Leaving the loft of Sha Yan, Nie Kong immediately became intensely preoccupied. As for whether the Hall Master of the Yaoxin Hall truly recognized him, Nie Kong no longer concerned himself with it; he would be staying in Lingyu City for a considerable time, and if the Hall Master did know him, they would inevitably meet eventually.

The next morning, Nie Kong was alone in his bedchamber. The two young girls, Long Ping and Long Ting, had already been dispatched by him to observe the spiritual medicine auction held by the Hong Lou in his stead today. The "Jade Leaf Glazed Pills" Nie Kong had refined were one of the main features of this auction.

Following the Hong Lou's operations for this extended period, nearly everyone in Lingyu City was now aware of the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pills." In this city, there were plenty of Spirit Cultivators from wealthy backgrounds. How could they not be tempted by a spiritual medicine that could consecutively advance one's cultivation by two ranks?

Nie Kong could foresee that the price of the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pills" at this auction would certainly break previous records. Originally, Long Xuechan had invited him, the owner of the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pills," to witness the grandeur of the auction firsthand, and Nie Kong had been tempted. But after a moment's thought, he decided against it, even sending the two young girls away. Today, he had far more important matters to attend to.

"Heh..."

Nie Kong let out a long breath and sat down cross-legged on the mat. A moment later, a flash of red light appeared, and a scarlet pill materialized in Nie Kong's palm.

Heart Sun Pill!

It was a brilliant, radiant crimson all over, resembling blood jade. Its appearance was somewhat similar to the "Red Floating Pill" auctioned at the "Thousand Spirits Medicine Meet" in Yang City (Unknown City), but its medicinal efficacy could not compare. After all, that "Red Floating Pill" was a sixth-grade spiritual medicine, capable of elevating a Void Spirit Master from the second rank to the third.

This "Heart Sun Pill," however, was only a third-grade spiritual medicine, capable of advancing a Spirit Fusing Master from the third rank to the fourth.

The suitability of a spiritual medicine for a certain rank of Spirit Master is not arbitrarily determined; it is established only after countless experiments by Spirit Masters.

Although the potency of a spiritual medicine varies depending on the degree of fusion, it remains fixed overall.

Take this "Heart Sun Pill" for example: it is suitable for a third-rank Spirit Fusing Master. If a fourth-rank Spirit Fusing Master were to consume it, the spiritual medicine would certainly exert some effect, but it would only augment the cultivator’s spiritual power slightly. Relying on it to advance one's cultivation rank would be nothing more than a fanciful dream, as the medicinal power required to ascend from the fourth to the fifth rank of Spirit Fusing is far beyond what a single "Heart Sun Pill" can provide.

This spiritual medicine had a fusion degree of eighty-three percent. Nie Kong had acquired it on credit from the Hong Lou Apothecary Hall, with the price to be deducted from his earnings from the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pills."

What Nie Kong intended to do now was to discern the formula for this "Heart Sun Pill" and then refine it himself. Originally, the Heart Sun Pill was refined by the Hong Lou’s own spiritual apothecaries. If Nie Kong had asked Long Xuechan, he could have easily obtained the formula from her.

However, doing so would mean Nie Kong would owe Long Xuechan another favor. After much deliberation, he decided it was better to handle everything himself.

"Xiangxiang, here we go!"

Nie Kong popped the entire "Heart Sun Pill" into his mouth, swallowing it without chewing. The spiritual medicine instantly began to dissolve. Fortunately, the little creature was prepared; several streaks of green shot out from the Yaochi Acupoint, enveloping the dissolving medicine and drawing it back before its potency could fully take effect.

"Aiya ya!"

With sweet, crisp cries, the small tender sprout thrashed intensely.

Smelling to identify the medicine!

With just a slight sensation, Nie Kong felt completely relieved. At this moment, the little creature was handling the process with ease, appearing very relaxed, showing none of the previous difficulty and strain encountered when discerning the formula for the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pills." This was mainly because he was consuming an entire spiritual medicine now, whereas before, he had only had a small amount of powder.

