"This is the Beast Taming Token?"

Qingyue Huanxin Lan's crisp voice held a hint of astonishment. "Little fellow, how did you come to possess a token from the Beast Taming Sect?"

", I picked it up."

Nie Kong smiled.

"Picked it up? Impossible!"

Qingyue Huanxin Lan snorted skeptically. "Even if you present that token, what of it? The old man from the Beast Taming Sect back then was a Heavenly Spirit expert; I paid him no mind. Do you really think that centuries later, the beautiful Qingyue Huanxin Lan would submit to the commands of a mere Spirit Transformation Master like you?"

She paused, then continued, "Furthermore, I no longer possess my original body. After entering the Beast Taming Token, my soul power will drop to at least the Void Spirit level. Recovering to my current state would take at least a thousand years. Rather than that, I might as well remain in the 'Spirit Sealing Stele'!"

", so you had best put that thing away, lest it merely annoy me by being in sight!"

She emphasized the last sentence with rising tone.

"Rest assured, I have no interest in you," Nie Kong sighed with a smile. "Alas, to have cultivated to this extent as a mere medicinal herb, only to face a lifetime of solitude within the Spirit Sealing Stele—how pitiful!"

Putting away the token, Nie Kong shook his head and walked toward the hall doors.

", Hmph!"

The black mist retracted into the Spirit Sealing Stele. However, after only a few seconds, a sharp cry suddenly rang out from within the stone tablet: ", Wait, wait! What is that fragrance?"

As she spoke, vast swathes of black mist rushed out of the stele, surging wildly through the hall, agitated to the extreme.

", What fragrance?"

Nie Kong turned back in surprise, gazing at the stele.

", The scent that just wafted off you?" Qingyue Huanxin Lan asked urgently. "Oh, you mean that! I forgot to tell you. As a Wood Spirit Master, I can transform the medicinal power of any herb in this world into spiritual energy. So, when I was outside, I frequently consumed various herbs, and over time, this particular aroma developed within me."

"Is that so?"

Sensing the astonishment in Qingyue Huanxin Lan's tone, Nie Kong chuckled inwardly. The so-called "fragrance," which Nie Kong couldn't smell at all, was actually the residual effect of his little companion using a "Subtle Scent" technique once. Having absorbed a massive amount of Qingyue Huanxin Lan’s toxic mist today, the little one was exceptionally satisfied. When Nie Kong conveyed this thought to it, it readily unfurled its small flower bud and released a hint of purple aura.

Having finally encountered a miraculous herb in this shattered Illusory Realm—one comparable to the Fire Tree Silver Flower, Nightless Heaven, Dragon Taming Grass, God Devouring Flower, and Fluttering Jade Butterfly Spring—Nie Kong felt a deep sense of regret at the thought of not obtaining her. Recalling the remarkable efficacy of the "Subtle Scent" on the Fire Tree Silver Flower, Nie Kong allowed the little companion to deploy it here on a trial basis, never expecting it to provoke such intense agitation from Qingyue Huanxin Lan.

", Little fellow, that..."

Qingyue Huanxin Lan coughed hesitantly, her tone laced with intense longing. ", Ahem, could you release a bit more of that fragrance?"

Nie Kong chuckled wryly. "That fragrance is essence condensed from immense medicinal power. Do you take it for common cabbage? Besides, what do you want it for?"

", It's certainly useful," Qingyue Huanxin Lan admitted frankly. "I have a feeling that if I can absorb enough of that scent, I can reconstruct my physical body. Once that happens, even if my cultivation reaches the Ninth Grade of the Heavenly Spirit realm, I can find a way to escape this 'Spirit Sealing Stele' without destroying it."

Reconstituting her body? Nie Kong was somewhat surprised. He had assumed the subtle scent could boost her cultivation, not rebuild her physical form. Of course, for Qingyue Huanxin Lan, whose original body had dissolved, rebuilding the body was clearly far more important than merely increasing her power level.

"I truly wish I could help you, but I'm afraid I am powerless," Nie Kong replied, hiding his delight while maintaining an outwardly helpless expression. "Even if I gave you all the fragrance in my body right now, the quantity would be meager. Moreover, I will eventually leave the Spirit Sealing Hall; I cannot stay here every day. Most importantly, this fragrance is condensed from vast amounts of medicinal power. Without continuous consumption of herbs, this scent simply won't manifest. I'm truly sorry."

