The sheer contrast stunned Nie Kong into silence for a moment before he collected himself, bowing low. "Greetings, Dragon King."

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

"You flatter me."

Nie Kong felt a touch of awkwardness. While he was the man of Long Meixian and Long Xuechan, he was still far from being their husband, especially regarding Long Meixian, who harbored such intense hatred for him that she ground her teeth. If not for the fact that he might help the Dragon Spirit Clan resolve their crisis, she would have likely attacked him already.

Of course, these details were unnecessary to share with Long Tiangong.

"No, not at all."

Long Tiangong smiled. "For a Wood Spirit Master like yourself to reach the ninth rank of Dan Ling before turning twenty is unprecedented among the younger generation on the Heavenly Spirit Continent... In fact, even looking back through the millennia across the continent's history at those with prodigious talent, you rank among the very best."

Just as Nie Kong began to blush from the praise, Long Tiangong abruptly shifted the topic. "However, Meixian and Xuechan are remarkable as well. To break the shackles of the Spirit Body at such a young age is equally unheard of on the Heavenly Spirit Continent. And like you, they reached the Dan Ling realm before they turned thirty. Since both sisters have given their hearts to you, they will certainly not disgrace you. Moreover, the 'Dragon Mate Seal' is already between you; the situation cannot be undone. I hope you will treat them kindly from now on."

As he finished speaking, Long Tiangong's tone grew earnest and fatherly. Nie Kong felt a surge of surprise, realizing the Dragon King was looking at him with the discerning gaze of a mother sizing up her son-in-law.

Nie Kong couldn't help but wonder privately: Was Long Tiangong always this attentive to every clansman, or was this special care reserved for them? If it was the former, being the Dragon King seemed exhausting; but if it was the latter... could the relationship between Long Tiangong and the sisters be something more than just that of ordinary clansmen?

"Dragon King, please rest assured, I will never let them suffer any grievance."

Seeing Long Tiangong looking at him with such eager expectation, Nie Kong could only brace himself and reply, though a wry smile touched his heart. If Long Tiangong knew the truly terrible state of his relationship with Long Meixian, what would his reaction be? But that wasn't even the main issue; the real problem was that he had a legitimate wife in the Flower Butterfly Secret Realm and another 'spouse' in the Yin Ruins... If Long Tiangong found out about all of that, would he tear him limb from limb?

"Very good."

Long Tiangong nodded in satisfaction, then let out a soft, regretful sigh. "You and Meixian and Xuechan have long shared this bond. Such an important matter, and those two silly girls never mentioned it to me sooner... Otherwise, there is no way I would have agreed to Snake Fang's demands. I have wronged those two sisters this time. Nie Kong, you must spend time comforting them in the future, especially Xuechan; that girl tends to dwell on things too much."

"Yes, I understand."

Nie Kong mumbled the two words out, almost doubting his own ears.

Was this Dragon King of the Dragon Spirit Clan using him to convey his apologies to Long Meixian and Long Xuechan? This King didn't act like a king, and they didn't seem like mere clansmen; the relationship between Long Tiangong and the sisters felt more like that of a father and his daughters... and Long Tiangong seemed like a father seeking forgiveness from his children for a wrong he had committed!

Nie Kong couldn't resist glancing stealthily at Long Yi beside him, noticing a flicker of bewilderment on his face as well.

Perhaps Long Tiangong realized his affection for Long Meixian and Long Xuechan was a bit excessive. His smile faded slightly, and he spoke in a mild tone. "Nie Kong, Long Yi and Xuechan mentioned that the eighth-grade spirit medicine, the 'Green Shadow Pill Bead,' auctioned at the Spirit Guard City brothel a few days ago was refined by you."

Nie Kong nodded. "It only reached 89%; the fusion degree was a bit low."

