As she stepped into the circular altar at the heart of the medicinal garden, her mind was entirely submerged within the dense array of illusionary runes. The long carving knife in her hand moved like a nimble spirit, dancing with abandon. Aided by the “Sumeru Divine Fetus,” her movements were far more fluid and effortless than when she had previously repaired the Illusion Array of the Spirit Mansion.

After watching for a while from outside the altar, Nie Kong quietly slipped away. He wouldn't be needed here until the stored power of that single “Sumeru Divine Fetus” was completely exhausted.

The person to travel to the Divine Void Realm could only be Nie Kong.

That continent suspended in the void was vaster than the Heavenly Spirit Continent, its population numbering more than ten times that of the latter. For an ordinary Spirit Master, locating Kou Xilai and the others amidst that sea of humanity would be as difficult as ascending to heaven, but Nie Kong’s task would be comparatively easier. This was because only Nie Kong could deploy the Crimson Star Clan’s “Blood Shadow Dharma Image.” If Kou Xilai was indeed in the Divine Void Realm, this secret art could pinpoint his general location.

Hua Pianxian required about seven days to finish repairing the illusion array, and Nie Kong intended to use this time to wrap up all pressing matters in his hands.

Regarding the affairs of the Medicine Academy, Nie Kong could confidently hand everything over to Mu Chonglou and You Li, along with the other Rank Eight Medicine Kings.

The fall of the Spirit God Hall had left the spiritual apothecaries affiliated with the Medicine Platform trembling, and they had scattered to join major sects like the Spirit Imperial City. By effectively utilizing these individuals and recruiting some excellent low- and mid-grade spiritual apothecaries, establishing the framework for the various levels of the Medicine Academy would be simple.

As long as Nie Kong’s alchemy standards remained supreme on the continent, he needn't worry about the Medicine Academy he proposed suddenly becoming a victory lap for someone else.

“By the time I return, the Medicine Academy will certainly be officially operational.”

Nie Kong’s thoughts spun as he exited the Medicine Tower and headed toward the Medicine King Palace ahead.

During these few days, what Nie Kong most desired was simply to spend quality time with Long Meixian and Long Xuechan, especially since Long Meixian now carried his flesh and blood within her. His trip to the Divine Void Realm might take one or two years. By the time he saw them again, he would likely be a father.

Thinking of this, Nie Kong couldn’t help but feel a slight headache coming on.

To this day, Nie Kong still hadn't figured out how to explain his relationship with the sisters to Hua Mei. Mu Xueyi, however, had vaguely guessed some of it; the unconcealable joy in her eyes whenever she looked at Long Meixian proved it. Yet, even so, she and Mu Qingyi remained adamant regarding Nie Kong’s marriage to Mu Qingying. Had Kou Xilai not escaped, they would probably have already demanded that Nie Kong proceed with the wedding ceremonies for Hua Mei and Mu Qingying.

Then there was Bai Yuqing, who hadn't reappeared since returning to Jiyang City, and her relationship was also complicated to resolve.

For now, he could only take things one step at a time.

Nie Kong offered himself a futile word of comfort and reached the entrance of the Medicine King Palace just as clear, crisp laughter drifted out from within. Nie Kong sensed lightly, confirming that Long Meixian, Long Xuechan, Yu Xuan, Yu Tinglei, Long Ping, Long Ting, and his mother, Mu Xueyi, were all inside.

After listening for a moment, Nie Kong quietly departed, a faint smile touching his lips as he turned back. After checking on Tai Yan, who was currently in closed-door cultivation, Nie Kong re-entered the Medicine Tower. He pondered for a while, ultimately deciding to use these seven days to refine as many spiritual medicines as possible that Hua Mei and Long Xuechan could utilize, allowing them to accelerate their own power development after he left.

He summoned Qing Yue and the Gourd, and Nie Kong launched into a frenzied session of alchemy. Since the little fellow was currently inside Hua Pianxian, Nie Kong couldn't activate the “Medicine Cauldron Illusionary Body.” While using an ordinary medicine cauldron made it difficult to refine spiritual medicines with a perfect ten-tenths fusion rate, reaching around nine-and-a-half tenths was relatively easy.

Qing Yue and the Gourd diligently delivered the required ingredients one by one, and spiritual medicines shot out of the furnace at an astonishing rate.

Day one, day two...

...

