The Heavenly South cultivation world was once again abuzz with excitement.
Several Nascent Soul-level elders from major cultivation sects suddenly received invitations from the Falling Cloud Sect once more. This time, they were invited to witness the grand dual cultivation ceremony between the sect’s Grand Elder—renowned as the number one cultivator in the Heavenly South—and an otherwise little-known Nascent Soul female cultivator, Nangong Wan, as they formally became dual cultivation partners.
Among those who received the invitations, apart from a few who were already privy to the details, the rest were greatly surprised. However, given Han Li’s unrivaled reputation, no one dared to refuse. Even the other three great cultivators, who were in seclusion and unable to attend personally, sent their disciples with exceptionally rare congratulatory gifts.
It was said that during the days of the ceremony, the skies above the Falling Cloud Mountain Range were mostly shrouded in dazzling five-colored radiance. Within the mountains, magnificent jade towers and pavilions materialized out of thin air, while all the spiritual flowers and trees bloomed and flourished under the influence of formations, transforming the Yunmeng Mountains into a veritable fairyland.
The three sects of Yunmeng Mountain, along with several smaller sects eager to curry favor with Han Li, spared no effort in making the ceremony grander than even the one held when Han Li became a great cultivator.
Aside from the major sect cultivators invited by the Falling Cloud Sect, many mid-sized and small sects, as well as renowned rogue cultivators, arrived uninvited, bearing gifts. As a result, the number of visiting cultivators in Yunmeng Mountain swelled to over five or six thousand during the ceremony, most of them high-ranking, making it the largest celebration in the Heavenly South in over a thousand years.
But upon reflection, this was hardly surprising.
When Han Li first advanced to the rank of great cultivator, many had come to congratulate him, though most harbored doubts, especially since there were still three other great cultivators in the Heavenly South. However, after the battle during his great cultivator ceremony, Han Li’s title as the number one cultivator in the Heavenly South was firmly established.
Hearing that Han Li could face two cultivators of the same rank simultaneously and still dominate the fight sent chills down the spines of every sect, no matter how ancient their lineage or how powerful their forces. This demonstrated that with his current abilities, Han Li alone could annihilate any cultivation sect if he so wished, without regard for their existence.
No sect in the Heavenly South could boast more than two great cultivators, leaving none with the power to oppose Han Li, the undisputed number one. Thus, regardless of their previous relations with the Falling Cloud Sect, all sects sent representatives to forge connections. As for the high-ranking rogue cultivators, many hoped to befriend the top figure of the Heavenly South, either to seek guidance in their cultivation or to network with other cultivators at the ceremony.
With the influx of visiting cultivators and the three sects’ own members, the event could truly be called a “Ten Thousand Cultivators Ceremony.”
Han Li and his beautiful companion, Nangong Wan, made only a brief appearance at the ceremony. Smiling, they expressed their gratitude to the assembled cultivators, shared a ceremonial cup of wine, and then departed gracefully.
The remaining festivities were left to Lu Luo, another elder of the Falling Cloud Sect, to oversee. With his vast experience, Lu Luo ensured the celebrations continued vibrantly and joyously, even in the absence of the main couple.
The dual cultivation ceremony lasted three to four days before concluding.
The congratulatory crowds began to disperse in groups, though a few unexpectedly remained behind.
…
Han Li and Nangong Wan, dressed in white robes, stood side by side atop the Mother Peak of the Twin Peaks, gazing at the rolling clouds in the distance. They shared a tranquil silence, where words seemed unnecessary.
After some time, Nangong Wan brushed a strand of hair from her forehead and turned to Han Li with a radiant smile. “This time, misfortune turned to fortune. Thanks to the Charming Moon Art, I broke through to mid-Nascent Soul while sealed. But in the end, it was your intervention that truly saved me—feeding me the legendary Emperor’s Nectar. That alone saved me over a decade of arduous cultivation. Without it, I might still be trapped. Yet, your rapid advancement to late Nascent Soul was truly unexpected. With your current power, aside from those reclusive Deity Transformation old monsters, no one in the human realm could rival you.”
“Unrivaled? I wouldn’t dare claim that. If I could have such fortune, others might too,” Han Li replied modestly with a smile.
