Ye Xuan sped on his sword, driven by Little Tower’s urgency.
He had no clue what Little Tower sensed, only that it frantically urged him this way.
Though puzzled, he trusted Little Tower. It might be unreliable at times, but it wouldn’t jest like this.
Suddenly, an invisible barrier appeared before him.
Frowning, Ye Xuan prepared to act, but Little Tower shouted, “Don’t!”
Ye Xuan growled, “Little Tower, what did you find?”
Little Tower said gravely, “Someone’s calling Little White for help!”
Ye Xuan’s brow furrowed. “Calling Little White?”
“Yes, just ahead!” Little Tower replied.
Ye Xuan looked down. Below, a faint white palace shimmered.
As he moved closer, the space before him trembled, and a woman in black battle armor appeared.
Not human—a spirit.
What kind, Ye Xuan didn’t know.
She eyed him with hostility.
Then, the Heavenly Dao mark between his brows glowed. Seeing it, she paused, hostility fading. “You are…?”
Ye Xuan asked Little Tower mentally, “What do I say?”
After a pause, Little Tower said, “Ask who’s calling Little White for help.”
Ye Xuan looked at her. “Who’s calling Little White for help?”
She frowned. “Little White?”
Little Tower’s voice rang in Ye Xuan’s mind, “Spirit Ancestor!”
Ye Xuan corrected, “Spirit Ancestor!”
At those words, her eyes narrowed, now wary.
A voice rose from below, “He bears the Heavenly Dao mark—he’s no foe. Let him in.”
The armored woman hesitated, then said to Ye Xuan, “Please.”
She led him to a white hall. Inside stood a woman in a snow-white gown, long hair cascading, exuding a faint spiritual aura.
Spirit Realm Princess!
Ye Xuan guessed her identity instantly.
She looked at him. “You are…?”
Ye Xuan said, “You’re seeking the Spirit Ancestor’s aid?”
She blinked, surprised. “How do you know?”
Ye Xuan asked Little Tower mentally, “How’d you know?”
Little Tower said casually, “Little White and I are tight, thanks!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
The princess spoke again, “Sir?”
Snapping back, Ye Xuan looked at her, exasperated. If he said, “Your Spirit Ancestor’s with my family,” would he get beaten?
He knew Little White’s status among spirits was sky-high.
Then Little Tower floated out, drifting to the princess. “Reached Little White yet?”
The princess hesitated, then said, “No response.”
Little Tower asked, “How’re you contacting her?”
She produced a white box. Little Tower paused, then asked, “You’ve met Little White?”
The princess said, “She left this with my father, who passed it to me.”
Little Tower sighed, “If Little White left you that, you must’ve had some bond with her. Why not ask our master for a wisp of sword qi? It’s surer than that box. Don’t you know, since she and Er Ya went to the Milky Way, she’s gotten all flashy and unreliable?”
Ye Xuan: “…”
The princess frowned. “Sword qi?”
Little Tower paused, then asked, “No response at all?”
She nodded. “None.”
Little Tower said, “She’s probably too busy to care right now.”
The princess asked, “Why?”
Little Tower replied, “Destiny’s sister showed up there. She and Er Ya aren’t having a great time.”
The princess looked more confused.
Little Tower floated to the box, tapped it lightly. The box quivered, then burst with dazzling light. Space rippled, and soon a faint, white little figure appeared.
Little White!
Seeing her, the princess’s face changed. She bowed deeply.
Little White glanced at Little Tower and Ye Xuan, her lips pursing, looking aggrieved.
Ye Xuan hesitated, then asked, “What’s wrong?”
Her claws waved rapidly.
Ye Xuan, clueless, looked to Little Tower, who said after a pause, “She says Er Ya got beat by Destiny’s sister.”
Ye Xuan’s expression froze.
The princess turned to Little White, bowing again. “Please, Spirit Ancestor, save me!”
Little White looked at her, hesitated, then pointed at Ye Xuan.
The princess, puzzled, was about to ask when a loud boom came from the image, and it vanished.
Her face froze.
Ye Xuan glanced at Little Tower. “Qing’er won’t go too far, right?”
Little Tower said gravely, “I don’t know.”
Ye Xuan: “…”
Little Tower added, “Probably not. Destiny’s sister wouldn’t go to the Milky Way just to beat Er Ya. She’s got other goals.”
Ye Xuan smiled, shaking his head. “Good then.”
He was fond of Little White and Er Ya.
Little Tower said, “Before vanishing, Little White signaled you to help her.”
Ye Xuan looked at the princess. “Her?”
Little Tower confirmed, “Yes.”
Ye Xuan rubbed his head. “How?”
Little Tower said, “Figure it out.”
Ye Xuan was speechless.
He realized he couldn’t refuse. Little White’s matter was like family business—no question there.
He turned to the princess. “Princess, Little White’s tied up and can’t come. How about I escort you to that Spirit Palace Temple?”
She stared. “You know the Spirit Ancestor?”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Of course. We’re family.”
Princess: “…”
He added, “Why were you seeking Little White’s help? What happened?”
She nodded. “I just got word—Ling Tian might convince the Ancient Realm. If she does…”
She trailed off.
Ye Xuan said, “You posted a task to get to the Spirit Palace Temple. Once there, you’re safe?”
She nodded. “It’s a place the Spirit Ancestor left. Once I’m there, Ling Tian wouldn’t dare touch me.”
Ye Xuan asked, “Why?”
She explained, “When the Spirit Ancestor created it, she forbade spirits from killing each other there. Violators face the wrath of all spirits.”
Ye Xuan frowned. “Her rule doesn’t apply elsewhere?”
She nodded. “Strictly, no. She only specified the Spirit Palace Temple.”
Ye Xuan asked, “If she’d said no spirit could kill another anywhere, would you obey?”
She paused, then said, “If she were here, we’d obey. If not…”
Ye Xuan gave a wry smile. “She’s gone, so even at the temple, Ling Tian might act, right?”
The princess shook her head. “No. There, Ling Tian wouldn’t dare. It’s the Spirit Ancestor’s home. No matter her nerve, she wouldn’t defy her there. If she did, it’d be disrespect, and even Spirit Realm’s powerhouses would reject her.”
Ye Xuan thought, then said, “If the Spirit Ancestor were here and named you queen, you’d rule, right?”
She glanced at him, nodding. “Yes.”
Ye Xuan’s face stiffened.
Little Tower chimed in, “Young master, you don’t grasp Little White’s place in their hearts. It’s like… like…”
Ye Xuan frowned. “Like what?”
Little Tower paused, then said, “Like rice in a mouse’s eyes.”
Ye Xuan’s face darkened. “Bro, can’t you pick a better metaphor?”
Little Tower snapped, “Young master, how long till you get it? I’m a tower! A *tower*! Just a tower!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
Little Tower continued, “Anyway, Little White’s sacred to them. No spirit dares defy her. If she backs one, she can boost their potential massively. More importantly, she can wipe one out effortlessly—total dominance.”
Ye Xuan murmured, “That strong?”
Little Tower said, “Not just strong—insanely so. The princess is right. Get to the temple, and Ling Tian likely won’t touch her. No matter how bold, she wouldn’t disrespect Little White.”
Ye Xuan hesitated, then asked, “We’re Little White’s friends. Doesn’t that mean Ling Tian wouldn’t dare touch us?”
Little Tower thought long, then said, “Theoretically, yes, but something feels off…”
Ye Xuan asked, “What’s off?”
After more thought, Little Tower said, “Guess it’s fine.”
Ye Xuan said, “Then no problem.”
Little Tower nodded. “No problem. Do it!”
…
