The paper returned to his hand, and Nie Kong added the "Sharp-beaked Fan" and "Red Gauze Needle Palm Grass" to the prescription, then looked up at Tan Zhong: "Are there any errors in these sixteen medicinal herbs?" "None!"

Tan Zhong spat out the two words woodenly and returned to his cushion to sit cross-legged, his heart utterly crushed. He finally understood completely: Nie Kong had intended all along to use this method to establish his authority, and how ridiculous it was that he had been so cooperative in walking right into the trap to be thoroughly trampled. Everyone present who was a Spirit Alchemist now knew the formula. It would likely not take long for the precise quantities of all the herbs to be deduced. It was a settled matter that the recipe for this Eighth-Grade Spirit Medicine would spread across the continent. He never imagined that the "Green-Red Thousand-Layer Green" he had painstakingly refined over decades would meet this end. Hidden from view, an unspeakable bitterness welled up in Tan Zhong’s heart. After that bitterness, his chest flooded with resentment and anger toward Nie Kong, making even his breathing grow somewhat ragged.

Glancing at Tan Zhong, Nie Kong immediately withdrew his gaze and laughed loudly: "Senior Elders must all see that with my current abilities, if I were to collect every Spirit Medicine currently existing on the Heavenly Spirit Continent, it would take less than a year to deduce all of their formulas."

You Li and the others felt a deep sense of helplessness. Though they hated to admit it, they knew Nie Kong was stating a fact. If he could ascertain the components of an Eighth-Grade Spirit Medicine in such a short time, what was that compared to those below the Eighth-Grade? It could be said that for Nie Kong, as long as he had a sample of the Spirit Medicine, deducing the formula was child’s play. In times past, a miraculous figure like Nie Kong appearing on the Heavenly Spirit Continent would have long since been annihilated by the combined forces of the major sects and noble clans. But Nie Kong was different; not only was his own strength formidable, but he was also protected by an immensely powerful Flower Spirit, and he even had the backing of two massive powers: Spirit Control City and the Yin Ruins. Especially that Wood Ancestor of the Yin Ruins—even these Heavenly Spirit powerhouses trembled whenever they recalled the heaven-obscuring spectacle of the "Ancestral Heaven Divine Luo Tree" that day. Once the Wood Ancestor appeared, even the Lord of the Spirit God Hall dared not target Nie Kong, let alone them.

"Senior Elders need not worry too much."

Nie Kong smiled faintly again, "In truth, if you just look at it from another angle, you will realize this is not a bad thing. On our Heavenly Spirit Continent, High-Grade Spirit Alchemists are exceedingly rare. Even if you were to publish the Spirit Medicine formulas, few people would be able to refine them, especially the Seventh and Eighth-Grade Spirit Medicines!" "Aside from a few secret medicines belonging to sects like the Spirit God Hall and the Moluo Holy Mountain, only the Seniors gathered here can actually refine them. Just imagine: after the Pharmaceutical Canon is issued, you Seniors will only contribute a few secret medicines from your own sects and families, yet simultaneously gain access to dozens of secret medicines from other sects. Isn't that a tremendous benefit?"

"..." Everyone present fell silent. Of course, they understood the logic Nie Kong was presenting. But understanding it was one thing; being able to accept it was quite another. The secret medicines inherited by sects and noble clans had been kept confidential for hundreds, even thousands of years, always serving as the bedrock for strengthening their collective power. Now, they were suddenly expected to reveal them—who could bear to part with them? But if they were reluctant, what choice did they have? Wait for Nie Kong to identify their formulas himself?

"Well spoken!"

Suddenly, Gu Changgong stroked his beard and laughed heartily... "If all the Spirit Medicine formulas of the Heavenly Spirit Continent could be made public, not only would the standard of us Spirit Alchemists advance significantly, but the overall strength of Spirit Masters would also rise rapidly. This matter, I daresay, has a hundred benefits and not a single harm. My Spirit Control City will provide all of its Spirit Medicine formulas to assist Nie Kong's efforts. If the Pharmaceutical Canon is successfully compiled in the future, Spirit Control City will also spare no effort in promoting it." The crowd inwardly muttered their dissent. Spirit Control City and Nie Kong were practically wearing the same trousers; perhaps Nie Kong’s undertaking was even being secretly pushed along by Spirit Control City... If the very city Nie Kong hailed from didn't support this, wouldn't today be a colossal farce?

