The Sword God of the Universe
Chapter 528: Very Difficult

Chapter 528: Chapter 528: Very Difficult

"This thought could only be fleeting, as Pill Spirit City would absolutely not allow these precious Spirit Grasses to be taken at will."

"Among the Spirit Grasses, some are exceedingly valuable, so much so that even within Pill Country, there are likely not many of them. Take, for example, the Nine Purple Dragon Soul Grass—one plant is worth at least ten million Spirit Stones. Moreover, such rare Spirit Grasses are sometimes impossible to buy, no matter how many Spirit Stones you offer."

"At the Highest Staircase Square."

"Master! Is the difficulty of the medicine identification in the first round of this Alchemy Competition a bit high?" a grey-robed elder turned and said to Hu Donghe.

This grey-robed elder was a disciple of Hu Donghe, and he also served as one of the judges for this Alchemy Competition.

This Alchemy Competition had ten judges, four of whom were disciples of Hu Donghe alone. The other six included well-known Pill Masters from Pill Country and others who had achieved remarkable accomplishments in the Alchemy Dao from Alchemy Dao families.

These ten people formed the panel of judges for this Alchemy Competition.

"This first round of Medicine Identification is indeed difficult, much more challenging than the last competition," another judge also said with a frown.

"Yes, but it’s difficult for everyone, so it’s fair for the Pill Masters participating in the Alchemy Competition," another judge slowly added.

"Hahaha..." Hu Donghe’s ruddy cheeks revealed a smile, "What you all said is correct, the difficulty of this Alchemy Competition is far greater than the last. However, it doesn’t have too much impact on the Pill Masters participating. In this Alchemy Competition, a total of one thousand two hundred thirty-eight people are participating, and in the first round, we will only select four hundred to advance. No matter how many kinds of Spirit Grass the Pill Masters can identify, as long as their ranking enters the top four hundred, they can pass this round smoothly and advance."

Hearing what Hu Donghe said, everyone nodded gently.

Absolutely right, if it’s difficult, it’s difficult for everyone, and no one can take advantage.

"Pill King Hu Donghe!" A seemingly younger envoy from the Holy City greeted Hu Donghe with a bow.

This man was Chang Huan, whose Martial Arts Cultivation was extremely formidable, and he also held the identity of a Pill Master. Although he could not compare to Hu Donghe, a Ninth-level Pill King, in terms of Alchemy Dao, he represented the majesty of the Holy Master to some extent. Therefore, within Pill Country, he held equal status with Hu Donghe.

"I’m a bit curious. I wonder how many kinds of Spirit Grass the best-performing Pill Master can identify in this first round of the Alchemy Competition," Chang Huan said casually, merely making conversation as he sat there with nothing else to do.

"Chang Huan Envoy! That’s hard to say. If some Pill Masters have gone into deeper research on the materials, then they should be able to identify more kinds of Spirit Grass," Hu Donghe lightly shook his head.

"That’s true, but I’ve looked at these hundred types of Spirit Grass, and many of them are quite rare. I think, perhaps no competing Pill Master can identify more than ninety kinds," Chang Huan emphasized.

"Indeed, I agree with what Chang Huan Envoy said. If one can identify more than ninety out of these hundred types of Spirit Grass, it would truly be remarkable. Even some High-level Alchemists might find it difficult to identify ninety of these kinds," Hu Donghe nodded, looking at Chang Huan with a smile.

On this Highest Staircase, there were many significant figures from Pill Country and high-level members of Alchemy Dao families. Though not all Pill Masters, they all had studied the Alchemy Dao. Thus, hearing what Hu Donghe and Chang Huan said, they all found it reasonable, as even they could not identify many of the hundred types of Spirit Grass below.

They were well aware of the difficulty of this first round of the Alchemy Competition!

At the lower level of the staircase square.

The members of several commerce guilds of Pill Country weren’t far from each other.

The members of Youhai Commerce mainly focused on Jing Yan, placing great hopes on him. Although a total of six people represented Youhai Commerce, none of the other five, including the highly capable Alchemist Qiu Fang on the Alchemy Dao, had any chance of making it onto the New Pill King List.

"President Qing Ru, don’t worry too much. With Jing Yan’s capabilities, advancing to the third round shouldn’t be too difficult!" Zhou Shangyun said softly next to Qing Ru.

"Yes! I believe in Alchemist Jing Yan," Qing Ru smiled at Zhou Shangyun.

"President Qing Ru, I’ve spotted Alchemist Jing Yan! Look, he is right there," a voice called from not too far away.

Upon hearing the voice, Qing Ru frowned, as the owner of the voice was Bai Lan, a person she somewhat disliked.

"President Bai Lan sure is concerned about Alchemist Jing Yan." Qing Ru said with a smile, her tone meaningful.

"President Qing Ru misunderstood me, I’m not familiar with Alchemist Jing Yan. However, I’ve met Alchemist Jing Yan before and was quite impressed by him. I just happened to see him, so I thought I’d mention it. But I’m a bit curious, I’ve noticed that Alchemist Jing Yan has hardly written anything so far. President Qing Ru, what do you think this means? After spending twenty million Spirit Stones to have Alchemist Jing Yan represent you, his ability in the Alchemy Dao must be extremely strong, so why hasn’t he started writing yet?" Bai Lan asked with a curious look, seemingly very puzzled.

In reality, he clearly intended these words, as Qing Ru could sense the pleasure in Bai Lan’s voice.

Jing Yan had refused to represent Golden Sparrow Commerce and chose to represent Youhai Commerce instead, which always irked Bai Lan, as if there was a thorn stuck in his throat, making him uncomfortable.

"What?"

"President Qing Ru, your Youhai Commerce is paying twenty million Spirit Stones for Alchemist Jing Yan to represent you?" another surprised voice exclaimed.

This person was also of no ordinary status, being the President of Winter Sun Trading House, the second significant commerce guild of Pill Country. Before the Alchemy Competition started, Qing Ru had brought Jing Yan over and introduced him to these people. Therefore, they all knew Jing Yan’s name and that he represented Youhai Commerce.

However, they had not expected Jing Yan’s value to be as high as twenty million Spirit Stones.

This was not the fee for an ordinary Pill Master. Generally, Pill Masters valued at twenty million Spirit Stones would be Sixth-level Alchemists.

Upon hearing Bai Lan’s words, the President of Winter Sun Trading House immediately curiously asked.

"That’s right, Alchemist Jing Yan is representing Youhai Commerce, and the compensation is indeed twenty million Spirit Stones. If Alchemist Jing Yan can make it onto the New Pill King List, Youhai Commerce will pay an additional twenty million Spirit Stones in compensation," Qing Ru said.

"This..."

"What is Alchemist Jing Yan’s background?" the President of Winter Sun Trading House asked, his eyes sparkling.