Long Tiangong wasn't sure if Nie Kong was genuinely unsatisfied with the 'Green Shadow Pill Bead' or merely being modest, so he chuckled softly. "Nie Kong, you are overly modest. A fifth-rank Spirit Pharmacist at the Imperial Spirit cultivation level might refine a sixth-grade spirit medicine, but for a seventh-rank Spirit Pharmacist still in the Dan Ling realm to refine an eighth-grade spirit medicine, the chance of success is minuscule, let alone achieving an 89% fusion degree."

He paused, then pondered, "However, outstanding refining ability does not necessarily translate to the same level of talent in healing the sick and saving lives. What do you think, Nie Kong?" When he uttered the last words, Long Tiangong stared intently at Nie Kong, seeming determined to see straight through him.

The real agenda had finally arrived! Nie Kong smiled. "Your Majesty the Dragon King, to be frank, my ability to heal and save lives is even slightly superior to my refining skill."

"Oh?"

A trace of doubt flashed in Long Tiangong's eyes. His two golden, shining eyes scrutinized Nie Kong for nearly half a minute. Seeing that Nie Kong remained confident, calm, and showed no sign of evasion, he finally gave a slight nod. "Very good. In our Dragon Spirit Clan, there is a seventh-rank Spirit Pharmacist whose refined spirit medicines don't have a very high fusion degree, but she has a profound understanding of investigating difficult and complex illnesses. Nie Kong, would you be willing to spar with her?"

"I am certainly willing."

Nie Kong agreed without hesitation.

The seventh-rank Spirit Pharmacist Long Tiangong mentioned was someone Long Xuechan had introduced on the journey over. Her name was Long Zhaojun, and she was also a Heavenly Spirit expert within the Dragon Spirit Clan. This Long Zhaojun was not only beautiful as a flower but also possessed formidable strength, ranking third among the sixteen Elders of the Dragon Spirit Clan.

According to the Dragon Spirit Clan's decision, once the Dragon Temple passage opened, Long Zhaojun would be the one to carry the wood-elemental weapon obtained from the trade with Snake Fang into the passage.

As for the two Elders, Long Meixian and Long Xuechan, they were placed at the very end, ranking fifteenth and sixteenth respectively. Of course, their elevation to Elder status wasn't based on their strength, but on the astonishing talent they displayed when breaking through the Spirit Body shackles.

Even though Long Yi's current cultivation level was comparable to theirs, making him a rare prodigy in the Dragon Spirit Clan for a century, as the years progressed, the sisters Long Meixian and Long Xuechan were bound to surpass Long Yi significantly. It was even likely that both sisters would break through to the Cave Spirit realm in their early forties, becoming the youngest Heavenly Spirit experts in the history of the Dragon Spirit Clan. Because of this foresight, the Dragon Spirit Clan convened a meeting and promoted them to Elder status as a form of reward.

Seeing Nie Kong respond so readily, Long Tiangong's expression became pleasant. "It seems you are very confident. How about this: let's set the time for three days from now. I'll have Long Yi notify you. You've only just arrived at Dragon Island and have been reunited with Meixian after a long time; I imagine you have much to discuss. Use these next few days to spend quality time with her."

"Good."

Nie Kong managed to squeeze out the word, though he felt an urge to laugh and cry internally.

If he truly dared to follow Long Tiangong's suggestion and try to spend time with Long Meixian, being met with cold silence would be the best-case scenario; the most likely outcome would be being kicked out the moment he entered the door.

Fearing Long Tiangong would continue on this line of conversation, Nie Kong quickly said, "Your Majesty the Dragon King, I shall take my leave now."

"Go ahead."

Long Tiangong waved his hand. Nie Kong bowed slightly and, along with Long Yi, swiftly turned and departed. A moment later, Long Tiangong's voice drifted from behind them: "Nie Kong, stop calling me 'Your Majesty the Dragon King' from now on. Since you and Brother Long Yi are peers, just call me 'Uncle.'"

"Uncle?"

Nie Kong stumbled, nearly falling flat...~~~~