The Elixir Codex! In a mere thought, the tender sprouts, stems, leaves, and roots writhed rapidly.

A verdant aura diffused from the Yaochi acupoint, instantly sweeping through the limbs and bones. In the blink of an eye, the surging, boiling blood within Nie Kong subsided, and his originally crimson complexion returned to normal.

The "Elixir Codex," a Tier Four skill, could restore fifty percent of health for oneself and teammates in the Friend Demon Monster game. Upon arriving at the Celestial Spirit Continent, the skill’s effect underwent subtle changes; it could not only treat injuries but also cleanse negative effects from the self.

"Hm?" A soft query followed immediately, and the sound of footsteps paused, only to resume without the previous blood-stirring power. By this time, Nie Kong had steadied himself.

Following the sound, he looked over and saw a woman in black slowly descending the staircase from the second floor. Her face was frigid, her expression icy, and her eyes held a faint hint of perplexity, seemingly surprised that Nie Kong had recovered so quickly from the disturbance caused by her approach.

Her cultivation must be exceptionally high! Nie Kong’s heart skipped a beat; he could sense absolutely no aura of spiritual energy emanating from this woman.

The Half-Spirit race differed from the Five Great Spirit races; the Spirit race cultivated the Xin Xiang (Mind Aspect) rather than the spiritual Qiao (Apertures), but the Half-Spirit race could cultivate both. It was normal not to sense spiritual energy from a pure Spirit race member, but to sense none from a Half-Spirit suggested only one possibility: her power far exceeded the range Nie Kong could perceive.

Another set of heavy, deliberate footsteps sounded, followed by a young man running down, also clad in black, his frame thin and his complexion pale. Seeing the man in black, Nie Kong almost laughed aloud.

This fellow was the very one he had thoroughly thrashed in the inn at South Building City. Unsurprisingly, the formidable woman leading the way must be someone he called upon to cause trouble for Nie Kong, though their relationship remained unclear.

"Mother, the person who beat me in South Corner City is this one!" The fellow shrieked, pointing at Nie Kong. A trace of triumph flickered in his venomous, snake-like gaze, clearly savoring Nie Kong’s impending misery in his mind.

The mother of that fellow! It seemed this matter would not end easily today!

Nie Kong remained outwardly calm, his mind racing. The woman in black remained silent.

After reaching the bottom of the stairs, she slowly took a seat at a nearby table. Then, she gestured to the seat opposite her and looked at Nie Kong, saying, "Sit!" "It is better to obey than to refuse out of politeness." A slight smile touched Nie Kong's lips.

"You are Mu Kong?" The woman in black spoke without inflection. "Indeed," Nie Kong replied with a nod and a smile.

"May I ask how to address this senior?" "The City Lord of West Filth." The woman in black stated plainly. "The Third Elder?" Nie Kong paused in stunned silence.

Yin Ruins had five Great Elders: the City Lords of West Moon, East Canopy, West Path, South Mark, and North Pine. Among them, Mu Lengxing, the City Lord of West Filth, ranked third.

Nie Kong recalled Mu Zu’s brief introduction to the five City Lords; the appearance of Mu Lengxing indeed matched the woman before him. Immediately, Nie Kong smiled broadly, looking at the man in black behind Mu Lengxing.

"The Third Elder has specifically waited here for Mu Kong; I presume it is to avenge his grievance?" Mu Lengxing said faintly, "This unworthy creature deserves what he got after being taught a lesson by you..." "Mother!" The man in black started, his face instantly changing drastically, and he cried out, "How could you—" "Silence!" Mu Lengxing’s expression darkened slightly, and she hissed the command. The fellow instantly recoiled as if a cat had appeared, involuntarily swallowing the words bubbling up his throat.

He stared at Nie Kong with gritted teeth and simmering indignation, his eyes growing more malevolent, as if wishing he could rush forward and tear Nie Kong to shreds. Nie Kong looked at Mu Lengxing with surprise.