Before long, six clumps of medicinal power, varying in size, were separated by the little creature and flicked into Nie Kong's Spirit God Acupoint via its root tendrils.

Sensing internally with his eyes closed for a moment, Nie Kong knew everything clearly. After praising the little creature a few times, Nie Kong instructed it to absorb all six clumps of medicinal power completely, then quickly walked out of the room. When he re-entered the bedchamber ten minutes later, he held six small packets of herbs.

Medicine Cauldron Phantasm!

With a thought, the palm-sized little medicine cauldron shimmered into existence, hovering before Nie Kong. Having not been out for fresh air in many days, the little fellow was already restless. As soon as it appeared outside, the patterns of the "Purple Luo Illusionary Spirit Incense" surrounding it began to vibrate, and the cauldron itself swayed rhythmically.

After pondering quietly for a good while, Nie Kong finally began adding herbs into the cauldron.

In the underground secret chamber of the Apothecary Hall, Nie Kong had once attempted to refine a third-grade medicine. Although that medicine eventually vaporized into the void, leading to some activities between Nie Kong and Long Xuechan that were unsuitable for children, the refinement was ultimately successful. Now, refining a third-grade medicine again, Nie Kong's expression was exceptionally calm.

"Buzz!"

Flames rose, and the medicine cauldron chimed softly.

A vivid emerald glow diffused outward, casting Nie Kong's face in an eerie green light. After cultivating the "Spring and Autumn Life Generation Art" for so many days, a large amount of vitality had merged with Nie Kong's spiritual power. At this moment, merely burning a trace of subtle spiritual power caused the flames to become unusually vigorous.

In this instant, it seemed even the fire held exuberant life force.

A smile flickered across Nie Kong’s lips.

If this state remained unchanged, his speed in refining spiritual medicines would increase dramatically, possibly even reaching the efficiency he had when refining first-grade spiritual medicines like the "Purple Li Pill" in Yang City (Unknown City) before. Of course, even half of that previous efficiency would be staggering enough.

After all, the higher the grade of the spiritual medicine, the greater the consumption of spiritual power, especially when refining those medicines that advanced cultivation ranks.

For instance, when Nie Kong previously refined the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pill," which could advance cultivation by two ranks, it nearly exhausted his spiritual power every time. Now, Nie Kong was already a third-rank Spirit Fusing Master, and his vast, abundant spiritual power was infused with significant vitality. Perhaps by the time he successfully refined the "Heart Sun Pill," he wouldn't even consume ten percent of his spiritual power.

"Sizzle!"

The intense emerald flames caused the void to crackle and pop continuously. Nie Kong seemed completely oblivious, his mind gradually sinking into the medicine cauldron.

Previously, when using the "Medicine Cauldron Phantasm," Nie Kong relied on the mental connection with the little fellow to perceive the situation inside the cauldron. But now, Nie Kong completely merged his spirit into the cauldron. Since he was already connected heart-to-heart with Xiangxiang, the process of merging his spirit into the little cauldron was smoother and easier than using any truly forged cauldron.

Soon, the conditions within the medicine cauldron became clearly presented in Nie Kong's mind...

Faintly, Nie Kong even felt a peculiar sensation, as if he and the cauldron had genuinely merged—he was the cauldron, and the cauldron was him...

...

About fifteen minutes later, the emerald fluorescence gradually receded until it vanished completely. The bedchamber, which had been filled with continuous sizzling sounds, grew quiet.

"Crack!"

The crisp sound of the cauldron lid opening echoed, and a dazzling green light burst forth. Nie Kong pinched the floating spiritual medicine between his fingers, his brow furrowing slightly.

Now, Nie Kong understood that whether forcibly integrating herbs or refining spiritual medicines, only when the medicinal power fusion degree exceeded ninety-five percent was it possible for vitality to emerge. Otherwise, even if Nie Kong completely fused his spirit with the medicine cauldron, he could not achieve it.

The fusion degree of this Heart Sun Pill had certainly surpassed ninety-five percent, reaching the standard for generating vitality. However, the vitality it exuded was excessively dense.

