It was past the third watch, my brothers. As you pass by, don't forget to click 'Collect'! Thank you ^^...

...

Leaving the training ground, Nie Kong finally felt a deep weariness settle over him. Every muscle ached unbearably, and his bones felt scattered, leaving him weak and pliant. His hands, in particular, throbbed painfully, the palms and backs of them split from countless strikes against the Red Bloodwood using the "Flower Burst" technique.

However, this exact state was the perfect opportunity to bathe in the "Muscle and Bone Strengthening Decoction." Nie Kong mobilized his spiritual energy and, dragging his fatigued legs, rushed home at the fastest pace possible. After exchanging a few words with Hua Mei, who was picking vegetables in the courtyard, the two of them busied themselves in the kitchen.

About half an hour later, Nie Kong sank into the large wooden tub, the medicinal brew dyeing the water a deep crimson, submerging him up to his neck.

The Nine Revolutions Golden Needle Art was put into motion. As Nie Kong massaged the points with his fingers, the red liquid visibly seeped into his body through his pores.

Nie Kong’s physical form completely relaxed, and the medicine rapidly dispersed, effortlessly integrating into his bones and muscles throughout his entire body. This time, Nie Kong absorbed the medicinal power much faster than before. In just a few short minutes, the crimson in the water faded to a pale red.

After a few more minutes, all the potency of the Muscle and Bone Strengthening Decoction had been absorbed. The water was still quite warm, so Nie Kong didn't rush to get out. After recalling the nine golden needles into his pet pack, he leaned lazily against the edge of the tub, closed his eyes for a brief nap, letting the hot water soothe his skin.

Before long, Nie Kong had peacefully drifted off to sleep...

...

The Hidden Blade Courtyard.

This was the residence of the successive Nie family patriarchs, a place of serene elegance. In the brightly lit courtyard, two figures sat opposite each other at a stone table, raising their cups in a toast.

The person on the left was about fifty, dressed in a purple robe, possessing a square face and a long black beard that brushed his chest. Though he exchanged pleasantries and laughter with the old man across from him, his expression held an innate aura of imposing authority.

This man was the current Nie family Patriarch, Nie Qingsong, one of the most outstanding patriarchs in the Nie family over the last three hundred years. Under his guidance, the Nie family’s strength had reached its highest peak in nearly a century.

Nie Qingsong's several children were almost all extraordinary talents.

Among them, the eldest son, Nie Fenglei, reached the First Grade of Spirit Communication at twelve, entered Spirit Fusion at fifteen, broke through to Spirit Transformation at nineteen, and reached the Ninth Grade of Spirit Transformation by twenty-five. He then became a personal disciple of the Mountain Lord at the "Moruo Sacred Mountain," and the twenty-seven-year-old Nie Fenglei was rumored to now possess the cultivation of the Second Grade of Spirit Control.

The second son, Nie Fengguan, while not as singularly brilliant as his elder brother Nie Fenglei, was also a rare prodigy. He reached the Ninth Grade of Spirit Fusion at twenty-three before Nie Qingsong sent him to the "Heaven and Earth Sect." Two full years had passed since then, and his cultivation must certainly have entered the Spirit Transformation realm.

The fourth daughter, Nie Fenghua, lived up to her name—ethereally beautiful and peerlessly graceful. Not only did she possess exceptional aptitude for spiritual cultivation, but she also showed immense talent in alchemy. At fourteen, just having entered the Spirit Communication realm, she successfully refined a Third Grade spiritual medicine, eventually being accepted as the final personal disciple by the Grand Elder of the Ink Snow Sect.

The Moruo Sacred Mountain, the Heaven and Earth Sect, and the Ink Snow Sect were all famously powerful Spirit Master sects on the Tianling Continent. The fact that Nie Fenglei, Nie Fengguan, and Nie Fenghua had entered these three sects was always a source of immense pride for Nie Qingsong, and he spoke of them with great satisfaction whenever they were mentioned.

Only the third son, Nie Fengxing, whose talent was not inferior to his second brother, stubbornly refused to focus on cultivation. In his early twenties, he was only at the Eighth Grade of Spirit Communication, falling behind even some distant branch disciples. In Jiyang City, and even within the family, he was known for being overbearing and tyrannical, causing Nie Qingsong no end of headaches.

Feng Lei, Feng Guan, Feng Xing—the third son was the weakest!