"..."

Nie Kong’s explanation was logical and reasonable. Qingyue Huanxin Lan fell silent, and the fiercely fluctuating black mist gradually calmed.

Nie Kong waved his hand and turned to continue toward the hall exit. "Farewell. If I have the time in the future, I will come here to check on you."

", Thump! Thump..."

Resounding footsteps echoed through the vast, empty Spirit Sealing Hall, one after another. Nie Kong walked with steady composure, though inwardly he was silently counting numbers.

Gradually, Nie Kong drew closer to the hall door, but Qingyue Huanxin Lan behind him remained silent. Nie Kong couldn't help but feel a touch of anxiety. If Qingyue Huanxin Lan could resist the temptation of the 'Subtle Scent' and choose to remain within the Spirit Sealing Stele, he would have no recourse.

Ten meters... Eight meters... Five meters...

Three meters... Two meters...

One meter!

", Forget it!"

Qingyue Huanxin Lan still showed no reaction. Nie Kong sighed inwardly. "It seems I am not fated to acquire this miraculous medicinal spirit, Qingyue Huanxin Lan, for now. But it’s alright; if it fails this time, there will be next time, and the time after that. She cannot leave the Spirit Sealing Stele anyway."

With this thought, Nie Kong stepped across the threshold of the hall door.

", Wait!"

Just as Nie Kong was about to step into the darkness outside the hall, Qingyue Huanxin Lan's crisp voice called out from behind him, carrying a distinct note of gritted teeth.

Nie Kong was overjoyed, forcefully suppressing the excitement surging in his chest, and slowly turned back.

"Take out your Beast Taming Token!"

Qingyue Huanxin Lan spoke the words almost syllable by syllable.

As she spoke, the black mist surrounding the stele suddenly gathered, then dispersed, changing constantly—a clear indication of the complex emotions Qingyue Huanxin Lan was experiencing at that very moment.

", What are you doing?"

Nie Kong feigned uncertainty.

", Don't ask what you already know!" Qingyue Huanxin Lan huffed angrily. "You brought out that fragrance because you intended to lure me into that Beast Taming Token, didn't you? You win!"

", Haha..."

Nie Kong chuckled wryly. Although Qingyue Huanxin Lan appeared somewhat naive, she was clearly an intelligent spirit medicine with sharp senses, having seen through his ploy so quickly. This was fine; Nie Kong no longer needed to pretend. He reached into his robe, summoned the token from his 'Pet Backpack' again, and walked toward the stele.

", Little fellow, don't celebrate too soon," Qingyue Huanxin Lan warned with a snort. "I can enter the Beast Taming Token, but I have three conditions: First, you are not allowed to use the token to command me; second, you must provide me with that fragrance consistently; and third, once I have reformed my body, you must allow me to leave the token."

", It seems you still haven't grasped the current situation. By your terms, wouldn't I just become your labor slave, tasked with providing fragrance? I think let's drop it. This Spirit Sealing Stele preserves you from death and annihilation; even as a soul, that shouldn't be a major issue."

With that, Nie Kong turned to leave.

", Hold on!"

The black mist flickered, swirling past Nie Kong to block his path. Qingyue Huanxin Lan's voice immediately followed, ", While you provide me with the fragrance, I will also offer you benefits."

She paused slightly, then added, ", After entering the Beast Taming Token, although my soul power can escape the constraints of the Spirit Sealing Stele, it will drop to the Void Spirit realm. How about this: until you become a Void Spirit Master, if you encounter an opponent you cannot possibly defeat, I will help you handle them. But, only opponents below the Void Spirit realm."

"Just that?"

Having Qingyue Huanxin Lan would be like gaining a bodyguard of Long Xuechan's caliber! Nie Kong was inwardly delighted, but his brow furrowed slightly in feigned dissatisfaction.

", You're still not satisfied with that?" Qingyue Huanxin Lan became unusually incensed, her voice growing sharp. "Little fellow, do you have any idea that the beautiful Qingyue Huanxin Lan excels most in things other than combat! Moreover, after leaving the 'Spirit Sealing Stele,' the toxicity of the 'Ink Bell Thorn' I absorbed will remain in the stele. My combat ability will be significantly weakened then. Every time I help you, I will have to expend a large amount of soul power."

