Chapter 1101: This is it
The discussions and ruckus ceased. Although many suspected Ye Mo possessed the Heaven Glory Pill recipe, none dared voice their suspicions. This was the Pill King Tournament, after all; any questioning would have to wait until after the tournament, or perhaps the final round. If Luo Xiaomo lacked genuine skill, it would become apparent during the final round's twelve Pill King steps.
Only 100 contestants remained on stage. Shen Guanqing stood and announced, "Next, we proceed to the second round. Everyone will concoct the pill they dissected. This round will focus on spirit herb refinement and fire control. Every step of your refinement and concoction will be recorded and submitted to the judges. There is no time limit, and you may use your own cauldron."
Ye Mo sighed. The South Peace State's cultivation level was demonstrably superior. In the North Far State pill concoction tournament, everyone used examiner-provided cauldrons, ensuring transparency. Here, however, the Pill City simply employed a surveillance formation, allowing participants to use their own cauldrons.
Upon receiving his spirit herbs, Ye Mo marveled at the Pill City's wealth. They supplied ample herbs for approximately 100 participants without hesitation. Furthermore, the tournament didn't even charge a spirit stone registration fee—a testament to its genuine focus on pill masters.
This time, Ye Mo didn't observe his competitors. He knew the time limit was flexible, yet time would still be a factor. Many pill masters could refine herbs but lacked the skill to concoct pills.
Ye Mo examined his eleven spirit herbs. Aside from a level-six Dihua Beast Core, the remainder were top-grade. He should have specified a level-seven core; the Pill City seemingly possessed unlimited access to Dihua Beast Cores.
Many cultivators prepared their cauldrons and flames. Ye Mo, without delay, produced his Shen Nong Cauldron and was about to unleash his Purple Flower Fire, but he reconsidered. Using such a powerful flame would alert perceptive individuals to his first-round advantage. Dissecting a pill was far more difficult than concocting one; using a rare flame now, after not using one in the first round, would suggest prior knowledge of the recipe.
The thought shocked him. His flawless first-round dissection brought him immense glory, but revealing his supposed "cheat" here could diminish it considerably. He usually disregarded such concerns, but now, fame equated to safety. He knew that after this tournament, all aspects of his past would likely be revealed—potentially even his time spent in South Peace City.
Therefore, Ye Mo used only his Soul Flare. Ninety percent of the contestants watched him; the Soul Flare's appearance stunned them. Ye Mo's brilliant first-round performance had been undeniable, yet now, he used no Earth or Heaven flame.
Judges who previously favored Ye Mo shook their heads. Compared to Jiu Qian and other top-50 contestants, Luo Xiaomo's flame was underwhelming.
But Yue Qichao observed Ye Mo's Shen Nong Cauldron, remarking, "His cauldron is unusual; it appears ordinary yet somehow… different."
Ji Ling, impressed by Ye Mo, suggested, "Lu Qian bei, you have numerous flames; perhaps give one to Luo Xiaomo later. His Soul Flare is insufficient…" He would have given a rare flame to a level-seven spirit pill master.
Lu Wuhu smiled, "This young pup already owes me; he can dream of a flame from me. But he's cunning; things won't be simple."
Ning Qingxue, witnessing Ye Mo's choice, felt even more disheartened. Of the hundred participants, only her husband used a Soul Flare, and she had resolved to help Ye Mo acquire a superior flame.
Only Jing Yingli understood Ye Mo's actions. She murmured, "You did this to yourself." She knew Ye Mo possessed many rare flames and took the tournament seriously to gain renown. Using a Soul Flare was inconceivable unless he already knew the recipe. He should have used a rare flame in the first round.
She couldn't warn him, but his slight hesitation reassured her. He recognized the gravity of the situation and proceeded with the Soul Flare. However, this would result in a lower-grade pill.
Despite the Soul Flare, countless eyes remained on Ye Mo. They wanted to see a level-seven spirit pill master concoct a level-nine pill. Failure would cast doubt on his first-round success.
As a level-five Pill King, Ye Mo was unconcerned about concocting a level-nine pill, even with a Soul Flare.
The judges nearly leaped from their seats when Ye Mo casually tossed the eleven herbs into the cauldron, disregarding the proper order. Was this man an idiot? Herb refinement procedure was critical—from hardest to easiest, in a precise sequence, with the methodical removal of impurities. A single error could cause an explosion.
Only Ye Mo's outstanding first-round performance saved him from immediate dismissal.
Shen Guanqing exhaled and addressed Yue Qichao, "Brother Yue, I'm beginning to suspect he knew the Heaven Glory Pill recipe already. His concoction method…"
Lu Wuhu smiled, unconcerned, "If this kid is bluffing, he's the luckiest bluffer."
Even those unfamiliar with pill concoction sensed something amiss. Ye Mo faced a difficult situation. His first-round Soul Flare was under scrutiny; he needed to create a façade of nonchalance while concocting the Heaven Glory Pill.
While Ye Mo's technique differed from the norm, usually adding four or five herbs at a time, managing eleven proved challenging. Luckily, his potent spiritual sense enabled complete control within the cauldron, refining each herb individually and expelling impurities.
Although a Soul Flare is usually slower, Ye Mo's speed rivaled the others. Shen Guanqing gasped, "This Luo Xiaomo is the most genius pill master I've ever seen."
The judges understood. His unconventional method was extraordinary; almost impossible for them. Yet, Luo Xiaomo had flawlessly refined the herbs at an exceptional pace, utilizing a Soul Flare while others employed rare flames. A prodigy indeed.