Chapter 236: Chapter 236: Ancient Cold Sect, Luo Hantian

Through the connection between the Mother and Child Tower, Luo Hantian appeared as a flickering projection on the Boundary Token within Song Wanning’s Sea of Consciousness.

"Fellow Cultivator, are you the one who obtained the Trial Tower’s Boundary Token?"

A mature, deep voice resounded unhurriedly in her Sea of Consciousness. Song Wanning’s body, still in mid-flight, instantly tensed as she went on high alert.

The Golden Small Sword shot up, its shock evident as it stared at the face and demanded, "Who are you? How did you get in?"

It hadn’t sensed a thing!

Song Wanning was just as shocked. She quickly found a safe spot to land.

Sinking her Divine Soul into her Sea of Consciousness, she immediately saw the wavering figure on the Boundary Token and asked in a low, steady voice, "An Artifact Spirit?"

When certain Magical Treasures reached a sufficient level, they could develop a Spiritual Body, known as an Artifact Spirit.

Her mind had jumped to that conclusion instinctively.

But Luo Hantian just chuckled and shook his head.

"Not at all. I am the master of this tower—Luo Hantian, Sect Master of the Ancient Cold Sect in the Spirit Realm."

He sized up the Divine Soul before him. ’It’s powerful, far surpassing others at the Divinity Transformation stage. She must have had some fortuitous encounters.’

’No wonder she could cause a stir in the Boundary Token.’

"The Spirit Realm?"

Song Wanning froze, a flash of astonishment in her eyes.

Due to the restrictions of the Heavenly Dao, those from the Spirit Realm could no longer enter the Lower World. A few families possessed special Secret Techniques to communicate with the Spirit Realm, but most people had never interacted with anyone from there.

’And yet this man has appeared directly in my Sea of Consciousness. What kind of technique is this?’

Though her mind was filled with questions, Song Wanning still offered a polite bow. "Senior, is your presence here related to the Trial Tower?"

The man showed no malice, so she naturally responded with courtesy.

"Yes, I have indeed come for the Trial Tower. This tower is a Child Tower belonging to my Ancient Cold Sect that was lost long ago. We had no news of it for hundreds of thousands of years. Now, in my generation, I have finally sensed its energy fluctuations and have come seeking it."

A polite smile played on Luo Hantian’s lips; he did not put on airs despite his own high Cultivation.

From start to finish, he maintained a gentle and courteous demeanor.

"Young friend, please don’t misunderstand. I haven’t come to forcibly reclaim the Trial Tower. Rather, I wish to discuss a partnership with you."

"A partnership?"

Song Wanning raised an eyebrow. ’A partnership? How can people from two different worlds partner up?’

"The Trial Tower once belonged to my Ancient Cold Sect. Now that it has been found, we naturally hope for its return. Therefore, I wish to discuss this matter with you."

Luo Hantian simply sat down on the Boundary Token without a hint of pretension, smiling amiably once more.

"I presume, young friend, that your family or Sect has no foundation in the Spirit Realm?"

Most Cultivators who ascend from the Lower World choose to align themselves with an existing sect or family; no one has yet succeeded in establishing a new power of their own.

In the future, Song Wanning would be no different from any other Loose Cultivator. If she wanted to prosper, her only option would be to find a faction to join.

Song Wanning didn’t respond. She had a good idea of what he was getting at.

"If you are willing to return the Trial Tower after you ascend, I can help you bind it to yourself for now. However, the Mother Tower is in my hands, so the Child Tower must ultimately belong to the Ancient Cold Sect."

"Of course, I also promise that as long as you ascend to the Spirit Realm, I will reserve a position for you as a True Disciple of the Ancient Cold Sect!"

No matter the Sect, the position of True Disciple was one that all other disciples admired and aspired to. Who wouldn’t want to receive the best possible treatment?

Moreover, the Ancient Cold Sect was no insignificant, backwater Sect. The benefits afforded to a True Disciple were exceptionally generous, and they would be treated with the utmost respect wherever they went.

He watched Song Wanning with a broad smile, thinking, ’With such generous terms, she’s sure to be tempted.’

But he waited for a long time, and her expression remained unchanged.

Luo Hantian pressed his lips together. "What? Are you not satisfied with these terms, young friend?"

’To bring the Trial Tower back to the Spirit Realm, the Cultivator in possession of it has to pass their Heavenly Tribulation first. Song Wanning’s aptitude and talent are outstanding; ascension shouldn’t be a problem for her.’

’If she really feels the offer is insufficient, I can consider sweetening the deal. All that matters is that the Trial Tower returns to the Ancient Cold Sect.’

"That’s not what I mean, it’s just..."

A million thoughts raced through Song Wanning’s mind, and a strange smile touched her lips.

’If he knew that my chances of surviving my tribulation were next to none, he probably wouldn’t be so keen on this partnership.’

Of course, she wasn’t foolish enough to say that out loud. Instead, she sighed and said, "To be honest with you, Senior, my family is currently being targeted by a group of people. It’s questionable whether we’ll even survive, let alone me ascending."

She then told Luo Hantian about the families who had fled as deserters, though she kept the matter of the dragon vein to herself.

Luo Hantian’s expression darkened, his face taking on a look of indescribable fury.

’When the world was in peril, those families fled like cowards. Now that it’s safe again, they want to crawl back out and snatch up the rewards? The sheer audacity!’

Just as anger was rising in his heart, he heard Song Wanning continue, "Right now, I’m hoping to find some Xirang to refine a clone. It’s my only chance."

"If my family falls, I would never choose to live on in disgrace."

In two short sentences, Song Wanning had laid out both her position and her needs.

She needed Xirang, and she had to protect her family. The alternative was for them all to perish together.

And if she died, who knew how long it would be before the Trial Tower could return to the Spirit Realm...

Luo Hantian, of course, understood the implication. He furrowed his brow.

"Xirang... I will make some inquiries for you. Perhaps some of the ascended Cultivators have heard something."

"However, as long as you agree to our partnership, you can use the Trial Tower freely. The members of your Song Family can use it to increase their strength as well, can they not?"

"For you, it’s a no-lose proposition."

He continued to negotiate with her patiently. On the one hand, he wanted the Trial Tower; on the other, he was quite taken with Song Wanning’s own aptitude.

Song Wanning had never encountered such an amicable soul before, and for a moment, she found it a bit disconcerting.

She gave Luo Hantian a long, deep look. Instead of feeling flattered by his friendly attitude, her mind grew even clearer.

"Senior, each time one clears the Trial Tower, different rewards are generated. But even without the rewards, the ability to increase one’s strength is itself of immense value."

"I’m afraid a mere position as a True Disciple doesn’t quite measure up."

Her bluntness took Luo Hantian by surprise.

He met Song Wanning’s eyes. As their gazes locked, a different kind of spark ignited between them.

After a long moment, Luo Hantian suddenly laughed.

"So young, yet so clear-headed and bold."

"You’re quite impressive."

Luo Hantian’s entire aura shifted abruptly. The amiable air around him vanished, replaced by a sharp, capable intensity, tinged with a hint of shrewdness.

"You’re right, the Trial Tower is indeed worth more than that. But you must understand one thing: if I am not willing, you will never be able to bind it to yourself."

"No matter how good the Trial Tower is, you’ll never truly own it."

"Now, have you thought things through?"