As Nie Kong pondered, the dark green essence between his fingers receded, and he gently released Miss Lin's right hand. Seeing this, Madam Lin could no longer suppress her emotions and urgently asked, "Little friend, how is my Tianjun? I see the black energy there is gone. Does this mean her condition will stop worsening?"

Nie Kong started, then realized this Miss Lin was named Lin Yaojun, which sounded quite like a man's name. Shaking his head slightly, Nie Kong replied, "Madam, it's not that simple. Your daughter's condition is extremely strange, and I haven't found any clear leads yet."

"Then, then..." Madam Lin was struck by Nie Kong's words like a pail of cold water, stuttering as she pointed at her daughter Lin's brow, unable to utter the rest of her sentence.

"It was just an anomaly; it doesn't prove anything," Nie Kong said apologetically. In fact, Nie Kong wasn't wrong; the disappearance of the black energy truly explained nothing. Instead, it made Lin Tianjun's condition appear more complex, more bizarre, and significantly more intractable.

"An anomaly?"

Madam Lin didn't believe it. If this counted as an anomaly, she would rather have more of them. After a pause, she gritted her teeth and added, "If Little Friend can cure Yaojun, not only will that 'Golden Peak Tassel' be yours, but I can also give you an additional 'Cold Snow Divine Heart Grass'!"

"Cold Snow Divine Heart Grass!"

Hearing these words, Tai Lunxiang, Cheng Feiyan, and Pei Yuan all showed looks of astonishment.

The value of the Cold Snow Divine Heart Grass was absolutely comparable to the 'Golden Peak Tassel' that Madam Lin had offered as payment. The Grade Eight Spiritual Medicine, 'Extreme Spirit Heart Pill,' refined primarily from it, was rumored to allow a Cave Spirit Master to personally perceive the will of a Celestial Spirit—a fatal temptation for Spirit Masters long stuck at the ninth grade of Cave Spirit who could not break through. Unfortunately, the 'Extreme Spirit Heart Pill,' like the 'Hollow Void Golden Pill,' was exceedingly rare.

Unexpectedly, this Madam Lin, whom they had never heard of before, possessed both the 'Golden Peak Tassel' and the 'Cold Snow Divine Heart Grass.' Perhaps she possessed even more precious herbs besides these two. In an instant, even individuals like Tai Runxiang and Cheng Feixing looked quite eager.

Nie Kong was stunned for a moment, quickly realizing Madam Lin had misunderstood him, and couldn't help but give a wry smile. "Madam Lin, I absolutely do not mean to raise the price. If I can save her, one 'Golden Peak Tassel' is sufficient. It's just that I truly haven't found the cause of the illness yet; adding more payment now is useless."

Seeing that Nie Kong didn't seem to be lying, Madam Lin was quite disappointed, but immediately, a glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes. "Little Friend, in that case, please continue your investigation. No matter what, as long as you can stop Yaojun's condition from worsening, both the 'Golden Peak Tassel' and the 'Cold Snow Divine Heart Grass' are yours. If Yaojun—if Yaojun can awaken, the reward will certainly not disappoint you."

For the past two months, numerous high-grade Spirit Pharmacists had tried countless methods to no avail. Now, with just a casual touch from Nie Kong, the black energy on his daughter's brow disappeared. Whether this was an accident or something else, it was progress. Even at the highest cost, Madam Lin had to keep him here.

"Even for the 'Golden Peak Tassel,' I will do my utmost," Nie Kong nodded, then added apologetically, "However, for the subsequent investigation, I must ensure there is absolutely no disturbance. Do you see..." As he spoke, Nie Kong's gaze drifted towards Tai Jiuxiang and the others.

Nie Kong's words were subtle, but those around him understood his implication: he did not want them to remain in the room. Tai Jiuxiang, Pei Yuan, and Cheng Feixing remained composed, but a few attendants looked displeased. What was this about absolutely no disturbance? Were people here going to interrupt him treating the patient? Wasn't he just afraid of others seeing his method of diagnosis?

However, Nie Kong's request was both reasonable and justified, so no one dared to insist on staying.

Cheng Feixing stroked his beard and spoke first, "Little Friend, investigate the condition with ease. This old man will wait outside for your good news..." As he spoke, his eyes turned to Madam Lin, and he laughed heartily, "Madam, it seems I will have to impose on your residence for a while longer. Please don't take offense."

"If Brother Cheng is willing to stay, it is the honor of the Lin Residence," Madam Lin smiled sweetly.

"Madam, it seems this old woman must shamelessly follow the example of the Grand Emperor of Cheng..." In less than two minutes, only Nie Kong, Mu Lengxing, Madam Lin, and the recumbent Lin Yaojun remained in the room, which suddenly felt much more spacious. Madam Lin closed the door and looked at Nie Kong with anticipation. But to her surprise, Nie Kong still showed no sign of beginning his work.

Madam Lin realized this and asked in astonishment, "Little Friend, should I leave too?"

"Ahem!" Nie Kong chuckled dryly.

"Very well!"

Madam Lin glanced at her daughter, then could only turn and walk out reluctantly.

Her daughter had been asleep for fifty years, yet her appearance remained as beautiful as a young woman in her twenties. She wasn't worried about this man taking advantage of her daughter while she was gone, as the silent, statue-like Mu Lengxing, who hadn't spoken since entering, would certainly remain in the room. As Nie Kong's elder, she presumed he wouldn't want to see him act inappropriately towards a patient.

