First update is here, brothers.

Don't forget to click 'Collect' if you pass by ^^...

If you could spare a vote or two, that would be even better.

^^...

…… In a haze, the silky softness repeatedly brushed against his skin, finally drifting down to his lower abdomen.

Every hair on Nie Kong’s body stood on end.

Perhaps it was due to having just soaked in the "Muscle and Bone Strengthening Decoction"; his vital energy was robust, and the slightest stimulation caused an involuntary reaction below. "Ah!" A scream, vigorously suppressed, pierced his eardrums.

Nie Kong snapped awake to see Hua Mei standing by the bath barrel, holding a dry towel in one hand and tightly covering her mouth with the other.

Her dark eyes were wide open, and her fair, delicate face was flushed like an overripe persimmon, exquisitely beautiful.

The water in the barrel was almost entirely gone, and most of the moisture on Nie Kong’s body had been wiped away.

Seeing this, Nie Kong immediately understood what Hua Mei had been doing.

She must have seen him asleep in the tub and worried he might catch a chill from the cold water, so she tried to get him out, as the southern regions of the Tian Ling Continent were quite chilly with winter approaching.

However, upon noticing the rigid protrusion straining beneath his loins, its appearance somewhat fierce, Nie Kong understood why Hua Mei had suddenly shrieked.

A wave of embarrassment washed over his face.

Seeing Nie Kong awake, Hua Mei’s heart pounded harder, her gaze darting away as she stammered an explanation, "Uncle, I...

I was just...

trying to help you..." Nie Kong quickly interrupted, "I know, Sister-in-law, thank you.

I can handle the rest myself." "Oh, oh." Hua Mei snapped back to reality, quickly dropped the towel, and fled the kitchen in a flustered rush, her face blazing red.

She looked like a startled fawn, utterly vulnerable and lovely.

Nie Kong let out a long sigh, glancing at his overly assertive ‘little brother,’ he couldn't help but curse inwardly.

While a man should certainly be firm, why did it have to be now? It made him look ridiculous! Muttering a few complaints, Nie Kong finally stood up to wipe down his body.

While Hua Mei had been busy, Nie Kong had been deep in a dream—a dream of the parents long lost in his previous life, of the bustling, neon-lit city, and of his quiet little villa...

In the dream, he vaguely heard someone calling his name.

Only now did he realize it was Hua Mei trying to wake him; because he was unwilling to emerge from the familiar slumber, she had to take matters into her own hands.

Recalling life in the dream world, Nie Kong sighed softly.

It had only been a few short days since his rebirth into this world, yet for him, it felt like centuries had passed.

The intense, demanding cultivation had left him almost no time to reflect on his past.

This Tian Ling Continent, a place resembling an ancient society, was fraught with continuous conflict and lurking dangers between Spirit Masters, Clans, Sects, and Nations.

Diligently improving his strength was the only way to protect himself, especially since he now had a sister-in-law in this household whom he needed to guard.

As for the villa, cars, and computers of before… he would never see them again in this lifetime.

Composing himself, Nie Kong assessed his body.

Just as he expected, after absorbing the "Muscle and Bone Strengthening Decoction" this time, his physique had grown slightly stronger, but compared to the first time, the difference was stark.

Still, for Nie Kong's immediate needs, this body was adequate.

…… The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Nie Kong awoke feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

As the sun began to rise, after eating breakfast, he briefly informed Hua Mei before jogging toward the training grounds.

Upon arrival, Nie Kong noticed far more people were present for practice than the day before—hundreds, it seemed, at a glance.

As Nie Kong walked across the grounds, several people occasionally turned to offer him an appraising look.

Seeing this, Nie Kong was secretly pleased.

Yesterday's training must have caused quite a stir in the Nie Family.

This was better; the more attention focused on him, the less likely scoundrels like Nie Fengxing would dare to plot any schemes, unless they were willing to defy the entire Clan’s authority.

Entering the small grove in the northwest corner of the training field, Nie Kong was slightly taken aback.

Shadows flickered among the trees; nearly every Red Maplewood training stake had been claimed.

As soon as he appeared, dozens of gazes snapped toward him—some astonished, some curious, some doubtful, some mocking, some scornful. "Look, look, here comes Nie Kong, the one who supposedly raised his cultivation by three ranks in two days, calling himself the 'Genius among Geniuses.'" "Is he really the only Wood-element Spirit Master the Nie Clan has seen in three hundred years? Hmm, he looks decent enough.

I must get a good look at him later." "Three ranks in two days—even Nie Fenglei wasn't that frenetic back then.

And Nie Fenglei was heralded as the most outstanding genius in history!" "Well, how else could he dare claim the title 'Genius among Geniuses'?" "Hah, and he thinks he’s worthy of that title? Nie Fenglei reached Spirit Communication at twelve, Spirit Fusion at fifteen, and Spirit Transformation at nineteen—that was a 'Genius among Geniuses.' What's this Nie Kong? Eighteen years old and only at Spirit Gathering Sixth Rank—he’s not fit to carry Nie Fenglei's shoes." "We can't say that.

This Nie Kong was only at Spirit Gathering First Rank a few days ago.

To reach the Sixth Rank so quickly is practically a miracle." "..." When some people uttered the phrase "Genius among Geniuses," they deliberately raised their voices so Nie Kong could hear, grating on his nerves.

Although this was the effect he intended to create, when had he ever claimed that title? It was they who had stuck that label on him! Nie Kong had experienced the power of gossip many times in his past life and was now witnessing it again in this one.

Any novel bit of news, after passing through the mouths of dozens or hundreds of people, would become exaggerated and bizarre.

Nie Kong ignored these idle busybodies and began searching the grove on his own.

After ten seconds or so, Nie Kong’s eyes lit up: there was still one Red Maplewood stake vacant at the edge of the grove.

Such good luck? To prevent someone from snatching the last stake, Nie Kong didn't hesitate, darting forward in a swift rush, taking two steps where he usually took three.

A tall, powerfully built figure suddenly cut in from the side, blocking Nie Kong’s path, and called out in a rough voice, "Hey! Brother, I'm claiming this Red Maplewood first!" "Hmm?" Nie Kong frowned slightly, looking at the person before him.

This fellow stood about six feet tall, with a robust physique.

His dark complexion still held a touch of youth, placing him around fifteen or sixteen years old. "I heard your cultivation speed surpasses even Nie Fenglei's—Spirit Gathering First Rank to Sixth Rank in just a few days.

My hands are itching, brother; I want a friendly spar.

If I win, you can have this spot." The dark-faced youth smirked, stating his terms with an air of unquestionable authority. "Fine, fine, let's have a match, a match." "Nie Kong, agree to it! This dark-skinned brute really deserves a beating.

You are the Genius among Geniuses; you must crush anyone who dares challenge you!" "..." Most of the surrounding youths, close to his age, became instantly energized, shouting loudly and chaotically, urging Nie Kong to accept the duel.

At this moment, Nie Kong finally realized it wasn't luck that left the stake open; the dark-faced youth had deliberately left it vacant to lure him in.

And those cheering in the background, seemingly eager for chaos, egging Nie Kong on to spar, were likely all accomplices of the dark-faced youth.

……