According to Nie Kong's understanding, these spiritual medicines inherently possessed vitality, but it did not manifest visibly. What Nie Kong called bestowing vitality or causing the spiritual medicine to generate vitality was actually the stimulation of this latent vitality—all his previous attempts fell into this category.

But this refined "Heart Sun Pill" was different; its inherent vitality had been thoroughly awakened. If it were only that, the surface of the spiritual medicine would likely only display a net-like layer of green. Yet, the medicine was entirely emerald green now, its original scarlet color completely masked.

"This is true emergence!"

Staring at the vibrant green spiritual medicine in his hand, Nie Kong muttered to himself, a hint of astonishment in his voice. After examining the spiritual medicine back and forth several times, Nie Kong whispered again, "With such dense vitality, I wonder what effect it will have after consumption?"

As long as he circulated the "Spring and Autumn Life Generation Art," Nie Kong could absorb vitality.

His current biggest concern was whether the spiritual power within his body would instantly absorb all the vitality of the medicine once it dissolved. Now, the medicinal power and vitality of the spiritual medicine were integrated; without the vitality, the medicinal power would also become useless.

If that happened, Nie Kong would have wasted the refinement of a "Heart Sun Pill"!

At this time, Nie Kong worried about one more thing.

It was rumored that for spiritual medicines that advance cultivation ranks, the interval between doses must exceed three months for the effect to manifest. Nie Kong had only consumed the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pill" in March; it had only been about a month now. If he consumed the "Heart Sun Pill" again so soon, it might not work!

"I hope not!"

Nie Kong secretly cursed (Unknown Term) and calmed his spirit, putting the spiritual medicine into his mouth.

The "Heart Sun Pill" he had eaten earlier dissolved in his abdomen and was immediately drawn away by Xiangxiang; Nie Kong hadn't tasted anything. But this "Heart Sun Pill" was different. Almost the moment it touched his tongue, the spiritual medicine melted away like ice and snow being grilled over intense fire, dissolving in an instant.

Immediately following, a warm, viscous aura poured down his throat.

Nie Kong hastily circulated the "Spring and Autumn Life Generation Art," and the dissolved mass of the "Heart Sun Pill," guided by his spiritual power, rapidly moved towards the four spiritual orifices of his Spirit God.

"Boom!"

A stream of medicinal power burst open. In the blink of an eye, that warm aura reached every part of Nie Kong’s limbs and bones. The sensation was marvelous, like drinking a bottle of strong liquor on a frigid winter day; warmth spread from head to toe, inside and out.

Along with this warmth, wisps of green vitality surged forth.

Nie Kong discovered that these streaks of green were the vitality within the spiritual medicine. However, unlike ordinary vitality, these green wisps also contained the medicinal power of the Heart Sun Pill. Nie Kong relaxed slightly; since the vitality and medicinal power had not separated, the situation he had speculated about before taking the medicine should not occur.

Upon entering the meridians, this vitality containing medicinal power merged into his spiritual power.

"Hoo!"

Like a gentle breeze sweeping by, the spiritual power began to ripple.

Nie Kong continued to circulate the "Spring and Autumn Life Generation Art." The state of his meridians continuously manifested in his mind. After a moment, Nie Kong perceived that as the spiritual power surged and fluctuated, its intensity in the meridians slowly increased. It seemed that as the vitality merged with the spiritual power, the medicinal power of the "Heart Sun Pill" was also taking effect.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"..."

Streams of medicinal power burst open within his body. Nie Kong felt as if he were basking in a hot spring; aside from continuously circulating the "Spring and Autumn Life Generation Art," he barely needed to expend any mental energy.

At this moment, the surprise in Nie Kong’s chest was beyond description.

Among all third-grade spiritual medicines, only two could be used to advance cultivation ranks: one was the "Heavenly Dust Pill," which could advance a Spirit Fusing Master from the seventh to the ninth rank, and the other was the "Heart Sun Pill" he was currently consuming.

