Chapter 1112: Heaven Flame Released
Seeing Luo Xiaomo struggle at step eight and Jiu Qian at step nine, the audience surmised that one excelled at concocting heaven-grade level five pills, while the other was superior at level six. However, no one knew that Jiu Qian's prolonged effort at step nine was due to Ye Mo, even though Ye Mo's actions were unintentional.
An hour later, Jiu Qian finally removed excess herbal liquid and swiftly began pill formation. Eight minutes later, he finished, producing four Cauldron Essence pills: one top-grade and three middle-grade. Jiu Qian seethed; without Ye Mo's influence, he believed he could have produced at least three top-grade and three special-grade pills. He felt certain he hadn't performed as well as Ye Mo, despite not knowing what pill Ye Mo had concocted.
As Jiu Qian rose, Ye Mo stood, preempting his outburst. “It's been over eight hours. I won't count the extra time; I'm not stingy.”
Jiu Qian's eyes blazed. He glared, coldly accusing, “You're calculating! You intentionally disrupted my mental state, disrupting the tournament's order.”
Ignoring Jiu Qian, Ye Mo gazed at the tenth step. “Very well, report me. I'll tell the judges you waited for my benefit, while I intentionally disrupted your concoction. You don't need to explain.” Ye Mo then ascended to the tenth step.
Jiu Qian's rage subsided, replaced by icy calm. He realized any complaint would portray him as unreasonable; he had broken the rules by speaking and waiting for Ye Mo for eight hours.
Seeing Ye Mo on the tenth step, Jiu Qian's confidence returned. “So what if you're a level six pill king? I'll show you despair.” He charged to the tenth step. He hadn't intended to reveal his full capabilities, but Luo Xiaomo’s skill necessitated it. Even without his struggle at step nine, the victory wouldn't have been decided there. He hadn't anticipated Ye Mo to be a level six pill king; after all, there were fewer than ten such pill kings in the South Peace State. How could someone so young be one?
With both on the tenth step, the audience rose. The judges too could no longer remain seated. Success here signified level seven pill king status—a vast difference from level six. While level six pill kings were rare, there were a few; but in the entire South Peace State, only the city lord and vice city lord of Pill City held level seven rank, excluding reclusive masters. Even the prodigious Wu Tan remained at level six.
The realization that Ye Mo and Jiu Qian might be level seven pill kings sent the representatives from the major sects into a frenzy. Level seven meant the ability to concoct heaven-grade level seven Kun Filling pills—essential for cultivators breaking through from Body Condensation to Cauldron Filling states, rarely even seen. Only level seven and above pill kings could supply pills for Cauldron Filling cultivators and beyond.
The importance of Cauldron Filling state cultivators to a sect is undeniable. Even nine-star sects possessed few. Sects with centuries of accumulated resources might have superb herbs and materials, but lacked the ability to transform them into pills and artifacts.
The two known level seven pill kings were the city lords of Pill City, figures of immense status and wealth, constantly besieged by requests. Their own cultivation demands limited their services to once a year. Only high-level powerful beings, not even nine-star sects frequently, could solicit their services.
Yue Qichao and Shen Guanqing, for example, lacked only time, not resources. Therefore, the prospect of two potential new level seven pill kings—younger and without the same cultivation level demands – was incredibly exciting. The sects might secure their services with lavish resources.
Only successful concoction of a heaven-grade level seven pill on the step would confirm their level seven status. Pill concoction on the pill king steps was far more challenging; Xu Banchang, for instance, couldn't even produce a heaven-grade level five pill there.
“If these two achieve level seven, it's a tremendous boon for our South Peace State cultivation society,” Yue Qichao exclaimed, awestruck by Ye Mo's apparent ability to progress from level six to seven in such short order. Ye Mo and Jiu Qian had exceeded all expectations.
Silence fell as all eyes fixed on the pair.
Ye Mo found a spot, noticing the absence of the usual pill selection cards. A jade slip materialized before him: “The contestant can decide what heaven-grade level seven pill to concoct and choose the ingredients. Please list the necessary heaven-grade level seven spirit herbs. Only one type of each herb is allowed. Failure to produce a heaven-grade level seven pill will result in disqualification.”
Ye Mo understood; this was designed to showcase full potential. He knew success would be difficult. He'd succeeded at level six using the Three Birth Chant, but he doubted his ability to reach level seven. Pill concoction relied on skill, not luck.
Ye Mo remained hesitant, sensing Jiu Qian's lack of confidence. He scanned his own spirit sense, but wrote nothing.
Jiu Qian sneered, listing over twenty spirit herbs on his jade slip. He believed both he and Ye Mo were unlikely to succeed, but his near-level seven skill gave him an edge. He chose a more challenging level seven pill, betting on higher points for the process itself to offset any deficit in the final product. If he exerted full effort, even a low-grade level seven pill might secure victory.
Ye Mo frowned seeing Jiu Qian’s selection. Was he truly a level seven pill king? If so, Ye Mo was in serious danger.
As Jiu Qian selected his herbs, he produced another flame—red, but darker than Sensha Fire. Even Ye Mo felt the intense heat. With a cold glare at Ye Mo, Jiu Qian unleashed it: Heaven Flame One Purple Flare, second only to Mist Lotus Heart Fire in the cultivation realm.