"So, all elders from two sects." Nie Kong remained impassive, saying casually, "I hear the 'Huang Ji Dao' and the 'Wan Xiang Sect' have always been close. Why are you fighting fiercely here?" "This..." Luo Yong, Lu Chen, and the others looked somewhat embarrassed, shifting their gazes.

They had just been fighting over a rare treasure, and revealing it might cause trouble... "Hmm?" Nie Kong's tone deepened slightly, his eyes narrowing, his gaze sweeping intentionally or unintentionally over the others.

An even denser divine power aura surged forth from his nine Nether Stars, erupting from within his [body]. A formidable sense of oppression washed over them!

The four trembled inwardly. Luo Yong quickly said, "Senior, please do not be angry.

What we were just fighting over was... was a top-grade 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal'." Luo Yong and the others spoke the last four words through gritted teeth, watching Nie Kong nervously.

"Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal?" Nie Kong murmured the name back, a flicker of movement in his heart. Among the Three Continents, the foundation for Spirit Masters cultivating on the Celestial Spirit Continent is the 'Three Apertures of Spirit God'; the foundation for Nether Earth Spirit Masters is the nine Nether Stars; and the foundation for Illusion Masters in the Divine Void Realm is the Dharma Idol!

According to the records in the 'Records of the Divine Void Anomalies', that 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal' is the very treasure used to condense the Dharma Idol. The value of a top-grade 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal' is no less than a ninth-grade spiritual medicine on the Celestial Spirit Continent.

'Huang Ji Dao' and 'Wan Xiang Sect' are two immensely powerful factions in the Divine Void Realm; it's no wonder they fought so viciously on this fragment over one top-grade 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal'. Nie Kong swept his gaze over, noticing distinct marks of excavation around the edge of a dark-red small pestle.

Within that tiny indentation, a faint dark-red shadow flickered in and out of visibility. "Lan Ling!" Nie Kong lightly tapped the petals of the God-Devouring Flower.

"Whoosh!" A faint sound of air tearing ripped through the silence. A thick, long green vine shot out from beneath the God-Devouring Flower, instantly piercing between Luo Yong and Lu Chen, plunging into the indentation tens of meters away.

"Senior..." Luo Yong, Lu Chen, and the other two cried out almost simultaneously, anxiously reaching out to grab the vine. The worst had finally happened!

Their earlier hesitation was precisely because they feared this unfathomably profound Senior developing covetousness for that top-grade 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal'. But as circumstances were against them, they could not keep it hidden.

After revealing the truth, a sliver of hope remained, but now even that glimmer was completely extinguished. "You wish to stop me?" Nie Kong sneered, suddenly leaping up.

"......" The four men's arms froze mid-air. Lu Chen reacted first, forcing a bitter smile as he retracted his right hand: "This junior dares not obstruct the Senior." No sooner had his voice fallen than the vine swiftly retracted to face Nie Kong.

The tip of the vine was now coiled around a dark-red object, roughly palm-sized, its surface smooth and delicate, shaped like a pebble. The moment it entered his hand, Nie Kong sensed a strange and lively aura emanating from the 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal' within, as if a life were hidden inside.

Lifting his head slightly, Nie Kong met Lu Chen's expectant gaze and smiled slowly, deliberately: "Although this 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal' is precious, it is also a source of trouble. Four young ones, as this is our first meeting, consider this item a gift you present to this old man.

With this in my keeping, it saves the 'Huang Ji Dao' and the 'Wan Xiang Sect' from harming each other's harmony." Seeing Nie Kong intending to forcibly claim the treasure, Lu Chen felt deeply helpless: "Senior, with your cultivation, this 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal' likely serves little purpose for your advancement. Why not..." "While it is useless to me, it is exactly what my final disciple needs." As he spoke, Nie Kong noticed Luo Yong gnashing his teeth, his face filled with resentment and bitterness.

A mocking curve touched the corner of his lips: "What, are you dissatisfied with this old man?" "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. If Senior wants it, please take it." Luo Yong's heart gave a lurch, and he quickly suppressed the bitterness in his chest, forcing a fawning smile.

"That's being sensible!" Nie Kong nodded playfully, ignoring Luo Yong's darkening face, and sat down cross-legged by himself, patting the God-Devouring Flower petals, ordering, "Lan Ling, let's go!" Swish! Swish...

Lan Ling did not delay. The vine swung, emitting continuous whistling sounds, its massive body drifting right over the continental fragment, speeding toward the distance.

A dozen seconds later, the enormous God-Devouring Flower had shrunk to a green dot the size of a fist. Luo Yong and Lu Chen, the four of them, remained silent.

Only then did Luo Yong's face twitch a few times, his expression exceptionally grim, tinged with annoyance: "Lu Chen, do you have any idea who that person is?" "How would I know who he is?" Lu Chen replied coldly, glaring fiercely at Luo Yong and Yan Xueshan opposite him. "There are many ninth-rank Illusion Masters in the Divine Void Realm, but those who have cultivated Divine Power are few and far between—either the head of a sect or the leader of a faction.

It is normal not to know his identity since he hasn't been seen in the world for many years." "Damn it, how unlucky!" Luo Yong cursed, "That old shameless thing! He actually bullied the weak and oppressed the small, snatching away my sect's top-grade 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal'!" Lu Tong, who had remained silent until now, couldn't help but retort: "Luo Yong, you truly have no sense of shame!

My brothers and I discovered the 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal' first; it belongs to our 'Wan Xiang Sect'." Lu Chen also snorted heavily, stating gravely, "That's right, Luo Yong, Yan Xueshan, this matter isn't over. The loss of the 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal' must be counted on your heads." Luo Yong's expression turned ferocious, and he sneered: "What a joke!

It's not my concern if you lack the ability to protect the 'Spirit Soul Illusion Crystal'. If you have the skill, go find that old sham—" Before he finished speaking, Luo Yong's voice choked off as if his throat had been suddenly grasped, like a strangled duck.

He looked toward the distance in alarm. Lu Chen and the others were momentarily stunned, then they also turned to look.

In the distance of several hundred meters, a green shadow was hurtling back like lightning—the spirit grass that had just departed was suddenly returning. While Lu Chen and the others were not overly alarmed, Luo Yong couldn't help but feel a surge of panic.

He had just repeatedly called the mysterious expert an "old shameless thing." Given that powerhouse's strength, he might have heard everything. If he decided to pursue the matter, even though Luo Yong was a peak ninth-rank Illusion Master, he likely wouldn't escape doom.

In the blink of an eye, the God-Devouring Flower had carried Nie Kong back to the edge of the continental fragment. "Senior, is there something else?" Lu Chen asked, cupping his hands, his voice inevitably stiff.

Anyone whose precious possession had just been snatched away would find it hard to be cheerful. Nie Kong didn't seem to mind, smiling faintly: "I left in such a hurry earlier that I forgot to ask you how far the journey is from here to the Divine Void Realm?" "Keep going straight ahead, it will take at most five days to arrive!" "Five days?" Nie Kong pondered briefly, then his eyes turned toward Luo Yong.

The old fellow had a guilty conscience and had maintained a high level of vigilance ever since Nie Kong appeared. Seeing Nie Kong's gaze now, he hesitated no longer, moving like a shooting star, retreating rapidly backward.

Nie Kong gave a soft snort. His right hand shot out, and a gigantic golden palm suddenly pierced through the void, appearing beside Luo Yong.

The five fingers, shining brilliantly with golden light, grasped Luo Yong's right arm and yanked.