However, not being in the room to receive the latest updates as Nie Kong investigated her daughter's condition made her anxious and uncomfortable. But this Fourth-Grade Spirit Pharmacist clearly did not want his secrets observed. No matter how much Madam Lin wished to stay, she had to obediently wait outside.

As she reached the door, Madam Lin suddenly remembered something and quickly pulled several yellowed sheets of paper from her embrace. "Right, Little Friend, here is some introduction regarding Yaojun's illness. I completely forgot to give this to you earlier. There are many investigation results from Spirit Pharmacists on here; perhaps they will be helpful to you."

In the past, whenever a Spirit Pharmacist visited, Madam Lin would let them review this illness description. Tai Yunxiang, Cheng Feixing, and Pei Yuan had all seen it. More recently, Madam Lin had given up hope on low-grade Spirit Pharmacists, so she hadn't presented it when Nie Kong and Mu Lengxing first appeared. Later, seeing Nie Kong make the black energy on her daughter's brow dissipate, she had become too excited and completely forgot about it, only remembering it now.

After Nie Kong took the papers, Madam Lin reluctantly departed, closing the door tightly behind her. The reason for sending everyone out was that Nie Kong would soon need to use Qingyue's soul power. This thousand-year medicinal spirit was too precious; if Cheng Feixing and the others saw it, they might develop covetous intentions. If a Celestial Spirit expert attempted to seize it, even with Third Aunt by his side, it wouldn't be completely safe. It was better if fewer people knew.

Unfolding the papers, Nie Kong quickly scanned the contents.

Moments later, Nie Kong understood the reason for the existence of this room. Fifty years ago, when Lin Yaojun first fell ill, she experienced extreme suffering, and the 'Three Spiritual Apertures' within her body would automatically operate, absorbing the spiritual energy elements of heaven and earth. Thus, this room constructed of Spirit-Severing Jade was created.

After Lin Tianjun was moved here, she calmed down and slept for fifty years thereafter. What intrigued Nie Kong was the reason for Lin Tianjun's slumber.

Nie Kong turned his gaze to Mu Lengxing and suddenly asked, "Third Aunt, do you know of the 'Prison Fire Nether Spring'?"

"Hm?"

Mu Lengxing frowned, recalled for a moment, and then said, "Third Aunt has heard of it. It is said to be a very peculiar place, usually sealed, opening only once every fifty years. It contains many marvelous things, the most famous being a spring eye called the 'Prison Fire Nether Spring.' Drinking the water from it not only enhances cultivation but can also condense a Second Incarnation. Therefore, the name 'Prison Fire Nether Spring' became the name of that entire location. Unfortunately, only Spirit Masters below the ninth grade of Spirit Transformation can enter."

Nie Kong exclaimed, "Second Incarnation?"

"Indeed. Possessing a Second Incarnation is equivalent to having a second life," Mu Lengxing stated calmly. "Thus, every fifty years, sects and great families like the Moluo Sacred Mountain, Heaven and Earth Sect, Ink Snow Sect, and Spirit Imperial City select the most outstanding disciples below the Spirit Control realm to enter the 'Prison Fire Nether Spring.' Although the Second Incarnation is marvelous, my Yin Ruins does not join in the clamor. The five Great Spirit Clans, however, will send their clansmen inside."

"Will the Flower Spirit Clan go too?" Nie Kong couldn't help but ask.

"Third Aunt said the five Great Spirit Clans," Mu Lengxing emphasized, adding, "The seventh month of every fifty years is the day the 'Prison Fire Nether Spring' opens. It has been exactly fifty years since the last opening. Hmm, in another two or three months, that place will be lively again."

"Good!"

Hearing this, Nie Kong was overjoyed.

The five Great Spirit Clans were not like sects such as the Spirit Imperial City; their residences were mysterious, much like the Yin Ruins. The Flower Spirit Clan, being the leader of the five Great Spirit Clans, was even more so. When he was still in the Yin Ruins, Nie Kong had asked his mother, Mu Xueyi, and others, but none knew the location of the 'Flower Butterfly Secret Realm.'

When Hua Yanji took Hua Meili away, she did not disclose the location of the 'Flower Butterfly Secret Realm,' clearly not wishing for Nie Kong to seek out Hua Mei. Before the crisis within his bloodline was resolved, Nie Kong only hoped Hua Mei was safe and wasn't in a rush to know where she was.

After all, if she were alive and he died, knowing her location would be pointless.

But now that Nie Kong's bloodline had awakened, the situation was different. It was just a pity that almost no one knew where the 'Flower Butterfly Secret Realm' was. Nie Kong had been secretly anxious, never expecting to learn at this moment that in a few months, Flower Spirit Clansmen would be heading to the 'Prison Fire Nether Spring.' For Nie Kong, this was good news. If he could also go to the 'Prison Fire Nether Spring' then, he would likely have a great opportunity to meet Hua Mei's clansmen.

As for whether those Flower Spirit Clansmen would honestly disclose the location of the 'Flower Butterfly Secret Realm,' that would depend on Nie Kong's skill and methods.

At this moment, Nie Kong was overwhelmingly happy, never once considering whether he would have the chance to enter the 'Prison Fire Nether Spring' in July.

After a long while, Nie Kong finally calmed his mind and shifted his attention back to the papers.