Chapter 208: Chapter 208: The He Family’s Reaction

’He Xiao targeted me so relentlessly before. Wasn’t it all at the behest of the He Family behind him?’

That was why after striking a deal with Wu Ying, she took the initiative to bribe several Nascent Soul True Monarchs, ultimately achieving this satisfactory result.

"Alright, I understand!"

Wu Ying nodded emphatically in agreement. With the Song Family to back her, her position would be more secure.

Otherwise, people like the Seventh Elder would just try to make trouble for her.

After a simple exchange, Song Wanning left the Heavenly Inquiry Sect with Li Rao.

She paused at the entrance, taking one last deep look into the Sect. She felt no lingering attachment to this place where she had spent over a hundred years.

"Let’s go."

...

In the main hall of the He Family estate, the He Family Master’s face was as dark as a thundercloud, radiating a murderous aura.

He Xiao sat in a lower seat, his expression equally grim.

"That bitch, Song Wanning, really played her cards well!"

"She took you down and put her own person in your place. Her heart is truly vicious!"

The He Family Master crushed the cup in his hand into dust, boundless killing intent surging through him.

For years, with He Xiao secure in the Sect Master’s position, the disciples of their He Family had flourished in the Heavenly Inquiry Sect. Who could have imagined...

"And you! Are you an idiot? You threw everything away for a mere Gu Qingyuan!"

"What the hell is that Gu Qingyuan even worth?"

The He Family Master wished he could pry open He Xiao’s head to see what was inside it.

He Xiao, having been thoroughly berated, felt incredibly frustrated.

His face darkened as he retorted, "Weren’t you the one who told me to target Song Wanning? You said we couldn’t let her gain influence in the Sect!" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"How is it my fault now that things have gone wrong?"

He Xiao was indignant. ’I did nothing wrong.’

"You—"

Hearing his own younger brother talk back to him, the He Family Master grew even angrier.

"I told you to target Song Wanning, but you have to consider the circumstances!"

’He certainly hadn’t told He Xiao to sacrifice himself in the process.’

"You can’t blame me for this. Song Wanning deliberately set a trap for me."

He Xiao’s expression grew uglier. "Who could have known that bitch would become so cunning?"

In truth, he had been instrumental in ruining Song Wanning’s reputation over the past few years.

Song Wanning had the backing of the Song Family and was skilled in Alchemy. If she also won the hearts of the people, her status in the Sect would inevitably soar.

That was why he had frequently ordered people to spread rumors and slander her.

Even the initial rumor that reached Song Wanning’s ears about Gu Qingyuan’s interest in Ye Chuxue was his doing.

He just never expected that "rumor" to actually come true, even costing him his position as Sect Master. Just thinking about it made He Xiao want to cough up blood.

"Hmph. Doesn’t this just prove you’re an idiot, getting played for a fool?"

The He Family Master’s eyes narrowed slightly. He had heard about Song Wanning; she seemed to have become a different person since breaking off her engagement.

’Now she’s even schemed against He Xiao. She must be retaliating for his favoritism toward Gu Qingyuan and Ye Chuxue.’

"This woman holds a vicious grudge. I’m afraid this won’t end with you just losing the Sect Master’s seat."

The He Family Master’s gaze grew profound. He had seen many people like Song Wanning.

’Once you offend them, it’s a fight to the death. What’s happened now is likely just the appetizer.’

"You... oh, you. I think you’ve had it too easy all these years as Sect Master!"

The He Family Master’s words left He Xiao unable to retort.

He had grown accustomed to flattery over the years and had indeed become arrogant, letting his guard down and allowing Song Wanning to get the better of him.

But it was too late to say anything now.

His face was strained with anger as he said, "You have no idea how outrageous they are. For the disciple recruitment this time, they’re actually making me..."

’A bunch of heartless bastards!’

’If he went, he had no idea how much ridicule he would have to endure.’

He Xiao’s face turned the color of beets, and he felt utterly aggrieved.

The He Family Master’s face fell upon hearing this. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "This matter won’t be settled so easily. Song Wanning must pay the price!"

"We need to plan this carefully..."

...

At the Song Family estate, several elders were gathered together, their expressions quite tense.

When Song Wanning arrived, everyone visibly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly called her over.

"Girl, you’re back just in time! Quick, come with us to the rear courtyard."

The elders spared only a single glance for Li Rao before anxiously pulling Song Wanning toward the rear courtyard.

In the rear courtyard, a dense concentration of Spiritual Energy, contained by an Array, was surging wildly.

From the outside, nothing seemed amiss, but upon getting closer, one could immediately feel a terrifying pressure from within.

’Is someone about to have a breakthrough?’

Song Wanning’s eyelid twitched, and a look of delight appeared on her face, for the courtyard before her belonged to her own father, Song Qingyun.

"Ever since returning from the last beast tide, the Family Head has temporarily handed over his administrative duties to me and focused solely on closed-door cultivation..."

"Two days ago, there was a sudden disturbance in the rear courtyard. A massive amount of Spiritual Energy began rushing in. Thankfully, we have the protective Array, or it would have certainly attracted the attention of others!"

The Great Elder watched the fluctuations of Spiritual Energy in the courtyard with a mixture of shock and joy, but he was also worried that someone might try to sabotage the Clan Leader’s advancement.

Now that Song Wanning was back, they all felt much more at ease, unable to hide the joy on their faces.

"We must keep this matter under wraps. Don’t let the other families find out, and delay for as long as possible."

Song Wanning’s expression turned serious. The Great Elder’s concerns were not unfounded. Before the Heavenly Tribulation was overcome, they could not afford to be careless.

She first introduced Li Rao to the elders, then simply decided to stand guard outside the courtyard with her.

Li Rao received a pile of welcome gifts, her little face flushing a delightful, rosy red.

Song Wanning reached out and gently pinched her plump cheek, her mood growing even more wonderful.

’Now I have the Seven-Petaled Flower and several inner cores...’

’The Song Family’s strength is about to experience explosive growth.’

’Once Dad passes his Heavenly Tribulation, I’ll take out the Seven-Colored Flower to help him break through to the Mid-Stage Divine Transformation.’

’And Mom... I haven’t seen her in so long. After Dad passes his Heavenly Tribulation, I’ll go to the Spirit Vein to find her...’

Watching the surging Spiritual Energy before her, Song Wanning felt more and more that the future was full of promise.

...

Four more days passed in a flash. The sky above the Song Family estate could no longer contain the frenzied influx of Spiritual Energy.

In an instant, the entire city’s attention was fixed on the Song Family.

Before long, news had already reached other cities.

Upon learning that a great expert from the Song Family was likely on the verge of advancing, many other families grew restless.

The classification of families was similar to that of Sects, both dependent on the number of top-tier powerhouses they possessed.

For instance, the Song Family, with originally just one Divinity Transformation Ancestor, could rank among the major families.

But to advance to a top-tier family, one needed two or even more Divinity Transformation cultivators.

If another Divinity Transformation cultivator were to emerge from the Song Family, it would likely change the power dynamics between the families.

Territories that the Song Family had previously been unable to touch would now be within their reach.

Numerous powers began to arrive one after another from other places, all wanting to see who exactly was about to advance.