Nie Kong remained unmoved. "Since combat isn't your specialty, what do you excel at?"

", Cultivating medi—" Qingyue Huanxin Lan began proudly, but as the words left her lips, she seemed to realize something. ", Does it matter? Clearly, it doesn't matter at all; it has no bearing on our transaction."

"Of course, telling you isn't out of the question. The beautiful Qingyue Huanxin Lan is best at beautification. I will adorn myself to become ever more stunning. When I break through to the Heavenly Spirit realm and transform into a human, I will certainly be the most beautiful being on the Heavenly Spirit Continent, even more beautiful than the former 'Fluttering Jade Butterfly Spring.' Oh, and I am already very beautiful right now, giggle..."

Nie Kong watched the dancing black mist with a subtle smile. While Qingyue Huanxin Lan played coy, Nie Kong couldn't let her off so easily. ", This shattered Illusory Realm contains a vast number of 'Waxing Moon Green Hooks'—that is, other Qingyue Huanxin Lans. They shouldn't exist in the Illusory Realm, yet here they are, appearing in droves. Do you know why this is happening?"

Qingyue Huanxin Lan gave a strained laugh. "I don't know about that! The Illusory Realm is already broken; many areas are connected to the outside world. Perhaps a strong wind carried the seeds of the 'Qingyue Huanxin Lan' over, or maybe some spirit beasts brought their seeds into the realm."

", Then let's call off our transaction," Nie Kong sighed, shaking his head. "Cooperating with a medicinal spirit who isn't entirely honest doesn't feel very secure."

", Humph!" Qingyue Huanxin Lan started, puffing up angrily. "I separated them from the Spirit Sealing Stele and planted them in those places when I was bored. But so what? Do you know how much soul power it costs me to separate even one medicinal herb? Are you expecting me to help you plant herbs as well?"

Nie Kong smiled. "You just claimed your specialty is planting herbs. Could you tell me how you plant them? If it's only planting 'Qingyue Huanxin Lans,' it hardly counts as a specialty. It seems you can cultivate more than just 'Qingyue Huanxin Lans.'"

"You even figured that out! Little fellow, meeting you is my misfortune," Qingyue Huanxin Lan admitted with a slump in spirit. "I'll tell you the truth. With the physical body of any given herb, my soul can integrate into it, and then, just like separating a 'Qingyue Huanxin Lan,' I can split it into at least two seedlings. However, the rarer the herb, the more difficult the separation."

Nie Kong was utterly stunned. This ability of Qingyue Huanxin Lan was monstrously potent. If she were to separate herbs, supplemented by his own vitality, he could rapidly cultivate massive quantities of precious medicinal ingredients! If this vision could be realized, he would never again need to worry about finding herbs for his companion.

After a long pause, Nie Kong asked, "According to what you say, if I give you a 'Serpent Coil Blood Lotus,' you can split it into two or more 'Serpent Coil Blood Lotus' seedlings?"

"That's what I said, but it's not easy to accomplish," Qingyue Huanxin Lan explained. "Don't look at the sheer number of 'Qingyue Huanxin Lans' in the Illusory Realm; those took me hundreds of years to plant. If I enter the Beast Taming Token with my strength diminished then, separating other herbs will be even harder. The soul power expended in a single attempt would definitely far exceed fighting a Void Spirit Master, unless I have a physical body to support me."

", If you can help me reconstitute my body sooner, I will give you more rare herbs to separate. If you expect me to expend my soul power to do this for you, I'd rather stay in the Spirit Sealing Stele."

"Even the old man back then couldn't weaken my soul with the 'Ink Bell Thorn.' I have no intention of letting my soul dissipate just to separate herbs for you."

Saying this, the black mist began to shrink back toward the Spirit Sealing Stele. It seemed Nie Kong's request had indeed touched upon the limit of what Qingyue Huanxin Lan could tolerate.

"Very well, we'll discuss that after you've reformed your body," Nie Kong nodded. There was plenty of time; if he could find a way to restore her soul power, she wouldn't refuse to help him cultivate herbs.

