Chapter 50: Walking into a Trap
Tianyuan Kingdom, Luo Residence.
Outside Luo Jiutian’s courtyard, a graceful figure had been waiting for some time.
Seeing Luo Jiutian and Su Wan’er approach side by side, she stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face. “Little Tian, Sister Wan’er, you’re finally back.”
“Yunlan Sister.”
Su Wan’er greeted her sweetly, yet her grip on Luo Jiutian’s arm remained tight, showing no intention of letting go.
Luo Yunlan’s brow furrowed slightly, but her expression quickly returned to its usual warmth.
Her gaze softened as she said, “Little Tian, the journey must have been tiring, right?”
Luo Jiutian nodded. “It was alright.”
“Alright?”
Su Wan’er immediately jumped in, her voice animated. “Nine Heavens Brother was amazing! He was framed by that despicable Luo Chen, but he turned the tables and…”
She recounted everything that happened after they exited the secret realm, her tone rising and falling, brimming with excitement as if narrating a grand heroic tale.
Luo Yunlan listened quietly, smiling and nodding occasionally without interrupting.
“…and then, Nine Heavens Brother actually rejected that senior’s offer to take him as a disciple!”
Su Wan’er grew more excited. “Yunlan Sister, you don’t know how incredible that senior was—not just a Deity Transformation expert, but a stunning beauty with a cold aura, like she walked with an immortal air! Anyone else would’ve rushed to become her disciple.
But Nine Heavens Brother turned her down flat to stay with me!”
Luo Jiutian, who had been casually chiming in, froze at her last sentence.
Huh?
When did I say that?
He shot Su Wan’er a bewildered look.
Luo Yunlan watched them, a fleeting emotion passing through her eyes, barely noticeable. She smiled softly. “Looks like your Nine Heavens Brother cares for you deeply.”
Su Wan’er puffed up proudly. “Of course!”
Their eyes met, both smiling, their tones friendly, yet the atmosphere grew subtly tense.
Seeing this, Luo Jiutian coughed, trying to shift the topic. “Yunlan, since you’re here, why not come in for some tea?”
To his surprise, Luo Yunlan shook her head. “Little Tian, I actually have some cultivation matters I’d like to discuss with you privately.”
At the word “privately,” Su Wan’er’s alertness spiked.
Her eyes narrowed. “Yunlan Sister, do cultivation matters need to exclude me?”
Luo Yunlan’s smile didn’t waver as she turned to her. “Little Sister, you’ve been clinging to Little Tian for quite a while. Surely you wouldn’t deny your big sister a chance to talk?”
Su Wan’er blinked, smiling back. “Yunlan Sister, you’re joking. I’m not unreasonable.”
Luo Jiutian, caught between their verbal sparring, was at a loss for words.
Luo Yunlan continued, “Don’t misunderstand, Little Sister. This matter is a bit special, tied to Little Tian’s future cultivation path.”
She paused, her expression growing serious. “If handled well, it might help him break through to Golden Core more smoothly.”
Hearing this, Su Wan’er softened, biting her lip and staying silent.
Seeing the tension ease, Luo Jiutian said, “Wan’er, why don’t you head to the courtyard I arranged for you and refine that Tempering Origin Persimmon?”
Su Wan’er instinctively wanted to pout but caught his quiet transmission: “Be good. Once this is done, I’ll go with you to the Su Clan. The whole trip will be yours alone.”
She froze, looking up at him. His expression was calm, revealing nothing extra.
Her eyes lit up.
Though reluctant, she knew if she made a fuss now, it might upset him.
So she nodded gently, saying sweetly, “Alright… I’ll go refine it.”
Luo Jiutian patted her head. “Good.”
Su Wan’er glanced at Luo Yunlan, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Soon, only Luo Yunlan and Luo Jiutian remained before the courtyard.
Luo Yunlan didn’t speak immediately, turning slightly, her fingers brushing her sleeve. A breeze lifted strands of hair by her temple.
Luo Jiutian glanced at her, suddenly struck by how serious this gentle childhood friend seemed, her eyes holding an emotion he couldn’t decipher.
He was about to speak when Luo Yunlan turned. “Little Tian, follow me.”
Luo Jiutian nodded slightly and stepped after her.
They walked in silence, passing through corridors and stone pavilions, stopping at a secluded courtyard deep in the Luo Residence.
The place was exceptionally quiet, adorned with flowers Luo Yunlan had planted herself, their faint fragrance drifting in the air.
As they entered, Luo Jiutian said, “Yunlan, whatever it is… we can talk here.”
Luo Yunlan paused, looking back at him, her gaze soft but firm. “No.”
“Why not?”
“It has to be inside.”
Luo Jiutian hesitated, suspicion flickering in his eyes. “A man and woman alone in a room… if word gets out, it might harm your reputation.”
Luo Yunlan chuckled, covering her mouth. “Little Tian, are you afraid I’ll eat you?”
He gave a low laugh, not responding.
Her gaze lingered on him, her tone softening. “I need you to come inside because I’ve prepared something to aid your cultivation, but… it requires your cooperation.”
Her voice was calm, carrying a patient certainty. “If a few words could push you to Golden Core, wouldn’t cultivation be too easy?”
Luo Jiutian fell silent, weighing her words.
Something felt off, but if Luo Yunlan had ulterior motives, with his current abilities, could he even stop her?
He sighed softly. “Alright, I’ll follow your lead.”
Luo Yunlan met his earnest gaze, her lips curving slightly.
“Then come in.”
…
The scene shifted to Luo Yunlan’s private chamber.
The room was elegantly arranged, with landscape scrolls on the walls, a censer on the table curling with sandalwood mixed with orchid fragrance.
The bed was draped in soft, sheer cyan gauze, cascading from the ceiling, veiling the carved wooden bed in a hazy curtain, adding a touch of mystique.
By the window, a bookshelf held ancient texts and jade slips.
Every item was placed with care, reflecting the owner’s meticulous nature.
As Luo Jiutian stepped inside, a faint scent brushed his nose—elusive, like a young woman’s unique fragrance, stirring his senses.
“Not bad. This room’s setup suits your vibe,” he remarked, scanning the space.
But he waited, and no response came.
The room was eerily quiet.
Puzzled, he frowned.
Then—
Buzz~
A short, sharp sound came from behind.
…The door had been locked.
His pupils contracted as he spun around.
“Yunlan!”