Although Han Li was still unaware of the exact origins of the Blood Demon Sword, knowing that it carried the risk of demonic backlash, he had no intention of letting Nangong Wan use such an extremely dangerous demonic artifact. Without hesitation, he pocketed it himself.
As for the remaining items, including the ancient treasure like the Condensing Light Mirror, Nangong Wan showed no interest in taking them, leaving some face for her senior sister. After all, the Condensing Light Mirror had accompanied the cold-faced woman for many years, and many in the cultivation world recognized it. If they took it, it would likely invite unnecessary trouble.
At this moment, Nangong Wan placed the restriction token between her palms and lightly rubbed them together. A flash of red light later, a jet-black demonic qi emerged. Then, with a parting of her hands, the token vanished into nothingness.
“Good, the Heartbinding Curse is finally lifted. But before we leave, I should leave a few words for my senior sister,” Nangong Wan said with a radiant smile, her mood greatly improved now that the restrictions were gone.
Han Li naturally had no objections. Nangong Wan then retrieved a white jade slip from her person and lightly pressed it against her forehead. A glow flickered across the slip as she immersed her spiritual sense into it, leaving behind a message.
After the time it took to finish a cup of tea, she removed the jade slip from her forehead, placed it alongside the items scattered on the ground, and stored them all back into the storage pouch. She then fastened the pouch to the cold-faced woman’s waist.
“Let’s go. My senior sister has been under the influence of my Samsara Divine Light for so long—she won’t wake up for at least a full day and night,” Nangong Wan said with a shy smile.
Han Li, captivated by her gentle demeanor, felt his heart skip a beat. Taking her delicate hand in his, their mana intertwined as they transformed into a streak of light and shot out of the hall.
…
“Why do you want me to go to the Falling Cloud Sect alone?” Nangong Wan stood beneath an ancient tree atop an unnamed hill at the border of the Northern Liang Kingdom, her delicate brows furrowed.
“My concubine and Senior Brother Lü from the Falling Cloud Sect are still lingering in Tiancheng for some reason, likely due to the invading Mulan spellcasters. Since they are both connected to me and we came together, I can’t just abandon them and return alone. I must go and check on them,” Han Li replied, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her, inhaling her faint fragrance as he spoke slowly.
“In that case, why not let me accompany you? Why insist on me leaving alone?” Nangong Wan shot him a reproachful glance, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction.
“Wan’er, you are a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Veiled Moon Sect. Many high-ranking cultivators in the Nine Nations Alliance likely recognize you. Although I’ve taught you the ‘Disguise Technique,’ it can still be seen through by those with higher cultivation than yours. It’s better for you to return to the Falling Cloud Sect first,” Han Li explained with a smile.
“But you’ve already offended our Veiled Moon Sect and the Transformation Intent Sect. If you go to Tiancheng now, I can’t help but worry,” Nangong Wan frowned, her delicate nose wrinkling with concern.
“Don’t worry. You’ve seen my abilities. While there may be many in the South Heaven Region whose cultivation surpasses mine, very few can trap or kill me. Besides, as an elder of the Falling Cloud Sect, and with the Mulan invasion putting the Nine Nations Alliance on the front lines, they won’t dare cause trouble. Moreover, I suspect your senior sister will follow the escape plan you outlined in the jade slip—otherwise, she’d have a hard time explaining herself to Wei Wuyan. If that’s the case, there’s even less to worry about,” Han Li chuckled.
“Since you’re determined to go, I won’t stop you. But please take care of yourself. For safety’s sake, take this treasure with you.” Seeing his resolve, Nangong Wan said no more. Instead, she reached to her waist and produced a delicate, gauze-like handkerchief, handing it to him calmly.
“What is this?” Han Li sensed unusual spiritual energy from the handkerchief and couldn’t help but ask curiously.
“It’s an unnamed ancient treasure I stumbled upon during my travels. It’s very convenient to use—it can activate automatically to protect you with just a thought. Since you might face danger, I’ll feel better if you carry it with you,” Nangong Wan explained softly, like a devoted wife.
