"How can that be? Didn't he only get nine points?"
"I don't know either. Could nine points actually be higher than ten?"
The onlookers immediately erupted into an uproar.
Only a few veteran Pharmacists and some of the older attendees made a connection when they saw this. They turned pale with shock, then looked at Yang Xiao, their faces filled with envy.
But they kept their mouths shut.
In fact, many had their suspicions the moment that unique score of nine appeared, but they thought it was impossible. However, after Steward Cao's announcement, and after carefully examining Yang Xiao's answer, they were both amazed and felt it was only to be expected.
The only reason they didn't speak up was out of consideration for Wang Kaitai's status.
They didn't want to embarrass him in public.
"No, impossible! The winner is clearly me, Wang Kaitai! I got ten points, he only got nine! What is going on? Cao Mingde, you owe me an explanation!"
Wang Kaitai was the first to roar in anger, questioning Juhua Studio.
"An explanation? The explanation is that Young Master Yang's nine points are more precious than your ten!"
Steward Cao said flatly.
"What? Nine points are more precious than ten? What kind of logic is that?"
"What's wrong with Juhua Studio? They actually let a piece of trash beat Pharmacist Wang... This..."
"Could it be that Yang Xiao is Steward Cao's nephew or something?"
All kinds of discussions and speculations flew thick and fast.
But Wang Kaitai simply couldn't accept such a reality.
'He lost?'
'This is impossible!'
"I don't believe it! Get your Study Lord out here!"
Wang Kaitai exploded.
Seeing his behavior, the faces of the four Great Pharmacists on the second floor all sank.
They had originally thought he was a rare genius. Although not as good as Yang Xiao, he should have been someone to look forward to. But with a temperament like that, could he really have a chance to become a Great Pharmacist in the future?
'Even if he really did become a Great Pharmacist, advancing any further would be incredibly difficult.'
'Perhaps, at best, he'll just be a second Wang Qianhe!'
'It's even possible he's not as good as Wang Qianhe. At the very least, at this age, Wang Qianhe's performance wasn't bad. Otherwise, he wouldn't have earned Elder Yao's high regard back then and been given a score of eight.'
For Wang Qianhe at the time, that was a very high score.
"This result was decided by our Old Study Lord, and the Four Great Pharmacists all agree. If you're not convinced, you can go find your uncle, Wang Qianhe, and have him come find our Study Lord. As for you, you're not worthy!"
Seeing Wang Kaitai being so rude, Steward Cao's normally gentle face turned grim.
'In his entire life, the person he respected most was Elder Yao. Yet now, a mere junior dared to question him. He simply doesn't know his own limits!'
"The Old Study Lord? Could it be..."
Hearing Cao Mingde speak so bluntly, Wang Kaitai finally calmed down.
At this moment, he finally understood the meaning of those nine points.
'It was that person.'
'He made his move.'
'Otherwise, how could Juhua Studio possibly let him win against me?'
'No way. If people find out I'm not even as good as a piece of trash, how will I establish myself on Medicine Peak in the future? I have to compete again. Yes, one more time!'
This time, he didn't demand to see the Study Lord again.
'Because if the one who gave the score was really the person I think it is, what could I do even if I met him?'
'It would be better to compete again and defeat this piece of trash fair and square.'
'As long as I can crush this piece of trash, that person will definitely notice me. Everything can be salvaged!'
So, he looked at Yang Xiao and said, "You won this time. But do you dare to wager another round with me?!"
"Still want to bet?"
Yang Xiao was a little surprised. 'Does this guy want to get humiliated again?'
'From my point of view, after seeing my answer, this guy should have the self-awareness to know his place. Why is he still provoking me?'
"That's right, one more round! As long as you can win again this time, I, Wang Kaitai, will be completely convinced!"
Wang Kaitai said through gritted teeth.
"Completely convinced? Can that be used as a stake? Steward Cao, if you'd be so kind, please give me the Spirit Medicine and Pills I've won. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Yang Xiao ignored him completely.
What he wanted was Spirit Medicine. If not Spirit Medicine, Pills would do, as they could be exchanged for Spirit Medicine.
'But this "completely convinced" business?'
'What am I supposed to do with that?'
Seeing Yang Xiao ignore him so completely, Wang Kaitai felt utterly humiliated. But he was unwilling to let go of this chance to turn the tables, so he asked in a cold voice, "What will it take for you to bet another round with me!"
"You want to bet? Fine. I now have one Fourth-Grade Spirit Medicine, one Third-Level Upper Grade Kunling Pill, and two First-Grade Spirit Medicines. As long as you can put up a corresponding stake, I'll bet with you. Let me state this up front, though: I don't want your life. You'd better put up something more practical."
Yang Xiao said casually.
By this point, most of the crowd was still dumbfounded, unable to figure out the situation.
'What on earth is going on?'
Of course, quite a few people understood. They finally realized that there was no under-the-table dealing, but rather that the person who graded Yang Xiao was of a higher caliber than the Four Great Pharmacists on the second floor.
That was why a mere nine points had trumped Wang Kaitai's ten points.
Now, when many people looked at Yang Xiao, their expressions had changed completely.
But Yang Xiao couldn't have cared less about any of this.
'It was all within my expectations, so what's there to be surprised about?'
As for Wang Kaitai, who was bent on making a comeback, he finally gritted his teeth under Yang Xiao's taunts, pulled another medicine box from his robes, and said to Yang Xiao, "Fine! I accept your terms. In here is a Level 4 Pill, personally refined by my uncle. It's called the Gang Transformation Pill!"
Hearing this name, everyone present fell silent.
Even the Four Great Pharmacists on the second floor widened their eyes, seemingly stunned!
"Gang Transformation Pill? Is that a big deal? It just seems to be a Level 4 Pill, though..."
Yang Xiao said, a little puzzled.
When these words came out, everyone looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"You actually don't know what a Gang Transformation Pill is? Are you here for comic relief?! I... &***%@&"
Unable to bear it any longer, a string of curses spewed from Wang Kaitai's mouth.
He was simply too furious.
'I risked being punished by my uncle to take out this Gang Transformation Pill, and this guy doesn't even know what it is!'
"Just as I thought—an ignorant fool. Allow me to tell you what a Gang Transformation Pill is. You should know that only those who have condensed Inner Qi can be called Martial Artists, right?
By the same logic, only when you transform Inner Qi into True Qi are you a Martial Artist. Above Martial Artists are Grand Martial Artists who have broken through to the Innate Realm. Therefore, the True Qi in a Grand Martial Artist's body is also called Innate Great True Qi. But to become a Martial Grandmaster, you must condense the Innate True Qi in your body into Gang Qi. Understand now?
The Gang Transformation Pill is a peerless pill that helps an Innate Grand Martial Master break through to become a Martial Arts Grandmaster..."
At first, Ye Chenghao was very smug, feeling he was a cut above Yang Xiao and looking down on him.
But as he spoke, he suddenly realized something. He whirled around to face Wang Kaitai and asked with a trembling voice, "Bro—Brother Wang, this Gang Transformation Pill of yours... it-it's not the one my father wanted, is it?"
'If it really is that one, isn't Wang Kaitai screwing me over?'