In the Ling Shen Temple, atop the Tong Shen Tower, an elder whose face was a tapestry of wrinkles, looking ancient beyond measure, uttered the words in astonishment. This was Lu Rong, the Grand Elder of the Ling Shen Temple.

Opposite him sat another elder, this one broad of build with a rugged face, his short, dense white beard bristling like steel needles.

This man was none other than Kou Xilai, the Temple Master of the Ling Shen Temple!

"Indeed."

Kou Xilai nodded calmly. "From the information sent back by the Second Elder, that Flower Spirit possesses the power of a Divine Spirit, yet lacks the realm. Repelling or killing her would be sufficient for me alone, but to capture her intact will require the assistance of two Divine Envoys. Grand Elder, summon Lu Feng and Zhan Lan to the Tong Shen Tower immediately. Ask them to communicate with the two High Gods; once the High Gods descend, I shall depart with them."

"Understood, I shall go now." Lu Rong’s silhouette vanished instantly.

"With that Flower Spirit, I will certainly be able to pass the Third Spiritual Tribulation and achieve the Divine Spirit realm!"

Kou Xilai murmured softly, two searing, brilliant divine lights flashing from his eyes. "As for her master, his strength is at best High Grade Celestial Spirit. Otherwise, he would not have used a Flower Spirit to prevent my Ling Shen Temple from deploying the 'Spiritual Intent God-Sealing Diagram.' A character like that... I can extinguish with a single hand!"

A moment later, Kou Xilai slowly closed his eyes, and the top floor of the Tong Shen Tower returned to stillness...

...

Although no Celestial Spirit powerhouse deliberately publicized the news, the reappearance of the Green Robe Bandit and the setback suffered by the Ling Shen Temple spread rapidly through Lou Tian City.

Upon hearing that sixteen Celestial Spirit experts from the Ling Shen Temple had resulted in one death and fifteen being forced to flee, the city erupted in an uproar. The matter of the Snake Spirit Race expert being slain by the Green Robe Bandit, however, was mentioned by few. Since Zhan Song of the Ling Shen Temple had been killed by the Green Robe Bandit, what was so surprising about a member of the Snake Spirit Race?

Compared to the two who died in the center of the Forbidden Spirit Marsh, the populace was far more intrigued by the Flower Spirit accompanying the Green Robe Bandit. Rumor had it that several of the experts from the Ling Shen Temple were Ninth Grade Celestial Spirits, like the Second Elder, yet even they were repelled by the Flower Spirit. One could only imagine how formidable that spirit was.

Simultaneously, the whereabouts of the Green Robe Bandit and the Flower Spirit became the subject of avid discussion.

It was said that within the Forbidden Spirit Marsh, both the Green Robe Bandit and the Flower Spirit had appeared suddenly and vanished just as quickly. Coupled with the fact that no trace of them had been seen within several hundred miles of Lou Tian City recently, many were secretly speculating that the Green Robe Bandit had likely found the Illusory Realm long ago.

Even though entry into any Illusory Realm typically required an Illusory Spirit Stone to guide a Spirit Master's soul and mind inside, the Medicine Spirit Illusory Realm was entirely different from any previously discovered. So many genuine, rare medicinal herbs could emerge from it; if the method was appropriate, physical entry might not be entirely incomprehensible.

However, contrasting with the enthusiasm of the ordinary Spirit Masters, the Celestial Spirit Masters of the Ling Shen Temple were far from happy. They looked as though they had lost their closest kin, their faces perpetually grim. This was so much so that other Spirit Masters would actively detour when seeing them in Lou Tian City, trying to avoid their ill luck.

While they dared not speak openly, they were unrestrained in their gossip behind closed doors.

Thus, Lou Tian City became like a pot of boiling water, intensely vibrant, with all sorts of rumors serving as endless topics for after-dinner conversation.

Compared to the clamor of Lou Tian City, the Ling Residence was filled with silence.

