Chapter 1113: Battle of the Heaven Flames

Not only Ye Mo, but everyone was surprised to see the One Purple Flare, the second-ranked heaven flame in the cultivation realm. Its name stemmed from its unique nature; only one One Purple Flare appears in any given cultivation realm. Found deep within the earth, it is extremely rare and difficult to obtain, even for those fortunate enough to discover it.

The One Purple Flare, like the top-ranked Blue Like Morning Sky, appears only once per cultivation realm. It is exceptionally rare—harder to even hear about than see. Legend claims that the appearance of the Blue Like Morning Sky turned the entire cultivation realm blue, and its high-level form could even burn a whole realm. While an exaggeration, this illustrates its immense power.

The One Purple Flare's appearance shocked onlookers more than the two contestants reaching the tenth step of the Pill King trials. Many cultivators rose to their feet. Many observers noted Jiu Qian's remarkable patience, surpassing even his opponent, Luo Xiaomo. Luo Xiaomo unveiled the Purple Flower fire (ranked twelfth) at step four, while Jiu Qian reserved his heaven flame until step ten.

Pills crafted with heaven flames and earth flames are incomparable. With equal skill, Jiu Qian's heaven flame gave him a significant advantage.

Even Lu Wuhu, shocked, sighed upon reseating himself, “This makes me feel like I’ve wasted my life collecting flames. The best I’ve found is a Sense Sha flame, while these two have Purple Flower fire and the One Purple Flare!”

Yue Qichao, recovering from his shock, smiled. “Lu qian bei, your Sense Sha fire is almost purple, right? Even a heaven flame can’t compare.”

Lu Wuhu rolled his eyes. “Have you considered how long I’ve lived?”

Ji Ling sighed, “It’s unfortunate for Ye Mo; he’ll lose to the heaven flame.” No one countered; both contestants had demonstrated comparable pill concoction skills, but Jiu Qian's One Purple Flare ensured Ye Mo's apparent defeat.

Simultaneously, Ye Mo sighed, understanding Jiu Qian's confidence—the One Purple Flare. No wonder he was so arrogant. Ye Mo finally understood Jiu Qian's words: "When you think you can beat me, you will find that it is not disappointment you face, but despair."

Another pill king in Ye Mo's place would indeed despair. A heaven flame is countless times more potent than an earth flame, both in herb refining and pill concoction. The speed and quality were far superior. A powerful flame is essential for any pill king or master; skill alone is insufficient without it. Jiu Qian's One Purple Flare elevated his skill to a new level.

Everyone believed Ye Mo had lost. Jiu Qian began refining herbs, while Ye Mo remained seated, contemplating whether to use the Mist Lotus Heart fire.

He recognized Jiu Qian's skill as slightly superior to his own, and the One Purple Flare magnified that advantage exponentially. Ye Mo also knew the immense risk of unleashing his Mist Lotus Heart fire. He didn't understand Jiu Qian's confidence; even his flame was less valuable than the One Purple Flare.

Suddenly, an idea struck Ye Mo: successfully concocting a heaven-grade level seven pill would make him a level seven pill king. As Jing Yingli had said, a level seven pill king possessing the Mist Lotus Heart fire would be unassailable. The only concern was his vulnerability when alone.

Even without the Mist Lotus Heart fire, would he remain unscathed? The Infinity Sect and Lightning Cloud Sect likely knew his identity. Using the Mist Lotus Heart fire to create a heaven-grade level seven pill would enhance his reputation, attract powerful allies, and deter his enemies.

While using the Mist Lotus Heart fire was simple, the challenge lay in creating a heaven-grade level seven pill. His choice required uniqueness to impress the judges and a higher difficulty than Jiu Qian's pill.

Observing Jiu Qian's choice, the Kun Filling pill, a difficult, meaningful pill, Ye Mo recalled the Season Wheat pill. It was a heaven-grade level seven pill, rarely known, much less concocted, its main ingredient being season wheat.

Pill kings were unfamiliar with this pill, mistaking season wheat for a single spirit herb used in Hollow Meridian Pill concoction. The Season Wheat pill, however, is far more valuable than the Kun Filling pill; it's essential for cultivators with damaged dan tians.

Ye Mo felt he could concoct the Season Wheat pill with his whirlpool method and the heaven flame, as season wheat's yin and yang balance complemented the method. He alone possessed this method, which demands the Illusion Cloud Strike cultivation technique and significant spirit sense expenditure. His experience with the Spirit Weaving pill demonstrated its power. This method drastically reduces difficulty and increases success rate, though it rapidly depletes spirit sense.

Ye Mo rarely used it due to spirit sense exhaustion, but he possessed Spirit Recovery pills.

With this in mind, Ye Mo felt confident. Jiu Qian's use of a heaven flame implied uncertainty. A confident winner wouldn't need it. His only concern was whether the Pill King trial would recognize season wheat as distinct from another herb; mistaking them would significantly reduce his chances.

Nonetheless, Ye Mo selected the pill. He was relieved to find both season and wheat before him; the Pill King trial, existing for centuries, would undoubtedly recognize them.

“He can distinguish between season wheat?” Yue Qichao exclaimed, rising. His words trailed off as he saw the flame in Ye Mo's hand.

“Mist Lotus Heart fire…” Yue Qichao’s mind reeled.