Need immediate fire support, robbing tickets now! (∩_∩)~。。 …… The more Nie Kong considered it, the higher the probability of this speculation became.

There were only a few medicinal herbs in this world comparable to the "Fire Tree Silver Flower," and the chance of a mere hunter stumbling upon one was virtually zero. Currently, the only thing in Jiyang City that could excite the little creature this much was likely the "Fire Tree Silver Flower"!

However, the imperial estate was still several li away from this location. Why would the Fourth Prince secretly bring the "Fire Tree Silver Flower" here?

Amidst his confusion, an overwhelming wave of ecstasy surged involuntarily in Nie Kong's chest. Cheng Zixuan had taken the "Fire Tree Silver Flower" out of the imperial estate alone; didn't that mean he had a strong chance of obtaining this peerless miraculous medicine?

This thought made Nie Kong's heart begin to race. Still, despite his joy, Nie Kong did not follow immediately.

With the little creature along, as long as they weren't too far apart, it would be hard to lose track of them even if he tried. "Creeak!" Just as Cheng Zixuan's figure was about to turn into another alley, the door of a nearby residence opened again, and another young man emerged.

Nie Kong took a closer look and realized the latter strongly resembled the Fifth Prince, who had appeared at the auction. Like Cheng Zixuan, he was disguised: his fair skin had turned a waxy yellow, and two small mustaches adorned his upper lip, making him appear much more mature than before.

Of course, compared to his younger brother, Cheng Zixuan's transformation was even more subversive of his usual dashing and handsome image. If it hadn't been for the little creature’s cry that drew Nie Kong’s attention to the basket, and subsequently to the person carrying it, Nie Kong wouldn't have noticed him even if he had walked right past him.

Closing the door, the Fifth Prince trailed Cheng Zixuan from a distance. Nie Kong held his breath, and only when the Fifth Prince also disappeared around the corner of the alley did he follow behind...

…… This was a dense residential area, crisscrossed with narrow lanes. Both Cheng Zixuan and the Fifth Prince were extremely cautious.

After making several turns, Cheng Zixuan set down his basket to rest, while the Fifth Prince deliberately hid to wait, seemingly intending to observe if anyone was following them. If it weren't for the fluctuations in distance from the "Fire Tree Silver Flower" causing the little creature's mood to shift, allowing Nie Kong to notice the clues and decisively halt his steps, he might have been caught red-handed by the Fifth Prince hiding around the corner if he had continued walking normally.

After that moment of observation, both of them relaxed considerably. They walked one behind the other for two or three li, finally entering a small courtyard one after the other.

Moments later, Nie Kong cautiously appeared outside the residence. By this time, he too was drastically changed in appearance.

His white robes had been swapped for black garments, and the hair casually tied at the back of his head was now unbound. His face appeared gaunt, with a slightly crooked mouth and nose—a complete stranger.

Quickly circling the small courtyard halfway, Nie Kong finally entered a hidden, narrow gap, sat cross-legged, and quietly circulated the "Wood Sun True Spirit Art," instantly sharpening his hearing. Nie Kong had already confirmed through the little creature’s cries that this location was closest to the "Fire Tree Silver Flower." Before long, he indeed heard hushed whispers: "...We're safe now.

That was too close; I was nearly scared to death." "Yes, Fifth Brother. Neither of us should go out these few days.

That basket is loaded with enough food for us to last several days. As long as we don't arouse suspicion, no one will find this place.

And that box is forged from 'Spirit-Severing Jade Essence'; it won't leak even the slightest trace of aura." "Heh heh, understood, Fourth Brother. It’s all thanks to the secret tunnel under that estate over there—one that even the Nie family doesn't know about.

Otherwise, it really would have been troublesome. Now, Imperial Grand-Uncle..." "Sit down and stop talking!" "......" After that, complete silence reigned inside.

Nie Kong suddenly understood. By making brief deductions from the information revealed in the words of Cheng Zixuan and his brother, Nie Kong could grasp Cheng Feiliu's intention.

He probably felt that keeping the "Fire Tree Silver Flower" in the imperial estate was extremely unsafe, so he utilized that hidden tunnel to have the Cheng brothers transport it here, while Cheng Feiliu could maintain the illusion that the "Fire Tree Silver Flower" remained in the estate, continuing to draw attention elsewhere. It had to be said that Cheng Feiliu's plan was incredibly bold, yet simultaneously quite safe.

Nie Kong had heard of the material called "Spirit-Severing Jade Essence"; it was a type of jade that could completely isolate all spiritual energy signatures. Since the "Fire Tree Silver Flower" possessed potent medicinal power and radiated a strong spiritual aura, placing it inside a box crafted from "Spirit-Severing Jade Essence" would render it undetectable, even to a Heavenly Spirit expert.

Unfortunately, Cheng Feiliu and his cohorts had miscalculated one thing: Nie Kong harbored a little rogue inside his body—the "Purple Luo Phantom Spirit Incense." Without that little rogue, even if Nie Kong had chanced upon them transporting the "Fire Tree Silver Flower," he would have found it impossible to detect. Understanding the reason, Nie Kong's eagerness intensified.

If the "Fire Tree Silver Flower" were still in the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, he wouldn't have dared to covet it; nor would he have conceived such a thought while it was in the imperial estate. But now that the "Fire Tree Silver Flower" had ended up here, and he had run into it, wouldn't it be a colossal waste of a prime opportunity not to try and seize it?

Only the two Cheng brothers were here. If he could neutralize them, stuff the "Fire Tree Silver Flower" into his pet backpack, and escape, it would absolutely go unnoticed.

The only current concern was how to incapacitate them silently. Among the two inside, Cheng Zixuan was a Spirit Fusion Master.

While Nie Kong couldn't pinpoint his brother's cultivation precisely, he could make an educated guess. Being born into the imperial family, the Fifth Prince had access to superior cultivation environments and an endless supply of spiritual elixirs.

Even if he hadn't broken through to Spirit Fusion, he must at least be at the fifth or sixth stage of Spirit Manifestation, roughly equivalent to Nie Kong’s own level. One Spirit Fusion, one Spirit Manifestation...

trouble! Should he seek help from his two masters?

The thought popped up only to be immediately dismissed by Nie Kong. If he mentioned this to Nie Xingyun and Lian Tianxin, they would certainly take the "Fire Tree Silver Flower" without a second thought, perhaps even eliminating the two princes along the way.

But if that happened, it would be none of Nie Kong's business. If it weren't for the little creature needing to be fed, he wouldn't mind if his family obtained a wondrous medicine like the "Fire Tree Silver Flower." But the problem was that the little creature was simply too gluttonous!

Nie Kong pondered for a long time in his mind. To seize the "Fire Tree Silver Flower" by brute force was impossible under the current conditions; only stratagem would work.

Given the present circumstances, the foundation for any stratagem could only be achieved through medicine... "Mind-Bewitching Incense!" Suddenly, Nie Kong's eyes lit up.

A second-tier drug from the Demon Devil Game surfaced in his mind. That "Mind-Bewitching Incense" possessed hallucinogenic effects and was often used by lower-level players to grind monsters.

When lit, nearby monsters would become dazed upon smelling the aroma, but they would instantly snap out of it if attacked. Moreover, this drug only affected ordinary monsters; Elite and B-rank monsters were immune to its negative effects.

If he could refine the "Mind-Bewitching Incense," perhaps it could genuinely be put to use! Nie Kong held his breath, stilled his mind, and quietly retreated from the narrow gap...

……