Nie Kong intently monitored the situation in the Forbidden Spirit Marsh while rapidly absorbing all sorts of knowledge regarding Illusory Formations and the Ling Residence, guided by the Gourd. Especially after multiple trials, Nie Kong’s comprehension of the Natural Origin Power, which had recently undergone transformation within him, became much more profound.

His application of vital energy and death qi, in particular, had grown more practiced.

"Nie Kong, a wide road has indeed appeared outside."

A boisterous voice startled Nie Kong, who was concentrating on the Illusory Formations. Looking up, he saw Qing Yue floating in cheerfully, dragging Xiang Xiang along. Behind her was Tai Yan, smiling radiantly, and a few meters further back trailed the round little Gourd.

"What’s worth making such a fuss about?"

Seeing the excitement of the group, Nie Kong couldn't help but shake his head. After the Gourd’s explanations, Nie Kong realized that once an Illusory Formation was mastered, all manner of modifications could be made within the Ling Residence merely through intent. Recalling how he had pondered gathering more people to build roads when he first entered, Nie Kong found himself secretly amused.

Earlier, Nie Kong had been struck by inspiration, using the Medicine Tower as a starting point to pave a three-meter-wide stone path. Though only a little over two hundred meters long, it consumed nearly half of Nie Kong’s Origin Power.

After this small attempt, Nie Kong quickly halted.

Modifying the Ling Residence consumed too much power. It would be safer to wait until the troubles of the residence were resolved before proceeding. At that time, expending half of his Origin Power—or even draining it entirely—would not matter. But currently, Nie Kong needed to keep his Origin Power abundant to deal with any dangers that might arise at any moment.

Glancing briefly at the edge of the Illusory Formation representing the entrance to the Ling Residence, Nie Kong suddenly smiled at the Gourd, "Little fellow, haven't you always wanted to leave? The Forbidden Spirit Marsh is empty right now; this is the safest time to go out. If you want to leave, I’ll have Tai Yan send you out of the marsh."

Thinking of the Dan Spirit within this 'Emperor Snow Gourd Pill,' Nie Kong couldn't suppress a chuckle. This thing constantly babbled about leaving, yet a full four days had passed since those Celestial Spirit powerhouses departed, and he still showed no signs of leaving, still happily trailing after Tai Yan and Qing Yue, exploring the Ling Residence.

"Oh, um... could I stay a few more days? I'm still young, what if I'm captured and eaten after leaving the marsh?" The Gourd’s round face flushed slightly as it looked pleadingly at Nie Kong, seemingly terrified that he might actually ask Tai Yan to send him away.

"Brother, the Gourd is so cute, can we let him stay?" Tai Yan coquettishly shook Nie Kong’s arm.

"Though this little brat isn't particularly useful, he’s quite amusing. Keeping him around might relieve my boredom," Qing Yue said with a mischievous smile.

"Stay as long as you wish!"

Seeing the Gourd looking at him expectantly, Nie Kong laughed softly.

He had only spoken casually; this Dan Spirit was not weak. Once its strength fully recovered, it would be close to the level of a Low Grade Celestial Spirit. Moreover, it possessed intimate knowledge of the various herbs planted within this Medicine Tower. If it truly wished to stay, it could help Qing Yue with planting herbs in the future.

"Mhm, mhm."

The Gourd nodded happily several times.

Not long after, the group of four—one large and three small—happily scampered out again. Nie Kong, however, could not relax. Four full days had passed. If the Celestial Spirit Masters of the Ling Shen Temple truly intended to summon their Temple Master, they should arrive within the next day or two.

Over these past few days, the members of the Ling Shen Temple had only checked in intermittently; they showed no signs of making a move. But they certainly would not give up on the Ling Residence they were so close to obtaining. This temporary peace was merely a prelude to a far more powerful eruption. Once the Ling Shen Temple struck again, responding would not be as easy as before.

I wonder where the Soul Devouring Eagle King has reached now? It would be best if it could arrive at the Flower Butterfly Secret Realm before the Ling Shen Temple makes its move!

Nie Kong calmed his mind and sent a thought toward the distant Soul Devouring Eagle King...

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