This area, originally several adjoining courtyards, had been completely cleared to accommodate this "Thousand Spirits Medicine Meet." Now, the extraordinarily spacious shed teemed with young Spirit Alchemists, arranged in twenty columns according to the numbers they received during registration.

When Nie Kong entered through the side door near the perimeter wall, he was genuinely startled. He had expected the grand competition of the Medicine Meet to perhaps host five hundred participants, yet the wooden structure was packed solid; a quick estimate suggested at least a thousand young men and women, all in their late teens or early twenties.

Could it be that every Spirit Alchemist under twenty-five in the Dacheng Empire has shown up for this contest? Nie Kong muttered inwardly. His initial reason for joining the Medicine Meet competition was to satisfy the requests of Nie Xingyun and Lian Tianxin, but hearing that the final rewards included some exceedingly precious medicinal herbs had certainly piqued his own interest.

Some people sat with their eyes closed, conserving energy; others glanced around curiously; some whispered amongst themselves; and still others adopted a facade of composure, though the tell-tale twitching at the corners of their mouths betrayed their underlying tension. Nie Kong only took a brief look around before heading to find his assigned spot with his number token.

"Nie Kong, Nie Kong…"

A hushed, suppressed feminine cry reached his ears. Nie Kong quickly turned his head to see a girl in green robes waving frantically at him from the first column of Spirit Alchemists—it was Mu Xiaoling.

"What is it?" Nie Kong walked toward her.

"Your spot is right behind me," Mu Xiaoling replied, rolling her eyes playfully.

"How do you know?"

"Of course, I know. Sister Feng Yan from the Nie family's Alchemy Hall came to register you yesterday afternoon, and I was the one who gave her the number token." Mu Xiaoling grinned mischievously, flashing her own token in front of Nie Kong. "Right? Come on, hurry up, slip in behind me."

"Slip in behind you?"

Hearing that, Nie Kong couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. How suggestive did that sound, especially coming from such a delicate and pretty girl? He cleared his throat twice with an "ahem," suppressing his laughter, and said, "Little Sister Xiaoling, then I truly will slip in behind you."

"Go on, slip in, slip in," Mu Xiaoling said, slightly confused by his reaction, waving her fair, delicate hand with suspicion.

"I'm in."

And so, Nie Kong seriously took his place directly behind the 'Little Sister Ling.' At that moment, the young man standing behind him could no longer hold back. With a trembling hand, he pointed at both Nie Kong and Mu Xiaoling while clutching his stomach and erupting into a strange, cackling laugh. Soon, he was red-faced and tearing up from mirth.

Mu Xiaoling was utterly bewildered, replaying the scene in her mind. Gradually, she grasped the double meaning in their exchange. Her delicate cheeks instantly flushed a vibrant crimson. She glared at the boy behind Nie Kong, feigning annoyance: "Xiao Jiang, if you laugh any louder, I’ll beat you!"

"Sister Xiaoling, I won't laugh anymore, you two carry on slipping... Pfft, no, I can't help it!" the youth strained, his face tight, before bursting out laughing again and doubling over, pounding the ground with his fists. The nearby Spirit Alchemists who had vaguely understood what was happening exchanged knowing, odd smiles.

Seeing Nie Kong’s lips twitching from holding back his own laughter, Mu Xiaoling’s cheeks burned even hotter, and she stamped her foot in exasperation: "I'm ignoring both of you, you two bad eggs."

No one spoke. Feeling a bit bored standing still, Nie Kong cautiously reached out to lightly touch Mu Xiaoling's sharply defined, fragrant shoulder in front of him and asked with a smile, "Little Sister Xiaoling, with such a lively scene, why didn't Hong Ling come to take a look?" It hadn't been long since Hong Ling had returned to the capital, Luocheng, after her experience training in the Illusory Realm.

Mu Xiaoling was still a bit flustered and huffed without turning around, "She secretly snuck into Jiyang City to play a while ago, which made her father furious. So, as soon as she got back, she was locked up at home to cultivate. They said she isn't allowed to go anywhere until she breaks through to the sixth stage of Spirit Fusion. She tried to sneak out again a few days ago, but her father caught her before she even left Luocheng."

"I see," Nie Kong couldn't help but smile wryly. Given Mu Hongling’s naturally energetic and active temperament, forcing her into cultivation was probably more painful to her than death.

"Sister Xiaoling, look quickly, the Fourth Prince of the Royal Family is here!" The youth who had been wiping tears while pounding the ground suddenly jumped up and exclaimed in surprise.

