On the journey here, Hua Yanlian had explained to Yu Longyue that the Flower Empress was currently in seclusion for her cultivation. Given the centuries-long friendship between Yu Longyue and the Flower Empress, there was naturally no need for formality, so Hua Yanlian led Yu Longyue directly to the Jade Butterfly Palace and asked her to wait there for the Empress to emerge.

Nie Kong, being male, could not, of course, enter the Flower Empress's private chambers as freely as Yu Longyue. Fortunately, Hua Yanlian did not tarry long after escorting Yu Longyue inside; she soon emerged and led Nie Kong toward the western edge of the "Flower Butterfly Secret Realm."

Everywhere they looked—lush forests, shimmering blue waters, gurgling streams, vibrant flowers—the Flower Butterfly Secret Realm seemed to have condensed all the beautiful scenery of the Tianling Continent into this single space. It left one feeling as though they were in a celestial paradise, refreshed, exhilarated, and reluctant to leave.

After passing between two steep, small mountains, Nie Kong felt as if he had walked into a haven of beauties. He saw more and more Flower Spirit Clan women, each exquisitely lovely with graceful figures, some practicing cultivation alone, others laughing and playing together...

When they noticed Nie Kong walking alongside Hua Yanlian, they offered at most only a couple of curious glances, without making any overly conspicuous moves. Of course, their curiosity was entirely different from that of the women in Yin Xu. This was primarily due to the vastly different environments of the two places.

Yin Xu was almost entirely populated by women and completely isolated from the Tianling Continent; the appearance of a single male there would naturally cause an immense sensation. While the Flower Spirit Clan was comprised entirely of women, they frequently disguised themselves to travel the outside world, meaning their exposure was incomparable to those in Yin Xu.

After a while, a dazzling sea of flowers unfolded before Nie Kong once again.

Unlike the expanse of blossoms at the exit of the Flower Butterfly Secret Realm, this area was dotted not with pavilions and towers, but with neatly arranged, individual houses. Their architectural styles were myriad and bizarre, seemingly built according to the diverse preferences of their occupants.

Amidst these variably styled dwellings, one particularly ordinary house stood out prominently, connected to a small courtyard. Such a structure was common across the Tianling Continent, but here, within this sea of flowers, it was like a crane among chickens, extremely conspicuous.

Nie Kong spotted it instantly, and a faint sense of familiarity washed over him. A moment later, his heart skipped a beat; the design and external layout of this courtyard were identical to his former residence at the Nie family home in Jiyang City.

"Hua Mei!"

The image of that charming, delicate face flashed before his eyes, and Nie Kong felt a surge of emotion. This courtyard must belong to Hua Mei.

Hua Yanlian pointed to the courtyard Nie Kong was fixed upon and smiled, "Nie Kong, Hua Mei lives there. Go see her first; I will arrange your lodging next."

It really was hers!

"Good!"

Nie Kong agreed and couldn't help quickening his pace, walking towards it with a degree of eagerness. After several dozen steps, Nie Kong suddenly realized that Hua Yanlian hadn't followed. He turned back to see her standing at the edge of the flower sea, a gentle smile playing on her lips, seemingly lost in thought.

Nie Kong didn't pay it much mind and soon reached the courtyard gate.

The moment he gently pushed open the wooden door, Nie Kong sensed a familiar aura emanating from the house within. Hua Mei was there! In that instant, the excitement in Nie Kong’s chest dissipated considerably, replaced by a deep, blossoming joy, a smile naturally spreading across his face.

What was she doing right now?

A playful thought crossed Nie Kong's mind. He slowed his steps, slipping inside soundlessly. The interior was furnished simply, the layout exactly mirroring the home in Jiyang City. Nie Kong easily found the bedroom; the door was ajar, and from within came a faint, soft rustling sound, like a gentle sigh.

By the window, that enchanting, slender silhouette that haunted his dreams sat before a table. Her right hand rose and fell intermittently, as if she were carving something.

Nie Kong felt a pang of surprise and drifted inside like a phantom.

He now possessed a cultivation base of sixth-rank Dan Ling, enhanced by the concealment of the "Lingxi Battle Robe." Even a Dan Ling Master would struggle to detect his movements, let alone Hua Mei, whose cultivation was still far removed from the Dan Ling realm, and who was currently completely engrossed. When Nie Kong reached half a meter behind her, she remained completely unaware of anything amiss.

Nie Kong paused, his gaze drifting over Hua Mei's neck to her left hand. In her palm rested a black jade carving—a depiction of Nie Kong himself. Except for the minuscule scale, his expression and posture were exquisitely lifelike and brimming with spirit.

"Tsk!"

Hua Mei's fair, soft right hand moved lightly, the tip of her tiny knife touching the eye of the jade carving, flicking away a minute speck of dust. After examining it for a moment, a satisfied smile graced her features as she placed the carving on the table.

Only then did Nie Kong notice the seventeen other jade carvings already on the tabletop. Though their expressions varied, every single one was a carving of him. In that moment, Nie Kong felt as if his heartstrings had been plucked by a gentle hand, an ineffable warmth resonating in his chest.

"That should do it."

Hua Mei squinted and smiled, swiftly brushing her palm over the carvings. wisps of spiritual energy shot out from between her fingers, penetrating every small detail. In an instant, the patterns on the robes of the jade figures began to glow with dazzling, multi-colored luminescence. Immediately afterward, all the jade figures seemed to spring to life—blinking, tilting their heads, or wiggling their limbs... as if they were no longer inanimate objects but tiny, spirited people.

"Spirit Patterns?"

Seeing this, Nie Kong felt a wave of pleasant surprise mixed with shock.

Though he didn't understand Spirit Patterns, he could clearly see that the carvings’ ability to move was due to their activation. He hadn't realized Hua Mei possessed such talent, capable of integrating Spirit Patterns directly into the textures woven into the figures' clothing. If she didn't actively channel them, one couldn't detect the patterns externally at all. The fact that Hua Mei could achieve this demonstrated her profound mastery of Spirit Patterns.

It made sense now why her skill in carving was so exquisite even before her bloodline awakened! Recalling the statues of Tianling powerhouses Hua Mei had carved back in Jiyang City, Nie Kong suddenly understood. He had heard long ago that the most outstanding Spirit Pattern Masters in the Tianling Continent over millennia had emerged from the Flower Spirit Clan, and now he knew that saying was absolutely true.

Perhaps Hua Mei, too, could one day become one of those legendary, preeminent Spirit Pattern Masters.

His thoughts shifting, Nie Kong’s eyes moved back to Hua Mei.

At that moment, Hua Mei was gazing intently at the increasingly animated jade figures, her beautiful eyes gradually curving into crescent moons. But after a moment, she let out a soft sigh, her expression growing a bit melancholy. "Uncle... Brother... Where are you now?" As she mentally shifted the word "Uncle" to "Brother," a faint blush crept across Hua Mei's fair, soft face.

Nie Kong felt his heart stir and blurted out, "I'm right here."

... ...RO

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