Hearing the complaints rising from behind him, Nie Kong felt a wave of despair threatening to drown him.

Damn girl, he thought, you think big brother doesn't want to strike? Seeing you ripe like this, I want to take a bite and devour you whole, but why must you possess eyes like that!

Ever since Tai Yan had awakened, Nie Kong had countless opportunities to devour her, and those same thoughts had crossed his mind many times. Constantly holding such a mature and graceful body, one that always seemed ready for plucking, what normal man could remain unmoved?

When his desire built almost to the breaking point, Nie Kong often felt the urge to act like a brute, but the moment his gaze met Tai Yan’s clear eyes, utterly devoid of impurity, he would feel ashamed of his own vulgar notions. Even trying to avoid looking at her eyes was useless; the image would flash in his mind relentlessly.

Desire and shame constantly intertwined, causing Nie Kong intense pain. Consequently, no matter how much he wanted to give in to his savage side, in Tai Yan’s presence, he could only be less than a brute.

If it weren't for this, Nie Kong wouldn't get a headache every time he saw Tai Yan’s delicate, fair form.

Feeling the soft, resilient, warm pressure against his back, Nie Kong let out a long sigh. He didn't know when this situation would ever end. Now, Nie Kong missed Hua Mei and Long Xue Chan doubly; even having Long Mei Xian around would suffice, at least then he wouldn't be suffering so much.

Nie Kong let his thoughts wander aimlessly until the first faint light of dawn seeped through the window, causing his eyelids to finally droop shut.

“Huh?”

Faintly, he heard a flurry of disorganized footsteps. Nie Kong instantly snapped awake, swiftly rolling over and sitting up. He realized the sky outside was already bright. Tai Yan, however, was long awake, propped on her elbows, playfully leaning on the bed, chattering with Qing Yue about some secret. Her small legs occasionally bent and stretched, her heels rhythmically slapping against her two perfectly round, snowy buttocks, causing the tender flesh to tremble violently.

Such a sight was an absolute tonic to stimulate a man’s heroic spirit.

However, Nie Kong held no impure thoughts at the moment. His entire attention was snagged by the footsteps outside. In just this short while, the sound had entered the courtyard and was moving toward them. Judging by the sound, there were probably over a dozen people.

Nie Kong extended a slight probe and immediately detected a familiar aura among them—it was Nie Feng Lei.

Besides him, there were several other familiar auras, likely also members of the Nie Clan. It had been so long, and Nie Kong’s cultivation had been so low back then, that he hadn't sensed much fluctuation in their auras, making it hard to recognize the newcomers immediately. But judging by their cultivation levels, those few were all Spirit Masters at the Void Spirit realm or higher.

Could it be that Nie Feng Lei, unable to bear the shame, has brought people here to cause trouble?

A thought sparked in Nie Kong’s mind. He sprang up, landing lightly on the floor, the Lingxi Battle Robe simultaneously manifesting beneath his skin. He then stepped out of the room. If they were truly seeking a fight, while Nie Kong wouldn't necessarily destroy Nie Feng Lei, he certainly wouldn’t let him off with just spitting blood!

“Creak.”

A moment later, Nie Kong pulled open the main door, and almost simultaneously, a familiar voice suddenly called out from outside: “Senior…”

Senior?

It didn’t sound like they were here to pick a fight. Nie Kong chuckled inwardly, the slight furrow in his brow smoothing out. He gazed intently and saw that the one who had uttered "Senior" was none other than the Nie Clan Patriarch, Nie Qingsong. Behind him were the pale-faced Nie Feng Lei, the Ninth Elder Nie Xingdong, the Eighth Elder Nie Longshan, the Seventh Elder Nie Xinghai, and his own master, the Fifth Elder Nie Xingyun. Following them were several clan members at the Spirit Transformation realm.

To think his master and all of them had come, and the Patriarch was addressing him as ‘Senior’…

Nie Kong froze completely.

Across from him, Nie Qingsong was equally stunned. It wasn't that the word "Senior" became impossible to utter upon seeing Nie Kong’s youthful face, but rather that the man opposite him seemed intensely familiar. The elders behind him exchanged startled glances, especially Nie Xingyun, in whose eyes a deep confusion involuntarily surfaced. In the features of this young man before him, he faintly glimpsed the shadow of his beloved disciple.

Nie Kong?

But the moment those two names flashed in his mind, Nie Xingyun secretly shook his head.

His disciple was only at the Spirit Connection realm when he left Jiyang City. More than two years ago, Nie Fenghua had seen him at the "Nether Fire Dark Spring," and later, the good news returned that Nie Kong had broken through to the Spirit Control realm. For that, he and Lian Tianxin had been joyful for a long time.

Even now, for Nie Kong to reach the peak of the Void Spirit realm like himself would be exceptional. But the Great Elder had mentioned that this man before them was a Heaven Spirit powerhouse.

Perhaps he just bears a slight resemblance to him.

Nie Xingyun sighed inwardly just as the Nie Kong opposite him turned around and walked quickly up to him: “Disciple greets Master!” If he had let Master address him as ‘Senior’ like Nie Qingsong, the joke would have gone too far and become difficult to manage.

Nie Qingsong, Nie Feng Lei, Elder Nie Xinghai, Elder Nie Xingdong, and the clan members behind them stared blankly as Nie Kong deeply bowed his waist, their faces slack with disbelief.

This Heaven Spirit powerhouse looked young, perhaps his true age could rival that of the Great Elder. Yet, such an individual called himself a "disciple" and performed a grand salute to the Nie Clan’s Fifth Elder, Nie Xingyun, calling him "Master"? Could there be anything more absurd in this world?

Nie Xingyun’s face was equally rigid. He only snapped back to awareness when Nie Kong bowed, grasping Nie Kong’s arms tightly, his eyes widening in disbelief as he murmured, “Nie Kong?”

“Master, it is your disciple.” Nie Kong said with a slight smile.

“You really are Nie Kong?” Nie Xingyun still found it incredible, pressing further, his breathing growing rapid.

“It is me!”

“Nie Kong! You really are Nie Kong! Hahaha…”

After a long period of stunned silence, Nie Xingyun finally accepted the fact that the young man before him was Nie Kong. He became so excited that his face flushed crimson, his voice thick with emotion. “Good disciple, wayward disciple, I never thought it would truly be you!” Nie Xingyun, having no children of his own, had treated Nie Kong as his own son after taking him in with Lian Tianxin. Now, reunited after a long separation, tears welled in his eyes.

Seeing this, Nie Kong’s nose also felt a little sore. Although his current cultivation far surpassed Nie Xingyun, who hadn't yet reached the Core Spirit realm, in Nie Kong’s heart, Nie Xingyun and Lian Tianxin would always be his masters. This relationship would never change, even if he one day achieved the status of Spirit God.

“Good! Good! It’s good that you’re back…”

Nie Xingyun’s lips trembled as he meticulously examined Nie Kong, as if trying to discern traces of his younger self in his features. After a few seconds, Nie Xingyun frowned, his expression full of doubt as he asked, “Wait a moment, Nie Kong, how did you become a Heaven Spirit Master so quickly?”

…… ……RO

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