After finalizing the details of their plan, Livia Dong arranged for Jason to stay in a loft close to her own chambers. Lying in bed, Jason closed his eyes, allowing the cool night air to soothe him as moonlight poured over his face. But he wasn't resting—he was mentally preparing for the next day, reviewing all he knew about Sarah Long.
"Besides cultivation, what else does she enjoy?" Jason murmured, his mind racing. A thought struck him, and he immediately sat up, grabbing a brush and unfurling a roll of paper on the nearby desk. Carefully, he began sketching the outline of a veiled woman, though his skills were a bit rusty.
After a moment, he frowned at the less-than-perfect drawing. "Seems I've gotten rusty. This won't do for tomorrow."
Just then, a chill breeze swept through, and Jason's smile faded as he sensed a powerful aura surrounding the loft.
"A legendary realm cultivator!"
Jason hurried outside and was startled by the sight that met him—a graceful figure bathed in moonlight, her silhouette elegant and otherworldly. Despite the veil covering her face, her captivating eyes hinted at a breathtaking beauty. As he took in her appearance, a name sprang to mind: Ivy Ning.
"What is she doing here?" Jason wondered, studying the veiled woman with surprise.
Feigning innocence, he cleared his throat and asked, "Who are you? And what do you want here?"
Ivy Ning's cold eyes bore into him as she replied, "Immortal Slayer Sword Master, I am here to discuss a deal with you."
"A deal?" Jason maintained a look of confusion, though he knew exactly why she was here—she must be seeking something for her disciple, Ethan Ye.
"Netherworld Ghostfire," she said, her tone measured.
Just as he'd suspected! Though he had anticipated her desire, Jason feigned surprise. "You want the Netherworld Ghostfire?"
Ivy Ning nodded, and then offered her terms. "Give me the Netherworld Ghostfire, and in return, I'll give you the method to unseal the Immortal Slayer Sword."
Jason's mind reeled. She knows the unsealing method! This wasn't in the original novel—what else had the author concealed?
Seeing his silence, Ivy Ning sensed his skepticism and, with a wave of her hand, produced an old piece of parchment. "To break the second seal of the Immortal Slayer Sword, you'll need the sword's sheath."
So it was true! Jason's eyes gleamed as he fixated on the parchment, now convinced of the authenticity of her offer. Ivy Ning, noticing his eager expression, smiled beneath her veil—she had him right where she wanted him.
"So, what do you say? The Netherworld Ghostfire in exchange for this parchment," she said confidently. She was certain he would agree; after all, the chance to unlock the sword's power far outweighed the value of the ghostfire.
But what she hadn't anticipated was that Jason now held a much stronger bargaining chip. Subtly, he adjusted his sash to reveal the dragon-shaped jade pendant he'd obtained earlier from Sarah Long, allowing it to hang visibly from his waist. Then, with a hint of reluctance, he sighed.
"Elder, I would truly like to make this trade with you. But… the Netherworld Ghostfire has already been refined. Even if I wanted to give it to you, it's no longer possible." With a heavy sigh, he turned to walk away, his figure casting a lonely silhouette under the moonlight.
"Wait!" Ivy Ning's brows furrowed in frustration; she hadn't expected him to refuse so firmly. Though she knew he'd refined the ghostfire, she had methods to retrieve it regardless. Then her eyes fell on the jade pendant at his waist, which gleamed radiantly in the moonlight, its translucent dragon design captivating.
Her body froze, and a wave of intense emotion surged through her, her gaze locking onto the pendant with disbelief. She cried out, almost hysterically, "Jason, stop!"
Even though Jason had anticipated a reaction, he hadn't expected such an intense one. He turned, feigning confusion, as she demanded in a trembling voice, "That pendant… where did you get it?"
Jason shrugged casually. "Would you believe me if I said I stole it from a woman?"
Ivy Ning's eyes flashed with fury. Her voice, laced with anger, retorted, "Silence! Must you mock me with such lies?"
Jason held back a chuckle, thinking, I'm telling the truth! If you don't believe me, that's on you. "Does this pendant have some special meaning?" he asked, his expression one of innocent curiosity.
Ivy Ning ignored his question, her gaze never leaving him. She muttered to herself, "It's really you… after all this time, it's really you. Why did you appear so late? Why?!"
A mixture of resentment and relief filled her voice as she continued, "But at least, I've finally found you. My mother wasn't wrong—you are indeed the prodigy I was meant to find."
A look of contentment crossed her face, hidden beneath her veil. After years of searching, she had finally located her destined one, and he exceeded even her expectations. Her eyes softened as she took in his appearance—his snowy white robes, tall stature, striking features, and bright, clear eyes. She could sense the unique aura that set him apart from ordinary people.
In that moment, Ivy Ning's cheeks flushed under her veil as she realized how closely Jason matched the image of her ideal partner. She murmured to herself, "Handsome enough, but a bit young… no more than twenty."
Though she herself was in her late twenties by earthly years, time moved differently in the upper realm where she hailed from. Technically, she was only a few years older than him.
Oblivious to her thoughts, Jason's focus was on the parchment in her hand, hoping to secure the unsealing knowledge it held.
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