Mu Qingyi stood tall on the high platform, her figure silhouetted against the dark surroundings by her black uniform, which made her skin appear like freshly fallen snow. At this moment, a gentle smile graced her lips, her expression serene, making it almost impossible to sense the powerful aura of a master emanating from her—a stark contrast to the murderous Mu Qingyi etched in Mu Zu’s memory from twenty years prior.

“Greetings, Master!”

Nie Kong smiled, bowing deeply to Mu Qingyi. He was now less than three meters away from her; just a few more steps would bring him close enough to touch her body with ease. Yet, in this moment, his heart was utterly still, possessing a strange, surprising tranquility.

“No need for such ceremony.”

Mu Qingyi waved her hand with a soft smile, scrutinizing Nie Kong for a moment, a hint of wistfulness coloring her tone. “Nie Kong, did you know that back in Nanli City, Qingying had already taken a liking to you? She insisted back then that she wanted you as her husband. If Jinzhu hadn't held her back, you two might have already met.”

“Mother!”

Mu Qingying, who had just returned to Mu Qingyi’s side, flushed slightly at the words, sneaking a glance at Nie Kong.

After witnessing Nie Kong’s conduct in the inn at Nanli City, Mu Qingying had been able to state with utter conviction to Mu Jinzhu, “This man, I must have him.” But now that her wish was finally granted, hearing her mother bring up the past in front of him made her profoundly shy.

“Eh?”

Nie Kong paused, a sudden memory surfacing of the feeling of being watched after he had soundly beaten Mu Feihe that day. At the time, he hadn't paid it any mind, assuming the commotion he caused had merely drawn the attention of other patrons. Now, comparing it with Mu Qingyi’s words, the gazes he felt must have belonged to Mu Qingying and Mu Jinzhu. Perhaps the harassment by the women in the inn was also a test they had arranged.

This realization dawned on Nie Kong; so, Mu Qingying’s appearance at Nongyue Tower that day was also intentional. In an instant, clarity struck him.

Mu Qingyi smiled faintly. “Nie Kong, passing Jinzhu’s three trials and standing here proves that Qingying’s judgment is indeed quite excellent. One month from now, I shall host your wedding in the Dayuan Hall. I will entrust Qingying to you then, and you must treat her well.”

“Still a month away!”

Mu Qingying unconsciously murmured, but as soon as the words left her lips, she noticed the strange looks from those around her. Her cheeks warmed, and her eyes darted around as she said something contrary to her true feelings: “Actually, a month isn’t that long, is it, Mother? Then, let’s make it a month.”

Mu Qingyi’s gaze returned to Nie Kong, a playful smile on her face. “Nie Kong, do you have any objections? If you feel that’s too late, I can move the wedding date forward.”

Mu Qingying’s eyes brightened, and she secretly winked at Nie Kong. The perilous scenes she witnessed during his alchemy trials still unnerved her; now that Nie Kong had finally emerged as the victor, the sooner they married the better. If they delayed for another month, who knew what complications might arise.

“No objections.”

Nie Kong acted as if he hadn't noticed Mu Qingying’s small gesture, shaking his head and smiling. These few words angered Mu Qingying enough to stamp her foot. Then, Nie Kong shifted his tone, his smile turning cool. “However, before coming here, I prepared a small betrothal gift, which I ask the Master to graciously accept.”

Mu Qingyi was momentarily stunned, then chuckled softly. “Little fellow, you’ve even prepared a betrothal gift. Are you so confident you’ll become my son-in-law?”

Mu Qingying was overjoyed. She hadn't expected the man she favored to have prepared a betrothal gift so early. Didn't this mean he was determined to have her long before the grand ceremony? If it were any other man with such a mindset, she probably would have dismissed him with a haughty curl of her lip, but with Nie Kong, it was entirely different.

Suddenly, Mu Qingying felt her heart flooded with immense joy, and the way she looked at Nie Kong became even softer, as if her gaze could spill over with emotion.

“Good!”

Nie Kong felt a pang of reluctance at the look in Mu Qingying’s eyes, yet he merely smiled mysteriously. “This betrothal gift is quite interesting. I believe the Master will be very fond of it.”

“Oh?”

Mu Qingyi sounded curious, giggling. “Nie Kong, bring out your gift. I’d like to see what it is. Don’t just mention this Yin Ruins; even if you consider the entire Heaven Spirit Continent, few things would make me truly fond of them, let alone very fond!”

Nie Kong reached into his robes and pulled out a pitifully small wooden box, barely the length of a finger and two fingers wide. What could possibly be inside such a tiny container? Not only did Mu Qingyi show a flicker of surprise, but Mu Qingying, Mu Jinzhu, and the others nearby also registered a hint of astonishment.

“Please inspect it.”

Nie Kong held the wooden box and slowly stepped forward.

As Mu Qingyi took the box, a faint ‘kachak’ sound drew everyone’s attention. Just as the small wooden box was halfway open, a thick plume of dark green essence snaked out from the gap, shooting directly toward Mu Qingyi’s brow.

“Insolent!”

Mu Qingyi’s face changed drastically, her angry shout exploding like a thunderclap.

In the next instant, a patch of murky black mist shot out from Mu Qingyi’s brow, tangling violently with the dark green essence. Simultaneously, a black phantom materialized—a thick, crude black vine that lashed out like an arrow loosed from a bow, hurtling toward Nie Kong, who was not far in front of her.