Seconds later, Yuan Xunyu, the Great Elder of the Ink Snow Sect, suddenly smiled faintly: "Hall Master Gu is absolutely correct. My Ink Snow Sect will also contribute all of our Spirit Medicine formulas to aid Nie Kong in compiling the Canon." "The compilation of the Pharmaceutical Canon is a merit that will last for generations. Since Spirit Control City and the Ink Snow Sect have agreed, my Yin Ruins certainly cannot lag behind." Mu Wanqing’s voice was sweet and crisp, her face wreathed in smiles. "Haha, well said."

Mu Chonglou smiled knowingly, "Most of the secret medicines inherited by my Mu Family of Luo City are below the Sixth-Grade. Since Nie Kong has such lofty ambitions, this old man must surely see him through." "Thank you, Seniors." Nie Kong bowed slightly; at this juncture, it was naturally inappropriate to still call him 'Great-Grandfather.' "..." The agreement from Gu Changgong of Spirit Control City, Yuan Xunyu of the Ink Snow Sect, Mu Wanqing of the Yin Ruins, and Mu Chonglou of the Mu Family of Luo City left the others feeling even more conflicted.

"Grandpa."

At this moment, the little loli Ling Yanluo couldn't help but tug at Ling Xiao's sleeve, her small face tightly wrinkled with anxiety. "Nie Kong, my North Sea Langna Sect counts as one." Ling Xiao had intended to maintain a degree of reserve, but seeing his granddaughter so distressed, he had no choice but to speak up early. Moreover, his Langna Sect was established for a very short time and possessed few secret medicines—only the "Sea Heart Divine Dew." The formula for this Spirit Medicine had already been revealed to Nie Kong during their spar, so there was no harm in disclosing it. Most importantly, Nie Kong had promised to accept his granddaughter as a disciple. "Elder Ling, you..." "The Langya Sect agreed too?" "..."

Seeing Ling Xiao’s stance, You Li and the others were somewhat astonished. Spirit Control City and the Yin Ruins were Nie Kong’s master sect and maternal clan, respectively; their support was understandable. Yuan Xunyu and Gu Changgong had an ambiguous relationship, and Spirit Control City and the Ink Snow Sect had always advanced and retreated together, so the Ink Snow Sect supporting Nie Kong made sense. As for the Mu Family of Luoyang, they were close friends with Nie Kong's paternal clan, so Mu Chonglou lending his voice was not unexpected. But the Langna Sect had no connection to Nie Kong yet showed such enthusiasm; this was slightly abnormal. "Grandpa is the best."

The little loli immediately beamed, planting a quick kiss on Ling Xiao's cheek. Nie Kong also nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Elder Ling Xiao." Pausing briefly, Nie Kong swept his gaze across the crowd, his smile overflowing, "I wonder if any other Seniors approve of this matter? If not, this junior will not force the issue." "Count my Flower Spirit Clan in." The speaker was Hua Yaolin. When the Ghost Eagle King escorted Hua Mei back, Nie Kong had asked her to take two more "Spirit Returning Jade Blocks" along. Thus, Hua Yaolin and Hua Qiongyu had also arrived at the Spirit Residence. Among a host of Seventh-Grade Spirit Alchemists and Eighth-Grade Medicine Kings, they were relatively rare Sixth-Grade Spirit Alchemists. "And my Dragon Spirit Clan!" This was Long Zhaojun, who had arrived only a few days ago. Back on Dragon Island, the information Long Xuechan had transmitted to her vaguely hinted at this matter. Before leaving, she had mentioned it to the Dragon Heaven Palace, and the Dragon King’s reply was to support Nie Kong with all her might. "My Royal Family of Shatu is also willing to offer several unique Spirit Medicine formulas." Tailan Xiang smiled gently. "..."

Tai Hong and Tai Ji breathed a quiet sigh of relief. They were friends with Nie Kong and naturally hoped that Nie Kong could successfully accomplish this matter. However, as the royal prince and princess of Shatu, they temporarily held no real authority. If Tailan Xiang had refused, they would have been caught in an awkward position between Nie Kong and the Shatu Royal Family.