Aside from restoring his spiritual energy, absorbing the power of faith from the peak of Cai Mei Peak, and checking on Hua Pianxian’s progress in repairing the illusion array, Nie Kong dedicated the vast majority of his time to alchemy.

On the evening of the third day, that initial “Sumeru Divine Fetus” was finally depleted. Nie Kong extorted two drops of “Sumeru Golden Jade Dew” from Qing Yue and proceeded to refine the “Sumeru Divine Fetus” for the second time. This time, Nie Kong was more practiced; when the pill was forged, its medicinal fusion rate reached a respectable eight-and-a-half tenths.

Hua Pianxian continued her tireless work repairing the illusion array day and night, and Nie Kong was equally buried in his busy tasks.

Another day passed.

On the fifth floor of the Medicine Tower, within the medicinal garden, Nie Kong wearily set down his medicine cauldron, rubbing his slightly aching temple before closing his eyes and circulating his spirit arts to begin restoring his nearly exhausted primordial power. He wasn't sure how long he sat there when light footsteps sounded from outside, growing steadily closer.

“Tinglei?”

Opening his eyes, he saw a handsome young man enter his field of vision. Nie Kong expressed slight surprise, then smiled, “It looks like you plan to return to the Sea God Palace?” Over the past few days, Hua Caidie, Yu Qinglan, and Yu Xuan had left one after another, making the Spirit Mansion considerably quieter.

“Indeed, I came to bid you farewell.”

Yu Tinglei sat cross-legged opposite Nie Kong, smiling brightly. “Nie Kong, once you reach the Divine Void Realm, if you have time, could you help me inquire about my mother’s whereabouts?” As she spoke, a subtle sorrow shadowed Yu Tinglei’s brow. “Lately, I’ve felt restless, unsure if Mother is…”

Nie Kong paused, quickly offering comfort. “You worry too much. With Auntie Yue’s strength, self-preservation is more than enough. Once I’ve dealt with Kou Xilai and the others, I will search for Auntie Yue... Do you have anything of hers that contains Auntie Yue’s aura or a spiritual imprint? That would make searching much easier.”

Yu Tinglei pondered for a moment, then retrieved a small, azure bead from her bosom. The male attire she wore instantly dissolved, revealing a beautiful woman with exquisite features and a delicate figure. “Nie Kong, I’ll give you this Sea God Pearl. My mother’s residual aura is within this bead.”

“Good.”

Nie Kong accepted without ceremony, tucking the Sea God Pearl into his “Pet Backpack.” Then, as if recalling something, he added, “Oh, right, this ‘Bay Leaf Pearl’—I almost forgot to return it to you.” As he spoke, Nie Kong quickly retrieved the Bay Leaf Pearl from his pack, an object that bore a striking resemblance to the “Sumeru Divine Fetus.” This treasure of the Fish Spirit Clan had been instrumental in healing Hua Mei and saving the Dragon Ancestor.

“The Bay Leaf Pearl?”

Yu Tinglei froze, letting out a soft gasp, “Nie Kong, my mother gave you the Bay Leaf Pearl?” Faintly, an almost imperceptible blush rose on Yu Tinglei’s cheeks, and the clear, autumnal waters of her gaze rippled slightly, carrying a hint of shyness.

Nie Kong, unaware of Yu Tinglei’s shift in demeanor, laughed, “It wasn't a gift, it was a loan. I needed an object to stabilize the spirit at the time, and Auntie happened to have the ‘Bay Leaf Pearl’ with her, so she lent it to me. I never had the chance to visit the Sea God Palace before, but now I can finally return it to its rightful owner.”

“Whether it was a loan or a gift, since my mother gave it to you, you should keep it well.”

The blush on Yu Tinglei’s face deepened, and she quickly raised her hand to push the “Bay Leaf Pearl” back. The moment her fingertips touched the bead, a burst of brilliant, crystalline light erupted from within, enveloping both Nie Kong and Yu Tinglei like a vast azure fishing net.

“This…”

This strange occurrence made Nie Kong pause in astonishment. He instinctively looked toward Yu Tinglei, only to see that she, usually composed and serene, now had cheeks flushed scarlet, vibrant and tempting. Her eyes, illuminated by the azure glow, looked so moist and expressive they seemed ready to overflow—in that moment, she was mesmerizingly charming and stunningly beautiful.

What was happening?

Nie Kong blinked a few times in confusion as a heavy wave of drowsiness suddenly washed over his mind...