In an instant, almost everyone recognized the young man in white robes leading the way. Whether it was the complete, condensed, or introductory version of the Compendium of Materia Medica, Nie Kong's portrait was featured within. During this time, that face had turned over countless times in everyone's minds; it was familiar to the point of being inseparable from memory.

Stepping out of the passage and gazing at the scene teeming with people outside, Nie Kong smiled and called out in a loud voice, "Everyone need not worry. Although the true body of the 'God-Devouring Flower' is intimidating, it poses absolutely no threat. If you are willing to witness the founding ceremony of my Medicine King Palace, you may now enter the Spirit Abode."

As Nie Kong's voice faded, the aura of dread and fury that had permeated the green passage quietly dissipated.

"It really is the 'God-Devouring Flower'!"

Hearing Nie Kong personally confirm it, the crowd was even more astonished. They had long known that Nie Kong possessed a Flower Spirit, but that Flower Spirit could never possibly be the God-Devouring Flower.

The area surrounding the Spirit-Sealing Stone remained silent for a moment, until finally, several Spirit Masters stepped out from the crowd. After bowing respectfully to Nie Kong, they strode purposefully into the green passage. Seeing their actions, the onlookers could no longer restrain themselves; more Spirit Masters followed suit, entering in an orderly, single-file line.

Almost every Spirit Master who passed by Nie Kong offered a respectful bow.

After about ten minutes, the area around the Spirit-Sealing Stone became deserted. However, a continuous stream of Spirit Masters could still be seen rushing toward the location from a distance.

"That edition of the Compendium of Materia Medica truly brought immeasurable merit. Although the cultivation levels of these people just now weren't very high, their conduct represents the attitude of the vast majority of Spirit Masters across the Celestial Spirit Continent towards you. Through all ages, only you, Nie Kong, have garnered such reverence from so many Spirit Pharmacists."

Ling Xiao sighed profoundly, and Mu Wanqing and Gu Changgong beside him couldn't help but nod in agreement.

The Celestial Spirit Continent respected strength above all else. A person with formidable cultivation could inspire fear or admiration, but it was impossible for anyone to win the reverence of most of the continent's Spirit Masters as Nie Kong had. With their perception, they could clearly see that the reverence displayed by these people was genuine and heartfelt, utterly devoid of falsehood.

"This is also thanks to everyone's help. If it were just me, I don't know how long it would have taken to compile the Compendium of Materia Medica." Nie Kong chuckled, drawing his gaze back from the horizon. "Auntie Wan, Grandpa Gu, and Sect Master Ling, I entrust the matters outside to the three of you."

"Go back with peace of mind. With the three of us greeting guests here, nothing will go wrong," Mu Wanqing said with a bright smile and a nod.

"..."

Moments later, Nie Kong turned and re-entered the passage.

Placing the true body of the 'God-Devouring Flower' here was not intended to intimidate visitors, but rather to prevent them from running wild once they entered the Spirit Abode. This passage, woven from vines, stretched for several li, leading directly from the stone monument to the grand plaza outside the newly constructed 'Medicine King Palace,' with no side paths along the way.

Of course, this applied to the visitors.

Immediately upon entering the interior of the Spirit Abode, a wide fissure appeared on the left wall of the passage. By the time Nie Kong stepped through, the fissure had sealed itself without leaving any trace. Once clear of the passage, Nie Kong's figure shot forward at incredible speed, soon arriving at the highest peak within the Spirit Abode: Cai Mei Peak.

Before the sculpture at the summit, a woman sat cross-legged on the ground.

This woman appeared to be around thirty, possessing a charming countenance and a voluptuous, graceful figure, yet at this moment, her brow was subtly etched with pain, and a sickly flush had risen on her cheeks. As time passed, fine beads of sweat began to form on her forehead, and her temples were already dampened.

Not far off, Yu Xuan watched with obvious concern, her eyes anxious, occasionally glancing toward the base of the mountain.

The woman on the ground was her mother, the Feather Emperor, Yu Qinglan.

