Chapter 19: White Tiger Profound Sovereign

The scene shifts to within the Qingyun Secret Realm.

Su Wan’er slowly opened her eyes.

Before her stretched a vast, desolate wasteland. The ground was cracked and dry, vegetation was sparse, and not a single person was in sight.

In the distance lay rolling mountain ranges, shrouded in mist.

Nearby, it was utterly silent. The spiritual energy was so faint it was almost imperceptible.

Su Wan’er stood up and surveyed her surroundings, frowning slightly.

This… was not the same teleportation point as in her previous life.

She remembered clearly—in the past, she and Luo Jitian had been teleported to a valley rich with spiritual energy. Although fierce beasts roamed there, many opportunities existed as well.

But this place before her was barren and silent. The difference was obvious at a glance.

Su Wan’er’s mind raced.

The Qingyun Secret Realm had a distinct characteristic—
The spiritual energy was densest and the resources most abundant at the central region, growing progressively more barren toward the periphery.

Judging by her surroundings, this should be the very edge of the secret realm.

Her expression grew solemn.

It seems… my actions have changed many things.

She had thought that simply reliving her memories, preparing in advance, and avoiding accidents would allow her to move forward steadily.

But only now did she realize—even the smallest change was enough to alter the course of events.

Unease settled in her heart.

She didn’t know where Luo Jitian had been teleported, nor whether he would still follow the same exploration path as in her past life.

Worse still was Luo Chen’s abnormality. She always felt he was plotting something—something aimed squarely at Luo Jitian.

“No, I have to find Brother Jitian as soon as possible!”

Su Wan’er clenched her fists, urgency flashing in her eyes. She worried that her kind and honest Brother Jitian would be deceived by that insidious Luo Chen.

Taking a deep breath, she soared into the air and streaked off into the distance…

At the same time, on the other side of the secret realm—

Luo Jitian stood inside a dilapidated ancient building.

Stone pillars had toppled, walls were mottled with age, and the ground was covered in cracks and dust.

“Where did this send me? Is this still the Qingyun Secret Realm?”

He muttered to himself, lowering his gaze to the stone slab beneath his feet. The carved symbols were so faded they were illegible.

Not lingering, Luo Jitian walked slowly along the corridor lined with broken pillars.

The interior was deep, dark, and cold. Before long, he noticed something unusual in the corner.

A ring.

It lay alone before the base of a shattered stone monument.

Approaching, Luo Jitian examined it more closely.

The band was grayish-white, engraved with extremely complex patterns. Though it looked unremarkable at first glance, a faint and almost imperceptible light flowed across its surface.

“Hm?”

Luo Jitian stared for several moments, and an absurd thought surfaced.

No way… Could it really be such a coincidence?

He stepped forward, picked up the ring, and examined it. Probing with his divine sense revealed nothing.

“No reaction?”

He frowned, hesitated, then began to slowly infuse spiritual energy into the ring.

The ring vibrated once.

Seizing the chance, Luo Jitian sent his divine sense into it again.

Inside the space of the ring, a woman’s figure slowly materialized.

Though her silhouette was blurred, her graceful figure was evident. Her long hair cascaded to her waist, her expression cold and indifferent, her presence unapproachable even in this remnant state.

Even as a wisp of soul, she radiated an aura that kept strangers at a distance.

Luo Jitian immediately blurted out, “Well, I’ll be damned, a ring grandpa—no wait, a ring grandma.”

The remnant soul froze. The dignified opening speech she had prepared lodged in her throat.

Her tone was displeased. “Junior, who are you calling ‘old grandma’? I am but one thousand three hundred years old—hardly halfway through my Dao.”

Luo Jitian blinked, then quickly cupped his hands. “Senior, please don’t be offended. I was rude.”

The soul composed herself, realizing she too had lost her calm.

“It is of no matter,” she said faintly. “I too was improper.”

Luo Jitian relaxed. “My name is Luo Jitian. May I ask Senior’s name?”

After a pause, she answered, “I am the White Tiger Profound Sovereign. In the past, I guarded the Western Regions. My cultivation reached the peak of the Void Amalgamation stage—just one step from Dao Integration.”

Her voice trembled slightly. “But now… only this wisp of soul remains.”

She glanced at her tattered, illusory form. For an instant, loneliness flickered in her eyes before vanishing.

Noticing this, Luo Jitian politely averted his gaze.

The Profound Sovereign was faintly surprised. She had not expected the young man to notice her subtle emotions.

After a moment, she asked, “Why have you appeared here?”

“I stumbled upon this place by mistake,” Luo Jitian said frankly. “I was hoping to find some opportunities, but never expected to meet Senior.”

“The ways of fate are mysterious,” she replied. “For you to resonate with my remnant soul is no ordinary matter.”

“Senior praises me too highly.”

“Not at all. Although I am but a remnant, my senses are not mistaken. You are indeed extraordinary.”

Her words left him stunned, but he bowed. “Thank you, Senior.”

A silence lingered.

Then Luo Jitian asked, “Now that Senior has awakened… what are your plans?”

The remnant soul stirred. After a long pause, she spoke. “I am but a wisp. Without a vessel, I will eventually dissipate completely.”

Her gaze fell on him. “Since fate brought us together, I will be direct—are you willing to cooperate with me?”

Tempted, Luo Jitian still asked cautiously, “Since Senior is forthright, I will not be perfunctory. What kind of cooperation?”

“Very simple. A three-part agreement.

First, if you face a life-threatening crisis, I can help. In spare moments, I can offer guidance. But do not command me for trivial matters.

Second, I can lead you to opportunities hidden from others. However, if among them are items I need to reconstruct my body, you must yield them.

Third, when my required items are gathered, you must assist me in rebuilding my physical form. At that time, I will leave, and no further ties will bind us.”

She finished, waiting quietly.

Luo Jitian agreed without hesitation. “Alright. I accept.”

To him, it was like gaining a guardian with treasure-hunting ability for free. Once she rebuilt her body, they would owe each other nothing.

Perfect.

The Profound Sovereign nodded. Raising a finger, she summoned a wisp of light. It coalesced into a pale golden sheet of paper floating between them.

“This is proof of our contract. It has no binding force—only evidence. Since it is an agreement, keep it in your heart. But—”

Her tone hardened. “If you betray it, even weakened as I am, I still have ways to make you regret it.”

“Rest assured,” Luo Jitian said calmly. “I do not like owing favors, nor will I break my word.”

He pressed a hand to the paper. It vibrated gently, then dissipated into the void.

Just as he withdrew his hand, White Tiger Profound Sovereign glanced at him again.

“One more thing. There is a tracking Gu hidden on your body. It is extremely well-concealed. Do you need my help removing it?”

Luo Jitian only smiled faintly. “No need to trouble Senior. This matter… I have my own arrangements.”

Seeing his composure, she nodded. “Very well. Since the contract is formed, I shall rest within the ring. Proceed as you see fit.”

Her figure faded, and the ring fell silent once more.

Luo Jitian withdrew his divine sense, returning to his body. He took a deep breath, scanned his surroundings, and, finding nothing amiss, turned to leave.

But not long after stepping out of the doorway, Luo Jitian encountered an unexpected person…