When he requested this spiritual medicine from Long Xuechan, she had described the reaction after its consumption: once the medicinal power took effect, the Spirit Master would feel as if they were in a furnace, burning intensely all over. Once, a Spirit Fusing Master who consumed the "Heart Sun Pill" successfully advanced their cultivation, but the skin all over their body cracked open from the scorching aura emitted by the medicinal power, turning them into a bloody spectacle.

Now, judging by the situation in his meridians, the "Heart Sun Pill" was clearly taking effect. The restriction that required an interval of over three months between consuming rank-advancing spiritual medicines did not apply to Nie Kong. Furthermore, Nie Kong did not feel any of the reactions Long Xuechan had described.

He only felt warmth, nowhere near the point of being scorching!

"Vitality?"

These two words flashed through Nie Kong's mind.

Normally, the "Heart Sun Pill" Nie Kong consumed would have no effect on his cultivation level, perhaps only adding a little spiritual power. Under normal circumstances, Nie Kong, after consuming the "Heart Sun Pill," should have been struggling bitterly to endure the agonizing torment.

However, none of the normal phenomena appeared! Perhaps only the word "vitality" could explain the anomaly occurring within Nie Kong.

"Boom!"

The last trace of medicinal power scattered, sending out a more violent explosion. The vast spiritual power in his meridians converged towards the four orifices of the Spirit God with lightning speed, immense and surging. An instant later, the spiritual power in Nie Kong's acupoints churned like monstrous waves.

With almost no rebound, the invisible barrier in the four orifices of the Spirit God suddenly shattered, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

"Spirit Fusing Fourth Rank!"

He broke through just like that?

Sensing the turbulent spiritual power within him, Nie Kong remained stunned for a long time. Compared to the pain and torment he endured when taking the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pill" previously, swallowing the "Heart Sun Pill" this time was unbelievably easy—it was like comparing heaven and earth.

Gradually, the disturbance in his spiritual power stirred up by the "Heart Sun Pill" subsided, but Nie Kong's heart was still filled with emotion.

Since leaving the Nie Family in Xianyang a month ago and arriving in Lingyu City at the beginning of the second month, it was now mid-April. In total, Nie Kong had been here for just over two months.

When he first arrived in Xianyang City, Nie Kong was only at the fifth rank of Spirit Attunement.

After entering the Hong Lou, Nie Kong's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. First, he accidentally consumed Long Xuechan's "Yellow Dragon Spirit Dew," raising his cultivation to the sixth rank of Spirit Attunement; then, he absorbed the spiritual power of the sisters Long Ping and Long Ting, advancing to the seventh rank of Spirit Attunement; next, one "Jade Leaf Glazed Pill" directly propelled his cultivation to the ninth rank of Spirit Attunement; through a confusing entanglement with Long Xuechan, his cultivation suddenly surged to the second rank of Spirit Fusing!

Subsequently, while refining the unassigned spiritual power from Long Xuechan, his cultivation unknowingly broke through to the third rank of Spirit Fusing. Today, with one "Heart Sun Pill," he reached the fourth rank of Spirit Fusing...

In just two months, his cultivation jumped from the fifth rank of Spirit Attunement to the fourth rank of Spirit Fusing.

If this cultivation speed were spread around, countless Spirit Masters would be utterly shocked. Even Nie Kong himself was dumbfounded looking back at the progress of his cultivation over the past two months. Recalling how he used to envy Bai Yuqing for breaking through to the Spirit Fusing realm in Zhaoyang Town, Nie Kong now felt as if he were dreaming, having not only reached Spirit Fusing but achieving the fourth rank.

"I wonder how that little girl is faring in the inner city now?"

The image of that formidable young woman, Bai Yuqing, flashed through his mind, and Nie Kong couldn't help but smile faintly. The next time he met Bai Yuqing, it would likely be in the inner city of Lingyu City. What expression would she have if she knew he had advanced from the fifth rank of Spirit Attunement to the fourth rank of Spirit Fusing in just two months?

After a moment of random thoughts, Long Xuechan's fiery and seductive figure reappeared in Nie Kong's mind. Counting back, every advancement in his cultivation seemed directly or indirectly related to her.

