'You think this is enough to stump me?'
Although Wang Kaitai was furious, he was a man of deep cunning. Besides, he was a full-fledged First-level Pharmacist.
So, after a moment's hesitation, he made his decision.
Then, in a dazzling display, he began pulling out all sorts of Antitoxic Pills, leaving the crowd of onlookers completely dumbfounded.
Even his ally, Ye Chenghao, was left momentarily speechless.
'Just how afraid of death is this guy to be carrying so many Antitoxic Pills?'
'No wonder Wang Kaitai was willing to bet that kid's life. It's because his own life is the most important thing to him.'
Ye Chenghao arrived at his own smug conclusion.
Yang Xiao, who had also witnessed the scene, wasn't surprised. Across two lifetimes, he had seen far too many people who feared and dreaded death.
He himself was no exception.
He just wasn't as obvious about it as Wang Kaitai.
'From the looks of it, he probably didn't recognize the Spirit Medicine I chose. Still, I can't get complacent if I want to win. Better to play it safe.'
With that, Yang Xiao took up his brush.
The moment he did, the Steward overseeing the event couldn't help but look over.
When he saw that Yang Xiao hadn't even touched the Spirit Medicine root before him, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment.
While there were people in the world who could identify a Spirit Medicine's properties and type by appearance and aura alone, they were, without exception, all incredibly powerful Pharmacists.
Only someone like the esteemed Elder Yao could accomplish such a feat.
But this boy wasn't even a Martial Artist, and he was so young—it was practically impossible. So, in the Steward's eyes, Yang Xiao picking up his brush now meant he was simply guessing wildly.
'What a pity...'
With a soft sigh, the Juhua Studio's Steward stopped paying attention to him, his gaze shifting to Wang Kaitai.
Wang Kaitai's blatant fear of death had been shocking, but as one of Medicine Peak's youngest Pharmacists and the favored disciple of Medicine Peak's leader, Wang Qianhe, his appraisal of the medicine should be something worth watching.
Wang Kaitai took out a small wooden knife and carefully pried apart the Spirit Grass root. The process was incredibly meticulous. When he finished, everyone saw that he had divided the root into five pieces, each one a different color.
'He has some skill, to be able to separate the five medicinal properties like that. Not bad. He's worthy of being Master Wang's prized disciple.'
The Steward of Juhua Studio nodded slightly.
Even those who knew nothing of pharmacology found the scene amazing.
They never imagined that such a small piece of root could contain five different colors. Although they didn't know what the colors represented, they couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration for Wang Kaitai.
Even though the man was of low character and narrow-minded, people with genuine skill will always command a certain respect.
As for Yang Xiao, he had been the underdog from the start, earning the silent sympathy of many, but that was all it was—sympathy.
No one believed that someone who started scribbling without so much as touching the Spirit Medicine Block could possibly have any real ability.
His life was surely forfeit.
"This competition seems to have lost all suspense. Now we just have to see what score the masters on the second floor give Pharmacist Wang's appraisal."
Those familiar with the rules of the Spirit Medicine Duel knew that the scoring was the main event. To ensure fairness, every score had to be unanimously agreed upon by the four masters on the second floor. They would then give the score and provide a well-reasoned explanation for their decision.
Therefore, Juhua Studio was incredibly strict when it came to scoring. This very strictness made many aspiring Pharmacists flock to the studio. A score of six or higher from the Four Great Pharmacists meant one was more than competent at appraisal. A score of eight was considered outstanding.
In many Pharmacist circles, these scores were often used as a basis for bragging rights and friendly competition.
Wang Kaitai was a newly minted First-level Pharmacist with no prior record at Juhua Studio. This was his first official duel, and those who took an interest in him were naturally curious: what kind of high score could Master Wang's prized disciple achieve?
In fact, it wasn't just the onlookers on the first floor; even the masters on the second floor were somewhat curious.
They presided over Juhua Studio and usually had leisurely days. Their expertise was only required for special events or important patients. Thus, the Spirit Medicine Duel was their favorite daily activity to oversee.
This particular duel was somewhat unusual, since one of the participants was a commoner, not even a Pharmacist Apprentice. But with a newly minted Pharmacist like Wang Kaitai involved, they were eager to size up the newcomer.
They wanted to see if Medicine Peak had produced another true genius.
So, when both contestants had written their answers and sent them to the second floor, all four Great Pharmacists gathered, surprisingly, around Wang Kaitai's paper to examine it.
"Correct. The name of the medicine is indeed Spider King Grass. One point."
"The analysis of its properties is also correct—clear, logical, and thorough. Five points."
"Its medicinal uses are described brilliantly. Three points."
"Finally, its medicinal habits. While this section is merely rote recitation from a textbook, it is nonetheless correct. One point."
After reviewing the entire paper, the Four Great Pharmacists scored him on the four aspects—name, properties, uses, and habits. They ended up giving Wang Kaitai a score that surprised even themselves.
A perfect ten!
"It seems Medicine Peak is about to have another true genius Pharmacist."
The Four Great Pharmacists exchanged glances, a shared sense of admiration dawning on them.
This Wang Kaitai was truly a genius of the Pharmacist Realm. It was hard not to be impressed by someone so young with such a profound understanding of Spirit Medicine.
"As for this other one... who wants to look at it?"
Compared to Wang Kaitai's submission, Yang Xiao's paper had been casually set aside.
And with a masterpiece like Wang Kaitai's answer setting the precedent, they truly had no interest in reading the analysis of someone who wasn't even a Pharmacist Apprentice.
After some hemming and hawing, one of the Great Pharmacists finally picked up Yang Xiao's paper.
One look, and he froze.
"What is it, Old Wu? What kind of earth-shattering answer has you so stunned? This isn't like you!"
Another Great Pharmacist, one on good terms with him, teased as he sipped his tea.
But to his surprise, the Great Pharmacist—Old Wu—didn't trade barbs. Instead, with a grave expression, he brought the paper over and thrust it into his hands. "Old Chen, see for yourself!"
The Great Pharmacist, Old Chen, found this odd but was inwardly dismissive. 'What kind of brilliant answer could a commoner possibly write?' But the moment he glanced at it, the man, who had been casually leaning back in his chair, shot bolt upright.
His eyes were wide with astonishment.
'This... How is this possible?'
Sensing something was amiss, the other two Great Pharmacists came over to look.
In an instant, they too were dumbfounded.
"To think... that a self-taught genius like this actually exists in the world!"
"Compared to him, Wang Kaitai, as good as he is, pales in comparison!"
"So what do we do? Wang Kaitai already got a perfect ten. What score do we give this Yang Xiao?"
The Four Great Pharmacists sighed in amazement, but at the same time, found themselves in a bind.
Suddenly, Old Wu's eyes lit up. "Let's have Elder Yao judge it! A work of such divine inspiration... only Elder Yao can give it the score it deserves."
At once, Old Wu personally took Yang Xiao's paper up to the third floor.