As dusk approached, a dark speck appeared in the somewhat dim sky, growing rapidly until, in a flash, it hovered directly above a mountain peak.

It was a giant black eagle!

"Hoo!"

The black eagle slightly folded its wings and plummeted from a thousand meters high, landing on the mountaintop with a sudden, fierce gust of wind that tore through the trees, snapping them in protest. Immediately, a young man gracefully floated down from the eagle's back onto the ground, his black attire billowing wildly in the great bird's downdraft. This was Nie Kong.

Nie Kong had landed in the southern reaches of the Shatu Empire, and with the Soul Eagle King acting as his transport, he had reached this location in just three days.

"I'm finally back!"

Gazing at the familiar city several miles in the distance, Nie Kong's emotions surged. When he had left Jiyang City several years ago, he was merely an insignificant Spirit Channeler; now, he was a Cave Spirit Master capable of contending with a Celestial Spirit expert. Recalling the journey, it all felt almost dreamlike.

A flash of crimson light shimmered, and Tai Yan slipped out, instantly appearing beside Nie Kong as a beautiful woman, radiant as a blooming flower. Seemingly puzzled by the constant shift of expressions on Nie Kong's face, Tai Yan’s dark, liquid eyes darted curiously between Nie Kong and the distant Jiyang City.

Qing Yue, however, swung her small head near Nie Kong’s chest and irreverently chirped, "Nie Kong, this is it? It’s not much!"

"..."

Nie Kong felt thoroughly speechless. Just as he was indulging in a moment of nostalgic reflection, this little medicine spirit had rudely interrupted him.

Seeing that the day was fading, Nie Kong delayed no longer. He housed the Soul Eagle King’s spirit and body separately into the mind-sea nexus and his pet pouch, respectively. Then, linking arms with Tai Yan's slender, jade-like arm, he merged directly into the void. When he and Tai Yan and Qing Yue reappeared, they were already at the foot of the mountain, a hundred meters away.

Not long after, Nie Kong entered the city.

Having been away for several years, Jiyang City seemed even livelier than before. Now that night had fallen, the shops lining the streets were still brightly lit, with customers coming and going. Observing this scene, a familiar feeling returned to his heart, and Nie Kong strolled slowly down the street with Tai Yan.

Tai Yan constantly looked around, her beautiful eyes brimming with novelty.

Since awakening in the Flower Butterfly Secret Realm, Tai Yan had always stayed by Nie Kong's side, passing over countless cities from high above and even entering the more bustling Spirit Command City. However, that place was teeming with too many Spirit Masters. A city like Jiyang, rich with the atmosphere of everyday life, was something she was witnessing for the first time.

Tai Yan’s devastatingly beautiful visage, her mature and fiery figure, combined with her utterly pure aura, had drawn numerous astonished gazes—both male and female—since entering Jiyang City. Her continuous side-to-side gazing only made the pedestrians on the street frequently turn their heads.

In the past, Nie Kong always believed he felt little connection to the Nie family of Jiyang.

His lack of aversion was primarily due to the memories of his predecessor, his gratitude toward Nie Xingyun and Lian Tianxin, and his admiration for Nie Qingyang. But now, walking through this familiar environment, Nie Kong felt an unusual sense of peace and tranquility. It was then he realized that this home in Jiyang City had deeply rooted itself within his very bones.

Nie Kong didn't find this feeling strange; he preferred to let things flow naturally.

After walking on the street for about ten minutes, Nie Kong spotted several younger members of the Nie family, such as Nie Xiuge and Nie Xiuzhu... The restless youths from years ago had clearly matured, and recalling the spirited arguments he’d had with these Nie clan descendants several years prior, Nie Kong couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

When Nie Kong noticed them, they had already seen him.

However, their gazes were mostly captivated by Tai Yan. They did spare a few glances at the young man beside her, but Nie Kong’s current build and temperament had undergone an earth-shattering change. Though slightly puzzled, they failed entirely to connect this man with the skinny youth from a few years ago.

"Brother, I really love it here," Tai Yan said with a bright smile. After walking for so long, it was no longer Nie Kong holding Tai Yan's arm, but Tai Yan tightly clutching his arm close to her chest, as if afraid he might wander off if she let go for a moment.

"If you like it, look around more," Nie Kong replied with a slight smile, perfectly aware of Tai Yan's state of mind. Having grown accustomed to Spirit Masters, suddenly seeing ordinary peddlers and laborers gave her a distinctly different feeling. Some powerful figures might develop the arrogance of viewing those outside the Spirit Master ranks as mere ants, but Tai Yan would never harbor such thoughts.

Unaware of how much time had passed, Nie Kong inadvertently found himself standing outside the Sihai Tower in the center of Jiyang City.

"..."

"Uncle, I wasn't thinking wildly, I wasn't thinking wildly, I wasn't..."

"Sister-in-law, what aren't you thinking wildly about?"

"Nothing, nothing..."

"..."

"Fine wood carvings! Wonderful craftsmanship! Little brother, bring your wife to set up a stall!"

"No, that’s not right, I am his sister-in-law!"

"..."

"These wood carvings are exquisite, so lifelike, they even captured the aura of a Celestial Spirit expert. I’ve seen many skilled carving Spirit Masters who don't possess this technique. Excellent! Young lady, how much is one?"

"One hundred gold coins!"

"..."

"Take all these carvings. Ten of them, two thousand gold coins."

"..."

The memory of setting up a stall here with Hua Mei was still vividly clear. However, although Hua Mei now blushed easily, she was no longer the 'sister-in-law' of those days, and he was no longer the 'uncle' of that time. After the Flower Butterfly Secret Realm, in Nie Kong’s heart, she was his wife.

Recalling Hua Mei’s shy demeanor from several years ago filled Nie Kong with warmth.

It was here, years ago, that Nie Kong and Hua Mei had first encountered Hua Yanlian. After surviving the danger brought by Serpent Whisper, Hua Mei was taken into the Flower Butterfly Secret Realm to awaken her bloodline, and she was now the future Flower Empress of the Flower Spirit Race. The truth of her lineage was also revealed after the 'Pill Soul Transformation.'

Recalling those events now, a strange thought surfaced in Nie Kong’s mind: If the 'Fire Tree Silver Flower' event hadn't occurred back then, what would the situation be like now? Perhaps Hua Yanlian would never have appeared in Jiyang City, and he and Hua Mei would likely still be living here.

Or perhaps, both of them might have perished together, having never awakened their bloodlines...

"Brother! Brother..."

Tai Yan’s sweet, crisp cry startled Nie Kong from his reverie. He quickly looked over to see her shaking his arm, her beautiful face etched with concern. He couldn't help but smile, "Tai Yan, we'll stay at the Sihai Tower tonight, enjoy the local delicacies, and tomorrow I'll take you to see Master."

"Mm, I listen to Brother," Tai Yan nodded obediently, her smile blooming proudly like fresh flowers. For a moment, all the surrounding lights seemed to dim, as if all the most beautiful sights in the world had converged onto the delicate curves of Tai Yan's face, leaving those who had been surreptitiously stealing glances utterly stunned.

... ...RO

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