The sandstone block where Sha Yan sat was a full foot higher than the others. From below, one could clearly take in every movement the man made.

Nie Kong’s expression shifted slightly as he meticulously observed the fluctuation in the intensity of the flames emanating from Sha Yan’s palms. Can medicinal elixirs be refined like this? In Jiyang City, he had witnessed Nie Xingyun and Lian Tianxin refining low-grade elixirs, both employing only a single palm to control the flame's intensity.

Is there some profound secret to dual-palm fire control?

Staring at Sha Yan ahead, Nie Kong couldn't help but feel a stirring of ambition. Sha Yan’s control over the flame was precise to the finest detail; the two masses of fire from his palms surged like tides, yet the expressions of the disciples from the Yaoxin Hall suggested they felt not the slightest warmth radiating from them.

It seemed all the heat was concentrated at the tips of the flames, now intertwined as one, impacting the suspended medicine cauldron without wasting a single wisp of energy.

“‘Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl’?”

“Is this the legendary ‘Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl’ technique? Indeed, seeing it in person is far better than merely hearing tales of it. The Deputy Hall Master has cultivated this technique to the stage of sheer perfection.”

Faint murmurs rippled through the side hall. Sha Yan remained outwardly unchanged, wholly focused on manipulating the fire. However, Luo Ren quietly turned his head, letting his stern gaze sweep across the assembly. Instantly, the preceding murmurs vanished without a trace.

Hearing the words “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” a spark ignited in little Nie Kong’s mind. He suddenly recalled the various refining techniques from the ‘Demon’ game. Looking again at Sha Yan’s movements, he realized that apart from the inability to use Fire Spirit Power in the game, the motions were largely identical.

What was even more marvelous was that the refining technique in the ‘Demon’ game was also named “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl.”

Since “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” could be discovered and utilized by the Spirit Alchemists of the Tianling Continent, perhaps the other refining techniques from the game could also be realized here?

For Nie Kong, a max-level Pharmacist from his previous life in the ‘Demon’ game, those refining techniques were already ingrained in his muscle memory. If he could deploy them in the current world, wouldn’t refining elixirs become infinitely easier? At this wonderful thought, a faint smile played on the corner of Nie Kong’s lips.

“Dong!”

A light sound dragged Nie Kong from his reverie. His gaze returned to the Deputy Hall Master, only to see that the flames from both palms had disappeared, and the medicine cauldron had just settled back onto the table.

Lifting the lid, a small sphere, crystal clear as jade and white as snow, materialized. Sha Yan fixed his eyes on the crowd and stated in a deep voice, “This is the concentrated medicinal power fused from the six preceding ingredients. When refining the third-grade elixir, the ‘Snow Melting Pill,’ place this together with the final ingredient simultaneously. It can increase the success rate of the finished product by thirty percent.”

Here, Sha Yan paused briefly, then raised his tone: “Did you all clearly see my technique just now? To fuse the six ingredients into this ball of power, one must employ ‘Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl.’ The moment you can successfully fuse the medicinal power, you will have mastered ‘Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl.’”

“Comprehend it yourselves. I will return in seven days to examine your progress!”

As Sha Yan finished speaking, the side hall fell silent. Everyone stared blankly at one another. Although the “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” refining technique was not overly complex in theory, it demanded extremely strict control over Spirit Power. To expect them to master it after only one viewing was simply too much to ask!

Only a small minority of disciples who had previously studied the “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” technique elsewhere secretly rejoiced, eagerly anticipating showing off their skills during the examination in seven days.

“It seems you haven’t quite grasped it!”

Sha Yan gently stroked his sparse goatee. “Since that is the case, I shall select someone from among you to demonstrate, and then I will point out the crucial aspects based on their performance.” Having said that, Sha Yan’s gaze landed directly on Nie Kong, his narrow eyes slightly squinted: “You, come forward!”

“Me?”

Upon hearing that Sha Yan intended to select a disciple for a demonstration, Nie Kong felt an immediate sense of foreboding. Sure enough, Sha Yan ignored the other disciples and immediately singled him out. This kind of “demonstration” was never easy. If he performed poorly, he would not only be humiliated publicly but would also endure a torrent of fierce reprimands from Sha Yan. Perhaps the old man intended precisely that.

