"Ancestor?"

Those two words struck Nie Kong with immense astonishment, and even as he followed Gu Changgong toward the west side of the city, Nie Kong couldn't stop pondering.

Seemingly sensing Nie Kong's confusion, Gu Changgong chuckled softly, "Nie Kong, this Ancestor is my grand-master, the Spirit Domain City Lord from two generations prior."

Nie Kong was genuinely startled. Gu Changgong's grand-master, the City Lord from two generations ago—this seniority was truly terrifying. Gu Changgong was already nearing a hundred years old; how ancient must his grand-master be? Definitely much older than the Great Elder of the Nie family in Jiyang, Nie Shengong.

As for his cultivation, it likely surpassed Nie Shengong by a considerable margin.

Nie Kong was utterly perplexed. Why would such an ancient, paramount expert of Spirit Domain City wish to meet him, a mere, unknown disciple from the inner city? Furthermore, the messenger was Gu Changgong, the Hall Master of the Medicine Heart Hall. Such treatment was something few disciples in the history of Spirit Domain City had ever enjoyed.

"Little fellow, the Ancestor cares for you greatly," Gu Changgong sighed lightly.

Nie Kong was left utterly bewildered.

Gu Changgong couldn't help but smile, "Do you recall a few days ago when you came to find me before heading to the Heavenly Wolf Mountain Range for training, and I gave you that red badge?"

Nie Kong nodded, "I remember. I have kept it on me as you instructed." As he spoke, Nie Kong took out a pendant from his chest. The pendant was a red badge, crystalline like jade and intensely warm, shaped like a small cluster of fiercely burning flame.

"This badge was given to you by the Ancestor."

Gu Changgong continued, "Once you encounter a situation that genuinely threatens your life, this badge will activate, protecting you for half an hour. The moment the badge is triggered, the Ancestor will sense it. Within that half hour, no matter where you are in the Heavenly Wolf Mountain Range, the Ancestor can arrive in time to save you."

"So that's how it is."

Nie Kong suddenly understood. "Hall Master, why would the Ancestor give me this?" Greater doubts arose in Nie Kong's mind. Logically speaking, even if his abilities in alchemy were outstanding as a mere Spirit Transformation Master, it shouldn't warrant such profound personal attention!

Gu Changgong laughed heartily, "Because when you were cultivating at the bottom of the cold current in the Senluo Ancient Cave that day, you agitated the Yin Ruins Spirit Vein!"

"The Yin Ruins Spirit Vein?"

These four words made Nie Kong's heart pound. What Gu Changgong spoke of must be related to his four major acupoints converging into the 'Spirit God One Acupoint.' That day, he had absorbed a vast amount of vitality; could the cold current teeming with life force be the so-called Yin Ruins Spirit Vein?

Thinking of the strange stones he picked up in the cold current—stones capable of enhancing the power of the 'Yin Ruins Bloodline'—Nie Kong couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement in his chest.

He seemed to be drawing closer to the very purpose of entering the inner city of Spirit Domain City! Nie Kong looked up at Gu Changgong, hoping for more information, but Gu Changgong appeared to have lost the desire to speak, remaining silent the entire way, leaving Nie Kong feeling as if his heart was being scratched by a cat's claws—an unbearable itch.

It was in the courtyard where Gu Changgong resided in the west of the city that Nie Kong finally met the Ancestor of Spirit Domain City!

He was a gaunt, elderly man dressed in cyan, sitting cross-legged on a cushion, resembling an ancient, unmoving sculpture. As soon as he entered the chamber, Nie Kong felt an extremely bizarre sensation. His eyes clearly perceived the old man's silhouette, yet this Ancestor seemed to possess no sense of presence whatsoever...

What shocked Nie Kong the most was that he could not sense any life force emanating from this cyan-robed elder; it was as if he truly were a lifeless stone carving.

At that moment, Gu Changgong gently pulled the door shut and gracefully retreated. The creak of the closing door startled Nie Kong back to attention. He bowed respectfully, "Disciple Nie Kong greets the Ancestor."

A long, drawn-out voice issued from the old man's withered lips.

Nie Kong sat down respectfully opposite him, cross-legged. For some unknown reason, standing before this old man who seemed to possess almost no presence, Nie Kong felt an immense pressure. When facing Gu Changgong, he could remain relatively casual, but here, he was quite constrained.

"Spirit Transformation, the cultivation is still a bit low..."

The old man opened his eyes and sighed softly, his voice as slow as ever, "Nie Kong, do you know why I asked Changgong to fetch you?"

