"Everyone, silence!"
Long Xingyun's shout quickly silenced the crowd. Only then did he speak. "No whispering among yourselves. No causing a commotion. No looking around. Do it again, and you'll be disqualified from the competition!"
The crowd fell silent at once. Getting disqualified would be utterly humiliating. They would much rather lose fair and square than be kicked out!
Stewards were stationed all around, and anyone who violated the rules again would be immediately removed from the venue.
Once silence fell, everyone wore a different expression. Some looked confident, others extremely frustrated. 'To think the very first round would stump so many people.'
'A bitter taste, followed by a hint of sweetness and a lingering aftertaste... They've used other ingredients to mask it, altering the flavor, but it has virtually no medicinal properties. Isn't this just bitter melon, something I used to eat all the time? It's a common food ingredient, not a medicinal one at all...'
