Long Xuechan revisited the Spirit Mansion once more. She lingered for several days this time, and with her departure, nearly every renowned major power on the Tianling Continent received an invitation issued by Honglou on Nie Kong’s behalf.

Subsequently, a piece of news suddenly swept across the continent… On the thirtieth of next month, Nie Kong would establish his sect in the Great Accomplishment Empire's "Forbidden Spirit Swamp"! The sect’s name would be: Palace of the Medicine King!

“Palace of the Medicine King?” At the Spirit God Hall, Kou Xilai sneered after reading the invitation delivered by Honglou. “This Nie Kong truly has an arrogant tone, daring to establish a sect, and naming it the ‘Palace of the Medicine King’?

He, a mere Celestial Spirit Master, does he truly believe he can hold the ‘Heaven and Earth Arena’?” For a Spirit Master to establish a sect, holding an inauguration ceremony was mandatory, and this “Heaven and Earth Arena” was the first event of that ceremony, a tradition circulated on the Tianling Continent for thousands of years. The so-called “Heaven and Earth Arena” meant that on the day of its founding, the new sect would set up an arena to welcome challenges from experts across the Tianling Continent.

Only if the victory rate reached sixty percent would they qualify to establish a sect. Only by passing this “Heaven and Earth Arena” could they stand as equals with powers like the Muluo Sacred Mountain and the Spirit Imperial City.

Of course, this type of “Heaven and Earth Arena” was targeted at new sects possessing Celestial Spirit experts. When smaller powers established their sects, even if they erected an arena, no Celestial Spirit experts would bother to engage.

While skipping the arena and holding a direct inauguration ceremony was possible, it was difficult to gain recognition from the major powers. Take the Spirit Imperial City, for instance; when they first established their sect, the Celestial Spirit experts of that time nearly swept through all challengers, only then gaining a foothold on the Tianling Continent and gradually becoming a sacred land for Spirit Masters.

If Nie Kong’s “Palace of the Medicine King” wished to earn respect from the Tianling Continent based on strength, it absolutely had to undergo the “Heaven and Earth Arena.” Furthermore, the defenders of the arena must be experts belonging to the new sect; inviting external help, even if they defended the stage successfully, would only invite ridicule. Ye Haoran snorted through his nose, “He compiled the ‘Compendium of Materia Medica,’ which led to widespread admiration across the Tianling Continent.

It’s not surprising that he is now doing something so brazen and arrogant.” “Isn't this perfect?” A sinister smile spread across Lu Rong’s face. “On the day of the inauguration, Nie Kong’s Spirit Mansion will surely be open to all invited powers.

At that time, our Spirit God Hall can make a grand entrance and slay Nie Kong upon the ‘Heaven and Earth Arena’.” “Since Nie Kong dared to send an invitation to our Spirit God Hall, he must have foreseen this possibility,” Zhan Tianfeng mused. “Things might not be that simple.” “So what if he has schemes and tricks?” Kou Xilai stated grimly, “In the face of the Spirit God Hall’s unrivaled power across the continent, any deceptive trickery will turn to ash.

Great Elder, starting today… you will personally guard the ‘Divine Envoy Hall.’ As soon as the five High Gods have any news, report it to me immediately. The rest of the elders, prepare yourselves now.” “Yes!” “Nie Kong certainly has great audacity.” Within the Immortal Hunting Sect, You Li gazed at the invitation in her hand and couldn't help but smile.

“At barely twenty years old, he intends to establish a sect. That hurdle of the Heaven and Earth Arena will likely be hard to clear!” With that, she handed the invitation to Kui Yin beside her.

“Palace of the Medicine King?” Murmuring the three words, Kui Yin was startled. “He actually wants to invite the Great Sect Master to serve as an Honorary Elder in his Palace of the Medicine King?” Lei He and Ming Tai couldn't help but lean closer.

“He certainly has grand means. The betrothal gift is a Ninth-Grade Spirit Medicine, guaranteed fusion rate above ninety percent…” “… And one every year!” The three were dumbfounded, only raising their eyes to look at You Li after a long moment.

