Chapter 1105: Pill King Step that Blocked Ye Mo

Shen Guanqing announced, “The third round takes place on the 12 pill king steps. Each contestant must concoct a level seven spirit pill on step 1, a level eight on step 2, and so on. You may choose the pill; the more difficult the pill, the higher the potential level. However, difficulty doesn't automatically equate to higher rank. Harder pills take longer. If others advance while you're still on step 1, you're disqualified. A simple level eight pill scores higher than the hardest level seven. Remember, the 12 steps, like the trial tablet, rigorously test your will and spirit sense at every stage.”

He raised his voice. “These steps assess pill concoction skill, power, wit, and cultivation. Failure to remain on a step or concoct a pill results in elimination. This round begins now. I wish you all success in reaching the summit!”

Ye Mo understood: reaching step 12 required concocting a heaven-grade level nine pill. Staying on the steps alone seemed challenging. He realized he was getting ahead of himself; reaching step 8 would demand heaven-grade level five pills. He knew Shen Guanqing's hope for everyone to reach the top was unrealistic; only a heaven-grade level nine pill king had a chance, and even that wasn't guaranteed. Besides, Pill City couldn't provide the necessary level nine spirit herbs for a heaven-grade level nine pill.

At Shen Guanqing’s signal, all pill masters ascended. Ye Mo stepped onto the pale yellow first step and immediately felt a powerful force pushing him off. He wasn't afraid, but this pressure on step one meant it would only intensify. Being only at the nascent soul state, resisting this force while refining would be far harder than for those at the hollow spirit or body condensation states. This wasn't just about pill concoction skill; cultivation essence played a crucial role.

Therefore, achieving a top-ten ranking with his nascent soul state level five power seemed impossible. Failure wouldn't just erase the honor of the first two rounds; it would invite doubt and reproach. Anyone knowing the Heaven Glory Pill recipe could ace the first two rounds; this third round truly tested strength. Failure here would inevitably cast doubt on his achievements.

Shen Guanqing then said, “Contestants, choose any pill visible from your position.” Many pill masters, already familiar with the rule, began their selection before he finished.

Ye Mo, however, didn't choose a pill. He sat, studying the dozens of level seven spirit pills. He knew that unless he addressed the pressure, his speed in concocting a level seven pill was irrelevant; he'd lose to those with superior cultivation essence. Therefore, he decided to tackle the problem now, on the step with the least pressure. He needed a top-10, even top-3, finish, or his efforts would be for naught.

A peculiar scene unfolded: 49 contestants refined pills, but Ye Mo remained seated, his brow furrowed. Ji Ling questioned, “What is he doing?” The judges shared his perplexed expression. Knowing Ye Mo's reputation as a formation master, Ji Ling held high expectations.

The audience and various sects watching Ye Mo buzzed with discussion. His hesitation on the first step, a simple level seven spirit pill, sparked concern. Open doubt soon surfaced.

“His perfect scores in the first two rounds were likely due to prior knowledge of the Heaven Glory Pill recipe. This round tests true strength, and he can't even manage a level seven pill.”

“If I knew the Heaven Glory Pill recipe, I could get full marks, too.”

“Hehe, this tournament just keeps getting interesting.”

Pill masters began completing their pills, yet Ye Mo remained motionless. Ning Qingxue, initially elated, stood up, visibly worried. Zheng Heyin told her to sit, saying the judges wouldn't care about a mere Golden Core cultivator. Ning Qingxue, eyes reddening, remained silent as Huang Qian calmed her.

After an hour, several pill kings reached step 2, yet Ye Mo remained. Even Xin Zhida showed growing impatience; Hu Wen, her martial brother, neared completion on step one. The Lightning Cloud Sect elders watched in shock as Ye Mo seemed stuck.

Tian Ji snarled, “This guy must have been incredibly lucky to know the Heaven Glory Pill recipe. Now, his bluff is called. His earlier scores are worthless. The heavens themselves are helping me get revenge!” He approached Sect Leader Jiang, explaining his plan to inform the Infinity Sect that Ye Mo killed Yuan Guannan. The mere suspicion would suffice for a 9-star sect. Even if Ye Mo didn't cheat, failure here would be interpreted as such. Even Pill City’s city lord couldn’t protect him if accused of cheating.

Jing Yingli, aware of Ye Mo’s true abilities, guessed his strategy but couldn’t intervene. She longed to whisper, “Truth Fall Palace stairway.”

Ye Mo frowned; if the pressure simply scaled with the steps, the competition would be redundant; only higher-cultivation pill masters could progress.