The sound of a bursting bubble echoed, and Nie Kong's lightning-fast momentum abruptly halted as his feet touched solid ground. A familiar sensation washed over him from all directions at once. In that instant, Nie Kong felt as though he had returned to the womb, enveloped in comforting warmth.

A moment later, Nie Kong opened his eyes, and all that remained in his sight was the barren ground and the endless green wall.

Yin Ruins!

After several months, Nie Kong had returned to the Yin Ruins once more.

The day he exited the illusionary space, under Nie Kong's persistent pleading, the "Prison Fire Nether Spring," which was greedy for "Spirit Treasure Essence," finally separated a portion of its spring water. Wei Tian then utilized the potent soul power contained within this separated water to suppress the nascent soul within Hua Mei’s body.

Originally, Nie Kong intended to bring Hua Mei directly back to Lingyu City.

However, Dong Tian suggested that Hua Mei use the period while her new soul was suppressed to maximize the strengthening of her original soul. Furthermore, since Hua Yan disagreed with Hua Mei going to Lingyu City, Nie Kong had no choice but to let her return to the "Flower Butterfly Secret Realm" with Hua Yan Wei, Hua Tang, and the others.

After all, the "Flower Butterfly Secret Realm" was the ancestral home of the Flower Spirit Clan; Hua Mei's cultivation speed there would undoubtedly be much faster than outside.

Initially, Nie Kong planned to gift the entire "Prison Fire Nether Spring" to Hua Mei. Unfortunately, no matter what he did, the water spirit would invariably slip back to him. In desperation, Nie Kong, lured by the "Spirit Treasure Essence" and aided by Qing Yue, managed to make the "Prison Fire Nether Spring" separate out a significant volume of water, which he then bestowed upon Hua Mei. If she could absorb all of this water, Hua Mei's soul was certain to grow rapidly. And the stronger Hua Mei's original soul became, the more it would guarantee that after the eventual success of "Pill Soul Transformation to Spirit," it would be Hua Mei, not that "Fluttering Jade Butterfly Spring," who held the dominant position in the body.

The day after suppressing the nascent soul, Nie Kong and Hua Mei parted ways. Seeing Hua Mei's teary, rain-drenched eyes as they left, Nie Kong felt a pang of reluctance. After being separated for nearly two years, they had only reunited for a few short days before separating again; naturally, this was nothing to be happy about. Yet, it was necessary for the sake of being able to stay together for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, before leaving, Hua Mei quietly told Nie Kong the location of the "Flower Butterfly Secret Realm."

Not long after they departed, Nao Tian rapidly rushed Nie Kong toward Lingyu City using the fastest means possible, while Gu Chang Gong remained behind to await Lan Shang, Bai Yuqing, and the other disciples of Lingyu City.

To shorten the journey, Nao Tian almost continuously employed the technique of "Merging Body with the Void" along the way. It was then that Nie Kong realized the sheer, boundless spiritual energy possessed by this Vice City Master, who rarely showed his face.

Aside from necessary brief delays, they traveled day and night without rest.

As a result, in just a few short days, Nao Tian and Nie Kong traversed vast distances through space and arrived back at Lingyu City. Nie Kong understood the reason for Nao Tian's desperate haste. Thus, upon reaching Lingyu City, faced with Nao Tian's expectant gaze, Nie Kong had no choice but to grant him a sliver of his soul power.

After only one day's stay in Lingyu City, Nie Kong proceeded to the underground secret chamber in the Inner City, where he met his Third Aunt Mu Lengxing and Ancestor Xuba, who were still there. Over two months had passed; although Ancestor Xuba's body was still saturated with thick death energy, his vitality was slowly growing, indicating that even if Nie Kong ceased drawing the death energy from him using the "Yin-Yang Spirit Devouring Art," he would gradually recover on his own.

Just as Nie Kong had anticipated...

When he mentioned the "Abyss of Corruption," Ancestor Xuba possessed limited knowledge. Of course, he was much better informed than Nao Tian and Gu Chang Gong, who had never even heard of the place; at least he knew the "Abyss of Corruption" was an exceedingly dangerous location.

After lingering in the secret chamber for about half an hour, Nie Kong reached the Yin Ruins via the spirit veins.

Compared to his first entry into the Yin Ruins early last year, the feeling Nie Kong experienced stepping onto this land again was completely different. Perhaps due to the awakening of his Half-Spirit race bloodline, seeing Mu Zu's true body, the "Ancestral Heaven Divine Canopy Tree," now evoked a sense of profound, shared kinship in Nie Kong. This feeling was even stronger than when he successfully awakened and left this space previously.

It seemed the saying that the souls of Half-Spirit clansmen returned to the Mu Zu upon death was not an empty rumor. When Nie Kong's previous self died, his soul must have been drifting toward the Yin Ruins. It was just that, at that time, the Yin Ruins were completely sealed, severing even the connection between the main body of the "Great Evolution Spirit Venerable" and his spiritual sense, let alone a soul weaker than that of an ordinary person!

Even if such a soul could reach the vicinity of the Yin Ruins, it would have been impossible to enter. After several years, it would have long since dissolved into the void. However, it was also fortunate that the Yin Ruins were sealed; otherwise, when Nie Kong entered the Yin Ruins to awaken his bloodline, the Mu Zu would surely have noticed something amiss.

Thinking of this, Nie Kong couldn't help but smile, speeding toward the green wall.

Nie Kong was not heading for the thick vine that led directly to the treetop, but rather toward the exit of this space. Although Nie Kong desperately wished to learn the location and entry method of the "Abyss of Corruption" from Mu Zu immediately, the Mu Zu was currently in deep slumber. Before waking him, Nie Kong felt he needed to hear the opinions of his mother and the others to avoid creating an irreversible situation...

