After breaking through to the sixth rank of Spirit Fusion, a strange transformation occurred in his "Four Divine Apertures". A faint emerald hue had seeped into the foundational layers of all four apertures.

From those verdant traces, Nie Kong perceived an aura identical to life force...

As he examined each aperture carefully, when gazing at the central one cultivated through non-elemental spirit energy, Nie Kong suddenly noticed a rapid depletion within that liquid form of vitality. The diminishing essence hadn't vanished - it was being absorbed by the Four Divine Apertures!

"How things have worked this way..."

The revelation struck him like lightning. Indeed, the "Spring and Autumn Life Sutra" transformed vitality into condensed liquid form, but the apertures were secretly absorbing this life essence - explaining why the liquid never expanded as expected.

Spirit energy could coalesce with vitality, yet the apertures themselves could absorb it! That must be why his breakthrough felt so undramatic. Previously, absorption was slower before reaching the sixth rank; now the accelerated process had finally revealed itself to him.

Watching the rapidly shrinking pool of essence, Nie Kong frowned. While the apertures' stored vitality smoothed his ascension without pain, long-term consequences remained uncertain. The "Spring and Autumn Life Sutra" bore critical flaws - should they erupt, internal dangers might emerge that both spirit energy and vitality could exacerbate.

If only he could mend this flaw...

Thoughts flashed through Nie Kong's mind about the massive vortex within Long Men's "Abdominal Acupoint", where Dragon Snow Chan mentioned combining it with his cultivation technique. However, forging a new method would demand not just research but also serendipity.

After securing the Phoenix Feather Illusion Flower for the child, he'd need to address this matter immediately!

"Phew..."

Nie Kong exhaled sharply as emerald luminescence burst from him, dissolving into the void. Noticing the dimming sky in this illusory realm, he glanced at Bai Yuqing still meditating nearby before striding toward the boundary and stepping through ripples into emptiness...

Dawn broke as a shadow slinked between dense foliage. Pushing aside branches carefully, two bright eyes fixed on an illuminated pavilion dozens of meters ahead - its upper and lower floors still aglow with persistent light.

Night Prince remained motionless in his ambush spot, watching every movement within.

Among the Inner City disciples persistently seeking Nie Kong's alchemical help, he was one. Since witnessing Nie Kong's techniques outside the Ascension Hall, Night Prince had become determined to find him. Using accumulated points that day, he'd come here searching for Nie Kong after all.

Unfortunately Nie Kong refused their requests - not just his but every inquirer's. Some disciples abandoned pursuit, since numerous alchemists existed within the Inner City willing to work for lower fusion rates and fewer points. Others kept returning daily until exhaustion set in.

These determined seekers typically possessed ample resources for generous point offers. Night Prince lacked such wealth, so he adopted a different approach by studying Nie Kong's habits to discover his preferences - an angle that might win him favor.

This was his third consecutive night of observation.

What little he'd learned? That Nie Kong seemingly shared a room every night with those twin maidservants. The previous morning he even caught faint, wanton giggles from upstairs in the pavilion.

Extremely... stimulating.

That kind of sound could instantly conjure mental images of intimate activities occurring within...

From this Night Prince deduced one certainty - Nie Kong must be a depraved pervert. To touch thirteen-year-old girls meant exactly that! Though he couldn't compete with wealthy peers who might offer young beauties for favors, here in the Inner City such options weren't feasible.

", this kid Nie Kong really has it good getting those gorgeous twin maids..."

Night Prince muttered enviously, yet felt frustrated. Recently Nie Kong's movements had been limited to two places - the Apothecary Hall and Spirit Realm Illusion. Besides evident greed for beauty, no other vulnerabilities appeared, making persuasion impossible.

"You're not asking me to work for free! So why be so arrogant? I'll give you two more days to agree. If you still refuse, I won't follow your habits anymore - I'll just stand right in front of you and keep begging until you say yes! Hmph, you've got yourself a problem!"

Night Prince seethed silently, eyes wide open.

Soon his spirit lifted as a figure materialized behind the pavilion's curtains - undoubtedly Nie Kong. Moments later, the gate creaked open and Nie Kong strode out with a bulging satchel on his shoulder. Night Prince's pupils dilated: "He always goes out empty-handed! What's in that bag today?" Something was definitely amiss!

As he shadowedNie Kong through winding Inner City alleys toward Ascension Hall, suspicion grew. Why enter so early when the hall remained completely silent?

Night Prince felt his blood boil with excitement.

After Nie Kong vanished inside, Night Prince slinked out like a cat, moving as silently as falling leaves to approach the entrance.

Within moments he crouched near the door peering in.

Nie Kong had already jumped onto the high dais used for Inner City sparring matches, untying his satchel and emptying eight mysterious wooden boxes onto the stone platform. Night Prince's curiosity itched violently, yet with no obstacles present, even a Spirit Realm cultivator couldn't approach undetected.

Just as frustration mounted, Nie Kong pulled out an ink brush and small inkwell to write on each box lid before meditating in place without further movement.

"What is this kid doing?" Night Prince stared dumbfounded. Initially he'd suspected sabotage - the perfect leverage to force help with alchemy. But now, having arranged his boxes, Nie Kong simply sat waiting...

As dawn brightened the moonstone-lit hall into full daylight, more Inner City disciples began arriving outside for their daily market stalls.

Night Prince slipped away before anyone arrived then circled back to loiter among the vendors while subtly monitoring the entrance.

Finally several disciples entered together...

Without hesitation Night Prince slipped inside just as they reached the dais.

"Nie Kong?"

The gathered disciples halted, surprised by the figure on high. Among them, Night Prince feigned shock and rushed forward toward the platform's edge where those boxes were placed.

His breath caught - the damned fool had turned all boxes so their inscriptions faced down!

Time ticked as more people crowded in. Nie Kong remained completely still like ancient stone atop his dais, while surrounding voices clamored with confusion...

"This Nie Kong, what exactly is he doing? Could he be here for sparring?"

"I think it's possible - my brother saw him training at Spirit Realm last night and heard about a cultivation breakthrough."

"He has plenty of points left. If he dares challenge others I'll easily take them!"

"But that doesn't look right. Why bring those boxes if fighting? They must be medicine containers..."

Just as murmurs rose, Nie Kong suddenly opened his eyes...