The city of Jiyang was built against the mountains, and the Nie family occupied the west side, adjacent to the range. Pavilions dotted the landscape, their continuous structures covering nearly a fifth of the entire city. Jiyang was a major stronghold of the Great Success Empire, boasting a population exceeding half a million; the scale of one-fifth of that city can only be imagined.

Within the Nie compound, the direct lineage typically resided in the center, while collateral branches were scattered on either side. Important edifices such as the 'Ink Tower' and the 'Spiritual Medicine Hall' were mostly concentrated at the foot of the central mountain area, where a great number of the Nie clan's experts also gathered.

The following day, Nie Kong followed the map etched in his mind, winding his way through paths paved with bluestone. This was the first time Nie Kong had left his residence since his transmigration and rebirth; the destination was the Nie family’s Spiritual Medicine Hall.

On both sides of the road were houses with blue bricks and grey tiles, where Nie clan members could be seen entering and exiting at any moment. They wore a variety of robes, and the language they spoke differed from that of Earth. However, since Nie Kong had inherited the entirety of this body's memories and spent two days digesting them, he experienced no inconvenience in understanding what was said.

Listening to the tap-tap sound made by his footsteps on the bluestone slabs, Nie Kong felt as if he were strolling through a historical scroll, encountering a profound sense of antiquity.

After walking for over half an hour, a faint, herbal fragrance drifted into his nostrils—Nie Kong knew he had reached the Spiritual Medicine Hall. Indeed, after turning left at the intersection ahead, an ancient-looking structure came into view. The building rose five stories, perhaps twenty meters high, tapering gently with each level, forming an overall triangular silhouette.

Spiritual Masters of the Nie family could collect their spiritual herbs from different tiers corresponding to their cultivation levels. The lower the cultivation, the more common the medicine they could claim; only those at the Spirit Gathering realm could enter the first floor.

Originally, Nie Kong had hoped to find some tonics like ginseng, Lingzhi, He Shou Wu, or Cordyceps to brew a medicinal bath. Regrettably, after searching his inherited memories multiple times, he found no information about any of those specific items. Furthermore, none of the other traditional Chinese medicines from his previous life were present either. Of course, this didn't entirely rule out the possibility that the body's previous owner was simply too uninformed.

In the end, Nie Kong decided he had to visit this place regardless.

Previously, Nie Kong hadn't been qualified to enter the Spiritual Medicine Hall; here, even entry to the first floor required cultivation at the third stage of the Spirit Gathering realm.

Two sturdy guards stood at the main entrance of the ground floor. Seeing Nie Kong’s slender figure, both men looked somewhat puzzled. Usually, the people coming and going here, even the younglings in the Spirit Gathering realm, were familiar enough for them to call out by name, but this thin, gaunt youth before them was utterly unfamiliar.

“Greetings, Uncle Qingfeng.”

Approaching them, Nie Kong cupped his hands towards the bearded, robust man on the left.

From his memories, Nie Kong recalled meeting this man a few times. He was of the same generation as his father, Nie Qingyang, named Nie Qingfeng, known for his straightforward nature, and reputedly, his cultivation had already broken through to the Spirit Transformation realm.

“You are…”

Nie Qingfeng was even more suspicious. He scrutinized Nie Kong closely for a few moments before finding a sliver of familiarity. After racking his brain for a moment, Nie Qingfeng suddenly slapped the back of his head hard, exclaiming with sudden realization, “I remember now! You are the second son of Qingyang’s line? Nie Kong… your name is Nie Kong, isn't it? Are you feeling better?”

“At least I won't die for now,” Nie Kong laughed casually.

Seeing Nie Kong’s easygoing demeanor, a flicker of surprise appeared in Nie Qingfeng’s eyes. The man with the aquiline nose beside him frowned, “Qingfeng, you know him?”

Nie Qingfeng nodded, sighing with a touch of melancholy, “Yes, Qinghong. Remember I mentioned Nie Qingyang to you before? Nie Kong is his second son. Three years ago, during that spiritual beast capture mission, Brother Qingyang and I both participated. Unfortunately, he didn't make it back.”

“Oh, Nie Kong? Isn't that the good-for-nothing who’s been stuck at the first stage of Spirit Gathering for ten years?” Nie Qinghong asked, his face grim, without the slightest courtesy.

Nie Qingfeng glanced awkwardly at Nie Kong. “Ahem, Qinghong, you shouldn't say that. This boy, like his older brother, suffered from a strange illness since childhood that even the Spirit Controlling elders of our clan couldn't cure. However, his perseverance far surpasses most of the youths in the ‘Feng’ generation; cultivating the ‘Five Stars Shifting Technique’ for ten years without giving up, it’s not his fault he couldn't break through.”

“Regardless of the reason, a good-for-nothing remains a good-for-nothing.” Nie Qinghong’s expression betrayed a trace of disdain, his gaze pinning Nie Kong down, sharp as a blade. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to the Spiritual Medicine Hall to collect medicine,” Nie Kong’s eyes showed no sign of retreat; he met Nie Qinghong’s gaze directly, his expression calm, as if he hadn't registered the contempt in the words.

Hearing this, both Nie Qingfeng and the other man froze momentarily. In the next instant, a sneer curved the corner of Nie Qinghong’s mouth. “Collect medicine? Are you kidding? A fellow at the first stage of Spirit Gathering coming to the Spiritual Medicine Hall for medicine? Scram, boy, go back where you came from, don’t cause trouble here.”

