The Sunset Hall is the residence exclusively reserved for the Grand Elders of the Moon Veil Sect throughout the generations. Not only is it always built upon a spiritual node, but the hall is also layered with numerous restrictions. Without the Grand Elder’s permission, no one except a select few elders is allowed to approach the hall at will.
At that moment, a foot-long streak of red light shot from the distance, circling several times outside the restrictions of the Sunset Hall before slipping through effortlessly with a “whoosh,” entering the grand hall unimpeded.
The red light passed through several faintly discernible restrictions before turning a few corners and flying into a side chamber. There, a beautiful woman sat cross-legged on a cushion, her eyes closed. Her skin was pale and icy, her age appearing to be in her twenties, with a faint aura of coldness emanating from her.
The red light instantly flew before her. The woman seemed to sense its arrival and slowly opened her eyes, frowning slightly before beckoning to the light. Immediately, the red light transformed into a fist-sized flame and landed directly in her palm.
The cold-faced woman stared at the flame expressionlessly, saying nothing. Suddenly, she flipped her hand, and the flame instantly extinguished.
“What is that girl up to, actually taking the initiative to see me? But since she’s softened her stance, I might as well go take a look!” the woman murmured to herself. Clearly decisive, she transformed into a white streak of light and flew out, leaving the Sunset Hall in moments and heading straight in a certain direction.
Before long, she arrived in front of Nangong Wan’s cave abode, her radiance dimming as she descended. She briefly surveyed her surroundings—everything seemed normal, the restriction arrays outside the cave still incomplete, with no signs of disturbance. Reassured, she walked directly to the cave entrance and raised a hand, sending a white incantation onto the stone door, which swung open on its own.
The pale-faced woman entered without hesitation, walking in unhurriedly.
“Greetings, Grand Elder!” A figure had been waiting behind the stone door for some time. Upon seeing the woman enter, they immediately bowed deeply—it was the yellow-robed girl.
“Your cultivation seems to have improved since our last meeting. It appears you’ve taken the pills I gave you,” the cold-faced woman remarked indifferently after glancing at the girl, then proceeded deeper into the cave.
“Many thanks to the Grand Elder for bestowing the pills! Otherwise, this disciple would never have progressed so swiftly!” the yellow-robed girl replied with a slight bow, following closely behind.
“As long as you understand. Has Junior Sister Nangong been behaving normally in the cave? No strange actions?” the woman asked again.
“None. Aside from meeting a disciple today, Grand Elder Nangong has not engaged in any other activities,” the girl answered meticulously.
“I’ve already heard about this from your Senior Uncle Lan’s message talisman. That disciple seemed to deliver some kind of gift—has he left by now?”
“That disciple was merely a low-ranking steward in the sect and departed a short while ago. However, after receiving the gift, Grand Elder Nangong appeared somewhat unsettled,” the girl replied respectfully.
“Oh? What kind of gift could upset your grand elder?” the woman asked, her expression shifting slightly.
“It was nothing extraordinary—just a silver sword artifact. But when Grand Elder Nangong saw it, she seemed rather disturbed,” the yellow-robed girl lowered her head further but spoke clearly.
“Perhaps it was a rogue cultivator she befriended during her travels. That wouldn’t be unusual,” the cold-faced woman mused, showing a hint of surprise.
“The Grand Elder is most wise! After receiving the silver sword and reflecting for a while, Grand Elder Nangong suddenly sent a message talisman requesting to see you.”
“For my Junior Sister Nangong to change her mind—that is truly unexpected!” The woman, Nangong Wan’s senior sister, seemed intrigued.
“Continue monitoring Junior Sister Nangong’s every move. With the high-grade spirit talismans I’ve given you, she shouldn’t detect your surveillance, given that most of her power is sealed. If you perform this task well, I will reward you handsomely,” the Grand Elder of the Moon Veil Sect instructed casually.
By then, the two had nearly reached the hall.
“As you command, Grand Elder! Grand Elder Nangong awaits you in the hall!” the yellow-robed girl whispered in an extremely low voice, guiding the woman to the entrance.
