The figure clad in light green paused atop a remarkably inconspicuous, low hill. In an instant, the color of the clothes shifted from pale green to black, and the hood enveloping the head receded like a tide into the collar, fully revealing Nie Kong’s face.

"What a haul!"

Qing Yue hopped merrily out of Nie Kong's chest, beaming with excitement.

A red shadow flickered, and Tai Yan’s exquisitely curved figure materialized beside Nie Kong, delightedly saying, "So many herbs, Brother! Are we going to be bandits from now on?"

"Bandits?"

Nie Kong rolled his eyes heavenward. If others called them 'bandits,' should they call themselves that too? To Nie Kong, the 'Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm' was his own, and the medicinal herbs had evidently leaked from it due to some unknown reason. Could robbing his own possessions truly be called banditry?

What truly vexed Nie Kong, however, was that despite a full day's success in gathering excellent herbs, he hadn't uncovered any clues about the Illusory Realm itself.

Especially those herbs—they seemed to have sprouted out of thin air.

It was profoundly bizarre!

Nie Kong had witnessed scenes like this several times during his search.

Yet, all the herbs he had seen were common varieties, suitable only for refining Rank One or Two spiritual elixirs; the best among them was only fit to be a supplementary ingredient for a Rank Three elixir.

"Nie Kong, are we returning to Lou Tian City tonight, or staying here?" Qing Yue’s eyes twinkled as she asked with a smile.

"This..."

Nie Kong noticed the sky was beginning to dim, and he glanced slightly hesitantly at Tai Yan.

His divine power had been significantly depleted throughout the day, and Tai Yan preferred to sleep soundly; resting back in Lou Tian City seemed like a fine option. However, leaving the Spirit-Sealing Marsh just like that left him feeling reluctant. Without finding the Illusory Realm, no matter how many herbs he seized, it amounted to nothing gained.

Qing Yue quickly signaled to Tai Yan: "Tai Yan, you want to go back to Lou Tian City, right?"

"No..."

Seeing Tai Yan shake her head, Qing Yue stamped her foot in frustration. Blast it, I’m working hard to create opportunities for you and Nie Kong to spar, and you don't cherish them at all! Now there are less than ten days left; if you can't settle things within a month, you’ll end up blaming poor old me again!

Poor me, Qing Yue lamented inwardly.

Noticing Tai Yan acting strangely, with an expression that suggested she wanted to speak but held back, Nie Kong was greatly surprised. Tai Yan had always been direct, never beating around the bush. This was the first time he had seen her act this way.

Unable to resist, Nie Kong gently draped an arm around Tai Yan's shoulder, his voice full of concern: "Sister Tai Yan, is there something you want to tell Brother?"

Tai Yan looked up at her delicate, pretty face, hesitated for a moment, and whispered meekly, "Brother, did you perhaps notice someone watching us while we were gathering herbs this afternoon?"

"No way?" Qing Yue looked rather startled.

"I knew it; it must have been my imagination," Tai Yan mumbled dispiritedly.

"No, no, Tai Yan, this is definitely not an illusion."

Nie Kong's heart stirred upon hearing this. He patted Tai Yan’s shoulder comfortingly, "Did you only start feeling this way this afternoon? Since when did it begin?"

Although Tai Yan couldn't unleash the terrifying power contained within her for attack, she was, after all, a Spirit-Spirit Herb; her instincts were exceptionally sharp. While his own spiritual sense was marvelous, it was only at the Heaven Spirit Realm, and Qing Yue specialized in illusions and herb cultivation, her senses far inferior to Tai Yan’s.

Just because he and Qing Yue had gained nothing all day didn't mean Tai Yan hadn't made any discoveries.

Encouraged by Nie Kong, Tai Yan continued, "I didn't have that feeling before. It started right after we snatched that 'White Brocade Variegated' in the afternoon. Every time we seized an herb after that, it felt as if someone was watching us, and they seemed somewhat annoyed by our actions."

After a pause, Tai Yan puffed out her soft, white cheeks, sounding quite dejected. "But I observed for a long time and couldn't find where that person was hiding. Plus, since Brother and Qing Yue weren't reacting at all, I assumed it was just my imagination."

Nie Kong managed a wry smile: "This is why you hesitated to tell us?"

"Mm."

Tai Yan darted a shy glance at Nie Kong.

Nie Kong internally breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had asked that extra question; otherwise, such a crucial discovery would have been missed. In his mind, Nie Kong solemnly instructed, "Tai Yan, in the future, whatever you feel or discover, you must tell Brother immediately, understood? Remember, you are Brother’s sister."

Tai Yan earnestly corrected him: "No, I am the concubine."

"Sister!" Nie Kong ground out through clenched teeth.

"Concubine!" Tai Yan retorted angrily.

"Fine, concubine it is, then."

Nie Kong finally conceded. Only then did Tai Yan break into a bright smile, wrapping her arms around Nie Kong’s bicep. The sensation of her full, springy curves caused Nie Kong’s mind to waver slightly.

Just then, Qing Yue couldn't help but ask suspiciously, "Nie Kong, do you really think Tai Yan’s feeling is genuine?"

Nie Kong quickly regained his composure, nodded, but didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Tai Yan: "Tai Yan, do you still feel that sense of being spied upon now?"

"No," Tai Yan shook her head quickly.

"That’s good."

Nie Kong smiled faintly, then looked at Qing Yue, "What is the name of the Illusory Realm we are searching for?"

Qing Yue huffed, "The Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm. Are you asking something you already know?"

"Exactly, the Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm."

Nie Kong slapped his hand down emphatically. "My future father-in-law and mother-in-law would never have named this realm the 'Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm' without a good reason. There must be a profound meaning behind it. Before, I wasn't entirely sure, but after hearing Tai Yan, I finally realize the name of this realm makes perfect sense."

Qing Yue froze for a moment: "Nie Kong, you don't actually think there are actual Medicine Spirits in the Illusory Realm, do you?"

"Not only are there, but perhaps the one spying on us in the shadows this afternoon was that Medicine Spirit!" Nie Kong stated firmly. "If the watcher were a Spirit Master, they absolutely could not have kept pace with my speed in the 'Spirit-Sealing Marsh,' let alone evade the keen eyes of the two eagles belonging to the Heavenly Specter."

"What if it was that Half-Spirit God from the Spirit God Hall?" Qing Yue knew Nie Kong’s reasoning was sound, yet she still felt a flicker of defiance.

"The Half-Spirit God? Setting aside whether he even received news of this Spirit-Sealing Marsh, or if he possesses the ability to navigate freely within the swamp—if he were here, why would he ignore searching for the Illusory Realm to stare at me snatching other people's herbs? Is he also hoping to grab a share?" Nie Kong laughed dismissively.

"..."

Qing Yue was instantly struck dumb. If someone told her that the Half-Spirit God of the Spirit God Hall was interested in herbs like the 'White Brocade Variegated,' she wouldn't believe it even if beaten to death.

Could the entity hiding and watching from the shadows truly be a Medicine Spirit from the 'Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm'? Thinking about the possibility of that entity suddenly leaping out, Qing Yue couldn't help but burrow into Nie Kong's chest.

... ...RO