Chapter 727: Return to Tiantian

Volume 3, Chapter 5: Renowned in One Region

Although Han Li was still unaware of the Blood Demon Sword's specific origins, he knew of its demonic backlash and dangers. Unwilling for Nangong Wan to use such a perilous demonic artifact, he unceremoniously took it for himself.

As for the other items, including the Congealed Light Mirror and a few other ancient treasures, Nangong Wan clearly had no intention of taking them, leaving some dignity for her senior sister. After all, the Congealed Light Mirror had been with the cold woman for many years, and many in the cultivation world knew of it. If the two of them took it, it would likely cause a lot of trouble.

At this moment, Nangong Wan placed the restriction token between her hands and gently rubbed it. After a flash of red light, a jet-black mist emerged. Then, she separated her palms, and the token vanished without a trace.

"Alright, the Soul-Trapping Art is finally dispelled. But before we leave, I should still leave a few words for Senior Sister," Nangong Wan said with a radiant smile, her mood greatly improved after the restrictions were removed.

Han Li naturally had no objection.

So, Nangong Wan took out a white jade slip from her person and gracefully pressed it against her forehead. A flash of light emanated from the jade slip as Nangong Wan immersed her spiritual sense into it, beginning to leave some messages within the slip using her divine consciousness.

After about a quarter of an hour, she removed the jade slip from her forehead, placed it with the items on the ground, and then put them back into her storage bag. She then fastened the storage bag to the cold woman's waist.

"Let's go. Senior Sister has been covered by my Reincarnation Divine Light for so long that she won't awaken for at least a day and a night," Nangong Wan said with a slight blush, smiling at Han Li.

As Han Li looked at her gentle expression, his heart suddenly skipped a beat. He took her soft hand, and their magical energies intertwined, transforming into a long rainbow that shot out of the hall.

"What does this mean?" On top of an unnamed small mountain near the border of Beiliang Kingdom, Nangong Wan stood beneath an ancient tree, her eyebrows furrowed as she spoke.

"For some reason, my concubine and Senior Brother Gu of Falling Cloud Sect are still lingering in Tian City. However, it's most likely related to the invasion of the spellcasters. They both have some connection to me and came out together, so I can't just abandon them and return alone. I must go and check on them," Han Li said slowly, standing side-by-side with Nangong Wan, smelling the faint fragrance emanating from her.

"Since that's the case, I'll go with you. Why do you need me to leave alone?" Nangong Wan chastised Han Li with a slightly displeased look.

"Wan'er, you are a Nascent Soul cultivator of Masked Moon Sect. Many high-level cultivators in the Nine Nations Alliance probably recognize you. Although I've taught you the 'Shape-Shifting Art,' this secret technique can still be seen through if you encounter cultivators with deeper cultivation than yours. It would be better for you to return to Falling Cloud Sect first," Han Li said with a smile.

"But now you've already offended our Masked Moon Sect and Intention Transformation Gate. Going to Tian City again, I'm truly a bit worried," Nangong Wan wrinkled her delicate nose, looking concerned.

"Don't worry! You've seen my divine abilities. While there may be many people in the South who far surpass me in cultivation, there are likely only a handful who can trap or kill me. Moreover, as an elder of Falling Cloud Sect, with the Mulan invading and the Nine Nations Alliance bearing the brunt, they wouldn't dare cause more trouble. Besides, I estimate your Senior Sister will follow the escape plan detailed in your jade slip. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to explain it to Wei Wuya. If that's the case, there's even less to worry about," Han Li explained with a light chuckle.

"Since you're determined to go, I won't stop you. But you must take good care of yourself. For safety's sake, take this treasure for self-defense." Nangong Wan seemed to sense that Han Li's mind was made up and said no more. Instead, she reached into her waist, producing a light, silken brocade handkerchief, and calmly handed it over.

"What is this?" Han Li sensed an unusual spiritual energy from the handkerchief and asked curiously.

"This is an unknown ancient treasure I accidentally obtained during a past journey. It's very convenient to use; it can automatically fly up for defense almost instantly. You might encounter danger on this trip, so carrying it will put my mind at ease," Nangong Wan explained gently, like a young wife.

Han Li fell silent, staring into Nangong Wan's clear, limpid eyes. He gazed for a long while, until her cheeks flushed slightly, before he took the item with a teasing smile and carefully put it away.