Seeing You Li’s composed expression, Kui Yin couldn't help but ask, “Great Sect Master, what is your intention?” You Li smiled, “How could I refuse such a wonderful opportunity?” Ming Tai couldn't help but interject, “Great Sect Master, since Nie Kong offered such a weighty betrothal gift, I suspect it’s not just to have you as a nominal Honorary Elder, is it?” “This matter, naturally, I understand.” You Li nodded slightly, then sighed softly. “I have studied medicine for so many years, reaching a bottleneck decades ago.

Recently, however, studying his ‘Compendium of Materia Medica’ has given me a feeling of sudden enlightenment. A few days ago, when I refined the ‘Nine Refinements Divine Incense’ again, the medicinal fusion rate actually reached ninety percent.

I have a premonition that this is not my limit.” “Nie Kong’s purpose in inviting me as an Honorary Elder must also be related to medicine. Since that is the case, what harm is there in agreeing?

By engaging more deeply in the Dao of Pill Refinement with Nie Kong, my capabilities will certainly advance further. Perhaps, within my lifetime, I too can refine a Ninth-Grade Spirit Medicine.” “…” Kui Yin, Lei He, and Ming Tai exchanged glances, remaining silent.

Given Nie Kong’s alchemy skill and speed of cultivation advancement, it was not impossible for him to refine Tenth-Grade Spirit Medicines in the future. If You Li could spar with him frequently, the benefits were self-evident, though the thought of You Li, the dignified Grand Sect Master of the Immortal Hunting Sect, serving as an Honorary Elder of the Palace of the Medicine King, made them feel awkward.

However, You Li’s mind was made up, and Kui Yin and the others felt helpless. Langya Sect, North Sea Nation.

“I didn’t expect Nie Kong to pull a move like this.” Having returned to Sea Heart Island from the Spirit Mansion only a few days ago, Ling Xiao received the invitation delivered by Honglou and sighed emotionally, “First challenging the various Medicine Kings, then compiling the pharmaceutical classic ‘Compendium of Materia Medica,’ and now establishing a sect—who knows how many more earth-shattering things Nie Kong will do in the future!” “Honorary Elder of the Palace of the Medicine King, that’s not a bad position.” Closing the invitation, Ling Xiao paced back and forth a few times in the courtyard. “Going to the Spirit Mansion is convenient with the Spirit Return Jade Token, but returning to Sea Heart Island takes too much time—at least twenty days one way.

Perhaps this time I should stay in the Spirit Mansion for a little longer. I wonder how that girl Yan Luo is doing now…” “Ling Tong!” Several minutes later, Ling Xiao stopped pacing, and a sliver of sound condensed into a beam, shooting like an arrow towards a courtyard thousands of meters away.

In less than a minute, a white-haired man of about sixty appeared before Ling Xiao, respectfully saying, “Disciple Ling Tong pays respects to Master.” “Hmm, not bad. You’ll reach the ninth rank of Cave Spirit soon.” After scrutinizing Ling Tong, Ling Xiao nodded with satisfaction.

“Go prepare. In five days, in the morning, we will hold the succession ceremony for my Langya Sect.” Ling Tong was stunned.

“Succession? Master, what position are you passing on?” Ling Xiao smiled, “Naturally, the position of Sect Master of the Langya Sect.

In five days, you will be the new Sect Master of the Langya Sect!” “Master, absolutely not!” “…” Unlike the invitations sent to powers like the Spirit God Hall and the Muluo Sacred Mountain, the invitations received by You Li, Ling Xiao, Mu Zhonglou, and others also served as letters of appointment. In addition to these Medicine Kings, several Seventh-Grade Spirit Alchemists, such as Tailan Xiang, Gu Changgong, and Yuan Xunyu, also received invitations coupled with offers for Honorary Elder positions.

As this news spread wildly, Nie Kong once again became the focus of attention for the entire Tianling Continent.