She wasn't here to cause trouble because of her son? "For one so young, to possess your level of cultivation is quite remarkable." Mu Lengxing’s gaze returned to Nie Kong, her eyes calm and unrippled.

"I hear you can easily neutralize and dissolve the poison contained within the Thousand Thorn Ink Dragon Whip Mind Aspect?" "That is correct," Nie Kong replied with a slight smile, speaking frankly. There was little to hide this fact, and even if he wished to, he couldn't, given that so many eyes had witnessed him and that fellow's entanglement with the Thousand Thorn Ink Dragon Whip Mind Aspect back in the inn at South Scale City.

"I have never encountered someone like you," Mu Lengxing sighed softly. Then she gazed at Nie Kong, silent for a long time, her expression unchanging.

Nie Kong couldn't fathom what she was thinking. Nie Kong was also rather mystified.

Since Mu Lengxing wasn't here to confront him over her son, why had she come to the Moon Gazing Pavilion? Merely to exchange a few meaningless words?

The City Lord of West Ridge shouldn't be so idle. After a considerable pause, a slight flicker crossed Mu Lengxing’s eyes, and she spoke, "Mu Kong, I possess five types of poisonous herbs, their toxicity increasing sequentially.

Are you willing to try them?" "Eh?" Nie Kong's eyes widened in astonishment. He hadn't expected Mu Lengxing’s long silence to culminate in such a proposition.

The man standing behind her paused briefly, then beamed with unexpected delight, his gaze towards Nie Kong shifting to one of schadenfreude. He assumed that since his mother had spoken, the other party had no choice but to comply.

He now thought his mother wasn't seeking retribution for him, but rather intended to torment Nie Kong in this manner. Mu Lengxing elaborated, "Mu Kong, the poisons in my five herbs, though fierce, are not immediately fatal.

Even if you cannot endure it, I have ample time to extract the toxins from your body." She paused slightly. "However, such a venture carries considerable risk.

Whether you attempt it is entirely up to you; I will not force your agreement. If you endure the first herb, I will give you ten Yin Moon Stones; if you pass the second, twenty-five; the third, fifty; the fourth, one hundred; and the fifth, 300 [Lone Star Anti-Counterfeit Mark].

Mu Kong, you might consider this carefully." The man in black stared dumbfounded, glancing between his mother and Nie Kong opposite him. Disbelief slowly dawned in his eyes.

Things were completely different from what he had imagined; she truly let him choose? Did this mean his mother didn't intend to torture him with the five poisonous herbs after all?

Mu Lengxing ignored her son and did not press Nie Kong further, slowly closing her eyes as if falling into a slumber. Nie Kong’s thoughts spun rapidly; he did not answer immediately.

Regarding the poisonous herbs, Nie Kong felt no worry. Even the toxic mist refined by Qing Yue could be absorbed by Xiangxiang and then used as nourishment for the "Fire Tree Silver Flower." Even if Mu Lengxing’s herbs were intensely potent, they shouldn't pose any threat to him.

What puzzled Nie Kong was Mu Lengxing’s motive. To test the herbs while offering Yin Moon Stones—what was she truly aiming for?

Especially the fifth herb, which promised a staggering 300 Yin Moon Stones upon endurance. That quantity of Yin Moon Stones was truly remarkable.

Nie Kong resided in the Moon Gazing Pavilion, and the entire cost for a month’s board and lodging amounted to only one Yin Moon Stone paid by Mu Xinyue. Possessing 300 Yin Moon Stones would instantly make Nie Kong a wealthy man in Yin Ruins.

Moreover, if he successfully tried all five herbs, the total Yin Moon Stones he stood to gain would not be 300, but 485. Nie Kong finally asked, "Third Elder, why do you wish for me to test these herbs?" "Yin Ruins is too quiet; one must find something to occupy one's time, no?" Mu Lengxing kept her eyes closed, her tone light and breezy.

Even a ghost wouldn't believe that! Nie Kong chuckled inwardly.

