________
"Ancestor, while Jiang Kingdom and Cheqi Kingdom have not yet fallen completely to the six Demonic Sects, we should take the initiative and send a team to infiltrate them. If war does break out, we must hold the front lines within their borders to prevent the conflict from spreading into Yue Kingdom and causing unnecessary losses to us."
Qi Yuan spoke decisively, recalling the plot he was familiar with.
*Better them than us.* The world of cultivation was merciless, and survival was dictated by strength.
Nangong Wan's eyes flickered with understanding, and she gave a slight nod of approval. If they could shift the battlefield onto someone else's territory, Yanyue Sect's resources wouldn't be significantly impacted.
"Hmph, Huangfeng Valley is quite ambitious," Nangong Wan said coldly. "Not only have they uncovered my identity, but they even dared to send a mere Qi-training disciple to bring me a thousand-year-old elixir as a token of negotiation. If anything had gone wrong, the loss would have been enormous."
She studied Qi Yuan carefully for a few moments before nodding slightly.
Was she acknowledging his abilities? Or was it something else?
Qi Yuan leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "So, does this mean the Yanyue Sect agrees?"
Nangong Wan arched a brow but did not pull away despite his growing intimacy. "I still need to return and discuss this with my sect. Once a decision is made, I will invite a representative from Huangfeng Valley for further negotiations."
Hearing this, Qi Yuan grinned and, without hesitation, pulled Nangong Wan into his arms, planting a kiss on her soft, fair cheek.
If this alliance could be secured, Yue Kingdom would be spared from immediate war, and he wouldn't have to flee to Chaos Star Sea in desperation.
'Going to Chaos Star Sea as a Foundation Establishment cultivator is just asking for trouble. But as a Core Formation expert? That would be a different story.'
As for the resources required to reach the Jindan stage, as long as he had sufficient yin and yang energy, it was only a matter of time.
The barrenness of Tiannan had nothing to do with him—he wasn't poor, after all.
Once he grew stronger, he would have the power to unite Nangong Wan of Yanyue Sect, Hong Fu of Huangfeng Valley, and Chen Qiaoqian of the Chen Family, using them to his advantage.
He had almost overlooked the Yan Family and Yan Ruyan. But when the treasure-hunting competition arrived, he would use absolute strength to suppress those who wavered.
'I will conquer them eventually.'
Nangong Wan, caught off guard by his sudden embrace and kiss, felt her usually cold demeanor crack. A wave of warmth spread through her as her long lashes trembled slightly. Just as she was about to respond, she felt something cold against her calves. With a swift motion, she kicked Qi Yuan's lower abdomen.
"Don't move. I don't even know your name," she said, her tone slightly flustered.
Their relationship had progressed this far, yet she had overlooked such a simple detail.
Qi Yuan blinked in surprise before chuckling. "Qi Yuan of Huangfeng Valley, currently training under Grandmaster Hong Fu."
Nangong Wan's expression shifted.
'Hong Fu?'
Of course, she knew that name.
'No wonder he has so many treasures. He must come from an extraordinary background.'
"You already seem to know everything about me, so there's no need for me to repeat it," Nangong Wan said with a slightly exasperated look.
Qi Yuan smirked mischievously but quickly turned serious. "Wan'er, when we act, we need to strike with absolute force. We cannot give Spirit Beast Mountain any chance to talk their way out of it."
In the original timeline, Spirit Beast Mountain had successfully deceived the righteous sects, buying themselves time to turn the tide. He wouldn't allow history to repeat itself.
Nangong Wan hesitated momentarily before nodding.
Qi Yuan held her delicate body in his arms, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere—to Xin Ruyin.
Dealing with her Dragon Roar Body was a challenge. He wondered if the woman currently in his embrace might have a solution.
He smirked inwardly. 'I really am a scoundrel.'
A perfect example of *drinking honey in one hand while thinking about the delicacies in the other pot.*
"Wan'er, if a woman has the Dragon Roar Body, how should it be handled?"
Nangong Wan pondered for a moment but suddenly froze, realizing that Qi Yuan had just called her "Wan'er."
Her gaze sharpened, and she scoffed. "Little brat, I'm much older than you. Why are you calling me Wan'er? Call me 'Sister' instead."
Calling her "Sister" would put him in his place and suppress his arrogance.
Qi Yuan grinned, leaning close to whisper, "Sister Wan'er…"
The beauty's mood softened, her heart melting slightly. She sighed, wrapping her arms around him and murmuring, "I don't know a cure for the Dragon Roar Body. But our Yanyue Sect has a secret dual cultivation technique that can balance yin and yang. It not only extends lifespan but also grants a temporary boost in cultivation."
Qi Yuan's eyes brightened.
If he didn't hold back, he'd be too sweet.
"Sister Wan'er, can you teach me this secret technique?" he asked, his tone teasing yet expectant.
Nangong Wan, who had been lost in thought, instantly snapped back to reality and glared at him. "No."
Qi Yuan looked at her sulking expression and couldn't help but chuckle. She was obviously jealous.
He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "We still have some time before the forbidden area closes…"
*Sacrifices must be made.*
Nangong Wan's jade-like face flushed crimson. She hesitated before whispering, "Be gentle…"
Qi Yuan smirked. "How about we go to the White Jade Pavilion over there?"
Nangong Wan's face turned even redder as she lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze.
---
---Outside the Passage---
A group of Yanyue Sect disciples stood anxiously in front of the sealed entrance, their faces filled with despair.
No matter what they tried, they couldn't reopen the passage.
If Elder Nangong Wan couldn't return, they would face severe punishment upon their return to the sect.
A Jindan-stage elder's safety was far more important than their lives.
A heavy, oppressive atmosphere settled over them.
Suddenly—
The entrance flickered and reappeared.
Moments later, a veiled woman stepped out.
"Grandmaster!"
The Yanyue Sect disciples immediately rushed forward, their faces filled with relief and excitement.
Han Li, who had been meditating nearby, was startled by their words. 'Grandmaster? A Jindan-stage cultivator? '
His heart tightened, and he quickly stood, offering a respectful bow.
No wonder they refused to leave.
His earlier doubts were instantly resolved.
Nangong Wan's gaze swept over the disciples. Naturally, she sensed Han Li's presence, but her expression remained unreadable. She glanced at him coldly before speaking in a steady tone.
"Let's return."
With that, she led the disciples away in an orderly manner.
Soon, only Han Li remained.
Just then, another figure emerged from the passage.
"Junior Brother Han, what are you doing here?"
Qi Yuan had planned to leave after Nangong Wan, but unexpectedly, he ran into someone he wasn't supposed to meet.
Han Li felt slightly awkward. He had agreed not to enter the stone hall earlier. Lowering his head, he replied, "I was unlucky and encountered a second-tier demonic beast, so I came here to take refuge."
Qi Yuan's eyes flickered with understanding—then realization struck him.
If Han Li had been outside all this time… wouldn't that mean he had been a witness to everything?
'Damn. What a mess'.
Maybe he should set Han Li up with Duobao as compensation?
He smirked.
'Not my type'.
(End of Chapter)