At noon, two carriages rolled through the North Gate into Jiyang City, stopping only at the entrance to the Nie family compound. Two figures successively alighted from the vehicles.

The first to emerge, from the rear carriage, was a young man in his early twenties. Dressed entirely in black, he possessed a handsome, refined face and a tall, straight physique. His eyes sparkled like distant stars, marred only by thin lips that lent him a somewhat somber air. Gazing toward the graceful silhouette descending from the lead carriage, the young man’s face broke into a broad smile, his gaze brimming with tender affection.

Stepping down from the front carriage was a girl of seventeen or eighteen. Her white gown trailed to the ground, and a cascade of lustrous hair fell freely down her back, resembling a waterfall mingling with flowing clouds. Her features were exquisitely clear and otherworldly. Beneath crescent-moon eyebrows lay a pair of eyes as limpid as autumn waters, perfectly complementing her straight nose, cherry-red mouth, and rounded chin. The combination was so masterfully sculpted it seemed as if all the ethereal purity of the world had converged upon that single, breathtaking countenance. Upon such a pretty face, the skin was crystal clear as jade, seemingly yielding to the slightest touch, exquisitely soft. Perhaps due to the chill in the air, faint touches of crimson adorned her pale cheeks. Viewed from a distance, a subtle, radiant sheen appeared to flow just beneath the surface of her skin, mesmerizing any beholder.

“Fourth Miss? Is that Miss Feng Hua?” “Miss Feng Hua! Miss Feng Hua is back…” “…” The moment the man and woman appeared, they instantly drew the attention of passing Nie family members. Soon, someone recognized the girl’s identity, and gasps erupted. Fourth Miss? Nie Kong and Hua Mei, who had just been enjoying themselves, couldn’t help but turn their heads. Fourth Miss Nie Feng Hua? That prodigiously gifted Spirit Alchemist? Judging by looks alone, she certainly deserved the title of peerless grace, but Nie Kong wondered about her current cultivation level—what rank Spirit Alchemist was she? Nie Kong muttered inwardly, then withdrew his gaze, continuing forward while leading Hua Mei by her small hand. However, with so many clansmen present, Hua Mei blushed and quietly slipped her hand free.

“Fourth Miss, Fourth Miss…” Three figures came running from ahead, calling out. They were Wu Tong, Er Lin, and San Mu. Nie Kong hadn’t seen them for quite some time. Noticing Nie Kong and Hua Mei, the three snorted, swept past them, and rushed to the girl’s side, bowing deeply and plastering eager smiles on their faces.

“You… you look like attendants to my Third Brother? Where is Third Brother?” Nie Feng Hua frowned slightly, evidently displeased by their fawning demeanor. “Third Young Master has been locked in the ‘Ice Flame Cave’ prison by the Patriarch for several days now,” Wu Tong confessed, his gaze lowered, letting out a sigh. “What happened?” Nie Feng Hua’s expression remained calm, but her tone turned icy. “What? He was disobedient again and angered Father?” “No, no, Third Young Master was harmed by someone.” Wu Tong ground his teeth. “Oh, right, it was those two up front. Fourth Miss, please look!”

Nie Feng Hua raised her eyes toward Nie Kong and Hua Mei, dozens of meters away. “That man’s cultivation isn’t high; it seems he only recently entered the Spiritual Manifestation realm. The woman has an excellent figure, and her appearance must be comparable. Am I correct?” As she spoke, her beautiful eyes returned to Wu Tong.

As Nie Feng Hua spoke, the young man beside her also looked over. Upon seeing Hua Mei, he paused, a flicker of confusion in his eyes, but it was swiftly replaced by an almost imperceptible excitement. The young man instinctively licked his lips, his expression akin to a vampire encountering fresh, delectable blood.

“Yes, yes, Fourth Miss is truly sharp. That woman is a young widow, blessed with unparalleled beauty. She…” Wu Tong nodded profusely, continuing.