Nie Kong and Mu Xiaoling turned their gazes simultaneously and indeed saw a white silhouette appear at the side entrance by the wall. The person looked about twenty, tall and slender, with a handsome face graced by a faint, almost imperceptible smile. His snow-white robes made him look utterly elegant and outstanding.

"Why is he here to participate in this competition too?" Mu Xiaoling frowned slightly.

"Is this Fourth Prince very formidable?" Nie Kong asked with a smile, surveying the crowd. He noticed that quite a few of the composed Spirit Alchemists were beginning to look worried, their heads drooping dejectedly. Even more Spirit Alchemists had clustered together, chattering noisily, seemingly all discussing the Fourth Prince.

"Do I even need to say? Among the well-known Spirit Alchemists under twenty-five in the Dacheng Empire, there are only a handful. Sister Xiaoling is one, Qu Xinyi of the Qu family counts as another, and then there's Yu Qingguan from the Falling Sunset Sect. They can all successfully refine Grade Three spiritual medicines, bringing them infinitely close to becoming Grade Three Spirit Alchemists. But the most formidable of all is His Highness the Fourth Prince. I heard he is already a Grade Three Spirit Alchemist, and his success rate in medicine formulation is astonishingly high."

After briefing the ill-informed Nie Kong, Mu Xinjiang cheerfully introduced himself with a smile, "Big Brother Nie Kong, I am Mu Xinjiang, Mu Xiaoling's cousin. Sister Xiaoling has told me about you. You are the apprentice of Master Nie Xingyun and Master Lian Tianxin, so your skill surely can't be lacking. This time, your opponent and Sister Xiaoling's opponents will be the Fourth Prince, Qu Xinyi, and Yu Qingguan. As for me? Don't mind me; I'm just here to fill out the numbers."

So, he’s just here for a cameo role!

Nie Kong nodded with a faint smile. Among these nearly one thousand Spirit Alchemists, it seemed quite a few were just like Mu Xinjiang, there to make up the numbers.

"Big Brother Nie Kong, Sister Xiaoling, don't worry too much. So what if he's a Grade Three Spirit Alchemist? The Medicine Meet competition doesn't solely test the grade level of the medicine refined. I believe you still have a great chance of seeing the end smiling," Mu Xinjiang stated maturely, trying to comfort the two.

"Shut your mouth! Always chattering, so annoying!" Mu Xiaoling shot him an annoyed look, clearly still holding a grudge about him laughing at her earlier.

"Then I thank you for your kind words," Nie Kong replied with a smile.

As they spoke, the Fourth Prince arrived beside the line of Spirit Alchemists and smiled gently at Mu Xiaoling: "Xiaoling, I am pleased to see you are here as well. It seems for this Thousand Spirits Medicine Meet, I have finally encountered an opponent against whom I can exert half of my strength. I hope Qu Xinyi of the Qu family and Yu Qingguan of the Falling Sunset Sect also show up; a few more opponents would prevent me from being too lonely. Otherwise, even if I win, it would be quite dull."

"Your Highness will not be disappointed. As far as I know, both Qu Xinyi and Yu Qingguan have also registered," Mu Xiaoling replied, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, feeling a touch of displeasure.

"Excellent! I heard the prizes prepared by the Mu family this time far surpass previous Thousand Spirits Medicine Meets. I am very eager to know what those prizes are. I am determined to take first place in this competition. Xiaoling, if we meet in the final round, I certainly will not show any mercy," the Fourth Prince concluded, then proceeded with a gentle smile.

"Arrogant beyond measure!"

Watching his retreating figure, Mu Xiaoling muttered furiously under her breath, "No wonder Grandpa kept the Number One token; it was prepared for him."

"Yes, does he think the rest of us Spirit Alchemists are made of mud?"

Mu Xinjiang also clenched his fists in anger and grumbled, "If only Sister Hong Ling had a bit more talent in alchemy, otherwise, with her cultivation at the fifth stage of Spirit Fusion, not only Grade Three spiritual medicine, but even Grade Four might not be impossible. Then, he wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous!"

Seeing their vexed expressions, Nie Kong couldn't help but smile faintly.

The Fourth Prince had maintained a gentle smile and a soft tone throughout, yet his words carried an undisguised haughtiness. Moreover, the way he spoke made him appear incredibly refined and courteous. Speaking like this effectively meant he held Mu Xiaoling in utter contempt, making him even more detestable...