Tai Yan and the others watched the seven-colored vortex ahead with some anxiety. They had rushed here after receiving news from Gu Xian, but after waiting nearly two days, Nie Kong had still not appeared.

"Little girl, stop pacing. He really is coming out this time," the Seven-Colored Grand Venerable said with a smile, gently stroking his long beard.

"Really?"

Tai Yan’s beautiful eyes lit up, only to instantly notice that the seven-colored vortex had ceased spinning, and a small white shadow flashed from its depths, rapidly enlarging in her pupils.

In an instant, the white shadow shot out and landed just outside the vortex.

This person was none other than Nie Kong.

"Brother."

Tai Yan’s pretty face flushed with excitement. Ignoring the crowd of onlookers, she lightly sprang into Nie Kong’s embrace, like a fledgling bird returning to its nest.

From the Flower Butterfly Secret Realm to Dragon Island, then the Spirit Mansion... and onward to the Divine Void Realm, the Grand Venerable Spirit Dawn...

Tai Yan had spent the vast majority of her time beside Nie Kong, and never before had she endured such a long separation. Eight full months felt like years passing by.

Feeling Tai Yan’s deep attachment, Nie Kong was touched and couldn't help but wrap his arms around her slender, soft waist.

"Greetings, Master. Greetings, Senior Brother." After a long moment, Nie Kong finally snapped back to reality. Seeing Gu Quan looking at him with a playful gaze, his own aged face flushed slightly, feeling a touch embarrassed.

The Seven-Colored Grand Venerable smiled approvingly. "Nie Kong, you only spent eight months in the 'Seven-Colored Immortal Domain,' one month earlier than I anticipated. First, stabilize your current realm, then spend time with your friends. In half a month, I will teach you several new techniques."

"Yes, Master."

"..."

The Colorful Grand Venerable and Gu Quan soon departed, leaving only Nie Kong and Yu Longyue and the others near the vortex.

Scanning them with his gaze, Nie Kong immediately noticed the changes in their auras and smiled with deep feeling, "Aunt Yue, Qingyou, Lan Ling, you have all improved quite rapidly during this time."

"We can't compare to Tai Yan; she’s already a Seventh-Rank Spirit God now," Yu Longyue chuckled softly.

"I'm the only one making no progress. Nie Kong, help me get some elixirs, won't you?" Hulou floated glumly before Nie Kong, but before it could sway twice, Yu Longyue snatched it up. "Nie Kong, Tai Yan has been missing you constantly during this time. You should spend time with her now. We won't disturb you two."

"Ah, Auntie Yue, wait a moment! My elixirs!"

"Elixirs later! Qingyou, what are you standing around looking stunned for?"

"Oh... Oh..."

"..."

Yu Longyue, Lan Ling, along with the two little fellows Qingyou and Hulou, vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye, leaving only the silhouettes of Nie Kong and Tai Yan.

In the quiet mountain forest, something seemed to be subtly fermenting.

Tai Yan sensed the shift in atmosphere, lifting her head to look at Nie Kong. Her cheeks were tender pink, her beautiful eyes glistening with moisture, waves of allure flowing within them. Her delicate body naturally pressed a little closer to Nie Kong.

"Closer..." Nie Kong leaned near Tai Yan's ear, his lips moving slightly, whispering something only she could hear.

"Mmm-hmm."

Tai Yan's eyes shone brightly, her flushed cheek rubbing against Nie Kong's chest. Her full, proud bosom pressed against him with renewed force, her brow conveying unmistakable anticipation and joy. Seeing this, Nie Kong felt a stirring in his heart, lifted Tai Yan effortlessly into his arms, and their figures instantly merged into the void...

In the quiet pavilion room, sealed by the Chaotic Divine Power within the valley, a passionate energy surged.

After a long while, the soul-shattering sounds finally subsided.

In the lingering intimacy, holding Tai Yan's soft, yielding body, Nie Kong closed his eyes slightly. The memory of her earlier fervor echoed in his mind, bringing a profound sense of peace.

"Brother."

It was unclear how long later when Tai Yan’s soft murmur woke Nie Kong.

