Chapter 19: White Tiger Xuanjun
The scene shifts to the Qingyun Secret Realm.
Su Wan’er slowly opened her eyes.
Before her stretched a desolate, barren plain—cracked earth, sparse vegetation, not a soul in sight.
In the distance, mist-wreathed mountains rose and fell.
Nearby, silence reigned, the spiritual energy so faint it was barely perceptible.
Su Wan’er stood, scanning her surroundings, her brow furrowing slightly.
This… wasn’t her landing point from her previous life.
She remembered clearly: last time, she and Luo Jiutian were teleported to a lush valley teeming with spiritual energy, surrounded by ferocious beasts but also abundant opportunities.
This place, bleak and silent, was starkly different.
Her mind raced.
The Qingyun Secret Realm had a distinct feature—
Its core held the richest spiritual energy and resources, while the outskirts grew increasingly barren.
Judging by the environment, this was likely the realm’s outermost edge.
Her expression tightened.
“It seems… my actions have changed many things.”
She’d thought she could rely on her memories, preparing to avoid any mishaps.
But now she realized even small changes could ripple outward.
A trace of unease stirred in her.
She didn’t know where Luo Jiutian had been teleported or if he’d follow the same exploration path as before.
But what alarmed her more was Luo Chen’s unclear motives—she sensed he was scheming, targeting Luo Jiutian.
“No, I have to find Brother Jiutian fast!”
She clenched her fists, urgency in her eyes.
She feared her kind, honest Brother Jiutian would fall to Luo Chen’s cunning plots.
Taking a deep breath, she leaped into the air, speeding toward the distance…
…
At the same time, elsewhere in the secret realm.
Luo Jiutian stood in a dilapidated ancient structure.
Collapsed stone pillars, mottled walls, and a cracked, dusty floor surrounded him.
“Where’d I end up? Is this still the Qingyun Secret Realm?”
He muttered, examining the blurred symbols on the stone tiles, too worn to decipher.
Without lingering, he moved slowly along the corridor between the pillars.
The interior was dim and cold. Soon, he noticed something odd in a corner.
A lone ring sat before a cracked stone stele’s base.
He approached, inspecting it closely.
The ring was grayish-white, its intricate patterns unremarkable at first glance.
But on closer look, a faint, almost imperceptible glow flickered across its surface.
“Hm?”
Luo Jiutian stared at the ring, a wild guess forming.
No way…
Could it really be that convenient?
He stepped forward, picked it up, and examined it, probing with his divine sense—nothing.
“No reaction?”
He frowned, hesitating, then slowly infused spiritual energy into it.
Soon, the ring trembled.
He probed again with his divine sense.
Within the ring’s space, a woman’s figure slowly formed.
Though her outline was vague, her graceful form was evident—strikingly curvaceous, long hair cascading to her waist, her eyes cold and emotionless.
Even as a mere remnant soul, she exuded an unapproachable aura.
Luo Jiutian blurted: “Holy—ring grandpa… no, grandma?”
The soul froze, her prepared speech stuck, unsaid.
She looked at him, clearly displeased: “Junior, who’re you calling grandma? I’m only thirteen hundred years old—my cultivation’s not even half spent.”
Luo Jiutian blinked, then clasped his hands: “Sorry, Senior, my bad.”
The soul realized her overreaction.
“No matter,” she said coolly. “I lost composure—my fault too.”
Noticing her lack of further reproach, he relaxed.
“I’m Luo Jiutian. May I know Senior’s name?” he asked.
She pondered, then replied: “I am White Tiger Mysterious Monarch, once guardian of the Western Regions, peak Void Refinement, a step from Unity.”
She paused, her voice softening, trembling slightly: “But now… only this wisp of soul remains.”
She glanced at her tattered form, a fleeting trace of desolation in her eyes.
Luo Jiutian saw but didn’t pry, politely averting his gaze to give her space.
White Tiger Mysterious Monarch was surprised.
She hadn’t expected this boy to notice her subtle emotions.
After a moment, she looked at him: “Why are you here?”
He answered frankly: “I stumbled here seeking opportunities and chanced upon you, Senior.”
She nodded slightly, her gaze calm: “Fate is mysterious, guided by heaven. Your resonance with my soul isn’t ordinary.”
Luo Jiutian smiled: “You flatter me, Senior.”
She shook her head: “No. Though I’m a remnant, my senses don’t lie—you’re exceptional.”
He paused, then said: “Thank you, Senior.”
Silence fell briefly.
After a moment, he asked: “Now that you’re awake… what are your plans?”
Her shadow stirred, her voice slow: “I’m but a wisp, too weak to linger long. Without a vessel, I’ll soon fade.”
She looked at him: “Since we’re fated, I’ll be direct—will you work with me?”
Intrigued but cautious, he didn’t agree immediately: “Since you’re straightforward, I won’t dodge. But can you clarify this ‘cooperation’?”
“Simple. We make a three-part pact.
First, in life-or-death crises, I’ll aid you and offer guidance in spare moments. But don’t summon me for trivial matters.
Second, I’ll help you find rare opportunities, but if they include what I need to rebuild my body, you yield them.
Third, when I’ve gathered what I need, you help me reconstruct my body. After, I leave, no further ties.”
She waited quietly, not rushing him.
Luo Jiutian didn’t hesitate: “Deal.”
To him, this was like getting a treasure-hunting guardian for free.
Better yet, once her body was rebuilt, they’d part ways, no debts.
Perfect!
She nodded, raising a finger. A faint light formed a golden page between them.
“This is the pact’s proof, no binding force, just a token. Keep it in mind.”
Her tone hardened: “But if you break it, weak as I am, I have ways to make you regret.”
He replied calmly: “Don’t worry. I don’t like owing people or breaking promises.”
He touched the page’s center, sealing the pact. It quivered and dissolved into the void.
As he lowered his hand, she glanced at him: “One more thing.”
He met her gaze.
“There’s a tracking蛊 on you, well-hidden. Need my help?”
He wasn’t surprised, smiling mysteriously: “No need, Senior. I’ve got plans for it.”
She nodded, not pressing further.
“The pact is set. I’ll rest in the ring. Handle your affairs.”
Her figure faded, the ring’s space falling silent.
Luo Jiutian withdrew his divine sense, returning to his body.
He took a deep breath, scanning the area.
Everything seemed normal, so he turned to leave.
But just steps from the door, he ran into someone unexpected…