With no other choice, Nie Kong managed to gather his spirit, stood up straight, and strode forward. While his outward demeanor remained calm, his mind worked rapidly, recalling the “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” technique from the ‘Demon’ game. Unconsciously, a smile surfaced on Nie Kong’s face.

When he reached Sha Yan, Nie Kong offered a slight bow.

“Begin,” Sha Yan glanced at Nie Kong without adding more, merely gesturing expressionlessly toward the medicine cauldron and the ingredient box before him, saying lightly.

Nie Kong acknowledged this and, dispensing with the meditation cushion, sat cross-legged directly facing the crowd beside Sha Yan. After a brief recollection, he began adding herbs into the cauldron.

Watching Nie Kong’s actions, almost all the disciples looked on with expectation. However, their expected outcomes varied. Some were curious to see the standard displayed by the “Medicine Testing Maniac” who had caused such a stir in Lingyu City over the past two days. Even more hoped to see Nie Kong utterly disgraced in public.

As for Luo Ren, a strange smile played on his face, and his gaze toward Nie Kong was tinged with an unmistakable schadenfreude.

Luo Ren had anticipated this result ever since he first saw Nie Kong wearing white clothes earlier. He had been taught by Deputy Hall Master Sha Yan himself, and he understood the Deputy Hall Master’s temperament perfectly, knowing he most despised any display of individuality among disciples.

According to the rules of Lingyu City, during lectures, assessments, competitions, ceremonies, and similar occasions, disciples were required to wear the standard robes issued by the city. Yet, now, during Sha Yan’s lecture, Nie Kong openly defied this rule by wearing white robes. Wasn't he just asking for trouble?

“Shun!”

The six ingredients were all added, and the cauldron lid snapped shut with a bang.

Nie Kong took a light breath, tapped the side of the cauldron with his right palm, and the vessel immediately vibrated with a hum and soared high into the air. Nie Kong couldn't manipulate the Heaven and Earth Spirit Power with a mere thought to keep the cauldron suspended, as Sha Yan could. He had to rely on this rather crude method.

“Chi! Chi!”

His acupoints vibrated, and the ‘Wood Sun True Spirit Art’ circulated rapidly. Two dense masses of emerald-green Spirit Power soared from his palms. As the cauldron stopped rising and began to descend, the searing heat contained within the Spirit Power acted like cats catching the scent of fish—it instantly boiled up.

For a moment, the Wood Spirit Power erupting from Nie Kong’s palms flared up like fiercely burning flames, rapidly escalating the oppressive heat. Just as the cauldron was about to touch the flame tips, it abruptly halted its descent, rotating slowly above the two flames in Nie Kong’s hands.

“How the two sources of fire are fused is the most critical next step!” Seeing Nie Kong’s mutated Wood Spirit Power, Sha…

Everyone focused their attention, watching Nie Kong with keen interest. After hearing his nickname, “Medicine Testing Maniac,” most knew Nie Kong practiced mutated Wood Spirit Power, but hearing about it was one thing; seeing him deploy it firsthand now was quite novel.

At this moment, Nie Kong became utterly calm.

With a flicker of intent, the Spirit Power that had been rushing directly out of his acupoints and through his meridians toward his palms suddenly altered its flow. Through the roots anchored against the sides of the ‘Spiritual God Triple Acupoints,’ the Spirit Power entered the little fellow’s body thread by thread, before splitting into two streams, emerging from the two small, tender leaves, and entering Nie Kong’s arms.

“Ah-ya-ya!”

With a cry, the small sapling twisted, and the two streams of Spirit Power rippled outward like water waves. In an instant, the emerald flames soaring from Nie Kong’s palms resembled two small fire dragons wagging their tails, with clearly visible undulating curves along the edges of the two flames.

“Ah-ya-ya!”

Another cry. The little creature’s two tender leaves suddenly brushed against each other. The two streams of Spirit Power emerging from the leaves merged as one, traversing the meridians like surging waves for a moment before separating again and reaching Nie Kong’s palms. The two flames suddenly surged, swaying as they began to draw closer.

