The Lingfu grounds were a hive of activity. News of Nie Kong's intention to establish a sect had barely spread before a multitude of skilled artisans, mobilized from the Great Accomplishment Empire by Nie Xingyun and Lian Tianxin, arrived and immediately broke ground. Now, on the majestic mountain opposite the Medicine Pagoda, a scene of bustling construction reigned as a grand palace gradually rose from the earth. This palace was destined to become the sect's main hall. Surrounding this central structure, a complex of complementary buildings was also being erected. During these days, Nie Xingyun and Lian Tianxin poured their entire focus into these nascent structures. The myriad of tedious details left them almost no time to delve into the Way of Medicine, yet both found joy in the process, for Nie Kong, the man establishing the sect, was their disciple, after all.

"It's been thirty-five days now."

Tai Yan leaned against the corridor of the pavilion, her demeanor languid. Her clear, beautiful eyes occasionally flickered towards Cai Mei Peak. At this moment, the statue atop the peak shone like a golden sun; even from ten miles away, the bursting golden radiance was distinctly visible.

"Boom!"

Suddenly, the summit of Cai Mei Peak erupted with dispersing golden light, and a world-shaking explosion reverberated outward. The violent roar startled the craftsmen, causing their spirits to tremble as they fearfully followed the sound with their gaze. They watched as a colossal figure slowly ascended from where the gold light had flashed, standing an imposing fifty to sixty meters tall, like a pillar supporting the heavens.

"Brother."

Tai Yan’s beautiful eyes lit up. With a swirl of crimson, she floated down to the pavilion's platform, her face beaming as she shot towards Cai Mei Peak. It wasn't just her; Mu Wanqing, Qing Yue, Ling Xiao, and Ling Yanluo all bolted from the Medicine Pagoda almost simultaneously, staring in astonishment at the giant standing on the mountaintop.

"So big! Is this really my Master?" The little loli Ling Yanluo rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

"Master’s 'Crimson Star War Body' is truly amazing!"

"Mhm, mhm."

Long Ting and Long Ting were so excited their cheeks flushed scarlet. These young girls were merely shocked by the form Nie Kong had transformed into, but Mu Wanqing and Ling Xiao, amidst their awe, felt a trace of dread. The aura emanating from Nie Kong’s towering body actually made them, Heavenly Spirit Realm experts, feel as if they couldn't draw a full breath.

Rumors circulated in the outside world that although Nie Kong was establishing a sect, he might forgo setting up the "Heaven and Earth Arena" to welcome challenges from all sides. After all, despite having powerful backing like Spiritual Guard City and the Yin Ruins, if Nie Kong truly intended to defend the arena, he absolutely could not invite aid from experts of the Spiritual Guard City or the Yin Ruins. No matter how strong Nie Kong was, he was just one person—how could he possibly withstand the challenges of the numerous experts across the Heavenly Spirit Continent? Even with his Flower Spirit, it might not be enough. Back in the "Forbidden Spirit Swamp," although the Spirit God Hall suffered humiliation, they were essentially evenly matched with Nie Kong. This demonstrated that Nie Kong could not easily deal with the Spirit God Hall Master; otherwise, he and the Flower Spirit would have gone on the offensive instead of remaining defensive. Thus, the safest approach would be to omit the "Heaven and Earth Arena" segment during the sect's inauguration ceremony, thereby refusing challenges from other powers. Although this might cost some face, given the "Compendium of Materia Medica" and Nie Kong’s mastery of the Way of Medicine, which power on the Heavenly Spirit Continent would dare to look down upon the Medicine King Palace? Initially, Mu Wanqing and the others held this same view. However, they were acutely aware that Nie Kong had no intention of abandoning the "Heaven and Earth Arena." Originally, they worried that Nie Kong would struggle to defend the "Heaven and Earth Arena." Many powers on the Heavenly Spirit Continent hated Nie Kong to the bone, such as the Spirit God Hall, the Myriad Snake Immortal Nest, and the Mo Luo Sacred Mountain, whose secret medicines Nie Kong had deciphered. These sects would certainly not let the matter rest. If these powers banded together, Nie Kong would face enormous trouble, especially if powerhouses like the Spirit God Hall Master Kou Xilai or the Serpent Lord She Qianbian personally intervened, Nie Kong’s life might be in danger. But now, Mu Wanqing and Ling Xiao suddenly understood the source of Nie Kong’s confidence.

