Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Liu Yao’s Plan
“We’ve been friends for many years,” Song Wan Ning continued gently, as if she truly felt guilty. “I should have held back a little more. But you were right—there are no friends on the battlefield. If I went easy on you, wouldn’t that be looking down on you?”

“Isn’t that so?”

Every line Liu Yi Yi had prepared to say if she won—Song Wan Ning returned it to her, neat and merciless.

If Song Wan Ning had lost, Liu Yi Yi would have dressed the victory in perfect, noble words, building her harmless persona while grinding Song Wan Ning into the dirt.

But now Liu Yi Yi lay half on the platform, spiritual energy leaking from her body so quickly it made her panic.

From stepping onto the platform to losing, it had been faster than taking a sip of water.

The injuries weren’t life-threatening, but her face—her pride—was gone.

Worse, she felt deceived.

“Y-You… didn’t you say your cultivation didn’t advance normally?” Liu Yi Yi gritted out, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Yeah.” Song Wan Ning tilted her head. “Both of my breakthroughs came from special opportunities. Otherwise, how could I advance twice in such a short time? What a strange thing to say.”

She had never said her cultivation came from stuffing herself with pills. If Liu Yi Yi insisted on twisting it that way, what could Song Wan Ning do?

“You—!”

Liu Yi Yi choked on the words, fury clawing up her throat.

In that instant, she understood.

Song Wan Ning had set her up.

This wasn’t only about the challenge. This was revenge.

Was it because Liu Yi Yi had proposed challenging her?

Liu Yi Yi’s heart sank. After so many years apart, Song Wan Ning had changed—changed enough to smile while stabbing.

She couldn’t accept it.

Below, the Heaven-Questioning Sect’s disciples were already shouting, faces lit with excitement.

“Tsk. This True Lord Liu really is something. With such a huge gap from Grandmaster Song, how did she ever dare challenge her? Isn’t that just humiliating herself?”

“I’m wondering too. Who else would deliver themselves just to get beaten up?”

“Good thing Grandmaster Song still cared about old feelings. Otherwise, she could’ve been crippled with ease!”

“Grandmaster Song really is a role model for our generation. Too amazing! True Lord Liu might be weak, but she’s still a Nascent Soul cultivator—and she got cleaned up in two moves?”

Cheers rose like a tide. It was the first match; everyone wanted the Heaven-Questioning Sect to start with a win.

But on the high platform, the expressions of the Five Sects and Four Factions were… odd.

One person leaned toward the Gazing Mountain Sect’s side, voice low and cutting. “Your sect’s Liu Yi Yi isn’t doing this on purpose, is she? I heard she and Song Wan Ning are old friends. Is this some kind of trap?”

“I think so,” another agreed. “Otherwise why insist on challenging someone so far above her? Eighty percent it’s for Song Wan Ning.”

Suspicious gazes shifted toward the Gazing Mountain Sect.

You said we came together to cause trouble—yet your sect sends someone to throw a match? What is this supposed to be?

“Misunderstanding.” The Gazing Mountain Sect’s Sect Master forced out a stiff smile, more mortified than anyone. “There must be a misunderstanding.”

His cheeks burned. Thinking of Liu Yi Yi’s confident promise that she would win only made it worse.

He cleared his throat and turned to Liu Yao. “Your sister tested the waters for you. Now that she’s lost, it’s your turn to go up.”

Right now, he had to crush any suspicion that Liu Yi Yi had colluded with Song Wan Ning. Otherwise, when it came time to “divide the spoils,” these people would absolutely use it as an excuse to squeeze the Gazing Mountain Sect dry.

He cursed Liu Yi Yi in his heart, then fixed his gaze on Liu Yao.

Liu Yao froze at being named so abruptly.

His sister losing to the woman he loved didn’t stir much in him. In fact, it seemed natural.

But the Sect Master shoving him forward like this—

Liu Yao frowned. “I don’t want to step onto the battle platform with Fellow Daoist Song.”

He liked Song Wan Ning. Naturally, he didn’t want to trade blades with her.

He’d imagined winning the beauty and marrying her, not hurting her.

The moment those words fell, everyone remembered Liu Yao’s admiration for Song Wan Ning. The looks around them grew even stranger.

If Liu Yao went up, wouldn’t he go easy?

Had the Gazing Mountain Sect reached some deal with the Heaven-Questioning Sect after all?

Under those doubtful stares, the Gazing Mountain Sect’s Sect Master kept his expression steady—but a private message slid into Liu Yao’s mind like ice.

If you don’t go, people will think your sister colluded with the Heaven-Questioning Sect. They will come after her later.

Can you bear that?

Liu Yi Yi was Liu Yao’s only living family. The Sect Master knew exactly where to grip.

It’s come to this. You have to go.

Liu Yao’s face darkened. Rage twisted inside him—yet he had no choice.

The two siblings had no backing. Behind them was only the Gazing Mountain Sect. Even at the Nascent Soul Stage, they still had to watch the Sect Master’s face.

It made Liu Yao furious.

But if he could latch onto Song Wan Ning, everything would change.

Behind her stood the Song Family. She herself was an alchemy grandmaster. And with that outstanding aura and beauty, plenty of men coveted her.

Before, Gu Qing Yuan had blocked the path, and Song Wan Ning hadn’t even spared Liu Yao a glance.

Now that a chance finally existed… the Sect Master forced him up anyway.

Jaw tight, Liu Yao flew onto the battle platform.

By now, Liu Yi Yi had forced herself upright. After Myriad Swords Pierce the Heart, there wasn’t a single place on her body that didn’t ache.

Worse, spiritual energy kept leaking from her. Even after swallowing pills, it wouldn’t stop.

Vicious.

Hatred burned through her. When she saw her brother step onto the platform, malice flashed in her eyes.

She sent a message at once: Bro, you have to teach Song Wan Ning a lesson. Avenge me!

Liu Yao’s brows knit. He glanced at Song Wan Ning, torn between losing on purpose… and winning.

Liu Yi Yi saw through him immediately and nearly bit her tongue in rage. Useless.

She tightened her message like a noose: Bro, you have to win. Song Wan Ning likes men who are stronger than her. If you lose, she’ll definitely look down on you!

Then she added, shamelessly: This is the best chance to win her. Show your strength, and she’ll fall for your style!

Even Liu Yi Yi felt the lie was ridiculous—but Liu Yao’s eyes actually lit up.

Women admired strength.

If he lost, Song Wan Ning would look down on him even more.

Better to conquer her. Better to show her what a real man was—

So she wouldn’t keep comparing everyone to that pretty-boy Gu Qing Yuan…

“You should go down,” Liu Yao told Liu Yi Yi, putting on the posture of an expert. “Let your brother handle this.”

Then he walked toward the center of the battle platform.

Song Wan Ning’s eyes were half-smiling when they met his. For some reason, Liu Yao’s heart jolted—then he quickly steadied himself.

“It’s been a long time, Fellow Daoist Song. Have you been well?” He smiled. “I heard you and Gu Qing Yuan have ended your engagement. Congratulations.”

Affection lingered in his gaze—but calculation sat behind it, plain as day.

Song Wan Ning’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

So the siblings wanted to play games?

Fine. She would play with them.