A Name Known Far and Wide – Nangong

“But, Master-Uncle, when I recently left the mountain to purchase supplies, I accidentally encountered an unfathomably powerful Senior. He insisted that I deliver an item to Ancestral Master Nangong, and placed a restriction on my body. He said that only Ancestral Master Nangong could remove it.” Han Li’s face instantly twisted into a miserable expression.

“Senior? A Core Formation cultivator?” The fair-skinned cultivator was taken aback, his voice tinged with suspicion.

“This disciple would not presume to know. However, he claimed to be an old acquaintance of Ancestral Master Nangong. Having heard that the day of the Ancestral Master’s happy occasion was near, he wished to send a congratulatory gift. He also had a few words for me to convey directly to the Ancestral Master.” Han Li’s face fell, as if he were acting under duress.

“An old acquaintance of the Ancestral Master? Could he be another Nascent Soul Senior?” This time, it was the other, rougher-looking cultivator who spoke, a hint of surprise in his voice.

“That is possible. But if this Senior has already arrived here, why did he not come up the mountain to deliver the gift himself?” The fair-skinned cultivator was puzzled despite his initial shock.

“Who knows! Perhaps this Senior had other pressing matters, or perhaps it was inconvenient for him. Disciple Yuan, extend your hand. Let me first examine the restriction within your body!” After hazarding a couple of guesses, the rougher cultivator addressed Han Li without ceremony.

Han Li had anticipated this. Unflustered, he obediently extended an arm. At the same time, he subtly agitated the spiritual power within his body, simulating a bizarre magical restriction.

The cultivator grasped Han Li’s wrist and concentrated for a moment, then a look of shock spread across his face.

The fair-skinned cultivator, now curious, also placed two fingers on Han Li’s arm. Soon after, his expression underwent a similar dramatic change.

“Indeed, a powerful restriction has been placed on your body. Judging by its complexity, it is very likely the work of a Nascent Soul cultivator. However, this alone is not sufficient for us to permit you up the mountain. First, produce the Senior’s gift. One of us will deliver it on your behalf, to first verify if he is truly an old acquaintance of Ancestral Master Nangong. If the Ancestral Master recognizes him and wishes to see you, only then may you ascend the mountain. Disciple Yuan, do you understand?” The fair-skinned cultivator’s expression was stern, but his tone softened slightly.

Hearing this, Han Li wore a bitter expression. After a moment of thought, he nodded in agreement.

“That is acceptable. However, Master-Uncle, you must make it clear to the Ancestral Master that this disciple has been placed under a restriction!” Han Li took a long wooden box from his storage pouch and handed it over, adding this concern.

The lid of the box was sealed with a faintly silver talisman. From the spiritual energy fluctuations it emitted, it appeared to be of no small importance.

Clearly, this was a precaution to prevent the person delivering it from sneaking a peek along the way.

“Acknowledged. Wait here. Martial Nephew Ma, I will return shortly!” The fair-skinned cultivator said impatiently to Han Li, then instructed the other cultivator before rising into the air on his artifact, the wooden box in hand.

Han Li could only stand where he was and wait.

He was confident that Nangong Wan would see him upon seeing the contents of the box. Yet, as the moment drew near, a sliver of anxiety crept into his heart.

He feigned disinterest, making idle conversation with the remaining Foundation Establishment cultivator to fend off his questions. When the other cultivator asked about the appearance of the ‘Senior’ who had entrusted the gift, Han Li brushed it off by saying the man had been wearing a cloak, making it impossible to even tell their gender.

After waiting for the duration of a full meal, the fair-skinned cultivator finally returned, his hands empty.

“Ancestral Master Nangong has spoken. That person is indeed an old friend of hers. You may follow me to see the Ancestral Master, and your restriction will be lifted as well.” The fair-skinned cultivator was direct and efficient. With these few short words, he motioned for Han Li to follow him up the mountain.

Overjoyed but ensuring his face displayed only excitement, Han Li followed closely behind the fair-skinned cultivator, flying upward on his artifact.

“Be careful. Do not stray from the path. The restrictions here are far more severe than in the middle layers. Even I would have absolutely no chance of survival if I were trapped within.” The fair-skinned cultivator warned coolly as he led the way.

Han Li naturally expressed his understanding repeatedly.

Just then, a streak of azure light shot towards them from ahead. The fair-skinned cultivator seemed to recognize the owner of the light. His expression respectful, he steered his artifact aside and stood with his hands clasped in a deferential posture.

In an instant, the light arrived before them. It paused for a moment, revealing a sinister-faced, middle-aged cultivator in brocade robes.

