Back in Jiyang City, Nie Kong had used the "Bewitching Incense" to subdue the Xu Zixuan brothers and successfully acquire the peerless miracle drug, "Fire Tree Silver Flower." In the game "Demon and Monster," the "Bewitching Incense" was only a second-tier drug, but transplanted to the Tian Ling Continent, Nie Kong couldn't quite ascertain its grade.

Of the two individuals previously knocked unconscious by the refined "Bewitching Incense," the Fourth Prince, Xu Zixuan, was already a Spirit Fusion Master, while the Fifth Prince, Xu Zirong, was merely a Spirit Channeler. To call it third-grade was plausible; second-grade was also possible. Nie Kong was too lazy to waste energy debating such trifles. Upon learning the details of the supplementary martial competition, Nie Kong immediately began preparing to refine this stupefying drug.

After all, regardless of the method of the supplementary competition, to showcase the strength of all six Hall disciples, fighting was ultimately unavoidable. This kind of "Bewitching Incense" would certainly add a considerable edge to his chances.

Of course, refining it strictly according to the original formula was out of the question. The drug was too light; even the slightest sound could wake up the Spirit Masters who had been affected by the "Bewitching Incense"!

During those five days staying at the Red Chamber residence, Nie Kong spent the majority of his time researching the "Bewitching Incense" formula. Ultimately, Nie Kong replaced one of the original ingredients and added two new ones, successfully creating a unique "Bewitching Incense." It was odorless and tasteless, requiring no fire to ignite. Nie Kong directly utilized the vitality condensed in his body from the Spiritual Jade Bead to catalyze its invisible fragrance, allowing it to silently render Spirit Masters unconscious.

This drug bore some resemblance to the "Blood Scale Thorn," but its effective range was vastly different. The invisible fragrance of the "Blood Scale Thorn" could affect spirit beasts within a dozen li, and humans within three li could inhale the scent. However, the "Bewitching Incense," at best, could cover a range of several dozen zhang.

Naturally, a perimeter of a few hundred zhang was perfectly sufficient for this supplementary competition, because when Nie Kong activated the fragrance with his vitality, it was completely undetectable by anyone. A small test run outside the East Gate of Lingyu City proved the results excellent; stealthily, he had already acquired thirteen spirit tokens.

By calculation, Nie Kong had now accumulated sixteen points. This score was almost enough to secure him a spot on the very last rung of the inner city disciple list.

However, Nie Kong was far from satisfied.

Five days prior, in the Clear Sky Hall, Shan Yan had revealed that the points earned in this supplementary competition could still be used after entering the inner city. Reportedly, once inside the inner city, whether one wished to enter the Spiritual Cultivation Illusory Realm or obtain precious spiritual herbs, corresponding points would need to be deducted.

Since points could be gained in the supplementary competition, the more the better.

When Nie Kong arrived at that stretch of forest, several figures were already emerging one after another from the narrow path winding through the woods. Seeing their dejected appearances, their spirit tokens must have been snatched away.

That spirit pattern token did more than just map out the routes in the outer illusionary realm surrounding the inner city. The path from Lingyu City to the area outside the illusionary realm was also marked. According to the map, this forest was a necessary route to the inner city. From within, the sounds of shouting and fighting were exceptionally fierce.

As soon as Nie Kong stepped onto the small path, what came into view was more than a dozen Lingyu City disciples engaged in one-on-one duels. Moreover, some hostile factions were lurking nearby, watching secretively, waiting for a chance when their opponents exposed a flaw to strike, executing a "When the snipe and the clam grapple, the fisherman profits" maneuver.

"Nie Kong is here! Run!"

Still dozens of meters away, two Lingyu City disciples who had been fighting intensely suddenly spotted Nie Kong's figure. A sharp shout erupted, and they immediately abandoned any thought of the spirit token on their opponent, turning tail and fleeing! The other factions who had been locked in fierce combat heard the sound and also quickly melted away into the distance. Even those sneaky factions crouching amidst the grass and trees, waiting to ambush, vanished instantly without a trace.

To stay now would be utterly foolish. Nie Kong had neutralized more than a dozen fellow disciples at the city gate without anyone noticing. Now that he was right upon them, wouldn't staying be equivalent to handing over tokens to him for free? Thus, in an instant, the lively forest area within a hundred-meter radius fell silent.

"It feels like a great wolf has entered a flock of sheep."

Nie Kong felt like a great gray wolf that had stumbled into a sheepfold. Naturally, the sheep scattered in disarray, fleeing like frightened birds.

He observed his surroundings for a moment. The commotion within the forest a hundred meters away had also quieted considerably, as if they were afraid of attracting Nie Kong's attention. Occasionally, a head would peek out from behind a tree, observing from afar, only to immediately retract when their gaze met his.

Forget it. These fellows seem to have had their courage scared out of them. Chasing after their tokens would be a waste of time!

Nie Kong had no interest in playing hide-and-seek with them in this forest. It would be much more efficient to find the Lingyu City disciples who hadn't witnessed that scene at the city gate.

With that thought, Nie Kong mobilized the spiritual power within his body and sped along the narrow forest path using the "Flying Flower Flowing Shadow" technique. Ten breaths later, his figure was already obscured by the trees ahead. Not long after he disappeared, a sigh of relief seemed to rise from the forest behind him:

"That's great, the guy finally left!"

