"I say, our Netherworld alchemy standards are dreadfully backward!" Nie Kong’s tone lifted slightly as he made his point with greater clarity.

"Good! Very good!"

Zhan Feihong finally grasped that he hadn't misheard. For a moment, his face darkened. Suppressing the urge to teach this grinning little fellow a lesson right then and there, he sneered, "Little fellow, daring to say such a thing, you must know a great deal about refining Nether Pills, then?"

"Sorry, up to this point, I know absolutely nothing!" Nie Kong laughed.

"Hmm?"

Zhan Feihong’s expression grew even gloomier. His gaze fixed coldly on Nie Kong, like a beast eager to devour someone. "This old man knew you’d answer that way. You haven't even heard of 'Nether Fire,' so how could you possibly understand alchemy?"

With that, Zhan Feihong squinted and leaned closer to Nie Kong, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Little fellow, do you know the consequences of trifling with this elder?"

"This Brother Nie Kong!"

Zhan Tianlun inwardly groaned. This Third Uncle had a fearsome temper; he had suffered greatly under him before. Now that Nie Kong had provoked him, while it might not lead to immediate danger, a severe beating seemed unavoidable.

At this moment, Zhan Tianlun deeply regretted his actions. Based on their past interactions, this kid Nie Kong should have been quite sharp. If he had known Nie Kong would suddenly act so recklessly, he never would have brought him up to the second floor.

But regret was useless now. If Third Uncle truly made a move, Zhan Tianlun would have to step in and intervene. If he just revealed that Nie Kong had achieved the first rank in the Golden Jue, Third Uncle would likely spare him. The problem was, if he did that, he would be the one to suffer the consequences!

In a flash of thought, Zhan Tianlun was on the verge of tears.

Just as Zhan Feihong approached with a sinister grin, and Zhan Tianlun was lost in agonizing thoughts, Nie Kong offered a slight smile. "Third Uncle, it seems there might be a slight issue with your comprehension skills!"

"You dare say my comprehension is flawed?"

Zhan Feihong exploded in fury, his right claw, shaped like a hook, landing squarely on Nie Kong’s shoulder.

Just as he was about to give this audacious little brat who dared to "mock" him a good shake to loosen his joints, Zhan Feihong noticed there wasn't a shred of panic in Nie Kong's eyes. A sudden thought struck him, and he reined in the force surging toward his palm.

"Third Uncle, do you recall what I said just now?" Nie Kong casually glanced at Zhan Feihong's right hand, his smile unwavering.

"'Up to this point, I know absolutely nothing'?"

Zhan Feihong suppressed the rage boiling in his chest and scoffed, "Does that mean after this moment, you'll suddenly know a few things?"

Nie Kong seemed entirely unmoved by the mockery laced in Zhan Feihong's words, replying slowly and deliberately, "If the opportunity arises, it’s not impossible."

"What arrogance!"

Zhan Feihong could hold back no longer, laughing in his rage. "I'll give you the chance right now. I'd like to see how you 'attain understanding'!"

"Then I thank you, Third Uncle."

Nie Kong secretly rejoiced. His main objective in provoking the short-tempered Zhan Feihong—a man so volatile even Zhan Tianlun feared him—was precisely to gain faster access to knowledge concerning the refinement of Nether Pills. He was finally about to get his wish!

Zhan Feihong snorted and, without another word, firmly grasped Nie Kong's shoulder and pulled him into the room behind them.

"This is disastrous!"

Zhan Tianlun gripped the whiskers under his jaw and muttered fretfully.

Though he didn't know why Nie Kong was "teasing" his Third Uncle, he understood perfectly that if Nie Kong failed to satisfy him, the outcome would be ugly. Once Nie Kong’s true nature was exposed, he would be the one entirely responsible for the ensuing fallout.

In the blink of an eye, Zhan Tianlun scurried back up the stairs to the second floor landing, leaning against the doorframe to secretly peer inside...

The three young men present showed considerable deference to Zhan Feihong, standing nervously to the side, not daring to breathe too heavily. They could only watch as Zhan Feihong hauled Nie Kong inside with one hand, stopping him directly in front of the six violently glowing alchemy cauldrons.

Then, Zhan Feihong raised an eyebrow. "Speak. What kind of opportunity do you seek? As long as it pertains to Nether Pills, this old man can satisfy you."

This old man's methods are truly rough! Nie Kong thought to himself, yet since he intentionally provoked the man into this state, he couldn't blame him for the roughness.

Casually flexing his limbs, Nie Kong said calmly, "First, I require some introductory materials on Nether Alchemists!"

"Bring me my notes!"

Zhan Feihong waved dismissively toward one of the young men standing nearby, his voice cold.

"Yes, sir."

The young man obeyed as if receiving a holy decree, hurrying to the edge of the area. He quickly searched a small wooden cabinet, and moments later, returned holding a thick volume, which he carefully handed over to Zhan Feihong.

Zhan Feihong shook the book in his hand. "I began learning Nether Pill refinement when I was sixteen; that was a full fifty years ago. This book contains not only what I learned from my master but also the experience I have accumulated myself. I lend it to you for now." With that, Zhan Feihong flicked his right hand, and the volume sailed toward Nie Kong.

"Many thanks."