Half a month prior, upon receiving the news, Yu Qinglan had finally arrived at the Spirit Abode after arranging the affairs of the Feather Spirit Clan, to begin receiving Nie Kong's treatment. According to Nie Kong, her injuries would be completely healed today. Yu Xuan did not doubt Nie Kong's words, but seeing her mother's pained expression made her involuntarily anxious.

Moreover, today was the day of the Medicine King Palace's founding ceremony. Nie Kong had established the 'Heaven and Earth Arena,' and powerful figures from the Spirit God Hall were certain to ascend the stage to challenge him.

Since ancient times, anyone who stepped onto the 'Heaven and Earth Arena' had invariably fought with lethal intent. Given the enmity between Nie Kong and the Spirit God Hall, Kou Xilai certainly would not let the matter rest easily. If Nie Kong were overly depleted from healing his mother, it could have a very detrimental effect when facing the challenges.

"Been waiting long?"

Just as Yu Xuan was lost in worried thought, a familiar laugh suddenly reached her ears. Yu Xuan looked up to find that Nie Kong had silently arrived at the summit.

"I'll begin now," Nie Kong said with a smile.

A look of pleasant surprise flashed across Yu Xuan's face, but then a hint of hesitation crossed her beautiful features. "Nie Kong, the grand ceremony for the Medicine King Palace is about to commence. If you expend too much energy now, it could be dangerous. Perhaps you could first alleviate my mother's pain, and only after the ceremony is concluded..."

"No matter, this final round of needling is very simple," Nie Kong replied with an air of ease. "The treatment for your mother cannot be paused for even a day, or the effort might all go to waste."

"That's good then." Yu Xuan let out a breath of relief.

"..."

While speaking, Nie Kong had already moved to Yu Qinglan's side, inserting a series of golden rays into her Nine Hidden Acupoints. Seconds later, accompanied by the intense buzzing of the golden needles, threads of golden energy, fine as silk, seeped out from the nearby sculpture, flowing continuously toward the nine golden needles.

The injury sustained by Yu Qinglan was actually somewhat similar to that of Meng Feiyang.

Meng Feiyang's injury was caused by the Tribulation Power condensed from his inner demons during Lan Ling's tribulation crossing. As for Yu Qinglan, she was harmed by the Tribulation Power generated by her own inner demons during her tribulation crossing.

Initially, Yu Qinglan had only suffered a deficiency in her soul. But now, the soul's deficiency had caused a defect in her Xin Xiang (Mental Projection/Spiritual Core) as well, and she had only managed to suppress the condition by relying on vast quantities of medicinal elixirs. Especially the Spirit God Hall's 'Round Tribulation Star Pill,' which could very effectively delay the deterioration of her condition.

However, the 'Round Tribulation Star Pill' and other elixirs merely postponed the inevitable; in twenty or thirty years, Yu Qinglan's situation would be even worse than Meng Feiyang's.

What Nie Kong intended to do was to restore Yu Qinglan's Xin Xiang to completeness.

To restore the Xin Xiang, her soul had to be repaired first. Since Yu Qinglan had passed her first Spiritual Tribulation, her body could directly withstand Divine Power. Nie Kong had therefore set the location for the treatment here on Cai Mei Peak, directly channeling the Power of Faith gathered in the sculpture into Yu Qinglan's body for restoration.

In the preceding days, he had to perform the 'Nine Revolutions Golden Needle Technique' to the ninth cycle, which consumed a tremendous amount of spiritual energy and Divine Power. Fortunately, the longer the treatment took, the easier it became for Nie Kong. By today, only a slight trace of imperfection remained in Yu Qinglan's Xin Xiang, making it a simple task for Nie Kong.

Seeing that Nie Kong truly showed no signs of strain, Yu Xuan finally set her heart completely at ease. A faint, massive sound wave reached her ears, and Yu Xuan turned her gaze; the Medicine King Palace, ten li away, was vaguely visible...

... (To be continued [This text is provided by the Breaking Dawn Update Group, Fan Le])