Nie Qingfeng cast a slightly dissatisfied glance at Nie Qinghong, then tried to persuade Nie Kong with a tone of helpless concern, “Nie Kong, perhaps you should return first. If you are short on medicine… I happen to have some spiritual herbs at home; I can send them to your place tonight.”

“Thank you, Uncle Qingfeng,” Nie Kong smiled faintly, then looked towards Nie Qinghong, his tone suddenly shifting, “However, I must enter the Spiritual Medicine Hall today.”

“Hmph, bold!”

Nie Qinghong’s expression turned cold and sinister. He had long been dissatisfied with being assigned to guard the gate of the Spiritual Medicine Hall, and today he finally had a chance to vent his frustrations on this good-for-nothing.

Nie Kong’s face remained placid as he slowly stepped forward. Nie Qinghong let out a sinister chuckle, slightly raising his right hand, a wisp of azure spiritual energy slithering in and out of his palm like a small snake.

“Nie Kong, you…”

Nie Qingfeng was alarmed. This little fellow truly had no idea of the danger he was in. The Spiritual Medicine Hall was a vital area of the Nie family; if Nie Kong tried to force his way in, even he wouldn't be able to protect the boy.

Stopping at the steps, Nie Kong suddenly flashed a wide grin and lightly patted the stone lion statue on the left side of the steps with his palm. Exquisite engraved patterns covered the lion's surface. As a wave of verdant spiritual energy drilled out of Nie Kong’s palm and entered the stone lion, those patterns began to shift rapidly. Moments later, they rearranged themselves into four characters:

Spirit Gathering Third Stage!

...

“Spirit Gathering Third Stage? How is that possible?”

Nie Qinghong’s face was utterly blank. Hadn't they said this good-for-nothing had only reached the first stage of Spirit Gathering after ten years of cultivation? How could the ‘Spirit Testing Stone’ display the third stage of Spirit Gathering? The ‘Spirit Testing Stone’ was specially made by the Nie family to gauge the cultivation of clan members and never erred. This little waste had secretly reached the third stage!

After his initial shock, Nie Qingfeng showed some pleasant surprise. “Good boy, I didn’t expect you to have cultivated to the ‘Spirit Gathering Third Stage.’ Not bad, not bad.” Spirit Gatherers were common in the Nie family, but Nie Qingfeng, even though not close to Nie Kong, knew how precious reaching the third stage was.

“Uncle Qingfeng, I’m going in now,” Nie Kong said, then mounted the steps. As he passed by Nie Qinghong, he glanced at him, a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth—that almost imperceptible smile seemed to mock Nie Qinghong for his lack of discernment.

“Go on, go on,” Nie Qingfeng waved his hand, smiling broadly.

“Stop!”

Nie Qinghong hissed unwillingly.

Nie Kong turned back, smiling benignly. “Uncle Qinghong, are you perhaps intending to defy the clan rules?” With that, Nie Kong stepped into the Spiritual Medicine Hall without looking back.

“You, you…”

Nie Qinghong’s face cycled rapidly between green and red; he was clearly infuriated.

Nie Qingfeng laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “Qinghong, you are a Spirit Transformation Master now, why stoop to arguing with a child like Nie Kong? Alright, alright. After the Spiritual Medicine Hall closes tonight, I’ll treat you to drinks. I heard the ‘Four Seas Tower’ got a new chef recently; his skills are excellent. How about it, shall we go try it?” He knew Nie Qinghong had a narrow temper, and Nie Kong had no backing; it wouldn't be good if Nie Qinghong nursed a grudge against him.

Nie Qinghong grunted resentfully, “Fine, this little good-for-nothing got off easy.”

“…”

——————————————————————————————————————————————

Inside the Spiritual Medicine Hall, the atmosphere was quiet, elegant, and serene. Dozens of wooden racks were neatly lined up across the spacious hall. On the shelves rested countless small wooden boxes, the names of the medicines written on their lids. At that moment, several youths aged thirteen or fourteen were selecting medicine among the rows of racks.

Various medicinal scents swirled into Nie Kong’s nostrils; to him, this fragrance was a delicious delicacy.

“Clan Token!”

A raspy, ancient voice suddenly rang out, startling Nie Kong. He turned his head to see a bald old man sitting behind a table in the shadows near the entrance, resting his chin on his right hand, half-asleep.

Nie Kong unhooked the small wooden token from his waist, which signified his identity as a Nie clan member, and placed it on the table. This type of token was exquisitely crafted and specially made by the Nie family, making it extremely difficult for outsiders to forge.

“Register!”

The old man didn’t even lift his eyelids.

There was paper and brush on the desk, and Nie Kong quickly wrote down his name.

“Select Medicine!”

The old man murmured in a dreamlike drone, “Below the ninth stage of Spirit Gathering, you may enter the Spiritual Medicine Hall twice a month. Each visit, you may select no more than five types of medicine, and the weight of each type must not exceed two liang.”

“Yes.”

As the old man spoke, he paused slightly between every two characters, his voice halting. Nie Kong found it somewhat grating to listen to. However, he dared not reveal his thoughts here; who knew if this old man was a hidden master? Thus, he quickly acknowledged the instructions and walked towards the medicine racks.

...