As the soul within the colossal dragon's body converged relentlessly toward its head, Jin Yu Long finally understood his efforts were futile. Seeing more of his life force being siphoned away, he became even more frantic, screaming hysterically, "Nie Kong, what in the blazes is that?"

"Jin Yu Long, no need to panic. It’s just a treasure of the Fish Spirit race. As long as it remains, you have no chance of causing the Dragon Ancestor's soul to dissipate gradually. Not unless you can annihilate the Dragon Ancestor in an instant," Nie Kong soothed.

"Nie Kong, I’ll fight you to the death!"

Jin Yu Long could endure no more. So much of his vital essence had been drained, and Nie Kong was shamelessly feigning calm. This was too much to bear! A brilliant golden radiance suddenly flared in the air as the Dragon Taming Grass ripped itself free from the dragon’s spine.

Beneath the roots of the Dragon Taming Grass, faint purple light shimmered within the vast expanse of green—that was Xiang Xiang’s body. Jin Yu Long abandoned the Dragon Ancestor’s massive frame, pulling the little creature out with him. Without the relentless agitation of the Dragon Taming Grass, the giant dragon's thrashing and striking began to diminish.

"Whoosh!"

Almost the instant the Dragon Taming Grass entered Nie Kong's field of vision, its thick stalks and enormous leaves lunged forward like grasping claws. However, upon spotting the eyeball-shaped 'Hui Mou Hua' (Looking Back Flower) extending from Nie Kong's chest, the Dragon Taming Grass recoiled even faster.

As it retreated, a thread of golden energy spewed forth from the fruit at the tip of the grass, shooting toward Nie Kong’s brow like a meteor.

"Nie Kong, I refuse to believe it can shield you forever…"

Before the trailing word 'you' could fully escape Jin Yu Long’s throat, his cry abruptly ceased. The blood-red flower flashed into existence before Nie Kong's brow once more, swallowing the streaking golden energy whole, providing the most definitive punctuation to his incomplete declaration.

After a brief silence, the Dragon Taming Grass writhed its stalks violently: "Nie Kong, you shameless bastard! If you have any guts... don't let it interfere!"

The fruit at the tip of the Dragon Taming Grass morphed into Jin Yu Long's visage, its cheeks contorted, eyes burning red, the expression savage. The sequence of events inflicted upon him by Nie Kong was driving his consciousness toward utter confusion. If that flower possessed Spirit God power, why only defend and never launch an active strike?

Wasn't this just deliberate torture!

Nie Kong looked upon Jin Yu Long with a hint of pity, laughing teasingly, "Silly child, you mean for me, a Pill Spirit Master, to stand here like an idiot while you, a Celestial Spirit expert, attack me? How can you utter such a foolish suggestion? Or do you truly believe I am that dense?"

"You, you..."

Nie Kong's mockery made Jin Yu Long’s eyes bulge with rage. "Nie Kong, I will destroy... your pet!" With a voice sharp as a needle, rich golden light pulsed from the stalks and leaves toward the roots below. Gradually, the base of the Dragon Taming Grass seemed to transform into a blazing sun.

The little creature, however, remained utterly unconcerned, continuing to cling fiercely to the roots of the Dragon Taming Grass, absorbing its medicinal power ravenously.

"Boom!"

As if ten thousand catties of explosives ignited simultaneously, the golden light concentrated at the roots suddenly burst outward. Light beams, almost tangible, pierced through the encompassing green and the violet illusionary spirit fragrance, raging wildly within this Dragon Orb space. In an instant, this entire realm was whipped by a force akin to a Category 12 hurricane.

The Dragon Taming Grass was truly fighting for its life! Nie Kong frowned slightly, carefully sensing the little creature's condition.

The little creature’s innate medicinal power and its 'Purple Luo Illusionary Spirit Fragrance' body appeared as green and purple vapors, visible yet intangible. Although countless golden rays passed clean through them, it only caused its absorption of the medicinal power to pause momentarily. However, the little creature's own innate power suffered considerable depletion.

Nie Kong couldn't help but worry. If the Dragon Taming Grass launched an attack like that a few more times, he would be forced to recall the little creature.

Fortunately, the event he feared did not materialize.

Seeing that the little creature only paused briefly before resuming its diligent, busy work like a tireless little bee, the Dragon Taming Grass’s lips trembled. Its pale face registered an expression of utter disbelief. It bent its stalks, screaming shrilly, "How can it have no effect whatsoever? I don't believe it! I don't believe it!"

Instantly, the Dragon Taming Grass’s four leaves flickered, reaching toward its own roots, attempting to tear apart the little creature's innate medicinal power and its purple body.

Each time the sickle-shaped edges of the leaves managed to tear the little creature's form, it healed immediately.

In the next moment, the medicinal power absorbed from the Dragon Taming Grass's roots replenished the innate power lost by the little creature due to the tearing. Thus, no matter how violently and frantically the Dragon Taming Grass thrashed, the little creature remained firmly attached, causing the former to continuously bleed life force.

"If Jin Yu Long knew that his own medicinal power was endlessly sustaining Xiang Xiang’s absorption of his essence, I wonder if he would faint from rage?" Nie Kong mused inwardly, chuckling softly.

In less than a minute, the Dragon Taming Grass gave up its pointless struggle, pleading in despair, "Nie Kong, make it stop... I... I can also become your pet!"

"Don't agree!"

Before Nie Kong could speak, Qing Yue couldn't help but spring out from his chest, her face filled with disdain. "How can a Medicinal Spirit like you become Nie Kong's pet? Forget being a pet; you're not even fit to be a slave. Just looking at you gives Grandma goosebumps. Hurry up and die!"

Seeing Qing Yue so agitated, Nie Kong couldn't help but feel awkward.

However, what she said held truth. Nie Kong felt no pity for the Dragon Taming Grass, not because of the Dragon Ancestor's plight, but simply because he intensely disliked the cold, chilling aura emanating from the grass's body.

That aura made Nie Kong deeply uncomfortable. When he was previously ensnared by the Dragon Taming Grass, he felt as if he were enveloped by the icy body of a venomous snake. Therefore, even though the Dragon Taming Grass had achieved sentience, Nie Kong had zero interest in it; leaving it for the little creature to advance its cultivation was the best option.

"A Medicinal Spirit?"

Qing Yue's appearance caused Jin Yu Long to freeze momentarily, but then he cried out as if he had found a treasure, "Grandma, we are both Medicinal Spirits. Surely you know how difficult it was for me to cultivate to this level? Please, show mercy and pity me this once, spare me!"

Qing Yue was taken aback by the creature's shamelessness in directly addressing her as 'Grandma,' and became instantly annoyed: "Grandma me... Hmph, I am not your grandmother!"

Lest she draw unwanted attention, the little one quickly burrowed back into Nie Kong's embrace.

"Tai Yan, you watch him!"

"Brother, I will."

The blood-red Hui Mou Hua shifted, and Tai Yan, clad in red robes, materialized. Her figure was perfectly curved, graceful and exquisite, and her flawless face bore a pure, sweet smile.

"Also... also a Medicinal Spirit? And a Spirit God Medicinal Spirit?"

Jin Yu Long stared dumbfounded. In the next instant, his face twisted into an expression of extreme agony. "Sister, Sister, spare me, spare me!"

"Just like that ghoul, You Hun!"

Nie Kong shook his head at the sight, ignoring the creature further. He turned his attention back toward the giant dragon...

... ...RO