Chapter 36: Su Wan’er’s Special Physique
Luo Jiutian was pondering whether the script had gone wrong somewhere.
In typical stories, isn’t the male lead supposed to cut through obstacles and heroically save the damsel?
But for him, the plot had flipped to the damsel saving the hero.
He glanced at Su Wan’er, who was sticking close to his side.
She looked up at him with an expression that screamed, I’m good, I’m great, I’m awesome, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.
At that moment, White Tiger Mysterious Monarch’s voice murmured in his ear: “Primordial Flower Immortal Vein… yet this girl’s aura is clearly at Nascent Soul level…”
Luo Jiutian’s eyes flickered, but he stayed silent.
He knew what White Tiger was fixating on.
The Primordial Flower Immortal Vein.
This physique absorbed spiritual energy rapidly, far surpassing ordinary cultivators.
But its peak came with a price—once reaching Golden Core, progress stalled.
Forcing cultivation would trigger backlash, veins wilting like petals, leading to death.
Thus, those with this vein were called “ephemeral geniuses.”
Yet now, Su Wan’er radiated a Nascent Soul aura.
White Tiger paused, then continued: “No… I sense her realm is slowly dropping. Not quickly, but without intervention, she’ll fall back to Foundation Establishment in days.”
Luo Jiutian’s gaze sharpened, looking down at the girl in his arms.
She was still nuzzling him, beaming for praise.
He raised a hand, gently pressing her shoulders to stop her: “Su Wan’er.”
“Hm?” She looked up, eyes clear.
“Be honest—did you use some dangerous secret technique?”
Her expression froze, then she tilted her head as if confused: “What’s Nine Heavens Brother talking about? I don’t know any secret techniques.”
“Don’t play dumb,” his tone grew heavier.
Su Wan’er puffed her cheeks, looking aggrieved: “I really didn’t… I just felt a surge of power in me, swung down, and… saved you!”
Luo Jiutian met her eyes, silent for a moment, then dropped it.
He knew she was hiding it to keep him from worrying.
He sighed inwardly.
When would this karmic debt be settled…
White Tiger’s voice softened: “No need to fret. She’s not fundamentally harmed—just her realm is regressing.”
She added: “Also, I sensed her Primordial Flower Immortal Vein’s aura… it’s unusual.”
“What do you mean?” he asked via transmission.
“Her physique… shows signs of transformation,” White Tiger said slowly. “I read in an ancient text that, in ancient times, someone broke the vein’s limits, reaching higher realms.”
Luo Jiutian’s heart jolted.
In the simulation world, he’d never heard of this.
He’d scoured all records, and the conclusion was always the same—
Golden Core was the ceiling, no further progress.
“Senior,” he transmitted, “how did they do it? Any specific method?”
White Tiger shook her head: “They left no inheritance or details, only the phrase ‘Reverse Flower to the Path’ in a brief record. Nothing more.”
Luo Jiutian fell silent.
“Sorry,” White Tiger said.
He shook his head slightly: “No, I’m grateful you shared this much.”
He looked down at Su Wan’er, nuzzling closer again.
Sensing his silence, she tugged his sleeve: “Nine Heavens Brother… are you mad?”
He blinked. “No.”
Relieved, she muttered: “Scared me—I thought you’d scold me.”
She paused, then grinned, eyes sparkling: “So, how’s my lifesaving favor repaid?”
Luo Jiutian looked at her, saying softly: “In a few days, I’ll visit the Su family with a surprise for you.”
Su Wan’er blinked, leaning closer: “You didn’t… get that dark stone, did you?”
Instinctively, he replied: “Yeah, it can heal Aunt Wang.”
He froze, realizing the slip, and feigned surprise: “Wait, how’d you know?”
Su Wan’er didn’t answer immediately, just tilted her head, smiling at him.
Her stare gave him chills.
But soon, she giggled, reverting to her playful self: “I read it in a jade slip, duh. Nine Heavens Brother, you’re so silly.”
He acted enlightened: “Oh, that’s how.”
He patted her head: “As expected of Wan’er—clever.”
She beamed: “Of course, I’m the Su family’s genius.”
They bantered back and forth, playfully teasing.
Su Wan’er poked his side; he dodged, tapping her forehead. She pouted, hugging him, whining, “You hit me!”
“Childish,” White Tiger snorted, ill-timed.
She turned into light, retreating into the ring, silent.
After a while, Luo Jiutian refocused: “Alright, the secret realm’s closing soon. Time to grab those persimmons.”
Su Wan’er’s eyes lit up, nodding eagerly: “Mm, I’ll follow Nine Heavens Brother.”
He walked to the chamber’s center, reaching out to retrieve the Desolate Heaven Bone Lotus.
Turning to Su Wan’er, he said: “Let’s go.”
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the ruin.
“The exit… just reach the exit…”
Luo Chen panted, covered in blood.
He stumbled through a dim passage, the beastly shadow trailing, its roars growing louder.
No time to recover, he pushed on.
A spiked spear shot from a wall. He slid aside, but it grazed his shoulder, blood flowing.
His breathing grew labored, his face deathly pale.
“Damn ruin…” he cursed while fleeing. “Who designed this… bastard!”
Before he finished, he slipped, triggering another trap.
A black spike shot from the ground, tearing his calf.
He sealed the wound, not daring to stop.
Sweat, blood, and dust blurred his vision.
In the chaos, he froze, a distant memory flashing in his mind…