"With this level of strength, even if Kou Xilai were to challenge him at the 'Heaven and Earth Arena,' even if Nie Kong didn't win—"

"Self-preservation would be more than sufficient," the two Heavenly Spirit experts exchanged a glance, a knowing smile flickering across their faces. Every trace of worry they held dissipated in that instant.

"Hoo!"

At the summit of Cai Mei Peak, Nie Kong’s gigantic body rapidly contracted back to its original size, and he let out a long breath. After sending Long Xuechan away, he began absorbing the power of faith condensed within the statue. Just as he had predicted, it took only four days for the seventh Nether Star to complete its metamorphosis—the "Crimson Star War Body" also reached its seventh layer. Just now, the eighth Nether Star and the eighth layer of the War Body were cultivated to success simultaneously. As for the ninth "War God Star Seal" and the ninth layer of the "Crimson Star War Body"—these were still somewhat distant goals for the current Nie Kong. According to the descriptions in the Crimson Star Clan's inheritance, the final steps for both of these techniques required possessing Spirit God level strength to even begin; attempting them now was a case of willing but unable.

"With the current strength, I am certainly capable of dominating the Heavenly Spirit Continent."

A hint of proud amusement flashed through Nie Kong’s eyes. This cultivation session, which lasted over a month, had caused his power to surge dramatically. Not only was the divine power within his body now boundless and potent, but the explosive force generated during the divine power’s ascent also propelled his cultivation from the fourth rank of the Heavenly Spirit Realm to the eighth rank, causing the intensity of his Natural Origin Power to surge nearly tenfold. With such cultivation and strength, Nie Kong couldn't help but feel a surge of heroic spirit filling his chest. Even if the Spirit God Hall attacked his doorstep right now, he would meet them without fear.

"Brother!"

A crisp, sweet cry reached him. Nie Kong looked over and saw a red shadow flashing continuously through the forest below, speeding towards the summit of Cai Mei Peak. He couldn't help but laugh loudly, stepping directly across the void to appear before Tai Yan, catching her delicate, exquisite figure in a firm embrace.

Tai Yan clung tightly to Nie Kong’s neck, her tender, pretty face layered with joyful smiles. "Brother, you've finally finished cultivating! I have wonderful news to tell you."

"What wonderful news?"

Nie Kong was slightly surprised, teasing, "Don't tell me the seed has sprouted?"

Tai Yan blinked her eyes wide in astonishment. "Brother, how did you know? I haven't even said anything yet!"

"No way?"

Hearing her words, it was Nie Kong's turn to be startled, unable to believe it. "Little Sister Tai Yan, is that true?" As he spoke, Nie Kong’s fingers had already found Tai Yan's pulse point, yet he sensed nothing. Nie Kong then bent down, pressing his ear against Tai Yan’s lower abdomen, but still perceived nothing unusual.

Tai Yan laughed until her eyes curved into crescents. "Brother, you won't discover it like that." As soon as she spoke, Tai Yan transformed into her Húi Móu Huā form, the blood-red flower swaying towards Nie Kong.

"Oh?"

Nie Kong paused, then let his palm rest on the flower. With a thought, a fragrant wisp of his essence medicinal power flowed inward. Seconds later, Nie Kong indeed sensed a faint spark of life force deep within the Húi Móu Huā's corolla, and the small threads of power hidden in the stamens were subtly integrating into that tiny life.