Chapter 48: The best episode of imagination

They say the truth is the fastest path to hell.

And right now, Luo Jiutian was walking that perilous road, teetering on the edge of a fiery pit, observing and praying.

Praying that Dugu Ningshuang wouldn’t snap and turn dark.

But what he didn’t know was that the thoughts swirling in the mind of the woman before him were something he could never guess in a lifetime.

Dugu Ningshuang’s eyes were lowered, her expression seemingly calm, but every fingertip was taut with tension.

She remembered how he always kept to himself in the sect, never mentioning family or friends, never showing a hint of sadness even when shunned by other disciples.

She thought he was unattached, free of burdens.

She thought he only had Jingyu Peak—only her.

But she never imagined—

He had a fiancée.

One who could naturally link arms with him in front of everyone, smiling brightly.

She must be a wonderful girl.

Brave, confident, expressive.

Unlike herself, who buried emotions in rules, suppressed obsessions in silence.

Always waiting for him to approach, never taking the first step.

Yet even so, he chose her.

For her, he decisively cut ties with that girl.

But what had she done?

He had let go of his past, while she still lingered at the threshold of the future.

Dugu Ningshuang closed her eyes, emotions surging within.

Thankfully, the heavens had given her a chance to start over.

This time, she would strive to return everything he had once given her.

Opening her eyes, she looked at Luo Jiutian.

Her expression earnest, she said, “Tian’er, it’s fine. Your master doesn’t mind.”

Luo Jiutian: ?

He froze.

Mainly because he hadn’t expected her to say something like that out of nowhere.

Seeing his subtle expression, Dugu Ningshuang thought he was hesitating and added, “If you’re willing, you can… bring that girl to Jingyu Peak…”

She paused, then continued, “To cultivate together, live together.”

Looking at him, her eyes held a touch of indulgence.

She knew why he emphasized “currently” when mentioning his fiancée.

Because he wanted to retrace the path of his past life.

To abandon his fiancée and come to her alone.

But she didn’t want him to do that again.

That girl’s feelings for him were plain in her eyes, impossible to hide.

She believed if Tian’er chose to repeat his old path, it wouldn’t just hurt the girl.

He would hurt too.

So, to spare them both pain, she made this suggestion.

“But… there’s a condition.” Dugu Ningshuang tried to maintain her composure, frowning seriously, though it added a hint of endearing clumsiness.

“You can’t focus only on her and forget your master.”

She glanced at him.

Luo Jiutian was still stunned, motionless.

Her lips curved slightly upward.

Tian’er… must be thrilled to hear such good news, right?

After all, she’d gone this far, even saying “live together.”

In the past, she wouldn’t have dared think it, let alone say it aloud.

She knew this step would surely make him feel her sincerity.

Her magnanimity would leave a deep impression.

But—

She underestimated Luo Jiutian’s thought process.

Her outrageous words made him instinctively overlook the issue of titles.

His mind was a mess.

What did she mean?

Testing me?

One wrong word, and I’m locked in a dark room?

As he frantically calculated how to respond, Dugu Ningshuang’s cool voice sounded: “Tian’er, my business here is done. I must return to seclusion for my breakthrough.”

“Oh, alright,” Luo Jiutian replied.

The words barely left his mouth when he froze.

Wait, that’s it?

…

The scene shifted.

Outside the barrier, on the grassy field.

A cold breeze swept through, ruffling people’s clothes.

Luo Changqing, Li Yunzheng, and others wore grave expressions, their eyes frequently darting toward the barrier.

They’d lived long enough to trust their instincts and had noticed the subtle look in Dugu Ningshuang’s eyes when she gazed at Luo Jiutian.

Something was off—nine or ten parts off.

That was not the look of an elder to a junior.

Moreover, she was the legendary master of Jingyu Peak, known for being cold and aloof, yet she came specifically to take Luo Jiutian as her disciple.

What did that mean?

Their relationship was far from simple.

And they had just tried to morally pressure Luo Jiutian into handing over the Tempering Origin Persimmons, caught red-handed.

Thinking back, a chill ran through them.

Su Huaizhang glanced at Su Wan’er, lowering his voice: “Wan’er, I was too rash this time. You know I’ve always been on your side. I just got carried away and said some harsh things.”

He paused, eyes drifting to the lingering barrier ripples, and continued, “If… he’s really upset, could you put in a word for me? We’re family—there’s no need to make things tense.”

Su Wan’er blinked, then tilted her head. “Oh, the wind’s so loud today, I can’t hear~”

Su Huaizhang gave a dry laugh and turned away silently.

Just then—

Buzz~

The barrier dissipated completely.

A man and a woman appeared in everyone’s view.

The surroundings fell silent.

Li Yunzheng, Su Huaizhang, and others tensed, barely daring to breathe, as if awaiting judgment.

Dugu Ningshuang’s silver hair fluttered in the wind, her calm gaze sweeping below as she spoke softly, “Those people—how do you plan to deal with them?”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but everyone present was a cultivator; those who wanted to hear could.

As expected, Li Yunzheng, Su Huaizhang, and others broke into a cold sweat.

No one spoke, only the wind stirring the grass.

Luo Jiutian looked down at them, a cryptic smile on his lips. “Let them be. I… have other plans for later.”

Dugu Ningshuang nodded, not pressing further.

With a flick of her sleeve, she gently sent Luo Jiutian to the ground.

In the moment before he landed, he received her transmission: “Tian’er, keep this safe.”

A faint blue light shot from her fingertip, which he caught instinctively.

“This contains the full force of my strike—capable of slaying a peak Deity Transformation or severely injuring an early Void Refinement cultivator. Use it to protect yourself if absolutely necessary.”

His fingers trembled, but before he could respond, Dugu Ningshuang had already looked away.

Nearby, Li Yunzheng and Su Huaizhang exchanged a glance, both sighing in relief but frowning.

Their lives were spared, but what did Luo Jiutian mean by “other plans”?

Luo Changqing kept his head down, his mind in turmoil.

Dugu Ningshuang ignored their reactions, saying indifferently, “From now on, treat Luo Jiutian as you would me. If anyone dares disrespect him, face the consequences.”

With that, she didn’t linger. Her robes fluttered, and she turned to leave.

Before the crowd could react, a sweet, familiar voice broke the silence: “Nine Heavens Brother~”

Su Wan’er had somehow closed the distance, her face carrying a casual smile, eyes curving like nothing had happened.

“What did that senior… talk to you about?”