Nine Realms.
Seventy-eight li outside the imperial capital of the Southern Heaven Immortal Dynasty, Nantian City, stood a Jade Blood Wood, three hundred and twenty-one zhang tall. This tree was planted by the previous Southern Heaven Emperor in his campaign to conquer the Xuan Sect, seeking revenge for the Empress. However, the campaign failed, and he encountered a death tsunami on the boundary sea, which cursed him. He died in the imperial palace shortly after returning.
The current Emperor took only one Empress in his lifetime, and for revenge, he met his end. Thus, this tree became the Southern Heaven Immortal Dynasty's Tree of Love, a sacred object for the love of countless beings. Every day, young beings from all corners of the world came here to make wishes.
At this moment, the horizon was painted with bloody sunset clouds. From the east, a peerless beauty in a pink dress approached. Though not a dragon, three blood-red dragon scales grew on her forehead. Her eyes were filled with anticipation as she gazed at the towering Jade Blood Wood. Scenes of past romantic encounters flashed before her eyes.
"Bao Lang, Ning'er has come as promised!"
Long Qian Ning reached the Jade Blood Wood and saw the love lock that she and he had personally hung on its branches. Thousands of years had passed, and the love lock was covered in rust.
"Weng~~"
Long Qian Ning took out a token and crushed it with hopeful anticipation. Streams of colorful light circled the love lock, then shot towards Nantian City.
In the past, on the boundary sea, love blossomed amidst life and death. Long journeys of exploration and adventure had etched romantic memories into their youth. The entwined love lock under the Jade Blood Wood had sealed a lifelong companionship. Alas, that man hailed from a powerful family within the Southern Heaven Immortal Dynasty. Under the family's oppression, he left Long Qian Ning, promising that if she reached the Golden Immortal realm and brought this token to the Jade Blood Wood, he would return as promised.
Watching the disappearing streams of light, Long Qian Ning smiled foolishly, quietly waiting for her Bao Lang.
Nantian City.
Jin Xi King's Mansion.
"Your Highness, the Emperor summoned you to the palace today. Is there something important?" A woman dressed in luxurious attire, exuding royal grace, approached a middle-aged man and took his official hat.
"Nothing major, just that the Heavenly Treasure Realm has ascended, bringing forth an entire plane named Great Han Immortal Dynasty!" The man turned around. This person was none other than Duan Gan Bao, the Bao Lang Long Qian Ning yearned for, the current Jin Xi King of the Southern Heaven Immortal Dynasty.
"An entire plane ascending? This... this is truly unprecedented!" The woman put down the official hat and turned around, only to have her hand grasped by Duan Gan Bao. He said, "Qing Xin, our son has grown up and even ascended to immortality. See if we can petition the Emperor..."
"Mmm!"
Nan Tian Qing Xin extended a finger and placed it on Duan Gan Bao's lips. She said shyly, "What are you doing? Although I am the Emperor's sister, you know his rules. It's best to rely on true ability. As long as we are here, becoming a king is only a matter of time!"
"Alas, why is the jade pendant at your waist glowing? Is something happening?"
Duan Gan Bao looked down, a thought flashed across his brows, which he then cast aside. "Nothing. It's late, let's get some rest."
Chou Shi (1 AM - 3 AM).
Long Qian Ning still stood beneath the Jade Blood Wood, her hopeful gaze gradually dimming. After much hesitation, she left the Jade Blood Wood and went to the Duan Gan family's residence. The name Duan Gan was no longer visible; only the Jin Xi King's Mansion, bathed in golden light, remained.
Long Qian Ning entered the estate with a sense of confusion. Thousands of years had passed, yet not a single flower or tree had changed.
"Who!"
"Who dares trespass into the Jin Xi King's Mansion!"
Suddenly, several figures appeared in the void and brought their palms down, suppressing Long Qian Ning to the ground.
"What is it?"
Duan Gan Bao appeared with Nan Tian Qing Xin. A young man bowed respectfully, "Father King, Mother Empress!"
"Duan... Duan... Pfft..." Long Qian Ning's eyes, full of anticipation and love, instantly turned to ashes. Her expression became vacant, and she clawed frantically at her chest in pain.
"It's you!"
Duan Gan Bao was somewhat surprised. He looked at the woman before him, who was once his youth. Unfortunately, as the eldest son of the Duan Gan clan, he bore the glory of his family. To consolidate the clan's power, he married Princess Yan Yun, the current Emperor's sister, and was thus conferred the title of Jin Xi King. Sudan Novel Network.
"Does Father King recognize her?" the young man asked. Nan Tian Qing Xin also became nervous. She had heard that Duan Gan Bao had a woman who wandered in the Heavenly Treasure Realm.
"No... I don't know her! Let her go!" Duan Gan Bao said calmly, then turned and disappeared before Long Qian Ning's eyes, holding Nan Tian Qing Xin's hand.
"Bao Lang! Bao Lang!"
Long Qian Ning wanted to call out, but her voice was like a buzzing fly. Her heart felt as if thousands of ants were gnawing at it.
On the cold street, a powerful Golden Immortal, whose single drop of blood could remain immortal for several epochs, now walked like a disheveled beggar, her eyes vacant, heading towards the Jade Blood Wood.
"Long Qian Ning!"
Nan Tian Qing Xin appeared before Long Qian Ning. Dressed in opulent finery, she contrasted sharply with Long Qian Ning. "Long Qian Ning, if you dare to set foot in the Southern Heaven Immortal Dynasty again, I will annihilate the Nine Dragon Sect!"
Boom!
With a palm strike, she hit Long Qian Ning's chest. With a claw, she gouged out the three dragon scales from Long Qian Ning's forehead. The Golden Immortal divine power within her immediately plummeted to the True Immortal realm. Blood flowed, and her consciousness was in a daze, on the verge of death.
In the pitch-black night, no one passed by. Long Qian Ning held a thread of life in her throat, ceaselessly calling out Bao Lang! Bao Lang! Once, a simple "Bao Lang" would bring warmth and care. Now, despite her deepest longing, only the cold air blew past her warm body, carrying away her last trace of warmth.
"Amitabha!"
At the south gate of Nantian City, a monk with a halo of Buddha light behind his head held up the dying Long Qian Ning with a single Buddhist chant.
"Amitabha!" The monk took out a pill and placed it in Long Qian Ning's mouth, saving her life and repairing her injuries. However, her cultivation remained at the ninth level of True Immortal.
Chen Shi (7 AM - 9 AM).
Before the Jade Blood Wood.
"Benefactress, how do you feel?" Long Qian Ning slightly opened her eyes, devoid of any emotion.
The monk looked at her with compassion, shook his head, and said, "Benefactress, since fate has run its course, why cling to it? Obsession will only harm yourself!"
Long Qian Ning tilted her head slightly, looking at the love lock swaying gently in the wind. The love lock was unchanged except for a layer of rust, but her love had been instantly extinguished when she was full of hope, leaving a deep scar on her heart.
"Foolish child!"
"Foolish child!"
"Benefactress, his current life is one he has worked hard to build, and you are not in it. Your pain will not bring him regret. Why insist?"
"Pfft!"
The monk opened his eyes and saw a long saber piercing Long Qian Ning's head. Blood sprayed out. In her dying moments, Long Qian Ning clutched the love lock, a contented smile on her lips.