Chapter 872: The Six Big Halls of Fame
When Ye Mo produced his flying pike, Zhen Xiaoshan understood his earlier nonchalance regarding the herb. This flying spirit artifact was worth at least one million middle-grade spirit stones.
Ye Mo scanned his spirit sense over the city before entering. Finding China Pharmaceuticals' formations intact and the shop operating normally, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Upon seeing the interior of China Pharmaceuticals, Zhen Xiaoshan was even more astonished. Ye Mo, younger than herself, was a pill master with such a magnificent shop in a city like River State City.
Inside China Pharmaceuticals, Sheng Yizhong worked with several attendants. All greeted Ye Mo upon his arrival.
“Brother Ye, you really did go to Nan Shan Market! I never expected to meet you just as I was leaving,” Yan Zheng said, emerging from the shop with Su Yue.
“Brother Yan Zheng, thank you,” Ye Mo replied, offering a fist salute. He was genuinely grateful for Yan Zheng's assistance in overseeing China Pharmaceuticals during his absence. Without him, he wouldn't have dared leave Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling alone.
Yan Zheng waved a hand dismissively. “Brother Ye, no need for such formality. We're fortunate to have your help! I need your assistance with something, but you must be busy. I'll return tomorrow.”
Sensing Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling were cultivating, Ye Mo wasn't in a hurry to see them. “It's fine, we can discuss it now,” he said.
Turning to Su Yue, Ye Mo instructed, “Xiao Yue, take Zhen Xiaoshan to rest. She's one of us now.”
Zhen Xiaoshan would be staying at China Pharmaceuticals for at least half a year, so he informed Yan Zheng she was a new recruit.
Once the women had left, Yan Zheng said, “Brother Ye, I'd like to know how long it would take you to concoct a level 7 spirit pill. If you can achieve this within half a year, we can provide assistance. Of course, if you know a level 7 spirit pill master, that would be even better.”
Ye Mo understood that while Yan Zheng inquired about his own potential to reach level 7 in six months, his true intention was to ascertain whether Ye Mo knew any level 7 pill masters. The difference, though seemingly slight, was immense. If one could bridge this gap in half a year, level 7 masters would be far more common.
Yan Zheng was essentially inquiring about a non-existent mentor. If Ye Mo could instruct a level 6 pill master, he might have other disciples at level 7.
Seeing Ye Mo remain silent, Yan Zheng realized he understood the implication. He said awkwardly, “Have you heard of the Ten Secret Lands?”
Ye Mo shook his head.
Yan Zheng responded, “I only know of the Yun Zhen Palace and the Desert Herb Valley.”
“The Yun Zhen Palace?” Ye Mo was surprised; he had heard of it.
During his time with the East Black State's Magical Herb Sect, he'd heard tales of the Yun Zhen Palace's immense treasures. It opened every thirty years, admitting cultivators under one hundred years old, regardless of cultivation level.
The disparity in strength among participants was significant. Some prodigies reached the Nascent Soul state by age one hundred, making the palace extremely dangerous. Participants were usually Golden Core cultivators; Chi Gathering or Foundation Establishment cultivators rarely attempted it.
However, entry was highly competitive. Ye Mo knew only five-star sects and above received entry permits. The Magical Herb Sect, a four-star sect, did not qualify.
“You've heard of the Yun Zhen Palace?” Yan Zheng asked.
Ye Mo nodded. “I've heard it mentioned before. It's said to be extremely difficult to gain entry.”
Yan Zheng nodded. “Yes, it hasn't opened yet, but even if it did, we wouldn't meet the requirements. Those who enter are prodigies and powerful cultivators. I'm referring to another secret land, the Desert Herb Valley. It also has limited entry.”
Ye Mo asked, “What relevance does this have to a pill master?”
Yan Zheng replied, “It contains numerous spirit herbs—even the Cao Huan Fruit. The North Far State has limited resources, making all spirit herbs highly desirable to sects. Incidentally, did you know the Luo Yue Continent comprises four states?”
Ye Mo nodded.
Yan Zheng realized Ye Mo possessed considerable knowledge, perhaps imparted by his master.
Yan Zheng continued, “The Desert Herb Valley's abundance of herbs makes it a crucial cultivation resource. Only five hundred people can enter at a time; those outside the first five hundred are ejected. Sects have devised a system for allocating entry. Beyond the usual sect allocations, additional spots are divided among the Six Big Halls of Fame. Sects with representatives in these halls receive three to ten extra spots.”
“The Six Big Halls of Fame are the Chi Gathering Hall of Fame, the Foundation Establishment Hall of Fame, the Golden Core Hall of Fame, the Forgery Hall of Fame, the Pill Concoction Hall of Fame, and the Rune Making Hall of Fame.”
Ye Mo asked, bewildered, “Why aren't there Nascent Soul or Hollow Spirit Halls of Fame? Or a Formation Hall of Fame?”
Yan Zheng smiled. “The North Far State has a hall of fame for Nascent Soul cultivators, but it's not called a hall of fame. It's called the Nascent Soul State Fifty-Three Kings. The top king is a solo cultivator named Xu Changjie. There's no ranking for Hollow Spirit cultivators, but each has their own individual standing. As for formation masters, there are too few.”
Ye Mo then asked, “Do the Big Six Halls of Fame each include the top fifty? Does ranking guarantee additional spots for your sect?”
Yan Zheng shook his head. “Not quite. If so, there wouldn't be enough spots. Each hall of fame comprises one hundred people. Only the top three can secure additional spots for their sect. The exception is pill concoction; those in the top ten earn their sect three spots.”
“Why?” Ye Mo asked, confused.
Yan Zheng explained, “Because this secret land is primarily filled with spirit herbs. Only pill masters can fully utilize them. In half a year, the North Far State's Pill Association headquarters will hold a tournament for the hall of fame. The Desert Herb Valley opens after the tournament.”