"If he had stayed here, I would only have had to hide! Come on, let's continue! I'm taking this token from you!"

"Aiya! You shameless bastard, how dare you—"

"It's not that I'm shameless, it's that you're too naive. Don't forget, this is a competition right now. Heh heh, brother, hand over the token, lest we ruin the harmony."

The sound of chaotic, intense fighting once again echoed through the forest.

Nie Kong walked rapidly along the forest path, holding the "Bewitching Incense" in his hand.

Nie Kong had refined the "Bewitching Incense" into the shape of a "Dewdrop Pill." A "Dewdrop Pill" was a very common third-grade spiritual medicine used to recover spiritual power. Holding the "Dewdrop Pill"-like "Bewitching Incense" in his palm provided an excellent means of deception.

Furthermore, Nie Kong was traveling directly along the path without relying on any surrounding trees or obstacles, making his target extremely conspicuous—he was essentially a moving target, easily tempting the greedy intentions of those factions that enjoyed ambushing others. This was precisely what Nie Kong desired.

At this moment, Nie Kong might as well have tied a sign around his neck with four large characters written on it: Come and Ambush Me! What frustrated Nie Kong somewhat was that although there were many Lingyu City disciples visible on both sides of the path, after walking for nearly a li, not a single person had made an offensive move!

"Nie Kong is here! Everyone, be careful!"

"Nie Kong! It's Nie Kong!"

"Pause! Pause! Let this guy pass before we continue fighting!"

Similar shouts rose and fell along both sides of the path. Everyone maintained an extremely cautious attitude towards Nie Kong's appearance. Even those hidden figures and clandestine movements that Nie Kong had sensed through his vital energy seemed completely uninterested in him.

These fellows are too timid!

Nie Kong muttered inwardly, feeling a little frustrated. The effective range of the "Bewitching Incense" was too small; it needed to be close to be effective. If the "Bewitching Incense" could reach a range of ten li like the "Blood Scale Thorn," then he would truly be set for life—he could sweep up tokens all the way to the outside of the illusionary realm.

While speeding along, he observed the surrounding environment. Nie Kong's mind raced. If he only earned ten points from running from the East Gate of Lingyu City to the inner city, that would be too tragic. He still needed to figure out a way to lure those Lingyu City disciples into taking the bait.

"Nie Kong is here!"

This time, another loud shout interrupted Nie Kong's contemplation. He stopped, looked up, and saw two young men fighting intensely at the front of the path suddenly cease their engagement. Judging by the clothing they wore, one was likely from the Mountain Soul Hall, and the other was a Green Wind Hall disciple.

"Perfect timing!"

The Green Wind Hall disciple immediately turned and fled. The Mountain Soul Hall disciple, who had a sturdy build, didn't pursue him, but instead grinned widely at Nie Kong. "Nie Kong, you made those bastards suffer miserably in the Illusionary Space; I, Tai Ya, truly admire you, and I've long wanted to meet you. But admiration aside, a passing brother told me you used drugs to knock out thirteen fellow disciples at the city gate? Excellent. After I defeat you, you can keep seven of those thirteen tokens for yourself, and I'll take the remaining six to cover your basic costs, so you don't lose your qualification to continue competing!"

Swallowing a yellow medicinal pill, which required time to take effect, a thick, earthy-yellow radiance enveloped Tai Ya's body. Clenching his fists, he strode towards Nie Kong, each step landing on the ground with a dull thud, making him resemble a ferocious human-shaped giant bear.

Defeat him and only take seven tokens, leaving him six? Was there such a good person in the supplementary competition? Nie Kong paused for a moment, then a surge of joy welled up in his chest. He quickly slipped the "Bewitching Incense" in his hand into his sleeve, then his figure flickered, and he charged towards Tai Ya.

The two figures collided rapidly.

Looking at Tai Ya's reckless charge, a subtle doubt arose in Nie Kong's heart. This fellow clearly knew that Nie Kong had used drugs to incapacitate more than a dozen Lingyu City disciples, yet he was sending himself to his doom. Could it be that he truly believed swallowing that yellow spiritual medicine would neutralize the effects of the "Bewitching Incense"?

"Hoo!"

In an instant, Nie Kong and Tai Ya were less than two meters apart. His ancient fist flashed through the void, carrying a dazzling green glow, and smashed directly into Tai Ya's massive fist. Amidst a fierce collision sound, Tai Ya chuckled and threw another fierce punch toward Nie Kong.

"Boom."

"Boom!"

Tai Ya threw punch after punch, like a sudden, violent storm. The sounds generated by the clashing spiritual energy echoed through the forest, and flashes of yellow and green light continuously exploded outward. The potent force surged outwards in all directions, seemingly causing even the void to ripple and distort.

"Aiya!"

Finally, a cry of pain rang out.

Stumbling back several steps, Nie Kong managed to stabilize his body. His left hand grasped his chest, his face pale, and beads of sweat faintly dotted his forehead, looking extremely pained. Seeing Tai Ya charging forward again, Nie Kong dove headlong into the dense woods by the roadside, shouting incoherently, "Tai Ya, you win! Want tokens? No way!"

"Don't run, the match isn't over yet!"

Tai Ya was enjoying the fight and hadn't expected Nie Kong to suddenly flee. He immediately shouted, flung out his legs, and chased after him frantically.

End of the third watch. There is still one more watch! It will probably be around one o'clock.