Regardless of her intention, it couldn't harm him in the slightest, as any herb poison entering his system would immediately be whisked away to the 'Pet Backpack' by the little creature. Those nearly five hundred Yin Moon Stones were essentially free money—better to take them.

"Third Elder, I accept!" Nie Kong finally nodded. "Good!" Her eyelashes fluttered, and Mu Lengxing opened her eyes.

She then looked at the man in black behind her. "Mu Feihe, bring down the box I left on the second floor." "Hmph!" Mu Feihe snorted deeply, wanting to remain motionless, but ultimately succumbing to Mu Lengxing's commanding gaze.

After glaring fiercely at Nie Kong, he reluctantly headed upstairs. His heavy, grinding footsteps vented his displeasure, sounding as if they might stomp the staircase to pieces.

A moment later, Mu Feihe returned to the first floor with a sullen expression, slamming the wooden box onto the table to express his protest. Crack!

Mu Lengxing acted as if oblivious to her son’s demeanor. She gently lifted the lid of the box, retrieved five small wooden caskets, and placed them sequentially before Nie Kong.

Nie Kong peered closely. He noticed that while these herbs were dried, their shapes were perfectly preserved.

The first herb was white; the second had begun to turn black. The color of the herbs grew progressively darker, until the fifth herb in the final box was completely inky black.

These were herbs Nie Kong had never seen before, likely unique to Yin Ruins. However, the little creature hadn't made a sound when he returned to the inn earlier, suggesting these herbs might not be overly precious.

Alternatively, perhaps the little creature’s standards had simply risen, given that his Pet Backpack already contained other poisonous herbs, and the Spirit Sealing Stele within it stored vast amounts of toxic mist. "Xiangxiang, prepare yourself," Nie Kong instructed, picking up the first wooden box.

To be cautious, Nie Kong only tore off a tiny leaf from the white herb and chewed it slowly. Instantly, Nie Kong’s lips began to turn dusky black, and this blackness quickly spread to his cheeks.

Mu Lengxing leaned slightly forward, staring intently at the changes in Nie Kong's expression. A faint red glow pulsed in her palm, as if she were ready to act at any moment.

Mu Feihe, standing behind her, was also staring intently at Nie Kong, his lips moving incessantly. Judging by the shape of his lips, he was mouthing the words, "Poison him to death." Mu Lengxing seemed to notice and glanced sideways at him.

The young man jumped, quickly closing his mouth, though his gaze remained hostile. Unfortunately for Mu Feihe’s hopes, the blackness on Nie Kong’s cheeks and lips faded relatively quickly.

Under the scrutiny of two sets of widely differing gazes, Nie Kong smiled faintly, suddenly crushing the entire white herb into a ball and popping it into his mouth. "You..." Mu Lengxing started, about to intervene, but the herb was already swallowed.

She shot up, her right hand flashing with red light, ready to press down on Nie Kong’s shoulder. Mu Feihe, however, was overjoyed, his eyebrows leaping up.

Based on the information he had received from his mother, this white herb, though the mildest of the five, was supposedly more potent than the Thousand Thorn Ink Dragon Whip. For Nie Kong to consume the entire thing—was he seeking death?

But if his mother was determined to save him, this fellow wouldn't die easily. He needed to find a way to stall things.

Mu Feihe’s eyes darted around shrewdly. Before he could formulate a plan, Mu Lengxing’s right hand halted abruptly just above Nie Kong’s shoulder.

Mu Feihe was surprised. He looked back at Nie Kong’s face and froze.

After swallowing the whole white herb, Nie Kong’s complexion showed no change at all. Chewing a small piece of leaf showed distinct poisoning symptoms, yet eating the whole herb resulted in nothing...

What was the logic behind this? Mu Feihe’s eyes were filled with disbelief.

Perhaps because he hadn't resisted as before, the poison took longer to take effect, Mu Feihe speculated with a sliver of residual hope. But in the next instant, Mu Feihe’s last thread of hope evaporated into thin air.