"It is because I agitated the Yin Ruins Spirit Vein," Nie Kong quickly replied.

The old man's tone shifted slightly, "That Spirit Vein originating from the Yin Ruins is the root of the Spirit Cultivation Illusionary Realm. Only because of the Yin Ruins Spirit Vein does Spirit Domain City exist today. Likewise, it is only through this Spirit Vein connecting to the Heavenly Spirit Continent that the Yin Ruins can endure to this day. Back then, the founding ancestor of our Spirit Domain City came from the Yin Ruins, leaving this lineage on the Heavenly Spirit Continent specifically to guard the spirits within the Senluo Ancient Cave..."

The cyan-robed elder recounted leisurely, and Nie Kong listened in amazement. He never imagined Spirit Domain City and the Yin Ruins had such a mutually dependent relationship. Most wondrously, the female Spirit Tamer who had taught numerous disciples here and was later revered as the founding ancestor of Spirit Domain City also originated from the Yin Ruins.

As Nie Kong pondered, he heard the old man continue, "Upon taking office, every City Lord of Spirit Domain City must swear a solemn oath to guard the Yin Ruins Spirit Vein for life. And every hundred years, the Yin Ruins sends the 'Spirit Apex Holy Water,' which assists the Heavenly Spirit Masters in our city to successfully cultivate up to the Ninth Grade of Heavenly Spirit. With the Spirit Apex Holy Water, even advancing from the First Grade to the Ninth Grade of Heavenly Spirit would take no more than thirty years."

"Spirit Apex Holy Water!"

Nie Kong secretly gasped, a chill running down his spine. He hadn't expected the Yin Ruins possessed something so heaven-defying, something that could allow a Heavenly Spirit expert to advance from the First to the Ninth Grade in just thirty years. No wonder Spirit Domain City, despite having the shortest lineage, could be counted among the Sacred Lands of Spirit Masters alongside ancient sects like the Moluo Sacred Mountain, the Heaven and Earth Sect, and the Ink Snow Sect.

However, just as Nie Kong was shocked, the old man sighed again, "If the Yin Ruins Spirit Vein loses its restraint, it will collapse. If the Vein perishes, the Yin Ruins will collapse along with it, and everything within a thousand miles of Spirit Domain City will be leveled. The other function of the Spirit Apex Holy Water is to help our Heavenly Spirit Masters suppress the Spirit Vein."

"Therefore, for the past three thousand years, the Yin Ruins has never delayed sending the Spirit Apex Holy Water. But now, over a hundred and twenty years have passed, and we still haven't seen any envoy from the Yin Ruins. For the past two decades, without the aid of the Spirit Apex Holy Water, I have been utterly exhausted suppressing the Spirit Vein, nearing the end of my lifespan..."

Nie Kong gasped out loud, realizing this Ancestor of Spirit Domain City was approaching the end of his life.

Suddenly, Nie Kong connected another issue from the information the elder revealed. If there was no delay, the envoy from the Yin Ruins should have delivered the 'Spirit Apex Holy Water' twenty years ago. Nie Kong was currently nineteen, and Nie Qiong, the brother of the original owner of this body, would be twenty-one if he were alive. Coincidentally, both Nie Kong and Nie Qiong possessed the Yin Ruins Bloodline; could these two events be related? And what about the cluster of dark green blood in Great Elder Nie Shengong's body, which appeared decades ago—was that also connected?

The old man continued, "Currently, only the City Lord can suppress the Spirit Vein in Spirit Domain City relying on his own strength, but he suffers from a strange ailment and is already incapable. Other Heavenly Spirit Masters, without the aid of the Spirit Apex Holy Water, also find it difficult. Thus, if I pass away, the Spirit Vein will inevitably collapse."

Nie Kong's heart skipped a beat. No wonder he hadn't heard news of the City Lord since entering the inner city; it turned out he was ill. He wondered what kind of sickness it was?

The old man gazed at Nie Kong, his slow voice carrying an unprecedented solemnity, "Therefore, I need someone to enter the Yin Ruins to investigate the situation. If the Yin Ruins no longer have the Spirit Apex Holy Water, then our Spirit Domain City must evacuate immediately to avoid annihilation when the Spirit Vein collapses!"

"Ancestor, I am the candidate you have chosen to enter the Yin Ruins?"

Nie Kong finally understood the purpose behind the Ancestor giving him the red badge for protection and summoning him here today! Nie Kong never expected his wish to be fulfilled in such an easy manner; a blush of excitement involuntarily rose on his face.

