Chapter 489

Chapter 489: Tongtong’s Origin

"Give it to me?"

Ye Yun froze. He’d considered many scenarios about obtaining the seed of the mysteries of thunder and had been devising plans to acquire it.

He hadn’t expected Tongtong’s serious offer. The little girl’s crystal-clear eyes showed no emotion, making it impossible to gauge her sincerity.

Ye Yun stayed silent while Jun Ruolan glared coldly. Their agreement stated any obtained seed would be handed to her.

"Sure!" Ye Yun suddenly shrugged with a grin.

Tongtong narrowed her eyes. "You really want it, big brother? Here you go."

She flicked her finger, making the purple seed of the mysteries of thunder materialize in her palm before pushing it toward him.

"But don’t give it to this plain-looking sister," Tongtong added cheerfully, mischief flashing through her innocent eyes.

Neither noticed Tongtong’s sly expression, both fixated on the glowing seed.

As Ye Yun reached for it, Jun Ruolan lunged like lightning, her red silk scarf darting forward.

Ye Yun paused, startled by her urgency. Had she trusted him, she’d have simply waited for their agreed exchange.

His gaze suddenly caught an odd shimmer across Tongtong’s chubby cheeks. Without knowing why, he withdrew his hand.

Whoosh!

The scarf snatched the purple light and shadow, delivering it to Jun Ruolan’s palm.

Her triumph faded as the purple glow dissolved, leaving emptiness.

"How?" Jun Ruolan stared blankly, having clearly felt the seed’s presence moments before.

Realization struck. "You tricked us! This spatial array prevents physical transfers!"

Tongtong clapped gleefully. "Slowpoke! Big brother noticed immediately. That’s why he let you try."

Jun Ruolan’s composure cracked, her face hardening. "Where are you from, brat?"

Tongtong tilted her head before pointing at Ye Yun. "Dunno. But I’ve seen him somewhere. Maybe we’re from the same place."

Jun Ruolan stiffened. She knew Ye Yun’s origins – a border town errand boy who became Heavenly Sword Sect’s outer disciple through luck. Yet this girl displayed cultivation levels beyond her comprehension, surely from major forces.

But Tongtong claiming shared origins? Either the sect or that backwater town. The latter seemed impossible.

Jun Ruolan’s dagger-like gaze demanded answers from Ye Yun. Though part of her dismissed it as childish chatter, she prepared for worst-case scenarios.

Ye Yun kept his face neutral despite inner turmoil. Those eyes… he’d only seen them in visions. If Tongtong truly recognized him, their meeting must have occurred in those illusions – meaning she was their source.

So, what was the relationship between Tongtong and those two young cultivators? Their cultivation levels far surpassed Ye Yun’s understanding. Initially mistaking them for Nascent Soul stage experts, he now realized even the Earth Immortal realm (known as the realm of saints) couldn’t compare. They must have been true immortals beyond sainthood.

If Tongtong was connected to these immortals, her identity became obvious – either their daughter or disciple, both positions of great prestige.

But why would someone of such noble status appear in Thunder Falls Valley to compete for a treasure like the seed of the mysteries of thunder? This made no sense!

"I think I’ve seen you before."

Ye Yun inhaled deeply, pausing before speaking slowly.

Jun Ruolan’s expression twisted. Her beautiful eyes flashed with ferocity as her body tensed like a coiled spring.

"You really remember me? No wonder you feel familiar!" Tongtong clapped, her previously empty eyes gradually gaining vitality. Though still crystal-clear, faint emotions now swirled within them.

"Can’t recall exactly where, but your face seems familiar." Ye Yun smiled gently.

Tilting her head, Tongtong mused, "Was it… a place filled with golden light? Someone threw me out, then I woke up here."

Ye Yun’s pupils narrowed. The golden light must refer to the illusion with the golden-armored warriors chasing the couple. If they’d expelled Tongtong here directly to Thunder Falls Valley… where had she obtained her cultivation?

"Come here, Tongtong." Ye Yun beckoned, an idea forming.

The girl pouted. "I tried! No matter how I move, the distance stays the same."

"It’s the spatial array." Ye Yun examined their surroundings. "Let me study it."

Tongtong brightened. "Break the array and I’ll give you the seed! I’ll even help you understand its mysteries!"

Before Ye Yun could answer, Jun Ruolan cut in sharply: "Little girl, you claim to comprehend the seed’s secrets?"

"Hmph! Not telling ugly sister!" Tongtong stuck out her tongue.

Jun Ruolan forced calm. The seed was within reach – she just needed to seize it. But if this child truly could activate the seed’s power…

"MINE!"

Du Jianyin’s roar erupted behind them. His sword flashed, a white arc slicing through air – yet dissipating harmlessly seven or eight zhang away.

"Quick, Big Brother!" Tongtong urged. "Take the seed and beat them up!"

Ye Yun remained silent, spirit perception expanding. His mastery of Thunder Spirit Qi and spatial laws would find a path through these ten zhang. But dismantling the array risked Jun Ruolan attacking with mid-grade Immortal artifacts…

Finding spatial nodes, he plotted a hidden route. No way would he surrender the seed to Jun Ruolan now. The mysteries of thunder belonged to a lightning cultivator like himself.

Suddenly – understanding. Thunder cracked as Ye Yun dissolved into lightning, vanishing before Jun Ruolan’s widening eyes.