"Third Elder, there is no need to worry. Herbs like this cannot take me down," Nie Kong suddenly said with a laugh.

When he consumed only the piece of leaf earlier, he had merely intended to personally gauge the herb's potency, thus causing the poisoning symptoms to appear. When he ate the whole herb afterwards, swallowing it whole, the medicinal power hadn't fully dispersed before the little creature absorbed it, naturally preventing poisoning.

At this point, Nie Kong was certain that Mu Lengxing had no intention of ambushing him with these herbs. Otherwise, when she saw him eat the entire white herb, Mu Lengxing could have remained seated, with no need to assume a posture ready to provide aid.

However, Nie Kong was surprised to see that after the little creature extracted the poison from the white herb and continuously sent it to the 'Pet Backpack,' it was not absorbed by the 'Fire Tree Silver Flower' but instead slipped off the leaf and accumulated in the basin below as a dark mass. "Very good!" Mu Lengxing sighed softly, retracting her hand and slowly sitting down.

Mu Feihe’s face was a picture of dejection as he gnashed his teeth and glared furiously at Nie Kong. Ignoring the man's resentful gaze, Nie Kong picked up the second wooden box.

Indeed, as Mu Lengxing had stated, the toxicity of the herbs intensified sequentially. Upon experiencing the first white herb, only Nie Kong’s cheeks and lips turned black; but tasting the second one turned his entire head black; the third caused his upper body to turn black with intensely strong paralysis; by the fourth, Nie Kong was not only entirely black and swollen, but even his internal blood and spiritual energy showed signs of stagnation.

Whoosh! The dozens of green strands controlled by the little creature circulated wildly, and Nie Kong's miserable appearance gradually faded.

When his body fully recovered, Nie Kong leaned back in his chair, sitting quietly for a moment before letting out a long breath. He then crushed the fourth herb into a ball and ate it.

By now, the amount of toxin accumulating in the Pet Backpack was growing steadily. It was only now that Nie Kong understood why the little creature hadn't cried out when these herbs appeared.

If the toxins couldn't even be absorbed by the 'Fire Tree Silver Flower,' it meant they couldn't transform into those crimson liquid beads. To the little creature, such herbs were practically waste material.

As for why the 'Fire Tree Silver Flower' could not absorb these toxins, Nie Kong had a vague understanding after consecutively consuming four herbs. The medicinal power contained in these herbs was fundamentally different from the herbs Nie Kong had tasted before.

All medicinal herbs on the Celestial Spirit Continent, whether poisonous or spiritual, shared a common trait: they contained spiritual energy elements, to varying degrees. But these four herbs provided by Mu Lengxing contained not a single trace of spiritual energy element.

Although Yin Ruins was an independent space reformed from a shattered illusionary realm, it was still connected to the Celestial Spirit Continent. For the herbs here to be completely different from those outside was truly bizarre.

"Could these herbs not originate from Yin Ruins?" As the little creature absorbed the fourth herb, Nie Kong pondered. If they weren't from Yin Ruins, they weren't from the Celestial Spirit Continent either.

Could it be... "The Abyss of Perdition!" These four words flashed through Nie Kong's mind.

According to the information revealed by Mu Zu, the Abyss of Perdition should be a realm entirely distinct from the Celestial Spirit Continent. The Nightmare Spirit Dark Demon Vine, the Dark Blood Spirit Insect...

these two herbs were just as strange as the five before him. It took the little creature several minutes to fully absorb the fourth herb.

"Dark Fragrance!" Nie Kong transmitted a thought. "Aiya ya," the little creature opened its small flower bud, releasing a tiny puff of purple energy, which it quickly sent into the Pet Backpack.

However, this time it wasn't for the 'Fire Tree Silver Flower' to enjoy. Instead, using the little creature's innate medicinal power, the purple energy was directly injected into the mass of black toxin.

"Hmph hmph, so biased," Qing Yue's voice sounded in Nie Kong's mind, laced with a touch of grievance. Nie Kong pretended not to hear, focusing his spirit on the mass of toxin.

