Chapter 56: A thought shines into the abyss

The question mark doesn’t vanish; it just shifts to someone else.

Right now, Luo Jiutian was questioning his entire existence.

The Su Wanyuan before him was wrapped head to toe, leaving no gaps. He’d initially thought it was due to a frail body or fear of the cold.

Now, he realized he was only half right.

Su Wanyuan had done her best to disguise her front seamlessly, but her exceptional attributes couldn’t be fully concealed by ordinary techniques, forcing her to layer on clothes until she looked like this.

What? You’re wondering how a mere mortal could use disguise techniques?

She’s a Chosen Daughter, favored by the Heavenly Dao. Haven’t you heard that when one door closes, another opens?

“Young Master Luo… are you alright?”

Unaware her disguise was seen through, Su Wanyuan looked at him with concern.

Her voice snapped him back. He coughed, “I’m fine.”

Glancing at her, his eyes held three parts astonishment, three parts disbelief, and four parts existential confusion.

His good brother… was a Chosen Daughter?

What now? Help, urgent.

Then the system chimed in.

[Host, this is great news! A Chosen Daughter can be won over. If you succeed, she won’t oppose you and could become a powerful ally!]

Luo Jiutian considered it and found the system’s logic sound.

He’d come to probe her, deciding whether to destroy or hand over the Barren Sky Bone Lotus from the Qingyun Secret Realm.

But now things were different.

She could be won over.

Using the Bone Lotus to help her would be like securing a stock with destiny’s backing.

He tilted his head, glancing at the clouds outside, pondering his next words.

After a moment, he asked, “Brother Su Yuan, how long have you lived here?”

Su Wanyuan paused, then answered, “Almost two years.”

Luo Jiutian scanned the room, feigning confusion. “The Su Clan’s a major power. Even if you can’t cultivate, it shouldn’t come to this, right?”

His casual question caught her off guard.

After a pause, she said slowly, “I wasn’t… driven here.”

She continued, “With my status, even at my worst, I wouldn’t be treated too badly.”

He still looked puzzled. “Then why…?”

“Because I refuse to give up!” she interrupted. “I chose this remote place to stay clear-headed, to focus on finding a way to heal myself.”

Luo Jiutian propped his chin, listening quietly without interrupting.

Surprised, she’d expected dismissal, not genuine attention.

His simple act of listening felt like an outlet for her pent-up emotions.

She lowered her head, fingers trembling. “People say I’m seeking hardship, that even as a ‘useless’ person, my status ensures a comfortable life.

But they don’t know—if I accept that, one day I might think, ‘This life isn’t so bad.’ Over time, I’d get used to it, compromise, and… forget how to fight.

I don’t want to become that person!”

To a stranger like Luo Jiutian, she poured out her heart.

Perhaps it was years of suppression, or maybe his concern made her see him as different.

Only after venting did she realize her outburst, feeling embarrassed. “Sorry…”

He didn’t respond, instead standing and walking to the window, producing an object.

Its shape was eerie, lotus-like yet not, with twisting edges exuding an oppressive aura.

Su Wanyuan looked up, about to speak, but was drawn to it.

Its strange aura wasn’t oppressive to her but felt oddly familiar, as if it belonged to her.

She had a hunch—this could heal her!

“I’ve heard your wish,” Luo Jiutian said earnestly. “Now, I have one question.”

Sunlight streamed through the branches, bathing him in a golden glow.

“Do you… want to cultivate?”

Su Wanyuan stared at the radiant figure, an indescribable emotion welling up.

Perhaps this boy was fate’s answer to her years of struggle.

Her eyes grew wet, lips trembling, and she dropped to her knees with a thud. “If you can heal me…” her voice choked, “my life is yours.”

She tried to kowtow.

But before she could, a spiritual force lifted her.

“No need to kowtow,” Luo Jiutian said. “You’re a person of great destiny. I can’t accept that.”

She looked up, emotions complex, about to speak, but he cut her off. “Alright, find a spot to sit. I’ll help you refine this.”

She nodded, standing and sitting in the center of the room.

Luo Jiutian approached, setting up an isolation array, then began helping her refine the Barren Sky Bone Lotus…

…

Time slipped by.

With his help, Su Wanyuan slowly refined the Bone Lotus.

At first, a burning pain swept through her, sweat beading on her forehead, her breathing rapid.

But she didn’t cry out, biting her lip to endure.

“Ugh!”

Another wave of burning hit, like her body was being torn apart.

She held on, body tense.

Soon, the Bone Lotus was fully refined.

She felt something dormant awaken—a primal, instinctual hunger deep in her consciousness.

Boom—!

A wild aura erupted from her, a beastly phantom forming behind her, vast and ferocious, like a glutton reborn.

The phantom vanished in an instant.

Her aura surged, her frail body strengthening.

Soon, all calmed.

Luo Jiutian watched her transformation, marveling.

Late Qi Refining.

A mortal unable to cultivate had leaped to late Qi Refining in so little time.

“Worthy of a Chosen Daughter…” he sighed.

Su Wanyuan opened her eyes.

She paused, then realized she could sense the surrounding spiritual energy.

Something she’d never touched, no matter how hard she tried.

Now, she’d crossed that threshold.

“I… can really cultivate?”

Overwhelmed, her body trembled.

A scene dreamed countless times had come true.

Unable to contain herself, she stood, grabbing his sleeve. “Thank you, Young Master Luo… truly, thank you.”

Her words faltered as she seemed to remember something, her cheeks flushing. “Could you… turn around for a moment?”

He raised a brow but didn’t ask why, simply saying, “Alright,” and turned, blocking his divine sense.

He’d already guessed her intent.

Sure enough, rustling sounds came from behind.

He remained calm, waiting.

Soon, her soft voice called, “You… can turn around now.”