Nie Kong lay sprawled out, reflecting with some frustration. Once his mind cleared slightly, Nie Kong began circulating the "Five Star Shifting Art." The spiritual energy was indeed miraculous; soon, his body felt refreshed and comfortable. Unfortunately, his head remained groggy, as if the technique had little effect there.

Fortunately, the after-effects didn't linger long. As dawn broke bright, Nie Kong was once again vibrant.

"Cauldron Illusion Body!"

Nie Kong shook off his weariness, focusing his intent on the small sprout within the Yaochi acupoint, visualizing the form of an alchemy cauldron, and bellowed the command in his mind.

"Ah-ya-ya."

A soft cry followed, and the small sprout indeed transformed into an alchemy cauldron.

Nie Kong stared dumbstruck. Xiangxiang had indeed materialized into a cauldron, but it remained inside his Dantian, and it was only the size of two fingers. Faint lavender patterns crisscrossed the dark green surface of the tiny cauldron, which was perched directly over the "Three Spiritual Apertures." In the Yaochi acupoint where the small sprout previously resided, there was now only that mass of inky green blood.

"This is too small."

Finally snapping out of his stupor, Nie Kong couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity. How was he supposed to refine medicine with such a minuscule cauldron? Moreover, it was inside his own stomach! In the Demon Game, the summoned cauldron was over a foot wide, circling him impressively.

"Ah-ya-ya, ah-ya... ya, ah... ya-ya..." The little creature chirped several times in clear displeasure, seemingly indicating that due to his weakness, it was impossible for him to summon the cauldron outside his body, and that since little Xiangxiang was only first-tier, manifesting such a tiny cauldron was already incredibly impressive.

"So it's my fault."

Nie Kong shamefacedly pinched his chin. His cultivation was too poor; even his pet dared to mock him. He managed a self-deprecating laugh, then sunk into gloom. How was he supposed to concoct medicine like this?

"Ah-ya-ya."

Xiangxiang called out cheerfully.

"Eat?"

Nie Kong was surprised.

He shared a deep spiritual connection with the little one, easily capturing the intended meaning from its cries and probing its thoughts through their mental link. The little creature hadn't been mistaken; it was indeed the word "eat." Nie Kong would consume the medicinal herbs, concentrate the potency toward the Three Spiritual Apertures, and the little one would automatically absorb the required amount into the cauldron. Nie Kong would only be responsible for supplying the spiritual energy for the refinement process.

"Refining medicine by extracting the potency from inside my stomach? What kind of person would dare consume something like that?"

Nie Kong offered a dry chuckle. If he knew the spirit medicine he ate had already been consumed once by someone else, he would certainly retch—it was utterly... disgusting.

"Ah... ya-ya..."

The little one sounded quite smug.

Translated into human language, it meant: That's the way it is, unless the Master gains the ability to summon the cauldron externally, or until little Xiangxiang advances to the sixth tier.

When will you reach the sixth tier? Who knows when the Year of the Monkey will come. Advancing just one tier drains sixty percent of the medicinal energy I’ve accumulated over these years. To reach the sixth tier, even squeezing a thousand medicine jars dry wouldn't be enough. Nie Kong muttered internally, resigning himself, "Fine, what kind of spirit medicine can you refine now?"

"Ah-ya-ya." Translated into human language, it meant: ...

"What does that mean?"

"Ah-ya-ya!" Translation: ...

"..."

Damn it. It meant nothing? Why did you even make a sound then? Nie Kong felt like laughing and crying, muttering a curse under his breath. The little sprout was indeed just a sprout—far too green.

Nie Kong pondered. In the Demon Game, a first-tier entity could refine Level Ten medicine. Corresponding to this world, might that mean... First-Grade Spirit Medicine?

The Spirit Medicines of the Heavenly Spirit Continent were divided into nine grades, with First-Grade being the lowest.

Nie Kong's previous body had only consumed First-Grade Spirit Medicines and common herbs. Given how frail his constitution was, Nie Qingyang and Gen (these two characters combined inexplicably triggered censorship) dared not give him anything above Second-Grade. As for the "Rejuvenation Dew," it was also a First-Grade Spirit Medicine, but among its rank, its efficacy ranked among the top three.

The formula for Rejuvenation Dew was quite simple, requiring only five types of herbs. Most Spirit Masters knew it, and Nie Kong vaguely remembered having some impression of it. However, although it was only First-Grade, refining it was exceedingly troublesome; even seasoned High-Level Spirit Alchemists often failed.

Otherwise, the selling price for Rejuvenation Dew would not reach a staggering ten thousand gold coins.

"I happen to owe Nie Fengxing a bottle of 'Rejuvenation Dew,' so I might as well try refining this one first, and let that bastard drink my saliva."

Nie Kong's heart skipped a beat.

He found Nie Fengxing rather strange. Since his attempt failed that day, he should have come demanding the Rejuvenation Dew long ago, yet he hadn't shown his face for days. Nie Kong certainly didn't believe Nie Fengxing had suddenly reformed into a virtuous person; he must be plotting something else.

Since he now possessed the Cauldron Illusion Body, it was best to refine the Rejuvenation Dew quickly to test it out. If he failed, he could use the "Muscle Strengthening and Bone Fortifying Decoction" formula to exchange for a bottle at the Spirit Medicine Hall.

