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Inside the main tent, Nangong Wan sat at the head seat, her phoenix eyes scanning the jade slips stacked before her. Reports of war filled the long chopping board, each one demanding swift decisions. With practiced efficiency, she reviewed the updates and issued orders to the female disciples below.
In recent years, she had been too preoccupied with war to focus on secluded cultivation, yet her strength continued to grow—something that made other Jindan cultivators envious.
A female disciple from the Six Sects entered, bowing respectfully. "Uncle Nangong, Uncle Hongfu's disciple, Qi Yuan, wishes to see you."
The jade slip in Nangong Wan's hand slipped from her fingers, landing with a soft clatter. Her serious expression briefly softened, a flicker of joy crossing her face. She quickly composed herself. "Take him to the right tent. Do not disturb me unless it is important."
The disciple, though confused by her reaction, bowed and withdrew. Nangong Wan's phoenix eyes flickered with thought. That brat had the audacity to disappear for years, leaving her to manage everything. Did he think he was some emperor, making her the master of his harem?
Qi Yuan sat on a pearwood chair, waiting, when a graceful figure entered the tent alone.
Nangong Wan.
He rose immediately, stepping forward, but she only cast him a cold glance before sitting in the main seat.
Angry. That was to be expected. She had taken on immense responsibilities while he was gone, waging war and managing countless affairs. He could understand her frustration.
Without hesitation, he raised his hand, setting up a barrier, then took her soft hand in his. "Sister Wan'er, you have worked hard these years."
She wanted to reprimand him, but his words caught her off guard. He understood her struggles. A trace of warmth crept into her voice. "What's so hard about taking care of women for you? Go have fun with them, don't worry about me."
She turned her head slightly to the side, pink lips pursed.
Qi Yuan chuckled. "Sister Wan'er is my dearest love. How could I ignore you?"
"Go on, who is your beloved?" Her cold expression wavered, a subtle joy in her gaze. Then, as if recalling something, she asked, "You came out of retreat so early. Did you fail to form your core?"
In the letters he had sent to the others, he had mentioned entering seclusion for core formation, partly to avoid unnecessary worries. Now, silence settled over him.
Seeing his downcast look, Nangong Wan sighed. The way he sat there, looking like a wounded lamb seeking comfort, stirred something in her. She softened, gently reassuring him. "You've only attempted once. If you failed, then so be it. When I have time, I'll find some treasures for you. You can try again in seclusion..."
Before she could finish, a powerful Jindan aura surged from him. Her long phoenix eyes widened in disbelief. She had been tricked again.
Her Vermillion Bird Ring trembled with fury.
With a swift motion, she summoned it. A crimson glow surged, ready to strike.
Qi Yuan, seizing the moment, caught her wrist and silenced her protest with a sudden kiss. The Vermillion Bird Ring clattered to the ground, releasing a faint, defeated cry.
It was unclear how much time passed.
Nangong Wan leaned into his embrace, her usually cold face radiant with a soft smile. He had succeeded. He had formed his core.
Since their time in the Blood Forbidden Land, a silent weight had settled in her heart. Now, that worry was gone.
Holding her close, Qi Yuan asked, "What happened with Yue Kingdom's last defeat?"
"You know?" Nangong Wan looked surprised before nodding. "The Six Demonic Sects are too strong. Luckily, no Nascent Soul cultivator intervened, or we would have had to flee and live under someone else's rule."
"What happened next?"
She grew solemn. "Though they came with overwhelming force, I am not one to be trampled on. I gathered intelligence, analyzed their routes, and launched a swift counterattack. We forced them to retreat, but we lost two Jindan cultivators and many foundation-building disciples. Meanwhile, none of their Jindan cultivators died, only their foundation-building disciples."
Her intelligence network had proven invaluable. Without it, Yue Kingdom might have already fallen.
Qi Yuan's gaze darkened. "If they launch another large-scale attack, won't it be dangerous?"
"Next time, we may have to abandon Yue Kingdom," she admitted, a rare trace of melancholy in her voice.
"Have you sought aid from the Righteous Alliance?"
"I sent requests several times," she said, irritated. "They evaded, delayed, and in the end, only sent a few token reinforcements. They act as if they have a tacit agreement with the Demonic Sects, expanding their own influence while we struggle to survive."
Qi Yuan's expression turned thoughtful. "When you send another request, hint—without stating it outright—that if they refuse, Yue will have no choice but to negotiate with the Six Demonic Sects. Let them realize the risk of Yue aligning with their enemies. If they truly understand what that means, they will have no choice but to act."
If the Righteous Alliance was drawn into open conflict, it would weaken them as much as the Demonic Sects. Even if they provided aid, they might refuse to withdraw once the battle ended.
Nangong Wan considered his words. It was worth trying. She had connections within the sect, and if she could convince the elders, they might sway the alliance.
"Senior Brother Qiong recently obtained rare spiritual medicines after the fall of Spirit Beast Mountain. He is in seclusion, attempting to break into the Nascent Soul stage. If he succeeds, our position will be much stronger."
Qi Yuan smirked. "Old monster Qiong in seclusion again? He was stuck at half-step Nascent Soul his whole life in the past. Let's see if he can break through this time."
Now that he had clarity on the war, Qi Yuan felt lighter. He pulled Nangong Wan close again, pressing another kiss to her lips.
She gave him a half-hearted glare before closing her eyes and tightening her arms around his neck.
A while later, she suddenly grabbed him by the collar, and in an instant, they vanished from the tent.
Qi Yuan blinked in surprise at the unfamiliar surroundings. Mountains and rivers stretched around them, the area remote and untouched.
"What is this place?"
Nangong Wan flicked her wrist, setting up multiple layers of restrictions. Her expression was unreadable as she spoke. "This is an uninhabited mountain. There are no spiritual medicines or treasures here, so no one comes searching." She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Now, take out your spirit rope."
Qi Yuan, confused but obedient, retrieved the soul-binding rope from his storage bag.
Her face flushed slightly as she reached for it, wiping off his mark and stamping her own soul imprint onto it. "You have too many women. I don't want this rope tying up another woman. From now on, it belongs to me."
Qi Yuan was stunned.
Nangong Wan, what are you thinking?
A flicker of memory surfaced, and realization dawned.
Without another word, he activated an inverted Five Elements Formation, sealing them from prying eyes.
Wan'er, you've changed. Out here in the wild, with the spirit rope…
(End of Chapter)