With almost every rotation, those blue wisps of energy would siphon off a bit of Meng Feiyang’s soul power and direct it towards the brand on his chest.

Nie Kong’s heart stirred, and his spiritual sense drifted toward one of the blue wisps.

“Bang!”

The instant it made contact, that blue wisp unexpectedly projected a strange force that not only repelled Nie Kong’s spiritual sense but also caused his own mind to lurch into a momentary confusion.

This peculiar situation startled Nie Kong greatly.

“That is Tribulation Power.”

Meng Feiyang’s voice suddenly pierced Nie Kong’s ear. “The ‘Soul Devouring Flower’ has already passed its first Spiritual Tribulation. This Tribulation Power is condensed from the inner demons it generated during that trial.”

“Tribulation Power?”

His spiritual sense withdrawn, Nie Kong opened his eyes, a flicker of sudden realization crossing his face.

Meng Feiyang was a powerhouse of the Ninth Grade Heavenly Spirit realm; for him to suffer such injury meant that the strength of the ‘Soul Devouring Flower,’ if not superior to Meng Feiyang’s, had to be at least on par with his. Since the ‘Soul Devouring Flower’ had already passed its first Spiritual Tribulation, it was entirely reasonable for Meng Feiyang to have been wounded by it.

“The Tribulation Power connects to the main body of the ‘Soul Devouring Flower’ through the brand. Once the Tribulation Power is gone, the influence exerted by the ‘Soul Devouring Flower’ via the brand will be eliminated. However, to clear the Tribulation Power, one must either possess soul power stronger than the ‘Soul Devouring Flower’ or capture it and force it to retract the power.” Nie Kong murmured to himself.

“Indeed, I didn’t expect you to grasp the root of the issue so quickly,” Meng Feiyang praised. His ailment, when explained, was merely a thin veil—once pierced, the truth became obvious—but before that, the situation behind the veil remained utterly obscure.

“So, that means the City Lord’s condition is still incurable for now?” Gu Changgong couldn't help but ask.

“While a complete cure is impossible for the moment, I can certainly manage to suppress the Tribulation Power of the ‘Soul Devouring Flower,’” Nie Kong said with a slight smile.

“Oh? Nie Kong, how can I assist?”

Meng Feiyang was greatly pleased upon hearing this. If Nie Kong truly had a method to suppress the Tribulation Power of the ‘Soul Devouring Flower,’ his coming days would be significantly easier.

Nie Kong pondered for a moment. “Does the City Lord have a way to temporarily emerge from that state?”

“Certainly, but I cannot remain out for longer than fifteen minutes.”

“Fifteen minutes is more than enough!”

Nie Kong smiled faintly, his palm sweeping across the icy surface, and one by one, golden needles were drawn out by divine power. As the final Heavenly Needle settled into Nie Kong’s palm, Meng Feiyang suddenly penetrated the ice layer and appeared before Nie Kong, his features, previously blurred by the ice's reflection, now sharp and clear.

Taking a deep breath, Nie Kong flicked his hand, and nine golden needles flashed, embedding themselves into Meng Feiyang’s head. Then, his fingers gently manipulated the Heavenly Needle at the Baihui acupoint.

Moments later, as the Yin-Yang Spirit Devouring Art circulated, vast swathes of green energy emerged from the outlet of the cold pool’s flow, converging into Nie Kong’s right palm. The water flowing from this cold pool, merged with the Yin Ruins spirit veins, formed a frigid current deep within the Senluo Ancient Cave—a flow teeming with boundless vitality, more than enough for Nie Kong to utilize.

The life force traveled through the golden needles into Meng Feiyang’s cranial region, continuously integrating with his soul power. Stimulated by the immense vitality, Meng Feiyang’s soul power gradually became more active and invigorated, while the circulation speed of the blue wisps surrounding him began to slow. By the time Nie Kong and Gu Changgong departed the ice cave, night had fallen.

