Seeing Nie Kong and Hua Mei walk out of the hall, heading straight outside as if they hadn't noticed him, the 'Phantom Eagle King' cried out in distress.

"You?"

Nie Kong stopped, glancing over. Hua Mei had noticed the giant eagle long ago, but she hadn't expected it to speak; immersed in sweet memories, she was startled.

The Phantom Eagle King scurried up to Nie Kong in a few steps, its eyes displaying an astonishingly human-like servility: "Big Brother, you’re leaving the 'Dark Soul Hall,' take me with you!"

"You're still willing to follow me?"

Nie Kong smiled.

"Willing! Willing!"

The Phantom Eagle King bobbed its head repeatedly, though inwardly it was cursing. Although the 'Phantom Eagle King' had long sensed that the 'Heart Shadow' was missing from its soul, it only seemed hidden; leaving Nie Kong would be tantamount to suicide. Moreover, it had no desire to remain in this ghastly place, the 'Dark Soul Hall'; only Nie Kong could take it away.

Nie Kong squinted, examining it, seemingly judging the truth of its words.

Staring under Nie Kong's gaze, the Phantom Eagle King was terrified, fearing Nie Kong would abandon it. It quickly blinked, trying hard to project an air of simple honesty.

"Very well! Squat down, tuck your head in, and then let your soul leave your body!"

Nie Kong finally agreed.

"Thank you, Big Brother."

Though somewhat suspicious of Nie Kong's intentions, the Phantom Eagle King followed his command, crouching down and drawing its head in. A moment later, a wisp of black mist emerged from its head and drifted toward Nie Kong.

"Although its strength isn't much, its body is certainly sturdy—perhaps it could make a decent mount. Hua Mei, what do you think?"

Nie Kong turned, smiling, and asked.

"Mhm. It should fly quite fast, right?"

Hua Mei nodded, observing the giant eagle's body with curiosity.

"'Mount'?" The Phantom Eagle King was momentarily stunned, then instantly understood, instinctively attempting to retract.

However, just as it turned, a strand of inky-green vine leaf shot out from Nie Kong's right palm, wrapping around the ball of soul power and sending it into the center of Hua Mei's brow.

"Bastard! I am a dignified Ninth Grade Guardian Spirit Beast, and you actually want to use me as a mount? Are you serious?!"

The Phantom Eagle King felt not only deceived but profoundly humiliated, instantly enraged, and it began cursing Nie Kong's inner spirit realm. After cursing, it grew fearful: would this fiend torment me?

Nie Kong paid it no further mind, merely pondering inwardly. The creature's immediate willingness to separate its soul clearly indicated that the constraint of the 'Dark Soul Hall' still held sway over it. But now, without the soul for support, the physical body was essentially a lifeless shell. If he could store it in the Pet Backpack, he should be able to take it out.

Of course, truly taming it wouldn't be an overnight task.

With that thought, Nie Kong focused his mental energy on the 'Phantom Eagle King's' body, and soon the massive giant eagle vanished from its spot. After Xiangxiang advanced to the Fifth Tier, the Pet Backpack had gained two extra cubic meters, just enough to accommodate the now-curled-up 'Phantom Eagle King.'

"Oh?"

Hua Mei’s red lips parted slightly, her beautiful eyes wide with astonishment.

Seeing Hua Mei’s expression, Nie Kong couldn't help but smile, pinching her delicate cheek: "Stop staring blankly, Brother has many more skills up his sleeve."

"Oh."

Nie Kong's intimate gesture made Hua Mei slightly shy, the blush that had barely subsided reappearing on her face...

Outside the Dark Soul Hall, in the open space between the mist and the hall entrance, two groups totaling more than twenty figures were gathered. One group consisted of disciples from Spirit Control City and Ink Snow Sect, including Lan Shang, Bai Yuqing, and Nie Fenghua. The other group was Hua Tang and four other members of the Flower Spirit Clan, while Mu Hongling lingered near them, trying to pry information about why Hua Mei was in the illusionary space. Alas, no matter how she subtly probed, the four from Hua Tang's group offered only polite smiles in response.

After such a long time, she hadn't managed to glean a single useful piece of information, leaving Mu Hongling deeply frustrated.

"If you won't talk, fine. I'll just ask Hua Mei myself later," Mu Hongling grumbled sulkily before her eyes brightened—Nie Kong and Hua Mei were emerging from within. Although Hua Mei was no longer holding Nie Kong's hand, the joy radiating from her brow was impossible to conceal. The moment they appeared, they drew many gazes.

After nodding briefly to Hua Tang and the others, Nie Kong approached Lan Shang and his group: "Senior Brother Lan Shang, my sister and I will be leaving the illusionary space shortly. What are your plans?"

"Sister?"

Hearing Nie Kong utter those two words, Nie Fenghua glanced at Hua Mei, who was surrounded by Hua Tang, Mu Hongling, and the other two, and snorted softly.

Lan Shang, however, smiled: "We just discussed it—we'll stay here. After all, there are still over twenty days before the space closes."

Pausing slightly, Lan Shang added with a trace of hesitation, "Junior Brother Nie Kong, are you confident about the journey? It will take at least a day or two to reach the exit."

Lan Shang's question was naturally about whether Nie Kong was sure he could protect the 'Prison Fire Underworld Spring.' Now that the spring water was in the hands of fellow disciples, he and Liu Heming held no covetous designs, though envy was unavoidable. In the past, others found very little spring water—a dozen sips would exhaust it. But this fellow Nie Kong had actually obtained the source of the 'Prison Fire Underworld Spring.'

This meant that when this illusionary space reopened fifty or a hundred years from now, no one else would be able to obtain the spring water, let alone condense a 'Second Incarnation.' The blood-red tendril coiled around Nie Kong’s shoulder like a small snake was effectively severing the hopes of countless future generations.

