Chapter 12: Afterglow
Since the recognition banquet, Luo Jiutian’s feats spread quickly through Tianyuan Kingdom.
Defeating Luo Chen in one move, standing up to the Luo family, turning to leave only to be personally retained by the Patriarch—this series of actions made Luo Jiutian the undisputed ‘untouchable’ figure among the younger generation.
As he’d predicted, no one dared trouble him since.
Luo Jiutian thought he could finally enjoy some peace, but he hadn’t expected…
He stared at Su Wan’er, who sat confidently in his courtyard, leisurely sipping tea, and felt a touch of exasperation.
“Wan’er, why haven’t you gone back?”
His expression remained calm, betraying no irritation.
A seasoned actor.
Su Wan’er swirled her teacup, grinning: “Didn’t I say? I’m staying at the Luo family. When the Qingyun Secret Realm opens tomorrow, I’ll go with you, Brother Jiutian!”
“That’s your reason for being in my house?”
“Don’t sweat the details.”
“…”
Luo Jiutian watched her casual demeanor, pausing silently, not responding immediately.
He knew the real reason she stayed.
The Su family Patriarch, Su Wenlin, was in seclusion, and no one could control her.
And she, likely, didn’t want to return to that place.
Su Wenlin was an extreme man.
To him, the Su family members were mere tools, everything for the family’s benefit.
This was clear from his choice to ignore Su Wan’er’s betrothal.
He was waiting.
Waiting to see who—Luo Jiutian or Luo Chen—would come out on top.
Or rather, who could bring the Su family more gain.
Even his daughter’s happiness was just a bargaining chip.
How could such a man care about Su Wan’er’s feelings?
Did she know?
Of course she did.
Yet she never uttered a word of complaint, always acting carefree.
The brighter her smile, the clearer it was to Luo Jiutian: it was just her way of carving out a small space to breathe.
Arranged her whole life, she must have started to wonder—
Did she even have the right to choose her own happiness?
Layer upon layer of reasons led to her growing disdain for the Su family.
But she’d enjoyed their resources since childhood and had ties she couldn’t sever.
One was her cultivation-less older brother, the other her blind foster mother.
Duty and emotion bound her—she couldn’t just walk away.
Thus, she was stuck, unable to break free yet unable to stay.
Day after day, trapped in circles, drowning in endless self-doubt.
“Sigh…”
Luo Jiutian sighed, unwilling to dwell on it.
Su Wan’er, propping her cheek and watching him, caught the sigh and asked immediately: “What’s wrong? Feeling down, Brother Jiutian?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Just thinking about something.”
“What about?” She leaned closer. “Want me to share the load? My cultivation’s not high, but I’m great at cheering you up—like this!”
She made a silly face.
Luo Jiutian couldn’t help but laugh, tapping her forehead: “You, always causing trouble.”
Su Wan’er covered her forehead, giggling as she dodged: “This is called lively and cute!”
He said no more, standing to pour her a cup of warm tea, gently pushing it toward her.
She took it, sipped, but didn’t set it down.
Holding the cup’s rim, her gaze fell into the tea, growing quiet.
Luo Jiutian sensed something off and was about to speak when a tear slid down her cheek.
She froze, startled by her own tear.
“Wan’er… why are you crying?” he asked, knowing the answer.
She blinked, hurriedly wiping her face, but more tears fell uncontrollably.
“I… I’m not.” Her voice was barely audible. “Maybe I’m just too happy to see you after so long?”
Her lips curved, trying to smile, but tears kept falling.
Luo Jiutian didn’t press, pulling out a handkerchief to gently wipe her cheeks.
Feeling his touch, her tears slowed, her breathing steadying.
“Thank you, Brother Jiutian,” she said softly.
His hand paused at her words, flashes of past moments crossing his mind…
…
“Brother Jiutian, what’re you thinking about?”
A girl’s voice drifted lightly in the breeze, pulling him from his wandering thoughts.
Luo Jiutian turned to look.
Su Wan’er sat on the grass, twirling her hair, her tone casual but her eyes secretly studying him.
“Nothing.” He smiled.
She huffed: “Not thinking about some other girl, are you?”
“Do I seem like that kind of guy?”
“Then why won’t you look at me?” She pouted, displeased. “You’re the one who asked me out.”
He reached over, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear: “Didn’t you say you were tired from cultivating and wanted a break?”
“It’s not slacking,” she muttered. “I just… wanted to spend time with you.”
Luo Jiutian pretended not to hear, standing to fetch two pastries from his storage bag, handing her one.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to try these?”
Her eyes lit up as she grabbed it, biting in, her face blooming into a crescent smile. “You remembered!”
He smiled, saying nothing.
She nibbled, sneaking glances: “Brother Jiutian, if I keep clinging to you… will you find me annoying?”
“Aren’t you already clinging?”
“Do you find it annoying?”
“No.” He paused, lowering his voice. “How could I?”
Encouraged, she scooted closer: “Then it’s a deal—you can’t change your mind.”
Seeing her earnest expression, he felt a moment of daze.
Back then, he’d truly thought maybe this time, he wouldn’t need an extreme ‘death escape’ to complete the strategy.
The system had warned him: this was a simulated world, all fake. Don’t get too deep, like with Luo Yunlan last time.
Luo Jiutian had replied lightly: “Just wait. This time, with the right chance, I’ll succeed.”
He’d believed it.
Later, he found the perfect opportunity.
The Qingyun Secret Realm opened.
Controlled by the four great clans, it opened once every decade.
Legend said it was where a great power fell, rich in spiritual energy, filled with ruins, dangers, and opportunities.
Each clan sent ten disciples, including Luo Jiutian and Su Wan’er.
At the end of the Luo family’s lineup, Luo Jiutian saw Su Wan’er in the Su family group, waving at him with a smile.
Soon, the teleportation array glowed, hiding her figure.
A spatial tremor hit, followed by a sense of weightlessness…