Mortal: Starting with the Seven Mysterious Sects, I proved my Dao through sacrifice.

The wind at Hehuan Sect's Fallen Soul Slope carried a strong stench of blood from the Eastern Expedition. Nangong Wan, dressed in blood-stained white, staggered against a withered tree, the Demon-Slaying Thorn in her hand broken in two. Her face was as pale as paper, and a deep, bone-revealing wound on her chest was gushing blood, staining her snow-white clothes crimson.

The Cloud Dew Ancestor opposite her was already at the mid-Nascent Soul stage; she was no match for him.

"Nangong Wan of the Hidden Moon Sect, aren't you so high and mighty? Didn't you look down on the ways of my Joyful Union Sect? Don't forget, without our Joyful Union Sect, there would be no Hidden Moon Sect." Ancestor Yunlu licked her lips, her eyes gleaming with lewd light.

"Now, isn't the once arrogant Fairy Nangong of the Hidden Moon Sect in my hands? The Joyful Union Sect and the Hidden Moon Sect have a long history. As long as you are willing to submit to me and become my furnace, I will spare your life."

"Bah! You old scoundrel Yunlu, don't even think about it!" Nangong Wan sneered, forcing herself to stay upright. "Even if I, Nangong Wan, die, I will not let you, you demon, succeed!"

"Nangong Wan, my patience is limited. Don't be stubborn!" Ancestor Yunlu's face darkened, and with a gentle wave of her hand, countless pink threads shot towards Nangong Wan like venomous snakes.

A flicker of despair crossed Nangong Wan's eyes. She knew she was doomed today. Just as the pink threads were about to touch her, a cyan sword light descended from the sky, severing all the threads like lightning.

"Who?!" Ancestor Yunlu was shocked.

"Dare to touch my people? Did you even ask me?" A cold voice rang out as Murong Fan, sword in hand, stood in front of Nangong Wan. Looking at Nangong Wan's pitiful state, he felt as if his heart was being pierced by needles.

"Murong Fan..." Nangong Wan looked at that familiar figure, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. From initially looking down on him, thinking him to be scheming and ruthless, to being saved by him time and time again, her heart had unknowingly fallen for him.

"Wan'er, don't be afraid, I'm here!" Murong Fan didn't turn around, but his voice was so gentle it seemed to drip with tenderness.

"Hahaha! Murong Fan, you've finally arrived!" A glint of excitement flashed in Ancestor Yunlu's eyes. "Purge the traitors from the front lines and even establish the Governor's Office—you certainly have some skills! But do you really think that with a few minor victories, you self-righteous so-called righteous sects can save yourselves and the Yue Kingdom? You're just cannon fodder for those hypocritical Nascent Soul cultivators. Whether they win or lose, they won't personally intervene. If they win, they remain high and mighty; if they lose, they'll find every way to retreat. Use your brains, young man! The destruction of the Seven Sects is only a matter of time, it's fate! Don't fight like cornered beasts!"

"However, your penchant for causing trouble is quite to my liking. Murong Fan, you are the one Xuan'er has been longing for. Today, I'll let you off this time for Xuan'er's sake. You'd better watch yourself! Also, you must continue your great eastern expedition, because that way, our six sects can annihilate you all on the battlefield! Ha! Ha! Ha..." As soon as he finished speaking, Ancestor Yunlu's figure disappeared.

Looking at the man in front of her who was willing to risk his life against a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator for her sake, Nangong Wan's last line of defense completely collapsed.

Upon hearing the name "Xuan'er," Nangong Wan couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

"I'm fine..." She leaned weakly against Murong Fan's chest, tears welling up in her eyes. Murong Fan gently wiped away her tears and said softly, "Don't be afraid, I will never let you get hurt again."

On Fallen Soul Slope, the setting sun was like blood. The two stood embracing, their shadows stretched long and thin.

But this tender moment didn't last long, as Ancestor Yunlu suddenly reappeared. Just as Murong Fan turned around to steady Nangong Wan, Ancestor Yunlu suddenly sprang up, and a pink streak of light flashed like a ghost, instantly grabbing Nangong Wan's neck tightly.

