In the following days, Mo Wushuang found herself unable to settle, her mind constantly occupied by the changes around her. It was hard to ignore the incredible progress of those around her.
She was shocked when she saw her old rival, Chen Yinyin, break through from the early Foundation Establishment stage to the peak of Foundation Establishment. In the span of just a few days, the woman who had once been her competitor had reached a level she could hardly fathom.
But that wasn't the most surprising thing. The woman known as Yue, who had only occasionally spoken to her, had shattered all expectations.
From late Foundation Establishment, she had soared to the mid Golden Core stage. Mo Wushuang's eyes widened in disbelief. Even in her two lifetimes, she had never witnessed such rapid advancement.
Unable to bear her curiosity any longer, Mo Wushuang finally approached Lan Yue, her voice hesitant but eager. "Sister Yue, may I ask you a question?"
Lan Yue, who had already anticipated this moment, smiled gently. "Go ahead."
Mo Wushuang hesitated, then asked, her voice filled with wonder, "Why is it that both you and Chen Yinyin's breakthroughs are so astounding? As far as I know, even with high-grade talent and practicing sovereign-grade cultivation methods, no one can break through at this speed."
Lan Yue paused, her gaze distant for a moment before answering with a question of her own. "What if the cultivation method exceeds sovereign-grade?"
Mo Wushuang's heart skipped a beat. The highest tier of cultivation methods she had ever heard of on the Taishan continent was sovereign-grade. So how could there be anything beyond that? She was left dumbfounded by the implication.
But if their breakthroughs couldn't be explained by their talent or cultivation method, what other secret was behind their rapid progress?
"Sister Yue, does he still refuse to meet me?" Mo Wushuang's voice dropped slightly as she mentioned Xie Ren.
Lan Yue's expression remained calm as she replied. "My master said he's not happy with your recent behavior and doesn't want to see you."
A bitter, self-mocking smile tugged at the corner of Mo Wushuang's lips. Was this how Xie Ren saw her? An "insect"? The irony of it stung; she, a former sovereign, now reduced to nothing more than an insignificant speck in his eyes. Even meeting him had become a challenge.
Just as Mo Wushuang's thoughts threatened to spiral, a familiar voice interrupted her.
"Mo Wushuang, you can stand now?" Chen Yinyin's voice was filled with mild surprise as she approached. "Looks like you've recovered well. Come, come, let's practice together."
Mo Wushuang looked up, momentarily startled. Chen Yinyin's tone was no longer full of the sharp animosity it once had. In fact, it seemed almost friendly.
In recent days, Chen Yinyin had grown accustomed to seeing Mo Wushuang in such a pitiful state, and with time, the hatred she once felt seemed to have faded. Their rivalry had spanned thousands of years, but it was never a rivalry of deep hatred.
It had always been about pride, about talent, with neither willing to yield to the other. In their previous lives, the outcome had been a draw, but this time, it was clear: Chen Yinyin had come out on top.
"Chen Yinyin, I didn't lose to you; I lost to your master. Without him, you wouldn't have been stronger than me!" Mo Wushuang's voice was sharp, carrying the frustration she could no longer hide.
Chen Yinyin's expression softened, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "To have such a good master is also my own achievement,"
Before Mo Wushuang could retort, Lan Yue interjected. "Yinyin, stop bullying Wushuang. She's in a pitiful state right now."
Chen Yinyin shrugged nonchalantly. "Is that really such a big deal? Let her ask her master for help. He's so powerful; surely, he has a way to heal her fully."
Mo Wushuang felt a bitter pang at the thought. She had considered it, but the reality was harsh. She couldn't even get near Xie Ren, let alone ask him for help.
"But senior won't see me…" She muttered
"What? You can't meet my master? Then why not kneel outside his door? If he has a soft spot, maybe he'll help, or even take you as his disciple," replied Chen Yinyin
Mo Wushuang's gaze flickered toward the ruined building where Xie Ren resided. If this was the only way forward, she would try, even if it meant humiliating herself.
Ignoring the sharp pain in her body, which had yet to fully heal, Mo Wushuang stood and walked toward Xie Ren's door.
Arriving in front of the door, she knelt without hesitation, her forehead meeting the ground with a soft thud.
"Wushuang begs the senior to take me as a disciple!" Her voice, though tinged with desperation, rang out with sincerity, as she bowed three times.