Chapter 676 - 683: Preparing to Ascend

The disciples of the Song Family walked around in a daze every day, fawned over and praised by everyone the moment they stepped outside.

And the personal visits from Luo Hantian and Baili Shang further solidified the Song Family’s position in the Spirit Realm.

They were declaring to everyone that from now on, the Song Family was under their protection.

Anyone who wanted to make a move on the Song Family would have to think twice!

From that point on, the Song Family was destined to walk a different path.

It wasn’t just the Song Family. The Heavenly Inquiry Sect’s status rose with the tide, and from then on, it completely became a vassal sect of the Song Family.

For a time, the powers of the Lower World constantly reorganized and reshuffled. Most chose a nearby power to align with, ensuring they wouldn’t be carved up too brutally.

Thus, the world was restored, and the distinction between the Lower World and the Spirit Realm was no more!

...

Song Wanning stayed with the Song Family for a long time, not yet ascending.

Leng Qingzhu and Liu Lan Yi also came to visit, settling in for a lively stay at the Song Family residence.

Everyone knew that Song Wanning’s Cultivation was at the point of ascension.

Once she ascended to the Immortal Realm, meeting again would be truly difficult.

No one wanted to part with Song Wanning, so they spent most of their time gathered together.

Song Wanning also felt she had greatly let down Li Rao.

’Though we are master and disciple, I’ve provided too little guidance, forcing the child to figure everything out on her own.’

So, she tried to find time to guide her cultivation, hoping to make up for it as much as possible.

Li Rao’s little face was flushed every day. Her cheerful and resilient personality was also well-loved by Liu Lan Yi and Leng Qingzhu.

"Don’t you worry. From now on, I’ll teach this grand-disciple."

"I definitely won’t let her down."

Leng Qingzhu said teasingly, a hint of a smile in her eyes.

’Wan Ning’s unfilial apprentices are all gone. This is the only one left, so of course she must be taught well.’

"Thank you, Master!"

Song Wanning beamed, and in the next moment, she was joking around with everyone again.

These days were the happiest she had been since her rebirth.

All her loved ones were by her side.

These were truly happy times, without a single worry!!

However, good times always pass too quickly. The aura around Song Wanning was becoming almost impossible to suppress.

’I know it’s time for me to leave!’

Everyone else seemed to realize this too. They all urged her to ascend, not wanting her to keep struggling to suppress it.

After all, staying in the Lower World for too long would only be a waste of Song Wanning’s time and talent.

Thus, Song Wanning began her preparations to ascend.

At Luo Hantian’s suggestion, the Song Family specially invited people from various sects and families to attend.

Luo Hantian also invited many of the Ancient Cold Sect’s allies to come and witness Song Wanning’s ascension.

And so, the Song Family quickly prepared a grand banquet.

People from all factions arrived one after another to offer their congratulations.

Everyone only knew that Song Wanning was going to ascend, but they didn’t know *how* she would do it.

Some who weren’t invited grew sour in private.

"The Song Family is so ostentatious. She hasn’t even successfully passed the Heavenly Tribulation yet, but they dare to be so arrogant!"

"When she fails the tribulation, let’s see what they do then!"

"Exactly! Why be so high-profile if not to show off?"

They sneered, jealous that the Song Family had produced such a junior who had completely rewritten their family’s status.

After all, back in the Lower World, their statuses had been more or less equal. Now, there was a galactic-sized gulf between them, a world of difference. Many of them were resentful.

So, today, many were waiting in the shadows for Song Wanning to fail her tribulation and for the Song Family to be humiliated.

But Song Wanning paid them no mind. After finishing her routine guidance of Li Rao’s cultivation, she gently stroked her hair, her eyes soft.

"The Song Family shouldn’t be a place that confines you. In the future, you should go out and travel more."

"If you encounter danger, run when you must. If you encounter treasure, snatch it if you must..."

She rambled on with many instructions, just like a mother instructing her own child.

Li Rao nodded repeatedly as she listened, her eyes rimmed with red but still sparkling brightly.

Song Wanning was amused by her expression and let out a chuckle.

After instructing Li Rao, she walked over to Mu Yuan and Song Qingyun.

"Father, Mother, after we part this time, I don’t know when we’ll see each other again."

"You must take care of yourselves. I’ll be waiting for you in the Immortal Realm!!"

Staring into her parents’ concerned and reluctant eyes, Song Wanning felt tears well up almost instantly.

’Ascending to the Immortal Realm is different from ascending to the Spirit Realm. The Immortal Realm is a great hurdle; one can’t ascend through hard work alone...’

’I don’t know if Father and Mother will have the chance, and I don’t know if this goodbye will be our last...’

She took out the Boundary Communication Incense given to her by Mo Yang Immortal Venerable and handed it to her parents.

"If you miss me... reach out to me..."

After saying this, Song Wanning could no longer hold back her tears.

Like a child, she threw herself into her parents’ arms and wept silently.

Tears streamed down Mu Yuan’s and Song Qingyun’s faces as well, yet they still had to force a smile.

"Silly child, this is a good thing. What are you crying for?!"

"It’s just that your father and I aren’t capable enough to protect you forever. After you ascend to the Immortal Realm, you’ll have no family or support. It will surely be very difficult..."

The thought made them both feel even worse.

No matter how powerful their daughter was, they wished they could be the ones to shelter her from the wind and rain.

But they were powerless in the face of reality.

The family of three hugged each other, weeping silently, a sight that made the others’ eyes redden as well.

Leng Qingzhu tilted her head up and turned aside, unable to bear watching the scene.

But when the three of them finished their embrace and Song Wanning came to stand before her, Leng Qingzhu’s tears could no longer be held back, streaming down her face.

"Wan Ning—"

"Once you’re in the Immortal Realm, if you meet a suitable Immortal, you can take them as your master..."

This was the last thing Leng Qingzhu could do for Song Wanning.

A person does not take a second master. Because of their master-disciple relationship, Song Wanning was restricted from finding another.

But in the Immortal Realm, with Song Wanning’s aptitude, someone would surely want to take her as a disciple. This would give her an extra layer of protection.

Therefore, she hoped Song Wanning would not abide by this rule and would find a new master.

She didn’t care about such things, and she hoped Song Wanning wouldn’t either.

This was a master’s deepest love for her disciple.

"Master!!"

Song Wanning hadn’t expected Leng Qingzhu to say such a thing. She was both shocked and deeply moved.

She rushed into Leng Qingzhu’s arms and hugged her tightly. "Master, in this lifetime, I will only have you as my master! I will never pledge myself to another!"

"I believe you can definitely ascend, Master. I will wait for you and Martial Aunt in the Immortal Realm..."

"We will all definitely meet again! We will!!"

Song Wanning grabbed Liu Lan Yi, who was beside her, with one hand, her eyes filled with fervent hope.

’Master and Martial Aunt’s aptitudes are excellent. They can definitely ascend!’

"Haha, alright! We will all definitely ascend!"

"We’ll be counting on you to back us up then."

Liu Lan Yi laughed and joked, and the originally sorrowful atmosphere instantly became cheerful.

Song Wanning smiled too. She said her goodbyes one by one, finally arriving in front of Baili Shang.

The Demon King had already ascended, and now the entire Demon Palace rested on Baili Shang’s shoulders.