"Murong Fan, you really do care about her!" The Cloud Dew Ancestor's voice was filled with resentment. "In that case, let her die first!"

"No!" Murong Fan's heart jumped into his throat. He wanted to stop them, but it was too late.

Ancestor Yunlu, carrying Nangong Wan, transformed into a pink streak of light and vanished into the sky in an instant.

"Wan'er!" Murong Fan roared to the sky, praying that Ancestor Yunlu would not kill Wan'er, his voice filled with despair and anger.

He immediately boarded a flying vessel to give chase, but the Cloud Dew Ancestor had already vanished without a trace.

"Damn it!" Murong Fan slammed his fist into the ground, instantly creating a deep crater.

He knew that Ancestor Yunlu had kidnapped Nangong Wan to take revenge on him. Given Ancestor Yunlu's temperament, Nangong Wan was likely in grave danger in her hands.

"No, I must save Wan'er!" Murong Fan took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

He knew Yunlu Patriarch's temperament all too well; he knew that kidnapping Wan'er was definitely to bring her back to Huan Sect and use her to blackmail him.

"Hehuan Sect... I'm going to save Wan'er right now!" Murong Fan didn't hesitate any longer and immediately used his flying divine ship to head towards the Hehuan Sect.

When he arrived at the Hehuan Sect, he was met with a scene of utter devastation.

It turned out that while Murong Fan was searching for Nangong Wan, the Seven Sects Alliance and the Six Demonic Sects were engaged in a decisive battle near the Hehuan Sect.

As a vital force among the seven sects, the Hidden Moon Sect suffered heavy losses. Several elders were killed in battle, and hundreds of Foundation Establishment stage disciples perished, resulting in devastating damage to the entire sect.

After Nangong Wan was captured by Ancestor Yunlu and returned to Huan Sect, she learned of this news and was devastated. Looking at her fellow disciples lying dead on the ground, the tenderness and sorrow she had felt earlier were instantly swallowed up by overwhelming hatred.

"It's all my fault... It's all because my cultivation wasn't enough that the Hidden Moon Sect has become like this..." Nangong Wan knelt on the ground, tears blurring her vision, lost in deep self-blame.

Ancestor Yunlu stood to the side, sneering coldly, "Nangong Wan, do you see clearly? This is the righteous path you've been so devoted to upholding! For their own benefit, they didn't hesitate to sacrifice you, to sacrifice the entire Hidden Moon Sect! What is there left for you to cherish in this kind of righteous path?"

Nangong Wan didn't speak, but silently clenched her fists and silently remembered today's humiliation.

When Murong Fan arrived at the Hehuan Sect, this was the scene before him: Nangong Wan, dressed in black, stood on the ruins of the Yanyue Sect, her eyes as cold as frost.

"Wan'er!" Upon seeing her, Murong Fan was overjoyed and immediately flew over. Nangong Wan saw him, but her eyes seemed to show no emotion.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was as cold as a stranger's.

"Wan'er, I've come to save you!" Murong Fan said. "Come with me, let's leave this place."

"Leave?" Nangong Wan sneered. "Why should I leave? The Hidden Moon Sect hasn't been restored yet, how can I leave?"

"Wan'er, the Hidden Moon Sect has fallen. Don't be so stubborn!" Murong Fan advised. "If you come with me, I will definitely avenge you!"

"Revenge?" Nangong Wan looked at him, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes. "You? What revenge can you help me take? You can't even protect yourself!"

"Wan'er, what's wrong?" Murong Fan felt a pang of pain in his heart. "Are you still the same Wan'er?"

"I am no longer the Nangong Wan I once was. The old Nangong Wan is dead!" Nangong Wan turned around, her back to him. "From now on, I will live only for the Yanyue Sect."

"Wan'er, listen to me..."

"Enough!" Nangong Wan interrupted him. "Murong Fan, it's over between us."

"What did you say?!" Murong Fan was struck dumb.

"I'm saying, it's over between us." Nangong Wan's voice was terrifyingly calm. "From now on, we'll go our separate ways and have nothing to do with each other anymore."

"Why?" Murong Fan couldn't believe his ears. "Didn't we agree to face the future together?"

