The stark contrast stunned Nie Kong for a moment before he composed himself, bowing deeply, "Greetings, Dragon King."

Long Tiangong regarded Nie Kong with a gentle expression, nodding in approval. "Mei Xian and Xue Chan have excellent taste; they've found a truly outstanding husband."

"You flatter me."

Nie Kong felt a touch of awkwardness. Although he was the man to Long Mei Xian and Long Xue Chan, he was still far from being their husband, especially concerning Long Mei Xian, who ground her teeth in hatred for him; if it weren't for the possibility that he could help the Dragon Spirit Clan resolve their crisis, she likely would have already made a move.

Of course, there was no need to share these thoughts with Long Tiangong.

"No, not at all."

Long Tiangong smiled. "For a Wood Spirit Master like you to reach the Ninth Grade of the Spirit Core realm in your early twenties—that is completely unprecedented among the younger generation of the Heavenly Spirit Continent today... Indeed, even looking back across the ten thousand years of history on this continent, among those blessed with immense talent, you rank among the very best."

Just as Nie Kong began to blush under the praise, Long Tiangong's tone shifted abruptly. "However, Mei Xian and Xue Chan are also exceptional. To break through the shackles of the Spirit Body at such a young age is equally unique on the Heavenly Spirit Continent, and like you, they reached the Spirit Core realm before turning thirty. Both sisters adore you; they certainly will not disgrace you. Furthermore, the 'Dragon Mate Love Seal' is already between you—what is done cannot be undone. I hope you will treat them well in the future."

As he spoke, Long Tiangong's tone grew earnest and paternal. Nie Kong felt surprised, realizing the Dragon King was looking at him with the critical eye of a mother-in-law sizing up her son-in-law.

Nie Kong couldn't help but speculate privately: was Long Tiangong this attentive to every clan member, or were these two girls specially favored? If it was the former, the Dragon King's duties were surely exhausting; but if it was the latter... could the relationship between Long Tiangong and the sisters be more than just that of ordinary clan members?

"Dragon King, please rest assured. I would never wrong them."

Seeing the earnestness in Long Tiangong’s gaze, Nie Kong could only steel himself and reply, though a bitter smile played in his heart. If Long Tiangong knew the truly terrible state of his relationship with Long Mei Xian, what would he think? More importantly, he had a legitimate wife in the Flower Butterfly Secret Realm and another "wife" in the Yin Ruins—if Long Tiangong learned of all that, would he tear him limb from limb?

"Very good."

Long Tiangong nodded in satisfaction, then sighed with a hint of helplessness. "You and Mei Xian and Xue Chan have had this bond for some time. Such an important matter, and those two foolish girls never told me sooner... Otherwise, I never would have agreed to the Serpent Fang's demands. This time, I have failed the sisters. Nie Kong, you must spend time comforting them going forward, especially Xue Chan; that girl tends to overthink things."

"Yes, I understand."

Nie Kong stammered the two words out, almost doubting his own hearing.

Was the Dragon King of the Dragon Spirit Clan apologizing to Long Mei Xian and Long Xue Chan through him? The Dragon King didn't act like a King, nor did they seem like mere clan members; Long Tiangong’s relationship with them felt more like that of a father and daughter... a father seeking forgiveness from his daughters for a wrong he had committed!

Nie Kong stealthily glanced at Long Yi beside him, noticing a flicker of confusion on his face as well.

Long Tiangong seemed to realize his affection for Long Mei Xian and Long Xue Chan might be bordering on excessive. He slightly tempered his smile and spoke softly. "Nie Kong, Long Yi and Xue Chan mentioned that the Eighth Grade Spirit Medicine, the 'Green Shadow Pill Orb,' auctioned at the Spirit Control City's Red Mansion a few days ago, was refined by you."

Nie Kong nodded. "Only eighty-nine percent purity; the fusion rate was slightly low."

Long Tiangong wasn't sure if Nie Kong was genuinely dissatisfied with the "Green Shadow Pill Orb" or just being modest, and he couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Nie Kong, your modesty is excessive. A Fifth Grade Alchemist with Spirit Control cultivation might refine a Sixth Grade Spirit Medicine, but for a Seventh Grade Alchemist still stuck in the Spirit Core realm to refine an Eighth Grade Spirit Medicine—the chances of success are vanishingly small, let alone achieving an eighty-nine percent fusion rate."

He paused, then pondered, "However, outstanding refining ability does not necessarily equate to the same level of talent in healing the sick and saving lives. What do you say, Nie Kong?" As he spoke the last words, Long Tiangong fixed his gaze directly on Nie Kong, as if trying to see straight through him.

The real business had finally arrived! Nie Kong smiled. "Your Majesty the Dragon King, to be frank, my ability to heal and save lives surpasses even my skill in refining medicine."

"Oh?"

A flicker of doubt crossed Long Tiangong's eyes. His two golden, glittering eyes studied Nie Kong for nearly half a minute. Seeing that Nie Kong remained full of confidence, composed, and avoided his gaze in the slightest, he finally gave a slight nod. "Very good. In our Dragon Spirit Clan, there is a Seventh Grade Alchemist whose refined spirit medicines don't have very high fusion rates, but she has considerable insight when investigating difficult and unusual ailments. Nie Kong, would you be willing to spar with her?"

"I certainly would."

Nie Kong accepted without hesitation.

Nie Kong had heard Long Xue Chan introduce the Seventh Grade Alchemist Long Tiangong mentioned on the way here; she was named Long Zhaojun, also a Heavenly Spirit expert within the Dragon Spirit Clan. Long Zhaojun was not only strikingly beautiful but also incredibly powerful, ranking third among the sixteen elders of the Dragon Spirit Clan.

According to the clan's decision, once the Dragon Temple passage opened, Long Zhaojun would be the one to enter it carrying the wood-element weapon obtained in the trade with Serpent Fang.

As for Long Mei Xian and Long Xue Chan, the two elders, they were placed last, as the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Elders, respectively. Of course, their attainment of elder status was not due to their strength, but rather the astonishing innate talent they displayed while breaking through the shackles of the Spirit Body.

Even though Long Yi’s current cultivation level matched theirs, marking him as a rare prodigy in the clan for a century, as the years passed, the sisters Long Mei Xian and Long Xue Chan were bound to far outpace Long Yi, potentially breaking through to the Spirit Cave realm in their forties, becoming the youngest Heavenly Spirit experts in the Dragon Spirit Clan's history. It was for this reason that the clan assembly promoted them to elders, partially as a reward.

Seeing Nie Kong's brisk agreement, Long Tiangong’s expression brightened. "It seems you are confident. How about this: let's set the time for three days from now. I will have Long Yi notify you. You have only just arrived at Dragon Island and reunited with Mei Xian; you must have much to discuss. Use these few days to spend quality time with her."

"Fine," Nie Kong managed to choke out, feeling a wave of wry amusement mixed with exasperation.

If he truly dared to follow Long Tiangong's suggestion and spend time with Long Mei Xian, being met with a cold shoulder would be considered the best-case scenario; the most likely outcome was being thrown out the door the moment he stepped inside. Worried that Long Tiangong would continue this line of conversation, Nie Kong quickly added, "Your Majesty the Dragon King, I shall take my leave then."

"Go."

Long Tiangong waved his hand. Nie Kong bowed slightly and quickly turned to leave with Long Yi. A moment later, Long Tiangong’s voice carried from behind them: "Nie Kong, stop calling me Your Majesty the Dragon King. Since you call my brother Long Yi by name, you might as well call me 'Uncle' from now on."

"Uncle?"

Nie Kong stumbled, nearly falling flat...

... ...RO