The Medicine Platform, it was said, was originally just a raised dais used by the "Spiritual God Temple" to host alchemy gatherings. Later, when the Temple Master was afflicted with a potent poison, the Temple established liaison points in the capitals of every kingdom to gather the strength of high-grade Spirit Alchemists to help cure him, naming these points simply "Medicine Platform."

After the Spiritual God Temple Master recovered, the liaison points were not dissolved; instead, they persisted. Countless years later, the "Medicine Platform" had evolved into an organization spread across the entire Celestial Spirit Continent, and when it came to assessing the ranks of Spirit Alchemists, the "Medicine Platform" was arguably the absolute authority. The Spirit Alchemist credentials it issued were valid across all nations.

In Jiyang City of the Great Achievement Empire, there was a "Medicine Platform." Luoyan City was comparable in scale to Jiyang City, so naturally, it had its own "Medicine Platform." Here, the "Medicine Platform" occupied a beautifully crafted four-story building situated right in the center of the city, opposite the City Lord's Mansion. The current "Medicine Platform" was no longer a mere high stage but a magnificent structure of four tiers.

About fifteen minutes later, the figures of Nie Kong and Mu Lengxing appeared outside the Medicine Platform.

The entrance to the Medicine Platform was bustling with people coming and going. This establishment not only certified Spirit Alchemist ranks but also dealt in medicinal herbs and elixirs. Furthermore, the Platform periodically disseminated alchemical experience, possessing a unique flair that made it exceptionally popular among commoner Spirit Alchemists across the Celestial Spirit Continent. For the super-sects and established great clans, the existence of the Medicine Platform was rather an eyesore, as it also served a critical function: gathering intelligence from various families and sects.

However, constrained by the strength and prestige of the Spiritual God Temple, no one dared to cause trouble for the Medicine Platform. For those commoner Spirit Alchemists lacking powerful backing, this place was nothing short of a sacred ground for learning.

What could be more wonderful than gaining access to alchemical experience for free?

"Nie Kong, are you confident?"

Mu Lengxing slowed his pace, turning to look at Nie Kong beside him.

"Let's give it a try!"

Nie Kong stepped forward first into the Medicine Platform, a faint smile gracing his lips.

Though he spoke of "trying," his demeanor radiated intense self-assurance. During the Spirit Alchemist ranking assessments, the Medicine Platform typically provided relatively common formulas. The elixirs refined from these recipes were usually on the easier side for their respective ranks.

Generally, the Medicine Platform would never use an elixir like the "Illusory Annihilation Centrifugal Pill"—one capable of boosting cultivation levels—for examination. Otherwise, having to provide formulas for every single medicinal item would result in massive losses for the Platform. Of course, if the formula for a cultivation-boosting elixir had become extremely widespread, that would be an exception, as examining candidates using such a common formula would entail almost no loss for the Platform.

Much like a common apothecary, the widest first floor of the Medicine Platform was dedicated to selling herbs and elixirs. The second floor was used for publicizing alchemical insights, and it also contained private spaces where visiting Spirit Alchemists could conduct experiments or spar. Upon entering, Nie Kong and Mu Lengxing proceeded directly to the third floor, following the directions posted on the wall near the entrance.

Many Spirit Alchemists were seated in the circular corridor on the third floor.

Across the corridor were four rather spacious rooms, separated from the main area. Beside each door hung a sign denoting the rank: "First-Grade Spirit Alchemist," "Second-Grade Spirit Alchemist," and so on, with the highest reaching Fourth-Grade Spirit Alchemist. It seemed the Medicine Platform in Luoyan City could only certify up to the Fourth Grade.

A moment later, Nie Kong and Mu Lengxing arrived outside the room marked with the wooden plaque for "Fourth-Grade Spirit Alchemist."

Six Spirit Alchemists were seated along this stretch of the corridor. Nie Kong scanned them quickly, noting that the eldest appeared to have white hair and numerous wrinkles, likely around sixty, while the youngest looked well over thirty. They were presumably also waiting for their Fourth-Grade Spirit Alchemist assessments.

The examinations were conducted every two hours. The previous batch of candidates was still undergoing their evaluation inside, so they had to wait outside for the moment. Fortunately, Nie Kong felt considerably more at ease now; a little delay was inconsequential. If even Temple Master Gu Changong could not cure the young lady of the Lin Residence, it was unlikely that the "Golden Tassel of the Summit" would be claimed immediately, given how rare an alchemist like Gu Changong was.

As Nie Kong and Mu Lengxing sat down, many surrounding individuals displayed looks of surprise.

Immediately afterward, their expressions grew complex—some filled with disdain, others with contempt, mockery, or astonishment—before they eventually averted their gazes, affecting an air of indifference.

It was the white-haired old man nearby who offered Nie Kong a kindly smile: "Young man, are you two also here to take the Fourth-Grade Spirit Alchemist assessment?"

Mu Lengxing had already closed his eyes slightly, showing no desire to converse with strangers. Nie Kong, however, smiled faintly and replied in a gentle tone, "No, just I am taking it."

"You are quite impressive, young man. Judging by your age, you must be under twenty-five, yes?" the old man chuckled, praising him further. Hearing this, everyone nearby, especially those also waiting for the Fourth-Grade assessment, immediately perked up their ears like sails catching the wind, listening intently.

"I am exactly twenty."

Nie Kong did not conceal the truth. As his words dropped, a collective sharp intake of breath echoed around them. Many faces twisted into grimaces of disbelief, only to quickly dismiss it with a curl of the lip. Twenty years old and attempting the Fourth-Grade Spirit Alchemist assessment? Did he truly think he was a prodigy?