The old man nodded slightly. "There is only one way to enter the Yin Ruins from the outside world, and that is through the Yin Ruins Spirit Vein in the Senluo Ancient Cave. Only two types of people can successfully enter: one is someone from the Yin Ruins, and the other is a Wood Spirit Master. Nie Kong, as soon as you entered Spirit Domain City, Changgong began observing you. However, your cultivation was too low then, so he didn't explain this matter to you, to prevent you from being distracted."

"Of course, your current Spirit Transformation cultivation is still extremely low and you cannot yet endure the pressure of the Yin Ruins Spirit Vein. But, since you can agitate the Yin Ruins Spirit Vein, that is another matter entirely. A Spirit Master capable of agitating the Vein, even if only at Spirit Gathering First Grade, can successfully reach the Yin Ruins."

"Nie Kong, are you willing to accept this mission I entrust to you?"

Nie Kong excitedly nodded, almost without hesitation.

His reason for coming to Spirit Domain City was to find a way to enter and awaken the half-spirit race bloodline within himself. Now, such an opportunity had presented itself. Nie Kong had no reason to refuse. As for gathering intelligence, he could attend to that casually once inside.

The old man's eyes flickered slightly, showing a hint of surprise, "The journey to the Yin Ruins might be extremely dangerous, Nie Kong. You should consider this carefully."

"Ancestor, there is no need to consider it."

Nie Kong was anxious and declared impassionedly, "Spirit Domain City faces such a grave threat. As a disciple of Spirit Domain City, if I lacked the ability, that would be one thing. But now, I am the only one in the entire city who can enter the Yin Ruins, so I naturally must share the city's worries."

With the old man's power, he could easily sense the sincerity and excitement in Nie Kong's words. After gazing at Nie Kong for a while, he uttered a heavy syllable, and a look of admiration appeared in his eyes. The deeply wrinkled cheeks trembled slightly, as if he were smiling.

"Ancestor, when shall I depart for the Yin Ruins?" Nie Kong asked somewhat impatiently.

"No rush! Nie Kong, go back and prepare. Return here in three days. Remember, this matter must not be revealed." The cyan-robed elder seemed to have shed a heavy burden, his voice gentle.

Walking back to his pavilion residence, Nie Kong wore a perpetual smile.

Nie Kong had estimated that it would be good enough to figure out a way into the Yin Ruins in the first half of next year, and to actually enter the Yin Ruins in the latter half of next year would be excellent. He hadn't expected that the commotion caused by solidifying the Spirit God One Acupoint at the bottom of the cold current that day would cause his entry into the Yin Ruins to be significantly expedited.

"Ahiya, I was almost suffocated, I was almost discovered," Qing Yue pinched her small skirt and stepped across Nie Kong's chest, walking step by step onto his shoulder.

"Didn't you say no one could discover you?" Nie Kong communicated mentally. This little thing could sense his thoughts, so Nie Kong refrained from speaking aloud to her. If others saw him talking to thin air, it would inevitably lead to unnecessary suspicion.

"Of course! Have you seen who I am? I am the beautiful Qing Yue Illusionary Heart Orchid."

The little thing chuckled proudly but quickly added, "But, there are one or two exceptions, like that old man you just met. If my senses are correct, he should be at Heavenly Spirit Ninth Grade, which is a superpower on the Heavenly Spirit Continent. If it weren't for him being near death suppressing that Yin Ruins Spirit Vein, with his profound cultivation, he surely would have sensed my presence."

"Nie Kong, do you know? Your Ancestor, Grandma has met him before! It seems like it was two hundred... no, three hundred years ago. He was training with a few younglings in the Heavenly Wolf Mountain Range and passed by that palm print twice. I still remember his name—what was it? Xu Ba?" After racking her brain for a long time, Qing Yue suddenly bounced excitedly on Nie Kong's shoulder, "Yes, it was Xu Ba!"

"Three hundred years?"

Nie Kong clicked his tongue in surprise, then chuckled inwardly, "After not seeing him for so long, he's completely unrecognizable. You recognized him just by looking at him now?"

The little thing looked disdainful: "Idiot, you think Grandma recognizes people by their looks? Grandma recognizes them by their spiritual aura!"

Nie Kong felt slightly awkward, having been looked down upon by such a tiny thing. "Qing Yue, your memory is quite good. I'm impressed! Impressed!"

"Grandma has plenty more things you can be impressed by... Eeyah, that building is so funny, built like that, ha ha ha ha..."

"Look, look, what are those two little ones doing? Fighting? So lame!"

