Chapter 1102: The Only Pill Master who Concocted a Pill

When all the spirit herbs in the cauldron were refined, Ye Mo expelled the waste and sighed in relief. He knew he was taking a risk; any mistake would negate all his previous efforts. Pill masters with fewer spirit herbs had already stopped, capable only of refining, not concocting—they didn't even understand the pill's components.

Fifteen minutes later, only about ten people remained on the square. With a few cracking sounds, even level five Pill King Xu Banchang and level four Pill King Ji Youting failed. Almost all eyes were now on Ye Mo and Jiu Qian, the only two still attempting the concoction.

Jiu Qian's skillful technique particularly captivated the audience. His previous pill dissection had been remarkably smooth, and his concoction method was equally impressive, resembling an artistic performance as he chanted incantations. "Such skill," Shen Guanqing remarked, "he's at least a level four Pill King." The other pill kings agreed; Jiu Qian was clearly far more advanced than a level nine spirit pill master.

A pill aroma wafted over the judges, drawing their attention to Jiu Qian. While their authority would diminish if he successfully concocted the Heaven Glory Pill (he'd placed second in the first round), they still hoped for his success. What if the pill only required ten ingredients?

Ye Mo smiled and continued his work. He alone knew the Heaven Glory Pill lacked aroma after the addition of the dihua beast core; a fragrant pill was not a true Heaven Glory Pill.

Crack! Another sharp sound signaled Jiu Qian's failure. Disappointed, he extinguished his flame, and the judges shifted their gaze.

Almost all eyes were now on Ye Mo. He withdrew his hand, revealing six pills which he carefully placed into the jade bottle provided. With a level seven beast core, he'd expect twelve pills; using a level six core, he'd reduced the yield to six to ensure potency.

"He succeeded?" "He really succeeded?"

Several judges rose as Ye Mo presented his pills, their eyes blazing with avarice. Were they not judges, they would have stormed Ye Mo and seized the bottle.

Of the hundred participants, only one had succeeded—and with six perfect pills. Shen Guanqing and a level four Pill King regretted their focus on Jiu Qian's appealing aroma, neglecting Ye Mo's technique. Fortunately, a recording existed, though live observation was far more satisfying.

The audience understood: the second round concluded with only one successful pill master—the one who recreated the Heaven Glory Pill recipe. The winner was clear.

Silence fell. Many anticipated this outcome; only Ye Mo possessed the recipe. The anomaly? The successful concoction was by the lowest-level pill master, using the weakest flame.

Jiu Qian stared at Ye Mo in disbelief. He’d considered himself a prodigy, unconcerned by any competitor. Yet, someone had replicated the recipe and concocted the pill using only soul flare. He felt he'd already lost significantly.

The results appeared on the judges' table, the Heaven Glory Pill bottle now in Yue Qichao's hands. He opened it, revealing six identical pills. "He used soul flare to concoct the Heaven Glory Pill for the first time," he exclaimed, "and there are four top-grade and two special-grade pills. Even a level four Pill King couldn't match that."

"Wow, this kid really is a pill master!" Lu Wuhu exclaimed in astonishment.

Yue Qichao shook his head. "No, he's not a pill master. He's at least a level four Pill King—but why did he register as a spirit pill master?"

Lu Wuhu explained awkwardly, "I gave him the opportunity. He came to Pill City to enter the tournament but lacked the proper credentials, so I helped him obtain a level seven spirit pill master identity."

Unexpectedly, Yue Qichao bowed to Lu Wuhu. "Thank you, Lu qian bei. Without your help, we wouldn't have discovered this genius, blocked from entry." He then turned to Shen Guanqing. "Martial brother Guanqing, we need to revise Pill City's rules. Regardless of the tournament, spirit pill master and pill king verification must be available. Luo Xiaomo was fortunate; what about next time?"

"Yes, Martial brother Yue," Shen Guanqing replied instantly.

Pill King Chang Shun interjected, "City Lord Yue, I've never heard of Luo Xiaomo. His talent is unprecedented; he seems young, yet a high-level Pill King..."

Yue Qichao nodded. "I know. After the first round, I dispatched investigators. We should have results soon."

A messenger flying sword arrived. Yue Qichao examined it, looked at Ye Mo, and then sat back down. "I just received a message from Dao Friends Xu Qiliang and Wang Han guarding the teleportation formation. The North Far State cultivator who invited Ye Mo has been in South Peace State for nearly two years, and they sent an image..."

"Huh, Ye Mo is here—why didn't he seek me out? Why hasn't a major sect recruited such a genius?" Ji Ling asked. He then added, "Haha, Ye Mo is also a formation grandmaster. I visited North Far State several times, but he was always busy, so I left him a jade card."

"He's a formation grandmaster, too?" Everyone was stunned. Becoming a Pill King required immense effort; this Ye Mo possessed exceptional pill concoction skills and was a formation grandmaster.

Yue Qichao produced the image, smiling wryly. "Knowing Luo Xiaomo is actually Ye Mo...I think you'll be speechless."

The judges were stunned into silence. A prodigy was one thing, but this was unbelievable. In North Far State, he was Ye Mo, creator of the Spirit Weaving Pill; in South Peace State, he was Luo Xiaomo, who dissected the Heaven Glory Pill. Every judge present was exceptionally gifted, yet this enigmatic Ye Mo surpassed them all.

"Why did he change his name?" Ji Ling inquired. Didn't Ye Mo aim for fame? Why the alias if he was already renowned?

Yue Qichao responded coldly, "He probably offended someone in South Peace State. Xu Qiliang and Wang Han stated Ye Mo didn't change his name when he saw them; it happened later. But regardless of whom he offended, no one can touch him within Pill City."

Yue Qichao gestured. "Let's find someone to test the pills and decide the top fifty."

Shen Guanqing nodded, leaving the judges' stage. He looked at Ye Mo and announced, "The tournament isn't over, yet numerous genius pill masters and Pill Kings have emerged. Luo Xiaomo, who successfully decoded the Heaven Glory Pill, perfectly concocted a cauldron of Heaven Glory Pills. We invite any Golden Core cultivator to test their authenticity."

Countless Golden Core cultivators surged forward, but Shen Guanqing selected a level six cultivator, dismissing the others. A level six cultivator's advancement to tertiary stage would confirm the pill's efficacy.