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On the way back, Qi Yuan used the Soul-Enchanting Steps to travel swiftly while practicing the effects of his escape technique.
With the addition of the Cloud-Stepping Boots, his speed was greatly enhanced.
The combination of both allowed him to surpass the movement speed of a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Whether it could outmatch someone at the late stage remained to be seen, but at the very least, he wouldn't be completely left behind.
As the golden crow set, the sky was painted with a stunning sunset.
Moving through the deep mountains and forests, Qi Yuan kept a low profile. Aside from the occasional growls of wild beasts, the surroundings were eerily quiet.
This path was the only route back to Huangfeng Valley.
By his calculations, he wouldn't reach his destination until midnight. Rather than traveling through the night, he decided to find a nearby cave to rest and continue his journey the next morning.
Suddenly, a figure appeared on a massive rock in the distance. A woman, dressed in dark blue, stood with her back to him.
Qi Yuan's heartbeat quickened. He instinctively tightened his grip on his storage bag, ready to summon his magic weapons for defense.
For someone to evade his spiritual sense so effortlessly, their cultivation level had to be at least at the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Encountering such a formidable opponent in the wilderness—was it mere coincidence?
Remaining cautious, Qi Yuan adjusted his route to avoid the figure. If she didn't try to stop him, all would be well.
If a fight broke out, he was prepared to risk everything.
"My dear senior fairy, I am just passing through. If I have disturbed you, I ask for your forgiveness," Qi Yuan said politely.
The woman remained motionless, showing no response.
Then, with a flash of red light, a ring-shaped magic weapon shot toward him. Wrapped in flames, its crimson glow radiated an eerie aura.
The moment Qi Yuan recognized the weapon, his expression hardened. Without hesitation, he unleashed his top-tier magic weapon—the Poison Dragon Sword. Like a venomous black serpent, it lunged forward as if ready to devour its prey.
When the two weapons collided, they sparked violently.
The Vermillion Bird Ring. Nangong Wan.
Qi Yuan's eyes narrowed. This magic weapon had left a deep impression on him back in the Blood Forbidden Land.
But why was she here?
"Uncle Nangong, if there's something we need to discuss, let's talk it over. Why attack me the moment we meet?"
As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he respectfully addressed a Core Formation cultivator as "Uncle Master."
"Hmph…"
Nangong Wan turned around, her expression cold. When she saw that her magic weapon was evenly matched with Qi Yuan's, a flicker of surprise crossed her face. She then examined his cultivation and, to her satisfaction, noted his progress.
Five years had passed.
She had once been deceived by him, and he had even gifted her a thousand-year-old elixir. If his growth had been disappointing, she would have torn him to pieces.
Qi Yuan couldn't help but admire her beauty once more. Nangong Wan's clear, icy features had only grown more enchanting over the years. Now, with the authority of a leader overseeing significant affairs of the six sects, she carried an air of dominance.
A silent challenge, a sense of conquest, radiated from her.
"You little brat, how dare you lie to me? Today, I must make you pay," Nangong Wan said maliciously.
The Vermillion Bird Ring glowed red once more, knocking aside the Poison Dragon Sword before charging straight at Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan grimaced and quickly summoned a small tower from his mouth. The tower hovered in the air, releasing layers of mysterious light that formed a protective shield.
Nangong Wan looked unimpressed. As long as it wasn't a magic weapon, nothing could withstand her Vermillion Bird Ring.
With a loud clang, the ring struck the Thousand Mountains Tower, instantly tearing a hole in its thick light shield before continuing its relentless assault.
Qi Yuan's face paled. The impact from the magic weapon was unbearable.
Realizing that Nangong Wan wasn't actually trying to kill him, he quickly pleaded, "Uncle Nangong, please, stop!"
Perched atop the boulder, Nangong Wan remained silent, and the Vermillion Bird Ring continued its attacks as if she hadn't heard his surrender.
"Sister Wan'er, stop it!" Qi Yuan shouted.
A hint of delight flickered across Nangong Wan's cold face, but she quickly masked it. Raising her jade hand, she recalled the Vermillion Bird Ring and watched him quietly.
Really? It only works if I call you 'Sister'…
Qi Yuan clutched his chest, regulating his breathing to steady his internal energy. After a moment, he flew beneath the boulder and smiled. "I wonder, Sister Wan'er, what brings you here? Why block my path in this remote wilderness?"
A question lingered in his mind. He had stayed in Yuanwu Kingdom all this time—how had Nangong Wan found him?
"You're asking me why?"
Nangong Wan leaped down, grabbed Qi Yuan's ear, and scolded him. "You little scoundrel, you used a thousand-year-old elixir to trick me and secretly orchestrated the six sects to annihilate Spirit Beast Mountain! Do you know how much trouble that caused?"
Qi Yuan winced as she twisted his ear. Enduring the pain, he quickly explained, "I did tell you, Sister Wan'er, but you didn't believe me. Seeing that you still cared for Elder Linghu, I simply went with the flow."
"You have no idea how dangerous that was! If I hadn't been cautious and decided to investigate first instead of reporting it directly to the sect, I wouldn't have been able to cover for you. If they had discovered the truth, you wouldn't have survived!" Nangong Wan said angrily.
Not only had he lied, but simply possessing a thousand-year-old elixir would have been enough for the sect elders to torture him for answers.
Using the elixirs along with the resources obtained from Spirit Beast Mountain, Nangong Wan had broken through from early to mid-stage Core Formation. Her cultivation speed showed no signs of slowing. If she had the chance to retrieve the golden treasure chest from the Blood Forbidden Land, her progress would be even faster.
"Sister Wan'er, could you let go of my ear first? It would make our conversation much easier," Qi Yuan said with a pained expression.
With a cold snort, Nangong Wan released him. Crossing her arms, she glared at him.
Qi Yuan rubbed his ear, his expression turning serious. "I admit I wasn't careful enough back then, and I made you worry. But this outcome isn't so bad, is it? No one knows that I was behind it. As long as you don't say anything, I'll remain safe."
"And what if I decide to kill you myself?" Nangong Wan said grimly.
Qi Yuan suddenly embraced her from behind, his hands wrapping around her soft figure. With a whisper in her ear, he asked, "Would you really be willing to?"
Nangong Wan gasped softly. She hesitated for a moment before shoving him back with her arm. "Why wouldn't I? It's not like I can't bear to part with you."
Qi Yuan tightened his hold, entwining his fingers with hers. "Then why did Sister Wan'er come all this way to find me in the middle of the night? It's been five years… I missed you."
Nangong Wan's heart softened at his words. Beneath her dark brows, her clear eyes shimmered with emotion.
She had spent the past five years longing for him, dreaming of his presence, aching for his touch.
Finally, after gathering intelligence on his whereabouts, she had tracked him down.
She had come alone—to end five years of waiting.
And to make him call her 'Sister.'
Calling her 'Uncle Master' made her feel old.
This scoundrel really deserved a beating…
(End of chapter)