Chapter 1817: Uncanny Resemblance

“It’s you!” Han Li looked at the purple-robed girl before him, his face filled with surprise.

The woman standing before him was none other than the demon woman named “Dai’er” who had once followed the Black Phoenix King. Though she was only at the early stage of Deity Transformation, she was rumored to be exceptionally beautiful and held great fame among the younger generation of the demon race, seemingly favored by the Black Phoenix King.

However, when she first met Han Li at Feixian Peak, she had been extremely cold toward him.

None of this was what Han Li cared about most. What concerned him was whether she was truly the little girl named Dai’er from back then.

Now, this woman had suddenly visited him just as he had returned to his residence, catching him completely off guard.

“Fellow Daoist’s sudden visit—could it be on orders from Fellow Daoist Xiao?” Han Li gazed at the ethereal girl before him, his expression unreadable as he asked.

“No, I came to see Senior Han of my own accord,” the purple-robed girl finally spoke, her voice as crisp as a yellow oriole’s, soothing to the ears.

“To see me?” Han Li’s expression flickered slightly.

“Indeed. This junior has some words she wishes to share with Senior alone!” The purple-robed girl’s eyes were clear as water as she glanced meaningfully at Hai Dashao standing nearby.

“You may withdraw. Do not enter unless summoned,” Han Li stroked his chin, his eyes flashing as he issued the command.

Though Hai Dashao was intensely curious about the relationship between his master and the girl, he naturally dared not disobey. Suppressing his curiosity, he bowed respectfully and exited the hall.

As for Han Li’s other disciple, Qilingzi, due to the earlier incident involving the Long Family, he naturally would not appear in public so easily again.

Even if others had seen the young Daoist and knew he was Han Li’s nominal disciple, and even if the Long Family Patriarch were to tear all pretense and come knocking, Han Li would not be the least bit concerned.

He had countless excuses to completely sever any connection between the giant ape he had transformed into and his true self.

Now, seeing that Hai Dashao had truly left the hall, the purple-robed girl wasted no time. With a flip of her hand, a silk handkerchief emitting a faint white light appeared, which she steadily offered to Han Li.

At the sight of this object, Han Li’s expression shifted slightly. After a long pause, he sighed softly, “Dai’er, so it really is you, little girl!”

This low-grade spiritual artifact, a mere silk handkerchief, was a small gift he had once given to the child named “Dai’er.” Though it had no real value beyond some dust-repelling properties, the little girl had cherished it dearly, keeping it close to her all these years.

The fact that the purple-robed girl before him could produce this item confirmed she was indeed that same little girl.

Hearing Han Li’s words, the girl’s expression grew complex. After a moment of silence, she suddenly raised her fair wrist and, with two jade-like fingers, plucked a smooth black phoenix hairpin from her hair.

In the next instant, the hairpin erupted in a burst of dark light, accompanied by a phoenix cry, transforming into a half-foot-long black feather.

Simultaneously, a dazzling white light burst forth from the girl’s face, so bright it was impossible to look at directly.

Even Han Li, with his spiritual eye techniques, instinctively closed his eyes. But the next moment, as if remembering something, he immediately reopened them, blue light flashing in his pupils as he ignored the blinding radiance.

His expression grew peculiar.

When the white light faded from the girl’s face, it revealed a visage as stunning as a moon palace fairy.

Beyond her unique, orchid-like aura, her ivory-carved features bore an astonishing seventy to eighty percent resemblance to Nangong Wan.

Coupled with the same ethereal air about her, if the two stood side by side, anyone would assume they were sisters.

Yet upon closer inspection, subtle differences emerged. Nangong Wan’s features carried a gentle warmth, making her seem more approachable, while the purple-robed girl’s were more delicate yet carried a cooler demeanor.

Under the scrutiny of his spiritual eyes, Han Li could confirm her face was genuine, unaltered by illusions.

Moreover, between her brows, he could faintly discern traces of the chubby-cheeked “Dai’er” from years past—though the difference was still vast.

Gazing at this familiar yet unfamiliar face, even Han Li, usually unshakably composed, found himself at a loss for words.

“Uncle Han, how similar do I look to Aunt Nangong now?” The purple-robed girl’s eyes shimmered with an enigmatic light as she spoke, half-smiling.

“What’s going on? How did you grow up to look like this? Have you met Wan’er somewhere?” Han Li suppressed his shock, forcing calm into his voice.