That "Yellow Dragon Spirit Dew" was Long Xuechan's; the two girls, Long Ping and Long Ting, were given by Long Xuechan; to obtain the powder of the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pill," he also borrowed a million gold coins from Long Xuechan; breaking through to Spirit Fusing was because he absorbed Long Xuechan's unassigned spiritual power; the previous advancement was closely related to diligently refining the residual unassigned spiritual power from Long Xuechan; and the "Heart Sun Pill" used for this breakthrough was also bought on credit from Long Xuechan...

Calculating like this, the smile on Nie Kong's face froze inadvertently. His mouth remained slightly open for a long moment before closing. He had gone out of his way to avoid owing her favors and falling into her trap, yet he hadn't realized how deeply entangled he was with her...

...

April fifteenth—it was the day of the monthly assessment for the Yaoxin Hall. After over a month of gloomy weather, the skies had finally cleared.

Just like the assessment on March fifteenth, the figures of Lingyu City disciples could be seen outside the Yaoxin Hall early on.

When the sun rose to be as high as a person, a dense crowd filled the area outside the Hall. No matter where one went, there were always those who loved a spectacle.

At the last monthly assessment of the Yaoxin Hall, the newly emerging trial medicine maniac Nie Kong of Lingyu City burst onto the scene, overwhelming everyone with a perfect score of "Ten, Top Grade," a piece of news that spread throughout Lingyu City within a few days. People became even more curious about this suddenly appearing Nie Kong.

Consequently, for this month's assessment, the number of disciples from Lingyu City who came to watch increased. They gathered in small groups, exchanging the information they had gathered:

...

"I heard that Sha Yan, the Vice Hall Master of the Yaoxin Hall, is stingy to the point of being infuriating when giving scores. It’s truly impressive that Nie Kong managed to get a genuine perfect score from him!"

"I can't believe even Miao Ge was defeated in that assessment. Miao Ge has long been a third-grade spiritual apothecary. If nothing unexpected happens, he is certain to enter the inner city in this Six Halls Grand Competition. Such an outstanding person lost; is that Nie Kong perhaps a fourth-grade spiritual apothecary?"

"Pfft! Brother, are you joking? A fourth-grade spiritual apothecary? You really thought of that! Let me tell you, that Nie Kong is only a second-grade spiritual apothecary in charge..."

"Second grade? How is that possible?"

"Yes, impossible, impossible!"

"..."

"The monthly assessment is about to start. I wonder what rank Nie Kong will get this time? I came specifically for him. If he doesn't place in the top three this time, I swear I'll dig out where he lives and give him a good thrashing!"

"Haha, I heard he lives above the Hong Lou's tavern. Do you dare start a fight in that place? Do you know how to write the word 'die'?"

"Cough, cough, just kidding, just kidding..."

"..."

"Karr-ya"

Amidst harsh scraping sounds, the two massive doors of the Yaoxin Hall slowly opened.

The doors were finally open! The crowd outside the Hall surged, everyone energized, ready to rush inside and secure the best vantage points. However, before they could make a move, a tall and thin figure flashed out from within.

"Everyone!"

These two words resonated like thunder, instantly suppressing all the miscellaneous noise outside the Hall. The tall, thin young man quickly scanned the surroundings, his expression blank, and announced, "Everyone, please return. This month's assessment is not open to the public." With that, the tall, thin man returned inside.

With a "Karr-ya, Karr-ya" sound, the doors slowly closed.

"..."

Not open to the public? Hearing the words of the tall, thin man, everyone was momentarily stunned. For a moment, the crowd exchanged blank glances, and the front of the Yaoxin Hall fell into an absolute silence. It wasn't until the gap between the doors narrowed to only four or five inches that the crowd awoke as if from a dream, and a clamor erupted outside the Hall:

"Go to hell! You only announce it's closed right as it's starting! Why didn't you say so earlier? You made us wait outside for so long!"

"Exactly, exactly! Isn't the Yaoxin Hall toying with us?"

