Nangong Wan's Kindness

For the Qi Refinement disciples of the seven sects inside the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land, five days felt like years. But for the higher-ups of the seven sects outside, all of whom were at least Foundation Establishment cultivators, it was merely enough time to regulate their breath and rest with their eyes closed.

On the fifth day, after Fang Yu had deliberately tried to befriend her, Nangong Wan—who had previously conversed with him quite amiably—directly sent him away. She told him to return to Yellow Maple Valley's territory and, preferably, stay beside Li Huayuan, who had just opened the passage to the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land.

Upon hearing Nangong Wan's suggestion, Fang Yu immediately understood her meaning. He cupped his hands in thanks and obediently went to stand beside Li Huayuan.

Li Huayuan had no objections to this. Instead, he felt somewhat reassured, though he still hoped they could win.

On the other side, Qiong Old Monster soon appeared as well. When he saw Nangong Wan, delight first appeared on his face. But when he realized she was alone, his expression stiffened again. He then sent a voice transmission to Rainbow Robed Fairy, who was seated with her eyes closed, restoring her True Essence and spiritual power.

"What? You mean Junior Sister Nangong did not enter the forbidden land? Why? If she does not go in, who can keep those little brats in the sect under control? If they do not work together, how can they obtain more spirit herbs and complete the sect's mission? This is sheer nonsense!"

Qiong Old Monster's face turned livid as he spoke furiously. Yet no matter how much anger he harbored, he did not dare vent it on Nangong Wan. After all, Nangong Wan was the Moon-Covering Sect's Grand Elder.

The Moon-Covering Sect's Grand Elder was also his senior sister. After their many senior sisters and brothers had fallen or passed away in meditation, only the two of them remained, so they were naturally quite close.

He had watched Nangong Wan grow up. Although they were both Core Formation cultivators of the Moon-Covering Sect, she was essentially no different from a junior in his eyes. He had no children or disciples of his own, so he felt considerable elderly affection toward Nangong Wan.

"It was Senior Sister's own decision, so it would not be appropriate for me to say much. As for the wager, this little sister can do nothing about it. I hope Senior Brother will forgive me."

Rainbow Robed Fairy opened her beautiful eyes, her jade-like face full of innocence. She gave a graceful bow and spoke.

"If this old man loses, the talisman treasure I painstakingly refined will go to those two fellows from Yellow Maple Valley and the Clear Void Sect."

At those words, unwilling fury surged in Qiong Old Monster's eyes as he spoke coldly.

Seeing this, Li Huayuan and Fuyunzi exchanged a glance, their eyes gaining a few traces of delight.

Though they did not know what Qiong Old Monster and Rainbow Robed Fairy had discussed, it was most likely related to the wager. Moreover, Qiong Old Monster no longer seemed as certain of victory as before.

This naturally pleased them greatly. They looked once more at Fang Yu and Nangong Wan of the Moon-Covering Sect. Though they remained curious about Nangong Wan's identity, they could now be certain that she was one of the Moon-Covering Sect's most important figures, perhaps even someone capable of deciding the outcome of the wager.

With that thought, Li Huayuan found Fang Yu increasingly pleasing to the eye. If Fang Yu had not already become Lei Wanhe's disciple, he would have wanted to accept him as his own.

At that moment, Fuyunzi quietly appeared beside Li Huayuan and said with a low laugh, "Fellow Daoist Li, it seems Qiong Old Monster is not confident of winning either."

"Indeed."

Li Huayuan nodded with a faint smile.

"What exactly happened?"

Qiong Old Monster asked unwillingly.

This time, Qiong Old Monster did not question Rainbow Robed Fairy or Nangong Wan. Instead, he questioned the other Moon-Covering Sect stewards who had come along.

How could they dare conceal anything? They could only recount everything they had seen, one detail at a time.

Soon after, Fang Yu, who was resting with his eyes closed not far from Li Huayuan, sensed a cold gaze upon him. He did not need to think to know who it belonged to.