The cold-faced woman, usually cautious, intended to scan her surroundings thoroughly before entering. But the moment she appeared outside the hall, Nangong Wan’s voice rang out from within.
“Senior Sister, come in. After much deliberation, I can reluctantly agree to your proposal for the sake of the sect—but only if you promise me one condition first.” Nangong Wan’s tone was calm and indifferent, as if detached.
Her senior sister’s face lit up with delight upon hearing this. Without further thought, she strode forward, saying with relief, “Junior Sister Nangong! You’ve finally come to your senses—this is wonderful! Whatever condition you have, as long as you agree to marry Elder Wei of the Hua Yi Sect, I will accept it. With Wei Wuyan’s support, the prosperity of our Moon Veil Sect is within reach!”
As she spoke, she stepped inside, taking in the scene before her.
Nangong Wan sat on a rattan chair, holding a crudely forged silver greatsword across her lap. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on it, examining it intently, as if the words she had just spoken had never left her lips.
The cold-faced woman paused in surprise, slowing her steps but still entering the hall. A flicker of suspicion crossed her eyes as she prepared to speak—but then her expression changed abruptly. Without warning, her arm shot backward like lightning, fingers extended like blades, shooting out several inches of sword light aimed precisely where the yellow-robed girl stood.
The girl looked up with an eerie smile before her figure shrank, a flash of yellow light enveloping her as she sank into the stone floor, leaving behind only a torn yellow robe.
Recognizing the extraordinary earth escape technique, the cold-faced woman wasted no time. In a flash of light, she shot backward, attempting to flee the hall.
But the moment she moved, a massive green greatsword several zhang long came whistling through the doorway, slashing down with terrifying force as if to cleave her in two.
Her face paled as she flicked her fingers, releasing ten icy beams of light that struck the greatsword head-on.
A deafening explosion erupted as green and white light clashed. Both the greatsword and the woman were flung backward.
The cold-faced woman staggered several zhang before steadying herself.
Meanwhile, the green greatsword dispersed into dozens of flying swords, swirling in midair. At their center stood an unremarkable young man, smiling calmly at her.
“What is the meaning of this? Junior Sister Nangong, who is this man, and who was that girl impersonating Yu’er?” the woman demanded coldly, her gaze sharpening as she assessed Han Li’s cultivation.
With a swift motion, she retrieved a red token from her waist.
“A restriction token!” Han Li’s eyes narrowed as he focused on it, his voice grave.
“Hmph! So Junior Sister Nangong has told you everything. I don’t know who you are, but this is an internal matter of the Moon Veil Sect. If you know what’s good for you, withdraw now—or face the combined pursuit of our six sects,” the woman threatened icily.
“Senior Sister, there’s no need for such alarmist talk. Junior Sister here has her fair share of allies among the six sects. If they learned how you’ve treated a fellow disciple, it might not bode well for you. As for that token—yes, it can activate the restrictions on me, but do you really think I’ll give you the time to use it?” Nangong Wan had already put away the silver sword and now stood gracefully, her voice composed.
With that, she opened her lips, and a fiery red ring shot forth—her lifebound treasure, the Vermilion Bird Ring.
The cold-faced woman’s expression darkened. Seeing that Han Li showed no intention of retreating, a fierce determination flashed across her face. With a flick of her sleeve, two swords—one white, one black—flew out, rapidly expanding into massive blades over a zhang long.
The white sword gleamed like snow, radiating bone-chilling cold, while the black sword seethed with scorching heat, wreathed in flickering black flames—a rare pair of Yin-Yang Icefire Swords.
With a cold laugh, the woman gently shook the red token in her hand, murmuring an incantation. A sinister red glow began to emanate from the token.
But Han Li, who had been watching her every move, had no intention of letting her activate the restriction. Without hesitation, he tossed out a small silver bell, which transformed into a streak of silver light circling above him. With a command, the bell tilted, its mouth aimed at the woman as it emitted a resonant chime.
A faint silver soundwave surged forth, enveloping her.
At the same time, Han Li rubbed his hands together before flicking them outward, sending red and green incantations toward two nearby hall pillars. The restriction arrays within the hall trembled to life.
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