68: Chapter 68 I'll remain a widow for you for 50,000 years! You're just trying to seduce a tree!

A gentle and pleasant voice sounded, 'Was it you who saved me? How is Shi Hao?' The voice of the Willow Deity came from within the willow tree.

'I am not entirely certain myself. After Senior Little Pagoda took you and me away, I returned to my own era. The current era is known as the Desolate Ancient Era, a full epoch has passed since Senior Willow Deity's time.'

'As for the events of that year, I do not know. I am unaware of who entrusted you to my care, along with Senior Little Pagoda.' After saying this, Chu Tianjiao took out the broken half of the Desolate Pagoda.

When Chu Tianjiao produced the half of the Desolate Pagoda, the willow tree transformed. In the next moment, a woman of breathtaking beauty appeared before Chu Tianjiao.

A foot carved like jade lightly touched the Void Realm, sending out ripples in concentric circles.

Shimmering light cascaded down her form like a veil, outlining a tall, slender, and flawless figure.

A plain white long dress fluttered without wind, its hem seeming to flow with starlight, woven as if from the most supple willow leaves.

Her brows were like distant mountains tinged with azure, a slight furrow seemingly able to shift the course of the Dao. When her eyes opened, they resembled two pieces of dark jade immersed in a cold pond—clear, profound, reflecting the solitude of eternity and the radiance of newborn galaxies.

Her nose was straight and elegant, her lips an extremely pale color, like cherry petals newly bloomed and touched by morning dew. Unadorned yet naturally crimson, they carried an aura of ultimate chill and supreme majesty.

Seeing the manifested Willow Deity and that peerlessly beautiful face, Chu Tianjiao's heart stirred for a moment, but he quickly suppressed the feeling.

Chu Tianjiao respectfully bowed to the Willow Deity before him. 'Senior Willow Deity.'

'A full epoch has passed already?' The Willow Deity couldn't help but sigh with emotion. 'It seems Shi Hao succeeded. Otherwise, your epoch would not exist, and the Secret Realm system he left behind would not have been passed down.'

'It seems Shi Hao succeeded in that final battle.'

Hearing the Willow Deity's words, Chu Tianjiao felt somewhat embarrassed and hurriedly spoke up. 'Well... although it is as you say, Senior, the current Shi Hao might still be battling those four Quasi-Immortal Emperors!'

'He needs support! He faces not only four Quasi-Immortal Emperors, but also hostile Quasi-Immortal Emperors from the future who travel upstream through time to assassinate him. Therefore, we must go back to help him.'

Hearing Chu Tianjiao's words, the Willow Deity was momentarily stunned, but soon understood his meaning.

'But my current strength is less than a tenth of what it was. I fear I can be of little help.' The Willow Deity felt it was a miracle she had even survived.

Though she wished to return and aid Shi Hao, she lacked the power to do so.

'There is no rush. Senior Shi Hao can surely hold out for tens of thousands of years. And tens of thousands of years in that epoch might correspond to an even longer period in our epoch. Since Senior Shi Hao entrusted you to me, it is only natural for me to assist you, Senior Willow Deity.'

'Perhaps in this epoch, we can mobilize reinforcements to rescue Senior Shi Hao's epoch.' Chu Tianjiao briefly expressed his idea.

After listening to Chu Tianjiao's proposal, the Willow Deity nodded. 'It seems that is the only way. Let us hope Shi Hao can hold on until our reinforcements arrive.'

Seeing the Willow Deity agree, a smile appeared on Chu Tianjiao's face.

Just at that moment, a figure rushed into the courtyard.

Xiao Nannan entered, filled with joy, eager to reunite with her teacher.

But upon entering, she saw a scene she could hardly believe.

Her teacher was conversing happily with a tree.

'Teacher! I guarded your widowhood for fifty thousand years, and you deceived me for fifty thousand years! Then you hid in the Undying Mountain courting a tree!'

Hearing Xiao Nannan's words, Chu Tianjiao nearly lost his composure! What did she mean by 'guarded my widowhood for fifty thousand years' while he was 'courting a tree'? Don't talk nonsense!

'Pfft—!'

Hearing the words 'courting a tree,' Chu Tianjiao was so frightened his soul almost left his body. Fearing the Willow Deity would misunderstand and worried Xiao Nannan might say something even more shocking, he swiftly stepped forward and covered her mouth with his hand.

