Nie Kong looked somewhat surprised and walked up to the red wall, throwing a punch straight out.

Without mobilizing even a sliver of Origin Power, it was like a stone hitting soft tofu. Where Nie Kong's fist passed, the red wall immediately ruptured, forming a large hole. Then, the opening spread rapidly. In mere moments, all six red walls dissolved into specks of crimson light, vanishing into the void.

The instant the red walls beneath their feet disappeared, Nie Kong, Tai Yan, and Qing Yue swiftly descended. After dropping no more than half a meter, the feeling of solid ground returned.

Immediately, an exquisite little hall came into the trio's sight.

The entire hall was pure white, like snow and ice. Whether it was the pillars, the beams, the doors and windows, or the walls, everything was constructed from a crystal-clear, translucent white jade, enough to dazzle and enchant the eye. Especially the immensely rich elemental spirit energy suffusing the surrounding void filled Nie Kong's chest with delight. This was exactly as recorded in the Divine Void Records.

However, within this hall, two neat rows of square red-walled spaces were arranged. Although they could only see the exterior, the interiors were surely identical to the cages that had previously contained them. There were ten cages in each row; the first on the left, which Nie Kong had drained of life force until it dissipated, now left only nineteen.

"Let's go, let's see what's outside."

Finally free, who knew how much time had passed! Nie Kong was slightly anxious. After glancing around the hall once, he was about to pull Tai Yan toward the exit.

"Nie Kong, wait!" Qing Yue suddenly called out. "Tai Yan and I forgot to tell you, while you were knocked out by the Tenth-Grade Drunken God Incense, we spoke to that Medicine Spirit through the wall."

"Oh? What did he say?" Nie Kong’s heart stirred.

"..."

Tai Yan also realized what had happened, and together with Qing Yue, they recounted the situation in detail, with Qing Yue especially mimicking the Medicine Spirit's tone with astonishing accuracy.

Nie Kong frowned slightly: "Popular essence? What is that thing?"

"Who knows? But it must be incredibly useful to him," Qing Yue said, spreading her small hands helplessly.

"That's true. Once we catch that Medicine Spirit, we can ask him clearly."

Nie Kong chuckled, taking Tai Yan's hand and continuing their movement. Soon, they reached the threshold by following the central passage of the hall. Outside the door, the view was a uniform white, devoid of any other color, as if the entire hall was enveloped in a white mist. Nie Kong’s vision could only extend about a meter past the threshold; it could not penetrate further.

A brief probe with his spiritual sense still failed to pierce the snowy void outside.

"It seems this palace used for the cages is an independent space within the Spirit Mansion!"

Nie Kong suddenly understood. He quietly circulated the Origin Power within his body... then let go of Tai Yan... and stepped across the threshold. The moment his entire body cleared the hall, the white mist outside transformed into a massive vortex, instantly engulfing Nie Kong.

Nie Kong offered no resistance. In the blink of an eye, his body passed through the vortex and settled softly onto the ground.

The white veil before his eyes dissipated, and Nie Kong immediately found himself standing on a steep mountain slope. Surrounding him were rolling peaks and layers of overlapping mountains, arranged with pleasing symmetry. The trees in the mountains towered toward the sky, lush and vibrantly alive.

Within the mountains, halls and pavilions were faintly visible, resembling an immortal realm.

In the distant sky, a white pagoda pierced the heavens. What delighted Nie Kong the most was that the surrounding elemental spirit energy was nearly twice as dense as in the cage palace they had just left. It might even rival the highest levels of the 'Spirit Cultivation Illusory Realm' in Spirit Control City.

"Buzz!"

The space behind him, rotating slowly like a vortex, shimmered slightly, and Tai Yan’s graceful figure landed beside Nie Kong, followed closely by Qing Yue.

Qing Yue's eyes brightened: "Such dense elemental spirit energy."

"It's so beautiful, Brother. This will be our home from now on," Tai Yan said, a faint blush rising on her cheeks from excitement.

"Indeed. From this moment on, this place is ours."

Tai Yan’s tone was soft, yet the declaration carried a commanding authority that made Nie Kong nod in agreement.

The Medicine Spirit's greatest reliance was probably the cages. Now that he was free and inside the Spirit Mansion, Nie Kong doubted the spirit could stir up much trouble. If the spirit was willing to submit, Nie Kong might spare its life. If not, it would serve perfectly as food for Xiang Xiang to advance to the Ninth Tier.

"Ah-ya-ya..."

The little creature suddenly cried out in excitement.

Nie Kong paused, realizing the little one had awakened from its slumber, hopping joyfully within his Spiritual Acuity Aperture, looking eager as if it had found something wonderful.

In this Spirit Mansion, what could excite Xiang Xiang besides medicinal herbs? Perhaps even the Medicine Spirit itself! With a thought from Nie Kong, the little creature materialized before him.

Without needing instruction from Nie Kong, the little one shook its branches and leaves, scampering cheerfully down the mountain.

Signaling Tai Yan and Qing Yue, Nie Kong followed quickly. Perhaps due to millennia without human habitation, there were no established paths in the Spirit Mansion. Nie Kong and Tai Yan constantly dodged sprawling branches as they moved through the dense forest. Xiang Xiang, however, burrowed into the Beast Tablet before they even reached the foot of the mountain.

After a few minutes, Nie Kong noticed the little one was heading directly toward the pagoda.

Seeing its clear target, Nie Kong and Tai Yan had to forgo investigating several beautiful and exquisite halls and pavilions they passed along the way. They navigated the winding mountain ravines rapidly. Occasionally, traces of intentional clearing could be seen, though they were already overgrown with vegetation.

Looking out from the mountain ridge, the Spirit Mansion was exquisitely beautiful, but traversing it was not an entirely pleasant experience.

He resolved that in the future, he must rebuild paths through these mountains and connect all the structures!

Nie Kong made this silent vow. Nearly another quarter of an hour passed before the last mountain peak separating them from the pagoda was left behind.

The pagoda was nine stories high, constructed entirely from that same snow-white jade, just like the cage palace. However, the body of the pagoda was now overgrown with various small grasses and shrubs. The wide expanse of flat ground surrounding the base was also encroached upon by dense vegetation, making it look extremely desolate.

Tai Yan and Xiang Xiang emitted no aura, and Nie Kong, having mastered the Natural Origin Power, felt as if his entire being had merged completely with heaven and earth, revealing no trace of presence either. The three figures silently crossed the several-hundred-meter-wide flat area, reaching the base of the pagoda, and ascended the steps.

The wide pagoda door stood ajar. On the lintel hung a plaque coated in dust, from which two large, emerald-green characters could barely be discerned: Medicine Pagoda!

After signaling Tai Yan to be careful with a look, Nie Kong sent a mental instruction to the little creature. Its skipping, cheerful demeanor instantly calmed. Its fine roots swayed quietly, and its small flower bud pulsed slightly—it looked exactly like a thief preparing to break in.

Nie Kong couldn't help a wry smile; he had only told it to be careful, yet it adopted such a posture.