Spirit God Temple, Tower of God Ascension. "What?

That Nie Kong actually plans to compile an official pharmacopoeia?" Kou Xilai exclaimed in shock, his eyes flying open instantly. "Indeed." Grand Elder Lu Rong forced a wry smile.

"That's the news I just received. Nie Kong challenged and invited so many Seventh-Grade Spirit Alchemists and Eighth-Grade Medicine Kings to his Spirit Abode precisely to acquire the secret medicinal formulas from their respective sects and families to enrich his pharmacopoeia." Kou Xilai found it hard to believe.

"If my memory serves me correctly, You Li, the Grand Sect Master of the Immortal Hunting Sect, and Hua Zhan, the Supreme Elder of the Heaven and Earth Sect, were among those Nie Kong invited, weren't they? How could these people willingly hand over ancestral formulas cherished for countless years by their sects to Nie Kong?" "And if they refused, what then?" Lu Rong sighed heavily.

"It is said that within the Spirit Abode, Tan Zhong of Evergreen Mountain vehemently opposed the matter. Nie Kong immediately consumed the unique Seventh-Grade Spirit Medicine of Evergreen Mountain, the 'Purple Stamen Evergreen Pill,' and the Eighth-Grade Spirit Medicine, the 'Azure and Crimson Thousand-Layer Green.' Within minutes, Nie Kong identified every single herb required to refine them.

Following that, Nie Kong revealed a 'Void Penetration Golden Elixir' he had refined himself, promising each sect and family a Seventh-Grade Spirit Medicine with a ten-tenths medicinal integration rate as compensation. Faced with such an offering, who could possibly resist?" "Hiss!" Even with Kou Xilai's powerful cultivation, he couldn't help but draw in a sharp, cold breath upon hearing this.

That Nie Kong was astonishingly capable—not only could he instantly and accurately discern the components of spirit medicines, but he could also refine a 'Void Penetration Golden Elixir' with perfect integration. In the path of alchemy, who on the Heavenly Spirit Continent was his match?

For a moment, Kou Xilai’s expression turned profoundly gloomy. "Furthermore," Lu Rong added helplessly, "before sending off those like You Li and Hua Zhan, Nie Kong requested they gather secret medicines from other sects and noble clans across the Heavenly Spirit Continent, including our Spirit God Temple and the Mara Holy Mountain.

By now, quite a number of spirit medicines are likely already en route to the ears of the Forbidden Spirit Marsh." "That Nie Kong is utterly audacious!" Kou Xilai roared with anger, causing the entire Tower of God Ascension to tremble slightly. After a long pause, Kou Xilai took a deep breath, his already grim face darkening further.

"The situation has reached this point; defense is futile. Even if we intercept those delivering the medicines, Nie Kong will surely find other means to obtain them.

Grand Elder, how is that other matter progressing?" "Hall Master, I have arranged for three Divine Envoys to prepare. In a matter of days, three High Gods will descend.

When the five High Gods combine their efforts, they will surely be able to ascertain the true nature and feasibility of the Yin Ruins' 'Ancestral Heaven Divine Net Tree.' However, this process might take anywhere from one to two years." "You must expedite this. We must gain accurate intelligence before that Nie Kong completes his pharmacopoeia." "Yes!" "..." Just as the Spirit God Temple was anxiously investigating the wood ancestor of the Yin Ruins, the Spirit Abode located in the Forbidden Spirit Marsh began to operate like a massive, frenzied machine.

Hulu oversaw the illusion formation of the Spirit Abode; Nie Xingyun and Lian Tianxin received the endless stream of spirit medicines and herbs being delivered to the Forbidden Spirit Marsh; Qing Yue planted medicinal herbs and simultaneously assisted Mu Wanqing in sorting the known herbs of the Heavenly Spirit Continent by grade. Meanwhile, Spirit Alchemists such as Ling Xiao, Mu Chonglou, Gu Changong, Long Zhaojun, Hua Yaolin, and Hua Qiongyu were busy drawing diagrams of the herbs and cataloging their properties and effects.