“It worked?”

The crowd was instantly energized.

However, the speed at which they approached began to slow. When the tips of the flames were about an inch apart, the kinetic force transmitted through the palms seemed too weak to control the direction of the two flames any further. Instantly, the flames swung back outward to their separate positions.

“A pity, a pity. It was so close,” came several soft sighs of regret from the side hall upon seeing this scene.

Although most of them had never attempted “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” by observing Sha Yan’s refining process, they could infer that the melding of the fire sources was the most crucial part.

If the two fire sources fused completely, it would be no different from a single flame, and it couldn't properly be called “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl.” Therefore, the fusion had to involve only the tips of the flames. As for the benefit of doing this, only by trying it could one truly understand.

But for a beginner, achieving this was exceedingly difficult!

Luo Ren sat motionless among the crowd, dedicating only a small portion of his attention to Nie Kong; the majority was spent observing Deputy Hall Master Sha Yan’s expression. Seeing Sha Yan frown slightly the moment Nie Kong’s fire fusion failed, Luo Ren inwardly sneered.

Luo Ren was almost certain that once Nie Kong finished his “demonstration,” a severe dressing-down awaited him. Imagining Nie Kong bowing his head in shame spurred Luo Ren’s mood considerably, relieving much of the stuffiness that had accumulated in his chest over the past two days.

“Ah-ya-jian!”

The little fellow in Nie Kong’s Yaochi acupoint let out a determined shout. The two leaves that had just separated reconnected a moment later. The two streams of Spirit Power converged, rushing toward his arms through the meridians. Compared to the previous attempt, the fluctuations in the Spirit Power this time were smaller, but the frequency of the oscillation was much faster.

The next instant, the tips of the two emerald flames from Nie Kong’s palms swayed, moving toward each other again.

“Bo!”

The moment the two streams of Spirit Power touched, a sound like a balloon popping suddenly erupted. Immediately, the heat radiating from the fused point seemed to increase severalfold. The medicine cauldron, which had been rotating slowly, received such a powerful jolt that it instantly shot upward by the height of two zhang before descending again.

“They merged! They merged!”

The side hall, which had just settled into silence, erupted with murmurs once more. Some disciples looked overjoyed, while others sighed softly. The descending speed of the cauldron gradually slowed. When it dropped to about half a zhang above the flames, it stabilized, and under the impact of the heat below, its rotational speed began to quicken.

“This ‘Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl’ is truly miraculous,” Nie Kong mused inwardly, sensing the changes within the cauldron.

At this time, the refining technique Nie Kong was employing was the “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” technique transformed from the ‘Demon’ game. It was only when he thought of the little creature’s leaves that he had a flash of inspiration, attempting to channel the Spirit Power through its body and cooperate with it to execute the technique.

After overcoming the initial awkwardness, Nie Kong and Xiang Xiang coordinated with increasing synergy. The fluctuations of the two Spirit Power streams merged more and more smoothly.

With narrowed eyes, the scene of Sha Yan refining earlier flashed through Nie Kong’s mind like a movie. Gradually, the fire sources began to undulate, and the cauldron’s rotation gained a strong rhythm. The medicinal essence within the cauldron was being refined by the flames and was rapidly fusing together.

“Hmm?”

Sha Yan lightly stroked his beard, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes. The fused tips of Nie Kong’s flames suddenly separated into two streams, like two tentacles, flickering and twisting beneath the cauldron. They were incredibly agile, almost like two living creatures imbued with vitality. Above these two tentacles, the cauldron seemed drawn by a tether, rising and falling, swaying left and right.

“After the fire sources merge, they can split into two streams again?”

“What is he doing? While this certainly makes the ‘Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl’ technique much more visually appealing, isn't he afraid of dispersing his focus and ultimately failing?”

Seeing the spectacle Nie Kong suddenly created, everyone in the side hall was astonished. Purely in terms of appearance, Nie Kong’s current refining method was actually closer to the meaning of “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” than what Deputy Hall Master Sha Yan had demonstrated.

The ‘Pearl’ was the medicine cauldron; the ‘Two Dragons’ were those two tentacles. It was just that these two ‘dragons’ were pathetically small.

