Nangong Wan’s crimson full moon was evidently unable to keep up. The black-and-white rainbow traced a long arc and instantly reached the top of the hall, striking fiercely with a single blow.
With a dull *thud*, the red light paused but failed to pierce through, only scattering a few fragments of stone.
The cold-faced woman was momentarily stunned, but before she could grasp what had happened, a flash of light appeared above, and swarms of tri-colored flying insects surged out. With a collective hum, they swiftly gathered in the center, forming a massive tri-colored shield.
The cold-faced woman’s heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, she flicked her wrist, producing a silver-patterned talisman between her fingers.
Seeing this from below, Nangong Wan immediately understood her senior sister’s intentions. Her delicate face darkened, and without even glancing at the Samsara Divine Light, she reached to her waist and produced a small red banner. Without delay, she flung it toward the ground beneath her feet. With a *sizzle*, the banner transformed into a wisp of red smoke that swiftly burrowed into the earth.
At that moment, the cold-faced woman waved her jade-like hand, activating the talisman’s power. Enveloped in a yellow radiance, she shot upward like a meteor. A *whoosh* sounded as the yellow light effortlessly pierced through the giant shield and continued toward the ceiling.
Yet almost simultaneously, Nangong Wan chanted an incantation, activating a hidden restriction within the cave abode. The entire hall flashed red as a dazzling crimson barrier emerged on the walls, extending to the ceiling and the stone floor below.
The red light seemed to be the bane of the yellow radiance. Instead of allowing escape, the two lights intertwined like magnets, and a flood of red light surged forward, completely enveloping the yellow glow.
The cold-faced woman was horrified, but as an experienced cultivator, she quickly deduced the nature of the restriction. With a grave expression, she flicked her fingers, releasing a bone-chilling white sword beam. As it circled outward, the red light scattered chaotically.
Overjoyed, the cold-faced woman’s yellow light flashed as she broke free from the restriction and shot toward the ceiling.
But just as half her body entered, a flash of purple light appeared before her eyes. Something suddenly descended, trapping her within and forcefully yanking her back out from the ceiling.
A soft, mocking laugh followed as a white figure emerged—a bewitching young woman in white robes. In one hand, she held an exceptionally translucent purple thread, the other end of which connected to the cold-faced woman.
Only then did the Veiled Moon Sect’s Grand Elder realize she was ensnared in a faintly glowing purple net, flickering in and out of visibility.
Furious, the cold-faced woman unleashed a barrage of black-and-white sword beams from her fingers, followed by a sinister green flame spat from her mouth, all striking the purple net.
A faint purple radiance flared, effortlessly absorbing both the sword beams and the green fire without sustaining any damage.
Now truly panicked, the cold-faced woman gritted her teeth, preparing to unleash a life-draining secret technique. But before she could act, the white-robed woman chuckled and tugged the purple thread, whispering, *”Retract.”*
The loose net abruptly tightened, immobilizing its captive completely.
The woman’s face flushed crimson. Since forming her Nascent Soul, she had always been revered by others—never had she suffered such humiliation, let alone as a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Enraged, her eyes gleamed with cold light as her spiritual aura surged violently, doubling in intensity. A faint bloody glow flickered in her pupils.
Seeing this, Silvermoon’s smile vanished. Realizing the danger, she was about to activate the Jade Sun True Fire within the Purple Net when Nangong Wan urgently called out, *”Don’t kill her—leave her to me!”*
As she spoke, a fiery red full moon leaped upward, enveloping the cold-faced woman.
The moon spun rapidly, sending ripples of red light outward, filling the hall with dazzling illusions.
Han Li, watching from below, felt his mind sway and his vision blur after just a brief glance. *No wonder the cold-faced woman feared Nangong Wan’s ‘Samsara Divine Light’—it’s terrifyingly potent.*
After spinning for the duration of a cup of tea, the moon finally halted as Nangong Wan’s face paled.
With a wave of her hand, the red moon dissipated into starlight, revealing her senior sister floating midair, still tightly bound by the Purple Net. Her once-overwhelming aura had calmed, and she hung limply, unconscious, with an eerie smile on her face.
*”What is this?”* Han Li asked, puzzled.
*”Those trapped by my Samsara Divine Light cannot escape, even by releasing their Nascent Soul. The light also carries a potent soul-dazing effect—my senior sister’s mind is temporarily lost. This way, we can spare her life.”* Nangong Wan, her complexion slightly restored, explained with a faint smile.
*”Preventing a Nascent Soul escape—no wonder she feared this technique. But if you didn’t need to spare her, you could have just killed her outright. Why go through all this trouble?”* Han Li rubbed his nose, sighing.
*”Killing the Grand Elder? Impossible! If I leave with you, the Veiled Moon Sect will already suffer a great loss. Killing her would shatter the sect entirely. The former Grand Elder once showed me kindness—I won’t sacrifice myself for the sect, but I won’t let it face annihilation either.”* Nangong Wan sighed, forcing a smile.
*”Heh. Yet your senior sister showed no mercy when she attacked you.”* Han Li muttered bitterly.
*”It doesn’t matter. Sparing her life repays my debt to the sect. After leaving with you, my conscience will be clear. Still, that battle was perilous—I had no idea she possessed the Blood Demon Sword. It nearly cost you dearly. Had I known earlier, I…”* Nangong Wan’s eyes shimmered with regret.
Han Li chuckled, waving it off. *”No matter. The Blood Demon Sword couldn’t have harmed me. Let’s retrieve the restriction token and leave quickly.”*
Nangong Wan nodded in agreement.
Nearby, Silvermoon obediently loosened the Purple Net, releasing the unconscious woman.
Nangong Wan stepped forward and, without ceremony, swiftly sealed several restrictions on her senior sister before retrieving a jade-green storage pouch from her. She turned it upside down, and with a flash of light, a pile of items spilled out.
Curious, Han Li approached.
The Heart-Binding Token was easily found, and Nangong Wan picked it up with visible relief.
Meanwhile, Han Li’s gaze swept over the pile before summoning a small, unremarkable black ring into his hand. Frowning, he examined it closely.
*”Why take that? It looks like an ordinary artifact,”* Nangong Wan asked, puzzled.
Han Li smirked and tapped his waist, producing a jade box. With a flash of green light, the lid opened, revealing an identical black ring inside.
*”Oh?”* Nangong Wan’s eyes widened in surprise.
Han Li compared the two rings, confirming their similarity, then stored both in the box before returning it to his pouch.
Nangong Wan smiled faintly but said nothing, instead turning to the motionless woman. With a flash of red light, she pressed a delicate hand against the woman’s forehead and closed her eyes in concentration.
Han Li watched silently, understanding her actions.
Moments later, Nangong Wan opened her eyes and lifted her hand, revealing the Blood Demon Sword in her palm.
*”This demonic weapon is too dangerous—it poses a threat to us both. I won’t use it, but since your golden arcs countered it earlier, you should keep it as a precaution.”* She tossed the sword to Han Li without hesitation.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage