Chapter 46: Coming Straight to the Point?

【Ding! Anomaly detected in female lead Dugu Ningshuang’s status. Checking residual simulated memories…】
【Error! Error! For unknown reasons, unable to confirm her memory state.】
【It is recommended that the host does not expose the simulation, to prevent the other party from learning the truth.】

Faced with this sudden turn of events, Luo Jiutian’s lips twitched slightly.
Just a moment ago, he had successfully possessed Baihu Xuanjun, his internal spiritual power surging, his state pushed to the limit, ready to unleash a massive attack.
But before he could even act—Dugu Ningshuang appeared out of nowhere.

Although she hadn’t caused any effect on the souls of the people present,
to Luo Jiutian, it felt like having carefully built up a grand finisher only for a meteor to crash down and flatten the enemy into oblivion.

He sighed and transmitted a message into his ring:
“Senior, I am absolutely safe now. You can rest assured.
If anything happens, I will call you.”

After a long pause, a low, hoarse reply came from the ring:
“…Mm.”

Luo Jiutian quietly inhaled, suppressing his emotions.
When he lifted his head again, Dugu Ningshuang was already looking down from above, her cold, emotionless eyes seemingly trying to confirm something.

The surroundings were deathly silent.
After a moment, Dugu Ningshuang spoke:
“I have come this time to formally accept Luo Jiutian as my direct disciple of Jingyu Peak.”

Her tone was calm and straightforward, going straight to the point without any detours.
Everyone was initially stunned, and then the scene instantly erupted into chaos.

“Is this for real? A Divine Transformation Realm powerhouse personally taking an apprentice?”
“That’s not just any Divine Transformation Realm master, it’s the peak master of Jingyu Peak—the strongest existence officially recognized by the Tianheng Sect!”
“If I had such treatment, I’d laugh myself awake in my dreams.”

Jealousy, envy, and admiration were plastered across everyone’s faces, including Luo Chen.
Though his reaction wasn’t as intense, after being mentally manipulated by Luo Jiutian so many times, he had long since become desensitized.

Su Wan’er stared at the cold Dugu Ningshuang in the air, feeling increasingly that something wasn’t right.
This woman clearly wore a frosty demeanor, but the way she had looked at Jiutian earlier… how should she put it… there was something odd about it.
She subconsciously clenched Luo Jiutian’s sleeve, her gaze wary.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Luo Jiutian’s response.
Time ticked by slowly.
Finally, Luo Jiutian spoke in a calm voice:
“Thank you, Senior, for your great kindness…”

At these words, many nodded in agreement.
After all, who would refuse a pie falling from the sky?
But then, Luo Jiutian’s tone shifted sharply:
“…However, I must decline this matter.”

The moment the words left his mouth, the atmosphere first froze briefly, and then exploded into uproar.

“What the hell!?”
“The Peak Master of Dugu personally came to take an apprentice, and he rejected her?”
“What an ungrateful fool! Countless people dream of entering Tianheng Sect as a direct disciple, and he just throws the chance away.”

The murmurs of discontent rose one after another, most condemning Luo Jiutian’s decision.
Meanwhile, in the air, Dugu Ningshuang remained as calm as ever, not even reacting immediately, only nodding slightly:
“Fine. Prepare yourself, and tomorrow I will personally bring you back—”

Before she could finish, she paused and looked down at Luo Jiutian.
“Wait, what did you just say?”

Luo Jiutian remained unmoved. He cupped his hands respectfully, his tone still sincere:
“Senior’s personal appearance moves me deeply.
However… I had already intended to attend the upcoming Tianheng Sect disciple recruitment conference.
If I were to join directly now, people would assume I took shortcuts.
What I desire is to stand out among countless prodigies, earn my place with real ability, and then take you as my master.
Only in that way could I be truly justified!”

When he spoke, his entire presence seemed to radiate holy light, so dazzling it made people unable to look directly at him.
But in truth, he was thinking—

Damn it, does she really think I wouldn’t notice that suspicious look of hers?
The map isn’t fully unlocked yet.
If I follow her to Jingyu Peak now, will I ever get a chance to leave again?
Must stall. As long as I can, I’ll stall, until the main storyline here finishes.

None of the onlookers knew Luo Jiutian’s true thoughts.
So when they heard his upright speech, all their previous doubts vanished.

“I admit, I spoke too loudly earlier…”
“He’s right. This is the backbone of a true cultivator!”
“Luo Jiutian is our role model!”

Su Wan’er looked at Luo Jiutian with eyes full of admiration, almost drooling.
The others who knew his true nature had various expressions.
If they hadn’t seen Luo Jiutian’s scheming ways with their own eyes, they might have been fooled by the saintly facade.

But up in the air, Dugu Ningshuang looked at Luo Jiutian, her gaze softening a little.
Tian’er, you truly are… as kind and upright as ever, she thought silently.

Originally, she had planned to take Luo Jiutian back to Jingyu Peak, modify him, settle him down, and personally take care of his cultivation and life after breaking through to the Refining Void Stage—little by little making up for what she had never given him.
But now, the boy was still as stubborn as her memories recalled—unwilling to take shortcuts.
Forcing him to return would only break his spirit.

After hesitating for a moment, she ultimately didn’t persist, only feeling somewhat regretful.

Everyone thought Dugu Ningshuang would become angry.
After all, being publicly rejected by a direct disciple candidate—especially one of Divine Transformation Realm—was a huge loss of face for anyone.
But unexpectedly, she showed not a trace of displeasure.

She calmly looked at Luo Jiutian, and suddenly said:
“Would you… mind having a private conversation with me?”

Luo Jiutian paused for a moment, his expression unchanged, and simply nodded:
“Alright.”

***

The scene shifted to the high sky.
Luo Jiutian and Dugu Ningshuang stood facing each other, surrounded by a barrier.
No one outside could hear or see what was happening within.

“So… Senior came to see me. What is it about?”
Luo Jiutian looked at the icy, indifferent immortal before him, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Dugu Ningshuang didn’t answer immediately. She stared at him for a long while.
Then, she lowered her eyes and said:
“Do you believe people can be reborn?”

Luo Jiutian was taken aback by the directness of the question.
That straightforward?

Although surprised by the sudden question, he remained composed on the surface.
“I don’t.” He shook his head.

A faint light flickered in Dugu Ningshuang’s eyes:
“Why not?”

“Time never returns.
What cultivators seek is merely one step forward.
If such a miracle truly exists, then all the worldly attachments and struggles would just become a joke,” Luo Jiutian answered.

Dugu Ningshuang nodded softly, neither agreeing nor denying.
Her gaze remained fixed on Luo Jiutian’s face, as if she were trying to discern something.

“These years, I have secluded myself to practice the Supreme Dao Technique.
My heart has long been unaffected by external things,” her voice unconsciously softened a bit.
“But recently… every time I enter meditation, I feel an inexplicable unrest in my heart.”

Luo Jiutian listened quietly, not interrupting.
Dugu Ningshuang slowly raised her eyes and met his gaze:
“There are… certain scenes that keep surfacing in my mind.
You are there, I am there.
You call me Master, and I call you…”

“Tian’er.”