"The cauldron has been summoned for four or five minutes, leaving about twenty-five minutes remaining. At full sprint, it should take about ten minutes to reach the Spirit Medicine Hall. Five or six minutes to select the herbs, and I’ll still have time to refine it afterward." After a swift calculation, Nie Kong leaped from the bed and shot out of the room like a gust of wind.

"Sister-in-law, good morning."

Hua Mei, wearing a light green cloth dress, was sweeping the courtyard outside. Her uncle's improving health made her movements much lighter. Hearing the greeting, Hua Mei looked up just as Nie Kong, clad only in shorts, zipped past her. Stunned for a moment, Hua Mei suddenly blushed furiously. Oh dear, Uncle was too much, running out like that half-naked, he was bound to be laughed at.

Just as she hesitated about whether to grab some clothes and chase after him, Nie Kong zipped back even faster, his face slightly flushed—that was too embarrassing.

Hua Mei’s delicate face grew even redder.

Less than twenty seconds later, Nie Kong dashed out again, managing an embarrassed smile. "Sister-in-law, I'm heading to the Spirit Medicine Hall for a bit, and I'll be back for dinner." He scurried out of the courtyard.

"Okay."

Watching Nie Kong's flustered retreat, Hua Mei’s face felt warm, but she couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, which bloomed instantly like a rose, breathtakingly beautiful.

The loud sound of his footsteps echoed through the alley, startling many of the early-rising Nie clan members. Some who recognized Nie Kong stared blankly for a long moment before realizing with astonishment: wasn't that the second son of Nie Qingyang’s household? Why was his appearance so drastically changed, and why was he running so fast? Was this the sickly weakling from just a few days ago?

From the corner of a roof, the recently awoken Martial Pupil, Er Lin, and San Mu watched Nie Kong's retreating back with grim expressions. Several days had passed, and the three looked considerably more haggard.

Er Lin rubbed the back of his neck, grumbling, "Big Brother Wutong, it's been several days, and there hasn't been the slightest sign of improvement in the hidden ailment affecting San Mu and me. But look at this medicine jar fellow—the other day he looked half-dead, like he just crawled out of a coffin, and now he looks like a different person."

"Do you think he was lying to us?"

"..."

—————————————————————————————————————————————— At the entrance of the Spirit Medicine Hall.

"Greetings, Clan Uncle Qingfeng, Clan Uncle Qinghong." Nie Kong bowed, panting slightly. Even mobilizing his spiritual energy, running at full tilt like that had left him utterly winded.

"You are Nie Kong?"

Looking at the whirlwind of a youth sprinting toward them, Nie Qingfeng’s face was stiff. "How did you change so much in just one day?" Yesterday’s Nie Kong was scrawny and almost unrecognizable; today's Nie Kong, while still slender, looked much healthier, radiating vitality.

"Hmph."

Nie Qinghong snorted coolly, his eyes revealing equal astonishment.

"I took some spirit medicine, and this is the result," Nie Kong said with a smile.

"The medicine you took yesterday? That miraculous?"

Although surprised, Nie Qingfeng didn't press Nie Kong about what specific medicine he took; it was a private matter. After a moment, Nie Qingfeng composed himself and smiled at Nie Kong. "By the way, you just took medicine yesterday; what brings you here today? Are you collecting more?"

"Yes. Since I'm allowed to collect twice a month, it doesn't matter when I come." Nie Kong added, "Clan Uncle Qingfeng, I'll head in now." Time was tight; he couldn't afford to waste it.

"Wait, Nie Kong, your cultivation seems to have improved quite a bit?" Nie Qinghong suddenly interjected.

"Heh heh."

Nie Kong offered a slight smile, slapped the stone lion with his right palm, and then quickly entered the Spirit Medicine Hall. Behind him, the patterns on the stone lion’s surface shifted, finally forming four characters: Spirit Gathering Fifth Grade!

"Spirit Gathering Fifth Grade?!"

Nie Qingfeng and Nie Qinghong exchanged glances, seeing a flicker of shock in the other’s eyes. Yesterday he was Spirit Gathering Third Grade, and today he was Fifth Grade—that speed was simply too fast? Could the medicine he took yesterday not only strengthen the body but also elevate his cultivation rank?

Nie Kong didn't see their expressions, but he could guess them. This time, Nie Kong had acted deliberately; even if Nie Qinghong hadn't inquired, he would have found an opportunity to reveal his cultivation level.

In the Nie Clan, lying low and pretending to be unassuming wouldn't work.

To simultaneously pretend to be low-key and then complain about others treating him as the genuine simpleton he was trying to hide was the act of an idiot.

Nie Kong could not afford to be discreet because he knew clearly that even if he returned the 'Rejuvenation Dew,' Nie Fengxing would not cease his harassment; he would merely quiet down for a while at best.

Although the Nie Clan rules existed, Nie Fengxing was the Clan Head's son, while Nie Kong was merely a member of a collateral line, and his strength was meager—the gap between them was too vast. Nie Fengxing had countless ways to deal with him. Before, Nie Kong remained safe simply because Nie Fengxing never spared a thought for the dying invalid he was.

Things were different now. Nie Kong's current strength was insufficient to protect his beautiful, exquisite, and radiant sister-in-law, Hua Mei. He had to display his potential; only then could he attract the attention of the clan, making a scoundrel like Nie Fengxing hesitant. Nie Kong was certain that before long, a "genius among geniuses" would rise in the Nie Clan.

Geniuses, in any clan, were focal points of attention. A genius among geniuses would certainly cause the entire clan to take notice.