“This is the complete version of ‘Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl’!” Nie Kong felt a surge of excitement.

At this point, he had completely translated the “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” from the ‘Demon’ game. In the game, the two tentacles splitting off from the merged flame tips only served to beautify the skill, offering almost no substantial benefit. But here, they allowed Nie Kong to sense the condition inside the cauldron more clearly.

Furthermore, the two mobile tentacles could adjust the intensity of the flame at any time, making the “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” refining technique even more delicate.

Sha Yan’s beard-stroking motion involuntarily quickened slightly. His two sharp, blade-like eyes stared fixedly at the emerald flames beneath the cauldron, his expression deep in contemplation. He was so engrossed that he even forgot to offer crucial pointers to the disciples below.

Luo Ren was the first to notice the change in Sha Yan’s demeanor. Looking at the technique Nie Kong was demonstrating, a premonition of disaster struck him.

He had read the materials prepared for Nie Kong by Hong Lou. He knew that although this boy came from the Nie Family in Jiyang of the Dacheng Empire, he had only been exposed to alchemy for a very short time. It was impossible for him to learn “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” in such a brief period. Yet, by merely watching the Deputy Hall Master demonstrate it once, he had not only learned the technique but even improvised upon “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” and the results seemed rather good.

Perhaps even if Nie Kong couldn't fuse the power of the six ingredients, the Deputy Hall Master wouldn't be too harsh with him! But this boy was someone who got into Lingyu City through backdoors; how could he be this much of a genius? There had to be something wrong; Luo Ren grit his teeth in hidden resentment!

Unfortunately, Nie Kong’s eyes were slightly closed, entirely absorbed in the process, making it impossible for him to detect Luo Ren’s shifting expression or hear his inner turmoil. Otherwise, Nie Kong would surely have given him a thumbs-up and praised him with a smile, saying, “Only Luo Ren truly understands me.”

“Ah-ya…”

The little creature chirped sweetly. The small sapling inside his Yaochi acupoint was twisting with all its might. Nie Kong no longer needed to send continuous mental commands; it now autonomously controlled its two small leaves, sometimes separating, sometimes drawing close. These actions required little effort and wasted none of his vital medicine power; they were very easy for it.

What Nie Kong needed to do was alter the speed at which the Spirit Power was sent from his acupoints based on the reactions shown by the cauldron. This way, as the Spirit Power passed through the little creature’s body, the frequency and amplitude of the oscillation would change accordingly, allowing Nie Kong to adjust the fire intensity in time.

Relatively speaking, compared to ordinary refining methods, this “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” was much more complicated, demanding high mental concentration.

“Almost there… wait?”

Nie Kong slowly opened his eyes, about to retract his Spirit Power, when he suddenly sensed something amiss. The fusion of the six ingredients was nearly complete, but the fusion felt very loose. Even if it managed to solidify, its appearance would probably be extremely ugly, unlikely to achieve the perfectly rounded form Sha Yan had managed.

Earlier, Nie Kong had been distracted towards the end of Sha Yan’s demonstration and hadn't clearly seen exactly how he manipulated the fire intensity. If he had, Nie Kong should be able to figure out the reason now, but as it was, Nie Kong felt uncertain.

Could it be insufficient flame intensity?

His remaining Spirit Power was meager, and Nie Kong hesitated slightly. But sensing that the tendency for the medicinal essence within the cauldron to scatter was becoming more pronounced, Nie Kong gritted his teeth, deciding to go all in. Even if this fusion attempt failed, at worst, Sha Yan would reprimand and punish him; he wouldn't be expelled from Yaoxin Hall as Luo Ren hoped!

With that resolve, Nie Kong suddenly concentrated all the remaining Spirit Power in his body and poured it through the roots into Xiang Xiang’s small sapling.

“Ah-ya-ya!”

Almost simultaneously, the little creature shrieked sharply. Its stem bent severely, and the two leaves snapped together like lightning, converging into a formidable surge of Spirit Power that rushed out, undulating like violent ocean waves. In an instant, it split into two streams again, rushing through his arms and out through his palms.

