“But during this trip out of the mountain to purchase supplies, I accidentally encountered a senior whose cultivation is unfathomable. He insisted that I deliver something to Ancestor Nangong and even placed a restriction on me, saying only Ancestor Nangong could remove it,” Han Li said with a deliberately troubled expression.
“A senior! A Core Formation cultivator?” The fair-skinned cultivator was taken aback and asked with suspicion.
“I wouldn’t know. But he claimed to be an old acquaintance of Ancestor Nangong and said he was sending a congratulatory gift upon hearing of Ancestor’s upcoming joyous occasion. He also had a few words he wanted me to personally relay to Ancestor,” Han Li replied, feigning helplessness.
“An old acquaintance of Ancestor? Could it be another Venerable at the Nascent Soul stage?” The other burly-looking cultivator also seemed surprised.
“That’s possible. But if this senior has already come here, why didn’t he personally deliver the gift up the mountain?” The fair-skinned cultivator, after recovering from his shock, voiced his confusion.
“Who knows? Perhaps the senior had urgent matters or some inconvenience. Nephew Yuan, extend your hand—let me examine the restriction in your body first!” The burly cultivator speculated briefly before bluntly addressing Han Li.
Han Li had anticipated this and calmly extended an arm while internally stirring his spiritual power to simulate a peculiar restriction spell.
The cultivator gripped Han Li’s wrist, sensing for a moment before his face turned pale with shock. The fair-skinned cultivator, curious, also placed two fingers on Han Li’s arm and soon wore the same expression.
“Indeed, there’s a powerful restriction in your body. Judging by its complexity, it’s almost certainly placed by a Nascent Soul cultivator. But based on this alone, we can’t just let you up the mountain. First, hand over the senior’s gift. One of us will deliver it to confirm whether it’s truly from an old acquaintance of Ancestor Nangong. Only if Ancestor recognizes it and wishes to see you can you proceed. Nephew Yuan, do you understand?” The fair-skinned cultivator’s tone softened despite his stern expression.
Han Li wore a bitter expression but nodded in agreement after a moment’s thought.
“That’s fine. But Uncle must clearly explain to Ancestor about the restriction placed on me!” Han Li retrieved a long wooden box from his storage pouch and handed it over, adding with concern.
The box was sealed with a pale silver restriction talisman, its spiritual fluctuations indicating it was no ordinary measure—clearly intended to prevent the courier from peeking inside.
“Understood. Just wait here. Junior Brother Ma, I’ll be back shortly!” The fair-skinned cultivator dismissed Han Li impatiently before instructing his companion and flying off with the box.
Han Li remained standing, waiting quietly.
Though confident that Nangong Wan would surely see him upon recognizing the contents of the box, he couldn’t help feeling uneasy as the moment approached.
He answered the remaining questions from the Foundation Establishment cultivator absentmindedly. When asked about the appearance of the “senior” who sent the gift, Han Li deflected with, “They wore a hood—I couldn’t even tell if they were male or female.”
After waiting for what felt like a mealtime, the fair-skinned cultivator finally returned empty-handed.
“Ancestor Nangong confirmed that the person is indeed an old friend. You may follow me to see Ancestor, who will also remove your restriction,” the cultivator said briskly before leading Han Li up the mountain.
Han Li inwardly rejoiced but outwardly feigned excitement as he followed closely behind.
“Be careful not to stray from the path. The restrictions here are far more severe than in the middle layers. Even I wouldn’t survive if trapped,” the fair-skinned cultivator warned coldly as he led the way.
Han Li naturally agreed repeatedly.
Just then, a streak of blue light shot toward them. Recognizing its owner, the fair-skinned cultivator halted respectfully and stood aside with deference.
The light stopped before them, revealing a stern-faced middle-aged man in brocade robes.
“Nephew Sun, why are you bringing a Qi Condensation disciple up the mountain? Don’t you know the rules here?” The brocade-robed cultivator scanned Han Li and spoke coldly.
“Uncle Lan, I’m acting on Ancestor Nangong’s orders. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare,” the fair-skinned cultivator explained hastily, clearly intimidated.
Han Li discreetly probed the man with his spiritual sense—a mere early Core Formation cultivator, hardly a concern. Still, he maintained a respectful demeanor.
“Ancestor Nangong wishes to see him? Explain,” the brocade-robed cultivator demanded, surprised.
“Nephew Yuan here…” The fair-skinned cultivator recounted Han Li’s story, either unwilling to hide it or deeming it unimportant.
“An old friend of Ancestor Nangong with a restriction?” The brocade-robed cultivator frowned, his gaze sharpening like a blade as it landed on Han Li.
“Let me examine this restriction,” he ordered bluntly.
Han Li cursed inwardly but complied.
“Hmm. It is peculiar, but while complex, the restriction isn’t malicious. The sender likely meant no harm. Proceed to Ancestor Nangong,” the man concluded after probing Han Li’s wrist.
With that, he ignored them, transforming into a faint blue streak that vanished down the mountain, his form fading into invisibility.
“Uncle Lan’s Invisible Escape Technique has surpassed even his master’s. Though only at early Core Formation, even late-stage Core Formation cultivators would struggle against him,” the fair-skinned cultivator murmured admiringly after the man left.
Han Li’s interest piqued. “Invisible Escape Technique?” Could this man be related to the “Old Freak Qiong” from the Bloody Trial?
Shaking off the thought, Han Li followed the fair-skinned cultivator upward. The peak housed few high-level cultivators, and they encountered no one else until reaching a cave residence near the summit.
“This is Ancestor Nangong’s secluded abode. Be careful with your words—you might receive more than just the removal of your restriction,” the fair-skinned cultivator said enviously before announcing at the gate, “Ancestor, I’ve brought the disciple.”
“Understood. Let him enter alone. You may leave,” a woman’s voice, familiar yet distant, replied from behind the stone door, which then glowed yellow and opened.
Han Li stepped inside without hesitation.
To his surprise, a young woman in a yellow short-sleeved robe stood inside. She appeared no older than sixteen or seventeen but had already reached early Foundation Establishment.
“Follow me. Ancestor awaits in the hall,” she said coolly after glancing at Han Li’s disguise, finding nothing remarkable, before turning deeper into the cave.
Han Li took a quiet breath and followed.
Nangong Wan’s residence wasn’t large. The girl led him through a short corridor and a few small rooms before reaching the main hall.
The hall was elegantly furnished, with an unknown sandalwood incense burning in a corner. Two antique flower stands flanked the entrance, each holding rare, verdant plants.
At the center stood a small square table with two pale green wicker chairs. In one sat a black-haired girl in white, examining a gleaming silver greatsword—the same one from the now half-opened, empty wooden box on the table.
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