Chapter 891: Pill Concoction Hall of Fame Tournament

After some conversation, Ye Mo realized the tanned girl behind Mu Yiqing was his daughter, Mu He, at the eighth chi gathering stage. The young man was Lu Ming, Mu Yiqing's senior disciple, at foundation establishment level 5. The old man, known only as Uncle Zao, was the Pill Herb Sect's strongest member.

Ye Mo quickly grew comfortable with them. He sensed that, besides Mu Yiqing, Mu He and Lu Ming were straightforward and guileless. Mu He, though tanned, remained pretty, and Lu Ming clearly harbored affection for his junior martial sister.

Their sect had two tournament spots. Initially, Mu Yiqing and Lu Ming were to attend, but Ye Mo's presence altered those plans. Ye Mo learned each sect's participation was limited: five-star sects received five spots, others only two.

Three days remained before the tournament. Eager to explore the bustling city, Lu Ming and Mu He chafed at the wait. Ye Mo, however, remained cautious, his funds dwindling and the dark-faced cultivator, Tong, a constant concern. Yan Zheng had not reappeared. Mu Yiqing and Uncle Zao attended the pre-tournament auction.

The three days swiftly passed. Early on the tournament's first day, Mu Yiqing led Ye Mo and the others to the Pill Association square, already overflowing with people.

"So many people," Mu He sighed.

Even Ye Mo was astonished by the crowd. A massive restriction separated the spectators from the tournament area, where more than ten judges already sat. Ye Mo spotted Tong among them, his expression impassive. Relieved not to see Sima Zhu—a far more formidable opponent—Ye Mo quickly averted his gaze.

He estimated six thousand participants. The sheer duration of the tournament loomed. Mu Yiqing instructed Uncle Zao to supervise the younger two while he took Ye Mo to register.

"Martial Brother Mu, with so many people, how long will this take?" Ye Mo asked.

Mu Yiqing, a veteran of the tournament, smiled. "Martial Brother Ye, don't worry. While the turnout is impressive, the first round is highly eliminatory. Ninety percent will be dismissed."

Ye Mo was taken aback. "Such a high elimination rate?"

He worried. What if the initial question wasn't directly related to pill concoction? What if it was tangential, something he didn't know?

Mu Yiqing patted Ye Mo's shoulder. "There are three times more participants this year. The eliminatory round should be even faster."

A middle-aged man then mounted the stage. "Silence, everyone! The once-a-decade Pill Concoction Hall of Fame Tournament is about to begin, hosted by the North Far State Pill Association and its number one pill king, level 5 Kong-Qianbei."

Following applause, the man continued, "As Broken Leaf City's lord, I, Fang Hongjian, welcome all cultivators, along with Kong-Qianbei and our esteemed judges: Pill Cauldron Sect Sect Leader Qiao, Immortal Herb Valley Leader Ming Xin, and others."

Another round of applause ensued.

"The higher-ups are taking this seriously. Even old man Kong Ye is here."

"Of course. Look at the judges; the weakest are semi-pill kings. I hear Ming Xin-Qianbei is already a level 1 pill king."

Ye Mo recognized only Tong. Noticing Ye Mo's unfamiliarity, Mu Yiqing whispered, "Old Man Kong Ye is a level 5 pill king, exceptionally skilled but reclusive. Ming Xin-Qianbei, from the Immortal Herb Valley, a five-star sect, rarely attends."

"What is the Immortal Herb Valley?" Ye Mo asked.

Mu Yiqing, awestruck, replied, "The most renowned pill sect in the North Far State, famed throughout the land. They only accept women. Ming Xin-Qianbei's disciple, Qing Muxin, is a renowned beauty, fifth on the foundation establishment hall of fame and twenty-second on the pill concoction hall of fame."

"She's that exceptional?" Ye Mo was stunned.

"Indeed," Mu Yiqing said. "I hear Qin Muxin is aiming for level 7 spirit pill master, and she's not yet thirty."

A nearby cultivator interjected, "That's outdated. She reached golden core three months ago and is no longer on the foundation establishment list. She'll soon be on the golden core list."

Ye Mo fell silent. He considered himself no genius, his progress a product of the golden page world and the Three Birth Chant. He knew the time required to become a level 7 spirit pill master, possibly exceeding golden core formation. If she focused on cultivation, she might have already reached nascent soul. Were such prodigies truly possible? For the first time, Ye Mo's confidence faltered.

"Qin Muxin is strong, but only fifth on the foundation establishment list. In the pursuit of the Dao, cultivation is paramount. The foundation establishment's number one, Li Shaohua, is admirable. He's only twenty-three," another cultivator said.

The other nodded. "The Sea Palace's Li Shaohua reached foundation establishment primary stage at twenty-three, becoming number one. He's talented, but the Sea Palace's resources are unparalleled."

Ye Mo ceased listening. At over thirty, he was only at foundation establishment level 7, thanks to the golden page world. Otherwise, he wouldn't even qualify. His speed was far inferior to these prodigies.

Fang Hongjian's voice boomed again, "The top ten receive three spots in the Desert Herb Valley. Additionally…"

"The top ten receive a free pill concoction from Kong Ye-Qianbei!"

The crowd erupted. A pill concocted by Old Man Kong Ye! A dream come true!