Chapter 1115: Number One Pill King

The unfortunate truth was that pill concoction was unforgiving, especially at higher levels. A faint burnt smell arose, followed by a few light cracks, causing Jiu Qian's heart to sink. His cauldron had failed. Two slightly burnt pills landed in his jade bottle. Without looking, Jiu Qian knew his Cauldron Filling Pill was ruined. It wasn't for lack of effort; he'd done his best. Yet, he was certain that even if Ye Mo failed, his procedure marks wouldn't surpass his own. He'd faltered only at the final step, having otherwise displayed his full capabilities. His skills were simply insufficient for a heaven-grade level seven pill; defeat was expected.

Now, he could only await Ye Mo's result. Victory or defeat rested entirely in his opponent's hands. But Jiu Qian knew that even if Luo Xiaomo failed and received lower procedure marks, the difference wouldn't be significant. Considering his previous points, he might still lose.

Jiu Qian tipped out the two pills and examined them. As anticipated, they weren't even low-grade—simply waste pills. He longed to observe Ye Mo at step ten, but as he packed away his cauldron, the message "step 10 challenge failed" appeared. Instantly, he was swept away and deposited among the other pill kings.

Watching Ye Mo continue his concoction on stage, Jiu Qian's face grew increasingly somber. Pill kings who admired him approached, hoping to chat, but Jiu Qian remained withdrawn. They dared not reproach him.

Meanwhile, Ye Mo began forming his pill. Using the whirlpool pill concoction method, six whirlpools of spirit chi coalesced to create six Season Wheat pills. His mind held nothing but the task at hand; he was unaware of Jiu Qian's failure.

“The whirlpool pill concoction method…” Yue Qichao's hand trembled with excitement. Unlike others focused on the heaven flame, he was captivated by Ye Mo's technique. At this level, a new system of pill concoction was incredibly alluring.

Shen Guanqing shared his excitement. Wu Tan, having never encountered the whirlpool method, found Ye Mo's spirit sense pill spell and spirit chi whirlpool concept revolutionary. "This was the new pill concoction method I created when concocting the Spirit Weaving Pill," Shen Guanqing sighed, "I didn't expect it to have matured to this level. The dao of pill has no limits." He too was captivated by the method.

Ye Mo consumed another Spirit Recovery Pill and employed his pull pill spell. Six crystal-like pills flew from his hand. Before reaching the jade bottle, their aroma filled the air. Even the audience, let alone the judges, smelled the Season Wheat Pill.

“What pill is this?” Wu Tan asked, ashamed that as a level six pill king, he couldn't identify it.

Even Shen Guanqing turned to Yue Qichao. He understood the components, but the Season Wheat Pill was unfamiliar.

Yue Qichao examined the pills, his astonishment evident. “He's truly a level seven pill king, and he's concocted the Season Wheat Pill?”

“You said he concocted the Season Wheat Pill?” Lu Wuhu asked, surprised.

Yue Qichao, seeing all eyes on him, nodded solemnly. “Yes. It's the Season Wheat Pill, the only heaven-grade level seven pill made by combining season and wheat. Even I don't know the recipe, yet Ye Mo does. His experiences are extraordinary; his achievements will surpass ours. He's not just a prodigy; he's a prodigy of this world. I can't comprehend which pill dao grandmaster could teach a pill king like Ye Mo.”

“The Season Wheat Pill repairs cultivators' dantians. Even shattered dantians can be mended. It's equivalent to a pill made from level eight or nine spirit herbs.”

“What? The Season Wheat Pill is that powerful?” Wu Tan exclaimed. The higher the cultivator's level, the more difficult dantian repair becomes, especially above the nascent soul stage, as the dantian is closely linked to the essence spirit. While less common than the Cauldron Filling Pill, the Season Wheat Pill was exceedingly rare.

“It seems Luo Xiaomo will likely win this tournament,” Ji Ling smiled, still eager to discuss formations with Ye Mo.

Yue Qichao agreed. “Yes, he's won three rounds in a row, but I wonder if he'll attempt step eleven alone.”

Ye Mo, having successfully concocted the Season Wheat Pill at step ten, had no intention of proceeding further. He'd used two Spirit Recovery pills but obtained four top-grade and two middle-grade Season Wheat pills—a better result than at step nine.

Ye Mo put away his cauldron, unconcerned about Jiu Qian’s potential criticisms.

“Luo Xiaomo…”

“Level seven pill king Luo Xiaomo…”

“Continue to the eleventh step!”

A thunderous roar erupted. This seemingly low-level level seven spirit pill master was, in fact, the highest level seven pill king. Jiu Qian's temporary fans quickly switched their allegiance to Ye Mo. Some even urged him to attempt step twelve. Even with Pill City's city lords present, many hailed him as the number one pill king.

Naturally, Ye Mo wouldn't proceed to step eleven. He couldn't yet concoct level eight heaven-grade pills; a standard level seven heaven-grade spirit pill would be his limit. He wasn't a fully matured level seven pill king, but that was merely a matter of time and practice.

As Ye Mo prepared to leave, Shen Guanqing smiled and shook his head. “He's probably the first contestant to voluntarily withdraw.”

Yue Qichao smiled. “It's no mistake calling him number one pill king. With his pill dao prowess, surpassing us is inevitable. I eagerly await discussing pill dao with him.”

Shen Guanqing and the judges nodded in agreement.

Lu Wuhu smiled. “I believe you're all eager for him to dissect the Hua Sang Pill.” He glanced at the other pill kings. “And you're all hoping he'll teach you the whirlpool pill concoction method.”

The judges felt slightly awkward, recognizing the truth in Lu Wuhu's words.

“Let me speak to him first,” Ji Ling said impatiently. “I’ve arranged a meeting in North Far State, but haven't had the opportunity yet.” Though a formation grandmaster, his passion for formations was an obsession. Ye Mo's unique formations were a source of fascination, requiring extensive study for even partial comprehension.

Lu Wuhu didn't mock Ji Ling; everyone knew of Ji Ling's eagerness.

Ye Mo scanned the hundreds of thousands of spectators and nodded. As he was about to depart, he spotted a woman in white. Her excitement, anticipation, and tears were visible from afar.

“Qingxue!” Unable to contain his joy, Ye Mo flew towards Ning Qingxue, disregarding the rule against leaving the testing stage.