The little creature’s fragrance needed to be reserved to counter Mu Qingyi’s Nightmare Spirit Dark Demon Vine. If all of it were absorbed by Qing Yue to condense her physical body, Nie Kong’s purpose in coming to Yin Ruins would be thwarted.

He couldn't help Qing Yue’s complaint now. Seconds later, Nie Kong discovered with delight that the mass of toxin was rapidly shrinking.

In an instant, the toxic liquid completely vanished. "It truly comes from the Abyss of Perdition!" Nie Kong exclaimed internally.

There was only one possibility for these types of poisonous herbs to appear in Yin Ruins: they must have been brought in by Mu Qingyi back then. What was the West Filth City Lord’s motive in having him taste such herbs?

Had she discovered his identity and was using this to test him? Absolutely impossible!

Recalling his experiences from leaving Giant Peak until now in a flash, Nie Kong was certain he hadn't exposed any weakness during this time. Furthermore, the West Filth City Lord had only appeared today, and most importantly, her demeanor gave no indication that she had uncovered his identity.

What on earth was she trying to do? Nie Kong was utterly baffled.

After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes, only to meet Mu Lengxing’s gaze, which held a hint of surprise. Mu Lengxing’s expression remained cold, but her tone carried a note of amazement.

"Mu Kong, I am truly shocked that you managed to endure up to the fourth type. Do you realize that even if I tasted these herbs myself, I could only endure up to the third?" Hearing his mother’s praise, Mu Feihe’s expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard a word.

Every time he saw Nie Kong swallow a whole herb, he couldn't help but hold out hope, but the result consistently left him devastated. After several successive disappointments, he had grown somewhat numb.

"Haha," Nie Kong laughed nonchalantly. "Third Elder, it seems you will be surprised further." Saying this, Nie Kong reached for the final wooden box.

"Wait," Mu Lengxing suddenly reached out and grasped the box. "Mu Kong, I mentioned before that even if you couldn't endure, I had enough time to extract the poison from your body.

That applied only to the first four herbs. This fifth herb is too potent; I do not have absolute certainty [of success]." She paused.

"Let’s keep this last herb aside for now. I will still pay you the 485 Yin Moon Stones." "Third Elder, rest assured," Nie Kong said seriously.

"I have tasted herbs more potent than the fourth; this fifth one cannot defeat me either. I say this not out of recklessness, but with absolute confidence.

I am still young and have not lived long enough; losing my life due to foolish bravado would be too worthless." "This..." Mu Lengxing hesitated for a moment before finally releasing the wooden box. As before, Nie Kong tore off a small piece of the herb.

This time, the amount he took was even smaller—just a tiny corner of a leaf. Holding it in his mouth, before even chewing, the rapidly dissipating trace of medicinal power caused Nie Kong's tongue to go numb, and this numbness quickly spread throughout his body.

Nie Kong was unconcerned; he closed his eyes, quietly savoring the process of the medicinal power spreading. In less than half a minute, although Nie Kong's body did not swell, the exposed skin became a dark, inky hue, as if smeared with thick ink.

As time passed, a black mist seeped out from beneath Nie Kong's clothes, quickly enveloping his body. Opposite him, Mu Lengxing’s delicate eyebrows furrowed tighter, her expression growing icier, yet the aura emanating from her skin was fierce as fire.

Instantly, the air in the Moon Gazing Pavilion seemed to rise by several degrees, accompanied by an extremely oppressive atmosphere. "Mother!"

Mu Feihhe, lost in thought, was startled back to awareness by the changes around her. Following her gaze, she saw Nie Kong enveloped in swirling black mist, and then looked at the last remaining fifth herb. Her heart stirred slightly, a flicker of hope rekindling in her eyes—this poisonous herb was the most potent; perhaps it could yet...

"Whoosh!"

A black shadow flashed. Mu Lengxing suddenly left her seat, and in the next instant, she was beside Nie Kong, reaching out to grab, drawing the black mist surrounding him toward her palm.

