Seeing Nie Kong devour the herbs with the ravenous look of a starving ghost, Cheng Feiliu and the other four judges were astonished. If Nie Kong had been eating ordinary food, they wouldn't have paid much mind; it was nearly noon, and hunger was understandable.
However, Nie Kong was consuming medicinal herbs, and a large handful of herbs potent enough to refine a Fourth-Grade Spirit Elixir. This was utterly perplexing. For a moment, the judges completely forgot about examining the answer sheet Nie Kong had submitted. Lian Tianxin’s expression shifted slightly. Nie Kong taking medicine at this moment—could it be...?
“Could it be that the power inside the young fellow is acting up again?”
Nie Xingyun, seated in the VIP area below the high platform, couldn't help but let his smile fade, frowning with concern. He hoped it wouldn't interfere with the fourth round of the competition.
“Master Xingyun, what is your prized disciple doing?” A little old man from the Mu family of Luocheng asked curiously from the VIP seats.
“How would I know? Why don’t you go ask him yourself?” Nie Xingyun was focused entirely on his disciple’s condition and had no patience for pleasantries, retorting without turning his head.
“Is this old fellow eating the wrong medicine? If I could just go up and ask, why would I bother asking you?” The little old man rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath.
“……”
Having finished one handful of herbs, Nie Kong dug into his robes again and pulled out another bundle, continuing to stuff it into his mouth. Cheng Feiliu and the others watched, slack-jawed, exchanging bewildered glances.
Although consuming high-grade herbs wasn't as dangerous as ingesting a finished Spirit Elixir, they certainly weren't meant to be eaten indiscriminately. Yet here was Nie Kong, treating them like snacks. In just this short time, they estimated he had ingested at least five different types of herbs, two of which were known to have clashing properties.
“Brother Tianxin, what is your disciple up to?” Fu Erongqi inquired.
“Everyone…”
Lian Tianxin offered a dry laugh. “My disciple has suffered from a serious illness since childhood. Although it has improved, it hasn't been completely eradicated. He still needs to take medicinal herbs regularly to suppress the condition. But don't worry, a little bit of medicine will suffice. Now, come, let’s see how my disciple’s answer sheet looks!”
“Eh?”
As soon as Lian Tianxin finished speaking, Que Yu couldn't help but gasp softly.
The others followed Que Yu’s gaze to the paper in his hand. Moments later, they understood why Que Yu looked so astonished. Nie Kong had managed to write down three components of the ‘Blood Shadow Pill’ on the paper: Dianying Flower, Snail Sword Sheath Grass, and Luosu Herb.
“All three are correct!” Cheng Feiliu exclaimed, his voice laced with surprise.
“Brother Tianxin, your disciple possesses incredibly keen perception,” Que Yu marveled. “My ‘Blood Shadow Pill’ requires five herbs for refining: Blood Ruyi, Dianying Flower, Snail Sword Sheath Grass, Luosu Herb, and Cracked Calyx Purple Velvet. This young fellow, relying only on the medicinal power lingering from a single ‘Blood Shadow Pill,’ managed to identify three of them! It seems your disciple will once again take the lead in this third round!”
Qu Tingyun suddenly interjected, “There is also a fourth medicine listed at the bottom, but it has been thoroughly smeared over with ink. Can you discern what it was?”
Que Yu shook his head. “It’s very difficult; not a trace of the handwriting remains. What? Master Tingyun, do you suspect that the fourth medicine this young fellow wrote down is also correct?”
That wasn't an impossible scenario. The old men huddled their heads together, scrutinizing the paper intensely. Unfortunately, Nie Kong had blotted out the writing too completely; not a single mark remained. Seeing this, Lian Tianxin couldn't help but chuckle. “My disciple is right here; why don't we just ask him?”
Cheng Feiliu and the others paused, then burst into relieved laughter. Of course! Such a simple matter, and they needed to be prompted to think of it—the boy had thoroughly muddled their minds. Thus, Mu Zisi leaped over in three quick strides and hauled Nie Kong, who was still diligently chewing his herbs, over to them.
Nie Kong, herbs dangling from his mouth, stated, “The fourth one I wrote down was Small Jade Dragon Whip.”
“Small Jade Dragon Whip?”
A wave of disappointment washed over the crowd. Que Yu laughed. “Being able to name three is already exceedingly rare, Brother Tianxin. How about you let me have your disciple? I will offer one Sixth-Grade Spirit Elixir.”
Hearing this, not only Lian Tianxin and Nie Kong paused, but Cheng Feiliu and the others snapped back to attention, their minds quickly turning active.
“If Nie Kong is willing to join my Luoxia Sect, I will offer two Sixth-Grade Spirit Elixirs,” Fu Erong chimed in, unwilling to be left out.