“Martial Nephew Sun, why are you bringing a Qi Condensation disciple to the summit? Do you not know the rules here?” The brocade-robed cultivator swept his gaze over Han Li and spoke coldly, his face devoid of expression.

“Uncle-Master Lan, this disciple is acting on the orders of Ancestral Master Nangong to bring this disciple up the mountain. Otherwise, I would never dare to do such a thing, no matter how bold I was.” The fair-skinned cultivator seemed to hold the brocade-robed cultivator in great awe and immediately explained.

By now, Han Li had carefully scanned the man with his spiritual sense. This middle-aged cultivator in brocade was merely an early Core Formation cultivator, nothing to be concerned about. Despite this thought, Han Li maintained a respectful demeanor on the surface, not daring to speak carelessly.

“Ancestral Master Nangong wishes to see this man? What is the meaning of this? Explain it to me.” The brocade-robed cultivator was stunned for a moment before asking with surprise.

“It is like this. This martial nephew, Yuan…” The fair-skinned cultivator, whether out of fear of concealing the truth or because he found the matter trivial, recounted Han Li’s story once more.

“An old friend of Ancestral Master Nangong, with a restriction placed on his body?” The brocade-robed cultivator’s brow furrowed slightly, and his gaze, sharp as a blade, suddenly fell upon Han Li’s face.

“Let me see this restriction on your body!” The brocade-robed cultivator ordered unceremoniously.

Cursing the man for meddling, Han Li could only comply and step forward with a resigned expression.

“Hmm! It is indeed peculiar. But although the restriction is complex, it is not malicious. It seems that person bears no ill intent. You may go and see Ancestral Master Nangong!” The brocade-robed cultivator, after grasping Han Li’s wrist for a moment and probing, nodded.

Then, ignoring them, his body shone with light as he transformed into a faint azure streak, flying directly down the mountain. After a moment, his light dimmed and blurred, suddenly becoming formless and vanishing without a trace.

“Uncle-Master Lan’s Formless Evasion Art is a classic case of the student surpassing the master. Although he is only at the early Core Formation stage, I imagine even a late Core Formation cultivator would find it difficult to pin him down!” Once the brocade-robed Core Formation cultivator had left, the fair-skinned cultivator let out a deep breath and muttered to himself, gazing at the spot where the light had disappeared.

Han Li’s heart stirred at these words.

‘Formless Evasion Art.’

Could this man be related to the ‘Old Man Qiong’ who had appeared before the Blood Forbidden Trial? Perhaps he was a disciple or descendant of that old monster?

Han Li was slightly surprised.

Then, the fair-skinned cultivator relaxed his expression and once again led Han Li forward on his artifact.

Han Li put the matter of the brocade-robed cultivator out of his mind.

There were, after all, very few high-level cultivators residing at the topmost level of Lingshan Mountain.

Apart from the brocade-robed cultivator they had met at the start, the two encountered no one else before arriving at a cave dwelling near the very summit of the peak.

“This is Ancestral Master Nangong’s secluded cultivation dwelling! When you answer her questions, be careful. Perhaps, besides dispelling the restriction, Ancestral Master Nangong might bestow some other reward upon you!” The fair-skinned cultivator said with some envy.

Then, turning around, he respectfully sent his voice through the main gate:

“Ancestral Master, this disciple has brought the person.”

“Mm, I know. Let the disciple enter on his own. You may withdraw first.” A woman’s voice, sounding both familiar and strange to Han Li, came faintly from behind the stone door. Then, a yellow light flickered on the cave entrance, and the stone door opened by itself.

Han Li did not hesitate and strode inside.

To his slight surprise, behind the stone door stood a beautiful, yellow-clad female cultivator with short sleeves. She appeared quite young, only sixteen or seventeen years old, yet she had already successfully formed her Foundation, possessing early-stage cultivation.

“Follow me. The Ancestral Master is waiting for you in the main hall.” The female cultivator gave Han Li, disguised as Yuan Kun, two glances. Finding nothing remarkable, she said this coldly, then turned and walked deep into the cave dwelling.

Han Li took a deep breath and silently followed.

Nangong Wan’s cave dwelling was not very large. The pretty female cultivator led Han Li down a short corridor, passed through a couple of modest rooms, and arrived at what could be called the main hall.

The hall was decorated with elegance and refinement. An unknown incense burned in a corner. At the entrance stood two antique, low shelves, each holding two pots of rare and precious exotic herbs, their leaves a lush, dripping green.

In the very center of the hall was a small, square, delicate wooden table, with a pale green wicker chair on each side.

Sitting in one of the chairs was a young woman in white, with jet-black hair. She was looking down at an object in her hands: a huge, silver-glittering greatsword.

On the small wooden table beside her lay the wooden box, its lid half-open, now empty inside.