Chapter 49: On External Consumption Capacity
To be honest.
Luo Jiutian was still somewhat dazed even now.
In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, a seemingly inescapable dark-room crisis had resolved itself without him being prepared.
He stood there, his mind a chaotic blur, as Su Wan’er gently tugged at his sleeve.
“Nine Heavens Brother…” she asked softly, “are you okay?”
Luo Jiutian snapped back, shaking his head. “I’m fine.”
“And just now…?”
“She brought up taking me as a disciple again.”
“And then?”
“I refused.”
“You refused again?!”
Su Wan’er’s eyes widened, her tone filled with shock and… a hint of delight.
Power, resources, status—all his with a single word. Anyone else would have nodded eagerly.
Yet he refused—twice.
He didn’t explain why, but she understood.
Nine Heavens Brother… must have stayed for her.
Her nose tingled, her eyes disobedient, and she quickly lowered her head, blinking to suppress those unnecessary emotions.
“Phew…”
She let out a soft breath, then smiled quietly.
He didn’t need to say it—she knew, and that was enough.
Luo Jiutian watched her kaleidoscope of expressions, utterly confused.
What was up with her now?
And… those movements, those shifting expressions—why did they feel a bit like Dugu Ningshuang’s?
Before he could dwell on it, Su Huaizhang approached.
“Jiutian, thanks to you earlier, or us old folks would’ve been in deep trouble.”
His face was all smiles, his tone warm as if they’d grown up together in diapers.
“Exactly!” Li Yunzheng jumped in. “So young, yet favored by that senior, and you still pleaded for us despite everything. Truly noble!”
Luo Changqing bowed in apology. “Jiutian, I was thoughtless earlier. Please don’t hold it against me.”
The other Luo Clan members followed, apologizing one after another, their face-changing speed unmatched.
Luo Jiutian glanced at them, flashing a bright, sunny smile.
“You old fogies are too kind. We’re all familiar—how could I hold a grudge?”
Luo Changqing, Li Yunzheng, and the others’ mouths twitched noticeably.
But they quickly recovered, keeping up their smiles, piling on flattery: “Hahaha, we old ones should step back and make way for the young.”
“Absolutely, young friend Jiutian’s talent and wit put us to shame.”
They took turns praising him, like they were scrambling to burn incense for an ancestor, afraid their flattery wasn’t loud enough.
Luo Jiutian watched these old fogies put on their act, too lazy to expose their little schemes.
He shifted gears: “But…”
Their smiles froze.
“Your antics earlier did scare me a bit.”
His tone was mild, but to Luo Changqing and the others, it sent a chill down their spines.
“I’m a timid guy. That fright seriously traumatized my fragile heart,” Luo Jiutian sighed, clutching his chest. “Asking for some compensation for emotional distress… that’s not too much, right?”
Su Wan’er couldn’t hold back a giggle, quickly stifling it and turning to admire the scenery.
The others froze, momentarily stunned.
Su Huaizhang was the first to laugh, pulling out a bulging storage bag and offering it. “What a coincidence! I just got some spare cash, but my taste is poor, and I might waste it. Why don’t you hold onto it for me, little brother Jiutian?”
Li Yunzheng, not to be outdone, produced a storage bag. “Right, I’ve got some idle resources I couldn’t find the right person for. With your character, you’re perfect for it.”
Then came Luo Changqing, his smile complex as he bowed. “Jiutian, this matter… was indeed our Luo Clan’s oversight. As a clan member, I must make amends. Here’s a small token—please accept it.”
The others followed, lowering their heads to pull out storage bags, joining the queue to stuff spirit stones into Luo Jiutian’s arms.
He accepted them cheerfully, chuckling. “Oh, you’re all too kind… I’m almost embarrassed…”
But he paused suddenly.
His peripheral vision caught a figure trying to slip away discreetly.
By chance, that person looked up, meeting Luo Jiutian’s eyes.
Luo Chen: “…”
Luo Jiutian’s smile grew brighter. “Oh, I was so busy collecting gifts I forgot to deal with you.”
He leisurely set down the storage bags and charged toward the figure.
Luo Chen’s eyes widened in panic. “Wait, what are you doing? Don’t come closer!”
“Take this—!”
[Ding! Host has successfully dealt a heavy blow to the Chosen One ‘Luo Chen,’ converting destiny points…]
[Current Blue Star return countdown: 269 years, 6 months.]
[4 years deducted, remaining: 265 years, 6 months.]
…
The scene shifted to the deck of the Luo Clan’s returning airship.
Two lounge chairs sat side by side, with Luo Jiutian and Su Wan’er reclining, their poses nearly identical, like two salted fish basking in the sun.
A breeze brushed past, and Su Wan’er closed her eyes, a trace of contentment on her face.
Suddenly, she turned her head and asked, “Nine Heavens Brother, I have a serious question.”
Luo Jiutian cracked an eye open. “Go ahead.”
“Do you… think I’m pretty?”
He glanced at her, saying casually, “Average.”
Su Wan’er shot up, cheeks puffed like buns. “Hey! At least pretend to think about it! I was ready to humbly brush it off!”
Luo Jiutian chuckled, closing his eyes again. “You’re pretty enough, just not the sharpest.”
She blinked, then nodded as if enlightened. “Oh~ I get it—you’re saying I’m pure and cute!”
Luo Jiutian: “…”
What a formidable mental filter.
Su Wan’er lay back down, gazing at the sky. “Nine Heavens Brother, do you really not regret refusing that senior?”
Basking in the sun, he replied lazily, “Of course I regret it. Losing a beautiful master—I’m deeply disappointed.”
Su Wan’er shot him a sidelong glance, her lips curving. “Liar.”
He didn’t respond, stretching slowly.
After some time, the airship slowed, the wind’s sound fading. The rolling walls of Tianyuan Kingdom appeared on the horizon, grand and solemn.
“We’re here,” Luo Jiutian said, standing.
Su Wan’er immediately sidled up, smiling as she linked arms with him. “Let’s go, husband~”
Luo Jiutian: “…”