Boom!

Just as the black vine was about to strike Nie Kong’s chest, a burst of scorching crimson light exploded, instantly enveloping his body—it was the “Crimson Flame Spirit Seed” gifted by Ancestor Xuba taking effect. Amidst the intense detonation, the layer of red flame shielding Nie Kong’s body nearly shattered.

At the exact same moment, Nie Kong crushed a small stone he had retrieved from his robes. A flash of cyan light vanished, and Nie Kong’s fiery red silhouette disappeared from the high platform.

“Wind Escape!”

This small spirit stone, capable of enacting the ‘Wind Escape,’ had been gifted by the Lord of the Pufeng Hall. In the blink of an eye, Nie Kong reappeared in the wide clearing below. The barrier of red flame derived from the ‘Crimson Flame Spirit Seed’ on his body had become significantly weaker, and its crimson light had dimmed slightly.

Seeing Nie Kong retreat from the high platform and reappear in the distance, Mu Qingyi’s expression was a mixture of shock, anger, and confusion. Although her attack had been rushed, it should have been more than enough to kill a Void Spirit Master. She never anticipated Nie Kong possessing such a formidable protective treasure that allowed him to escape unharmed.

“Nie Kong!”

The two words escaped Mu Qingyi’s lips with icy venom. Several thick, shadowy projections tore through the air, twisting and leaping like dragons, aiming straight for Nie Kong a hundred meters away.

“Ah!”

Suddenly, a piercing, agonizing scream ripped from Mu Qingyi’s throat. The several vines attacking Nie Kong instantly retracted, for the ball of dark green essence had broken through the obstruction of the black mist and, unstoppable, pierced directly into her brow. In that moment, vast swathes of black mist surged outward…

This sudden turn of events, devoid of any prior warning, stunned Mu Jinzhu, astonished Mu Qingying, and bewildered the tens of thousands of Half-Spirit clansmen surrounding the venue.

From Nie Kong offering the betrothal gift to the dark green essence drifting from the box, from Mu Qingyi suddenly attacking to Nie Kong escaping, and then to Mu Qingyi striking again before screaming… this entire sequence, though described at length, occurred in a flash of lightning and flint—leaving the crowd utterly bewildered.

What exactly was the betrothal gift Nie Kong presented? Why did the Master suddenly fly into such a furious rage that she tried to kill him? Wasn't he about to become the Master’s son-in-law? Everyone stared dumbfounded. Silence descended upon the area, as if only Mu Qingyi’s scream echoed in the world.

The mass of black mist expanded rapidly, soon completely obscuring Mu Qingyi’s figure, and it continued to spread towards the edges of the high platform. The people on the platform suddenly snapped out of their shock, and figures shot away in all directions, leaving an empty space around Mu Qingyi.

“Nie Kong, how dare you plot against the Master?”

Mu Jinzhu descended onto the platform with Mu Qingying, her eyes piercing Nie Kong like swords. Her face was grimly cold, yet her voice boomed like rolling thunder, pressing down on Nie Kong.

“Go!”

The Lord of Xileng City, Mu Lengxing, suddenly materialized in front of Nie Kong. With a light admonishment, the sonic wave directed at Nie Kong vanished without a trace.

Simultaneously, the figures of the other four City Lords flickered in succession, positioning themselves around Mu Qingyi, watching the churning black mist but making no move to attack.

Mu Jinzhu set Mu Qingying down, fury blazing in her eyes. “Mu Lengxing, this Nie Kong plotted against the Master, and you still protect him? Aren't you afraid of becoming a sinner of the Yin Ruins?”

Beside her, Mu Qingying stood lost and pale, her veil having fallen off at some unknown point. Her face was as white as paper. She looked from Mu Qingyi on the platform to Nie Kong opposite her, her lips trembling slightly, her beautiful, liquid eyes filled with panic, looking utterly bewildered and helpless.

Nie Kong turned his head away, unable to bear looking at the girl.

“Plotting?”

Mu Lengxing let out a cold scoff. “Mu Jinzhu, you are also a descendant of Mu Zu. Can you not sense what was in that box? That is the ‘Spiritual Treasure Essence’ transformed from the Mu Zu Tree Heart! Look again, is the Mu Qingyi before you still the Mu Qingyi you knew?”

“You…”

Mu Jinzhu was momentarily choked but couldn't help looking back. She saw the black mist churning more violently, yet its massive form was continually contracting. In the span of a mere few breaths, the dim sky cleared again, and the black mist had condensed into the shape of a woman.

The woman possessed a seductive figure and exquisite, beautiful features, yet her appearance bore no resemblance to Mu Qingyi. However, at this moment, she seemed consumed by extreme rage, her face twisted into an exceptionally ferocious mask. Her eyes were fixed intently on Nie Kong, as if she wished to tear him into fragments. Meanwhile, Mu Qingyi had collapsed onto the high platform, her body trembling, her face contorted, seemingly enduring an unimaginable agony.

“Is she… the spiritual thought of that Spirit God from the Fallen Abyss?” Nie Kong’s heart stirred, and he met the woman’s gaze without flinching.

“Nie Kong…”

The woman finally spoke, her voice as cold as a wisp of chilling wind blowing from the Nine Hells. “I never expected my great endeavor to be ruined by you. That old fellow, in order to deal with me, even brought out the Spiritual Treasure Essence… He thought this could protect the Yin Ruins?”