As for Nie Kong, he was even busier. Since he had decided to compile the Compendium of Materia Medica, he had to strive for absolute perfection.

Besides deciphering medicinal formulas, Nie Kong spent the vast majority of his time testing remedies. He personally tasted nearly every herb delivered by the Crimson Mansion and the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, and also had the little fellow employ the 'Aroma Recognition of Medicine' technique.

Fortunately, Tai Yan and the young lady Ling Yanluo assisted with recording and organizing, which significantly eased Nie Kong's burden. Of course, in the evenings, Nie Kong would occasionally spar with Tai Yan.

This 'Flower of Lingering Glance' was always maintained in a state of being nurtured by dew and rain. Although her eyes remained as pure as before, her entire being appeared increasingly delicate and beautiful, yet regrettably, no seeds ever took root and sprouted.

Days passed by in a whirlwind of activity... Two months later, Long Xuechan arrived at the Spirit Abode and brought the two young girls, Long Ping and Long Ting, with her.

Thus, two diligent little bees joined the eighth-floor medicinal garden of the Medicine Tower, and little Qing Yue gained two assistants. Under Nie Kong's guidance, the Ping-Ting sisters began attempting to nourish the herbs using wood spirit power, making the several patches of medicinal land carved out by Qing Yue even more vibrant.

When Long Xuechan departed, Nie Kong 'lent' her the Ghostly Soul Eagle King. With the 'Spirit Returning Jade Token' for arrival and a peak Ninth-Grade spirit beast for the return journey, Long Xuechan began visiting the Spirit Abode with greater frequency.

In the time that followed, she met with Nie Kong almost once a month. Nie Kong felt a touch of regret that Long Mei Xian remained completely absent.

In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed since You Li and the others departed. Morning dawned, the first light barely showing.

In the bedroom on the top floor of the pavilion, Nie Kong sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, motionless like a wooden sculpture. Tai Yan, however, lay sprawled on the wooden bed behind him, propping her chin on her arms.

Her calves occasionally flexed and extended, causing her hips to ripple and her breasts to sway, revealing the graceful and alluring curves of her completely bare, pale body. Perhaps because she had just woken up, her pretty face carried a hint of languid charm that was utterly intoxicating.

Staring at Nie Kong's back without blinking, Tai Yan's expression was filled with deep infatuation. After a long while, she pouted, muttering, "Brother lied to me again.

He said he’d fight me soon, but he’s been cultivating for six whole days without moving." "Hmph, I won't pay attention to him next time." Tai Yan angrily wrinkled her perfectly straight little nose. Although another half-year had passed, Tai Yan was still like a newly married bride savoring the taste of intimacy, completely obsessed with sparring with Nie Kong.

She perpetually hoped, like Long Mei Xian, that a seed would finally sprout in her belly. Despite the lack of success, with each spar, the power she could command now reached nearly half of her hidden internal strength.

At present, even without mobilizing that hidden power, she was capable enough to devour an average Heavenly Spirit Master. "Huh?" As sunlight streamed through the window, Tai Yan suddenly gasped in surprise.

At that exact moment, she detected a magnificent aura suddenly emanating from Nie Kong’s body. This aura seemed saturated with the densest life force, and the moment it appeared, it surged outward in ripples, spreading in all directions.

Instantly, the vegetation throughout the entire Spirit Abode seemed to be nourished by sweet rain, becoming even more vigorous. "This is..." In the Clear Heart Hall, Gu Changong and Ling Xiao, who were about to resume sketching herb diagrams, exchanged surprised glances.

The next moment, a flash of sudden understanding crossed Hua Yaolin’s eyes, followed by a radiant smile. "Everyone, it seems the youngest Heavenly Spirit Master in the history of our Heavenly Spirit Continent is being born!" ...

...RO