In the Divine Void Realm, intelligence regarding the "Chaos Heavenly Fire" was fiercely guarded. Only the Nine-Grade Medicine Kings and key figures within the Pill Immortal Sect knew of its existence.

Luan Yexin was among the select few. Within the Pill Immortal Sect’s archives lay a miraculous talisman artifact, inherited from the era of the Phantom Spirit Continent, which sealed immense quantities of this very "Chaos Heavenly Fire." Successive generations of Pill Immortal Sect masters had yearned to harness that "Chaos Heavenly Fire" for their own use, yet every attempt had failed.

The realization that the heat source this alchemist was employing now carried the aura of "Chaos Heavenly Fire" promised a seismic shockwave through the senior ranks of the Pill Immortal Sect should the news escape. "Puff!

Puff…" Seventy layers... eighty-five layers...

ninety layers... In Nie Kong’s palm, the sparks erupted with increasing speed, resembling countless brilliant blossoms continuously unfurling and fading in rapid succession.

Witnessing this spectacle, everyone present, save for the few other alchemists still engaged in their own processes, was filled with awe. By this point, almost no one believed Nie Kong would fail.

"Puff!" The hundredth layer! As the final spark ascended, the petals transformed into several searing flames that shot upwards, entirely enveloping the cauldron’s body, making it seem as if the entire vessel had become an extension of the fire.

However, the vision lasted only a fleeting moment. In the next instant, Nie Kong flipped his right hand, and the fire in his palm abruptly vanished, the rolling wave of heat dissipating without a trace.

"Dong!" Setting the cauldron down, Nie Kong let out a slow breath. Glancing quickly at the stick of incense, about a third of it remained unburnt.

By calculation, confirming the prescription and refining this single "Hibiscus Falling Petal Pill" had taken only about four minutes. Of the dozen or so alchemists participating in the assessment, only three remained; the rest had already [First posted on Baidu Tieba] failed their refinement.

The faint sound of the cauldron being placed snapped the surrounding crowd back to awareness. In just a few minutes, the way they looked at Nie Kong had undergone a startling transformation.

Initially, they had only seen a boorish fellow, never suspecting such formidable alchemy prowess. The Hundred-Layer Flower technique was truly breathtaking.

Those who came to participate in such assessments were generally confident in their abilities, and their judgment was seldom flawed. They clearly understood that with just this single skill, the man before them was qualified to stand among the elite Nine-Grade Medicine Kings, ranking at least in the top five among them all.

Logically, such an expert should be a priority subject for protection in any sect, possessing immense renown across the vast Divine Void Realm, easily securing an invitation to the "Pill Palace Immortal Assembly." Yet, this man was utterly unfamiliar, the first time they had ever laid eyes on him. Seeing him participate in such a low-level assessment clearly indicated that the Pill Immortal Sect had not sent him an invitation, nor did they seem aware of his existence in the Divine Void Realm.

Amidst their admiration, these alchemists were plagued by numerous questions. Perhaps this man’s fame was understated, having cultivated in seclusion for many years, always traveling alone… As this thought took root, the initial dozen or so alchemists felt a surge of excitement.

He likely had no powerful backing; recruiting him into one’s own sect could yield incalculable benefits, especially since the man himself appeared to be a peak Ninth-Rank Phantom Spirit Master. A Nine-Grade Medicine King of this caliber was certainly a prized asset that every major power would fight over.

A feverish intensity gripped their hearts. They understood the profound value of a Nine-Grade Medicine King, hailing as they did from various major sects.

In the Divine Void Realm, the "Primordial Grand Abode" was the strongest, relying on its myriad wondrous spirit arts and techniques; the very first expert to ascend to the Grand Venerable status from the Spirit God realm originated from the "Primordial Grand Abode." The Pill Immortal Sect managed to surpass other factions, falling only slightly behind the "Primordial Grand Abode," precisely because of its vast contingent of Medicine Kings. The Divine Void Realm hosted thirty Nine-Grade Medicine Kings in total, and the Pill Immortal Sect alone claimed fourteen of them, with an astonishing number of Seventh and Eighth-Grade alchemists below them.

