Chapter 895: Black Horse, Herb Pill Sect

“Hmm, what an innovative idea! Using a spirit chi whirlpool…” Kong Ye examined the recipe, exclaiming in surprise. He shook his head, however. “The concept is brilliant, but creating the spirit weaving pill is virtually impossible. Such precise spirit chi control within a pill is unprecedented.”

Elder Yu readily agreed, “Indeed, I believe it's infeasible.”

Sect Leader Qiao suggested, “Then eliminate him—a pill maker with such outlandish ideas won't achieve much.”

Kong Ye disagreed. “While I doubt the contestant can concoct the spirit weaving pill, his approach opens a whole new avenue in pill creation. His theory is sound. Such a pill master shouldn't be dismissed. His identification of nine herbs and their application in the spirit weaving pill recipe is genius.”

Wang Zangjian concurred, “Kong Ye Qianbei is correct. I also noted his herb identification; it's truly remarkable.”

Kong Ye nodded. “Give him eight points.”

Elder Yu protested, “Kong Ye Qianbei, isn’t that excessively high?” His concern wasn't the score itself, but Wang Zangjian's interest in Ye Mo. (The round was scored out of ten.)

Kong Ye shook his head. “Someone with this level of innovative thinking is a genius. If the spirit weaving pill could be made as described, full marks would be warranted.”

A judge murmured quietly, “But he didn't identify three other herbs.”

Kong Ye simply shook his head, glanced again at the recipe, and departed.

…

As contestants anxiously awaited results, a judge announced, “The first round of the Pill Concoction Hall of Fame Tournament concludes. Five hundred contestants advance to the second round. I will now announce the names. Those not called, please proceed to the observation area.”

Ye Mo had resigned himself to elimination. Only 500 out of 6000 remained—a greater than 90% failure rate.

“Solitary cultivator Qin Jiuta—six points; Demon Spirit Sect’s Ye Zhilong—six points… Duo Heart Valley’s Wang Huayi—6.2 points; All Pill Tower’s Meng Wu—6.2 points…”

Ye Mo was astonished by the precision of the scoring to the decimal place. He estimated he'd received 6.5 points without the spirit attraction herb.

“…Sea Palace’s Zhen Long—7.7 points; solitary cultivator Wu Yonglin—7.7 points; Heaven Pill Sect’s He Liang—7.8 points; Immortal Herb Valley’s Guang Wei…”

His heart sank. Four hundred and eighty names had been called, and his wasn't among them.

Mu Yiqing patted Ye Mo's shoulder, consoling him, “Don’t be disappointed. The Herb Valley opens only every fifty years, but the tournament is held every decade. This experience will benefit you next time.”

Mu Yiqing was also disappointed. He'd hoped Ye Mo would represent their sect, achieving a top-ten ranking, or at least passing the first round to bring recognition to the Herb Pill Sect, potentially boosting their business.

The examiner’s voice boomed, “I will now announce the top ten contestants.”

“Herb Pill Sect’s Ye Mo—eight points; Heaven Pill Sect’s Cai Sheng—8.1 points; Pill Cauldron Mountain’s Wan Guoping—8.2 points…”

Ye Mo was stunned, then overjoyed. He hadn't expected to advance, especially with the spirit attraction herb in his recipe.

The Desert Plane Herb Valley offered abundant resources, the fastest path to strength. Only then could he find Luo Ying and the others. He lacked that power. Luo Yue Continent was vastly different from Earth.

He vaguely heard that Qin Muxin scored 8.7 and Ye Chengjun 9, securing first place. This was inconsequential; his advancement was all that mattered.

Mu Yiqing, after a long moment of stunned silence, exclaimed, “Martial Brother Ye, did I hear correctly? Herb Pill Sect’s Ye Mo, top ten with eight points?”

Ye Mo, regaining composure, patted Mu Yiqing’s shoulder. “I seem to have been quite lucky. You heard correctly.”

A sneering voice interjected, “Arrogant! You lucked into eight points, and you've already forgotten your own name.”

Mu Yiqing pulled Ye Mo aside. “Ignore him; that’s Pill Cauldron Mountain’s Wan Guoping. He scored 8.2. We can't afford to antagonize him.”

Ye Mo smiled; he was unconcerned.

Mu He, Lu Min, and others from the Herb Pill Sect were ecstatic. Even the usually reserved Uncle Zao showed clear happiness. They noted the growing interest in the Herb Pill Sect among onlookers but chose to remain discreet rather than reveal their sect's current weakness.

Yan Zheng stared at Ye Mo in disbelief. He hadn't expected Ye Mo to not only pass but place tenth! His belief in Ye Mo's skill as a level 7 spirit pill master was cemented. The Immortal Treasure Tower had only one contestant advance to the second round, with a mere 7.3 points, a bitter contrast. His uncle's message arrived, prompting Yan Zheng's hasty return to the Immortal Treasure Tower.

“Xiao Zheng, was that Ye Mo, the one you recommended, who achieved eight points and placed in the top ten?” his uncle inquired immediately.