“I don’t believe that!” Nangong Wan giggled. “But I never expected the Soul-Sealing Curse to be so insidious. I thought the fire toad’s inner core had mostly dispelled it, but several hidden restrictions remained dormant in my body. Thankfully, we used the true method to lift them, or the consequences would have been dire.” Her eyes sparkled with a youthful charm.
“I’m relieved as well. My trip to the Great Jin wasn’t in vain. Later, take the Infant-Nurturing Pill I gave you. With it, advancing to late Nascent Soul isn’t impossible,” Han Li said, smiling at his companion.
“That pill is truly miraculous? It can even aid in breaking through to late Nascent Soul?” Nangong Wan blinked, half-doubting.
“Heh, for that pill, mid-Nascent Soul cultivators in the Great Jin fell one after another. What does that tell you?” Han Li chuckled knowingly.
“If you say so, I’ll take it after stabilizing my mid-stage cultivation,” Nangong Wan said, her eyes gleaming. She tilted her head slightly, her smile blending the allure of a mature woman with the innocence of a girl.
Han Li gazed at his wife’s flawless face, recalling their recent intimate moments, and felt a stir in his heart. Just as he was about to speak, his expression shifted, and he turned toward the distant sky. Nangong Wan followed his gaze.
Moments later, a streak of white light pierced through the sky’s restrictions, heading straight for them. As it descended, the light faded to reveal a beautiful woman—Mu Peiling.
“Greetings, Master, Sister Nangong,” Mu Peiling bowed calmly.
“Sister Peiling, the ceremony is over. Why have you rushed here from the sect? Did something happen that Elder Lu couldn’t handle, requiring you to seek us out?” Nangong Wan asked gracefully.
“Sister Nangong, two groups of guests remain in the mountains. They claim to be old acquaintances of Master and insist on seeing him. Elder Lu wasn’t sure if Master wished to meet them, so he sent me to inquire. If not, he’ll send them away.”
“Old acquaintances? Are they beautiful female cultivators?” Nangong Wan’s eyes twinkled as she glanced teasingly at Han Li.
“Sister Nangong is perceptive. Both groups are indeed women,” Mu Peiling admitted, biting her lip slightly as she stole a look at Han Li.
“Oh, so it’s your romantic debts coming to collect,” Nangong Wan said, rolling her eyes at Han Li.
“Romantic debts? Don’t jest, Wan’er. Peiling, did you get their names?” Han Li coughed awkwardly.
“Yes. One group is led by a woman surnamed Yan from the Ghost Spirit Sect, accompanied by two elders. The other is a woman named Han Yunzhi from the Beast Taming Sect and Dong Xuan’er from the Harmony Sect.”
“Them?” Han Li murmured, taken aback.
Nangong Wan’s brows arched slightly before she chuckled. “It seems they truly are your acquaintances. You should meet them, lest you appear impolite.”
“I knew them before I achieved the Dao. Fine, I’ll see them. Peiling, inform Elder Lu that I’ll come shortly. Arrange for them to wait in separate guest pavilions; I’ll meet them one by one,” Han Li said after a brief pause.
“Yes, I’ll take my leave then.” Mu Peiling bowed and transformed into a streak of white light, departing.
Han Li watched her go, frowning slightly.
“Something displeases you about Sister Peiling?” Nangong Wan asked, noting his expression.
“Not at all. I just don’t understand why you took her as a sworn sister instead of accepting her as your disciple, as I’d hoped,” Han Li said, shaking his head.
“What’s wrong with that? I have no desire for disciples—I only wish to accompany you on the path of the Dao. Besides, her background resonates with my past, and we get along well. Rather than leaving her in limbo, it’s better to acknowledge her as a sister. Whether she becomes your concubine or you secretly mentor her, no one will gossip,” Nangong Wan explained gently.
“Do as you wish. I’ll go meet these guests now,” Han Li said indifferently.
“Return soon. I’ll wait for you in my cave,” Nangong Wan replied with a smile.
Han Li sighed wryly. “Wan’er, your Charming Moon Art is truly peculiar, requiring lunar yin energy for cultivation. The formations to gather it harm other cultivators’ progress, forcing us to maintain separate caves. What a hassle.”
“I didn’t foresee this complication when I chose the art,” Nangong Wan apologized.
“It’s a small regret, but at least we’re only apart during cultivation. Our caves are close, and we can stay together otherwise. No real harm done. I’ll take my leave now.” With those words, Han Li transformed into a green streak of light and flew away under Nangong Wan’s gaze.
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