Inside the Great Evolution Hall, a profound stillness reigned. In the vast, bright courtyard, a several-meter-tall "Ancestral Heaven Divine Canopy Tree" stood quietly. On its lush green trunk, the delicate and beautiful face and tall, graceful figure of Mu Xueyi were faintly visible, flickering in and out of sight.

The incident from several months prior had passed. Mu Tianfei, Mu Yaotong, Mu Yijun, and Mu Yushuang—the four City Mistresses—were all in the "Ancestral Heaven Court," instructing the successors for the Mu Sect and the City Lords of the Five Cities. In this Great Evolution Hall, only Mu Qingyi remained, diligently working to restore her strength.

"Buzz!"

After a long silence, the void fluctuated slightly.

The Ancestral Heaven Divine Canopy Tree gradually faded, and the figure of Mu Xueyi within it began to clarify. Before long, the illusionary shadow of the "Ancestral Heaven Divine Canopy Tree" silently vanished, and Mu Xueyi's graceful form was fully revealed, radiant and vibrant, showing none of the previous weakness.

"Finally recovered to Virtual Spirit strength," Mu Xueyi murmured with a joyful smile curling her lips. "If I reach Heavenly Spirit, I can go out to replace Leng Xing in suppressing the spirit veins, and then I could see Kong'er every day... But restoring my strength to what it was will take at least another year!"

As she finished, the smile on Mu Xueyi’s face receded, replaced by a flicker of melancholy. "It’s been so long, I wonder how Kong'er is doing in Lingyu City?" With a soft sigh, Mu Xueyi turned and walked toward the room, her tone laced with concern.

"Mother!"

Suddenly, a familiar voice that haunted Mu Xueyi’s dreams sounded beside her ear. Her steps paused, and Mu Xueyi blinked her beautiful eyes, murmuring in confusion, "Why did I hear someone call me 'Mother'? I must be missing my son too much."

"Mother, I'm back." At that moment, the familiar voice sounded again, accompanied by the faint sound of footsteps.

Not an illusion? Mu Xueyi was stunned for a moment, then instantly spun around without conscious thought. The face she missed countless times daily instantly leaped into view: it was Nie Kong, striding quickly into the courtyard, walking straight toward her with a broad smile on his face.

"Kong'er!"

At this moment, Mu Xueyi could barely believe her eyes. Only when the distance between them had shortened by nearly half did she suddenly snap back to reality. Uncontrollable joy flooded her pretty face, and her figure shot forward with a "swoosh," arriving in front of Nie Kong...

Mu Xueyi was utterly astonished that her son had returned to the Yin Ruins through the spirit veins. Overwhelmed with joy, it took a long time for her agitated emotions to subside slightly. However, the next words Nie Kong spoke caused her to become excited once more. This time, however, the excitement stemmed not from happiness, but from astonishment.

"Kong'er, you want to go to the 'Abyss of Corruption'?" Mu Xueyi wondered if she had misheard. She looked at Nie Kong with unconcealed disbelief. Seeing that Nie Kong's expression was far from joking, Mu Xueyi took a deep breath, forcing down the shock churning in her chest, and said solemnly, "Kong'er, why do you have such a plan?"

Nie Kong did not hide anything, briefly explaining the issue facing Hua Mei's soul.

"So that's how it is..." Mu Xueyi had long known of Hua Mei’s existence, just not that she was a member of the Flower Spirit Clan. Hearing now that the girl who had cared for her son for three whole years was of Flower Spirit Imperial lineage and faced such a crisis, Mu Xueyi was greatly shocked.

After pondering for a moment, Mu Xueyi frowned. "Kong'er, Hua Mei awakened the six-petaled 'Fluttering Jade Butterfly Spring.' Clan members who possess such a Heart Form are destined to become the Empress of the Flower Spirit Clan. But ever since the Flower Spirit Clan appeared, to continue their bloodline, they have always nurtured offspring through Heart Forms and have never had a member marry outside the clan, let alone an Empress marrying out. Kong'er, the difficulties in making her your wife are immense."

Nie Kong was already aware of this point and smiled. "Mother, please don't worry. No matter how difficult it is, she will certainly become your daughter-in-law in the future."

"Good, Mother will wait for that day." Mu Xueyi nodded in satisfaction. "But don't forget about that girl Qingying, either."

Seeing Nie Kong’s face grow slightly awkward, Mu Xueyi smiled faintly, but thinking of Nie Kong's intentions, she couldn't help but sigh softly. "Even if you and Hua Mei didn't have that connection, just because she cared for you for three years, even if the process of 'Pill Soul Transformation to Spirit' is incredibly arduous, we couldn't possibly shrink back. However, that 'Abyss of Corruption' is not an easy place to reach!"

"Never mind that Mu Zu is already asleep; even if we manage to wake him and learn the location of the 'Abyss of Corruption,' getting in is still highly questionable. That 'Great Evolution Spirit Venerable' only arrived in the Yin Ruins using a mere spiritual thought, which indicates that there must be an insurmountable barrier between the 'Abyss of Corruption' and the Heavenly Spirit Continent. A barrier that could stop the spirit god of the 'Abyss of Corruption' itself—entering that place for cultivation will not be easy."

"No matter what, this is the only hope of raising my cultivation to Pill Spirit within two years. I must try, no matter what," Nie Kong said with a smile.

"..." Sensing the firm resolve in Nie Kong's words, Mu Xueyi hesitated, wanting to speak but ultimately holding back her words of dissuasion. After a long silence, Mu Xueyi finally said with resignation, "Kong'er, since your mind is set, Mother will not try to dissuade you. I will call your Eldest Aunt and the other four Realm Lords over now..."