Han Li fell silent, gazing into her clear, limpid eyes for a long moment until her cheeks flushed slightly. With a teasing smile, he accepted the treasure and carefully stored it away.
Seeing this, Nangong Wan smiled faintly, but then, as if remembering something, she retrieved a red-glowing jade pendant from her sleeve. “This Fire-Warding Pendant is a token I often carry. Though I dislike worldly affairs, I once took in a few nominal disciples on a whim. They aren’t Veiled Moon Sect members, but two of them now run shops in Tiancheng. If you need assistance, show them this pendant, and they’ll obey your orders.”
She then whispered two or three names to him.
A warmth rose in Han Li’s heart, and a tender expression crossed his face as he silently committed the names to memory.
It had been a long time since he’d felt the genuine care of another.
…
A month later, Han Li stood alone in the wilderness outside Tiancheng, silently gazing at the distant city.
After reluctantly parting with Nangong Wan that day, he had hurried toward Yu Nation. But along the way, he heard news of a full-scale battle between the cultivator forces and the Mulan spellcasters at the border of Fengyuan and Yu Nations.
Shockingly, the Nine Nations Alliance’s main forces suffered consecutive defeats—three battles, three losses—forcing them to rely on several grand restriction arrays to barely hold key positions. Clearly, they were at a disadvantage. Hearing this, Han Li frowned deeply, but with no one knowing the exact details or the reason for the defeats, he could only press on toward Tiancheng.
Only after entering Yu Nation did he gather more concrete information from other cultivators. Apparently, the Mulan spellcasters had somehow acquired several primordial beasts, catching the Nine Nations Alliance off guard and leading to their crushing defeats. Stunned and suspicious, Han Li traveled day and night to reach Tiancheng.
Though the city had lifted its flight restrictions, most of the “Upper Origin Annihilation Light Array” had been reactivated. The sky above the city now shimmered with an eerie, intangible spiritual energy. Clearly, this stronghold of the Nine Nations Alliance had entered a state of war.
After observing quietly for a while, Han Li transformed into a streak of azure light and shot toward the city gates.
Seven or eight cultivators stood guard at the entrance—one Core Formation elder and the rest Foundation Establishment cultivators. When the elder spotted the dazzling azure light approaching, he initially moved to intercept it. But after a casual sweep with his spiritual sense, his expression changed drastically.
“Welcome, Senior, to the alliance gathering. May I ask for your name? It is my duty to register all arrivals,” the elder said with a deep bow as the azure light dissipated, revealing Han Li’s figure.
“Alliance gathering? What alliance?” Han Li’s eyes flickered as he glanced at the elder, his expression unreadable.
“You’re not here for the alliance? Are you a rogue cultivator?” The elder blinked in surprise.
“No, I’m from the Heavenly Dao Alliance,” Han Li replied coolly.
“Given the overwhelming Mulan invasion, our Nine Nations Alliance cannot withstand them alone. We’ve thus invited other factions to join forces. Since you’re from the Heavenly Dao Alliance, you may enter the city after providing your name and sect,” the elder explained cautiously.
“Han Li of the Falling Cloud Sect,” Han Li said after a moment’s thought, though inwardly, his brows furrowed. This trip might not be as straightforward as he’d imagined.
The elder didn’t even bother verifying the name before stepping aside respectfully to let Han Li pass.
With a nod, Han Li descended and calmly entered the city.
Compared to the bustling crowds during the trade fair, the streets of Tiancheng were now sparsely populated, with most cultivators wearing worried expressions. News of the initial defeats had clearly spread.
Han Li maintained his usual demeanor as he headed toward the pavilion where he’d previously stayed. If Mu Peiling and the others hadn’t left, they should still be there.
Soon, he stood outside the pavilion, sensing the aura within. A faint spiritual fluctuation emanated from the second floor—Mu Peiling was indeed inside.
With a faint smile, Han Li silently bypassed the restrictions and stepped inside.
“Young Master, you’ve finally returned!” Mu Peiling’s beautiful eyes flew open the moment she saw Han Li standing before her, her voice filled with joy.
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