Tu Xiao’an, Tu Xiao’an!
The name on the spiritual tablet, written in large, neat characters, was a profound shock to Luo Ziyun.
Luo Ziyun never dreamed she would see this familiar name on a spiritual tablet.
A handsome, refined face surfaced in her mind, followed by an incomparably powerful snake.
’It has to be a coincidence,’ she thought. ’A person and a snake. The two are completely unrelated.’
’But why would that snake also be named Tu Xiao’an? A mere snake, even if it had awakened its Cultivation and taken a name, shouldn’t have a full name, surname and all.’
For a moment, Luo Ziyun’s mind was a chaotic mess of a thousand thoughts. Although it was most likely a coincidence, a voice in the back of her mind told her that there must be some connection between the two.
"My lady, what’s wrong? Is there a problem with my brother’s spiritual tablet?"
Tu Xiaoyue couldn’t help but ask again, as the other woman was acting rather strangely.
Luo Ziyun was startled for a moment, then snapped back to reality. Her brow furrowed as she said, "It’s nothing. I was just a bit surprised because your brother has the exact same name as an old acquaintance of mine."
"The exact same name?" Tu Xiaoyue was also slightly surprised to hear this, but then she smiled. "Then you and our family are truly fated to meet, my lady. The surname Tu is very rare, and to have the same given name on top of that... this is truly great fate!"
Tu Xiaoyue’s words carried a hint of flattery, but this celestial-looking woman possessed god-like abilities. If they could gain her protection, they might be able to survive this human tragedy of a Fierce Beast massacre.
She wasn’t alone; she still had her mother. She had to ensure her mother’s safety. If her brother came back later and something had happened to their mom, how could she possibly face him?
She remembered how her brother, before he left to make his way in the world, had sworn to her, "Sis, I’m leaving Mom in your care. Trust me, when your little brother comes back, our family can finally be reunited."
’Mom has to be okay. What’s a little flattery compared to that?’
Tu Xiaoyue’s unintentional words of flattery, however, were like a final, clarifying stroke to Luo Ziyun.
’That’s right. The surname Tu is rare. Having the exact same first and last name is as unlikely as winning the lottery.’
’How could there be such a coincidence in this world?’
’And that snake just happened to make its debut in Bai Town. What sort of secret connection was there?’
She pondered this, wanting to ask the mother and daughter more about their son and brother, but she suddenly realized they were still kneeling before her. A flash of alarm went through her.
Simply because of the name Tu Xiao’an, Luo Ziyun could no longer accept the mother and daughter’s worship with a clear conscience.
She couldn’t explain what strange feeling was at play.
In any case, it just felt awkward.
"Please, get up. It was a small effort, don’t take it to heart." Quietly, the coldness on Luo Ziyun’s face vanished, and her attitude changed in an instant. She personally helped Wen Qiu and Tu Xiaoyue to their feet.
The mother and daughter were stunned, then pleasantly surprised. This fairy-like, divine person was also so kind.
To them, Luo Ziyun was truly a celestial being. She was more beautiful than a painting, possessed an ethereal Immortal Qi, and her methods were simply miraculous—she had effortlessly killed the terrifying monster.
Tu Xiaoyue couldn’t help but think, ’Even if my brother came back, he probably wouldn’t be able to kill one of those monsters.’
’At best, he could only help us flee for our lives.’
Neither Wen Qiu nor Tu Xiaoyue dared to look directly at Luo Ziyun. The formless aura she projected was simply too powerful.
It was like the difference between a mortal and an Immortal—the gap was too vast.
"Ma’am, can you tell me how your son died?" Luo Ziyun calmed her emotions, handed the spiritual tablet back to her, and asked, her eyes glinting.
Wen Qiu carefully took her younger son’s spiritual tablet. Upon hearing the words, her body trembled violently, and a look of grief appeared on her face. She was clearly unwilling to bring up this painful past.
Tu Xiaoyue’s brow tightened. If not for this woman’s extraordinary status and the fact that she was their savior, Xiaoyue would have wanted to shout at her.
’Who goes around reopening old wounds like that? How could you ask a mother how her son died? Is that appropriate?’
Perhaps Luo Ziyun had spent too much time in the Yaoling Mountain Range and had forgotten most of the customs of the Human World. Or perhaps she was so desperate to understand the connection that she asked without thinking.
"My lady, my mother has just been through a terrible scare. Why don’t I tell you instead?"
Luo Ziyun nodded, realizing her question had been a bit abrupt.
Tu Xiaoyue was about to speak and satisfy the woman’s curiosity when suddenly, a series of frantic roars assaulted them from the distance. The sound was as mournful as wandering souls and as sharp as Ghosts, each cry piercing the ears and threatening to make their eardrums bleed.
In an instant, Tu Xiaoyue and Wen Qiu’s faces were masks of pain. They clamped their hands tightly over their ears. A single glance into the distance made their hearts tremble, a feeling of deathly stillness washing over them.
In the distance, three massive monsters, each a full fifteen zhang tall, came roaring toward them with ferocious menace. They were like prehistoric beasts, inspiring utter despair.
Luo Ziyun’s expression turned cold again. ’I can’t believe I killed five Taotie avatars and there are still three left.’ She quickly said to the mother and daughter, "Don’t be afraid. Go hide somewhere safe. I’ll deal with them."
’A safe place? Where in Bai Town is safe now? Wherever those giant monsters go, nothing survives.’
"Doesn’t your Bai Town have a Snake King Temple? Go hide there for now. I’ll find you after I’ve dealt with these Fierce Beasts," Luo Ziyun said, then glanced sideways at the Jade Little Snake on her shoulder. "You go with them and protect them."
’This little snake, after all, is at the Snake Spirit Level.’
The Jade Little Snake was suddenly a little reluctant, not wanting to leave her side.
"Go on. Didn’t you always say you wanted to repay me? Protecting this mother and daughter is how you can repay me," Luo Ziyun said sternly.
The Jade Little Snake didn’t dare to object further. With a flick of its tiny body, it shot like a stream of light onto Tu Xiaoyue’s shoulder.
Tu Xiaoyue’s delicate body trembled. Seeing this exquisite little snake, she was so dazed she almost mistook it for her own brother.
The two looked so alike. Neither had the ferocious look of a normal venomous snake; instead, they looked like something that had slithered right out of an anime.
"Hello, beautiful. A pleasure to meet you," the Jade Little Snake said, not shy at all. It lay on Tu Xiaoyue’s shoulder and spoke human words with a giggle.
Tu Xiaoyue was stunned. ’There are other snakes in the world that can talk, just like my brother?’
’Could this one also have been reborn as a snake?’
Beside her, Wen Qiu was practically petrified. When she first saw the exquisite little snake, she thought it was a House Snake.
In her memory, only the House Snakes of Bai Town legend were so small and beautiful.
But... but... this snake just spoke! ’Has a House Snake become a spirit?’