Chapter 1086: Become Famous Before Appearing
As the number one pill rest tower, this spacious place resembled a small square. When Ye Mo and his companions entered, approximately 100 pill masters were already present, gathered in small groups, discussing or arguing. Some were even concocting pills on the spot, filling the air with the fragrant aroma.
Two young pill servants stood at the entrance. Upon seeing Feng Ling and the others, they quickly bowed. Ye Mo expected Feng Ling to present their invitation, but Feng Ling simply displayed his Pill King badge. Seeing this, Ye Mo showed his own new badge to the servant, who glanced at Ye Mo in confusion before respectfully returning it.
The servant then announced, “Heaven Star Sect level one Pill King Feng Ling and solo cultivator level seven Spirit Pill Master Luo Xiaomo have arrived…” Many pill masters turned to look. Yi Pandie was speechless, shaking her head. Jing Yingli whispered in Ye Mo’s ear, “You didn’t need to show your badge; Feng Ling’s Pill King badge was sufficient. Without it, your level seven Spirit Pill Master badge wouldn't have granted you entry.”
Ye Mo awkwardly put away his badge.
Greetings immediately followed: “Dao Friend Feng…” “Brother Feng…” Feng Ling’s renown was evident. Many even approached Yi Pandie, but nobody approached Ye Mo and Jing Yingli. Jing Yingli’s appearance was unappealing, and Ye Mo was merely a level seven Spirit Pill Master— hardly noteworthy.
Feng Ling greeted those who approached him and then introduced Ye Mo and Jing Yingli. A few pill masters, owing to Feng Ling's influence, then greeted them.
Soon, a small circle formed, and they began discussing pill dao. Ye Mo listened as they discussed the pills they had made, their quality, and who might place in the tournament's top ten. He quickly found the conversation tedious.
Just as Ye Mo considered leaving, a commotion erupted. The atmosphere, though previously peaceful with differing opinions, had not reached the point of serious argument. Everyone immediately looked towards the source of the disturbance.
A bald pill master stood, fist-saluting the assembled pill masters. “Pill Dao friends,” he began, “my dispute with Pill King Hu Wen stems from his assertion that Spirit Attraction Grass can be incorporated into a pill. He even claimed someone had successfully created a Spirit Weaving Pill. When I pressed him for the cultivator's identity, he only stated it was from the North Far State.”
He continued, raising his voice, “Everyone knows the properties of Spirit Attraction Grass cannot be bound; countless precedents in pill dao have proven this. Pill King Hu Wen is merely displaying his ignorance by spouting such absurdities. While creativity is essential for pill concoction, it must be grounded in fact. Otherwise, it harms both the practitioner and others. I do not disrespect the North Far State, but our South Peace State has consistently held the preeminent position in cultivation and pill concoction within Luo Yue. Even if Spirit Attraction Grass could be used in a pill, would the North Far State truly succeed before us?”
“That’s right,” someone agreed, “I support Pill King Qi Yang. How could Spirit Attraction Herb be used in a pill? Countless prodigy Pill Kings throughout Luo Yue’s history have failed to achieve this. The notion that someone from the North Far State managed it is preposterous.”
More and more voices joined the chorus of dissent. “Even if it were possible, and even if a North Far State cultivator invented it, the recipe should have reached Pill City by now. Everyone understands the significance of a Spirit Weaving Pill; why haven't we heard of it?”
Ye Mo found the situation amusing. He observed Pill King Hu Wen, who seemed to be defending him. Hu Wen’s dark skin suggested he was in his fifties, and the searing heat emanating from him indicated the presence of a rare flame.
Witnessing the growing condemnation, Pill King Hu Wen stood, his fury evident. “I, Gu Wenqian, never bluff! The reason this pill hasn't reached South Peace State is because its creator disappeared. But the recipe surfaced, and I possess it.”
Another cultivator scoffed, “Haha, Brother Hu Wen, I know you’re truthful, but I question your source. Who would seek out such a genius? Since you have the recipe, then concoct some for us to see!”
Gu Wenqian’s face reddened. “I cannot make it.”
Before further scorn could be levied, a young cultivator stepped forward. Silence fell.
Ye Mo observed the cultivator, who had already reached the Body Condensation state, his chi potent. He clearly wore a pill similar to a Face Preserving Pill.
Jing Yingli informed Ye Mo, “This is Ji Youting, a prodigy from the eight-star sect Heaven Herb Lake, a level four Sheng Ting Pill King. He's considered the most likely candidate to win the tournament.”
Ye Mo was stunned. A level four Pill King at the middle stage of Body Condensation? It was absurd.
“Let’s hear what Pill King Sheng Ting has to say,” a cultivator suggested.
Ji Youting nodded and addressed Gu Wenqian. “Pill King Hu Wen, I trust your integrity, but your claim is astounding. We all know that when Spirit Attraction Herb is liquefied, its properties dissipate and cannot be gathered. Even a level nine Pill King couldn't recapture those dissipating qualities. Where did you hear this? What does the recipe entail?”
Gu Wenqian calmed down, saluting with his fists. “Pill King Sheng Ting, this is the truth. I cannot disclose my source, but I can tell you the cultivator's name: Ye Mo. He used Spirit Attraction Grass to concoct the Spirit Weaving Pill at the North Far State Pill Concoction Hall of Fame tournament, securing first place.”
Another wave of laughter erupted, but Ji Youting, unlike others, did not scorn Gu Wenqian. He inquired, “Ah, is this person a level three Pill King or higher?”
Gu Wenqian shook his head. “No, I heard he’s only a Spirit Pill Master, and when he made the Spirit Weaving Pill, he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage. Even with the recipe, we couldn't concoct it. It’s not merely about Pill King or Pill Master status; the Spirit Weaving Pill requires a unique concoction method.”
“May I see the recipe?” Ji Youting asked.
Gu Wenqian readily produced the recipe and gave it to Ji Youting.
Jing Yingli, however, looked at Ye Mo in shock and sound-transmitted to him, “The Spirit Weaving Pill… can really be made?” She realized Ye Mo hailed from the North Far State and was the champion of the Pill Concoction Hall of Fame. He was apparently quite famous there.
Ye Mo offered a wry smile and said aloud, “I believe so; otherwise, Pill King Hu Wen wouldn’t be making this claim.”
Jing Yingli, despite her quick wit, hadn’t been discreet; she knew her sound transmission wasn’t private.
Ji Youting immediately looked at Ye Mo. “How do you know the Spirit Weaving Pill can be made? This recipe, while creative and imaginative, is, according to this, impossible.” Clearly, he’d overheard Jing Yingli’s transmission.
“Insolent brat! He doesn’t understand the ways of heaven!” the crowd scoffed.