As he closed the final five meters to the herb, Nie Kong suddenly unleashed his power, his body shooting forward like a wisp of azure smoke. Almost simultaneously, a tendril of "Violet Illusionary Spirit Incense" extended, whipping out like a bolt of silk toward the mushroom-shaped herb nestled between two massive boulders.

"Where did this monster come from, daring to steal Auntie’s herb!"

A sharp, clear shout pierced the air. A figure blazing crimson burst from behind the stones. A club, thick as a basin, flashed, its shadow stretching across several meters of empty space, smashing down toward Nie Kong’s head—a pervasive, heaven-covering blow. Wherever it passed, the surrounding Fire Spirit Elemental energies gathered, coiling around the club’s shadow, making it seem as if the very void before the stones was igniting.

"It’s a woman!"

Nie Kong was utterly astonished. He had never imagined that the cultivator behind the rocks wasn't a spirit beast from the "Prison Fire Nether Spring," but a person! This was the "Prison Fire Nether Spring," after all. How could a Spirit Transformation Master entering from the outside be able to absorb the Fire Spirit Elemental energies inherent in this "Blazing Mountain"?

What struck Nie Kong as even more incredible was that the woman’s voice carried a familiar resonance! But in this critical moment, he had no time for contemplation. With a sudden whoosh, a massive spray of "Violet Illusionary Spirit Incense" stems and leaves erupted from behind him, rushing to ensnare the descending club shadow!

Boom!

After only a brief hesitation, the cluster of "Violet Illusionary Spirit Incense" foliage shattered. The encompassing club shadow merged into a single, fierce strike aimed directly at Nie Kong’s back. Though it was a simple, singular thrust, the surrounding Fire Spirit Elemental energies seemed to be completely aroused, their savage aura threatening to tear apart the very incense enveloping Nie Kong’s body!

Sensing the potent offensive launched by the woman behind him, Nie Kong felt a chill of alarm.

In terms of cultivation rank, this woman might be inferior to him, yet in an environment like the "Blazing Mountain," the strength she unleashed as a Fire Spirit Master likely surpassed even Lan Shang! To continue recklessly seizing the herb under such a ferocious assault was clearly impossible.

Since she was also a Spirit Master who entered from the outside, and not a fifth-rank spirit beast, Nie Kong shed his reservations. Dealing with this woman would allow him to claim the herb. Just as Nie Kong prepared to turn and engage, a bone-chilling aura surged in from behind.

Bai Yuqing!

That little lass had indeed followed him! Even if she couldn't defeat the enemy, she could hold the line for a while! Thoughts raced through Nie Kong’s mind. His body lunged to the edge of the fissure between the two great stones. His palms, wrapped in thick, dark-green energy, plunged into the crack, sinking down towards the herb’s roots.

Roar!

Amidst fierce clamor, two immense auras, one cold and one hot, collided like lightning. Bai Yuqing let out a soft grunt; her broadsword suddenly dropped, while that searing club shadow exploded into fragments. The opposing woman’s figure immediately entered Bai Yuqing’s field of vision: a young woman, perhaps twenty years old, clad in fire-bright red, tall and statuesque, with a delicate and lovely face.

"An Ice Spirit Master?" The woman took in Bai Yuqing with a quick glance, uttering three notes of slight surprise. But when her gaze fell upon Nie Kong lifting the herb, anger immediately flared in her brow. Her pale, slender fingers gently squeezed the void, and in an instant, a club, deep red like blood, materialized in her palm: "Monster, put down the herb now, or Auntie won't hold back anymore!"

With a fierce yell, the woman stirred the long staff in her hand through the air!

"Whoosh,"

The Fire Spirit Elemental energies spanning a dozen meters around were instantly mobilized, condensing into clusters of scorching meteorites that rained down upon Bai Yuqing. She, however, flashed away like a ghost, streaking toward Nie Kong. High up in the "Blazing Mountain," her speed was utterly unimpeded.

Upon hearing the woman’s words, that familiar feeling surged up from the depths of his heart once more!

Nie Kong’s heart skipped a beat. Since it was inconvenient to store the herb in his Pet Backpack, he quickly used the stems and leaves of the "Violet Illusionary Spirit Incense" to wrap the now-secured herb and placed it atop the nearby boulder. Then, he swiftly spun around, the dense stems and leaves undulating like a tide in the void.

"It's you!"

The woman's face came into full view, and Nie Kong exclaimed aloud. No wonder her voice sounded familiar—this person was Mu Hongling! Back when he first arrived on the Heaven Spirit Continent, she had instructed him on cultivating the "Gyroscope" technique, and while he was inside the Life and Death Illusion Realm, she had even helped look after Hua Mei. Nie Kong felt immense gratitude toward this woman who seemed to enjoy mentoring others.

Later, Mu Hongling returned to the city, and Nie Kong had never seen her again. According to Mu Xiaoling, she was forced by her family to focus on her training. Nie Kong never expected to unexpectedly run into her after nearly two years in the "Prison Fire Nether Spring," and even less that he would be trying to steal her herb!

What a blunder!

"You know me?" Mu Hongling paused, then her beautiful eyes widened. "Knowing me is useless! If you don't return the herb! You’re finished today. Don't forget, this is the Blazing Mountain!" As she spoke, her staff blurred, casting dozens of afterimages, dazzling and blinding crimson light engulfing Nie Kong.

At that moment, Bai Yuqing’s broadsword lashed out swiftly. In the blink of an eye, azure ice crystals enveloped the dozens of fiery orbs, causing them to explode and scatter like a shower of blossoms. Bai Yuqing’s figure didn't pause; the tip of her sword aimed directly at Mu Hongling’s back, the piercing cold seeming to freeze the very air.

