Vicious thoughts slowly coalesced in Jin Zhewu's mind.
Seeing the uncontrollable smile on his lips, Wu Tian understood what he was thinking.
Wu Tian merely smiled in response.
There were countless people in this world who wanted to defeat him, but was he someone who could be defeated just by wanting to? Kuaishuge
All arrogance and conceit were nothing before him; in the end, they were merely self-inflicted humiliation.
Soon, under the arrangements of the referee, the organizing committee members pushed in two enormous medicine cabinets.
The cabinet doors opened, revealing approximately fifty drawers, each containing a certain amount of herbs.
While refining the Purple Flower Soup didn't require so many herbs, the competition organizers wouldn't possibly provide the exact ingredients.
Therefore, both contestants had to find the corresponding herbs from within and measure out the correct quantities.
Once the venue was fully set up, this match officially began.
Jin Zhewu grinned at Wu Tian and said, "Don't say I'm bullying you. How about this, I'll let you start refining for ten minutes."
"Afterward, we'll finish in the same amount of time. What do you think?"
Wu Tian shook his head and smiled, "No need. A competition is all about fairness and justice."
"If you want me to go first, even if I agree, the referee wouldn't, right?"
Jin Zhewu snorted, "Don't pretend to be fair in front of me. No matter what facade you put up, the truth will eventually reveal your true colors!"
With that, Jin Zhewu walked to the medicine cabinet and had the organizing committee members retrieve the materials.
Wu Tian also walked to another cabinet and casually stated the required items, and the organizing committee members brought out the corresponding herbs.
Once both contestants had their herbs ready, they proceeded to the refining stage.
They used clay pots for boiling, and time slowly passed during this process.
After about half an hour, Jin Zhewu declared the end of his refining, and Wu Tian immediately took his clay pot off the heat.
They placed the clay pots on the wooden table in front of the referee.
From this point on, the Purple Flower Soup had nothing to do with them; neither was allowed to touch it again.
Jin Zhewu was brimming with confidence in his creation.
Still with a smug expression, he said to Wu Tian, "Hey, it's like this already, aren't you going to surrender?"
"I advise you to admit defeat quickly before the lid is opened."
"Otherwise, if the finished product is seen by so many people, it will be too late for you to regret it."
Wu Tian smiled and said, "I find you really strange. Why are you so eager to persuade me to surrender?"
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you know your Purple Flower Soup is bad, so you want to win by making me lose this way?"
"No way, aren't you an expert in refining medicine? If that's the case, why would you resort to such methods?"
Wu Tian's words were nothing short of an insult to Jin Zhewu!
He was so angered that his temples began to throb slightly, and he said,
"What nonsense are you spouting? With my skills, would I use such tactics? Do you think too highly of yourself?"
Wu Tian chuckled, "Oh, come on. Don't I know you? If you weren't this kind of person, then tell me, what were you doing last night?"
"If you want to be a villain, be honest about it. Don't be so secretive; it only makes you seem hypocritical."
Jin Zhewu couldn't win an argument with Wu Tian, so he didn't want to bicker with him anymore.
He directly said, "Stop your incessant babbling."
"Let me tell you, last night I was just playing around with you. Do you really think you're that significant?"
"Next, I'll show you what the world's most top-tier Purple Flower Soup looks like!"
With that, Jin Zhewu turned to the referee and said, "Let's see mine first. I can't wait!"
There was no specific order for examining the creations, so when Jin Zhewu said this, the referee nodded and opened the lid of the clay pot.
At this moment, everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn to it.
They were aware of Jin Zhewu's reputation, so they all wanted to see what the legendary top-tier pharmacist could produce.
The instant the lid of the clay pot was opened, a purple light emanated from within.
Witnessing such a fantastical scene, everyone's pupils widened slightly.
Only when the lid was completely removed did the light slowly dissipate.
The referee glanced into the clay pot, and in that instant, his face turned deathly pale!
"How can this be!"
The referee exclaimed, "It's a ninth-grade Purple Flower Soup? I truly can't believe something like this could happen!"
"What?!"
Upon hearing the referee's words, everyone present was stunned.
The so-called ninth-grade Purple Flower Soup was one where nine purple flowers bloomed on the surface of the soup.
Generally speaking, being able to produce a seventh-grade Purple Flower Soup was already considered the mark of an extremely skilled refiner of Purple Flower Soup.
As for a ninth-grade Purple Flower Soup, they had only heard of it; they had never even seen it!
Now, with the referee telling them that a ninth-grade Purple Flower Soup was right before their eyes, it was difficult for them to believe.
Therefore, even though other contestants were not allowed to interfere with the match, they couldn't suppress their curiosity and surged toward the clay pot, eager to get a closer look.
And when they clearly saw the contents, they were plunged into even greater shock!
The referee had not lied!
This was indeed a ninth-grade Purple Flower Soup!
Nine exquisite purple flowers were blooming on the surface of the liquid, creating a scene of their own!
"There really is such a thing..."
Many people murmured in astonishment, then cast their dazed gazes upon Jin Zhewu.
Surrounded by so many scrutinizing eyes, Jin Zhewu felt a surge of pride.
This was the reaction he desired!
What was Wu Tian compared to him? How could he be mentioned in the same breath?
However, outwardly, he maintained a nonchalant demeanor, casually waving his hand and saying, "Everyone, please calm down."
"I know you are all very surprised, but the competition is still ongoing, so please return to your seats."
"After the competition concludes, I will specifically invite everyone to appreciate it together."
"Alright, disperse now."
He spoke with immense pride, his smile almost uncontrollable.
Upon hearing his words, the crowd nodded and retreated.
A sinister glint flickered in Jin Zhewu's eyes.
He smiled at Wu Tian and said, "It's your turn now. Do you still have the face to compete with me?"
Looking at Jin Zhewu's expression, Wu Tian broke into a brilliant smile, "Why wouldn't I dare to compete? What's there to be afraid of?"