Looking instantly at her bright red cheeks and the sweet smile lingering on the corner of her lips, Nie Kong felt a sudden jolt. The desire to return to the Heavenly Spirit Continent surged within him with unprecedented intensity. His lovers, his family, Hua Mei, Long Xuechan, Mu Xuejia... and the child whose arrival he couldn't yet confirm, were all there!

He must return!

This thought raged within him for a time before finally subsiding. Nie Kong gently stroked Tai Yan's smooth, fragrant shoulder, hesitating slightly. "Tai Yan, in a month I plan to go to the 'Grand Beginning Grotto-Heaven.' You..."

"Brother, I want to go too."

Tai Yan seemed to know what Nie Kong was about to say, immediately opening her beautiful eyes. Then, she placed a hand on her flat, tender lower abdomen, beaming happily. "Brother, when I was with you every day before, I didn't notice, but today I realized: when you are near, he seems to grow faster."

"Really?" Nie Kong was momentarily stunned.

"Of course, it's true."

Tai Yan nodded repeatedly, her eyes full of radiant smiles. "He seems to really like your Chaotic Divine Power."

"Really?"

A thought struck Nie Kong. He gently rested the tip of his right index finger against Tai Yan's abdomen and sent a thread of extremely faint Chaotic Divine Power inside. In a flash, Nie Kong discovered that the nascent life within Tai Yan's belly began to surge violently, transmitting waves of joy and excitement, as if it were dancing with delight.

"It truly is like that."

Nie Kong felt a surprising joy. That fluctuation gave him a peculiar sensation of shared bloodline; it felt as if every pulse of the small life gently tickled his own heart. After a moment of contemplation, Nie Kong gritted his teeth firmly. "Tai Yan, then you will enter with me."

"Mm-hmm."

Tai Yan nodded excitedly.

Seeing her so happy, Nie Kong couldn't help but smile too, sending another fine thread of Chaotic Divine Power slowly into her lower abdomen.

Originally, Nie Kong had intended to leave Tai Yan in the "Seven-Colored Divine Realm." In this place, she could boost her cultivation at the fastest possible rate; it wouldn't be difficult for her to reach the Ninth-Rank Spirit God realm. Perhaps by the time he emerged from the "Grand Beginning Grotto-Heaven," Tai Yan would already be a Ninth-Rank Spirit God.

Now, with the unexpected arrival of the new life, Nie Kong had no choice but to change his plans. Fortunately, with his current level of cultivation, Nie Kong was confident enough to protect Tai Yan. What he needed to do now was devise a method to conceal her aura.

The Grand Beginning Grotto-Heaven was a forbidden zone within the Grand Venerable Spirit Realm.

Since its appearance, it had always been jointly managed by the Spirit Gods and Star Gods. Only twelve individuals could enter each time it opened.

The Spirit God faction secured six spots, while the Panxing Clan held the other six. Furthermore, all entrants were required to possess the strength of a Ninth-Rank Spirit God or a Ninth-Rank Star God. Besides these twelve, no independent life form was permitted entry. This rule was established by the agreement between Grand Venerable Chongxu and Grand Venerable Pangu, and neither could violate it.

Tai Yan was different from Lan Rong; her life was independent of Nie Kong. If she entered, it would inherently be against the rules.

"I can try using Xiangxiang's innate medicinal power," Nie Kong thought immediately, recalling the little creature from his experiences in the "Seven-Colored Immortal Domain."

From the current situation, Ninth Rank seemed to be the little creature's limit. It showed no signs of advancing currently, but its innate medicinal power grew purer. After Nie Kong tempered it with the Chaotic Heavenly Fire by the Immortal Qin Sea, its innate power underwent a transformation.

The Seven-Colored Grand Venerable could not detect its existence; other Grand Venerables likely couldn't either. When Tai Yan transformed into the Returning Grass, covering her entire body with its medicinal power should prove effective.

"Brother, come here..."

Tai Yan's sweet, lingering voice suddenly interrupted Nie Kong’s deep thought. Looking over, he saw her fingers tracing circles on his chest, her eyes melting with a captivating allure. Nie Kong immediately understood her intentions and burst into laughter, rolling over to press down on her snowy white form...