Ji Ning's face was tight with pain. To save his mother, he needed something nearly impossible—a medicine capable of extending the life of a mortal.
But that kind of medicine... it was practically a true elixir of immortality. Incredibly rare. Ji Ning had never even heard of one existing. Only powerful cultivators—those at the Loose Immortal or Earth Immortal level—might barely manage to acquire one.
"Ning'er," his mother Yuchi Xue said gently, though her voice was faint, "your talent far surpasses ours. It's clear you're meant to walk the Immortal Path."
"Those who cultivate live long lives. But unless your loved ones cultivate too... you'll eventually have to watch them grow old and die, one by one."
"This is also part of your cultivation journey—a test of your Dao Heart. If you truly want to follow this path, you must be prepared for this from the start."
She smiled sadly. "Even if it hurts now, you have to learn to bear it. Otherwise, how will you ever survive the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations that test all Immortals?"
"But Mother, you're still young! You shouldn't have to die... not like this... and not because of me!" Ji Ning's chest tightened, his heart plunging into cold despair.
A sudden thought struck him. "Senior Wei Wen... he might know something." He hesitated for a long time, struggling between hope and pride, then finally gave in. "Is there... is there a way?" he asked.
Wei Wen was silent for a moment. Then he reached into his storage and casually tossed something to Ji Ning. "I can't make promises," he said, "but here—try this."
It was a Millennium Willowheart Core.
It wasn't that Mu Ya Crystals were inferior—they were far more potent—but with Yuchi Xue's current physical condition, she couldn't survive the raw power of a Mu Ya Crystal. Even a low-ranked Lord-level beast would explode on the spot if it swallowed one.
Ji Ning looked down at what Wei Wen had handed him. It was an egg-shaped green crystal, faintly glowing, with a shimmering emerald liquid suspended within. As soon as he touched it, a cool, calming energy seeped into his skin, making his entire body feel light and clear.
The Willowheart Core had two primary effects: First, it contained vast vitality, capable of enhancing the regenerative ability of human cells and improving physical health. In the Swallowed Star universe, that meant genetic evolution—though in this world, that aspect was mostly useless.
But for someone like Yuchi Xue, on the edge of death from depleted life force, it was probably the best possible medicine.
"Thank you, Senior..." Ji Ning's hands trembled slightly. "Is this a life-prolonging treasure?"
He wasn't trained in the art of alchemy, but he could sense the immense life force inside the crystal. Just holding it gave him hope again.
Still... confusion lingered. Hadn't Wei Wen just said that only top-tier immortals could get something like this? And yet he had one, just like that?
But then again... Wei Wen might come from an extraordinary background, or maybe he'd stumbled upon a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That would explain it.
What Ji Ning didn't stop to consider was the most obvious question—why would someone like Wei Wen even carry such a treasure? He looked like a young man, barely older than Ning himself. He clearly didn't need a longevity elixir.
But Ji Ning didn't care. All that mattered right now was saving his mother.
Then, reason slowly crept back into his mind. Nothing came for free. What did Wei Wen want in return?
Ji Ning's expression steadied. "Senior... what would you like me to do?"
Wei Wen raised an eyebrow, amused. "Do?" he echoed. "Nothing. I don't want anything from you right now."
That made Ji Ning pause. This was even stranger.
Wei Wen's expression was calm, but his eyes gleamed with suppressed excitement. The test had worked—the Willowheart Core was effective here. That meant something important.
Some opportunities could cross between worlds.
In other words, any fortune his projection in the Desolate Era world received could benefit his true self in the Swallowed Star universe.
If Ji Ning rose step by step—if he kept finding legacy after legacy—then Wei Wen could piggyback off all of it.
Which meant that as long as Ji Ning was still on track to become a powerhouse... Wei Wen was also winning.
"I mean it," Wei Wen said. "You're not even at the Innate stage yet. What could you possibly do for me?"
He paused, then added, "But if you really want to repay me—then cultivate. Use the Fiendgod Body Refining path to break into the Innate stage."
"There's a place of great fortune I came across. I couldn't use it, but I think you can. And if you gain the inheritance there... then we both profit."
He was referring to the Starseizing Manor legacy. If Ji Ning obtained it, Wei Wen would too—through the link between their worlds.
And the deeper Ji Ning went down the road of cultivation, the more Wei Wen could benefit. The stronger Ji Ning became, the more Wei Wen's own future would brighten.
Ji Ning exhaled slowly. "So that's all?"
Honestly, even if he'd known Wei Wen was playing a long game, he still wouldn't care. He would do anything to save his mother.
"I think you're overestimating this thing's value," Wei Wen added with a chuckle. "It's not as precious as you think. Not even worth as much as a basic Human-grade artifact wielded by a Zifu-level cultivator."
"But if you can take hold of that inheritance, we both win. I get a return on this little investment... and you save your mother."
Ji Ning nodded. It made sense. There was risk involved, sure, but it was his path to walk.
He looked down at the glowing core. "How do I use it?"
Wei Wen answered simply, "Crack the shell and drink the liquid inside. That's all."
Ji Ning handed the Willowheart Core to his mother. Both Ji Yichuan and Yuchi Xue had trained in the North Sea domain, and Ji Yichuan—now at the Zifu level—immediately recognized the crystal's power.
No, it wasn't a refined elixir, but its vitality was real. It wouldn't cure old wounds... but it could restore life force lost from overusing forbidden techniques.
That alone could give her ten more years.
As soon as the essence touched her lips, it was absorbed directly into her system. The moment Yuchi Xue swallowed, pure vitality surged through her meridians like a flood, revitalizing her cells, flushing out the lingering weakness.
The weariness from her injuries and childbirth began to lift. In just half an hour, the life force she had expended through that forbidden technique had fully returned.
The old injuries—deep, irreversible damage—remained untouched. The Core couldn't help with that. But the decay clinging to her spirit... it vanished. Her aura, which had resembled a candle flickering in the wind, now shone like the morning sun.
Ji Yichuan could sense the change. Ji Ning, too. Both of them felt the heavy weight in their chests lighten.
Yuchi Xue had recovered enough.
They hadn't saved her completely—but now, they had time.
Time to try again.