Chapter 176: Nangong Sacred Land, Heaven-Grade Pill Secret Realm
“Good sister, just let me go!”
Nangong Mian pleaded with a pitiful expression, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at the serene woman.
The woman in white sat in a wheelchair, her eyes half-closed, ignoring Nangong Mian.
“Look, I’m about to break through to Core Formation, so you have to let me go to the clan’s Core Formation secret realm, right?”
Nangong Mian pleaded. “Even Sixth Granduncle said that there are ten strands of Heaven-grade pill energy in this secret realm, and I’ll only take two or three…”
“Only?”
The woman in white opened her eyes, a helpless expression on her face.
“Xiao Mian, you’ve already consumed over ten strands of Heaven-grade pill energy and still haven’t achieved Enlightenment Core Formation. Even with our Nangong clan’s wealth, we can’t afford to let you continue like this.”
Even within the Nangong clan, Heaven-grade pill energy wasn’t easily obtained.
Core Formation cultivators who formed a Heaven Core, with the support of the Nangong clan’s resources, were almost guaranteed to reach Soul Transformation, and even had a high chance of reaching Ascension.
This was a considerable force. The core fighting strength of the ancient clans were Soul Transformation and Tribulation Immortal cultivators. Sea Crossing Realm cultivators were the clans’ foundation and wouldn’t be easily deployed.
Nangong Mian had consumed over ten strands of Heaven-grade pill energy, yet still hadn’t formed her core. In the eyes of the Nangong clan, this was equivalent to losing ten potential Ascension Realm combatants.
But Nangong Mian’s actions… didn’t violate the Nangong Sacred Land’s rules.
She hadn’t deliberately wasted the Heaven-grade pill energy, nor had she sold it. She had earnestly refined it into her body, but simply hadn’t formed her core.
But everyone knew that Nangong Mian cultivated the Desolate Extinction Scripture, a peculiar inheritance that could only achieve Core Formation through enlightenment. More Heaven-grade pill energy was useless.
To Nangong Mian, Heaven-grade pill energy that couldn’t be used for Core Formation was just a more valuable resource.
In this situation, only Nangong Mian’s older sister, Nangong Ling, could restrain her.
After all, the fearless Nangong Mian, besides the Empress, only Nangong Ling could control her. It wasn’t appropriate for others to intervene.
“Over ten strands… I’ve already wasted, oh no, absorbed that much?”
Nangong Mian was also shocked upon hearing this number. She hadn’t even counted.
Nangong Ling glanced at her, closed her eyes again, and said softly,
“I said no, it means no.”
“Good sister…”
“Even calling me ‘good sister’ won’t work.”
“Then, bad sister…”
“If you continue, I’ll send you to the imperial palace,” Nangong Ling said slowly. “I heard Madam is back and is looking for someone to serve the Empress. I think you’re quite suitable.”
“No, no, that’s too much…”
Hearing this, Nangong Mian instinctively shrank back.
She couldn’t do anything against her sister, Nangong Ling, and as for the Empress… she was terrified…
But why was Madam back… could it be because of Xue Meimei?
The entire Great Qin Immortal Dynasty knew about the little princess’s disappearance, and the Nangong Sacred Land had naturally also received the news.
Even Nangong Mian, who had interacted with Princess Xue, was questioned, but of course, they couldn’t get anything from her.
Nangong Ling had already made arrangements and was about to depart for the imperial palace to become the little princess’s teacher.
But before she could leave, the little princess disappeared, and the plan was put on hold.
Because of this, Nangong Ling had some free time, not having to run around for clan affairs.
Otherwise, as the youngest Tribulation Immortal in the clan, Nangong Ling was very busy and wouldn’t have the time to watch over Nangong Mian, preventing her from causing trouble.
“But… Big Sister, just staying at home, I can’t form my core.” Nangong Mian said with a bitter face. “Enlightenment Core Formation, enlightenment, I need a place to… enlighten, right?”
Nangong Ling pondered for a moment, not denying it. “That’s true, but this enlightenment… is mysterious and unpredictable. Even the ancient texts have few examples, it’s difficult to find any guidance.”
It wasn’t that no one had achieved Enlightenment Core Formation from ancient times to the present, but there were no detailed records.
In the ancient texts, there might be just a simple sentence: a certain person, at a certain time and place, achieved Enlightenment Core Formation. That was all.