“Three!”
Qu Tingyun held up three fingers, looking at Nie Kong with an exceptionally warm smile, the gaze reminiscent of a doting grandmother looking at her beloved grandson.
“Four!” Que Yu snorted.
“One…”
Cheng Feiliu raised his index finger and spoke in a deep voice. Just as Que Yu and the others opened their mouths, about to scoff, he added, “…a Seventh-Grade Spirit Elixir! My Royal Family can provide him with any medicinal supplies needed to study alchemy and suppress his condition. Furthermore, we will spare no effort in searching for Wood-elemental Spirit Arts and techniques to aid his cultivation.”
This declaration silenced Que Yu, Fu Erong, and Qu Tingyun. To exchange Nie Kong for a single Seventh-Grade Spirit Elixir—the Royal Family was certainly willing to pay a heavy price.
“Heh heh.”
Mu Zisi let out a strange chuckle and addressed Nie Kong leisurely. “If this little fellow is willing to come to the Mu family, the Mu family can not only agree to all the conditions Brother Cheng listed but will also add two more Seventh-Grade Spirit Elixirs. Moreover, I will personally invite that elder of the Mu family to instruct Nie Kong directly.”
Before the old man Mu finished his highly seductive proposal, everyone, including Cheng Feiliu, shook their heads in resignation.
Wealth beyond measure!
This was true, staggering wealth!
Cheng Feiliu and the others knew that the Mu family elder Mu Zisi mentioned must be the Seventh-Grade Alchemist in the Mu family who had already reached the Heavenly Spirit realm. While a Seventh-Grade Spirit Elixir could still potentially be acquired through effort, the existence of a Seventh-Grade Alchemist from the Mu family meant that the Royal Family and other aristocratic houses would have to step aside.
Such generous terms made it difficult not to be tempted.
Lian Tianxin remained silent. No matter how favorable the conditions, he was unwilling to give up his disciple. Yet, he also understood the allure of having a Seventh-Grade Alchemist as a master. If one could become the disciple of a Seventh-Grade Alchemist, forget a young fellow like Nie Kong; even an old man like himself would be intensely moved and find the choice agonizing.
If Nie Kong agreed to Mu Zisi’s offer, Lian Tianxin would not have the standing to stop him.
Nie Kong found the bidding war among these esteemed elders absurdly comical. He never imagined that merely writing down the three ingredients of a First-Grade Spirit Elixir would turn him into a coveted prize fought over by the Cheng family of the Royal Clan, the Mu family of Luocheng, the Qu family of Lifeng, the Que family of Yege, and the Luoxia Sect.
“Little fellow, what is your opinion?” Mu Zisi asked with a grin. He couldn't believe anyone in this world could refuse the opportunity to become the disciple of a Seventh-Grade Alchemist. Besides, this wasn't asking Nie Kong to betray his own clan; in the future, he could serve both families equally well once he achieved success.
“My surname is Nie!”
Nie Kong spoke only those three words and then fell silent, returning to chewing his herbs. His statement wasn't born from a fierce sense of belonging to the Nie family; it was simply because Nie Xingyun and Lian Tianxin had treated him, their disciple, exceptionally well. How could he switch allegiance for a brighter future?
Mu Zisi started, then shook his head with disappointment. He knew that someone like Nie Kong, who possessed such an acute sensitivity to medicinal power, was an invaluable treasure to any major family. Cheng Feiliu and the others also sighed, though theirs was a sigh of relief. Among the Five Great Clans, the Nie family and the Mu family had always shared the closest ties. If this relationship were further strengthened by Nie Kong joining the Mu family, it might upset the balance among the Five Great Clans.
Lian Tianxin stroked his bright red beard, his face filled with deep satisfaction. He truly had not misjudged this disciple…
…… P: Some friends might feel that the recent plot progression has been a bit verbose. However, I believe that in addition to direct description, describing the reactions and psychological activities of others is also very necessary. If the protagonist just keeps passing trials without any reaction from others, the sense of satisfaction won't be highlighted.
For example, if someone constantly boasts to others about how outstanding and excellent their disciple is, the result might be that nobody pays attention or believes them. But at this moment, if several highly respected figures suddenly jump out, scrambling to claim that person’s disciple, the situation changes completely. Once this contrast emerges, others will immediately be astonished: Wow, his disciple really is that outstanding.
Like in this chapter, there’s no need to directly state how brilliant the protagonist is; showcasing it through the reactions of others immediately achieves the desired effect. Therefore, if readers feel the chapters are long-winded, you can save them up and read them all together. The feeling after binge-reading is entirely different.
Of course, while saving up chapters, please try clicking and casting one or two votes daily to offer support. Thank you very much. ……