Suppressing the inner demon Tribulation Power of the ‘Soul Devouring Flower’ with vast amounts of life energy proved highly effective. When Nie Kong ceased the Nine Revolutions Golden Needle Art about ten minutes later, the speed at which that Tribulation Power circulated within Meng Feiyang’s soul had decelerated to the level it was at more than a decade ago, significantly easing his burden.

“Given the City Lord’s current condition, he can hold on for twenty years, let alone ten.”

Thinking of Meng Feiyang’s amiable expression, Nie Kong felt a sense of satisfaction. This was especially true after he revealed his plan to Meng Feiyang, who then instructed Gu Changgong to provide full support.

This was somewhat beyond Nie Kong’s expectations.

Although Lingyu City originated from the Yin Ruins, it was ultimately an independent holy land for Spirit Masters. In broad strokes, Lingyu City would certainly align with the Yin Ruins, but it had to consider its own interests. Once Nie Kong’s endeavor succeeded, Lingyu City’s standing in the eyes of Spirit Apothecaries might become precarious.

However, with a moment’s reflection, Nie Kong calmed himself.

Ever since the projection of the Wood Ancestor appeared, the Yin Ruins and the Spirit God Palace had been openly opposed. Lingyu City and Nie Kong were now essentially tied to the same rope as grasshoppers. Moreover, should Nie Kong’s plan succeed, while it might jeopardize Lingyu City’s status, the benefits the city would reap would be incalculable.

Given this context, it was better to offer unwavering support.

“Nie Kong, that girl is staying right over there. Hurry up and go see her; she waits for you every day,” Gu Changgong’s teasing laughter suddenly sounded near his ear.

“Uh?”

Nie Kong realized with a start that he had unconsciously arrived in the western part of the inner city. With one glance, he saw Gu Changgong’s ambiguous gaze and odd smile, which made him feel slightly awkward. He let out two dry chuckles before parting ways with Gu Changgong and dashing off toward the brightly lit courtyard dozens of meters away.

In the next instant, Nie Kong’s figure materialized inside the courtyard without any warning. Faint sounds of laughter drifted from the room, and the image of that voluptuous, fiery figure flashed through his mind, making Nie Kong’s heart heat up.

The moment Nie Kong shifted his steps, the sounds from within abruptly ceased.

“Brother.”

A sweet, crisp cry rang out as Tai Yan’s fiery silhouette rushed out, throwing herself into Nie Kong’s embrace like a fledgling swallow. An unmistakable joy spread across her flawlessly beautiful face, and her pure eyes were filled with deep attachment, as if she longed to merge her delicate body entirely into his own.

After leaving the Yin Ruins, Mu Lengxing had brought her and some Yin Ruins clansmen to Lingyu City. Mu Lengxing then continued leading the clansmen south, but Tai Yan remained here, waiting for Nie Kong. Unlike the previous time when she only appeared in the subterranean chamber, Tai Yan’s appearance in the inner city this time caused a sensation among the inner city disciples. Even many exemplary disciples who normally paid no heed to women couldn't help but pursue her.

Indeed, some male disciples who had been pursuing Gu Qi even shifted their affections, turning their attention to Tai Yan.

The result was obvious: all these suitors ended up bruised and battered, but the news of a peerless beauty appearing in Lingyu City’s inner sanctum quickly spread throughout the entire city.

When Nie Kong arrived in the outer city that evening, he heard all sorts of rumors from the surrounding chatter. Some speculated that Tai Yan was Meng Feiyang’s illegitimate daughter; others suggested she was a princess from some royal family on the Heavenly Spirit Continent; and even more whispered that she was Gu Changgong’s paramour...

Nie Kong found the rumors both laughable and unsurprising.

“Brother Nie Kong, I knew you would come this way after leaving the ice cave. Hmph, I was right, wasn’t I? Tai Yan kept saying she was going to wait for you outside the ice cave later. Oh, by the way, is the City Lord’s illness cured?” Little Gu Qi also hopped out, beaming with delight.