Nie Feng Hua’s pretty face darkened, and she sneered, “Silence! In the Nie family, only Third Brother causes trouble; who dares harm him? Do you truly take me for a fool? If I’m not mistaken, Third Brother must have lusted after that woman’s beauty, failed to possess her, and was punished by Father as a result!”

“Yes! Yes!” Wu Tong broke out in a cold sweat. Er Lin and San Mu, though silent, were terrified into immobility. Nie Feng Hua spoke coldly, “This is my senior brother from the Ink Snow Sect, She Yan. He has urgent matters to discuss with my father in Jiyang City. You three take him to the Hidden Edge Courtyard to meet Father first. I will go to the ‘Ice Flame Cave’ to check on Third Brother.”

“Junior Sister Nie, there is no rush to see your father. Allow me to accompany you to see your Third Brother first,” She Yan replied, retracting his gaze with a slight smile. “If that is the case, then come with me,” Nie Feng Hua stated calmly and began to walk forward.

She Yan followed close behind Nie Feng Hua. As they passed the trio of attendants, he asked casually, “Who were those two people you were just speaking of?”

Hearing the inquiry from the Fourth Miss’s senior brother, Wu Tong dared not delay and quickly explained, “That man is named Nie Kong. He’s been sick since childhood, half-dead most of the time. Last September, he must have caught some terrible stroke of luck, as his illness suddenly vanished, and his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. In less than ten days, he jumped from the first stage of Spirit Gathering to the…”

“And the woman?” She Yan interrupted his rambling.

Wu Tong hurried two steps to catch up, offering a fawning smile. “That woman is named Hua Mei. She’s a young widow. Before the wedding ceremony was even complete on the day she married in, her husband—oh, also Nie Kong’s older brother—died…” He glanced furtively at She Yan, wondering if this man was also interested in the young widow.

“You say her surname is Hua?” She Yan’s interest piqued. “Correct, surname Hua!” Wu Tong immediately confirmed. “She…” Before he could finish his sentence, She Yan waved his hand, quickened his pace, and caught up to Nie Feng Hua, who was now ten meters ahead. They proceeded together toward the ‘Ice Flame Cave,’ leaving Wu Tong standing frozen on the spot, his mouth hanging open.

“Hmph, looking so respectable, what a piece of trash!” Only after She Yan was dozens of meters away did Wu Tong finally curse under his breath in muffled indignation. Er Lin and San Mu echoed his sentiment repeatedly.

…… The Ice Flame Cave Prison.

“Spiritual Manifestation Ninth Stage! Haha, I finally broke through to the Ninth Stage of Spiritual Manifestation!” Nie Feng Xing cheered wildly, waving his arms and jumping about in the dim prison cell. “Hua Mei, you wicked woman, you actually dared to kick me? Just wait until I get out, and see how I deal with you. And Mu Hongling, you venomous bitch, daring to strike your fiancé! When I get out, I’ll immediately have Old Man rush the Mu family to marry you off to me! Hahahaha…” His arrogant, mocking laughter echoed violently throughout the spacious cell.

“It seems Third Brother, you’re living quite well in here; you even managed to advance your cultivation. If Father had been stern enough to lock you up sooner, you wouldn’t still be stuck at the Spiritual Manifestation realm at your age.” Suddenly, a light, clear voice cut through the space, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of footsteps.

“Who?” Nie Feng Xing’s eyes flashed with menace as he glanced toward the corridor exit. Upon seeing the beautiful figure, he immediately burst into tears and wails, “Fourth Sister, Fourth Sister, you’re finally back! That old man is truly despicable; he locked me in this dark, terrible place. Considering how much I dote on you, hurry and find Mother to intercede for me, ask her to tell the old man to let me out for a few days to breathe—not too long, just two or three days. Fourth Sister, woo-hoo, Fourth Sister, I beg you, please, please… Hey, who is that man smiling so happily? Is he mocking me?”

Seeing the young man behind Nie Feng Hua beaming broadly, Nie Feng Xing leaped up instantly, his face contorted with rage.