"That was before," Nangong Wan said. "Now, I have neither the right nor the inclination to talk about love. I want to restore the Hidden Moon Sect, and I want those who killed my fellow disciples to pay the price!"

"Wan'er, I can help you!" Murong Fan said urgently. "Believe me, we will definitely defeat the demonic path. I'm willing to do anything for you!"

"I don't need it." Nangong Wan shook her head.

"Wan'er, what's wrong with you?" Murong Fan grabbed her hand. "Tell me, did Ancestor Yunlu do something to you?"

"No." Nangong Wan shook off his hand. "I figured it out myself."

"You've figured it out?" Murong Fan gave a wry smile. "What have you figured out?"

"I've figured it out. Love is nothing but fleeting smoke; only strength matters," Nangong Wan said. "From now on, I will devote myself to cultivation until I reach the Nascent Soul stage. After I reach that stage, I will reconsider our relationship."

"Nascent Soul Formation?" Murong Fan was stunned. "You want to wait until after Nascent Soul Formation?"

"That's right." Nangong Wan nodded. "If you can also form a Nascent Soul, then we can start over."

After saying that, she turned and left, leaving behind only a cold, distant figure.

"Wan'er!" Murong Fan wanted to chase after her, but stopped in his tracks.

He knew that Nangong Wan was now blinded by hatred. No matter what he said, she wouldn't listen.

"Alright, I'll wait for you." Murong Fan said firmly, watching her retreating figure. "No matter how long it takes, I will wait for you. I'll wait for you to reach Nascent Soul stage, and I'll wait for you to come back."

On Fallen Soul Slope, the setting sun shone like blood. Murong Fan stood there, not leaving for a long time.

He knew that the real challenge had only just begun.

He not only had to defeat the six invading demonic sects, but also cultivate diligently day and night, striving to achieve Nascent Soul formation and higher cultivation levels as soon as possible, so that he could protect his beloved. Only in this way could he truly comfort Nangong Wan's heart.

"Wan'er, wait for me." Murong Fan secretly vowed in his heart, "I will definitely become stronger, strong enough to protect you and our future."

Ancestor Yunlu didn't make things difficult for Nangong Wan and Murong Fan; he was actually playing a long game—letting them go now was far more valuable than killing them. Nangong Wan's ordeal would inevitably affect Murong Fan's emotions. Even if Murong Fan managed to break free from his emotional entanglement and fight against the six demonic sects, it would play right into Ancestor Yunlu's hands. He believed this scheme of killing and destroying their spirit would fulfill his dream of annihilating the enemy in one fell swoop, and would actually hasten the end of the war.

"Hehuan Sect... I'm going to save Wan'er right now!" Murong Fan didn't hesitate any longer and immediately used his flying divine ship to head towards the Hehuan Sect.

When he arrived at the Hehuan Sect, he was met with a scene of utter devastation.

It turned out that while Murong Fan was searching for Nangong Wan, the Seven Sects Alliance and the Six Demonic Sects were engaged in a decisive battle near the Hehuan Sect.

As a vital force among the seven sects, the Hidden Moon Sect suffered heavy losses. Several elders were killed in battle, and hundreds of Foundation Establishment stage disciples perished, resulting in devastating damage to the entire sect.

After Nangong Wan was captured by Ancestor Yunlu and returned to Huan Sect, she learned of this news and was devastated. Looking at her fellow disciples lying dead on the ground, the tenderness and sorrow she had felt earlier were instantly swallowed up by overwhelming hatred.

"It's all my fault... It's all because my cultivation wasn't enough that the Hidden Moon Sect has become like this..." Nangong Wan knelt on the ground, tears blurring her vision, lost in deep self-blame.

Ancestor Yunlu stood to the side, sneering coldly, "Nangong Wan, do you see clearly? This is the righteous path you've been so devoted to upholding! For their own benefit, they didn't hesitate to sacrifice you, to sacrifice the entire Hidden Moon Sect! What is there left for you to cherish in this kind of righteous path?"

Nangong Wan didn't speak, but silently clenched her fists and silently remembered today's humiliation.