This saying was used to describe Nie Fengxing. Everyone in the family knew it, and every time Nie Qingsong saw his third son, he felt the agonizing frustration of wanting steel but ending up with mud.

"Qingsong, I hear our family has produced a rare genius recently. Are you aware?" the old man speaking had a small nose and small eyes, with a baby face that looked quite amusing when he smiled. He was the Nie family’s Ninth Elder, the youngest among the nine elders.

Nie Qingsong smiled, "Ninth Uncle, who could it be? I seem to be unaware."

The Ninth Elder grinned, "I just heard it from a few brats. They say a youngster went from the Third Grade of Spirit Gathering to the Sixth Grade of Spirit Gathering in only two days."

"Oh?"

Even for Nie Qingsong, whose heart had witnessed countless tempests, this news made his expression shift with surprise. "Three grades in two days—that truly deserves the name 'Godspeed.' For the Nie family to have such talent, and yet I, as the Patriarch, am unaware? This is indeed my dereliction of duty, Ninth Uncle, that you must inform me."

The Ninth Elder shook his head and sighed, "Don't blame yourself, Qingsong. This news only circulated today. That child was sickly since he was young; his father even asked me for help in treating him back then, but alas, it was in vain. However, the child possessed a firm spirit; even while stuck at the First Grade of Spirit Gathering, he persisted in arduous training for ten years, enduring his severe illness. Only a few days ago did his condition suddenly improve, and his cultivation followed suit with incredible speed."

"Is that so?"

Nie Qingsong was deeply moved. "Ninth Uncle, what is this child's name?"

The Ninth Elder replied, "His name is Nie Kong. He is from a side branch and belongs to the Feng generation. His father died three years ago while capturing a spirit beast."

Nie Qingsong pondered, "Three years ago? I have a slight memory now. He is Nie Qingyang’s son."

The Ninth Elder let out a loud slurp, draining the strong wine in his cup. "Qingsong, do you know what type of spiritual energy that little Nie Kong cultivates?"

Without waiting for Nie Qingsong to speak, he stated firmly, "It is Wood Element!"

"Wood Element?"

Nie Qingsong was first taken aback, then frowned slightly. "That presents a slight difficulty. Wood Element spiritual techniques and arts are far too scarce in this world, and our Nie family possesses none. The only universally applicable technique for a Wood Element Spirit Master to practice would likely be something like the 'Five Star Teleportation Art,' which is fine for the entry level, but becomes increasingly unsuitable the higher one ascends."

After a moment of thought, Nie Qingsong said, "Ninth Uncle, how about this: we observe him for a while longer. If his aptitude proves as extraordinary as they say, we will mobilize our resources and search the entire Tianling Continent for Wood Element spiritual techniques and arts for him. Such a rare talent—if not nurtured properly, it would be the greatest loss to the Nie family."

"That is sound advice," the Ninth Elder agreed, nodding his head.

"Father, Ninth Grand-Uncle, are you discussing that Nie Kong?" A young man in white robes entered the courtyard with a smile—it was Nie Fengxing.

"Shouldn't you be cultivating in the Ice Flame Cave? What brings you to the Hidden Blade Courtyard?" Nie Qingsong's face darkened with displeasure.

"Father, I just came out of the Ice Flame Cave this morning."

Nie Fengxing chuckled, then his tone turned serious. "Father, Ninth Grand-Uncle, I have also met that Nie Kong you are talking about. His talent is indeed excellent; it would be a true shame not to cultivate him properly. On the fifteenth of next month, the 'Illusion Realm' in the back mountains will open. The family must arrange for a batch of clan members under twenty to enter for trials. Why not let him go in and gain some experience? It would absolutely benefit his cultivation immensely."

"Illusion Realm?"

Nie Qingsong nodded slightly. "That is indeed a good suggestion. This time, all clan members under twenty who have reached the Sixth Grade of Spirit Gathering must enter the Illusion Realm. Since he has already reached the Sixth Grade, going in for a trial might genuinely be very beneficial to his cultivation."

Seeing that his father did not object to his suggestion, Nie Fengxing felt a secret surge of triumph. However, he noticed the Ninth Elder watching him with a benevolent smile, which made him slightly uneasy. He quickly added, "Father, Ninth Grand-Uncle, please continue your discussion. I will go see Mother." With that, he turned and bolted.

...