", Deal!" Qingyue Huanxin Lan happily fluttered toward Nie Kong. "But how can I trust you? If I enter the Beast Taming Token and you break your promise, constantly forcing me to do this and that, and I have no means to resist inside the token, won't I truly become your slave?"

Nie Kong stated calmly, "You have only two choices: either trust me, or abandon the transaction. Think it over carefully!"

Qingyue Huanxin Lan grinned mischievously. ", No, little fellow, I have a third option: signing the 'Life and Death Spirit Seal' with you."

", You know about the 'Life and Death Spirit Seal'?"

If she hadn't mentioned it, Nie Kong wouldn't have thought of it. Regarding the so-called 'Life and Death Spirit Seal,' Nie Kong had heard mentions of it. It was said that after signing this seal, the lives of both parties became intertwined; if one died, the other could not survive.

The black mist swayed lazily, circling Nie Kong. Qingyue Huanxin Lan continued, "Since I know about the 'Fluttering Jade Butterfly Spring,' why wouldn't I know about the 'Life and Death Spirit Seal'? That old dog from the Beast Taming Sect told me many things to trick me into the Beast Taming Token for his service."

", Is such a necessity really required?" Nie Kong shook his head and smiled.

Qingyue Huanxin Lan grew solemn. "It is absolutely necessary! Otherwise, why should I trust you? I don't want to escape the 'Spirit Sealing Stele' only to enter another, more secure cage. Little fellow, the 'Life and Death Spirit Seal' only benefits you. You must know that I possess nearly infinite life, yet you can only live for a few hundred years unless you surpass the Heavenly Spirit realm, and your lifespan could be even shorter if accidents occur. With this 'Life and Death Spirit Seal,' if any accident happens, I will exert every effort to ensure your safety."

", Alright, I agree," Nie Kong nodded. Considering it, signing the 'Life and Death Spirit Seal' presented no real loss to him, as he had never truly intended to kill the goose that laid the golden eggs by draining Qingyue Huanxin Lan's soul power.

"Let's start immediately!"

Urged on by Qingyue Huanxin Lan, Nie Kong immediately sat cross-legged before the 'Spirit Sealing Stele.' A streak of emerald green light shot out from the spiritual seed between his eyebrows. Moments later, a beam of azure light pierced through the carved patterns of the 'Spirit Sealing Stele' and intertwined with Nie Kong's emerald glow.

The mixed green and blue ball of light grew larger, instantly expanding to the size of a fist.

As Nie Kong’s thoughts flickered, the emerald color within the light cluster outlined profound, arcane patterns.

The azure light followed suit, sketching designs in the void. A few minutes later, the shapes representing Nie Kong and Qingyue Huanxin Lan materialized in the air. With a slight shimmer, the two patterns of light collided.

"Boom!"

With a soft burst, the pattern shaped like Nie Kong was dyed azure and imprinted onto the markings of the 'Spirit Sealing Stele,' while the transformed, emerald-green Qingyue Huanxin Lan slipped into Nie Kong’s brow like a spirit snake. The emerald and azure light flickered between the Spirit Sealing Stele and Nie Kong’s brow for a while before gradually receding.

The Life and Death Spirit Seal was forged!

Vaguely, Nie Kong felt a mysterious connection bloom between his mind and Qingyue Huanxin Lan within the Spirit Sealing Stele—as if his soul and the spirit within the 'Spirit Sealing Stele' were now tightly bound into a single entity, a peculiar sensation of truly sharing life and death.

"It's done," Nie Kong opened his eyes. Qingyue Huanxin Lan's joyful voice immediately followed from inside the Spirit Sealing Stele. "Little fellow, what is your name? I still don't know it!"

", Nie Kong." Nie Kong smiled.

", Nie Kong. That name is quite pleasant, unlike that old dog from the Beast Taming Sect. He called himself something like Ni Zhaoshi—it sounded almost like 'You Seek Death.' Truly hideous."

Qingyue Huanxin Lan laughed for a moment, then declared casually, "As for me, you can just call me Granny Qingyue from now on."

Granny Qingyue?

", Hah!"

