"But when your Junior Nephew went down the mountain to purchase supplies this time, I accidentally encountered a senior whose cultivation depth is truly unfathomable. He insisted that I deliver an item to Ancestor Nangong and even placed a restriction on my body. He said that only Ancestor Nangong could remove it." Han Li instantly put on a distressed expression as he spoke.
"A senior! Is he a Core Formation cultivator?" The fair-skinned cultivator was startled upon hearing this and asked with some alarm.
"Ah, your Junior Nephew wouldn't know that. However, he claimed to be an old acquaintance of Ancestor Nangong. Hearing that the Ancestor's joyous day was approaching, he sent this gift along with a few words, asking me to convey them to the Ancestor personally." Han Li maintained a gloomy face, looking as if he had been forced into this.
"An old acquaintance of the Ancestor? Could he be some Nascent Soul stage senior as well?" This time, another cultivator, who looked rugged and coarse, also showed some surprise.
"That is possible indeed. But if this senior has already come this far, why didn't he deliver the gift personally up the mountain?" The fair-skinned cultivator, after his initial shock, grew somewhat puzzled.
"Who knows! Perhaps this senior has other urgent matters, or some inconvenience. Junior Nephew Yuan, extend your arm. Let me examine the restriction on your body first!" After a couple of guesses, the rugged cultivator spoke bluntly to Han Li.
Han Li had long anticipated this and showed no panic as he obediently extended one arm. At the same time, he circulated a surge of spiritual energy within his body to simulate a strange magical restriction.
The cultivator gripped Han Li's wrist, sensed for a moment, and a look of horror appeared on his face.
Seeing this, the fair-skinned cultivator also curiously placed two fingers on Han Li's arm. Shortly after, his expression changed drastically as well.
"Indeed, there is a powerful restriction placed on your body. Judging by its complexity, there's a good chance it was indeed set by a Nascent Soul cultivator. However, based on this alone, we two cannot easily let you go up the mountain. First, bring out that senior's gift. One of us will help deliver it. We need to verify if he truly is an old acquaintance of Ancestor Nangong. Only if the Ancestor recognizes him and is willing to see you, can you go up. Junior Nephew Yuan, do you understand?" The fair-skinned cultivator's expression turned serious, though his tone softened slightly.
Upon hearing this, Han Li's face was full of bitterness, but after a thought, he nodded in agreement.
"That works. However, Senior Uncle, you must make it clear to the Ancestor that your Junior Nephew has a restriction placed on him!" Han Li took out a long wooden box from the storage pouch at his waist, handed it over, and added with concern.
On the lid of the wooden box was affixed a pale silver restriction talisman. Judging by the fluctuation of spiritual energy, it seemed quite extraordinary.
It was obviously placed to prevent the delivery person from peeking during transit.
"I understand. Just wait here properly. Junior Brother Ma, I'll be back soon!" The fair-skinned cultivator first spoke to Han Li with some impatience, then gave an instruction to the other cultivator before flying off toward the mountain peak with the wooden box in hand.
Han Li could only stand in place and wait quietly.
Although he was confident that Nangong Wan would certainly see him upon seeing the item in the box, when the moment arrived, he still felt a trace of unease in his heart.
He exchanged a few half-hearted words with the Foundation Establishment cultivator left behind to answer other inquiries. When the latter asked about the appearance of the "senior" who had entrusted the gift, Han Li deflected the question by saying the person wore a cowl, making it impossible to even discern their gender.
After waiting for the time it takes to eat a meal, the fair-skinned cultivator finally returned, empty-handed.
"Ancestor Nangong said that person is indeed an old friend. You may come with me to see the Ancestor, who will also conveniently remove the restriction on you." The fair-skinned cultivator was quite efficient; after just a few words, he signaled Han Li to follow him and flew up the mountain on his sword.
Han Li was overjoyed inwardly, but outwardly he put on an excited expression as he followed closely behind the fair-skinned cultivator, flying toward the mountain peak.
"Be careful. Do not stray from either side of the mountain path. The restrictions here are much more formidable than in the middle section. Even if I were trapped in them, there would be absolutely no chance of survival." The fair-skinned cultivator led the way ahead, issuing a cold warning.
Han Li naturally agreed repeatedly.
Just then, a beam of blue light shot toward them. The fair-skinned cultivator seemed to recognize its owner, stopped respectfully on the side with a look of deference on his face, and stood with his hands clasped.
In an instant, the light arrived before them, paused slightly, and revealed a sinister-looking, richly-robed middle-aged cultivator.
"Junior Nephew Sun, why are you bringing a Qi Condensation stage disciple up the mountain peak? Don't you know the rules here?" The robed cultivator swept a glance over Han Li and spoke coldly, his expression blank.
"Granduncle Lan, your Junior Nephew is following the orders of Ancestor Nangong to bring this disciple up the mountain. Otherwise, even with the greatest courage, your Junior Nephew would never dare do such a thing." The fair-skinned cultivator seemed to hold the robed cultivator in great awe and hurriedly explained.
At this moment, Han Li had already scanned the other with his spiritual sense. This middle-aged robed cultivator was merely an early Core Formation cultivator, so he didn't need to be overly concerned. Although he thought this inwardly, outwardly Han Li could only maintain a respectful appearance, not daring to speak rashly.
"Ancestor Nangong wishes to see this person! What is this about? Tell me." The robed cultivator was taken aback upon hearing this, then asked with surprise.