"Hss," the old man wheezed slightly, marveling, "Twenty? A Fourth-Grade Spirit Alchemist assessment at twenty? Truly awe-inspiring youth! Unlike this old fellow; I’m over sixty and I’ve sat for this Fourth-Grade assessment five times without passing. My chances this time aren't high either."

Nie Kong's interest was piqued, and he asked with a smile, "Elder, are you a resident of Luoyan City?"

The old man stroked his beard and nodded with a cheerful smile, "Indeed, I’ve lived here for several decades."

Nie Kong quickly inquired further, "The Lin Residence that offered the 'Golden Tassel of the Summit' as a reward, drawing many Spirit Alchemists to Luoyan City—do you know about that, Elder?"

"Of course, I know."

Hearing Nie Kong mention this, the old man immediately brightened, "Speaking of the Lin Residence, they’ve been in Luoyan City for fifty years now. In all these years, no one in the city has ever seen the master of the Lin Residence, and the mistress rarely shows her face. It is rumored that the Lin family has immense background, and the mistress’s cultivation is exceptionally powerful. Of course, these are just hearsay; no one has seen her act, but we infer it from the Lin Residence's butler. Fifty years ago, when the Lin family first moved in, the butler was already a Void Spirit Master. They’ve changed butlers a few times since then, and the current one is also a Void Spirit Master. Being able to employ a Void Spirit Master as a butler suggests the depth of the Lin family's foundation."

Nie Kong’s perspective had broadened considerably. A Void Spirit Master serving as a butler was not something that commanded his attention, nor did the mystery surrounding the Lin Residence pique his curiosity. What preoccupied Nie Kong was the illness of the Lin young lady, so he pressed, "Elder, have you heard anything about what kind of strange malady the Lin young lady suffers from?"

The old man shook his head, "That is difficult to say. I heard that when the Lin family moved in fifty years ago, the young lady had already been in a deep sleep—not dead, nor awakened, for half a century. The Lin family has continuously sought Spirit Alchemists to treat her, all without success. Recently, it seems her condition worsened, which is why the mistress finally brought out the 'Golden Tassel of the Summit.' In my estimation, the hope is likely slim."

He paused, then chuckled teasingly, "Young man, you seem quite interested in the Lin Residence. Perhaps you plan to enter after passing the Fourth-Grade assessment to take a look?"

Nie Kong laughed, "That’s right. I came to the Medicine Platform specifically for this assessment. Perhaps if I am lucky enough to cure the Lin young lady’s ailment, I can pick up a 'Golden Tassel of the Summit' for free."

"Hmph," the old man was somewhat dumbfounded. He had only been speaking casually, never expecting Nie Kong's goal to be exactly as he described. The surrounding Spirit Alchemists who had been listening to the exchange couldn't help but let out a mocking 'hiss.' If the 'Golden Tassel of the Summit' were so easy to claim, the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh-Grade Spirit Alchemists would have already snatched it up; it certainly wouldn't be left for someone who hadn't even passed the Fourth-Grade assessment yet.

After a while, the old man shook his head and laughed, "You have quite the ambition, young man. It’s a pity that the minimum requirement to enter the Lin Residence and treat the young mistress is to be a Fourth-Grade Spirit Alchemist. If only you were a Third-Grade Spirit Alchemist, you wouldn't need to come here for this assessment to gain entry."

Nie Kong offered a casual laugh, "Even if I were a Third-Grade Spirit Alchemist, I couldn't get in. Before this, I've never taken any Spirit Alchemist assessment at the Medicine Platform."

Saying this, Nie Kong felt a tinge of frustration. Spirit Alchemist credentials were like academic degrees from his previous life; sometimes they were as useless as waste paper, yet in certain circumstances, lacking that piece of paper was a genuine impediment.

"Whoosh!"

A burst of laughter erupted along the corridor.

The expressions of the surrounding Spirit Alchemists became even more dramatic; they were stifling immense amusement. When they first saw Nie Kong arrive aiming for the Fourth Grade, they assumed he was already a Third Grade—a twenty-year-old Third Grade Alchemist, while perhaps not a peerless genius, was certainly quite accomplished. Who knew that this young man, for all his age, was not even a First Grade Alchemist, let alone Third Grade?

What a waste of our attention! After their initial amusement, everyone felt utterly speechless.

The old man rolled his eyes, looking a mixture of exasperation and amusement, "This... young man truly has... er, great resolve. You intend to skip the preceding three assessments and jump straight to the Fourth Grade evaluation? That is far more difficult than progressing level by level."

Nie Kong replied, "It doesn't matter. Solving it all at once saves time and trouble."

"..."

The old man was rendered utterly speechless, though he shook his head inwardly. He had intended to offer a few more words of advice, but ultimately remained silent. This young man was so confidently aiming to pass the Fourth-Grade assessment in one go just to rush to the Lin Residence and 'pick up a bargain.' Why should he interfere and throw cold water on his plans? It wouldn't be too late to offer comfort once the young man failed this assessment and was forced to sober up.

"Creeak!"

A door in the otherwise quiet corridor creaked open—it was the exit from the Fourth-Grade Spirit Alchemist examination room. Five men of varying ages stepped out. Save for one who wore a broad smile, the other four looked thoroughly dejected, clearly having failed their assessment.

PS: This covers the second update for the 10th. I anticipate another update tonight, though it will be very late, so please read it tomorrow. Also, the events in Luoyan City are set up to introduce the plot arc for this volume. After reading a few more chapters, everyone will suddenly realize, Ah, so that’s how it is! O(∩_∩)O Haha~

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