Chapter 35: Rescue

“Is this… the Desolate Heaven Bone Lotus?” White Tiger Mysterious Monarch said, surprised.

Luo Jiutian stared at the floating gray-white object, his expression grave.

He searched his memories but found no information about it.

“Senior, this thing’s a big deal, isn’t it?” he asked, frowning.

White Tiger nodded: “It’s said to originate from an ancient calamity land, born from the bones of myriad spirits. I’ve only read of it in ancient texts—never thought I’d see it in person.”

She gazed at the Bone Lotus, continuing: “For ordinary cultivators, it’s useless—it doesn’t boost cultivation. But for those unable to absorb spiritual energy, it can open the path to cultivation.”

Luo Jiutian’s mind conjured a figure.

Su Yuan, Su Wan’er’s elder brother.

In his memory, he was a frail boy, pale-skinned, with delicate features, always bundled up like a dumpling, looking sickly.

His presence was faint.

Even in a major clan like the Su family, few mentioned his name, and fewer recalled he was Su Wan’er’s brother.

If anything, his situation mirrored Luo Jiutian’s.

Both were abandoned by their clans, enduring scorn and ridicule.

The difference was, Su Yuan lacked even the chance to struggle.

He couldn’t cultivate, unable to even draw qi into his body.

In this cultivation world where strength ruled, a non-cultivator’s mere existence was a fault.

Worse, he was born into a major clan like the Su family.

Luo Jiutian knew that daily rejection and coldness all too well.

In simulations, he’d met Su Yuan rarely, but they got along well.

It hadn’t seemed significant then, but now—

A natural waste, unable to cultivate, a clan outcast.

And this Desolate Heaven Bone Lotus could let someone unable to absorb qi step onto the cultivation path.

No way…

Luo Jiutian’s brows furrowed, a bad feeling rising.

“System,” he called inwardly.

[Here, Host.]

“Must I suppress a Chosen One to gain destiny points? Can’t I… recruit them, like as a subordinate?”

[No. A Chosen One’s destiny can only be gained by suppressing or seizing their opportunities. Only Chosen Daughters can be recruited.]

Luo Jiutian fell silent.

He’d considered leaving the Bone Lotus for Su Yuan.

In the simulation world, Su Yuan was one of the few who showed him consistent kindness.

But if he did, and Su Yuan succeeded, becoming a new Chosen One, the outcome was unpredictable.

Luo Chen’s inexplicable hostility proved Chosen Ones were fated to oppose him.

Luo Jiutian stared at the floating gray-white object, silent for a long time.

“Brat, daydreaming again?” White Tiger’s voice broke his thoughts.

He blinked: “Nothing, just… this thing’s intriguing.”

White Tiger said lightly: “Though useless to you, keep it. It might earn a favor someday.”

Luo Jiutian nodded: “Senior’s right.”

Fine, he was here already.

Take it first, decide later.

As he stepped forward, a hum echoed, the chamber trembling.

The walls oozed cold black mist, swirling on the floor before surging along the cracks, converging at the center.

In moments, the mist formed dozens of black shadows, encircling Luo Jiutian.

They resembled the earlier beastly shadow but were smaller, half a person’s height.

Without pause, they pounced as soon as they formed.

Their attacks were chaotic, direct collisions, all aimed at one target—

Luo Jiutian.

He moved, weaving through the chamber, his steps varying to dodge.

But the shadows were too numerous. Even with his speed, he couldn’t evade them all.

A hit to his shoulder sent him staggering back.

“The force… matches the real thing?”

Frowning, he steadied himself as more shadows closed in.

Gritting his teeth, he raised a hand, bloodlight swirling in his palm, the crimson Weeping Red Dust emerging from the void.

With the sword’s appearance, his gaze turned icy, slashing out.

Sword energy tore through, shredding many shadows into dispersing mist.

But the mist didn’t vanish—it flowed back to the chamber’s edges, reforming into shadows that attacked again.

“They can regenerate?”

His heart sank. He swung several more times, repelling shadows, only for dozens more to surge. The chamber was like an endless monster nest.

His breathing grew heavy, spiritual energy draining fast. No matter how quick his strikes, he couldn’t stop the onslaught.

“Stop, brat. Let me handle it,” White Tiger’s voice sounded.

After enduring another wave, Luo Jiutian asked: “Senior, you have a way?”

“I can borrow your body to get you out. But it’s costly—I’ll fall into a deep sleep after, unable to be roused.”

Without hesitation, he agreed: “Alright, I’ll trouble you, Senior.”

“Stand still, don’t move.”

Luo Jiutian steadied himself, suppressing his chaotic spiritual energy.

A yellow light surged from his ring, forming a thin thread that pierced his brow.

But at that moment, the shadows grew frenzied.

Their chaotic attacks turned rapid and precise, swarming him without pause.

Freshly stabilized, he took three hits, stumbling back, blood trickling from his mouth.

“Trouble…” White Tiger said. “They’re disrupting me. If possession is interrupted by force, your soul will be gravely injured.”

The shadows’ assault intensified, each hit shaking his vitality, his defenses nearing collapse.

Luo Jiutian stood firm, sweat beading, eyes locked on the shadows, ready to play his trump card.

At that critical moment—

Boom!

The chamber’s ceiling exploded, debris flying, sunlight pouring in, illuminating the space.

Where the light touched, shadows dissolved, unable to reform.

In moments, the chamber calmed, the oppressive aura gone.

Luo Jiutian looked up toward the light.

A woman in a red dress hovered in the air, backlit by the sun.

Staring at the familiar figure, his heart stirred, and he whispered:

“…Wan’er?”