The Secret Meeting of the Southern Lords

1,803 words

"Forgive me for keeping you waiting, Lord Nanlong!" Han Li exchanged a few pleasantries before being ushered by Nanlong Hou into the stone room.

The scene inside made Han Li pause. The room was empty, not a single person in sight.

But a sweep of his spiritual sense immediately detected the fluctuations of a restriction within the room.

At the same moment, Nanlong Hou also noticed Han Li's action. With a faint smile, he said, "A trivial trick like this of mine naturally cannot fool Fellow Daoist. Please follow me, Fellow Daoist Han."

As he spoke, Nanlong Hou casually formed a hand seal, and a beam of golden light shot out from his sleeve.

After the golden light passed, an inconspicuous section of the stone floor suddenly flashed with white light. The illusion vanished, and a set of dark stone steps abruptly appeared.

Without another word, Nanlong Hou descended. Han Li furrowed his brow for a moment, then, with no further hesitation, followed him down.

The stone steps were very short. He had barely taken a step before he found himself in a modestly sized underground hall. The soft white light of a several moonlight stones cast a dim, shifting illumination over the space, making it difficult to see clearly.

Seven or eight cultivators were already present inside. Six were seated, while a man and a woman stood side-by-side, appearing to be together.

As soon as Nanlong Hou and Han Li entered, all of them turned their gazes over.

"It's you!"

The standing man's face changed dramatically at the sight of Han Li, and he exclaimed aloud in shock.

His voice suggested he recognized Han Li.

Startled for a moment, Han Li's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he focused on the face of this late Core Formation cultivator.

What met his eyes was an unforgettable silver mask. Upon seeing this, Han Li was taken aback for a moment before a faint, sardonic smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

This man was none other than the Young Master of the Ghost Spirit Sect, the very man who had once hounded him to the brink of death. It was the same silver mask, and beneath it, the same face, but it now bore a hint of worldly weariness and a trace of shock and anger, replacing the youthful arrogance of years past.

"I never expected to meet an old acquaintance here. This is quite a surprise."

"How is this possible? You… you've formed a Nascent Soul?"

The Ghost Spirit Sect Young Master's voice was somewhat hoarse compared to before, but the fear in his tone was unmistakable to everyone present.

"What's the matter? Do you know this fellow daoist?" A black-robed man seated in front of Wang Chan suddenly asked coldly.

"Second Uncle, this is the Huang Maple Valley cultivator named Han I told you about. He was the one who…"

"Enough. Fellow Daoist Han is now a Nascent Soul cultivator. Why would he bother with a junior like you?" The man, clad in a black shirt and possessing the refined features of a middle-aged scholar, interrupted with a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He cut him off without any hesitation.

Then, turning to Han Li with a gentle smile, he spoke in a cordial tone, "I am Wang Tiangu of the Ghost Spirit Sect. My nephew was young and reckless back then and committed many offenses. But I hope, for my sake, that you will let bygones be bygones."

The way he spoke implied he was more than a little aware of the situation between Han Li and Wang Chan.

"My dealings with Young Friend Wang were merely a trivial matter. It's been many years, so why would I still hold a grudge? You worry too much, Fellow Daoist Wang." Han Li glanced at the black-robed man and let out a light laugh, as if he truly intended to let bygones be bygones.

But inwardly, he sneered coldly.

This Ghost Spirit Sect Young Master had nearly killed him more than once back then, and had even forced him to risk a teleportation to escape the Heavenly South. This grudge was not something so easily dismissed.

If it weren't for the presence of so many Nascent Soul cultivators, and the sect master of the Ghost Spirit Sect being here as well, he would have taken the man's life on the spot.

For now, he had to see who the others were and if any of them were from the demonic path.

Otherwise, he might not get his revenge; instead, he could end up being ganged up on and destroyed.

"Haha! So Fellow Daoist Han is originally from Huang Maple Valley. I had thought you were just a wandering cultivator from the Falling Cloud Sect. But it's good that you can set aside past grievances. After all, I invited you all here precisely to avoid such unpleasantness," Nanlong Hou interjected at this opportune moment.

Hearing this, Wang Tiangu smiled faintly. A man of his deep schemes would not easily believe Han Li's words.

Thus, he nodded and said in what seemed like a casual manner, "Fellow Daoist, your broad-mindedness is admirable. Wang is truly impressed. But rest assured, Fellow Daoist Han. After I return, I will severely punish my nephew. What I find incredibly hard to believe, however, is that you've advanced from the Foundation Establishment stage to the Nascent Soul stage in just under two centuries. It's truly astonishing. I imagine that in a few more centuries, it wouldn't be impossible to reach the late Nascent Soul stage. We, with our dull aptitudes, are far from your equal."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of all the cultivators present, including Nanlong Hou, changed.

Han Li inwardly cursed, his hatred for this Ghost Spirit Sect cultivator growing to the point of grinding his teeth.