When Murong Fan arrived at the Hehuan Sect, this was the scene before him: Nangong Wan, dressed in black, stood on the ruins of the Yanyue Sect, her eyes as cold as frost.

"Wan'er!" Upon seeing her, Murong Fan was overjoyed and immediately flew over. Nangong Wan saw him, but her eyes seemed to show no emotion.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was as cold as a stranger's.

"Wan'er, I've come to save you!" Murong Fan said. "Come with me, let's leave this place."

"Leave?" Nangong Wan sneered. "Why should I leave? The Hidden Moon Sect hasn't been restored yet, how can I leave?"

"Wan'er, the Hidden Moon Sect has fallen. Don't be so stubborn!" Murong Fan advised. "If you come with me, I will definitely avenge you!"

"Revenge?" Nangong Wan looked at him, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes. "You? What revenge can you help me take? You can't even protect yourself!"

"Wan'er, what's wrong?" Murong Fan felt a pang of pain in his heart. "Are you still the same Wan'er?"

"I am no longer the Nangong Wan I once was. The old Nangong Wan is dead!" Nangong Wan turned around, her back to him. "From now on, I will live only for the Yanyue Sect."

"Wan'er, listen to me..."

"Enough!" Nangong Wan interrupted him. "Murong Fan, it's over between us."

"What did you say?!" Murong Fan was struck dumb.

"I'm saying, it's over between us." Nangong Wan's voice was terrifyingly calm. "From now on, we'll go our separate ways and have nothing to do with each other anymore."

"Why?" Murong Fan couldn't believe his ears. "Didn't we agree to face the future together?"

"That was before," Nangong Wan said. "Now, I have neither the right nor the inclination to talk about love. I want to restore the Hidden Moon Sect, and I want those who killed my fellow disciples to pay the price!"

"Wan'er, I can help you!" Murong Fan said urgently. "Believe me, we will definitely defeat the demonic path. I'm willing to do anything for you!"

"I don't need it." Nangong Wan shook her head.

"Wan'er, what's wrong with you?" Murong Fan grabbed her hand. "Tell me, did Ancestor Yunlu do something to you?"

"No." Nangong Wan shook off his hand. "I figured it out myself."

"You've figured it out?" Murong Fan gave a wry smile. "What have you figured out?"

"I've figured it out. Love is nothing but fleeting smoke; only strength matters," Nangong Wan said. "From now on, I will devote myself to cultivation until I reach the Nascent Soul stage. After I reach that stage, I will reconsider our relationship."

"Nascent Soul Formation?" Murong Fan was stunned. "You want to wait until after Nascent Soul Formation?"

"That's right." Nangong Wan nodded. "If you can also form a Nascent Soul, then we can start over."

After saying that, she turned and left, leaving behind only a cold, distant figure.

"Wan'er!" Murong Fan wanted to chase after her, but stopped in his tracks.

He knew that Nangong Wan was now blinded by hatred. No matter what he said, she wouldn't listen.

"Alright, I'll wait for you." Murong Fan said firmly, watching her retreating figure. "No matter how long it takes, I will wait for you. I'll wait for you to reach Nascent Soul stage, and I'll wait for you to come back."

On Fallen Soul Slope, the setting sun shone like blood. Murong Fan stood there, not leaving for a long time.

He knew that the real challenge had only just begun.

He not only had to defeat the six invading demonic sects, but also cultivate diligently day and night, striving to achieve Nascent Soul formation and higher cultivation levels as soon as possible, so that he could protect his beloved. Only in this way could he truly comfort Nangong Wan's heart.

"Wan'er, wait for me." Murong Fan secretly vowed in his heart, "I will definitely become stronger, strong enough to protect you and our future."

Ancestor Yunlu didn't make things difficult for Nangong Wan and Murong Fan; he was actually playing a long game—letting them go now was far more valuable than killing them. Nangong Wan's ordeal would inevitably affect Murong Fan's emotions. Even if Murong Fan managed to break free from his emotional entanglement and fight against the six demonic sects, it would play right into Ancestor Yunlu's hands. He believed this scheme of killing and destroying their spirit would fulfill his dream of annihilating the enemy in one fell swoop, and would actually hasten the end of the war.