PS: The second update of the 14th. “Third Aunt, the illusion is just ahead.

Wait here, I’ll go in and call them out to meet you.” It was evening more than ten days later when they returned to the outer city of Lingyu City. After passing directly out of the north gate, Nie Kong suddenly stopped.

This area required a waist token and a golden insignia from the inner city to remain undisturbed by the illusion, neither of which Mu Lengxing possessed. Mu Lengxing smiled lightly, “No need for such trouble.

We’ll go in together.” As she spoke, she moved forward, taking the lead into the illusionary area. “Huh?” Nie Kong stared blankly.

He saw Mu Lengxing flick her sleeve, and the empty space before her surged violently, waves of energy rolling to either side. In the next moment, the mysterious veil of the illusion seemed to be ripped open, and the two steep cliffs gradually revealed their true forms before Nie Kong’s eyes.

She had actually shattered the illusion? Nie Kong was greatly astonished and quickly quickened his pace to follow her.

Moments later, Nie Kong realized the illusion hadn't been broken, but rather Mu Lengxing had dispelled its interference using some unknown method. After advancing only a few meters, the illusion, which had vanished seconds earlier, resumed its effect.

The city visible just moments before was now completely obscured by the illusion. “Haha, Nie Kong, you little fellow is finally back.” The space ahead rippled faintly, and a burst of cheerful laughter accompanied the sudden appearance of Gu Changgong’s figure.

Upon seeing Mu Lengxing’s face, a hint of surprise flickered across his features. When he was still at his home in the inner city, Gu Changgong had already sensed Nie Kong and a formidable individual entering the illusion.

However, he had not expected that person to be such a young woman. Yet, a smile quickly returned to Gu Changgong’s face as he asked in a gentle tone, “And who might this be?” “Yinxu, Mu Lengxing.” Mu Lengxing’s expression remained unchanged as she calmly stated her origin and name.

Nie Kong quickly added, “She is also the Third Elder of Yinxu.” “The Third Elder of Yinxu?” Gu Changgong’s heart gave a slight leap, an uncontrollable surge of delight flashing in his eyes. In his, the Hall Masters’, and Patriarch Xuba’s imaginations, it would have been a success if Nie Kong merely managed to ascertain the situation within Yinxu during his trip.

After all, the failure of the Yinxu emissary to deliver the “Spiritual Supreme Holy Water” twenty years ago strongly suggested a massive upheaval within Yinxu. What Gu Changgong hadn't anticipated was that Nie Kong had brought back a Celestial Spirit expert from Yinxu, and that Celestial Spirit expert was an Elder of Yinxu.

Since she had arrived at Lingyu City representing Yinxu, Lingyu City would soon have to make a choice: relocate from the Tianlang Mountain Range or continue suppressing the spiritual vein! This little fellow truly had not disappointed them.

For a moment, Gu Changgong’s gaze toward Nie Kong was filled with deep appreciation: “Nie Kong, you have done exceptionally well!” Immediately, Gu Changgong’s eyes shifted to Mu Lengxing, his tone slightly agitated, “Elder Mu, I never imagined Yinxu would send an Elder personally. Forgive my poor reception, truly, forgive my poor reception!” “Are you Hall Master Gu Changgong?” “Indeed.” “Hall Master Gu, Yinxu and Lingyu City are like one body.

We need not stand on ceremony. Shall we proceed immediately to the location of the spiritual vein suppression?

What do you say?” Gu Changgong was momentarily stunned by Mu Lengxing’s directness and decisiveness, but then burst into elation, “Good! Let us go see the Patriarch at once.

Nie Kong, you come too!” “…” Passing through the illusion at the fastest speed, they arrived outside the “Senluo Ancient Cave” in the inner city. The five Hall Masters of Lingyu City—Qingfeng, Zilei, Shanhun, Huoyun, and Shuixian—were already waiting.

Upon hearing Gu Changgong introduce the visitor from Yinxu as the Third Elder, they all felt an undeniable sense of joy. It was in the underground chamber near the spiritual vein that Nie Kong once again met Patriarch Xuba.

Compared to more than half a year ago, Xuba had become even thinner. Now, he looked like a mere skeleton dragged out of a coffin.

What astonished Nie Kong even more was that the moment he entered the room, he sensed a profound aura of death emanating from Xuba, yet surrounding this deathly energy was a vast tide of vitality. This location was near the Yinxu spiritual vein; thus, this vitality must have seeped out from the vein.

This must be the effect of the “Spiritual Treasure Essence Qi!” Before entering Yinxu, Nie Kong’s spiritual power had not undergone this change; although he could sense vitality, it was not as distinct as it was now. As for the aura of death, he hadn't perceived it at all.

Now, this immense combination of vitality and death energy made the major and minor acupoints within Nie Kong’s body stir restlessly. Cultivating here, the results would surely be extraordinary.

“You’ve returned…” Xuba sat motionless like a statue in the room. His extremely slow voice resonated within the chamber, so slow that one could barely perceive the quiver of his lips.

“Honglou Pharmacy.” At the time of the morning bells, a faint, low humming sound, almost like a dragon’s roar, echoed through the quiet courtyard. Beneath the eaves, the two little lolis, Long Cheng and Long Ting, sat cross-legged on the ground, their faces placid.

Hovering above each of their heads was a spectral image of emerald green, shaped exactly like a flood dragon.