Moreover… few cultivators who achieved Enlightenment Core Formation could break through their bottlenecks. Their achievements were similar to those who formed a Heaven Core, and reaching the Saint Realm through this method was even more unlikely.
“But we can’t just do nothing just because there’s no guidance, can we?” Nangong Mian said, “I have to go out, I have to experience things, I have to compete with others in secret realms…”
“Spare me, just tell that to Sixth Granduncle,” Nangong Ling rolled her eyes at Nangong Mian. “I think you just want to go out and cause trouble again. Do you know how many times Third Granduncle’s lineage has complained about you?”
“I’m doing all this for cultivation, for cultivation…” Nangong Mian said guiltily.
“You were the one who insisted on cultivating this inheritance. I believed in you and shielded you from the clan’s warnings, and the result… is an invincible Foundation Establishment cultivator who can’t break through to Core Formation.”
Nangong Ling sighed softly.
She knew very well that Nangong Mian’s Enlightenment Core Formation might take hundreds, or even thousands, of years, perhaps requiring a special opportunity.
Or perhaps…
She would never succeed.
Forever stuck at the peak of Foundation Establishment, until her lifespan ran out.
Nangong Ling, at the Tribulation Immortal Realm, with a lifespan exceeding an era, naturally didn’t want to see her younger sister grow old before her.
And for the Nangong clan, an invincible Foundation Establishment disciple who couldn’t advance was also a headache.
She could live for a thousand years, tormenting all the Foundation Establishment disciples for a thousand years!
Piling resources on her would only make Nangong Mian more invincible at Foundation Establishment, but she would still be just a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Nangong Ling suddenly regretted agreeing to Nangong Mian’s request. If her sister hadn’t taken this path, perhaps… this wouldn’t have happened.
“…Big Sister?”
Nangong Mian still had an innocent expression, looking up at the slightly dazed Nangong Ling like a pitiful puppy.
But this pitiful puppy was the nightmare of all Foundation Establishment Nangong disciples…
“You definitely can’t go to the Core Formation secret realm. The granduncles have given me strict orders. If I let you in again… it would be too embarrassing.”
Nangong Ling said helplessly. “As for going out for training… you’ve had enough experience, haven’t you? Don’t tell me you want to go to the southern barbarian lands? That’s not a place for Foundation Establishment cultivators.”
Although she had heard that the tribes in the southern barbarian lands had recently been united, and even His Majesty was willing to go there for a southern tour, it shouldn’t be as dangerous as before.
But… tens of thousands of years of unrest couldn’t be resolved so easily.
The southern barbarian lands, although nominally a part of the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty, were actually vast, almost two-thirds the size of the dynasty.
However, most of it was a forbidden zone, a death trap even Sea Crossing Realm cultivators didn’t dare to enter.
And most of the barbarian tribes were demons.
Not humans with demonic bloodlines, but true demons.
Most of these demons were bloodthirsty and violent, some even enjoyed eating the flesh and blood of cultivators. Even if they had some intelligence, it was difficult to communicate with them.
And there were constant blood feuds and wars between the tribes.
Just who had the ability to unite them… Nangong Ling was also curious.
“Southern barbarian lands… Don’t worry, I definitely won’t go there.” Nangong Mian shook her head vehemently. “At least not until I reach Nascent Soul. Without Nascent Soul, it’s too dangerous…”
Nangong Mian wasn’t stupid. How could a Foundation Establishment cultivator without any tribal background survive in such a place? They would just be food for the demons.
“…Let’s talk after you form your core.” Nangong Ling raised an eyebrow, then suddenly thought of something. “By the way, you just want to go out, right?”
“Yes, staying at home is so boring! I’m dying of boredom!” Nangong Mian nodded repeatedly, looking at Nangong Ling hopefully.
A mischievous smile appeared on Nangong Ling’s lips.
“In that case, the Heaven-grade pill secret realm that’s opening soon…”
“Hmm?”
Nangong Mian’s ears perked up.
Could it be that her sister had suddenly become kind and was allowing her to enter the secret realm?
“—You can be the protector for Sixth Granduncle’s lineage.” Nangong Ling said with a smile.
“Huh?”
Nangong Mian was stunned.
Pro-, protector?
What did a protector do… A protector was just a guard!
Usually, when entering a secret realm, the protector would stay outside, to prevent accidents and protect those leaving the secret realm from being attacked.
