Tan Zhong was once again furious, but forced himself to calm down: "Nie Kong, I have a 'Twin-Winged Kapok Pill' here, a sixth-grade spirit medicine. Do you dare to try it?"

"A sixth-grade spirit medicine?"

Nie Kong’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "Tan Zhong, you’re supposed to be the Medicine King, yet you’re so stingy. Is a 'Twin-Winged Kapok Pill' all you can offer? Didn't you mention recently that you had successfully concocted an eighth-grade spirit medicine called 'Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green'? You even claimed the formula wasn't written down anywhere, nor had you told a soul. In that case, why not bring that one out and let me and the esteemed elders feast our eyes."

"Hm?"

Tan Zhong couldn't help but freeze upon hearing this. He had indeed mentioned that "Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green" when Nie Kong challenged him at Changchun Mountain, but after his utter defeat, he had subconsciously tried to salvage some dignity. He never expected Nie Kong to remember it so clearly and bring it up at this precise moment.

That "Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green" was his masterpiece, originally intended for a grand reveal at the Wangyao Gathering. He was genuinely reluctant to produce it now. The main concern was the fear that after tasting it, Nie Kong might even decipher its formula.

Nie Kong sneered: "Tan Zhong, don't tell me you don't have a finished batch of the 'Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green' on you?"

Tan Zhong had indeed entertained the thought, but Nie Kong’s preemptive exposure left his old face flushed, and he retorted in annoyance: "Fine! Nie Kong, I will give you one 'Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green'!" With that, Tan Zhong reached into his robe and pulled out a white jade vial, pouring out the pill within.

The crowd quickly focused their gaze and beheld a splash of brilliant verdant color. The "Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green" was flat, but due to the uneven texture of its surface, the green seemed layered, especially with a thread of crimson and green interwoven within the green hues, creating an astonishing spectacle.

Since this eighth-grade spirit medicine was newly developed by Tan Zhong, Nie Kong absolutely could not have tasted it before. This eliminated the possibility that Nie Kong already possessed the formula and was merely feigning astonishment to shock everyone. For a moment, a sliver of hope was rekindled among the observers regarding Tan Zhong's "Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green."

If Nie Kong could not discern the medicinal components of the eighth-grade spirit medicine...

Then the situation might still be salvaged. Otherwise, the crowd would have no choice but to agree to Nie Kong’s demands, as the proprietary secret medicines of major sects and noble clans had leaked out over the years. If Nie Kong obtained them, those spirit medicines would hold no secrets whatsoever!

"Take it!"

Glancing at the spirit medicine with visible reluctance, Tan Zhong gritted his teeth, flung his hand out, and tossed the "Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green" across.

Nie Kong caught the medicine and swallowed it whole without a second look, causing Tan Zhong intense heartache.

This eighth-grade spirit medicine had taken him decades of painstaking research. He possessed only this single pill, which boasted a medicinal integration rate of eighty-three percent. If he had put it up for auction, it could have fetched at least dozens of sets of raw materials needed to concoct the "Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green," yet now Nie Kong had devoured it in one gulp!

However, having come this far, Tan Zhong was committed and had no choice but to proceed. His only hope now was that Nie Kong could not deduce the composition of the "Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green." He knew Nie Kong’s capabilities well; once Nie Kong knew the ingredients, he could quickly deduce the precise quantities needed for each component.

Then, Nie Kong could replicate the "Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green," perhaps even achieving a medicinal integration rate far exceeding his own. If Nie Kong failed, Tan Zhong could seize the opportunity to pressure Nie Kong into providing medicinal herbs of equivalent value as compensation for the eighth-grade spirit medicine.

Tan Zhong’s mind raced, caught in a whirlwind of anxiety and anticipation.

After chewing gently for several seconds, Nie Kong swallowed the eighth-grade spirit medicine and closed his eyes, carefully savoring its effects.

The Qingxin Hall fell into a profound silence.

Almost every eye was fixed upon Nie Kong's face. Having learned from the experience with the "Purple Stamen Changchun Pill" last time, the crowd was not impatient; they waited quietly for Nie Kong’s results, occasionally exchanging glances filled with anticipation, worry, or tension.

One minute, two minutes...

Five minutes!

Nie Kong remained motionless, but his brow had furrowed slightly.

Seeing this, the taut string in Tan Zhong’s heart eased slightly, and a cold sneer appeared in his eyes. Did he really think the "Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green" was as easy to identify as the "Purple Stamen Changchun Pill"? Moreover, it was still questionable whether he had truly discerned the composition of the "Purple Stamen Changchun Pill."

"Tai Yan, record!"

But just then, Nie Kong’s brow suddenly smoothed out. He narrowed his eyes and spoke. Hearing this, Tan Zhong involuntarily frowned, while the surrounding Liyou, Hua Zhan, Ren Ruyi, and other spirit pharmacists perked up their ears like sails catching the wind, as if afraid of missing a single syllable.

"Brother, I'm ready," Tai Yan quickly spread a fresh sheet of paper.

"Huan He Zhu (Joyful Embrace Pearl)!"

Nie Kong nodded slightly.

As these three syllables echoed, Tan Zhong’s expression drastically changed: "Nie Kong, you..."

He had actually discerned it!

Liyou, Hua Zhan, and the others felt a sharp jolt in their chests, their faces turning somewhat grim. Even an eighth-grade spirit medicine couldn't stump Nie Kong?

Nie Kong ignored Tan Zhong’s reaction, and ten seconds later, uttered another ingredient name: "Chi Bai Xian Ren Dou (Red-White Immortal Bean)!"

"Hu Zhi Zi (Tamarisk Seed)!"

"Si Ye Dong Jing Tian (Silk-Leaf Winter Solstice Flower)!"

"Gong Chi (Palace Tooth)!"

"..."

Nie Kong’s pace quickened; the names of ingredients echoed one after another in Qingxin Hall. In less than a minute, Tai Yan had recorded fourteen distinct names. Tan Zhong’s face grew increasingly ashen, until finally, almost no trace of color remained on his cheeks, his eyes filled only with defeat.

Tan Zhong considered the formula for the eighth-grade spirit medicine "Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green" his treasure; even his closest disciples were unaware of it. Yet, Nie Kong had identified its components so quickly, and without a single error. It was ironic that he had once accused Nie Kong of stealing the formula for the "Purple Stamen Changchun Pill."

"There are two final ingredients. I have not tasted them, so I cannot name them, but I know their properties. I will write them down now for the esteemed elders to see. Perhaps one of the seniors recognizes these herbs, allowing me to add their names and complete the formula for the 'Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green.'"

Suddenly, Nie Kong opened his eyes, glanced at Tan Zhong with a faint smile, took the paper and brush from Tai Yan, and began writing rapidly. In less than half a minute, Nie Kong finished and handed the paper to Liyou, the Great Sect Master of the Hunter Immortal Sect, who was closest to him.

Liyou silently took the paper. After only a few seconds of perusal, he spoke: "The upper herb should be the 'Pointed Fan,' as for the lower one..." After deep contemplation, Liyou finally shook his head and passed the paper to Ling Xiao, the Sect Master of Langya Sect, beside him.

"Isn't this the 'Red Gauze Needle Palm Grass'?"

A few minutes later, Ren Ruyi, the seventh-grade spirit pharmacist, who received the paper, exclaimed in astonishment, "This herb’s potency isn't strong, but it's quite rare. I never expected Master Tan could find it and combine it with the 'Pointed Fan' in the 'Crimson-Green Thousand-Layer Green'; it’s truly marvelous!"

... ...RO