'Don't talk nonsense!' Chu Tianjiao whispered urgently, his face full of panic. He turned to the Willow Deity, forcing an awkward smile uglier than tears.

'Senior Willow Deity, my deepest apologies! This is my wife, Chu Nannan. She doesn't know the full story and spoke recklessly. Please forgive her, Senior.'

Covered mouth, Xiao Nannan glared with wide, watery eyes, filled with grievance and indignation. She struggled a bit with her limbs, clearly still upset over the 'misunderstanding.'

Watching this scene, a faint, rare smile appeared on the Willow Deity's cool face. It was like ice and snow melting, spring returning to the earth, brightening the entire courtyard.

Her gaze fell on Xiao Nannan's puffed-up cheeks, and she explained gently:

'Young lady, there is no need for concern. Fellow Daoist Chu and I share only a friendship based on an old acquaintance's request. I am the Willow Deity. My recovery is entirely due to Fellow Daoist Chu expending True Immortal essence blood and countless Heaven And Earth Treasures for nourishment. It is absolutely not what you imagined.'

The Willow Deity's voice was gentle and pleasant, carrying a Dao rhythm that soothed the heart. Xiao Nannan's struggles gradually ceased, and the hostility in her eyes mostly faded.

Seeing Chu Tianjiao's flustered and helpless appearance, which didn't seem feigned, the knot in her heart finally loosened.

When Chu Tianjiao released his hand, Xiao Nannan's cheeks flushed. She quickly bowed to the Willow Deity, her voice apologetic:

'Senior Willow Deity, I'm sorry! I acted impulsively and misunderstood you and Teacher. Please do not take offense, Senior.'

'It is of no consequence.' The Willow Deity gently shook her head, showing no displeasure in her eyes.

Just then, footsteps sounded again at the courtyard entrance, and Xiao Shitou poked his head in, looking around.

He had come to check on the commotion. Upon entering, he saw an ethereally beautiful woman in plain clothes in the courtyard and froze on the spot. Just as he was about to ask, Chu Tianjiao interrupted.

'Xiao Shitou, come quickly and greet Senior Willow Deity.'

Chu Tianjiao beckoned, then introduced both parties. 'Senior Willow Deity, this is my Disciple, also Xiao Nannan's elder brother, Xiao Shitou. Xiao Nannan, Xiao Shitou, this is Senior Willow Deity, an Immortal King Titan from the Chaotic Ancient Era. In those days, she fought alongside Senior Shi Hao to protect all beings of the Chaotic Ancient Era. The Secret Realm system we Cultivate now also originates from that Senior Shi Hao.'

'An... an Immortal King Titan?!'

Xiao Shitou stood frozen in place, eyes wide as saucers, his face etched with disbelief.

Though he had not lived through the Immortal Ancient era, he had heard many ancient legends. An Immortal King Titan—what a Heaven-Defying existence! And one was actually standing before him!

Xiao Nannan was also completely stunned.

Having lived for fifty thousand years and seen countless powerful experts, she never imagined she would meet a legendary figure of the Immortal King Realm. Moreover, her teacher had expended great effort to revive her. Her awe for the Willow Deity deepened.

The Willow Deity, however, waved a hand dismissively at them, her tone calm. 'What is past is past. My current strength is less than a tenth, and I have not even recovered to the True Immortal Realm. There is no need for such formality.'

She shifted her gaze to Chu Tianjiao, a hint of approval in her eyes:

'Rather, it is Fellow Daoist Chu who is remarkable. In this Desolate Ancient Era where the Heaven and Earth's Dao is incomplete, to advance against the odds to the True Immortal Realm shows truly astonishing potential. No wonder Shi Hao entrusted me and Little Pagoda to you. Perhaps in the future, you truly can return and help him resolve the crisis.'

'You flatter me, Senior.' Chu Tianjiao smiled slightly, his tone resolute. 'Once my strength is sufficient, I will certainly go to the Chaotic Ancient Era to lend Senior Shi Hao a hand.'

Having said that, he quickly stepped aside to make way, glancing at Xiao Nannan. 'It's getting late. Senior Willow Deity has just recovered and still needs to recuperate. Let us go inside for tea and discuss matters in detail.'

Understanding his meaning, Xiao Nannan's cheeks flushed again. She quickly agreed and hurried into the house to prepare the tea.

The Willow Deity gave a slight nod and followed.

Chu Tianjiao and Xiao Shitou exchanged a look, then also entered the thatched cottage.