Bones cracked audibly as Nie Kong's massive frame rapidly contracted, instantly snapping back to his original size, followed by a surge of intense hunger.

"Just as Chi Lian said. When the 'Crimson Star Battle Body' is only at the first stage, there's no particular feeling after using it, but reaching the second stage brings gnawing hunger."

"The further one progresses, the greater the consumption. Now, I can still rely on food to quell the hunger. If my cultivation reaches the Star God realm, food will be useless; fortunately, by then, I can directly absorb the various spiritual energy elements between heaven and earth for instant recovery. The 'Crimson Star Battle Body' will no longer have any residual effects."

Lost in thought, Nie Kong turned and stepped towards the exit.

So far, only a small ring on the very edge of the Third Nether Star had transformed into brilliant gold, and that was thanks to Chi Lian’s divine power. Achieving the third stage of the "Crimson Star Battle Body" and completely transforming the third Nether Star was not something that could be accomplished in just two or three days.

For now, it was time to fill his stomach.

After walking a few meters, Nie Kong suddenly stopped, darted back to where he had been cultivating, and fumbled on the ground. Moments later, he picked up several torn strips of cloth.

After unleashing the "Crimson Star Battle Body" for the second time, his already tattered clothes had been ripped to shreds and lay scattered on the ground. Nie Kong was now completely bare, not a scrap of clothing remained. Thankfully, he had remembered just in time; otherwise, running out completely naked would surely attract unwanted attention.

"Chi Lian's 'Crimson Flame Battle Robe' is excellent—it can expand or shrink, possesses elasticity, and has even developed sentience. I must acquire a garment like that in the future, otherwise, every time I use the 'Crimson Star Battle Body,' I'll be left indecent, with everything exposed."

Wrapping the strips of cloth around his waist, Nie Kong muttered to himself as he started walking.

"Clan Leader? Grand Elder?"

Dozens of meters later, the thick mist thinned slightly, and seven hazy, imposing figures suddenly came into view. Nie Kong paused, instinctively called out, then quickened his pace, arriving before them in an instant. They were indeed the Clan Leader Zhan Yunlan and the six Grand Elders.

Seeing Nie Kong's attire, their expressions became somewhat strange.

"Nie Kong, you've finally emerged?"

Zhan Yunlan first breathed a sigh of relief, then scrutinized Nie Kong from head to toe, a peculiar smile entering his eyes. "Nie Kong, how did you manage to reduce yourself to this state?"

"It’s all because of the 'War God Star Seal.'"

Nie Kong offered a dry laugh, shifting all the blame onto the "War God Star Seal." Techniques like the "Crimson Star Battle Body" were secrets that couldn't be disclosed; explaining them would be too troublesome. He could only let the "War God Star Seal" take the fall. Besides, the First Golden Art was utterly unfamiliar to the War Clan, so he didn't need to worry about being exposed.

"You move freely in the Nether Source without being affected—is that also because of the 'War God Star Seal'?" An elder asked, looking at the golden glow emanating from Nie Kong's body, confusion coloring his tone.

"Precisely."

Nie Kong quickly nodded.

"Nie Kong, what is at the depths of the Nether Source?" Another Grand Elder could no longer suppress the curiosity churning within him.

"There's nothing there, just a statue," Nie Kong replied with a smile.

"A statue?"

The group exchanged glances.

Zhan Yunlan’s heart suddenly stirred, and he asked with some urgency, "Nie Kong, what did that statue look like?"

There was nothing to hide about this. Nie Kong described Chi Lian's appearance in a few sentences, then added, "The Nether Power here all originates from that statue." In reality, the statue was merely a medium; the true source of the death energy lay beneath the mountain, in Chi Lian’s physical body.

After hearing Nie Kong's description, Zhan Yunlan and the others fell into deep contemplation.

Nie Kong’s stomach rumbled loudly, prompting him to say, "Clan Leader, if there’s nothing else, I should be going now. I've cultivated for so long; I'm desperately hungry."

As soon as he finished speaking, Nie Kong plunged into the red mist ahead. By the time Zhan Yunlan recovered his senses, Nie Kong’s figure had vanished.

"Could it be that the statue is carved in the likeness of the master of our War Clan's ancestor?" Suddenly, a Grand Elder exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes, yes!"

"Based on Nie Kong's description, the statue bears an uncanny resemblance to the portrait in the War Heart Hall."

"..."

The others chimed in their agreement. Zhan Yunlan couldn't help but nod, but then he heard the sound of hurried footsteps—Nie Kong had returned.

"Clan Leader, could I borrow something from you?" Nie Kong asked with a slight smile.

"Hmm? What do you wish to borrow?" Zhan Yunlan was taken aback. In all his years as Clan Leader, this was the first time a junior disciple had dared to ask to borrow something from him.

"Borrow that!"

Nie Kong gave an awkward smile and pointed at the black robe covering Zhan Yunlan. Only upon reaching a place with clearer visibility did Nie Kong realize that the strips wrapped around his waist had also torn in a few places. Helplessly, he had no choice but to return.

Zhan Yunlan stared blankly for a moment, then glanced at Nie Kong's body, finally bursting into a fit of laughter. "Take it! Remember, next time you cultivate, don't end up in such a sorry state. If the women of the clan saw you like this while cultivating here, it wouldn't be proper." As he spoke, Zhan Yunlan stripped off his black robe and tossed it to Nie Kong.

"Thank you, Clan Leader."

Catching the robe and throwing it over himself, Nie Kong disappeared without a trace once more...

...

Returning to the Ring Moon City at the foot of the mountain, after a hearty meal and some relaxation, Nie Kong prepared to head back to the Nether Source to continue his cultivation. However, before he even stepped out of the courtyard gate, he was intercepted by the four high-level Core Pill Masters who had heard the news: Zhan Feihong, Zhan Baige, Zhan Feixing, and Zhan Tianhe.

