After a long while, Nie Xingyun and Lian Tianxin finally accepted the astonishing truth, but immediately a wave of ecstasy surged in their hearts: the Spirit Mansion belonged to Nie Kong, and the medicinal herbs within it must all be his! Instantly, the eyes of the two old men shone brightly as they looked at Nie Kong.

Nie Kong secretly chuckled; this was precisely the effect he desired. Otherwise, how could these two masters, having struggled for decades at the Nie family, ever be willing to leave and help him?

In the top-floor room of the Alchemy Hall, which had long been sealed with primordial energy, Nie Kong spent several secret hours conferring with Nie Xingyun and Lian Tianxin before handing over the two "Spirit Returning Jade Blocks" to the masters. By the time he walked out of the building, it was already late at night, and Jiyang City was gradually quieting down.

Recalling the stunned silence that followed his plan, and then the childlike excitement on the faces of his two masters, a strange smile flickered across Nie Kong's face. He had not yet revealed the ultimate purpose behind this endeavor to anyone, not even to Huamei. This crucial point was that Nie Kong himself was uncertain if he could achieve that final goal even after this matter was concluded. If he could, that would naturally be wonderful. Even if he failed, Nie Kong would suffer no loss; his name would still be passed down through the ages, mentioned by anyone studying alchemy in the future.

He had never considered this when he first arrived at the Tianling Continent. But now, although he was still only a sixth-rank Cave Spirit Master, he possessed strength comparable to a high-grade Tianling expert, had the Spirit Mansion as an exceptional base, the Yin Ruins and Spirit Imperial City as strong backing, and friendly major powers like the Flower Spirit Clan, Fish Spirit Clan, and Dragon Spirit Clan. Only powerful strength could support immense ambition.

Although there was still a long road ahead to reach that level, Nie Kong was confident enough to realize his aspirations. Thoughts churned endlessly in Nie Kong's mind as he walked home under the moonlight, unconsciously arriving within a few dozen meters of the Hidden Edge Courtyard.

"Qi!" Suddenly, Nie Kong's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at the brightly lit Hidden Edge Courtyard and silently drifted towards it. In a flash, Nie Kong reached the outside of the courtyard. Peering through the narrow gap in the door, he saw Nie Shengong had awakened and was sitting opposite a shadowy green figure. That person was Mu Qingyi.

Nie Kong's thoughts raced: could Aunt Qing still be reluctant and seeking trouble with the Great Elder? Just then, Nie Shengong sighed softly within the courtyard: "Times change, the world shifts. I never thought that after meeting again after decades, it would be this scene." "Indeed," Mu Qingyi said in a deep voice. "Nie Shengong, do you realize that if Kong'er hadn't already led his people to attack Jiyang City, your entire Nie family would have been wiped out?" "I know. These past decades, my heart has been hanging by a thread, fearing that the Nie family would suffer annihilation because of me. If that happened, I would be the sinner of the Nie family." A wry smile touched Nie Shengong's aged face.

After being severely injured by She Qianbian that morning, a shred of his consciousness remained clear until Nie Kong and Mu Xueyi appeared, and he heard that long-lost voice again, before finally passing out completely. Thus, he was not surprised by Mu Qingyi's appearance tonight; rather, he felt a sense of relief. "It is also the Nie family's fate not to perish. Even Heaven is helping you. When Kong'er and his brother were taken and fled the Yin Ruins, they happened to be saved by your Nie family's Nie Qingyang, which is why my sister's child was preserved. Otherwise..." Mu Qingyi left the rest unsaid, but deep hostility shadowed her brow. After a long moment, however, that killing intent slowly receded, finally dissolving into a light sigh: "Nie Shengong, since I helped Kong'er save the Nie family today, I will absolutely not dwell on past matters." "Thank you." "Don't thank me! Kong'er is my son-in-law. If I didn't want to see my son-in-law caught between the Nie family and the Yin Ruins, and considering you proactively gave that half-piece of 'Seven-Colored Spirit Leaf' to Kong'er, I would never let this rest. You might not know, but I am narrow-minded and unforgiving!" "..."

Outside the courtyard, Nie Kong finally breathed a sigh of relief, but upon hearing Mu Qingyi’s last words, he nearly burst out laughing. How could Aunt Qing, who was supposedly narrow-minded and unforgiving, let go of such a grudge? He never expected his aunt to possess such a talent for humor.

Since it was a false alarm, there was no need to watch further. Nie Kong was about to retreat when Mu Qingyi sharply called out, "Mu Kong, what are you sneaking around doing out there?"

Nie Kong froze, then had no choice but to grit his teeth, push the door open, and enter, chuckling dryly, "Haha, Aunt Qing, Great Elder, what are you two discussing? You seem so cheerful." He was blatantly lying; Nie Shengong wore a face like a bitter melon, and Mu Qingyi’s expression was cold, utterly contradicting the word 'cheerful.'

"You child." This time, Mu Qingyi couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, chiding him without restraint, "You don't need to pretend ignorance. You were eavesdropping for so long because you were afraid Aunt Qing and the Great Elder would fight, weren't you? You can rest easy now. Although Aunt Qing is narrow-minded and unforgiving, for the sake of her son-in-law, she can let go of any grievance. So, in the future, when you are intimate with Huamei, do not slight Qingying; she is also your wife." "Rest assured, Aunt Qing," Nie Kong quickly replied. He finally understood that the eight words, 'narrow-minded and unforgiving,' were not directed at Nie Shengong, but at him. The implied message was: someone as narrow-minded and unforgiving as Aunt Qing can drop a deep, ancient feud for the sake of her son-in-law; if you don't treat Aunt Qing's daughter well, you would be inexcusable.

Nie Shengong also smiled and nodded: "Indeed, Nie Kong, your Aunt Qing just told me that Miss Qingying, just like your little wife, is a rare and good girl. A true man often has multiple wives and concubines. Don't hesitate any longer; just marry them both at the wedding." Nie Kong stared blankly at Nie Shengong, who was stroking his beard and smiling, then at Mu Qingyi, whose eyes were full of amusement. He felt utterly speechless. These two, who moments ago seemed locked in deep enmity, had suddenly aligned themselves on the same front. Could they have deliberately set a trap tonight, acting out a play waiting for him to stumble in? "Aunt Qing, you and Mother can discuss this matter."

Nie Kong responded vaguely. Mu Qingyi saw through Nie Kong's little scheme but didn't press further, just stood up with a smile: "It is getting late. Kong'er, we should leave too. The Great Elder's injuries have just stabilized; we shouldn't disturb his rest. Great Elder, we take our leave." After walking quite a distance, Mu Qingyi suddenly stopped as if remembering something. "Kong'er, She Qianbian was forced to retreat today and absolutely will not let this pass. Furthermore, he now knows that the green-robed bandit who seized the Spirit Mansion is you. He might have already reported this news to the Spirit God Hall. The Spirit God Hall is no better than the Snake Spirit Clan. Once they know your identity, they will definitely use the Nie family members to threaten you." "Aunt Qing is right," Nie Kong nodded. "But we don't need to worry about that now. This afternoon, while treating the Great Elder..." Saying this, Nie Kong suddenly leaned close to Mu Qingyi's ear, his lips moving slightly a few times before he straightened up, his brow filled with a smile. Mu Qingyi's eyes lit up: "Really?"