Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 688

Han Li and Nangong Wan stood side by side on the summit of Zimu Peak, silently watching the white clouds drift by.

After some time, Nangong Wan brushed a strand of hair from her forehead and smiled at Han Li.

“They say misfortune can turn into blessing. Thanks to the Dual Moon Heavenly Art, I was able to reach the mid-Nascent Soul stage while sealed! Still, I wouldn’t have made it without your help at the end, my dear. I saved over a decade of cultivation time by taking that Spirit Stabilizing Paste. But it’s still amazing that you’ve already reached the late stage. Now, apart from those old monsters in the Transformation stage, you’re probably unmatched in the human realm, right?”

“You shouldn’t say things like ‘unmatched’ so carelessly. If I’ve had my lucky encounters, other cultivators in the human realm could have them too,” Han Li said humbly with a smile.

“I can’t believe there’s another cultivator like you. But thinking about it now, that Soul Sealing Curse was really dangerous. I thought I’d removed most of the curse’s power with the Fiery Island’s elixir, but there was a powerful restriction lurking in my body. It’s a good thing I used the curse-breaking technique before it activated, or the consequences would have been endless.”

Nangong Wan’s bright eyes were as lovely and beautiful as a young girl’s.

“I’m relieved too. It wasn’t for nothing that I went to the Great Jin. If you take the Nascent Soul Enhancement Pill I gave you later, it’s possible for you to reach the late stage as well.”

“The Nascent Soul Enhancement Pill is truly miraculous. To think it’s so effective in breaking through the late Nascent Soul bottleneck.”

Nangong Wan blinked, half in disbelief.

“What do you think its effect would be if several mid-Nascent Soul cultivators from the Great Jin died for this elixir?”

“Since you say so, my dear, I should solidify my mid-stage realm before taking the Nascent Soul Enhancement Pill.”

She tilted her head and smiled softly, looking incredibly charming. Han Li looked at Nangong Wan’s beautiful face, and his heart fluttered, recalling the passionate days of the past few days.

He was about to say something when his expression changed, and he looked into the distance. Nangong Wan followed his gaze.

Shortly after, a white streak of light pierced through the restriction and flew in from afar. Han Li immediately recognized who it was and looked a little surprised. The white streak of light was none other than Mo Peiling.

“Greetings, Young Master. Sister is here too.”

“Peiling, if you’ve come here in such a hurry, it must be because Senior Lye is in trouble, right?” Nangong Wan asked gently and kindly.

“It’s like this. Two groups of guests haven’t left yet, and they claim to know you, Young Master, and wish to see you. Senior Lye asked me to inquire if you’re willing to meet them. If not, he said he’d send them away immediately.”

“Know my husband? They’re not beautiful women, are they?” Nangong Wan glanced at Han Li with moist eyes and a playful smile.

“Just as you said, Sister. Both groups are represented by female cultivators who have requested a meeting.”

“Oh, I didn’t know my husband was such a romantic.”

“Romantic? Ahem, how can you joke like that? Peiling, what are the names of the guests?”

Nangong Wan glared at Han Li, and Han Li quickly asked, clearing his throat.

“One group is a woman with the surname ‘Yan’ from the Guiling Sect and two Guiling Sect elders. The other group is a female cultivator named Han Yunzhi from the Yuling Sect and Dong Xuan’er from the Joyful Union Sect.”

“Them?”

Han Li muttered blankly. Nangong Wan, standing beside him, simply raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly.

“It seems you really do know them. Go and meet them. It wouldn’t be polite to refuse them like this, would it?”

“As Wan says, they’re all people I’ve known since my cultivation was low, so it wouldn’t be bad to meet them. Peiling, tell Senior Lye that I’ll be there soon. I’ll meet the guests separately, so have them escorted to the VIP pavilion for now.”

Han Li thought for a moment, then nodded and gave his instructions.

“Yes, then I’ll take my leave now.”

Mo Peiling bowed and turned into a white streak of light, flying away. Han Li stood there, his brow furrowed.

“What’s wrong? Do you have any complaints about Peiling?” Nangong Wan asked playfully, seeing Han Li’s expression.

“It’s not that. I just don’t understand why you took her as a sworn sister. I could have taken her as a disciple if I wanted to.”

“What’s wrong with being sworn sisters with Peiling? I want to walk the path of cultivation with you, not take on disciples. Besides, her situation is similar to mine in the past, so I feel a connection. Now that we’re sworn sisters, who can say anything if she becomes your concubine or if you pass on your techniques and take her as a disciple?”

“I won’t say anything more. Do as you please. I’ll go see the guests now.”

“Then hurry back. I’ll go back to our residence first.”

“…Wan, I didn’t know the Dual Moon Heavenly Art you learned was so mysterious. It’s amazing that you have to use the moon’s yin energy to cultivate, and that setting up a formation to gather the moon’s yin energy has a negative impact on other cultivators’ cultivation. That’s why we’ve had to live separately in our own residences.”

“I didn’t think the technique’s power would cause such a disaster back then,” Nangong Wan said apologetically.

“It’s a pity, but we’re only separated during cultivation, and our two residences are close by, so it’s fine. We can stay together the rest of the time! Then, I’ll be going now.”

Han Li comforted her instead and turned into a streak of blue light, flying up from Zimu Peak.

There were about a dozen VIP pavilions in the Falling Cloud Sect, and Mo Peiling was constantly flying above one of them, checking the sky. Suddenly, a blue light flashed at the edge of the sky, and the blue streak of light landed above the pavilion in the blink of an eye.