"This is truly strange. What is Vice Hall Master Sha Yan up to? In recent years, the Yaoxin Hall has never held a closed-door assessment like this!"

"..."

Regardless of the shouts and curses from the crowd, the two doors continued to close. A moment later, the gap slammed shut, and an uproar rose among the crowd. Buzzing discussions echoed in front of the Hall, occasionally interspersed with curses directed at Sha Yan's eighteen generations of ancestors.

As resentment raged outside the hall, the vast expanse of the Yaoxin Hall was utterly silent. Everyone sat cross-legged on their respective mats, gazing intently at the figures of Sha Yan and the assembled professors at the front. According to the ancient teachings of the Yaoxin Hall, when the condition of "closed-door assessment" was declared, the examination topic would almost certainly be exceptionally difficult. Inevitably, many disciples of the Yaoxin Hall, while tense, could not help but wear expressions of deep worry.

Two brilliant pairs of eyes swept across the assembly, and a faint smile finally touched Sha Yan’s lips:

“Esteemed students, the topic for this assessment is remarkably simple…”

Remarkably simple?

A cold sneer echoed in the minds of the crowd. If the topic were truly simple, why the necessity of a closed-door assessment? They knew instantly that the old man was employing reverse psychology. If this monthly assessment were genuinely easy, the disciples from Lingyu City outside would have already been admitted; they wouldn't have needed to bolt the hall doors!

As expected, Sha Yan’s tone shifted, his smile widening. “However, while the topic is simple, achieving excellence and securing high marks will not be easy for you. Have you all noticed the objects on your tables? These will be the implements used to test you this time.”

Hearing this, everyone turned their gaze toward the low tables before them.

On the surface of the desk in front of each person, besides the required alchemy essentials like the censer and medicine box, there was indeed a small contraption—an object they had already noted the presence of.

It appeared to be a spirit-patterned tool: a small iron rod, about the thickness of a thumb, topped with a large circular disc. Sparse spirit patterns were etched onto the surfaces of both the rod and the disc. Resting upon the disc were dozens of small, smooth jade spheres, no larger than soybeans, yet shimmering with the various colors of fluorescence, quite beautiful to behold.

Nie Kong studied the setup closely. He noticed that each jade bead possessed a pin-sized aperture. He couldn't fathom how Sha Yan intended to use this simple device to examine the Yaoxin Hall disciples.

The task required condensing sixty-four different medicinal herbs into filaments, threading them through sixty-four jade beads—and success was only possible if the medicinal powers contained within matched the intended pairing for that bead. This meant everyone not only had to refine the herbs into threads but also discern the inherent medicinal properties contained within each of the sixty-four beads.

Who in the world conceived such a torturous idea? The disciples subtly cast their eyes toward the professors flanking Sha Yan, their internal grumbling ceaseless, their hearts already sinking. This monthly assessment looked deceptively simple, but execution at a high level promised extreme difficulty.

“Silence!”

Sha Yan intoned sternly. “This assessment will also be timed by the hourglass. When the sand runs out, the assessment concludes. The final score will be calculated by quantity: the more beads successfully pierced by the medicinal thread, the higher the score. If the number of pierced beads is equal, we will judge based on the fusion degree of the medicinal thread; the more uniform the fusion, the higher the score. You may now prepare yourselves.”

Before Sha Yan’s final word had faded, the hall erupted with the sharp sound of medicine boxes being opened. Everyone scrambled to maximize every precious second. This examination demanded exhaustive mental focus; being able to correctly identify even one more medicinal property within the jade spheres significantly increased the hope of a good result.

Nie Kong’s eyes narrowed slightly. He rapidly scanned the sixty-four types of herbs within the large medicine box and couldn't help but breathe a subtle sigh of relief. He recognized every single one of these herbs, having personally tasted them and intimately understanding their properties. Now, Nie Kong only needed to clearly identify the medicinal essences hidden within those jade beads.

He pinched two beads in his palm, and a faint medicinal fragrance drifted into his nostrils. Nie Kong’s heart skipped a beat as a bold, audacious thought suddenly surfaced in his mind…