"Sister Bai, stop! She's one of ours!" As Nie Kong rapidly retreated, seeing Bai Yuqing’s move, he waved his hand and shouted desperately, then turned his eyes to Mu Hongling. "Mu Hongling, don't you recognize me?"

"Who recognizes a monster like you?" Hearing his voice, Bai Yuqing eased her attack. Mu Hongling, however, knitted her brows and snorted indignantly. "You even know my name, so you do know me! No wonder your voice sounded a bit familiar! Knowing me and still trying to steal my herb—that makes you even more detestable!"

"Oh! It’s me, Nie Kong!" Noticing that the blood-red club shadow hadn't paused while Mu Hongling was speaking, Nie Kong finally realized he was completely covered by the "Violet Illusionary Spirit Incense" stems and leaves. He couldn't help but laugh wryly. With a thought, the dark-green aura coating his body swiftly retreated inward, revealing his true appearance.

"Nie Kong?"

Mu Hongling frowned slightly. The relentless assault from her staff immediately halted. Behind her, Bai Yuqing’s broadsword froze abruptly in the air. A flicker of vague doubt crossed her eyes.

"Huh."

"He really is Nie Kong’s apprentice!"

Studying Nie Kong’s face more closely, Mu Hongling cried out with an expression of surprise and delight. Nearly two years had passed, and Nie Kong's appearance had changed somewhat compared to before, but the general contours of his face remained the same, allowing her to recognize him instantly.

The long staff in her hand instantly dissipated.

Nie Kong breathed a sigh of relief. "Little Master, you finally recognize me."

Mu Hongling walked toward Nie Kong. Two adorable dimples appeared on her fair cheeks. "Who told you to make yourself look like a monster, and call me by my full name to boot! If you had called me 'Master,' I would have recognized you immediately. But the most unforgivable thing is that you tried to steal my herb!"

"Exactly! I am your Master! An apprentice trying to steal from their Master—it’s against the laws of heaven!" Upon this subject, Mu Hongling's eyes rounded like copper bells. She puffed out her little fists, glaring fiercely at Nie Kong—resembling a little lioness in a fit of rage.

"Ahem, well, I didn't realize it was you!" Nie Kong offered a dry laugh. Since this was Mu Hongling, no matter how precious the herb was, he couldn't steal it. Thus, Nie Kong beckoned with his right hand. A stream of dark-green energy shot out from his palm, snatching the "mushroom" from the boulder's surface and sending it floating over to Mu Hongling. He smiled broadly, "Little Master, take it."

Mu Hongling waved her hand carelessly. "Forget it. You keep it for fun. As a Master, I shouldn't snatch things from my apprentice. Consider it my welcoming gift to you. Besides, I don't even know what this herb is; I’m not an Apothecary. If that old man hadn't insisted I bring back some herbs, I wouldn't have bothered coming out just now."

"Uh?"

Nie Kong felt a bead of sweat trickle down.

He could sense that Mu Hongling’s words were not just polite talk. Since that was the case, Nie Kong didn’t refuse. He laughed heartily, "Little Master, I accept this gift gratefully!" Although both Bai Yuqing and Mu Hongling were trustworthy, it was best not to reveal the existence of the "Pet Backpack" if possible. So, he pulled out a cloth pouch he had prepared earlier from his inner pocket, placed the herb inside, and hung it over his shoulder.

Watching Nie Kong secure the herb, Mu Hongling’s eyes darted around shrewdly. She smiled mischievously, "Apprentice, now that you’ve accepted my welcoming gift, I'm officially your Master. Uh... perhaps you should drop the 'Little' from 'Little Master' from now on, shouldn't you?"

"Well, 'Little Master' still sounds..." Seeing Mu Hongling’s delicate, beautiful eyebrows arch up again, Nie Kong quickly offered a vague laugh. "Come, come, Little Master, let me introduce you. This is Bai Yuqing, from the Bai family of Jiyang City; she is a very good friend of mine... Sister Bai, this is Mu Hongling, from the Mu family of Luocheng."

"Mm."

Bai Yuqing rested her broadsword on the ground and nodded to Mu Hongling. Bai Yuqing's character was reserved; she wasn't familiar with Mu Hongling anyway. A simple "Mm" was already quite a significant acknowledgement. Back in the "Barren Sand Valley," when she met the disciples from the Ink Snow Sect, she hadn't even managed an "Mm."

"Sister Bai?"

Nodding toward Bai Yuqing, Mu Hongling’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "I’ve heard of the Bai family in Jiyang City; they have a very promising young Ice Spirit Master. I just didn't expect you two to be such close friends..."

As she spoke, Mu Hongling leaned closer to Nie Kong, then suddenly reached out, pinching Nie Kong’s shoulder with a fierce expression, lowering her voice: "My apprentice, a man shouldn't be so fickle! Hua Mei hasn't been gone two years, and you’ve already hooked up with such a beautiful sister! Hmph, this is too much!"

"It's a misunderstanding, a total misunderstanding!" Nie Kong laughed helplessly as he pried Mu Hongling's small hand away.

Nie Kong wasn't surprised that Mu Hongling knew about Hua Mei’s departure, as Mu Xiaoling was stationed at the Spirit Treasure Pavilion in Jiyang City. What frustrated Nie Kong more was that Mu Hongling had completely misinterpreted his relationship with Bai Yuqing! In truth, he and Bai Yuqing were truly just good friends.