Nie Kong had a sudden realization: the Dragon Control Grass had clearly planned this long in advance; otherwise, it couldn't have orchestrated such a comprehensive scheme in such haste. Not only had it blocked the Dragon Temple passage, but it had also systematically utilized the Dragon Ancestor’s power to carve out over three thousand six hundred intersecting tunnels, all designed to drain his spiritual energy.

While feeling sympathy for the Dragon Ancestor, Nie Kong couldn't help but marvel at the deep cunning of the Dragon Control Grass. It had exchanged centuries of deference and docility for the Dragon Ancestor's trust, only to strike with lightning speed at the most critical juncture, completely toppling this supremely powerful Spirit God into the dust.

At this moment, Nie Kong felt even more vindicated in his earlier decision to refuse Jin Zhu Long's offer of allegiance. If the grass could use so much time to earn the Dragon Ancestor's trust, who could say it wouldn't use the same methods on him? Nie Kong firmly believed that Jin Zhu Long could not have lulled the Dragon Ancestor into a sense of security merely through superficial servitude.

While accompanying the Dragon Ancestor, even Jin Zhu Long himself must have believed he was loyal to the Ancestor. If that were the case, even if the Control Grass had been forcefully controlled like the Phantom Eagle King, Nie Kong could never feel truly safe. Rather than living in constant vigilance and suspicion, it was better to let it be annihilated.

As Nie Kong was lost in thought, the Dragon Ancestor sighed again, "For twenty years, this old man fought desperately against the Control Grass’s invasion, yet I could not stop my constant weakening. Though I can still barely cling to life, at most ten more years, and I will be completely refined by the Grass.

"When I first ascended to become a Spirit God, I absorbed hundreds of Dragon Control Grasses. To end up being refined by the Control Grass—this must be my karmic retribution."

"Originally, I thought I couldn't escape this fate. I never expected to suddenly sense your spirit resonance the night before last. For years, suppressed by the Control Grass, I couldn't perceive any disturbance from the outside world. So, when I felt you, it was like finding a priceless treasure. I seized the split second the Grass was distracted and pushed with all my might to break its blockade and send you a summons. In my perception, your spirit resonance was uniquely different from any of my descendants; it could completely integrate with any living plant and herb. You should have been able to perceive my call."

"Indeed, I felt your summons, Senior. I was puzzled about it for quite some time," Nie Kong nodded subconsciously, then chuckled, "Actually, Senior, even if you hadn't called out to me, I would have entered the Dragon Temple passages. My purpose in coming to Dragon Island this time was precisely to resolve your issue."

"Oh?"

The Dragon Ancestor paused, then burst into a hearty laugh. "Well said. The changes in me over these past two decades, I believe Tian Gong and the others must have noticed. You are a Wood Spirit Master, able to enter those passages unimpeded, and possessing the rare cultivation of Ninth Grade Pill Spirit—unheard of in ancient or modern times. You must have attracted their attention long ago."

"What I didn't expect was that you are also the Dragon Spirit Clan's son-in-law. Back then, I established the rule that my clansmen must not marry outside or marry outsiders, purely to maintain the purity of our bloodline. But looking at things now, perhaps that old rule really needs to change. Otherwise, the propagation of my Dragon Spirit Clan wouldn't be so difficult, and there is even a danger of the bloodline dying out once separated from the Dragon Island formed by my body."

"..." Nie Kong did not interject, but he deeply empathized with the Dragon Ancestor's words. Among the Five Great Spirit Clans, the Flower Spirit, Fish Spirit, and Dragon Spirit Clans all prohibited intermarriage with outsiders, making them the smallest in number. The Flower and Fish Spirits were somewhat better off; with careful nurturing, as long as no major calamity struck, they wouldn't fear extinction. But for the Dragon Spirit Clan, which required male-female intimacy for reproduction, the risk was far greater.

Of the other two Great Spirit Clans, Nie Kong knew the least about the Feather Spirit Clan. As for the Snake Spirit Clan, they not only married outsiders but also encouraged their men to take multiple wives. Consequently, almost every powerful Snake Spirit clansman possessed an immense harem. This was precisely why the Snake Spirit Clan had the largest population.

At this juncture, the Dragon Ancestor, after a moment of deep reflection, suddenly spoke with a soft, kind smile, "Nie Kong, you are the Dragon Spirit Clan's son-in-law; you are, in a sense, my child. This old man has never owed anyone in his life, let alone owing a debt to his own descendant. If you help me escape the doom of being refined by the Control Grass, I will absolutely not let your efforts be in vain. Tell me whatever you need; I will do everything in my power to help you realize it... If I don't repay this favor now, I might not get the chance later."

"No chance..."

Hearing those three words, Nie Kong was initially unconcerned, but after only a moment, a sharp shock went through him. Why did the Dragon Ancestor sound like he was settling his final affairs? Could it be that the Dragon Ancestor had been so ravaged by the Control Grass that recovery was nearly impossible? That seemed unlikely!

The vitality of a Spirit God is exceptionally tenacious; one only needs to look at Pan Hu and Chi Lian to understand. Both were Star Gods comparable to Spirit Gods, yet they could sleep for millennia and still awaken with only a wisp of residual soul left. No matter how dire the Dragon Ancestor's situation was, it had to be significantly better than theirs!

The Dragon Ancestor seemed to sense Nie Kong's confusion and smiled benevolently, "Nie Kong, do not worry; this old man is not yet ready to die. It is just that with my current soul power, it is extremely difficult to maintain the Dragon Pearl’s operation. In ten years at most, the Dragon Pearl will shatter, and the entire Dragon Island will collapse. My soul injury is too severe; it would take at least a hundred years to heal, and time simply does not allow for that. Therefore, after repaying your favor, I will voluntarily decompose the Dragon Pearl, allowing my soul to completely fuse with Dragon Island. This way, my soul will heal much faster, and perhaps in a few decades, I can recondense the Dragon Pearl."

"I see," Nie Kong let out a breath of relief and smiled, "Senior, I am the Dragon Spirit Clan's son-in-law; it is only right that I do something for the clan. As for favors, let's forget about it." Seeing the Dragon Ancestor's current wretched state, Nie Kong felt it inappropriate to make any demands. Moreover, once this task was complete, he would be the Dragon Spirit Clan's great benefactor. Given Long Tian Gong's temperament, if he ever needed help in the future, as long as it didn't endanger the clan, Long Tian Gong certainly wouldn't refuse.

"No, the favor must be repaid; that is my principle," the Dragon Ancestor waved his hand. "Since you are unwilling to ask, then let this old man decide... Hmm, if I am not mistaken, the divine power inside your body was forcibly injected by someone, but it is far too weak. It just so happens that I still possess some divine power, so I shall gift it to you. Since I will be recondensing my divine power later, keeping these residues is just a waste."

"Senior, you are going to give me divine power?"

Nie Kong was somewhat surprised. He had already experienced the marvels of divine power. Now, the Dragon Ancestor intended to give him all his remaining divine power—this repayment was truly too generous.

Since the Dragon Ancestor said keeping his power was a waste, Nie Kong saw no need to refuse; free is always best. However, after a moment's thought, Nie Kong suddenly looked a little chagrined, "Senior, you aren't doing this just because I mentioned wanting your divine power when talking to the Control Grass earlier, are you?"