on the flower.
The energy was familiar—it was the very origin of the pills he'd used, the essence of a Pillmaster.
For a moment, his eyes went fierce. As the flower absorbed the essence, his gaze brightened, and his expression toward Song Wanníng changed completely.
"Hahaha—
Song Wanníng, everyone says you're gifted and smart. You really are talented, but… when it comes to wit, that's all you've got."
Tian Li's eyes held a trace of disdain, finding Song Wanníng amusing.
"Just a little trick, and you deliver yourself straight into my hands. Someone like you, worthy to be a hunter of invaders?"
He shed all pretenses, appearing natural, at least visually more appealing.
Song Wanníng's lips lifted slightly, not angry in the least.
"Ha, so you've been lying to me?"
She exaggeratedly covered her mouth, feigning shock.
Tian Li's face darkened instantly.
"Song Wanníng, don't think playing games will change anything. You killed so many of my comrades; you should know this day would come!"
His brows furrowed deeply, killing intent radiating.
Originally, he'd just awakened in this Buddhist cultivator's body overnight. He thought he could play dumb, only to rise to the top later, but recently, he awoke a consciousness, realizing he carried a grand mission from his original world.
Song Wanníng was the obstacle blocking his great plan, his greatest enemy. So he started probing her, setting up ambushes in the city, waiting for their first encounter. Later, he meticulously orchestrated everything, waiting for her to take the bait. And as expected, Song Wanníng fell for it.
To make her believe, he had even battered himself with wounds, and now, she would feel the weight of those sins.
"Ha, so you're an invader too?"
Song Wanníng acted as if she'd just realized it, clicking her tongue repeatedly.
"You hid it so well, I didn't notice a thing."
Her exaggerated expression made Tian Li's mood plummet.
"Song Wanníng… even now, you're still so stubborn?! Is this really fun?"
He wasn't looking for this kind of reaction.
Her calm, unshocked demeanor made him uneasy. "Could it be… she was faking it?"
A bad premonition arose in Tian Li's mind, and he fixed his gaze on her smug expression.
"You were pretending?"
He asked suddenly.
Once the thought appeared, it wouldn't go away. If Song Wanníng was faking, her cunning was formidable.
"How could I be pretending? I even consider you a comrade," Song Wanníng said lightly, a glint of coldness in her eyes.
her heart sank. He really was an awakened consciousness invader! Which meant the other invaders might have awakened too. And their targets weren't just her—they might be aiming at the entire world… If that was true, things were about to get very bad.
"Song Wanníng!!"
Tian Li's anger and humiliation exploded as he realized he'd been played. He'd thought his acting was flawless, yet Song Wanníng had been pretending all along, playing along with him…