Chapter 488

Chapter 488: For You!

The three sprinted desperately, pushing their speed to the utmost.

Yet despite Ye Yun and Jun Ruolan’s efforts, the distance between them and the little girl Tongtong remained stubbornly fixed at ten zhang.

Ye Yun’s mind reeled. At their current pace, they should’ve crossed the hundred-mile-wide Thunder Falls Valley in moments. But after nearly an hour of pursuit—enough to cover a thousand miles—the surrounding Sea of Thunder showed no change.

A spatial array!

This treasure area was a heaven-forged spatial array. Its true scale defied comprehension—perhaps spanning tens of thousands of miles.

“Tongtong, stop!” Ye Yun roared.

“I’ll stop if I want! But stay back—especially you, the not-so-pretty sister beside him!”

Jun Ruolan nearly flew into a rage. Being called “sister” was tolerable, but adding “not-so-pretty” crossed the line. She’d always prided herself on her striking beauty—this insult struck a raw nerve.

Women were like that. Criticize their looks, and fury followed.

“You wretched brat!” Jun Ruolan shrieked. “Stop now, or I’ll beat you senseless when I catch you!”

Tongtong stuck out her tongue mid-run. “Catch me first! Without that mid-grade Immortal artifact, you couldn’t even defeat him!”

Jun Ruolan’s speed flared in anger. Tongtong yelped and abruptly accelerated, maintaining their ten-zhang gap.

Ye Yun watched, perplexed. Jun Ruolan had always been unshakably calm. Yet this child’s taunts had shattered her composure completely. Were it not for Tongtong’s eyes—identical to those from his illusion—he’d have suspected this was Jun Ruolan’s elaborate ruse. How else could a child steal the Thunder Seed undetected?

*Whoosh!*

A sword arc streaked toward them, faster than anything Ye Yun or Jun Ruolan could muster. Yet when it closed to seven or eight zhang behind Ye Yun, it abruptly slowed. Du Jianyin materialized, straining fruitlessly to close the fixed distance.

Baffling! At its initial speed, the sword should’ve overtaken them instantly—piercing Jun Ruolan and Tongtong alike. Yet an invisible barrier seemed to halt it at seven-eight zhang, defying Du Jianyin’s frantic efforts.

Understanding dawned on Ye Yun. Their chase wasn’t about speed—this realm itself enforced the gaps. Ten zhang ahead, seven-eight zhang behind. Speed up, and Tongtong matched it. Slow down, she slowed too.

“Jun Ruolan, wait!”

“I’ll catch that brat or forfeit the seed of the mysteries of thunder!” she snapped.

Ye Yun sighed. Who’d have thought unflappable Jun Ruolan could be unraveled by a child?

“Conserving your true qi won’t help. Slow down—the gap stays ten zhang.”

Jun Ruolan hesitated, then eased her pace. As predicted, Tongtong’s speed dropped accordingly, maintaining the exact distance. Behind them, Du Jianyin’s furious efforts likewise failed to shrink his seven-eight zhang lag.

Jun Ruolan, being highly perceptive, quickly realized the crux of the situation. She instinctively slowed her pace further until she moved as leisurely as someone taking a stroll.

As expected, Tongtong also decelerated despite her anxious expression and repeated attempts to break away. The distance between the three remained firmly at ten zhang.

Jun Ruolan giggled softly, her earlier irritation and impatience vanishing as she regained composure.

"Tongtong, stop running. This entire area is a spatial array – there’s no escaping," Ye Yun called out while beckoning her with a smile.

"I’ll stop if you stop chasing! Shame on two grown-ups bullying a child!" Tongtong retorted, puffing her cheeks in an exaggerated pout. Yet her starry eyes retained an unnatural clarity, appearing almost doll-like in their perfection.

"You’re called Tongtong, yes? My mistake for chasing you earlier." Jun Ruolan maintained her stance, smiling amiably. "But that seed of the mysteries of thunder you possess is vital to me. Hand it over, and I’ll fulfill a wish for you."

Tongtong’s eyes darted mischievously. "What can an ugly sister like you offer?"

Jun Ruolan’s smile stiffened, her jaw tightening momentarily before she forced another smile. "Name your price. Anything I own."

"Two mid-grade Immortal artifacts then." Tongtong squinted knowingly. "My aunt says I’ll wield them once my cultivation level improves."

Jun Ruolan froze. This little girl demanded two mid-grade Immortal artifacts – treasures so rare even she only owned one. Moreover, the thunder seed’s value paled against such artifacts in her estimation.

"How about alternative compensation? Spirit stones? Top-grade spirit stones?"

Tongtong tilted her head and produced a milky crystal from her palm. "Recognize this, sister?"

Jun Ruolan’s eyebrows shot up. "A mid-grade Immortal Spirit Stone?"

Ye Yun’s brow twitched at the sight.

Immortal Spirit Stone?

He’d acquired two in the Soul-Cutting Mountains, but their quality appeared inferior to this specimen. He recalled their healing glow that accelerated recovery – stones he’d partially absorbed before surrendering to Su Hao per sect rules.

Tongtong’s stone showed no released spiritual energy, likely sealed. Judging by Jun Ruolan’s reaction, this mid-grade version held exceptional value.

"A low-grade Immortal Spirit Stone exchanges for 100,000 top-grade spirit stones." Tongtong waved the crystal smugly. "This mid-grade one? Ten million. Think I need your pebbles?"

"Then state your terms!" Jun Ruolan’s eyes narrowed, fleeting murderous intent surfacing.

"Since you can’t provide two artifacts…" Tongtong shrugged dramatically before turning. "Big brother! I’ll gift the thunder seed to you instead!"

"To… me?" Ye Yun stood thunderstruck, rooted in place.