In just a few short seconds, the black mist thinned considerably, and a compact ball of dark energy formed in Mu Lengxing's grasp. With a sharp hiss, a searing flame erupted from her palm, enveloping the dark mass, accompanied by the ceaseless sound of gnawing.

"Enough!"

With a sharp tug, a long tear split open the clothing on Nie Kong's chest. Mu Lengxing’s expression was stern as she brought up her index and middle fingers, pointing them toward Nie Kong’s left breast. The moment her fingertips touched the skin of his chest, her index finger glowed blood-red, while her middle finger was as inky black as night.

One red and one black sliver of ethereal light shot into Nie Kong’s body like lightning. Without pausing, Mu Lengxing raised her double fingers again, tapped down, raised, tapped down... the speed was astonishing. In the blink of an eye, dozens of pairs of crimson-and-ebony lights had been injected into Nie Kong’s left chest.

A moment later, a strange sight unfolded over Nie Kong’s chest. First, a circle of sanguine haze spread rapidly outward, centered around Mu Lengxing’s two fingers. This was immediately followed by a black circle, then a red one, then black—this cycle repeated endlessly, like undulating ripples.

As these interwoven rings of red and black mist continued to fluctuate, the blackness on Nie Kong’s left chest skin gradually faded. However, before it could completely revert, the blackness covering his entire body began to dissipate simultaneously.

"Eh?" Mu Lengxing let out a soft cry of surprise, withdrawing her fingers. A brief moment of astonishment gave way to an expression of profound relief. She stood beside Nie Kong for a few more moments, waiting until the color of his skin had essentially returned to normal, before returning to her seat across from him.

The last hope had vanished. Mu Feihhe stamped her foot and cursed inwardly. She could see it now—even without her mother intervening, Nie Kong could dissolve and neutralize the poison spread throughout his body on his own.

If even such a potent herb couldn't touch him, was this fellow truly immune to all poisons?

"What potent toxicity!"

Moments later, Nie Kong let out a long breath, crumpled the final herb into a ball, and stuffed it into his mouth. As he had done with the previous ones, he swallowed it directly, letting the small creature inside contend with it, while his gaze shifted to Mu Lengxing opposite him. He spoke with a hint of gratitude, "Thank you, Third Elder."

Though Nie Kong had kept his eyes closed, he was perfectly aware of the commotion outside, naturally knowing Mu Lengxing's actions toward him. Nie Kong was quite intrigued by the two streams of power Mu Lengxing had infused into him; based on his perception, the red energy was likely Fire Spirit Power, and the black energy was likely Heart-Phase Strength.

"I didn't actually help you; you overcame it yourself," Mu Lengxing replied coolly, yet the surprise in her tone was impossible to conceal.

"Regardless of the final effect, the Third Elder still took action to treat me."

Nie Kong laughed heartily, shrugging his shoulders to pull the ripped fabric on his chest toward the center.

"You, you..."

Mu Lengxing’s face suddenly changed drastically. She sprang up, her eyes fixed intensely on the area beneath Nie Kong’s left armpit. Her expression was impossibly complex—excitement, shock, bewilderment, astonishment, delight, relief, utter disbelief. In that single moment, it seemed all the emotions in the world were contained within her eyes.

Mu Lengxing's sudden change startled Nie Kong greatly.

Could this Mu Lengxing have contracted the common affliction of the women in this Yin Ruins? Nie Kong subconsciously entertained the thought, a chill running down his spine. However, he quickly dismissed the possibility; having sat opposite her in this Moon-Gazing Tower for so long, if she harbored such inclinations, she wouldn't have waited until now.

Mu Lengxing had changed so drastically only after seeing his left armpit—was there something unusual about that specific area of his?

A birthmark?

Nie Kong's heart gave a violent lurch...

PS: Yesterday’s catch-up is done~~ It’s Monday, brothers, cast a few recommendation votes after reading! Many thanks!