Nie Kong was overjoyed. The book looked to be at least half a foot thick. If the old man wasn't lying, all the knowledge he needed should be contained within. Taking the volume, Nie Kong impatiently began flipping through the pages.

Seeing this, a mocking smile crept onto Zhan Feihong's face.

This notebook was the culmination of his life's work, something he cherished dearly. Even his three apprentices nearby dared not touch it without his explicit permission. Lending it to Nie Kong now wasn't a sudden act of generosity; it was because he utterly refused to believe that someone who didn't even know Nether Fire could glean anything meaningful from these notes!

Allowing Nie Kong to read for a while, Zhan Feihong suddenly snorted. "Little fellow, since there was a 'first,' I presume there must be a 'second'?" Ever since Nie Kong had mocked him earlier, Zhan Feihong had become quite guarded in his speech, terrified that the youth's words hid some unnoticed trap waiting for him to fall into.

"That is correct."

Nie Kong closed the notebook and chuckled. "For the second point, I would like ten low-grade Nether Pills, and these ten pills must all be of different types."

"Low-grade Nether Pills?"

Zhan Feihong stared at Nie Kong for a moment, then waved again toward the young disciples. "Give them to him!"

"Yes."

A young disciple acknowledged the order and quickly left the room. Several minutes later, he returned to the second-floor landing, carrying a small wooden tray upon which rested ten Nether Pills, rolling slightly within the tray as he moved.

Seeing the young disciple present the tray directly, Nie Kong accepted it without ceremony.

In the Spirit Aperture, the little creature seemed to sense that Nie Kong had obtained the pills. It became so excited its roots and tendrils danced frantically, and its cries of "Ah-ya-ya!" sounded in quick succession, urging Nie Kong to consume the pills immediately.

After lightly sniffing the medicinal fragrance emanating from the Nether Pills, Nie Kong smiled again. "Third, I also require the formulas for these ten types of Nether Pills, along with a set of the raw materials needed to refine them. I trust Third Uncle will not be stingy with this, surely?"

"Hmm?"

Hearing Nie Kong's request, Zhan Feihong's eyes flared.

Nether Pills had only existed in the Netherworld for two thousand years. Consequently, Nether Pill formulas were rare treasures, highly guarded secrets in any sect possessing refinement capabilities—and this applied even to the formulas for low-grade pills.

Although Nie Kong was a Zhan Clan disciple, he was of an external lineage. Considering the immense value of the Nether Pill formulas, even those with Zhan Clan blood didn't know them; how could one be given to an external disciple? Thus, the moment Nie Kong finished speaking, Zhan Feihong instinctively prepared to refuse.

Sensing Zhan Feihong's hesitation, Nie Kong smiled. "Is Third Uncle worried I might leak the pill formulas? If you lack the confidence to protect the secrets of just a few low-grade Nether Pills, then I must say, your timidity is truly hard to compliment."

Zhan Feihong was choked speechless by Nie Kong, his face instantly flushing crimson. After a long pause, he waved his hand, grinding out through clenched teeth, "Give them to him!"

"Yes!"

And so, before long, ten thin sheets of paper were added to Nie Kong's collection.

"Fourth..."

Nie Kong deliberately drew out the syllable.

Zhan Feihong’s brow furrowed unconsciously. If this little brat made another difficult demand, it would truly be troublesome. He only had himself to blame for rashly uttering the words, "As long as it pertains to Nether Pills, this old man can satisfy you."

At this moment, Nie Kong suddenly broke into a strange chuckle. "Fourth, I haven't thought of it yet. Third Uncle, I will let you know once I have decided."

"Hmph!"

Zhan Feihong snorted through his nose, but relief washed over him. As angry as he was, if Nie Kong’s fourth demand truly related to Nether Pills, he would be forced to comply, or else he would have explicitly broken his word.

"Ah-ya-ya!"

Inside the Spirit Aperture, the little creature spun around the inner sanctum in agitation.

Nie Kong sighed inwardly and picked up one of the Nether Pills, casually tossing it into his mouth and swallowing it whole, like one gulping down rough grain. The little creature, like a starving wolf spotting meat, let out a joyous "Ah-ya-ya!" as streaks of green light simultaneously rushed out of the aperture.

"You..."

Seeing Nie Kong’s action, Zhan Feihong felt a sharp jolt in his heart. These ten Nether Pills, while not the absolute best quality, were still quite good. To be consumed so casually by Nie Kong was a true waste of heavenly resources!

But Nie Kong’s speed was too great for Zhan Feihong to stop him. Just as a sound escaped the old man’s lips, the pill had already slid down Nie Kong’s throat.

"This little scoundrel!" Zhan Feihong stared fixedly at Nie Kong, his anger surging upward like a wildfire.

"Third Uncle, if you have pressing matters, you should attend to them. I will examine this here for now," Nie Kong said with a sudden smile, noticing the elder's mounting fury. He then set down the formulas and the remaining pills and began vigorously flipping through Zhan Feihong's notebook.

"Attend to matters? My business right now is watching how this little scoundrel 'attains understanding'!"

Zhan Feihong cursed inwardly with a grim voice, fixing a harsh glare on Nie Kong. He suppressed the fire in his chest again and again. He was determined to see what this audacious little brat intended to do after demanding the notes, the pills, and the formulas!