Han Li glanced at the storage pouch at his waist. After returning the ancient lamp, although he hadn’t mentioned anything, the Mulan shamans had sent back the two seized treasures—the Purple Cloud Net and the Flower Basket—along with the materials. It seemed these Mulan people were well aware that to stay long in the South Sky, they couldn’t afford to offend high-level cultivators like him. Returning the treasures was likely to avoid any resentment, especially since even the Mulan Divine Masters held some wariness toward a young cultivator with such formidable abilities like Han Li.
Upon retrieving the treasures, Han Li gave the Purple Cloud Net to Silvermoon. Though she could only use it in her fox form, she had recently contributed significantly, and Han Li, not one to be stingy, felt it fitting to reward her. The net suited her perfectly, making it an ideal gift.
Perhaps due to the news of their alliance with the Mulan people spreading, the Urtu people hesitated. Despite deploying a large number of cultivators near the grassland border, they refrained from immediate attacks, instead silently observing the movements of the South Sky and Mulan forces, showing no signs of causing trouble in the near future.
However, the more cautious the Urtu appeared, the heavier the hearts of figures like Zhiyang Shangren and Long Han grew. Their solemn demeanor suggested they harbored significant ambitions, likely targeting the South Sky.
Anticipating a prolonged standoff, the South Sky sects couldn’t afford to keep their disciples stationed indefinitely. After discussions, they adopted a rotation system similar to the Nine Nations Alliance’s, assigning elite disciples to take turns guarding the border regions near the Mulan territories. In case of an Urtu attack, these forces could provide timely support, while the remaining cultivators returned to their respective sects.
As an elder of the Falling Cloud Sect, Han Li, along with Senior Brother Lü, had numerous responsibilities. Only after most disciples had left could he finally return to the sect. While Lü Luo had additional matters to attend to, delaying his departure, Han Li set off alone.
Traveling without delay, Han Li used the Wind-Riding Chariot, cutting his journey short by a third. Upon entering the State of Xi, however, he stowed the chariot to avoid drawing attention.
Now, a distance of a hundred miles was but a blink of an eye for Han Li. As the silhouette of Cloud Dream Mountain came into view, the image of Nangong Wan’s beautiful face flashed in his mind, bringing a smile to his lips.
—
**”What is the meaning of this?”** Han Li’s voice was icy as he glared at the silver-haired elder in a rarely accessed secret chamber of the Falling Cloud Sect, his face dark with barely restrained fury.
No sooner had he returned to the sect than the elder intercepted him, leading him to this frigid chamber. There, to his shock, he found Nangong Wan—now transformed into a seven- or eight-year-old girl—encased in a block of ice, her eyes closed and unconscious. The sight sent waves of rage through him.
**”Cough! If you had returned half a month earlier, Junior Brother, this might have been avoided,”** the elder sighed. **”Sister Nangong fell victim to a demonic curse—the Soul-Sealing Curse—half a month ago. While not immediately life-threatening, this curse slowly seals the victim’s soul, leading to eventual dissipation. To delay its effects, she used a technique from the Great Reincarnation Art to freeze herself.”**
**”The Soul-Sealing Curse? How could Wan’er be afflicted with such a thing? I thought it had been lost to the South Sky!”** Han Li’s expression shifted from disbelief to suspicion. **”Unless…”**
Not pressing further, the elder recounted the events in detail: Nangong Wan had been ambushed by a black-robed man while gathering yin dew for her cultivation. Despite her efforts to escape and call for help, the assailant struck her between the brows with a single finger, leaving her unconscious. By the time the elder and other disciples arrived, the attacker had vanished, leaving only a jade slip behind.
Recognizing the curse, the elder was horrified but powerless to reverse it. Nangong Wan, upon briefly awakening, chose to seal herself in ice to prolong her time.
Handing Han Li two jade slips—one left by the attacker, the other by Nangong Wan—the elder stepped back. Han Li first read Nangong Wan’s message, his expression shifting between worry and relief. The second slip, however, ignited his fury. With a crushing grip, he reduced it to ashes in a burst of purple flame, startling the elder with the display of power.
**”Senior Brother Cheng,”** Han Li asked coldly, **”what did the attacker look like? His cultivation level?”**
**”A young man with refined features, though his true age is uncertain. His cultivation was concealed, but he must be at least mid-Nascent Soul to overpower Sister Nangong so easily.”**
**”A young man?”** Han Li frowned. **”Likely using preservation techniques or elixirs. Did he mention anything about Golden Lightning Bamboo?”**
**”Yes! His slip demanded you bring a Golden Lightning Bamboo treasure to meet him at Profound Heaven Peak. Is he truly a demonic cultivator from Jin? And do you possess such a treasure?”**
**”Whether it’s him or an associate, they’re undoubtedly from the Yin Luo Sect of Jin,”** Han Li replied grimly. **”I thought they sought revenge for their fallen comrades in the border war, but it seems they covet my treasure. Wan’er suffered because of me. As for the bamboo artifact—yes, I have one.”**
**”No wonder they targeted you,”** the elder mused. **”Golden Lightning Bamboo is a bane to demonic arts. Since they’re outsiders, they act without restraint. Let me rally allies to hunt them down. They can’t flaunt their lawlessness in our territory!”**
Han Li’s eyes gleamed with cold resolve. **”No need. This is my fight. But I’ll need the sect’s resources to track him.”**
The elder hesitated. **”Junior Brother, this enemy is formidable. Are you certain?”**
**”Certain enough.”** Han Li’s voice was steel. **”They made it personal.”**
(Note: Translation condensed for brevity while preserving key plot points and character dynamics.)
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