Seeing this, Nangong Wan's face showed a faint smile, but then she suddenly remembered something. She took out a red-glowing jade pendant from her sleeve, parted her fragrant lips, and said:

"This Fire-Repelling Pendant is a token I often carry. Although I don't particularly like being entangled in worldly affairs, I did, on a whim many years ago, take a few nominal disciples. Though they acknowledge me as their master, they are not Masked Moon Sect disciples. Two of them now run two shops in Tian City. If you truly need assistance, you can show them this item, and they will obey your instructions."

After saying this, Nangong Wan softly uttered the names of two or three people.

A warmth rose in Han Li's heart, and a gentle expression appeared on his face as he silently memorized their names. He hadn't experienced the feeling of being genuinely cared for in a long time.

He was now in the wilderness above Tian City. Gazing into the distance at the enormous city, he remained silent. After the reluctant parting with Nangong Wan that day, he immediately rushed towards Yu Nation. However, halfway there, he heard news of the cultivators' army officially engaging in a major battle at the border between Fengyuan Nation and Yu Nation.

As a result, the main forces of the Nine Nations Alliance suffered repeated defeats. After three consecutive losses, they were forced to rely on several large restriction formations to barely defend a few strategic locations. The Nine Nations Alliance was clearly at a disadvantage. When Han Li heard this, his brow naturally furrowed. Unfortunately, no one knew the specific situation, nor the reason for the cultivators' great defeat. He could only continue to rush here.

After entering Yu Nation, he finally got some more detailed news from other cultivators. It seemed that the Mulan spellcasters had somehow found several savage giant beasts, catching the Nine Nations Alliance cultivators off guard, leading to their successive crushing defeats.

This shocked Han Li greatly, and he rushed to Tian City overnight, filled with unusual apprehension.

Currently, Tian City had removed the aerial restrictions, but most of the "Supreme Primal Light Annihilation Array" restrictions had been reactivated. The entire city's sky was filled with a subtle, strange spiritual energy. It seemed that this cultivator city of the Nine Nations Alliance had truly entered a state of wartime.

Han Li watched silently for a while, then his body moved, transforming into a green rainbow that shot directly towards the city gate.

At the city gate, seven or eight cultivators were guarding, consisting of one Core Formation elder and the rest being Foundation Establishment cultivators. When they saw the dazzling green light, which was Han Li, flying towards them, the Core Formation elder was about to go and inquire. But after his spiritual sense casually swept over the green rainbow, his expression immediately changed drastically.

"Welcome, Senior, to the Alliance Meeting. May I ask for Senior's esteemed name? This junior's duty requires a quick registration," the elder said respectfully, bowing deeply after the green rainbow light converged, revealing a figure above their heads.

"Alliance Meeting? What Alliance Meeting?" Han Li's heart stirred. He glanced at the elder, his face expressionless, and asked.

"Senior isn't here for the Alliance Meeting? Could Senior be a rogue cultivator?" The elder was stunned, sounding somewhat surprised.

"No, I am a cultivator of the Heavenly Dao Alliance," Han Li said calmly.

"Because the Mulan are coming fiercely this time, our Nine Nations Alliance finds it difficult to resist alone, so we have issued a request for an alliance to other forces. Since Senior is a Heavenly Dao Alliance cultivator, you may enter the city simply by reporting your name and sect," the elder explained cautiously.

"Han Li of Falling Cloud Sect," Han Li said his name after his gaze flickered, but his brows were tightly furrowed. It seemed his current visit was not as simple as he had imagined.

Upon hearing Han Li state his name, the elder, without even a hint of wanting to verify, immediately stepped aside, respectfully ushering Han Li into the city. Han Li nodded, descended from the air, and calmly entered the city.

The streets of Tian City had far fewer cultivators than during the trade fair, and everyone wore worried expressions. It seemed the news of the initial battle's disadvantage had already spread.

Han Li, looking as usual, headed towards the pavilion where he used to reside. If Mu Peiling and the others had not yet left, they should still be living there.

Soon after, Han Li stood outside the pavilion and used his spiritual sense to perceive the aura inside. A weaker spiritual energy fluctuation appeared on the second floor of the pavilion; Mu Peiling was indeed inside. Han Li smiled slightly, then silently broke through the restriction and entered the pavilion.

"Young Master, you're finally back!" When Mu Peiling opened her beautiful eyes and saw Han Li in front of her, she cried out in joyful surprise.