Still, he did not care much. To him, it was nothing significant.

After all, he had already decided to find a way to obtain some formations from Xin Ruyin in the Yuanwu Kingdom, especially the Five-Elements Reversal Formation. That would provide his cave dwelling with some protection. It was not that he feared Qiong Old Monster; he simply wished to cultivate in peace.

Now, Nangong Wan had also reluctantly agreed to help him cultivate, though she would have to wait until she recovered the strength of a Core Formation cultivator.

Still, he needed to be careful. Nangong Wan was a woman, and her tolerance did not seem especially broad.

Therefore, he had to proceed cautiously.

At that moment, Li Huayuan also noticed the fury in Qiong Old Monster's gaze. Without drawing attention to himself, he stepped in front of Fang Yu and blocked Qiong Old Monster's line of sight.

It was clearly an attitude of: He is under my protection!

Although he was not Qiong Old Monster's match, Li Huayuan could still protect a disciple of his own sect.

"Hmph!"

Seeing this, Qiong Old Monster snorted coldly. He would not stoop to attacking a mere Foundation Establishment disciple, especially one who was Lei Wanhe's disciple.

Lei Wanhe was one of the few Core Formation cultivators among the seven sects of the Yue Kingdom whom he somewhat feared. His lightning-attributed divine abilities and magic treasures were simply too powerful. If Lei Wanhe advanced to late Core Formation, even Qiong Old Monster would have to fear him somewhat.

Seeing that Qiong Old Monster was no longer paying attention, Li Huayuan finally relaxed. He turned his head and gave Fang Yu, who was still resting with his eyes closed, a rather helpless look before warning him through voice transmission.

"Martial Nephew, do not casually leave the sect for the next few years."

"Yes, this disciple understands. Thank you, Uncle."

Fang Yu opened his eyes, rose to his feet, and bowed in thanks.

Li Huayuan nodded slightly and said nothing more.

Fang Yu, meanwhile, inconspicuously looked toward Nangong Wan, who was watching the passage.

She sensed his gaze as well and gave him a slight nod.

Their interactions over the past few days had left her with a good impression of Fang Yu. Setting aside everything else, his appearance was unmatched, and his insights into cultivation were unconventional, surprising her and bringing her no small gains. Naturally, she viewed him more highly.

The only thing that dissatisfied her was that Fang Yu had asked her to do him a small favor after she recovered her strength, yet he had not said what that favor was. He had only said they would discuss it later.

She had not refused, but neither had she agreed. She had merely said she would see.

After all, who knew whether Fang Yu might make some excessive request?

However, once she regained her Core Formation cultivation, whether she agreed or not would be entirely up to her.

Still, it would take at least another year or so before her reincarnation period ended. Once she recovered, advancing to the middle stage of Core Formation would become much easier. At most, she would need a few years to break through the bottleneck and enter the middle stage of Core Formation.

At that moment, a familiar figure blocked her view. It was Qiong Old Monster.

"Junior Sister, who exactly is that boy from Yellow Maple Valley? Why would you refuse to enter the forbidden land because of him?"

Qiong Old Monster asked, his face full of confusion.

"Senior Brother misunderstands. It was not because of him. This little sister merely suddenly received a spiritual warning and felt that the forbidden land was dangerous, which is why I decided not to go. I hope Senior Brother will forgive me."

Nangong Wan gently shook her head and gave the explanation she had prepared long ago.

However, Qiong Old Monster did not believe her. His eyes shifted, and he suddenly asked, "Could it be that the boy from Yellow Maple Valley said the forbidden land was dangerous, and that was why Junior Sister decided not to enter?"

As soon as he said this, Nangong Wan's expression remained unchanged.

"That is not the case. It was only this little sister's spiritual warning. As for Martial Nephew Fang of Yellow Maple Valley, he merely has some history with this little sister."