Even after exiting the Pill Refining Hall, Nie Kong’s head still felt muddled; he realized bringing Tai Yan to meet his master had been a huge mistake.

He had nothing more to say regarding Hua Mei, Long Mei Xian, and the sisters Long Xue Chan.

But concerning Long Ping, Long Ting, and Tai Yan, no matter how Nie Kong tried to argue, he couldn't convince Nie Xing Yun and Lian Tian Xin.

The truth was, even if they hadn't actually "fought," they had slept together, so who would believe they weren't Nie Kong's concubines? Moreover, Tai Yan’s heart was like a clean slate, innocent and lovely, making anything she said far more credible than anything Nie Kong might offer.

Thus, during his time in the Pill Refining Hall, Nie Kong felt his image in the eyes of his two masters had devolved from a good disciple to a philandering rogue who lured away young girls.

Conversely, Tai Yan was treated like a prized gem, endearing herself instantly to the two elders.

They asked when she and Nie Kong planned to have a child, while fiercely condemning Nie Kong for taking Tai Yan as a concubine yet refusing to consummate the marriage, leaving Nie Kong wanting to cry but unable to.

Finally, he fled in disarray, pulling Tai Yan along.

Clinging to Nie Kong’s side like a small bird, Tai Yan was so delighted her eyes narrowed into two sweet, little crescent moons: “Brother, our two masters are so kind.

When we left, they kept urging us to fight often so we could have a little baby, and they even said they’ve already thought of names.” “Oh, really?” Thinking of the teasing yet expectant looks on Nie Xing Yun and Lian Tian Xin’s faces before he left, Nie Kong wanted to bash his head against a wall.

He wasn't a turtle; how could he constantly hold such a charming, delicate beauty close and not think of such things? But he could only think—he couldn't act.

If he truly crossed that line, he might live the rest of his days under the crushing weight of "I am an unforgivable criminal." How could he go on living then! Qing Yue also quietly slipped out, grinning with schadenfreude: “Little fellow, since your two masters have given their blessing, what are you hesitating for? Hurry up and pick this flower!” “Pick your head!” Nie Kong delivered a sharp rap to her head, flicking Qing Yue back into his arms.

Seeing the tiny figure quickly emerge again, pouting, he couldn't help but pinch her small waist, holding her up to his eye level and teasing, “Qing Yue, by rights, you are also a flower.

How about I pick you too, brother?” “Ah, Nie Kong, you really are a bad man, to say such a thing!” Qing Yue’s cheeks suddenly flushed with slight embarrassment.

But after just a few seconds, the little thing became somewhat crestfallen, “However, Grandma’s body is too small; I probably won’t be as big as you.

How could you get in? Maybe you should shrink a bit? No, that won't work either; your 'Crimson Star Battle Body' can only grow larger, not smaller…” “……” Nie Kong stared dumbfounded.

What on earth was going on in Qing Yue’s little head? After a long moment, Nie Kong finally snapped back to reality and stuffed the still-frowning little figure back into his embrace.

In a quick glance, he saw Tai Yan blinking her beautiful eyes suspiciously, seemingly not understanding the situation.

Good that she doesn’t understand! If she relayed those words to the two masters, he’d be utterly humiliated! Nie Kong quickly tugged Tai Yan’s arm: “Let’s go, let’s go, hurry home.” “Mhm, mhm.” Tai Yan nodded happily, but then looked slightly puzzled, “Brother, why did you tell the two masters just now that we would only stay in Jiyang City for three days?” Tai Yan was reluctant to leave; though they had only been together for a short time, she had grown quite fond of the two masters, especially since they both strongly supported her and Nie Kong fighting.

Qing Yue popped out again, no longer preoccupied with the size issue, and asked curiously, “Are we leaving Jiyang City to go do that very important thing you mentioned?” “That’s right.” At this point, there was no need to hide it from Tai Yan and Qing Yue.

Nie Kong lowered his voice, “The place Hua Mei’s father discovered back then is located within the territory of the Great Success Empire!” “What?” Qing Yue exclaimed, and Tai Yan covered her small mouth, whispering softly, “Brother, are you telling the truth?” Both Qing Yue and Tai Yan had heard Nie Kong mention the sealed memories concerning Hua Mei, but neither knew that illusory realm was inside the Great Success Empire; Nie Kong had kept that detail hidden until now.

Seeing Nie Kong nod, Qing Yue leaned in and whispered, “Where exactly in the Great Success Empire is it?” “I don’t know yet.” Nie Kong smiled, hearing Qing Yue roll her eyes dramatically.

In fact, he truly didn’t know the precise location.

Back when they were in the Spirit God Palace, to avoid leaks, Hua Chen and Jing Rong rarely spoke of that illusory realm in front of their daughter, usually communicating directly via spiritual sense.

Only once, Hua Chen had sketched a map in front of Hua Mei, which Jing Rong quickly snatched away and burned.

As a result, although Hua Mei had memorized the map, her memory of it was extremely brief, with several critical points remaining very vague.

Nie Kong had pondered for a long time before finally confirming the map depicted the Great Success Empire, but he still couldn't pinpoint the exact location of the illusory realm within it.

However, fortunately, Nie Kong had the Soul Ghost Eagle King.

A complete search of the Great Success Empire should yield some results.

In Nie Kong’s plan, that illusory realm was a critically important piece.

It was special, not fitting into any of the common types like the Life-and-Death Illusory Realm, the Spirit Cultivation Illusory Realm, or the Dragon Stone Illusory Realm.

It was a new kind of illusory realm that had never appeared in the history of the Tianling Continent.

Hua Chen and Jing Rong had named it the “Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm”! Nie Kong didn’t know if there were actual Medicine Spirits inside, but through Hua Mei’s memories, he knew for certain that it contained all sorts of spiritual herbs and poisonous weeds.

Furthermore, many talismanic artifacts drawn with Illusion Charms, like the "Void Jade Tablet," were left behind within that realm.

Based on Nie Kong’s conjecture, the master of the “Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm” during the Illusory Spirit Continent era must have been a remarkably powerful sect, which was annihilated during the catastrophe triggered by the "Spirit God War" ten thousand years ago, leading to the "Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm" fading into obscurity.

In the current Tianling Continent, the significance of an illusory realm is unmistakable.

Nearly every Sacred Land for Spirit Masters and every Great Clan possesses an illusory realm inherited from the Illusory Spirit Age.

An illusory realm can make a clan or sect prosperous, just like the Nie family of Jiyang City’s “Life-and-Death Illusory Realm” or Lingyu City’s “Spirit Cultivation Illusory Realm.” The importance of such a place cannot be overstated.

What’s more, this was the peculiar “Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm.” If he could claim ownership of all the medicinal herbs within that realm, within a century at most, he could accumulate staggering wealth and cultivate a large number of expert Spirit Masters.

This was precisely why the major families of the Spirit God Palace had been so intent on securing the “Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm” discovered by Hua Mei, desiring it above all else.

Now that Nie Kong knew the “Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm” lay within the Great Success Empire, wouldn’t it be a profound waste not to seize control of it! …… ……RO