Though the man's words were a compliment, with this single statement, he had thrust Han Li into the spotlight as a target for all.

"Fellow Daoist, you are not yet three hundred years old?" asked a swarthy man sitting in the corner after a moment of silence, his tone peculiar.

"You flatter me, Sect Master Wang. I've only just formed my Nascent Soul. How could I presume to aspire to the late Nascent Soul stage, which is a matter of several centuries from now?" Han Li replied lightly, sweeping his gaze over everyone in the room.

It was then that he noticed, besides Wang Chan, the stunningly beautiful young woman beside him was also a late Core Formation cultivator, standing next to Wang Tiangu along with Wang Chan.

Her composed demeanor suggested she was no ordinary female cultivator.

He remembered hearing that the Yan family, once the leading clan of the Yue Kingdom, had immediately joined the Ghost Spirit Sect after fleeing Yue Kingdom, marrying their genius with a Heavenly Spiritual Root, Yan Ruyan, to Wang Chan.

Could this be her? Han Li couldn't help but wonder.

As for the other six, they were all Nascent Soul cultivators. One of them, a white-robed, beardless old man, was even at the mid-Nascent Soul stage, just like Nanlong Hou.

Han Li took a closer look at this man, and as his gaze met the old man's, a chill abruptly ran through him. That single glance was as cold as ice, seeming to pierce his heart. Han Li’s heart tightened with caution. On the surface, however, he unhurriedly turned his head slightly, seemingly casually averting his gaze.

Seeing this, the old man's lips curled into a faint smile.

By now, Nanlong Hou had returned to a normal demeanor and invited Han Li to sit.

Without standing on ceremony, Han Li found an empty chair and sat down calmly. Then, he cast a meaningful glance at the flickering, uneasy eyes of Wang Chan.

Having Wang Tiangu present, this Ghost Spirit Sect Young Master, though still inwardly horrified, had regained his composure. However, his gaze at Han Li naturally held an indescribable sense of deep wariness.

An old opponent who had once been at the same level as him had now soared to the skies, forming a Nascent Soul. This was a development that filled him with both shock and anger, as well as bitter jealousy. As for Yan Ruyan, she cast a few more glances at Han Li, her eyes clear and bright, betraying no hint of what she was thinking.

Seeing this, Han Li let out a cold laugh and paid them no further attention.

Nanlong Hou, acting as the host, stood in the center and spoke with a serious expression.

"Several of you are righteous path cultivators, some are from demonic sects, and others are lone wandering cultivators. But one thing is common to all of you: your spiritual sense is exceptionally powerful. This is precisely why I invited you all here. Some of you already know the general outline of the matter, but most of you haven't been informed yet. Therefore, I will now explain the details once more. After that, you can each decide whether to participate. If you are unwilling, I will absolutely not insist."

Hearing this, Han Li perked up, knowing the main topic was about to begin.

"Heh! Never mind the others. But what's the meaning of having these two juniors from the Ghost Spirit Sect here? Don't tell me their spiritual sense can compare to ours." A cold-faced cultivator sitting across from the black-robed man spoke abruptly, without any warning. As he spoke, he stared at Wang Tiangu with an unfriendly gaze, seeming to have some sort of issue with him.

Seeing this, Han Li's heart stirred.

"Fellow Daoist You, you've misjudged the situation this time. Although their cultivation is not high, they are masters of a secret technique. When they join forces, they can combine their spiritual senses, and for a short time, it is not inferior to ours. It's not easy to find cultivators as powerful in spiritual sense as we are. Several of you have either cultivated certain techniques, are naturally gifted in this area, or possess treasures that can strengthen your spiritual sense. Otherwise, I wouldn't have done something so pointless," Nanlong Hou said confidently, as if he had anticipated this.

"In that case, consider my words unsaid," the cold-faced cultivator said expressionlessly.

The other cultivators had no objections either, turning their attention to Nanlong Hou, ready to hear what he had to say.

"The purpose of gathering you all here today is actually to invite you to accompany me on a trip to the Moulan Plains," Nanlong Hou began slowly, after sweeping his gaze over everyone present.

"The Moulan Plains?"

The moment these words left Nanlong Hou's mouth, a chill ran through the hearts of most of those present.

Han Li's expression also changed dramatically.

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Reading Guide Decoding

Grudges, Masks, and the Call to the Moulan Plains

Cultural / Xianxia Notes

The Reunion of Enemies in Xianxia: In the cultivation world, there's no statute of limitations on grudges. A slight from a hundred years ago is as fresh as yesterday, and a debt of blood is not wiped away by time—it's merely deferred until power shifts. Han Li's internal conflict here is quintessential Mortal Stream logic: he wants to kill Wang Chan, but he can't because of the political calculus. This is not about "forgiveness" or "moving on." It's about cold, rational risk management. Han Li's silence is not a sign of a softened heart; it's a tactical decision to survive the night.

