The figure clad in pale green paused atop an inconspicuous, low hill. In an instant, the color of the garment shifted from light green to black, and the hood wrapped around the head receded like a tide, transforming into a collar, fully revealing Nie Kong’s face.
“What a harvest!”
Qing Yue hopped out from Nie Kong’s chest, grinning cheerfully.
A red light flickered, and Tai Yan’s exquisitely curved figure appeared beside Nie Kong, saying happily, “So many medicinal herbs, Brother! Will we still be bandits?”
“Bandits?”
Nie Kong rolled his eyes. If others called them ‘bandits,’ should they call themselves that too? To Nie Kong, the “Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm” was his own, and the herbs must have leaked out from it for some unknown reason. If he was taking back what was his, could that be called banditry?
However, what depressed Nie Kong somewhat was that although he had acquired many fine herbs throughout the day, he had found no clues whatsoever regarding the Illusory Realm.
Especially those herbs—it was as if they had sprouted from thin air.
How bizarre!
Nie Kong had witnessed this phenomenon several times during his day of searching.
Yet, all he had seen were ordinary herbs, useful only for refining first or second-grade spiritual medicines, with the best among them only suitable as auxiliary ingredients for third-grade spiritual medicines.
“Nie Kong, are we returning to Lou Tian City tonight, or staying here?” Qing Yue asked, eyes twinkling mischievously.
“This…”
Seeing the sky darkening, Nie Kong glanced hesitantly at Tai Yan.
His divine power was significantly depleted after a day’s work, and Tai Yan preferred to sleep. Returning to Lou Tian City to rest seemed like a good option. However, leaving the Spirit-Banning Swamp just like that made him somewhat unwilling; without finding the Illusory Realm, no matter how many herbs he seized, it was ultimately fruitless.
Qing Yue quickly winked at 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. Damn it, I’m going out of my way to create opportunities for you and Nie Kong to connect, yet 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 blame me again!
I am truly suffering! Qing Yue lamented inwardly.
Sensing Tai Yan’s unusual hesitation and desire to speak, Nie Kong was greatly taken aback. Tai Yan always spoke her mind without concealment; this was the first time he had seen her act so reserved.
Nie Kong couldn't help but gently put his arm around Tai Yan’s shoulder, full of concern: “Sister Tai Yan, is there something you want to tell Brother?”
Tai Yan lifted her delicate, pretty face, hesitated for a moment, and whispered weakly, “Brother, when we were seizing herbs this afternoon, did you feel like someone was watching us?”
“No way?” Qing Yue sounded surprised.
“I knew it; it must have been my imagination.” Tai Yan mumbled dejectedly. “No, no, Tai Yan, this definitely wasn't your imagination.”
Nie Kong’s heart stirred upon hearing this. He patted Tai Yan’s shoulder reassuringly, “Did you only get this feeling this afternoon? When did it start?”
Although Tai Yan couldn't summon the terrifying power within her to attack, she was fundamentally a spirit-divine herb, possessing extremely strong instincts. While his own spiritual sense was wondrous, it was only at the Celestial Spirit Realm. Qing Yue, skilled in illusionary arts and herb cultivation, had a much weaker sense of perception than Tai Yan.
Just because he and Qing Yue had gained nothing all day didn't mean Tai Yan hadn't discovered anything.
Encouraged by Nie Kong, Tai Yan continued, “I didn’t have that feeling before; it only started after we seized that Gan Bai Lian Ban Lan Men in the lower reaches. After that, every time we took herbs, it felt like someone was watching, and they seemed somewhat angry about us seizing the herbs.”
She paused, puffed out her white, tender cheeks, and said dejectedly, “But I observed for a long time and couldn't find where that person was hiding. Plus, since neither you nor Qing Yue reacted, I assumed it was just my imagination.”
Nie Kong was caught between laughter and tears: “This is why you didn’t want to say anything?”
“Mhm.”
Tai Yan shot Nie Kong a slightly embarrassed glance.
Nie Kong inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. It was lucky he asked; otherwise, such an important discovery would have been missed. In his thoughts, Nie Kong solemnly instructed, “Tai Yan, from now on, you must tell Brother about any feeling or discovery you have, understand? Remember, you are Brother’s little sister.”
Tai Yan seriously corrected him, “No, I am your concubine.”
“Sister!” Nie Kong ground out through clenched teeth.
“Concubine!” Tai Yan retorted angrily.
“Alright, concubine you shall be.”
Nie Kong had no choice but to surrender. Only then did Tai Yan beam with joy, wrapping her arms around Nie Kong’s chest, the feeling of fullness causing a slight tremor in Nie Kong’s heart.
At this moment, Qing Yue couldn’t help but voice her suspicion: “Nie Kong, do you think Tai Yan’s feeling is real?”
Nie Kong quickly composed his thoughts, nodded, but didn't answer. Instead, he looked at Tai Yan: “Tai Yan, do you still feel like someone is spying on us now?”
“No,” Tai Yan quickly shook her head.
“That’s good then.”
Nie Kong smiled slightly, then looked at Qing Yue, “What is the name of the Illusory Realm we are looking for?”
Qing Yue snorted, “The Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm. Aren't you asking the obvious?”
“Yes, the Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm.”
Nie Kong slapped his hand down forcefully. “My future in-laws wouldn’t have named this realm the ‘Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm’ without reason. There must be a reason behind it. Before, I wasn't entirely certain, but after hearing Tai Yan, I truly understand that the name of this realm is highly significant.”
Qing Yue stared blankly: “Nie Kong, you don’t actually think there are 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 observer were a Spirit Master, there’s no way they could keep up with my speed in the Spirit-Banning Swamp, let alone hide from the sharp eyes of the two eagles above.”
“What if it was that Half-Spirit God from the Spirit God Hall?” Qing Yue knew Nie Kong made sense, but she still argued half-heartedly.
“The Half-Spirit God? Setting aside whether he even received news about this Spirit-Banning Swamp, let alone whether he can move freely within the swamp—if he were here, why would he ignore searching for the Illusory Realm and instead focus on me seizing other people's herbs? Does he also want a share?” Nie Kong chuckled.
“…”
Qing Yue was instantly rendered speechless. To suggest that the Half-Spirit God from the Spirit God Hall was interested in herbs like Bai Lian Ban Lan—she wouldn’t believe it if she were beaten to death.
Could the entity hiding and observing them truly be a Medicine Spirit from the ‘Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm’? Thinking of the possibility that the creature might jump out at any moment, Qing Yue couldn't help but burrow into Nie Kong’s chest.
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