Just as Nie Kong was pondering, Hua Mei hesitated several times, wanting to speak but ultimately couldn't help but stammer, "After my soul separates from Sister Pianxian's, we... we can't... do that anymore..." Her voice grew softer and softer until her face was completely flushed by the time she finished speaking.

Nie Kong didn't immediately grasp her meaning: "Do what?"

"You know... that..."

Hua Mei's cheeks burned, and she shot Nie Kong a quick glance, speaking with noticeable coyness.

Nie Kong finally understood what Hua Mei was trying to convey and was momentarily dumbfounded, managing a wry, helpless chuckle. "Hua Mei, you haven't actually believed that nonsense Hua Pianxian was feeding you, have you?"

"I can feel it; Sister Pianxian wasn't lying."

Hua Mei lowered her delicate head, her face a deep, rosy flush, muttering haltingly, "If we... did that, I truly won't have any hope of breaking through to the Spirit God realm. Sister Pianxian said you will definitely reach the Spirit God level later, and I want to be like you, so we can be together forever."

It was over. This silly girl had been bewitched by that woman, Hua Pianxian!

Nie Kong sighed inwardly.

Hua Mei's intentions touched Nie Kong deeply. After all, only by breaking through to the Spirit God realm could a Spirit Master be considered truly immortal. If Nie Kong achieved the Spirit God realm in the future while Hua Mei remained stuck at Heavenly Spirit, she would inevitably depart before him one day—a result Nie Kong absolutely did not desire.

And Hua Mei didn't want that either!

But the current problem was that Nie Kong and Hua Mei held completely opposite views regarding Hua Pianxian's claims. Seeing that although Hua Mei was embarrassed, her expression was unusually resolute, Nie Kong knew it would be difficult to persuade her to change her mind right now. She had a soft exterior but an unyielding core; once she settled on Hua Pianxian's assertion, she wouldn't easily change it, unless Nie Kong could find compelling evidence to refute Hua Pianxian.

Noticing Nie Kong’s troubled expression, Hua Mei quickly added, "I'm not deceiving you. In fact, His Majesty the Flower Emperor and my Master told me the same thing. For thousands of years, the Flower Spirit clan members have never married men. Even if they desired children, they would only consider it when their cultivation had no further hope of breakthrough."

"Oh?"

Nie Kong had never heard of such a custom, but Hua Mei certainly wouldn't lie to him. For a moment, Nie Kong couldn't help but feel a creeping suspicion. Could Hua Pianxian actually be telling the truth? If so, this was a massive headache. If it took Hua Mei a century or two to break through to the Spirit God realm, did that mean Nie Kong would have to maintain a sham marriage with her for that long?

What pleasure would such a life hold? Fortunately, there was no immediate rush. After the "Pill Soul Manifestation" succeeded, he would certainly need to devise a complete solution for Hua Mei’s worries. He couldn't let his future marital bliss be ruined by a single word from Hua Pianxian.

"Let's not talk about this for now."

Nie Kong's eyes darted around as he said, "Since we can't be real spouses for now, surely doing other things is fine?" As he spoke, Nie Kong gazed hotly at Hua Mei's proud, soft chest. A small patch of skin peeked out from the neckline of her garment, appearing snowy white with a faint blush, exceptionally alluring.

"No..."

Hua Mei hurriedly raised both hands to cover her bosom, her beautiful eyes shimmering with shyness, as graceful as two pools of autumn water. Her lips were slightly pursed, like tender, reddish cherries. Nie Kong felt a surge of intense desire, unable to resist lowering his head to tightly seal his lips over Hua Mei's moist, soft ones.

"Ahem!"

A sharp cough suddenly sounded outside the door.

"Ah!" The startled pair, entangled together like mandarin ducks, quickly sprang apart and stood up, only to see Hua Yanlian leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, sporting a faint, knowing smile.

Nie Kong, being an old hand, only experienced a flicker of awkwardness before his expression returned to normal.

Hua Mei, however, lacked Nie Kong's thicker skin. Realizing that her moment of kissing a man had been witnessed directly by her Master, her face flushed scarlet with shame. While tidying her slightly disheveled dress, she tried to hide behind Nie Kong, her head bowed so low that her chin nearly touched his sharp chest, wishing desperately she could find a hole to crawl into.

"Nie Kong, Granny didn't mean to warn you, ha ha ha ha..." The little medicine spirit's strange laughter echoed in Nie Kong's mind.

Nie Kong was speechless regarding Qing Yue’s peculiar sense of amusement. Normally, even without Qing Yue's reminder, Nie Kong would have noticed her presence. But just then, he and Hua Mei had been completely immersed in their tender affection, and Hua Yanlian’s cultivation was exceptionally powerful; he hadn't sensed her approach at all.

Nie Kong squeezed Hua Mei's little hand reassuringly and said with a helpless smile, "Master, although Hua Mei is your disciple, disturbing the intimacy between a couple is rather inhumane."

"Inhumane?"

Although hearing the word for the first time, Hua Yanlian managed to guess Nie Kong's meaning and couldn't help but let out a suppressed giggle. "Nie Kong, I had no choice. Didn't you see the sky is almost dark? If I hadn't come in, were you planning to stay here all night?"

Nie Kong quickly turned to look out the window. Indeed, the sky was growing dim. He hadn't realized he and Hua Mei had spent so long in there. However, Hua Yanlian was correct about one thing; Nie Kong had indeed considered staying the night, but his pleasant dream had been shattered by her arrival.

"Did I guess right?"

Hua Yanlian chuckled, "Nie Kong, come with me; I'll arrange lodging for you. If you want to see Hua Mei, you'll have to wait until tomorrow."

With that, Hua Yanlian turned gracefully and vanished from the doorway. She had no desire to play the role of the spoilsport breaking up a loving couple, but since Nie Kong wouldn't leave, she had to intervene. Nie Kong and Hua Mei were clearly enamored; an unmarried man and woman together, especially after a long separation, might easily give in to their passion, and if anything happened, she, as Hua Mei's Master, would have difficulty answering to His Majesty the Flower Emperor.

"It's all your fault for letting Master see us."

The shame in Hua Mei's heart finally began to ease slightly. She poked her head out from behind Nie Kong, puffed out her cheeks, and glared fiercely at him, which only made her appear even more charmingly coquettish.

"What's there to fear? Even if she hadn't seen us, she could have guessed what we were doing anyway. Hua Mei, I'll leave now; I'll come back to see you tomorrow morning." Nie Kong was unconcerned, giving Hua Mei's rosy, smooth cheek a smiling peck before exiting the room himself.

Hua Mei softly stamped her foot, couldn't resist biting her lip, and followed him, leaning against the doorway to peek out discreetly. Hua Yanlian, who had just reached the courtyard entrance, suddenly turned back with a smile, startling Hua Mei, who quickly retreated back into the room.

When she looked out again, both Hua Yanlian and Nie Kong had vanished without a trace.

Hua Mei let out a long breath, and the events that transpired in the room kept flashing through her mind. Unconsciously, Hua Mei brought her hand up to cover the spot where Nie Kong had just kissed her, feeling as though her cheeks were on fire, yet her entire body felt devoid of strength. Her legs softened, and she slid down the wall, but her heart felt as if it had drunk sweet honey, and a blissful smile curved her lips without her realizing it...

…… ……RO