Chapter 1099: Startling Ranking
The first question of the tournament was difficult, but judging was straightforward: marks were based solely on the number of correctly identified herbs. Everyone waited less than two hours before Shen Guanqing, from his position atop the judges' panel, announced, “The first round of the tournament has concluded. We have determined the top 100 pill masters and pill kings. I will now read their names. Those whose names are called, please remain for the second round. Those who are not called, please leave the contestant area. After the tournament, you will still have opportunities to cooperate with many sects.”
A hush fell over the crowd. For the contestants, even reaching the top 100, let alone the top 50, was a significant honor with substantial future benefits.
Shen Guanqing, without consulting the rankings, began to read, “Rain Pill sect, level nine spirit pill master Jia Youtian, 43.5 points, rank 100. Pill City, level nine spirit pill master Wang Xiaofeng, 43.9 points, rank 99… Heaven Herb Lake, level one pill king Hou Xibao, 55.2 points, rank 72; Heaven Star sect, level one pill king Feng Ling, 56 points, rank 71…”
Those whose names were called received congratulations from their sects—small cheers, but the honor visibly pleased their respective factions.
Upon hearing that he'd achieved 56 points and ranked 71st, Feng Ling was incredulous. He would have been thrilled merely to reach the top 100, yet he had surpassed even that expectation. He envisioned Yi Pandie's shocked reaction; she wouldn't have anticipated this outcome. He also considered Luo Xiaomo and Hu Wen; their names hadn't been called, suggesting they hadn't qualified.
Shen Guanqing continued, “Blue Lake, level two pill king Gu Wenqian, 62.8 points, rank 43; Rain Pill sect, level two pill king Wang Laoxi, 63 points, rank 42…”
Feng Ling’s initial pride waned. He didn't underestimate Hu Wen, but he hadn't believed Hu Wen to be vastly superior. Yet, Hu Wen had placed in the top 50, while Feng Ling was only 71st— hardly cause for celebration. The only consolation was that his disciple had not made the top 100.
Mo Youshen, nervously observing from the VIP lounge, had grown anxious upon hearing of Ye Mo's creation of the Spirit Weaving Pill, fearing that this Ye Mo was the Ye Mo. If so, he wouldn't be able to kill Ye Mo, and his own life would be in danger. However, once the top 30 were announced, he felt reassured. He reasoned that even a gifted pill master like Ye Mo would be unlikely to place in the top 30 as a level seven spirit pill master.
Ning Qingxue, oblivious to her surroundings, fixated on Ye Mo with intense anxiety. Unknowing, her nails had pierced her palm, drawing blood. Fang Zhongshi, while listening to the rankings, observed Ning Qingxue. Her bleeding palm puzzled him; was there someone among the contestants she deeply cared for?
Shen Guanqing continued, reading, “Solo cultivator, level three pill king Zong Shidao, 71.5 points, rank 14; Pill City, level four pill king Wang Mao, 71.7 points, rank 13…” His voice grew quieter as the rankings progressed.
As the top ten neared, some cultivators, unable to contain their anticipation, began murmuring amongst themselves.
“I believe Pill City’s half-immortal pill king Xu Banchang will take first. He is a level five pill king, after all.” “Not necessarily; Heaven Herb Lake’s level four pill king Ji Youtian is formidable. He has won numerous pill concoction tournaments.” “Shengting pill king is also strong, but the quality of his previous competition is questionable. Plus, Green Pill sect’s Nian Sheng pill king utilizes heaven flame.” “So what? The half-immortal pill king employs the even more powerful Extreme Geng flame.”
Shen Guanqing’s voice suddenly boomed, “Fusion Joy sect, level two pill king Li Qiliang, 73.2 points, rank 9… Clear Dream Mosque, level four pill king Wang Qingdie, 74.1 points, rank 6; Green Pill sect, level four pill king Qiu Niangsheng, 74.3 points, rank 5; Heaven Herb Lake, level four pill king Ji Youting, 74.9 points, rank 4; Pill City, level five pill king Xu Banchang, 77 points, rank 3…”
The crowd erupted.
“How is this possible? Even the level five half-immortal pill king is only third? Who could be in the top two? All the level three and four pill kings have been named. Could it be a spirit pill master?” “Exactly! We need an explanation!” “Even if it's a spirit pill master, there can't be two.” “The Pill City can't disappoint us like this!”
Xu Banchang and Ji Youting clearly had many ardent supporters. While cultivators valued strength above all, they also craved fairness. The Pill City was revered not only for its power but also for its impartiality. Any suggestion of foul play would be deeply disappointing.
Ye Mo, too, was perplexed. His recipe was sufficient for a Heaven Glory Pill, guaranteeing a top two finish. But all the high-level pill kings had been named, and those remaining were not skilled enough for the top two. Was there truly a spirit pill master like himself among the remaining contestants, or were there underhanded dealings at play?
Suddenly, Ye Mo recalled the cultivator who had used sense-sha fire; his pill dissection speed was remarkable, his manner seemingly casual. Could he be one of the final two?
After the uproar, Shen Guanqing let out a powerful bellow that silenced the heated discussion. A deathly quiet fell over the square. No one dared to speak, for even the suspicion of foul play could have deadly consequences.
Immediately, a vastly more potent spiritual sense swept across the square. Every cultivator felt utterly exposed, silencing any remaining dissent. The sense undoubtedly belonged to a Truth Realization state peak cultivator; such a being could kill effortlessly from a distance, forming a cultivation essence hand to annihilate any ordinary cultivator.
Once order was restored, Shen Guanqing declared, “Our Pill City has been in the South Peace State for nearly 1000 years. While we may have minor flaws, no one dares to engage in shady practices in a major tournament like the pill king tournament. We would never do that. Anyone reaching the top three is a great asset to us. Even I or City Lord Yue Qichao cannot influence the final three rankings.”
Many cultivators recognized the truth in this. Any obvious manipulation would irrevocably damage the Pill City's reputation.
Seeing the crowd’s understanding, Shen Guanqing continued, raising his voice, “Furthermore, we have Earth Forgery God Lu Wuhu qian bei and level nine formation grand master Sect Leader Ji among our judges. Who dares to act dishonestly here?”
“City Lord, we trust you. We trust the Pill City. Please continue with the announcement of second and first place.” “Yes, we trust the Pill City.”
Yue Qichao nodded and read, “Solo cultivator, level nine spirit pill master Jiu Qian, 90 points, rank 2…”
“Who is Jiu Qian?” The question rippled through the crowd; nobody recognized the name. Yet, this individual had outscored third place by 13 points—an unprecedented margin. While a difference of one or two points was significant, 13 points was astonishing, especially considering he surpassed even level five pill king Xu Banchang.
Ye Mo looked at Jiu Qian, sensing that he was not a genuine level nine spirit pill master. Without the Heaven Glory Pill, defeating him would be challenging.
Jiu Qian frowned; he expected a score of 90, but not second place. Like everyone else, he eagerly awaited the announcement of the first-place winner.