For these past three days, although Nie Kong had not left the residential area of the Nie family, he could still sense the tense atmosphere within Jiyang City. He presumed a large number of Spirit Master experts from various nations, having heard of the “Fire Tree Silver Flower,” had entered the city. However, they were clearly restrained by considerable caution and hadn't caused any major disturbances.

The surging undercurrent outside had almost no bearing on Nie Kong, the thief who absconded with the “Fire Tree Silver Flower.” Since Xiangxiang remained deeply asleep and wouldn't wake, Nie Kong’s focus was mostly fixed on the herb within his Pet Backpack. He knew those masters might detect the herb's aura, so he never took the “Fire Tree Silver Flower” out, instead secretly admiring it inside the bag.

Originally, Nie Kong had worried that the “Fire Tree Silver Flower,” deprived of sunlight, air, and moisture for an extended period, would slowly wither away. But now, Nie Kong realized his concern was entirely unnecessary. Though the little creature was dormant, it still instinctively released a few drops of its vital medicinal essence from time to time.

Nourished by the little creature’s power, the “Fire Tree Silver Flower” was more vibrant and spirited each day than crops treated with urea.

After acquiring the “Fire Tree Silver Flower,” Nie Kong could clearly feel that the little creature had no intention of completely draining its essence; rather, it seemed to be absorbing it slowly while simultaneously nurturing it—as if planning to treat the herb as its long-term pantry. This realization struck Nie Kong as rather amusing. Xiangxiang was his pet, and now his pet was starting to keep a pet? After his chuckle, Nie Kong found himself genuinely looking forward to seeing what the little creature would cultivate the “Fire Tree Silver Flower” into.

“S..."

The light was on in Hua Mei’s room inside the house, but it was utterly silent. Nie Kong softly called out, peeking around the doorframe. He saw she had slumped over her desk, asleep once more, and swiftly swallowed the word that had rushed to the tip of his tongue.

On the desk lay ten wooden carvings; all had been completed.

The figures possessed varied postures and expressions—some squinting with a gentle smile, some refined and scholarly, others radiating imposing killing intent, some filled with towering arrogance, and others looking down on the masses… Each one was startlingly lifelike. Just one glance made Nie Kong feel as if ten spectral figures had burst forth from the wood, floating vividly before his eyes.

Nie Kong’s heart pounded. He had seen these carvings countless times, yet he never imagined they would be so profoundly striking once Hua Mei finished them.

He was certain Hua Mei had never seen these people in person; her knowledge was drawn only from the portraits of Great Completion Empire Celestial Spirit experts housed in her family collection. Yet, Hua Mei had managed to carve their very will and spirit based solely on her own understanding and imagination.

Even if that spiritual essence was less than one percent of a true Celestial Spirit Master’s, the fact that Hua Mei, an ordinary woman, could achieve this level nearly transcended the realm of mere skill. A wave of admiration washed over Nie Kong. If she had been born in his previous life, she would undoubtedly have become a world-renowned master sculptor. But in the world of the Celestial Spirit Continent, where Spirit Masters reigned supreme, such talent and craftsmanship were likely to be buried.

Nie Kong stepped closer. He saw that the carving knife was still clenched in Hua Mei’s hand, and the desk was littered with wood shavings—clearly, she had finished the work only today.

“Sister-in-law!”

Nie Kong whispered tenderly, his voice thick with concern. Seeing she didn't stir, he carefully retrieved the knife from her grasp, intending to carry her to the nearby bed to rest. But just as Nie Kong bent down and reached out, before his fingers even brushed Hua Mei’s body, she shrieked and woke in alarm:

“Ah—”

Hua Mei’s face was pale as paper, her chest heaving as she gasped for breath, her forehead beaded with fine sweat. Terror flickered in her dark, beautiful eyes, which stared ahead without focus.

“Sister-in-law, what’s wrong?” Nie Kong asked, startled.

“Uncle…”

Hearing the voice, it took Hua Mei a moment to seem fully awake. Her gaze finally focused on Nie Kong’s concerned face, her composure slightly restored. She raised a hand to wipe her forehead, forcing a slight smile. “Uncle, I’m fine. I just had a nightmare.”

“A nightmare?”

Nie Kong frowned slightly.

Ever since that day, after the Medicine Assembly Grand Competition ended and she returned home to be found asleep at her desk, she had been falling asleep mid-task almost every day. Nie Kong had assumed she was simply overworked from carving and had urged her to rest more. But even when resting, she would drift off unknowingly.

This was likely something beyond what exhaustion alone could explain.

Nie Kong looked up at the pitiful, lingering fear etched on Hua Mei’s features and began to observe her closely. Being scrutinized at such close range made Hua Mei shift bashfully, a visible blush creeping up her pale cheeks. Her gaze then began to dart away.

“Sister-in-law, show me your hand,” Nie Kong said abruptly.

“Ah.”

Hua Mei snapped out of her shy trance. Seeing Nie Kong was no longer staring intently, she let out a sigh of relief and quickly extended her right hand.

Hua Mei’s small hand was fair, delicate, and beautiful, her fingers slender and long like young scallions. If an ordinary woman had been as busy as she for three years, her palms would likely bear some calluses. Yet, Hua Mei’s palm retained no marks; the skin was as tender as that of a newborn infant.

Grasping Hua Mei’s palm, a soft, smooth sensation traveled up his fingers, but Nie Kong paid it no mind; his right fingers settled on Hua Mei’s pulse point.

“Uncle…” Hua Mei subconsciously tried to pull her hand back, her expression coy, her cheeks burning as if a flame had ignited, looking exquisitely delicate.

“Don't move!” Nie Kong commanded.

Seeing the slight severity in Nie Kong’s tone, Hua Mei was startled, like a child caught by a teacher for fidgeting in class. She sat perfectly still. After a moment, she discreetly glanced at Nie Kong and saw that his eyes were closed, apparently concentrating on sensing something.

Feeling the warmth beneath Nie Kong’s fingertips, Hua Mei felt her own palm begin to sweat. Her heart quickened, thumping wildly as if it might leap from her throat. This frantic feeling made it hard for her to catch her breath, and her head began to swim slightly.

“That’s not right…”

Nie Kong opened his eyes, released her hand, and muttered in confusion. He had found absolutely no abnormality in Hua Mei’s pulse.

Hua Mei felt a wave of relief wash over her. She quickly pulled her arm back, tightly clenching her right fist. She had already vaguely realized Nie Kong was investigating her ‘ailment.’ She quickly said, “Uncle, I really am fine. It was just a nightmare. I’ll be better after some rest.” Hua Mei didn't elaborate that she had actually been having the same strange dream for days—a dream where she transformed into a flower, but today, she had dreamt that after transforming, the flower suddenly exploded into dust.

Nie Kong began to suspect he might be overthinking things and decided to encourage her to relax: “Mmm, Sister-in-law, I’ll take you out tomorrow to clear your head.”

“Really?”

Hua Mei froze for a moment, then instantly burst into a broad smile. “Uncle, I finished all these wood carvings. Shall we take them tomorrow and sell them all?”

“Alright!”

Nie Kong felt it was a shame to sell such carvings, but seeing Hua Mei look at him with such eager expectation, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. He could only smile and nod in agreement…

…