Chapter 893: Myriad of Masters

Ye Mo observed the judges examining the thousands of jade slips—a task they seemed to find manageable. Most contestants discussed the questions in the waiting area.

Mu Yiqing pushed through the crowd to reach Ye Mo. “Martial Brother Ye, how many did you recognize? I only recognized five.”

Ye Mo immediately knew Mu Yiqing was disqualified. Five herbs, lacking even a recipe, were insufficient to pass.

Another contestant sighed, “You recognized five? I only recognized three.”

Another chimed in, “Yes, these herbs are exceedingly rare. I’ve only recognized six,” though he sounded content.

Ye Mo nodded; six herbs sufficed for a simple recipe. He then overheard a conversation.

A woman in her thirties, seemingly enamored with a younger man, asked, “Martial Brother Cai, what were those spirit herbs? They were truly uncommon.”

The surrounding contestants gathered around Martial Brother Cai, eager for his response.

Ye Mo studied Cai Sheng. Though appearing youthful, his False Core state suggested an age closer to forty or fifty.

Mu Yiqing whispered, “He’s Cai Sheng, a Heaven Pill Sect core disciple, only forty-nine. A renowned pill concoction genius in the North Far State, ranked tenth in the pill concoction hall of fame!”

Ye Mo, equally curious about Cai Sheng's score, listened intently.

Cai Sheng, polite and composed, responded, “This year’s questions were indeed challenging. All the herbs were uncommon. I believe these questions don't fully reflect a pill master's abilities. Some excel at concoction yet lack familiarity with rare herbs.”

This resonated with everyone. Ye Mo thought Cai Sheng remarkably adept at navigating the situation, garnering favor without overt effort.

After the murmurs subsided, Cai Sheng continued, “We should also understand the Pill Association's position. With so many contestants, these questions offer a simple, efficient assessment. Truly skilled individuals needn't be disheartened. Your own knowledge is what truly matters.”

Another round of applause followed.

Ye Mo noted Cai Sheng's skill in addressing both the contestants' concerns and the Pill Association's rationale.

An impatient voice interrupted, “Cai Sheng, stop hedging! We want the answer, not more diplomacy for the Pill Association!”

Cai Sheng, unfazed, smiled. “My apologies. I was fortunate to have read a book left by an Qianbei, allowing me to recognize ten herbs.”

Ye Mo's spirits sank. Ten herbs! Yet, Cai Sheng only ranked tenth. He worried about the next question.

Cai Sheng clearly hadn't consulted Things, yet his knowledge impressed Ye Mo. He suspected the Heaven Pill Sect was far more than it seemed.

This revelation stunned the onlookers.

“Martial Brother Cai is incredible! Ten herbs! You’d pass even without a recipe!”

“He’ll surely reach the top three!”

“Martial Brother Cai, what were those herbs? What are their properties?”

A sneer cut through the praise. A woman in pink sneered, “Ten herbs? Hardly impressive! I expected twelve, or even a heaven-level recipe!”

The pink-dressed woman's sect insignia silenced those who would defend Cai Sheng. The Immortal Herb Valley commanded respect.

Cai Sheng remained calm, saluting, “Martial Sister Guang of the Immortal Herb Valley. My knowledge pales in comparison. I imagine you've recognized twelve types of herbs.”

The woman responded calmly, “Cai Sheng, no need for pretense. I've recognized ten, but my martial sister recognized more.”

Mu Yiqing explained, “That's Guang Wei, from the Immortal Herb Valley. Ranked seventeenth in the pill concoction hall of fame, but her martial sister, Qin Muxin, is more renowned—twenty-second, though that was ten years ago.”

Guang Wei beckoned a blue-clad woman. “Martial Sister Muxin, name the twelve herbs. Some seem to think ten is extraordinary.” She glared at Cai Sheng.

Cai Sheng smiled wryly, remaining silent.

Mu Yiqing added, “The blue-dressed woman is Qin Muxin, another Immortal Herb Valley genius.”

Ye Mo studied Qin Muxin. Her serene beauty belied her position as a fifth-ranked cultivator in the foundation establishment state hall of fame. Her apparent calmness didn't fully align with her formidable reputation.

Qin Muxin calmly approached, “Martial Sister Guang, I only recognized eleven.”

“Eleven is still better than ten!” Guang Wei declared.

Cai Sheng respectfully saluted Qin Muxin, requesting enlightenment.

Qin Muxin began listing herbs, two of which were found in Things.

“I couldn’t identify the last one,” she admitted.

Another voice supplied, “The last one was the Sea Mud Flowerless Weed.”