Nie Kong burst out laughing. This Qingyue Huanxin Lan was genuinely hilarious, demanding to be called 'Granny'? In his previous life, some actual grandmothers pretended to be sixteen or seventeen-year-old girls, which was nauseating. But this spirit medicine was the opposite, insisting on being called 'Granny'?

Qingyue became indignant. "What's so funny about it! I'm nearly two thousand years old. That's enough to be your grandmother's grandmother's grandmother... Calling me 'Granny' once won't hurt!"

", Ahem," Nie Kong coughed twice. "Let's not discuss that issue for now. You had best enter the Beast Taming Token quickly. I have another companion waiting for me in the Illusory Realm."

"That's fine! I can finally leave this wretched place!" Qingyue cheered. "You're just holding the token; how am I supposed to get in?"

", How do I do that?"

Nie Kong was momentarily puzzled.

", Ah!"

Qingyue shrieked, "You don't know how to use the Beast Taming Token? I truly believe now that you picked this token up. If you don't know how to use it, even if I enter, you won't be able to command my soul! I knew I shouldn't have signed the 'Life and Death Spirit Seal' with you—what a loss! What a loss!"

The black mist churned violently, and Qingyue’s voice was filled with indescribable gloom.

Nie Kong shrugged. "I told you long ago that I picked up the token. What could I do if you chose not to believe me? Moreover, you were the one who proposed signing the 'Life and Death Spirit Seal,' and I even advised you against it. You insisted, so you can't blame me."

", Ahhhhh..."

Qingyue’s screams were filled with frustration, regret, and suppressed anger.

Nie Kong looked sympathetically at the black mist. Indeed, anyone encountering such a situation would feel this way. Unfortunately, sympathy aside, once the 'Life and Death Spirit Seal' was successfully signed, it could not be broken. No matter how difficult it was for Qingyue to accept, she had to face reality.

", It's done now; regretting it is useless," Nie Kong offered comfort.

", Hmph Hmph!"

The black mist churned in the Spirit Sealing Hall for a long time before Qingyue finally huffed in resignation. "You got off easy! Nie Kong, you really got off easy! Turn the token to the front side. It has the five characters 'Beast Taming Sect Beast Token' (). There is a small protrusion on the character 'Sect' (). Press it, and then channel your spiritual power into it. That will activate the token, and it will truly belong to you from then on. Only an activated token like this will allow my soul to enter."

", Boom!"

As Qingyue instructed, Nie Kong indeed found a speck-sized protrusion on the front of the token. He pressed down firmly, and the spot immediately indented. A brilliant crimson light erupted from the characters. Seeing this, Nie Kong hurriedly channeled a stream of mutated wood spiritual power into the token.

The crimson light subsided, and emerald threads spread outward from the inscribed characters.

In an instant, the black Beast Taming Token turned a luminous green, resembling a piece of clear, exquisite jade—utterly charming.

", Phew!"

With a faint whoosh, the black mist entirely retreated into the 'Spirit Sealing Stele.'

", Nie Kong, hold the token tight! Granny is coming!" Qingyue's crisp, clear call echoed out from within the pure white stone tablet.

"..."

A flash of intense azure light erupted from the engravings on the Stone of Sealed Spirits the instant Nie Kong faced the Spirit Beast Token toward it, knowing Qingyue Huanxin Lan was merely venting her frustration and thus making no move to stop her playful verbal jabs.

“Woooong!”

As the azure light poured in, the Spirit Beast Token thrashed violently, nearly wrenching itself from his grasp, its deafening drone echoing throughout the Hall of Sealed Spirits. At nearly the same moment, a vast and mighty spiritual aura radiated outward, causing Nie Kong’s very soul to tremble.

The light streamed into the token for nearly a full minute before ceasing.

Flipping the token over, the engraving of 'Qingyue Huanxin Lan' had indeed appeared on the reverse, perfectly mirroring the pattern on the stone stele. A thought sparked in Nie Kong’s mind, and he plunged his consciousness into the token’s interior. Upon sensing the situation within, Nie Kong froze for a beat, then threw his head back, clutching his stomach, dissolving into helpless laughter. “Hahahaha, Grandma Qingyue, you really are Grandma Qingyue, hahahaha, this kills me, ohh, it truly kills me, hah!” PS: Two-in-one chapter; today's update is complete...

Heh heh, here come those seeking followers, I beg for your follow.