“I only learned Aunt’s name from you, Uncle. How could I have met her?” The girl’s lips curled into a soft smile, her chilly aura dissipating considerably.

“Ah, I remember now. Though some things still aren’t clear. You…” Han Li narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling fragments of the past yet still uncertain.

“During those days Uncle spent with me under the rubble, you told me many strange and wonderful stories. The protagonists were always you and Aunt Nangong, weren’t they? On the last day, I cried and threw a tantrum, demanding to see my mother. To calm me, you showed me a jade pendant engraved with Aunt’s portrait. That’s what finally quieted me.” The girl’s beautiful eyes sparkled, her voice growing even softer.

“You were so adorably chubby-cheeked back then,” Han Li murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he remembered those chaotic days during the beast tide, hiding with the little girl amidst the rubble.

“I remember everything clearly. This face is the result of my transformation after reaching the shapeshifting stage, when my Black Phoenix blood awakened and reshaped me. Why it ended up so similar to Aunt Nangong, even I don’t know. Perhaps the image of her on that jade pendant left too deep an impression. During the transformation, I unconsciously took on a similar appearance. As a Body Integration cultivator, Uncle surely knows that demon race transformations are beyond our control. The final appearance depends largely on fate.” The girl lightly bit her ruby lips, a hint of embarrassment coloring her expression.

“I see. That does make sense.” Han Li nodded in understanding, though the sight of her Nangong Wan-like beauty still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Today had been strangely unlucky—first encountering Qin Su’er, whose heart illusion technique had conjured Nangong Wan’s image, startling him badly. And now, upon returning, he faced another nearly identical visage!

Could something have happened to Wan’er?

As a cultivator, Han Li held some belief in omens and premonitions.

Frowning, a thread of worry wound through his heart.

After a pause, Dai’er continued, “I’ve never forgotten Uncle’s kindness to me back then. But humans and demons are fundamentally different, and I didn’t want to cause you trouble needlessly. That’s why I acted so cold when we first met recently. When I first arrived at the Black Phoenix Palace, I didn’t see my father. Instead…”

The purple-robed girl offered a brief explanation before launching into tales of her life and cultivation within the Black Phoenix Clan after their separation.

Though the details were trivial, she recounted them with relish, a smile playing on her lips.

Han Li, gazing at her Nangong Wan-like features, listened quietly, his expression unconsciously softening.

Their conversation lasted several hours before Dai’er suddenly remembered something and reluctantly bid farewell.

Han Li did not press her to stay. Like an elder, he offered a few words of advice before summoning Hai Dashao to escort her out.

Watching her figure disappear beyond the hall’s entrance, the smile faded from Han Li’s face, replaced by a trace of loneliness as he sighed and sank into quiet contemplation.

Not long after, when Hai Dashao returned to report her departure, Han Li set aside his thoughts and calmly instructed, “Go fetch your junior brother. Both of you come to my quarters shortly.”

With that, he rose and headed toward his private chambers.

Left behind, Hai Dashao’s eyes brightened with excitement. He hurriedly acknowledged the order and rushed off to find Qilingzi.

Early the next morning, Han Li quietly left his residence, appearing atop a deserted hill not far from Yingxian Palace.

Seating himself casually on a rock, he closed his eyes to meditate, as if awaiting someone.

After the time it takes to finish a meal, a whooshing sound pierced the air as a figure materialized atop the hill.

“Fellow Daoist Han is early indeed. It seems your anticipation for the Black Domain Assembly is quite high,” the figure greeted with a laugh, his voice familiar—none other than the Ten Thousand Bones True Man.

“Haha, I do have some expectations. But arriving so early is mainly because this is my first time attending. I didn’t want to miss the entry window,” Han Li replied with an easy smile.

“Rest assured. Since they specified this time, there won’t be any mistake. However, before we depart, this old Daoist has a few words of caution, lest Fellow Daoist Han inadvertently invite trouble in the Black Domain.” The Ten Thousand Bones True Man’s expression grew solemn.

“Oh? Please speak freely. I’m all ears.” Han Li arched a brow at the elder’s grave demeanor.

“Truthfully, these are matters Fellow Daoist Han likely already understands. But the Black Domain Assembly is no ordinary exchange gathering, so a few extra reminders can’t hurt.” Pleased by Han Li’s humility, the elder nodded approvingly.