Nie Kong had expected Du Jian to try recruiting him for the Primordial Heaven Mansion, but hearing the wondrous nature of the Primordial Heavenly Tome now nonetheless made him gasp in surprise. The Spirit Tribulation was derived from the Heavenly Dao, yet the Primordial Heavenly Tome actually held the imprint of the Will of Heaven and Earth, capable of eliminating the dangerous triple Spirit Tribulation!

Such a concept was utterly inconceivable to Nie Kong, who had spent his life on the Celestial Spirit Continent.

After delivering his pitch, Du Jian closely monitored Nie Kong, immensely satisfied with the shock displayed. The smile on his face immediately eased.

After a long moment, Nie Kong finally came back to his senses, asking suspiciously, "Brother Du, I have no doubt about the marvels of the Primordial Heavenly Tome. However, surely perusing that celestial scroll is no easy feat? Otherwise, wouldn't every Ninth-Rank Peak Phantom Spirit Master have ascended to Spirit God?"

"It is certainly not easy."

Du Jian chuckled. "Those who manage to read the entire Tome require exceptionally outstanding comprehension. Brother Tai reaching Ninth-Rank Peak at thirty-five speaks volumes about his aptitude. Therefore, you have no need for worry. If you join the Primordial Heaven Mansion, you are guaranteed to become a Spirit God within three years."

Spirit God in three years...

What formidable might!

Nie Kong's heart fluttered. Even with his supreme confidence in his own cultivation speed, he couldn't guarantee advancement to Spirit God within three years. If he hadn't had other motives compelling him to remain temporarily at the Pill Immortal Sect, he might genuinely have sought out the Primordial Heavenly Tome after the "Pill Palace Immortal Gathering."

For now, however, there was only regret.

"Brother Du, allow me a little more time to consider."

Nie Kong appeared troubled.

He wasn't refusing outright; only by dragging things out on both sides could he pressure the Pill Immortal Sect to hurry. He had already noticed that while he spoke quietly with Du Jian, Tai Shuyan, Luan Yexin, and the other Pill Immortal Sect Medicine Kings kept casting glances over, clearly concerned about the development here.

Du Jian wasn't in a rush for Nie Kong to decide. A thread of sound was sent directly into Nie Kong's ear: "The Pill Immortal Sect may offer assistance in the path of alchemy, but the Primordial Heaven Mansion can open the gateway to Spirit God for you. I trust Brother Tai will soon make the most correct choice."

With that, Du Jian gave Nie Kong a meaningful look.

After he turned and left, Nie Kong watched for a moment, and under the intentional or unintentional gaze of numerous eyes, he walked out of the hall with Tai Yan. Yet, Nie Kong didn't go far. He sat down on the lawn not far outside the hall, leaned his body back, and pressed his head against Tai Yan's chest, savoring her softness.

His eyes slowly narrowed; Nie Kong looked deeply immersed in thought.

He was doing this deliberately. If he hadn't left, in the conspicuous setting of the hall surrounded by people, the Pill Immortal Sect members would likely hesitate to openly discuss matters with him.

Not long after, light footsteps reached his ears.

It was...

Luan Yexin!

A slight joy flickered in Nie Kong's heart.

"Brother Tai Shuang, Sister Tai Yan, I didn't expect you two were hiding here to enjoy yourselves. It truly makes one envious," Luan Yexin's voice chimed like silver bells, crisp and pleasant.

"Elder Luan, what brings you here? Please, have a seat," Nie Kong quickly opened his eyes and beckoned her over.

"Brother Tai Shuang, you are quite cunning."

Luan Yexin sat cross-legged opposite him, casting him a playfully feigned glare, brimming with charm and allure.

Nie Kong pretended to be surprised: "What do you mean by that?"

Luan Yexin rolled her eyes, then smirked knowingly, "Brother Tai Shuang, you deliberately brought yourself here, didn't you, just to wait for me or the Sect Master?"

"I can't help it; I genuinely find it hard to choose right now." Nie Kong laughed heartily, showing no embarrassment that his little scheme had been uncovered by Luan Yexin. In fact, he had anticipated this; his actions were quite obvious—if Tai Shuyan and the others hadn't seen through it, they'd be fools.

"One Pill Immortal Sect, one Primordial Heaven Mansion; one Chaos Jade Codex, one Primordial Heavenly Tome. If I were you, I would also find this choice difficult," Luan Yexin sighed softly, looking at Nie Kong with a touch of emotion. Only a genius like him could draw the eager recruitment of the two most powerful sects in the Divine Void Realm.

"From an emotional perspective, I naturally favor the Pill Immortal Sect, as alchemy is my greatest passion."

Upon hearing Nie Kong say this, a smile touched Luan Yexin's face, but then Nie Kong shifted his tone, "However, my rational side tells me that the Primordial Heaven Mansion is the better choice. The Chaos Jade Codex might not guarantee I reach Spirit God, but the Primordial Heavenly Tome could allow me to ascend effortlessly."

Luan Yexin frowned slightly, her tone growing urgent: "So, you've already made your decision."

She couldn't help but feel anxious. The Chaos Jade Codex had been in the Pill Immortal Sect's possession for over ten thousand years. Now that they had finally encountered someone whose aura contained the Chaotic Heavenly Fire, if they let this opportunity slip, they might never find a chance to unlock the Codex's secrets again.

"No."

Nie Kong shook his head, troubled. "If I had decided, I wouldn't be struggling this much."

Luan Yexin instantly relaxed, smiling. "That's good. Brother Tai Shuang, there's truly no need to rush this choice. After this afternoon's 'Pill Palace Immortal Gathering,' don't leave immediately. Wait until tonight when the Sect Master takes you to Divine Heaven Peak to meet Martial Marquis Uncle-Master and see the Chaos Jade Codex; then it won't be too late to decide." Tai Shuyan had originally planned this for the following evening, but Du Jian's recruitment effort forced him to advance the schedule.

Nie Kong pondered for a moment, then gritted his teeth: "Fine, it's settled then."

"A promise?"

"A promise!"

Luan Yexin gracefully returned to the Pill Immortal Hall.

"Brother, I will go with you to Divine Heaven Peak when the time comes." Tai Yan wrapped her arms around Nie Kong from behind, her breasts pressing tightly against his shoulder blades, looking quite worried. Within this Divine Serenity Peak, this girl rarely spoke aloud, especially about intimate matters, fearing exposure.

Nie Kong was about to nod, but a sudden thought struck him.

Martial Marquis was one of the two Spirit Gods in the Pill Immortal Sect. Both he and Tai Shuyan would be on Divine Heaven Peak tonight. With him drawing their attention, their focus on Divine Serenity Peak would surely lessen. Perhaps this was a good opportunity.

"It’s better if I go alone,"

In a flash of thought, Nie Kong pinched Tai Yan's soft, rosy cheek and smiled, "You aren't a Phantom Spirit Master, so there’s nothing much to see on Divine Heaven Peak anyway. Why don't you return to Creation Villa and wait for me, or perhaps go wander around Dragon Ascending City? If you find anything fun, you can tell your brother."

"Ah?"

Tai Yan looked confused; Nie Kong had clearly been about to agree, so why did he change his mind so suddenly?

Before she could ask more, Nie Kong suddenly reversed his grip, pulling her delicate body across his lap, and his lips instantly sealed over her two soft, moist cherry lips. The long-absent, exquisite sensation surged through him, and Tai Yan's confusion was immediately tossed to the Nine Heavens. She happily narrowed her eyes and responded passionately.

After only a moment, threads of Nie Kong's voice suddenly echoed in her mind...

... ...RO