Qing Yue's interest was quickly diverted by the surroundings. She looked everywhere, occasionally waving her two chopsticks-sized little arms, adopting the posture of a sovereign surveying his domain.

Nie Kong responded vaguely, returning to the pavilion...

A while later, Nie Kong stepped into the steaming hot bath tub and let out a satisfied sigh. Long Ping and Long Ting, the two little maids, were truly obedient and clever. After seeing Tai Hong's dirty state at the Thirty-Third Floor Pharmacy, they had rushed back to their quarters to heat the water, waiting for him to return for a bath.

Two identical small faces slowly peeked around the doorway. Long Ping and Long Ting, the two little lolis, appeared somewhat shy and demure.

"What is it?" Nie Kong asked suspiciously.

"Master, we have..." Long Ting said happily, her little face flushed pink, exceptionally alluring.

Long Ping quickly nodded, her pretty face also slightly flushed, her watery beautiful eyes rippling with a trace of shyness that added a faint, elusive charm to her purity.

Nie Kong was startled, gripping the edge of the tub, almost springing up like a coiled spring from the water with his bare body, "What is it?"

The two little lolis were taken aback by Nie Kong's strong reaction. Long Ting stammered, "Master, Sister and I have spiritual power again."

Nie Kong breathed a huge sigh of relief; so it was about having spiritual power again. Because he used to be a doctor, the word would trigger a reflexive association with the other meaning. Thinking about it now, he was being overly nervous; how could the two little maids possibly...

"Reached the limit so quickly?"

Understanding the situation, Nie Kong felt quite surprised. After all, only a few months had passed since he completely absorbed their spiritual power. Could the fusion of vitality have caused the speed at which their meridians condensed spiritual power to reach such an astonishing level?

Nie Kong felt a headache coming on. He was supposed to depart for the Yin Ruins in three days. If he were delayed inside for a long time, and the meridians of the two little maids remaining here reached their maximum capacity again, wouldn't they be in danger if he couldn't return to absorb the spiritual power?

"Master, it's already very slow; it took several months."

"Mmm-hmm, Master, can you come absorb our spiritual power later, okay?"

The two little maids looked at Nie Kong with anticipation.

"Okay, you two go back to your room first. I'll be right there." Nie Kong quickly agreed. Upon receiving Nie Kong's reply, the two little maids happily ran off.

"Ooh ooh, two spiritual bodies?" Qing Yue crawled out from the pile of clothes beside the tub, her fair and tender little face filled with surprise.

Nie Kong only glanced at her before turning his gaze back, continuing to ponder the issue of Long Ping and Long Ting. According to Long Xuechan's deductions, he could create a more suitable and risk-free spiritual technique by studying their internal conditions and combining it with the 'Spring and Autumn Life Cultivation Art' he was currently practicing.

But now, he had reached Spirit Transformation First Grade, and the day the hidden danger in the spiritual technique erupted was drawing nearer, yet he still had no clues. The situation was the same for the two little maids; he had always wanted to find a way to resolve the fate of spiritual bodies, and still, there was no progress.

"Troublesome!"

Nie Kong patted his forehead and let out a long breath...

About half an hour later...

In the bedroom on the second floor of the pavilion, Nie Kong sat quietly by the bedside. Long Ping lay flat on the bed, her fair, tender chest, which was fuller than a few months prior, exposed. Her delicate face was like a ripe apple, flushed red as if water could drip out, and her eyes were moist and brimming with shyness.

However, Long Ping was much bolder now.

If this were before, being exposed to Nie Kong like this, Long Ping would not only keep her eyes tightly shut, but her youthful body would also tense up like a steel plate. Long Ting was naturally even more relaxed than Long Ping, sitting by the head of the bed holding her sister's small hand, her eyes darting around.

Nie Kong held the golden needles, concentrating his spirit and calming his breath. He didn't immediately

Within my own soul resides the "Dragon Mate Seal" of the Dragon Spirit Clan. During that absurd coupling in the underground chamber beneath the Medicine Hall, I absorbed the attribute-less spiritual power of both Long Mei Xian and Long Xue Chan. That spiritual power must surely carry the very essence of the Dragon Spirit Clan. Later, that mass of attribute-less spiritual power transformed into a psychic nexus, merging with the other three major psychic nexuses. By now, that essence should still linger within the Great Nexus.

The Great Nexus, the Wood Spiritual Power, the aura of the Dragon Spirit Clan…

It must be the simultaneous presence of these three elements that allowed those two fluctuations to use my golden needles as a bridge, generating a marvelous resonance, Nie Kong mused inwardly…

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