Chapter 54: Nangong Li

The sky grew ever darker. The thunder gradually subsided, yet the rain showed no sign of lessening, as though it would never cease. Beneath a few sparse, ancient trees at the foot of a mountain, on a smooth stone platform, reclined a young man dressed in white, about twenty years old, his appearance extraordinary.

Behind him, there was a cave the size of a room, surrounded by scattered rocks, as if it had just been opened.

“Half a year has passed. I wonder what has happened in the sect during this time. Brother Zhou Yi and Sister Tong are likely training diligently. Master, I must not disappoint you; not only will I meet your expectations, but I will astonish everyone. The sect competition’s first prize is the Spirit Transformation Pill—for a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, this pill is crucial for advancing to the Core Formation stage. I must obtain it.”

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen Yun Rou. I wonder what she’s doing now. And my parents—they must be doing well at home. I haven’t returned in ages; surely they miss me dearly. Once all these matters are settled, I’ll go home to see them and marry Rou. That will fulfill their deepest wish.”

Qiu Han’s expression softened, a gentle smile blossoming across his lips, full of joy and happiness. He gazed ahead for a long time...

“Boy, what are you daydreaming about? There’s something unusual a thousand miles ahead. Go see.”

Just as Qiu Han sat at the mouth of the cave, lost in thought as he watched the rain, a voice echoed within him—the voice of the middle-aged man who had retreated to the Immortal Extreme Compass’s space, unwilling to concern himself with Qiu Han any longer.

“No need to look. With your pitiful Qi Refining cultivation, your divine sense barely rivals that of an early Foundation Establishment cultivator. You can’t possibly see that far.”

The voice spoke again, this time with a hint of disdain.

“May I ask, esteemed elder, your name?”

Qiu Han heard this and remained calm, his head bowed in contemplation. After a moment, he suddenly spoke.

“My name is not for a mere Qi Refining junior like you to know!”

The voice was still filled with contempt, arrogance, and swagger.

Qiu Han forced a smile and shook his head. He did not begrudge the mysterious, eccentric middle-aged man—ever since he had declined the man’s offer to become his disciple, the man’s attitude had remained unchanged. Yet Qiu Han sensed that, for the time being, the man harbored no malice toward him.

He flew forward in silence. Suddenly, the middle-aged man’s voice rang out again: “When I roamed the Kunxu Realm in my youth, the cultivators here gave me a Dao title—‘Demonic Daoist.’ As for my true name...”

The voice seemed to drift into memory, accompanied by a sigh, before continuing.

“My real name is Nangong Li, of the Nangong family of Star Nangong in the Kunxu Realm. Nangong is a great surname; during its golden age, my ancestors once ruled the entire northern region of Kunxu and even named a cultivation star after our family. By the time I was born, the family had declined to the point of near extinction—only three remained in my generation. In my youth, I was hunted by cultivators who bore old grudges against my clan. By chance, I was rescued by an elder from a sect on Gathering Star, who took me as his disciple and brought me to his sect for training. Later, I discovered that besides my exceptional talent, the main reason he saved me was because my ancestors had once shown him great kindness. When my cultivation reached its peak, I found those who had hunted my family and destroyed them all. Yet the Nangong clan vanished from Kunxu entirely; with my strength alone, I could never bring it back.”

The voice faded into a sigh, then fell silent. Outside, all was as before. Qiu Han continued to fly through the sky at an unhurried pace. Hearing the mysterious man named Nangong Li recount his past, Qiu Han’s expression did not change; he gave no reply, as if he had not heard at all.

Yet his mind was stirred. Since Nangong Li’s appearance, Qiu Han had begun to learn of ancient matters, secrets he had never known, including those just revealed. Judging from Nangong Li’s tone, the story seemed genuine.

“He said earlier that he belonged to a sect on Gathering Star in the Kunxu Star Domain. Now he’s told me his name and family again. Comparing what he said, it doesn’t seem false. Since his appearance, he hasn’t mentioned returning the mysterious compass, only requiring me to guard his rebirth once I reach the Spirit Void stage. It seems he bears me no ill will.”

“But the man’s temperament is unpredictable; his words hint that he always acted as he pleased, caring little for right or wrong. His offer to take me as a disciple was a test, or perhaps...bait? In any case, I don’t know him well. Though he seems truthful, I can’t trust him completely. I must remain vigilant and reassess as we spend more time together.”

Qiu Han continued to fly, but his mind was busy, analyzing Nangong Li’s words, weighing their potential impact on his own life. He did not believe everything based on a few words alone. No longer the naive child he once was, his years of cultivation and natural intelligence made him far from an inexperienced youth.

After about an hour of flight, the rain gradually ceased, and the thick clouds dispersed, restoring brightness to the sky. In that hour, Qiu Han had flown hundreds of miles, and now his divine sense could faintly detect changes in the flow of celestial and spiritual energy ahead.

“There seem to be traces of battle ahead. Should I investigate? But if it’s high-level demon beasts fighting, they’ll surely notice me, and danger may follow. Yet, what would drive such beasts to battle? Could it be the birth of a rare spiritual treasure?”

Qiu Han slowed his flight, weighing risks and rewards. After a brief consideration, he made his decision.

“Fortune favors the bold. Whether or not a spiritual treasure is truly present, the bodies of two high-level beasts alone would be quite valuable. Judging from the level of spiritual energy fluctuations, it’s not too intense—likely just a pair of second-tier beasts, roughly at the Foundation Establishment stage. As long as I’m careful and don’t encounter a second-tier beast at the peak Foundation Establishment stage, I shouldn’t be in too much danger. Besides, I still have the life-saving technique gifted to me by my master.”

Thinking of this, Qiu Han touched the emerald ring on the middle finger of his left hand. Determination flashed in his eyes; no longer slowing, he darted swiftly forward.