Through the link between the mother tower and its child, Luo Hantian's figure flickered into view within Song Wanníng's sea of consciousness, his image projected faintly upon the trial tower's boundary token.
"This Daoyou, are you the one who obtained the trial tower's boundary token?"
A deep, mature voice rolled through her consciousness, steady and unhurried, yet powerful enough to make Song Wanníng's flying body stiffen in an instant. She shifted into combat readiness.
The golden little sword shot up with a jolt, eyes widening in shock at the unfamiliar face. "Who are you? How did you get in here?" it barked.
It had not sensed a thing.
Song Wanníng was equally startled. She immediately guided her body to land in a safe spot before focusing inward. Sinking her Primordial Soul into her sea of consciousness, she saw the wavering figure upon the token and asked in a level voice, "An artifact spirit?"
Some treasures, upon reaching a certain level, could give birth to a spiritual body—an artifact spirit. It was her first instinct to make that connection.
Luo Hantian only chuckled lightly and shook his head. "Not at all. I am the master of this tower, Luo Hantian, Sect Master of Guhan Sect in the Spirit Realm."
His gaze swept over her soul, sensing a strength far beyond that of an ordinary Divine Transformation cultivator. Clearly, she had encountered rare opportunities.
No wonder the boundary token had responded to her.
"Spirit Realm?"
Song Wanníng was taken aback, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
Because of the restrictions of the Heavenly Dao, those from the Spirit Realm could not descend to the lower realms. A few families possessed special secret techniques to communicate across realms, but most had never exchanged words with a Spirit Realm cultivator.
Yet this man had entered her sea of consciousness directly. What method could accomplish this?
Even with questions swirling in her mind, she still offered a respectful bow. "Senior has descended for the sake of the trial tower?"
Since he bore no hostility, she observed proper courtesy.
"Yes. I am indeed here for the trial tower. This tower is a child tower of my Guhan Sect, lost to the outside world for hundreds of thousands of years. In my generation, I finally sensed its energy fluctuations, so I came to seek it out."
Luo Hantian's lips carried a courteous smile, never once assuming an air of superiority despite his cultivation. From beginning to end, he remained calm and polite.
"Please do not misunderstand, Xiaoyou. I am not here to forcibly reclaim the tower. I wish to discuss cooperation."
"Cooperation?"
Song Wanníng arched a brow. Two people from different worlds—what could they possibly cooperate on?
"The trial tower once belonged to my Guhan Sect. Now that I've found it, naturally I hope it may return to us. I wish to speak with you about this matter."
Luo Hantian sat down right there upon the token, relaxed and without any airs, smiling once more.
"I imagine your family or sect has no foundation in the Spirit Realm?"
Cultivators who ascended from the lower realms typically sought refuge under new sects or clans. None had yet built a new power of their own.
Song Wanníng too would, in the future, be counted among the wandering cultivators. To grow strong, she would have to take shelter somewhere.
She did not answer, already guessing his intent.
"If you are willing to return the trial tower after ascending, I can help you bind it as its master. But since the mother tower is in my possession, the child tower must ultimately belong to Guhan Sect.
Of course, I also promise that once you ascend, I will reserve for you in advance a place as a true disciple of Guhan Sect."
No matter the world, the position of true disciple was something every cultivator yearned for. Who would not want the highest treatment and respect?
Moreover, Guhan Sect was no minor school. The benefits of a true disciple were exceptional, and their very name commanded courtesy wherever they went. He looked at Song Wanníng with a confident smile, certain such an offer would tempt her.
Yet he waited, and no expression crossed her face. Luo Hantian pressed his lips together. "What is it? Are these terms unsatisfactory?"
To bring the tower back to the Spirit Realm, a cultivator would need to survive the Heavenly Tribulation. Given her exceptional talent, he had no doubt she could ascend.
If the terms were lacking, he could add more—so long as the trial tower returned to Gu Han Sect.
"It is not that, Senior, only…"
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, and her lips curved into a faintly strange smile. If he knew her tribulation would be a fight for her life, perhaps he would not want this cooperation at all.
But she would not be so foolish as to say it. Instead, she sighed softly. "To tell you the truth, Senior, my family is currently targeted by powerful enemies. Survival itself is uncertain, let alone ascension."
She then told him about the deserter clans—leaving out the matter of the dragon vein.
Luo Hantian's face darkened, his expression edged with a harsh and dangerous glint. When the world was in peril, those clans had fled. Now that safety had returned, they emerged to snatch benefits. The gall.
Just as his anger rose, Song Wanníng added, "I plan to seek Xi Rang soil, refine a clone, and gamble for a chance. If my family falls, I will not cling to life in disgrace."
In two sentences, she laid bare her stance and needs.
She needed Xi Rang soil. She needed to protect her clan—or die with them. If she perished, who knew how long before the trial tower returned to the Spirit Realm?
Luo Hantian naturally caught her meaning and frowned.
"Xi Rang soil… I will make inquiries for you. Perhaps some ascended cultivators know of it. But as long as you agree to cooperate with me, you may use the trial tower freely, and your Song clan can grow stronger, can it not?
For you, this is a trade with no loss."
His tone remained warm, though his mind worked on two fronts—he wanted the tower, but her talent interested him just as much.
Song Wanníng found herself unused to such a courteous soul projection. She studied him deeply, her thoughts sharp and clear rather than flattered. "Senior, each clearance of the trial tower yields different rewards. Even without rewards, the cultivation benefits alone hold immense value. A mere true disciple title may not compare."
Her directness caught Luo Hantian by surprise. Their gazes met, and something like sparks flickered in the air. After a long pause, Luo Hantian laughed. "Young in years, yet clear-headed and bold. You are quite remarkable."
His aura shifted abruptly, the easy warmth vanishing, replaced by razor-sharp decisiveness and a touch of cunning.
"You are correct. The trial tower's worth exceeds that of a true disciple seat. But remember this—if I refuse, you will never be able to claim it as your own. No matter how good the tower is, you will not possess it. Now, have you decided?"