Chapter 1110: Step Nine
Ye Mo felt the pressure of step nine even before landing. Using his experience, he deployed his purple eye soul sever before touching down, drastically reducing the pressure. A second severance completely eliminated it. He didn't know Jiu Qian's method, but suspected it was similar. Jiu Qian, also on the ninth step, glanced back coldly. "You're not simple; you even possess a spirit sense attack cultivation method."
Ye Mo immediately understood; Jiu Qian used the same technique. "Your master isn't simple," Ye Mo retorted coldly. He relied on the Three Birth Chant, but that was his own achievement; he suspected Jiu Qian had received tutelage. Jiu Qian frowned but remained silent.
Ye Mo chose the Dew Condense Pill, a pill beneficial to body condensation state cultivators, aiding breakthroughs. It was a relatively ordinary level six heaven-grade pill. He'd decided on this at step eight, simulating its concoction while working on the Break Spirit Pill. He also feared choosing a more difficult pill might lead to failure.
He was unaware of Jiu Qian's choice and avoided using his spirit sense to check, as that would appear nervous. Although this was his first attempt at the Dew Condense Pill, extensive Three Birth Chant simulations at step eight had prepared him. Using the Mist Lotus Heart fire would greatly increase his success rate, yielding mostly special-grade pills. Yet, Ye Mo refrained; he felt he hadn't reached a critical point.
Seeing Ye Mo begin spirit herb refining, Jiu Qian sneered, assuming it would take him even longer than at step eight. Jiu Qian, a top-tier level six pill king with multiple successful heaven-grade level six pill concoctions, felt no apprehension about facing a pill king who'd struggled with level five pills.
Everyone watched, amazed by Ye Mo and Jiu Qian's performance. The major sects were particularly interested in their status as independent cultivators. Securing a pill king from an established sect offered limited advantages, allowing only cooperation with the sect. Independent cultivators, however, could potentially be recruited or hired as guest elders.
The sects were thrilled to see both reach step nine; regardless of success, the tournament already justified their attendance. Furthermore, the prospect of free pill concoctions from level six pill kings was incredibly appealing. While level five pill kings could produce Break Spirit Pills, Jiu Qian and Ye Mo could effortlessly create them. The demand for Break Spirit Pills among peak hollow spirit state cultivators was high, even exceeding the supply of top 9-star sects. Commissioning a level five pill king was exorbitantly expensive, beyond the means of most sects. Access to level six pill kings was a remarkable opportunity.
"He's actually a level six pill king..." Huang Yushan and his martial uncle murmured incredulously. Huang Yushan, a hollow spirit state cultivator, had sought his sect's aid in procuring the 5 Color Lotus. However, facing a level six pill king, it was insufficient to even warrant a meeting, much less currying favor. Regret filled him; had he known Ye Mo's power, he would have offered all his spirit herbs.
Huang Yushang suggested, "Martial uncle, Ye Mo seems fond of the 5 Color Lotus. Let's try anyway. Even if he refuses, it's acceptable; he won't reject a gift. Besides, at the herb valley, I lost, he gained nothing."
The hollow spirit state cultivator agreed, "It's our only option."
Zhen Heyin of the Ethereal Immortal Pond sighed. Elder Chi had instructed her to arrange a meeting between Ning Qingxue and Luo Xiaomo post-tournament. However, facing a level six pill king as merely an ordinary hollow spirit state cultivator from an 8-star sect, she doubted the meeting's feasibility.
Meanwhile, the Lightning Cloud Sect and Infinity Sect elders wore grim expressions. Upon learning Ye Mo's role in Yuan Guannan's death, they'd presumed him dead. However, his status as a level six pill king, wielding power comparable to an 8-star sect (and potentially exceeding that of a 9-star sect if a level seven), changed everything. Such individuals enjoyed the protection of numerous powerful cultivators. They envisioned countless masters flocking to Mo Yue City in Ye Mo's wake, transforming it into a miniature Pill City.
"Even if he's a level seven pill king, I will kill him," Tian Ji declared coldly.
An Infinity Sect elder concurred. "If our core disciple was indeed killed by Ye Mo, we will exact revenge, regardless of his pill king level. But first, this must be reported to our grand elder."
The judges whispered amongst themselves, victory appearing predetermined.
Zhao Shuntiang remarked, "Barring unforeseen circumstances, Jiu Qian will likely win this round. His total points would surpass Luo Xiaomo, securing him first place in the tournament."
Wu Tan agreed. "Indeed. Luo Xiaomo struggled with the Break Spirit Pill and chose the Dew Condense Pill at step nine, an easier pill than Jiu Qian's Cauldron Essence Pill. I doubt he can even concoct the Dew Condense Pill."
The judges nodded. Only Lu Wuhu, unfamiliar with pill concoction, smiled. "Not necessarily; this kid is cunning. Several times, I thought he'd fail, yet he reached step nine. If you doubt me, observe him."
The judges turned to Ye Mo and fell silent. He was refining spirit herbs over ten times faster than at step eight, his movements seamless. Nearly twenty herbs were swiftly processed. Within half an hour, he'd refined all herbs and was initiating the pill-forming process.
"What is this?" Even Yue Qichao, let alone the other pill kings, was baffled. No one understood Ye Mo's superior performance at step nine compared to step eight.