Mo Xinyue's full, yielding chest rose and fell sharply, two trembling peaks gleaming with a dazzling sheen. After a considerable time, her chest finally settled, and she fixed Nie Kong with an icy stare, as if looking upon a dead man: "Very good... Nie Kong, I will remember you!"

"And I will remember you."

Nie Kong's face was alight with a suggestive smile, his eyes roving shamelessly over Mo Xinyue's delicate, graceful form. "Junior Sister Xinyue, that sensation just now was truly soul-scorching, leaving one utterly intoxicated by the memory. If you were willing to come back to the War Clan with me, I wouldn't have to carry this burden of longing anymore."

"Is that so? I hope you still have the chance to say that when we leave the Ghost Domain."

Seeing Nie Kong adopt a posture of feigned regret, a blush crept across Mo Xinyue's pale cheeks—though whether it stemmed from fury or mortification, she couldn't tell. The moment her words ended, Mo Xinyue snatched up the clothes nearby and drifted upward, but as her legs straightened, she nearly pitched onto the ground.

Nie Kong quickly supported Mo Xinyue's soft waist, offering with earnest concern, "Do you need some help?"

"Take your hands off me!"

Mo Xinyue slapped Nie Kong's palm away and, in a flurry, dressed herself in her underclothes and black skirt, walking outward with a strangely awkward gait. The instant she cleared the tent flap, Mo Xinyue's fists were clenched tightly, a look of utter coldness fixed on her otherwise lovely face, her beautiful eyes blazing with intent to kill.

Inside the tent, Nie Kong settled back into a cross-legged position, gazing at the few conspicuous red stains marring the sheets. Yet, he felt not a shred of guilt or apology. This woman had intended to manipulate him into becoming her puppet; letting her off without paying some interest would have been too lenient.

Now that Mo Xinyue’s scheme had failed and she had also paid with her body, she undoubtedly wished him dead more than anything, but Nie Kong paid it no mind. Once the Beast Tide passed tomorrow, he planned to depart the sealed area and plunge deeper into the Ghost Domain. If the disciples of the Heaven Sealing Sect made a move, they could conveniently serve as cover for his escape.

"Nie Kong, you are truly wicked, making your grandmother stand guard for you." Qing Yue wriggled out from beneath the pile of clothes, emerging from the beast token and glaring furiously at Nie Kong. During Nie Kong's fierce encounter with Mo Xinyue tonight, Qing Yue had sealed the tent, earning her high merit.

"Wicked! Wicked," Qing You chimed in, popping out of the jade bottle, echoing the sentiment.

"..."

Nie Kong rolled his eyes, covered his bare body, and immediately fell asleep, only waking when the roars of the Nether Beasts sounded again the following dawn.

The first light of dawn stained the horizon, and the fierce battle raged on, the sounds of slaughter shaking the very earth.

Nie Kong stood at the edge of the safe zone, watching the ongoing melee, specifically scanning the disciples of the Heaven Sealing Sect positioned outside the seal—he did not see Mo Xinyue among them. It wasn't until the fighting subsided that Nie Kong spotted her near the entrance of a tent, having changed back into her white skirt.

About an hour later, some people began to leave the sealed area.

Nie Kong used the pretext of going out to gain experience, bidding farewell to Zhan Qingzhu, Zhan Zichuan, and the other War Clan youths. He walked out of the seal and quickly vanished into the distant mountains and forests. The War Clan members suspected nothing, nor did they worry about Nie Kong’s safety. With his cultivation level, no Nether Beast could threaten him as long as he didn't venture too deep into the Ghost Domain. What they failed to anticipate was that the threat to Nie Kong would not come from the beasts, but from people.

Seeing Nie Kong’s departure, Mo Yu, Mo Xinyue, and Ye Dengwen all broke into cold smiles almost simultaneously... "Roar! Roar! Roar!"

The moment he entered the forest, three Nether Beasts lunged at him like savage demons.

However, they retreated faster than they arrived; by the time they landed, they had already been pounded into three pulpy messes by Nie Kong's hand, which had suddenly swollen to more than ten times its normal size.

Nie Kong kept moving, proceeding neither too fast nor too slow, deeper into the woods.

"Grandma Nie Kong, I’ve spotted that Rank Nine Black Spirit Master from the War Clan. He's trailing us, about thirty meters behind. Heh heh, he’s hidden quite cleverly—if he hadn’t intended to reveal himself to stop you, Grandma might not have found him even now," Qing Yue's voice echoed in Nie Kong's mind.

"Mm."

Nie Kong nodded. He had already guessed the identity of the man following them. Among the five Grand Elders who had come to the War Clan this time, one was named Zhan Yunqing, who, like the recently promoted Seventeenth Elder Zhan Tianlong, had also cultivated a spiritual technique called 'Phantom Invisibility,' and his mastery was even deeper.

Leaving Zhan Yunqing behind to secretly protect them demonstrated the high regard the War Clan held for these disciples. With a Rank Nine expert watching, if Nie Kong didn't create some obstacles, he would certainly never shake off the tail, and would inevitably end up being persuaded to turn back.

If that happened, Pan Hu and Zhan Yunqing might clash—perhaps even leading to the elder killing the young man—which was not what Nie Kong wished to see.

Therefore, the earlier thrashing of Ye Dengwen had been for this very moment.

Since Zhan Yunqing still hadn't shown himself, and the expected obstruction hadn't materialized, Nie Kong continued advancing steadily. Gradually, Nie Kong was more than ten li away from the seal. The Nether Beasts he encountered on the path grew progressively stronger—from Rank Four at the start, to Rank Five... and now up to Rank Seven...