The Southern Border's Secret Meeting: This gathering is a classic xianxia trope: a high-risk, invitation-only expedition announced by a powerful elder. The cultivators are not friends. They are temporary, suspicious allies of convenience, bound by nothing but the promise of treasure and the threat of mutual destruction. Nanlong Hou is gambling that their combined power will succeed where a single sect cannot. The fact that he has to search for cultivators with "powerful spiritual sense" rather than raw cultivation level hints that this expedition requires something more delicate than brute force.

The Moulan Plains: A mere mention of this name sends a chill through the room. The Moulan Plains are not a vacation spot. They are the domain of the Moulan Spiritualists, a rival civilization of cultivators who practice a different, "Spiritual Arts" school of magic. Crossing into their territory is an act of war. An expedition there is not a treasure hunt; it's a military incursion into hostile, uncharted territory where the rules of engagement are entirely unknown.

Chapter Overview

Gather 'round, fellow Daoists, because this chapter is a masterclass in everything we love about A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality: cold reunions, tactical poker faces, and the beautiful, agonizing tension of not being able to immediately kill the guy who once tried to kill you. Our boy Han Li has just sauntered into a secret meeting hosted by Nanlong Hou, only to find a ghost from his past waiting with a silver mask and a sickening jolt of fear. The Ghost Spirit Sect Young Master—Wang Chan, the man who hunted him across the Heavenly South and forced that desperate teleportation escape over a century ago—is standing right there. Except now, Han Li is a Nascent Soul cultivator, and Wang Chan is still stuck in Core Formation. The air freezes. Old grudges flare. And our favorite pragmatic predator has to decide, in the span of a heartbeat, whether to indulge in sweet, sweet vengeance or to play the long game. Spoiler: he plays the long game, because he's Han Li. But the chapter isn't just a dramatic reunion. It's also the beginning of a new high-stakes expedition, as Nanlong Hou unveils the real reason for this invitation-only gathering. Get ready for a chapter that perfectly balances character payoff, political tension, and the promise of a legendary adventure.

Key Plot Points

The Underground Hall: Nanlong Hou leads Han Li through a concealed illusion into an underground hall where several other cultivators await. The guest list is a mix of righteous path, demonic path, and rogue cultivators, all bearing one common trait: exceptionally powerful spiritual sense.
The Ghost from the Past: Among the group is Wang Chan, the Ghost Spirit Sect Young Master who once hunted Han Li across the Heavenly South. Upon recognizing Han Li, he is visibly shocked and terrified to find his former prey is now a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Wang Tiangu's Intervention: Wang Tiangu, a mid-Core Formation cultivator and Wang Chan's second uncle, steps in to defuse the tension. He offers a polite apology for his nephew's past actions, but Han Li recognizes it for what it is: a tactical move to neutralize a potential threat in a room full of enemies.
The Age Trap: Wang Tiangu subtly "praises" Han Li for his rapid cultivation in under two centuries, deliberately painting him as an anomaly to put him on the spot. Han Li catches the trap and downplays his achievement, but the damage is done—the other cultivators now eye him with a mix of suspicion and interest.
The Northern Stallion: The cold-faced cultivator, You, questions why two Core Formation juniors are present. Nanlong Hou explains they possess a secret technique to merge their spiritual senses temporarily, making them as capable as the Nascent Soul cultivators.
Nanlong Hou's Big Reveal: With all his guests assembled, Nanlong Hou finally announces the purpose of the gathering: an expedition to the Moulan Plains. The very mention of the name sends ripples of shock through the room.

Reading Guide

This chapter is a masterclass in tension management. It's not about explosions; it's about the silent daggers behind polite words. Pay close attention to the micro-expressions. The brief flicker of fear in Wang Chan's eyes. The calculated, faint smile on Wang Tiangu's face as he "apologizes." The almost imperceptible chill that passes between Han Li and the white-robed elder. Every gesture, every pause, every carefully chosen word is a move in a larger chess game. This is the cultivation world in its purest form: not a world of honorable masters, but a world of apex predators sizing each other up before the true hunt begins.

Also, note how the narrative externalizes Han Li's growth. He doesn't tell us he's powerful. The shocked reaction of his old enemy, the careful deference of Wang Tiangu, and the wary glances of the other Nascent Soul cultivators do that work for him. His threat level is now so high that a single room of powerful cultivators is collectively trying to gauge him. That's a level of influence that transcends any boast.

Finally, this chapter sets up the real story arc for this volume. Nanlong Hou's expedition to the Moulan Plains is not a side quest. Given the diversity of the guest list and the secrecy of the invitation, whatever lies in store on the plains is big enough to unite enemies and make them work, however temporarily, towards a common goal. The stage is set for a breathtaking new chapter in Han Li's journey.