And so, the days that followed found Nie Kong extraordinarily busy.

Every three days spent cultivating in the Nether Source, he had to spend an afternoon in the Pill King Tower, systematically learning the art of refining Nether Pills. Zhan Feihong and the others were exceedingly stubborn, determined to mold Nie Kong into the future Pill King, and Nie Kong couldn't escape them; fighting them was simply out of the question.

Moreover, after returning to the Heavenly Spirit Continent, Nie Kong needed to use the "Pill Soul Transformation" technique on Hua Mei, which required him to quickly elevate his own alchemy standards. Although the alchemy standards in this Nether Earth lagged behind the Heavenly Spirit Continent, they possessed unique aspects. Cross-referencing the two would greatly benefit Nie Kong. Therefore, when he heard the demands of Zhan Feihong and the other four, Nie Kong didn't resist much.

Most importantly, the Crimson Star Clan's inheritance also contained information regarding alchemy, which Nie Kong was eager to verify within the Pill King Tower. With Zhan Feihong and the others assisting, Nie Kong's needs for medicinal herbs and Nether Pills were maximally met, making the other Pill Masters in the Pill King Tower intensely envious.

Additionally, taking advantage of his time studying at the Pill King Tower, Xiangxiang was able to enjoy several top-quality Nether Pills almost every day. The little fellow was perpetually cheerful and no longer pined to leave Nie Kong's body to wander outside now that he had reached the sixth rank.

Days passed swiftly, and as the departure date for the Ghost Domain drew nearer, the atmosphere within the entire War Clan grew somewhat tense. Especially the young War Clan disciples permitted to venture into the Ghost Domain for experience, all began their final preparations. Busy figures could be seen everywhere on War God Mountain and in Ring Moon City.

For Nie Kong, all preparations were superfluous. Once the time came, he simply needed to leave War God Mountain with them. Thus, he continued shuttling between the Nether Source and the Pill King Tower, not even returning to his courtyard in Ring Moon City for a long time.

Deep within the Nether Source, the red mist churned violently.

Nie Kong still sat cross-legged, his figure unmoving, allowing the death-energy-laden red mist to seep thread by thread into his pores and merge with his body.

"Hoo!"

After an unknown amount of time, Nie Kong finally opened his eyes slowly. Feeling the changes within his body, a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

By now, more than half of the Third Nether Star within Nie Kong’s Bright Jade Acupoint had undergone transformation. Once the third "War God Star Seal" was successfully cultivated, it would signify the completion of the third stage of the "Crimson Star Battle Body." At that point, Nie Kong would possess the foundation to execute the "Nine Suns Heart Devouring Art."

"If I continue cultivating here for three more days, the third stage should be perfectly fulfilled."

A confident smile touched Nie Kong's lips.

In truth, although Pan Hu's heart offered Nie Kong immense temptation, Nie Kong was not set on seizing it. Whether he acted depended entirely on timing. If the opportunity was right, Nie Kong would certainly not be polite to Pan Hu, but if a good chance didn't present itself, he wouldn't act rashly.

If the attempt at devouring failed and he ended up trapped, the loss would outweigh the gain.

Regardless of the situation within the Ghost Domain, Nie Kong’s foremost priority was ensuring his own safety. If he couldn't swallow Pan Hu's heart, he would detach himself from it and head to the "God Extermination Cave" near Fubo Mountain with all speed to return to the Heavenly Spirit Continent.

Once back on the Heavenly Spirit Continent, no matter how fiercely Pan Hu, Chi Lian, and the Great Evolution Spirit Venerable caused trouble in the Nether Earth, it would no longer concern Nie Kong.

"It must be around noon now. According to our arrangement, I should go to the 'Pill King Tower' this afternoon, but tomorrow we depart for the Ghost Domain, so perhaps I won't refine medicine today. Hmm, I'll tell my Third Uncle and the others, then come back and cultivate straight through until tomorrow morning before leaving."

Nie Kong stood up.

The Nether Source had become noticeably sparser these past few days; few figures were visible when passing through. Nie Kong knew that those who hadn't arrived were likely already heading to the Ghost Domain, as the matter concerned the safety of the entire Nether Earth, making it impossible for any sect to stand aloof.

Stepping out of the cave entrance, it was indeed bright noon.

"Brother Nie Kong, you're finally out! Come on! Hurry and follow me to the War Heart Hall!" A rough voice suddenly sounded from the side. It was Zhan Tianlun, rushing over with an anxious face. He grabbed Nie Kong's right hand and, without another word, pulled him down the slope.

"Brother Zhan, what happened?" Nie Kong asked curiously.

"What happened?"

Zhan Tianlun rolled his eyes. "Brother Nie Kong, you cultivate every day and have cooked your brain—do you even know what day it is today?"

"What day?"

Nie Kong racked his brain for a moment before answering, "The day before we set off for the Ghost Domain!"

Zhan Tianlun managed a wry smile. "Yes, yes, it is indeed the day before we depart for the Ghost Domain, but you've forgotten the most crucial point: today is also the day for the triennial competition to vie for the position of a new Elder. Let’s go, let’s go! The Clan Leader, Grand Elders, and Elders are all there—they're waiting for you."

"I remember I didn't sign up?" Nie Kong felt utterly speechless; he had zero interest in the Elder position.

"I registered for you!"

"...Fine, I'll go, but you must let me inform the Pill King Tower first; Third Uncle and the others are waiting for me."

"Third Uncle and the others are all at the War Heart Hall."

"..."

... : Second update is here; there is a third one coming. ...