As the crowd watched with eager anticipation, Nie Kong retrieved the "Void Profound Golden Elixir" and placed it back into its vial, letting out a slow, measured laugh. "Now, which esteemed elder still doubts this junior's ability to refine a Rank Seven Spirit Medicine with a ten-percent fusion degree?"

Inside the Pure Heart Hall, no one offered a rebuttal. If Nie Kong could forge the "Void Profound Golden Elixir"—lauded as the foremost spiritual medicine—to perfection, who dared question his skill now?

"Nie Kong, count my Xuan Yang One Heart Sect in." Elder Yue was the first to speak.

"And my West Martial Luo Family as well!" Luo Yunxian added swiftly.

"The Divine Radiance Sect is willing to lend Brother Nie a helping hand!"

"The royal house of the Great Stone Kingdom..."

"..."

"The Ren family of Shatuguan West..."

"The Star-Moon Sect..."

The ten-percent fusion "Void Profound Golden Elixir" had acted as the final straw. Alchemists of Rank Seven and Medicine Kings of Rank Eight from various sects and noble clans eagerly stepped forward.

In less than a minute, only three Medicine Kings remained silent: You Li, Hua Qi, and Tan Zhong.

Time slipped by quietly. Not only Nie Kong and his associates, but also Mu Chonglou, Elder Yue, and Ling Xiao from the periphery, all turned their gazes toward You Li and Hua You.

You Li and Hua You exchanged a look. A moment later, You Li sighed softly. "Forget it, forget it. Nie Kong, count my Immortal Hunter Sect in for this matter as well."

"My Heaven and Earth Sect can also provide various spiritual medicine formulas."

Hua Qi gave a wry smile and shook his head. With the appearance of the "Void Profound Golden Elixir," the outcome was sealed. Even if the Heaven and Earth Sect and the Immortal Hunter Sect opposed him further, it would be futile. Instead of risking having their secret medicines deciphered by Nie Kong later, it was better to voluntarily offer the formulas in exchange for a single ten-percent fusion Rank Seven spiritual medicine.

Nie Kong beamed with delight. "Many thanks to the Great Sect Master and Elder Hua." As his words faded, Nie Kong’s gaze settled on Tan Zhong, the Master of Evergreen Mountain.

"I..."

Seeing Nie Kong's knowing, half-smile, Tan Zhong felt a blush creep up his old face. With You Li and Hua You having already agreed, he was utterly isolated. In truth, upon seeing that "Void Profound Golden Elixir," he knew Nie Kong had won. If he wished to salvage his losses, acquiescence was his only path.

However, his previous confrontation with Nie Kong, coupled with the resentment and anger churning within him, made him deeply unwilling to simply bow his head in defeat—especially not in front of so many Rank Seven Alchemists and Rank Eight Medicine Kings! Yet, if he refused to yield, he would not only forfeit his medicinal formulas but also miss out on the accompanying rewards.

Finally, Mu Chonglou chuckled good-naturedly. "It seems Mountain Master Tan also concurs. Nie Kong, this matter is settled. If you require any further assistance, do not hesitate to approach this old man."

"..."

Tan Zhong let out a silent breath of relief, taking the easy out and accepting the situation by default.

This most difficult hurdle had been resolved perfectly. Nie Kong did not push for more; pressing further might easily arouse resentment among the other alchemists. If they were to arbitrarily add or omit a single ingredient in the formulas they contributed, Nie Kong would inevitably waste considerable time deciphering the correct composition.

"Excellent!"

Nie Kong clapped his hands together with a hearty laugh.

Instantly, twenty graceful and captivating women emerged in two columns from the rear of the Pure Heart Hall. With charming smiles, they approached the assembly, each carrying brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

The crowd inwardly gasped again. These twenty women, who appeared quite young, were all masters of the Spirit Illumination realm!

"Yin Xu!"

Almost instinctively, everyone linked them to their origins, murmuring in awe. It was said that Nie Kong’s mother was the former Wood Sect Master of Yin Xu, and his wife was the current one. These twenty women clearly demonstrated that Yin Xu offered Nie Kong their absolute, unreserved support.

Upon seeing the writing materials presented before them, You Li and Hua You, having already made their decision, hesitated no longer and began writing swiftly, their brush tips flying across the paper.

For a time, the hall was filled only with the shua shua sound of brush tips gliding over paper surfaces.

About half an hour later, Hua Shi put down her brush last, leaving twenty pages filled with medicinal formulas before Nie Kong. Nie Kong’s face split into a broad smile. "I sincerely thank all the esteemed elders for their powerful support. However, I must request that the elders remain for a few more days. When I transcribe these formulas, I may need to seek clarification from you. Furthermore, refining twenty or so Rank Seven spiritual medicines of perfect fusion degree will also require a considerable amount of time."

No one present objected to this. It was only natural that Nie Kong would need to inspect the formulas after they were submitted. Moreover, what Nie Kong said was logical; forging that many perfect-fusion spiritual medicines was not a task achieved overnight. Calculating at one attempt per day, it would take at least twenty days, and that was assuming every attempt succeeded.

Rolling up the papers and handing them to Tai Yan standing nearby, Nie Kong added with a smile, "Lastly, I have one more matter for which I hope to ask your assistance."

"Little Brother, please state it," Hua Shi said with a slight smile. Given Nie Kong's strength and mastery of alchemy, he was certainly qualified to treat them as equals. Nie Kong addressing them as 'elders' was a display of humility, but if they presumed upon their age to act condescendingly, they would be perceived as exceedingly obtuse.

Especially with Tan Zhong's recent humiliation serving as a stark warning, no one dared to put on airs in front of Nie Kong anymore.

However, Hua Yi, You Li, and the others couldn't help but feel a flutter of anxiety. Previously, they had merely offered Nie Kong "small favors," only to end up handing over their sects' and families' secret formulas. Now, Nie Kong was asking for help again; they couldn't help but wonder what kind of favor this would be. They fervently hoped it wouldn't be like the last time.

Nie Kong said, his smile unchanging, "When I traveled to Langjun Sect in the Northern Sea Kingdom to spar with Elder Ling Xiao, I took a great liking to his daughter and intend to take her as my apprentice. Since all the esteemed elders are present, I ask that you all serve as witnesses."

It was only an apprenticeship!

Upon hearing this, everyone let out a breath of relief. The oppressive atmosphere that had settled over the hall due to Nie Kong's words instantly lightened. Yet, they also understood with sudden clarity: it explained why Ling Xiao had been so supportive of Nie Kong before the "Void Profound Golden Elixir" even appeared—there was this prior connection.

"Little Brother Nie Kong, is this the young lady you speak of?" You Li asked with a smile, turning to look at Ling Yanluo standing behind Ling Xiao, scrutinizing her appearance.

"She cultivates a variant Fire Spirit energy infused with Wood Spirit elemental power... Little Brother has excellent taste!"

"What good fortune for the young lady to gain the world's foremost Medicine King as her master!"

"..."

Dozens of gazes instantly fixed upon Ling Yanluo. The little loli had never experienced such scrutiny; her face flushed crimson, and she looked around helplessly, unsure of whom to address.

Ling Xiao, meanwhile, was grinning so widely his mouth was almost aching to close. He had expected Nie Kong to wait until the current matter concluded before taking his granddaughter as an apprentice. He hadn't anticipated Nie Kong would bring it up in the presence of so many high-grade alchemists. Although the apprenticeship ceremony was casual, its significance was extraordinary.

"Silly girl, what are you waiting for? Hurry and kowtow to your Master!"

"Oh... Yanluo greets Brother Nie Kong... No, Master..."

"..."