Of course, for Foundation Establishment and Core Formation level secret realms, the Nangong clan didn’t need to fight against outsiders. The competition within the secret realm was between disciples of different lineages.
Except for Nangong Mian, this unusual case, the competition within the secret realm was a good place for training and cultivation.
And since they were all from the Nangong clan, the so-called protector was just an excuse for a few old geezers to gather and relax. Theoretically, they weren’t needed…
And if Nangong Mian became the protector, not to mention the boredom of guarding, she would also… have to face the old geezers from the other lineages.
When she plundered the secret realms before, she had offended all the Foundation Establishment disciples, including those from Sixth Granduncle’s lineage. These old geezers were just looking for a chance to punish her.
For Nangong Mian to be the protector was like walking into a trap.
“So?”
Nangong Ling asked with a smile.
“…Can I refuse?” Nangong Mian put on a pitiful expression.
“Of course,” Nangong Ling nodded, “then just stay home these next few days, don’t go anywhere. I’ll take you to the ancestral land later. Didn’t you want enlightenment? The ancestral land should be a good place for that.”
“Sister, my dear sister, you can’t force your little sister like this!” Nangong Mian said with a mournful face. “I’m your sister, how can you be so cruel?”
Enlightenment in the ancestral land was even more absurd. What kind of place was the ancestral land? It was another death trap, filled with purgatory flames. Otherwise, why would the Nangong clan leave?
It was said… that an ancient divine beast had died there, and its resentment lingered to this day.
“Are you going or not?”
Nangong Ling asked cheerfully.
She was originally supposed to be the protector for Sixth Granduncle’s lineage in this secret realm. Now, having the chance to send Nangong Mian instead, she was happy to be free.
Moreover, those old geezers would probably be delighted to see this…
As for Nangong Mian’s own opinion, it wasn’t very important. Just consider it a lesson for her.
“It’s not like I have a choice…”
Nangong Mian’s expression drooped dejectedly.
“Then it’s settled.”
Nangong Ling snapped her fingers and pushed her wheelchair towards the inner room.
Nangong Mian sighed and followed, pushing her wheelchair.
“Heh… how long has it been since you pushed my wheelchair like this?” Nangong Ling let go of the wheels and placed her hands on her lap dignifiedly.
“I don’t remember, it should have been a few years.” Nangong Mian said.
“You were so small back then,” Nangong Ling said softly, “although you’re still about the same now.”
“Sister!”
Nangong Mian pouted in dissatisfaction.
Her height had always been a sore spot. Only the little princess was shorter than her.
“Aren’t I, unable to stand, even shorter than you?”
Nangong Ling smiled faintly, gently touching her paralyzed legs.
She had suffered a severe soul injury before, and the lasting effect was that she could never use her legs again, not even reshaping her body could heal it.
“…”
Nangong Mian didn’t speak, just silently looked at Nangong Ling.
“Promise me,” Nangong Ling whispered, “don’t give up, okay?”
“I’ll be waiting for you, on the other side of time.”
“…Okay.”
…
A week later, Nangong Sacred Land.
The Nangong clan wasn’t exactly reclusive, and the Nangong Sacred Land wasn’t exclusively for Nangong clan members.
Actually, the Nangong Sacred Land was similar to the Imperial Capital, a massive city built and managed by various factions, with many cultivators from all over, and other factions also had bases here.
Although not as prosperous as the Imperial Capital, it was still quite lively.
Although Luo Xue’s previous location was only a five or six-hour flight away from the Nangong Sacred Land, and for a Nascent Soul cultivator with a flying sword, it would only take a short while, unfortunately, Luo Xue couldn’t even fly, only able to use movement techniques to travel.
Furthermore, the mountains were full of dangers, and she had to take detours to avoid some forbidden zones.
Therefore, when Luo Xue approached the Nangong Sacred Land, an entire week had passed.
Luo Xue was fully prepared. She first changed her appearance to that of the ghostly girl—mainly because her other disguises were too easily seen through—then took out the commonly used currency and prepared to find a place to stay.
She wouldn’t make the same mistake she made in Ghost Demon Pass.
However…
“Fully booked? Why?”
Luo Xue stared at the innkeeper of the eighteenth inn she visited.
“Sigh, you wouldn’t know,” the innkeeper sighed, “it’s all because of the recent Heaven-grade pill secret realm…”
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