Immediately, the two flames shuddered violently, and the two tentacles at their merging tips swelled several times larger. They shot upward with lightning speed, resembling two emerald-green little dragons coiling around the sides of the medicine cauldron, enveloping the suddenly rapidly spinning vessel and hurling it skyward with blinding swiftness.

“Cha!”

A sharp, high-pitched tremor, like a dragon’s roar.

“Look!”

Gasps erupted throughout the side hall. Everyone instinctively straightened their backs and looked up. They saw the two emerald fire dragons ascend several meters high before gradually fading until they vanished completely. No one could tell if they had integrated into the cauldron or dissolved into the void. Losing support, the medicine cauldron began to fall from its height.

The crowd’s gaze followed the cauldron down to Nie Kong’s outstretched right palm.

After catching the cauldron and placing it on the ground, Nie Kong was uncertain if the fusion had succeeded at the final moment. He first took a deep breath before lifting the lid. Indeed, a small sphere, crystal clear as jade, was being lifted by the residual heat inside the cauldron, floating unsteadily outward.

Success! He really needed to increase the flame intensity at the last second!

Nie Kong let out a soft breath, a look of relief spreading across his face. However, his brow immediately furrowed again. The medicinal essence Sha Yan fused was pure white like snow, flawless. But the sphere he had created, while milky white, held a faint, barely perceptible green hue. One look was enough to see the difference between the two.

The moment he saw that sphere of power, Sha Yan’s eyes snapped open. Two brilliant sparks of fiery red light burst from his pupils; he appeared quite agitated.

“Please inspect it, Deputy Hall Master!”

Suppressing the confusion churning within him, Nie Kong sent the medicinal power toward Sha Yan. But as soon as his hand moved, his vision blurred, and the sphere vanished from his palm, already seized by Sha Yan.

At this moment, almost everyone in the side hall sensed Sha Yan’s abrupt eagerness.

The crowd was filled with suspicion, especially Luo Ren. His astonished gaze darted between Nie Kong and Sha Yan, finally settling firmly on the ball of medicinal power. He could hardly believe his eyes. What secret was hidden within that sphere that could cause the Deputy Hall Master of Yaoxin Hall to lose his composure?

Sha Yan stroked the medicinal power in his palm, his lower jaw twitching for a long moment before he opened his eyes again, a smile finally appearing on his face. He looked at Nie Kong and spoke gently, “Very good! Your demonstration was excellent. I shall keep this medicinal power for now and return it to you in seven days. Take your seat, and remember to change your clothes next time you come!”

Such gentle words, delivered like earnest instructions from an elder to a junior, made everyone in the hall stare in astonishment. Luo Ren’s eyes widened like bronze bells, his mouth gaping wide enough to swallow several eggs.

“Yes!”

Nie Kong knew that the medicinal power he refined must contain something that commanded Sha Yan’s attention, but since Sha Yan wasn't saying anything, he couldn't inquire further. He stood up, bowed to Sha Yan, and returned to his meditation cushion under the gaze of over a hundred pairs of eyes.

Occasionally, people looked back at him with puzzled expressions, hoping to glean some clue from Nie Kong. But Nie Kong himself was just as bewildered, so he had no information to offer them.

After pondering for a moment, Nie Kong was suddenly struck by a startling thought. Could it be that in that final surge, the fusion degree of the medicinal essence had reached a perfect ten? That seems unlikely!

Nie Kong quickly dismissed his initial suspicion. At this moment, Sha Yan began to offer a general explanation of the "Twin Dragons Playing with the Pearl," using the demonstration Nie Kong had just performed as a basis. His speech was incredibly fast, and his mind was clearly no longer in the side hall; Nie Kong absorbed none of his words.

After Sha Yan concluded his instruction and departed, Nie Kong hurried back to his own quarters, planning to seek guidance from Long Xuechan shortly. After all, she was a Virtual Spirit Master, so her experience was certainly more abundant than his, and her understanding of a refinement technique like the "Twin Dragons Playing with the Pearl" would naturally be far deeper.

However, upon reaching his courtyard and pushing open the doors to the main hall, Nie Kong froze.