"This little fellow, venturing this far from the seal and not returning—he's too audacious." Zhan Yunqing had merged completely into the void, sensing Nie Kong's situation from afar. On this journey, he had considered revealing himself several times to urge Nie Kong back, but then suppressed the thought. After all, Nie Kong's 'War God Star Seal' could even overturn an Eighth Rank Black Spirit Master; as long as he didn't run into a Ninth Rank Nether Beast or a few exceptionally powerful Human-Rank Nether Beasts, danger was unlikely.

Besides, he was watching from behind.

Zhan Yunqing's only real worry was the other transcendent sects. Over the last few days, Nie Kong's 'War God Star Seal' had performed too spectacularly. If it attracted the killing intent of certain parties, considerable trouble could arise. Especially since Nie Kong had thoroughly offended Ye Dengwen of the Feathered Sword Sect, inciting potential retribution.

It was fortunate that Zhan Yunqing was unaware of the intimate events between Nie Kong and Mo Xinyue last night; otherwise, Zhan Yunqing would likely have tried to persuade Nie Kong to return the moment he entered the forest.

In the blink of an eye, another twenty li had passed.

Nie Kong had already encountered an Eighth Rank Nether Beast, which he managed to kill without major incident. Beyond this area lay the true depths of the Ghost Domain, where the Nether Beasts encountered would become increasingly potent, and various perilous situations would arise.

"It's about time to head back!"

Zhan Yunqing murmured to himself, his gaunt figure silently detaching from the void.

"Two Ninth Rank Black Spirit Masters? What a major effort; they truly couldn't restrain themselves!"

Just as Zhan Yunqing was preparing to call out to Nie Kong, his brow suddenly lifted, and he let out a cold laugh before his figure once again merged with the void...

"He's gone to intercept those two," Qing Yue reported the activity behind them to Nie Kong with perfect timing.

"Good! Success at last," Nie Kong smiled slightly, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. "Senior Pan Hu, shouldn't we speed up? Also, if any more Nether Beasts appear on the road, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to step in, especially when encountering Ninth Rank ones—those beasts are beyond my ability to handle."

"For the rest of the journey, you will not encounter a single Nether Beast," Pan Hu chuckled strangely.

"Then I am reassured."

Nie Kong suddenly accelerated, his figure transforming into a streak of black light, flashing through the woods. Faintly, Nie Kong heard fierce impact sounds coming from his left flank—most likely, Zhan Yunqing had already engaged the two Ninth Rank Black Spirit Masters. However, Nie Kong was not worried about Zhan Yunqing’s safety. Though the opponents numbered two, Zhan Yunqing possessed 'Phantom Invisibility'; even if he couldn't win, it would be difficult for him to be killed.

Indeed, just as Pan Hu had predicted, not a single Nether Beast appeared on the path ahead, mirroring the situation when they left the Nether Sea Fire Source.

Nie Kong was used to such strange occurrences by now.

Although he didn't know how Pan Hu managed it, he was too lazy to investigate deeply. No longer interrupted by the Nether Beasts, Nie Kong still hadn't truly relaxed. Ye Dengwen and the others surely knew that a War Clan expert was guarding them in secret; the two Ninth Rank Black Spirit Masters moments ago were likely just a diversion.

Perhaps the real fatal blow lay ahead.

"Be careful!"

Ten minutes later, Qing Yue’s urgent cry suddenly pierced the air, and Nie Kong’s rapid forward motion abruptly halted.

"Nie Kong, you will have to pass this hurdle yourself. If I intervene, it’s too easy for that woman to notice," Pan Hu's voice, thin as silk, reached Nie Kong’s ear.

"I'll try my best!"

Nie Kong moved his lips slightly, squinting at the thicket of trees not far ahead.

A moment later, the sound of rustling footsteps emerged from the woods, and a tall, slender figure emerged with a slow, unhurried pace, almost as if strolling leisurely. It was an old man, about sixty years old, with a thin face and a long, flowing beard beneath his chin. He wore a white robe that gave him an air of immortal wisdom and elegance.

"Nie Kong?"

The white-robed elder walked closer, his eyes sizing Nie Kong up, a playful smile on his face.

"Who are you?" Nie Kong’s demeanor remained calm.

Seeing Nie Kong neither surprised nor flustered, but utterly composed, a flicker of surprise crossed the old man's eyes. He stroked his beard and chuckled, "This old man is Mo Tieliu."

"So, a Ninth Rank Black Spirit Master from the Heaven Sealing Sect," Nie Kong remarked with a slight smile.

"Nie Kong, it is quite impressive that you could guess my cultivation level. Even more commendable is your steadfast resolve; if you could continue to grow, you would certainly become a powerhouse like Zhan Xinzi in the future. It is just that you are too outstanding—so outstanding that no transcendent sect, save the War Clan, would ever watch you grow strong. And last night, you gave up your last chance at survival, so you must die here!" Mo Tieliu looked at Nie Kong with clear admiration, his voice laced with deep regret.

"In your opinion, I am already a dead man?" Nie Kong asked with a placid smile.

"Are you not?" Mo Tieliu’s gaze toward Nie Kong softened with a hint of pity. "This is the gap between District Eighteen and District Nineteen. Within a radius of ten li, there are neither Nether Beasts nor other Black Spirit Masters. Zhan Yunqing is occupied elsewhere. I cannot imagine who could possibly come to save you. Nie Kong, do not struggle pointlessly. To possess the strength to defeat an Eighth Rank master at your age is truly rare, a genius encountered once in a millennium. However, what this old man loves doing most in his life is ensuring such geniuses die with their eyes wide open." By the time he finished speaking, Mo Tieliu's face was full of mockery; in his eyes, Nie Kong was nothing more than a little mouse caught under a cat's paw, doomed no matter how clever his schemes.