“Greetings, Young Master. The Guiling Sect cultivators are resting here, and the other two women are in a separate VIP pavilion next door,” Mo Peiling reported as Han Li appeared.

“Understood. You may leave now.”

Han Li looked at the pavilion behind him and nodded, seeing another pavilion not far away. Hearing his words, Mo Peiling bowed respectfully and flew away as a white streak of light.

Han Li’s figure blurred, and he appeared at the entrance of the pavilion. He scanned the inside with his spiritual sense before entering.

Inside the main hall of the pavilion, two men and a woman were sitting and chatting. There was a gaunt, skinny giant, a pale-faced old man, and a beautiful woman who looked to be about twenty years old.

The woman with a flower-like appearance was none other than Yan Yu’er. The three of them seemed anxious, as if they were in the middle of a conversation.

When Han Li appeared at the entrance, the three cultivators’ gazes fell on him. They all stood up to greet him, looking delighted to see his face.

“There’s no need to be so formal. Please, sit down and let’s talk,” Han Li said, appearing on a wooden chair with a strange movement before the three cultivators could even speak. Not only Yan Yu’er but even the men couldn’t follow his movements.

“Then we’ll do as you say,” the pale-faced old man replied, a chill running down his spine but with a smile immediately plastered on his face.

“Fellow Daoist Yan, you’ve reached the Nascent Soul stage since we last met,” Han Li said, looking at the woman with a smile. When they met in Yue Country, they addressed each other as junior and senior, but now she had appeared as a proper Nascent Soul cultivator.

“I barely managed to overcome the cultivation bottleneck not long ago. It’s not worth mentioning compared to you becoming the number one cultivator in the Southern Heaven, Fellow Daoist Han! The reason I came to see you this time is because I have an urgent request.”

Yan Yu’er also scanned him carefully, revealing complex emotions. Han Li simply smiled and didn’t say anything, looking at the pale-faced old man.

“Fellow Daoist, you must be Elder Zhong. I saw you from afar when I entered the Chuma Bone [a dangerous and mysterious place].”

“I didn’t expect Fellow Daoist Han to remember me. It’s an honor.”

“I know the Guiling Sect is in a crisis right now. But why are the three of you, who hold high positions in the Guiling Sect, here to see me instead of being in Yue Country? There must be a reason.”

Han Li asked directly, and the Guiling Sect cultivators exchanged glances, hesitating. Han Li frowned, showing his displeasure.

“Fellow Daoist Han! The truth is, the reason we came to your sect this time is… to ask for your help. Please step in so that the Guiling Sect can safely overcome this crisis. Without your help, our Guiling Sect might really disappear.”

“Help your sect?” Han Li raised an eyebrow and asked, a clear sneer on his lips as Yan Yu’er spoke hesitantly.

“I know that our sect has committed a great sin against you, Fellow Daoist Han. But all of that was the doing of Sect Master Wang and his son. Sect Master Wang died in the Chuma Bone long ago, and the Wang family no longer leads the Guiling Sect.”

The giant in the yellow robe explained urgently.

“The Wang family doesn’t lead it? I heard that Wang Xian is still living leisurely in your sect.”

At those words, the old man and Yan Yu’er’s expressions changed subtly, but the giant still maintained his smile and replied,

“That’s not true. Wang Xian committed a great sin some time ago and was already expelled from the position of Law Enforcement Elder. He was ordered to face the wall and repent for his mistakes. He won’t be able to interfere in the sect’s affairs for a hundred years.”

“Repenting for his mistakes… Fellow Daoist, I don’t think I’ve met you before. What’s your name? You look somewhat similar to Fellow Daoist Yan, so I’m asking.”

Han Li looked back and forth between Yan Yu’er and the giant, as if surprised, and asked.

“You have a good eye. I am Yu’er’s uncle.”

“Oh, so the Yan family has produced two Nascent Soul cultivators. It seems the Yan family will be in charge of the Guiling Sect.”

Han Li stroked his chin and muttered meaningfully.

“It’s all thanks to Elder Zhong’s concession.”

“As long as the Wang family or the Yan family don’t harm the sect, it doesn’t matter who manages it.”

“Is that so?” Han Li replied casually and narrowed his eyes, falling silent. The Guiling Sect cultivators waited quietly without urging him, but Yan Yu’er’s eyes flickered as if she had thought of something, and the giant and the old man were extremely restless.

The number one cultivator in the Southern Heaven in front of them had a great grudge against the Guiling Sect. They had come under the guise of congratulations, so they wouldn’t be dealt with immediately, but it would be a lie to say they weren’t worried at all when they had asked for a separate meeting.

If the Guiling Sect wasn’t on the verge of collapse due to the alliance of other forces, they wouldn’t have dared to come here so shamelessly.

“Even if we don’t consider the past grudges, why should I help the Guiling Sect?” Han Li finally spoke, his tone colder than before. However, the giant and the old man were delighted at those words. They thought there was hope since he hadn’t refused them outright.

“If you, Fellow Daoist Han, step in for our sect, we will hand over Yue Country to other sects and leave. We just want to maintain our lineage. In return, we’ve brought some special items, so please don’t think they’re too meager.”

The giant sighed deeply and said. He reached into his waist and placed three items on the table. Han Li looked at them with an indifferent gaze.

A blood-red bracelet, a porcelain bottle, and a faint green wooden armor.