Chapter 18: Not the Son of Luck

Oftentimes, a person’s stance is not something they can freely decide.
Especially in a family that values bloodlines and benefits, no one can remain aloof forever.

Inside the room, Luo Chen stood firm, his expression cold.
“This Young Master thought you two would be more sensible, but it seems I was wasting my time.”

He abandoned courtesy altogether.
“The family council meeting is approaching. By then, you both know who will hold the power of discourse and who will preside over distribution.

“If you refuse to cooperate, I don’t mind cutting your branch’s share of resources by a few points.”

“You…” Luo Yuanshan clenched his fist, his voice tight with suppressed anger. “Are you threatening us?”

“This Young Master is merely making things clear,” Luo Chen lifted his chin slightly, not denying it. “Since persuasion failed, there’s no need for further consideration.”

“How dare you!”

Yuanshan’s fury erupted. He slammed his palm against the table, leaping to his feet.

The next instant, he lunged, fist aimed straight at Luo Chen’s face.

But Luo Chen merely flicked his sleeve. Before even a gust could form, Yuanshan froze in mid-air, suspended as if held by an invisible hand. His face went deathly pale. He couldn’t move an inch.

“Before you act, weigh the consequences,” Luo Chen said faintly, his eyes devoid of emotion.

Beside them, Luo Yan frowned but made no move to intervene.

After a few breaths, Luo Chen withdrew his power. Yuanshan dropped heavily to the ground, gasping for air.

The room fell silent once more.

Luo Chen’s gaze swept over the two, his tone softening.
“It’s best to leave some room, so we may meet again on good terms. If you cooperate, benefits will naturally follow.”

Yuanshan said nothing. Luo Yan remained equally silent.

Luo Chen did not press further. Instead, he pulled two round jade tablets from his sleeve and flicked them lightly. They landed in front of the men.

“After entering the secret realm, everyone will be randomly teleported. These tablets can sense each other’s position—the closer you are, the stronger the reaction. Use them to regroup. Don’t wander off alone.”

He strode toward the door.

At the threshold, he suddenly paused and glanced back.
“As for Luo Jitian… I have my own way of finding him. You needn’t concern yourselves.”

Only then did Luo Yan finally speak.
“Aren’t you afraid we’ll turn around and tell him?”

Luo Chen smiled faintly.
“This Young Master believes you’re both intelligent men. You know what should—and should not—be said.”

Before his voice faded, he pushed open the door and left, leaving Yuanshan and Luo Yan stunned in place.

Back to the present.

The opening of the Qingyun Secret Realm was imminent. The Luo family’s team was ready.

Luo Yuanshan and Luo Yan stood at the center of the formation, both visibly lacking enthusiasm.

“Skinny ghost, what should we do?” Yuanshan sent a voice transmission, anxiety flickering in his eyes.

“What else? One step at a time,” Luo Yan replied, face unreadable.

Almost unconsciously, his gaze shifted to the very back of the group.

There stood Luo Jitian, hands clasped behind his back, staring at the teleportation array as though dazed.

But his attention was elsewhere.

System, what’s going on? You still haven’t detected the Son of Providence?

[Ding! This system has not detected any Son of Providence nearby.]
[Host, are you perhaps mistaken?]

You saw that Xiao Yan earlier, didn’t you?

The system paused.

[You mean… him? The Son of Providence? Impossible.]
[He never appeared in any of the simulated worlds I previously constructed. Why do you think that?]

Try reading his name again.

Silence. Then the system spoke again, its tone strangely hesitant.

[Xiao… Yan…]
[…Oh. Ohhh. So that’s how it is—]

“Hm?”

[Ahem. Ding! This system believes he is not the Son of Providence yet, but he may become one in the future.]

So if I intercept the ‘old grandpa in the ring’ now, will I gain Providence Value?

[No. Providence Value can only be farmed from officially detected Sons of Providence.]

Luo Jitian exhaled softly and didn’t dwell on it further.

Just then, the teleportation array blazed to life.

“The secret realm is opening!” someone shouted.

Before the words faded, dazzling light surged outward, swallowing everyone in the clearing.

The glow then contracted—and all figures vanished.

The Qingyun Secret Realm had officially opened.

Meanwhile, in another place—

Within the Tianheng Sect.

Sunlight spilled onto a mountain path where several female disciples walked together, each carrying storage boxes of herbs and pills. They chatted idly as they made their way toward Jingyu Peak.

“Speaking of which,” one asked, “where exactly are we delivering these? These pills and talismans look like they’re for Foundation Establishment or Golden Core cultivators.”

“Jingyu Peak,” another answered. “They said they needed temporary resupply there.”

“Jingyu Peak?” The first disciple blinked. “Isn’t Peak Lord Dugu the only one living there? With her cultivation level… does she really need these things?”

“You’re out of the loop,” someone else chimed in. “I heard Peak Lord Dugu plans to take on a disciple during this assembly.”

“What? Really?”
“It’s true.”

Their chatter grew lively.

“Sigh, whoever becomes her disciple will be so fortunate… Their status will skyrocket.”
“Just being associated with her name would be enough.”

As they spoke, they rounded a bend. Ahead lay the final flight of stone steps to Jingyu Peak.

Their steps slowed in unison.

A faint mist veiled the mountain gate. The plum forest beyond was in full bloom, petals like snow drifting in the air. Spirit birds perched quietly among the branches, occasionally letting out soft chirps before falling silent again.

The once cold and desolate peak now radiated an indescribable elegance and solemnity.

“Is this really the place?” one whispered.
“It’s actually… beautiful?” another murmured, her voice hushed as though afraid to disturb the scene.

“Didn’t they say Peak Lord Dugu ignores worldly affairs, never even tending this mountain?”
“She must be preparing for her disciple.”

At this, the group fell silent.

The same thought arose in every heart—

Envy.

“Peak Lord Dugu spoils her disciple too much,” one sighed.
“Isn’t that the truth? She ignores sect elders’ messages, yet now personally arranges her abode. What greater importance could there be?”

They shook their heads helplessly, lifted their supply boxes again, and quickened their pace toward the peak.

[TL Note:  Xiao Yan (肖言) is the name of the protagonist from the famous xianxia novel Battle Through the Heavens (斗破苍穹). The system’s reaction implies recognition of this legendary name.]