Although the methods Nie Kong displayed in the internal passage were extremely intimidating, it couldn't be guaranteed that some people wouldn't give up. If they lay in ambush along the route for a sneak attack, it could bring great danger to Nie Kong and his companions.

Nie Kong laughed: "Please don't worry, Senior Brother Lan Shang. If anyone dares to seek death, I will certainly oblige them."

"That’s good to hear."

Seeing Nie Kong's full confidence, Lan Shang also smiled lightly and said no more.

At this moment, Nie Kong's gaze fell upon Bai Yuqing. The young girl sat quietly on the steps, her greatsword resting across her knees. Sensing Nie Kong's look, she merely raised her eyes, gave him a slight nod, and returned her attention to the blade. Judging by Bai Yuqing's demeanor, Nie Kong knew she, like Lan Shang and the others, had chosen to remain.

Bai Yuqing's decision didn't surprise Nie Kong. If he hadn't been anxious to see if Natian had a solution for Hua Mei’s soul issue, Nie Kong wouldn't have left so early.

About half an hour later, the group finally parted ways.

After Lan Shang, Bai Yuqing, and the disciples of the two sects, including Nie Fenghua, departed, only Nie Kong, Hua Mei, and the four Flower Spirit Clan members remained before the Dark Soul Hall. As for Mu Hongling, she had left with Lan Shang’s group, though her destination was different. Upon exiting the mist, she intended to head to Flame Mountain. Even though Flame Mountain had collapsed, the temperature there was still far higher than elsewhere. Cultivating there, especially with the Dragon Heart of the 'Prison Fire Soul Heaven Dragon,' would surely yield excellent results, perhaps allowing her to break through to Spirit Transformation Ninth Grade before leaving.

Watching them depart, Nie Kong looked at the 'Prison Fire Underworld Spring' coiled on his shoulder, feeling a slight headache.

This thing was clinging to him. However, unlike the 'Fire Tree Silver Flower,' an object that had already gained sentience like this could never be stored in the Pet Backpack.

The Pet Backpack could store all non-living objects, and living objects could enter, but they would quickly perish inside. The 'Fire Tree Silver Flower' survived because Xiangxiang periodically irrigated it with its life-force medicinal power; otherwise, it would have withered long ago. Furthermore, the 'Fire Tree Silver Flower' had not achieved sentience, and collecting it didn't provoke any resistance—something the 'Prison Fire Underworld Spring' could not match.

If Nie Kong tried to forcibly collect the 'Prison Fire Underworld Spring,' it would surely incite a fierce backlash. If the 'Prison Fire Underworld Spring' were angered, the consequences would certainly be dire. Whether it was separating a portion of the spring water from its body to give to Mu Hongling and Bai Yuqing for condensing their 'Second Incarnation,' or having Hua Mei consume it, it would require the presence of two Heaven Spirit realm experts, Gu Changgong and Que Tian, to safely proceed.

For now, it was best to let it stay on his shoulder, completely unhidden. Everyone already knew he possessed the 'Prison Fire Underworld Spring'; concealing it was useless. Moreover, its aura couldn't be masked—even Spirit Transformation Masters could sense it, let alone the powerful experts outside the space. Rather than tentative concealment which only draws attention, it was better to let it remain openly visible. While inside the space it was one thing, but Nie Kong seriously doubted anyone would dare try to snatch it once outside, knowing that the Heaven Spirit experts Gu Changgong and Que Tian were by his side!

"Let's go too," Nie Kong smiled, unconsciously taking Hua Mei's small hand.

Hua Mei felt slightly self-conscious under the strange gazes of the four Flower Spirit Clan members, and Nie Kong's action made her heart race and her cheeks burn even more fiercely. Instinctively, she tried to pull her hand free from Nie Kong's grasp. But Nie Kong gently squeezed her palm, dissolving the small effort she exerted, leaving her delicate body feeling somewhat soft. Then, Nie Kong took a step, and she involuntarily moved her legs along, her head drooping to her chest, the rosy flush coloring her skin crimson. Her hesitant, demure appearance made her look exactly like a new bride accompanying her husband back to her parents' home.

Seeing this, the four from Hua Tang couldn't help but smile wryly, though a moment later, a deep worry settled over their brows. They exchanged a glance and followed along. Just as they were about to enter the mist, Nie Kong suddenly turned back, looking toward the left side of the hall entrance, a faint, knowing smile on his face.

The mist, which had violently fluctuated due to Nie Kong and the others entering, gradually calmed down. No further sounds emerged from outside the Dark Soul Hall; silence reigned.

After another long pause, the void to the left of the hall entrance suddenly rippled slightly. Two handsome young men emerged—one in blue, one in black. They were the two Spirit God Hall disciples who had first arrived after the 'Prison Fire Underworld Spring' caused the entire illusionary space to erupt in commotion.

The blue-robed man frowned: "Senior Brother, it seems he detected us!"

"This person's spiritual sense could even suppress the Moruo Saintess; it’s impossible without the strength of a Void Spirit. A Void Spirit sense detecting our hidden location is not unusual," the black-robed man, clearly the leader, stated. "What I didn't expect was that he is actually the Nie Kong whom Master specifically instructed us to pay close attention to!"

"Indeed, this person's strength is terrifying. I truly wonder how he cultivated. Among the Spirit Masters under thirty on the entire Heaven Spirit Continent, perhaps only the Eldest and Second Senior Brothers of our Spirit God Hall could suppress him. No wonder Master and the others wish to recruit this person."

"Mm, let's go. We have no hope of obtaining that 'Prison Fire Underworld Spring.'"

"..."