The faint shhh sound echoed continuously. Seeing the sand in the hourglass dwindling, some Spirit Alchemists listlessly set down their medicine cauldrons, while others broke into a sweat from anxiety—especially the few who had guessed the correct formula, who desperately wished the "Myriad Transformation Pill" would manifest instantly.

Suddenly, the sound of the hourglass ceased abruptly.

"Stop!"

Mo Xingtu shouted.

Regardless of their reluctance, the busy Spirit Alchemists all paused, their faces slightly pale as they glanced at the enormous hourglass before the high platform.

A fair-skinned youth, as if waking from a dream, suddenly began laughing wildly, gesturing with his hands: "I understand, it's Ice Disk Water, Ice Disk Water, hahahaha..." As he spoke, the youth tossed all the other ingredients save the Ice Disk Water into his cauldron, slamming the lid shut with a bang.

Just as the youth was about to channel his spiritual power to begin refining the medicine, he abruptly sensed the atmosphere around him was strange. He quickly turned his head, only to see everyone staring at him with peculiar expressions, as if watching a gorilla leap into their midst. The youth instantly realized the situation and his face flushed with embarrassment.

"Whoa!"

The Spirit Alchemists on the high platform burst into laughter. The initial frustration and gloom in their hearts were somewhat eased by this small interlude. Without waiting for Mo Xingtu's command, the failed Spirit Alchemists began descending the steps. In a moment, the line of nearly a thousand competitors was reduced to a mere two or three hundred.

"Verify the medicine!"

Mo Xingtu waved his hand, and the dozen or so Third-Grade Spirit Alchemists, who had already made preparations, quickly ascended the platform to begin their inspections.

"Medicinal power integration sixty percent, pass!"

"Medicinal power integration eighty percent, pass!"

"..."

On the high platform, those who received the commendation of "pass" felt instantly relieved, chatting easily with their competitors who had also passed the first trial. Especially those who succeeded by luck seemed even more eager to share their excitement.

Naturally, some individuals attempting to pass off inferior work were ruthlessly driven off the platform by the verifying Alchemists.

"Eighty-six percent, pass!"

A Spirit Alchemist, about thirty years old, sniffed the "Myriad Transformation Pill" refined by Nie Xiaoling, nodded with satisfaction, and then approached Nie Kong.

Looking at the miniature medicine cauldron on the low table, small enough to be held entirely within one hand, a barely concealed smile touched the Alchemist's face.

Earlier, while observing the competition from the front of the platform, he had found the youth's small cauldron amusing, yet was astonished by the speed at which he identified the formula and refined the spirit medicine. Now that it was time to verify his creation, he was eager to see the result.

"Eighty... eighty-nine percent? No, ninety percent!"

The moment the lid was lifted, the rich medicinal fragrance caused the Alchemist's expression to change. He exclaimed involuntarily, staring at Nie Kong, who had just opened his eyes. A Second-Grade Spirit Medicine achieving ninety percent integration wasn't exactly astonishing, but for a Second-Grade Spirit Alchemist to refine it was remarkable.

Furthermore, this was the youth's first time refining the "Myriad Transformation Pill"! If he were allowed to refine it a few more times, further increases in integration might not be impossible.

"Ninety percent?"

The several Spirit Alchemists nearby all widened their eyes in astonishment upon hearing this. Especially Mu Xinjiang, who stared with his mouth agape, looking as if he had just met Nie Kong for the first time. Although Mu Xiaoling had told him about Nie Kong, it was only trivial information; matters like what happened on the top floor of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion yesterday were completely unknown to him.

Mu Xiaoling, however, remained relatively composed. After winning against Nie Kong yesterday when refining the "Heart Returning Dew," she possessed a slight sense of superiority. But after learning that Nie Kong was the owner of that bottle of "Rejuvenation Dew" and hearing Mo Xingtu mention the ten bottles of "Purple Li Pill," her superiority vanished completely.

Since Nie Kong could refine "Rejuvenation Dew" with ten-tenths integration and produce large quantities of "Purple Li Pill" with over ninety-five percent integration, refining a "Myriad Transformation Pill" at ninety percent integration was hardly surprising. It only deepened Mu Xiaoling's curiosity about him.

"You aren't mistaken?"

Unlike Mu Xiaoling, Nie Kong himself was somewhat surprised.

He had initially estimated his "Myriad Transformation Pill's" integration to be around eighty percent; he hadn't expected the verifying Alchemist to claim ninety percent.

Recalling the refining process, Nie Kong suddenly felt a stirring in his heart. This time, he hadn't used the "Medicine Cauldron Phantom Body," yet the little fellow had acted extremely excited, its stems, leaves, and roots all dancing happily. At the time, Nie Kong hadn't paid much attention, but thinking back now, the little fellow seemed to have voluntarily separated a sliver of medicinal essence and merged it into his spiritual power, which was then injected into the small cauldron.

Could it be that when refining spirit medicines found in the Demon and Fiend game, the "Violet Luo Illusionary Spirit Incense" becomes agitated? Nie Kong subconsciously tried to communicate with the little fellow but found no information on this matter. Perhaps that action stemmed purely from instinct?

After the Medicine Gathering concludes, I must refine a few more "Myriad Transformation Pills" to test it! With thoughts flashing rapidly, Nie Kong silently made a decision.

"How could my judgment be wrong?"

The Spirit Alchemist chuckled dryly. "I didn't expect you to refine supreme-grade spirit medicine using such a small cauldron. Work hard, and I hope you can last until the end." The Alchemist took the Myriad Transformation Pill, fiddled with it for a moment, then placed it back down and moved to Mu Xinjiang beside him.

"Seventy-two percent..."

"Yes!"

Mu Xinjiang waved his fist and cheered before the Alchemist could finish speaking.

Nie Kong smiled faintly. He hadn't paid attention to the surrounding activity earlier, so seeing Mu Xinjiang pass the first trial didn't surprise him. After all, this fellow hailed from the Mu family of Luo City; even if he was just here to spectate, he could last longer than many other idle observers.

Mu Xinjiang quickly bounced over to Nie Kong, his face full of adoration. "Brother Nie Kong, you are too amazing! I am certain you are the very first person to identify the correct formula, successfully refine the 'Myriad Transformation Pill,' and achieve ninety percent medicinal integration."

"Brother, since your surname is Nie, I presume you hail from the Nie family?" Before Nie Kong could reply, a gentle voice interjected from the side.

"That is correct."

Nie Kong rose and smiled.

The speaker was the Fourth Prince, dressed in white, handsome and dashing, uniquely distinguished. The warm smile on his face easily won favor, unless one recalled the words he had spoken to Mu Xiaoling. Then again, a figure like this, placed on the Earth of his previous life, regardless of his true nature, would undoubtedly become an idol star, drawing screams and adoration from countless girls.

"To refine a 'Myriad Transformation Pill' with ninety percent integration in such a short time, you are quite good. I didn't expect the younger generation of the Nie family to possess such an outstanding Spirit Alchemist. I hope to see you in the final round," the Fourth Prince praised him, then smiled and departed.

"Haha, Brother Nie Kong, didn't he say he hopes to see you in the final round? Then go all the way to the end and make him concede defeat wholeheartedly," Mu Xinjiang laughed proudly, as if Nie Kong's soul had possessed him, drawing a sharp glare from Mu Xiaoling.

"..."

Nie Kong shook his head and smiled. Mu Xinjiang hoped he would win until the end, but little did he know that if Nie Kong truly took first place, the person most vexed would likely be Master Mu Zisi, as it would mean facing constant ridicule from Nie Xingyun for a long time to come.

.