The vast majority of the Pill Immortal Sect’s Ninth-Rank experts were proficient in alchemy. Thus, the moment Nie Kong displayed such supreme refining ability, the others became intensely motivated.

Sensing that others harbored similar intentions, they hesitated to extend invitations immediately, especially with Luan Yexin standing nearby. If she were to invite this man, other sects would likely find it impossible to compete against the Pill Immortal Sect.

For an alchemist, the allure of the Pill Immortal Sect was undeniably fatal. “What exquisite ‘Hundred-Layer Flower’!” While everyone wrestled with their own schemes, Luan Yexin clapped her hands in appreciation, gazing at Nie Kong with a beaming smile.

“My brother, I still haven't had the pleasure of learning your name, or the name of this little sister here?” “Tai Shuang!” Nie Kong offered a slight smile, using the alias Tai Yan had given him. “Tai, as in peace and stability; Shuang, as in unmatched.

She is my sister, Tai Yan.” “What a fitting name, ‘Unmatched.’” Luan Yexin’s eyes brightened upon hearing it, and she praised him again with fervor. “Brother Tai Shuang’s alchemy skill certainly merits the title ‘Unmatched,’ and little sister Tai Yan’s beauty equally earns the epithet ‘Unmatched.’ May I ask, Brother Tai Shuang, under whom did you study, and which sect do you hail from?” Hearing this, the surrounding alchemists felt a sudden wave of foreboding, silently cursing: Luan Yexin, even if you want to recruit Tai Shuang, must you lay the flattery on so thickly?

“My sister and I belong to no sect; these little alchemy skills are entirely self-taught.” Nie Kong subtly discerned the veiled meaning in Luan Yexin’s words, feeling amused internally. The "Hundred-Layer Flower" was a technique he had learned from the Spirit Mansion; displaying it during the Pill Immortal Sect’s assessment was intended to draw attention, and it seemed to have achieved its original objective.

“Self-taught?” Everyone was slightly astonished. Self-taught to the level of a Nine-Grade Medicine King?

Even Luan Yexin paused, her beautiful eyes showing suspicion. Seeing their disbelief, Nie Kong added by way of explanation, “I happen to possess considerable innate talent.” “Oh.” Luan Yexin nodded with a smile, unsure whether she believed him or not.

“To teach oneself alchemy to such heights, Brother Tai Shuang’s talent is indeed rare across all ages. Brother Tai Shuang, I wonder if you would be interested in remaining here in Rising Dragon City?

I assure you, there are many things here that would pique your interest.” Her recruitment intention was now perfectly clear. The surrounding dozen or so alchemists exchanged wry glances.

They had feared the Pill Immortal Sect would take an interest in this Nine-Grade Medicine King, and now their fears were confirmed; with the Pill Immortal Sect making a move, their own chances of success were slim. Nie Kong pretended not to grasp the implication of Luan Yexin’s words, chuckling, “My sister and I intend to remain in Rising Dragon City until the ‘Pill Palace Immortal Assembly’ concludes.” Hearing this, the surrounding alchemists’ expressions brightened—it seemed there was still room for maneuver.

“That is excellent.” Luan Yexin could not discern if Nie Kong was genuinely obtuse or merely pretending, so she decided to temporarily step back. As long as he remained in Rising Dragon City, she was confident he would eventually stay with the Pill Immortal Sect.

After a slight pause, Luan Yexin smiled faintly, her gaze finally settling on the cauldron before Nie Kong. “Brother Tai Shuang, that single display of the ‘Hundred-Layer Flower’ is sufficient qualification for you to enter the ‘Pill Palace Immortal Assembly.’ Congratulations.”