Chapter 494 - The Start of the Preliminary Rounds of Competition (1/2)

Each of the twelve wooden boxes was carried a blend of a thousand medicinal herbs.

In a while, each table would be occupied by three people and each person would have to pick four kinds of herbs, put them into the wooden boxes to be sealed up. Finally, the boxes would be brought up to the stage and the five elders would be invited up there to verify them.

It sounded easy enough, however, the execution was much more difficult than it seemed.

Not to mention how to discern one thousand different herbs, there were in fact many herbs that bear similar traits.

For this reason, to pick out a few kinds of herbs from among a thousand herbs would be very challenging.

“Open the boxes!”

After the disciple who was the overall in charge of the event gave the cue, the twelve boxes were opened.

In that instant, the eyes of all the people seemed to be glued to the medicinal herbs in the boxes.

The rest of the disciples gently began to bring out the stalks of herbs from within the boxes and place them carefully on the round table.

“I didn’t expect these oldies to spend so generously. Those are good quality herbs. I wonder how much money would be enough for use.”

Lin Mengya said with regret in her voice. Like Zuo Qiuyu, her heart was pained.

The reason being that some of the herbs had to be kept away from light in an extremely dry environment.

These herbs would be exposed to the sunlight for half a day, and be fiddled by human beings’ hands over and over again. Not only would their efficacy be greatly compromised, but there was also no way they could be returned to the store after this.

“Given Qian Yuming’s character, he would definitely not put these herbs to use again since he esteemed ostentation and extravagance. If it were him, he would set these herbs on fire to destroy them afterward.”

Zuo Qiuyu was crestfallen. He already thought it extravagant looking at how the competition venue had been set up.

Those medicinal herbs could well be used to treat patients and save lives.

At this moment, they had, however, become a tool and means for Qian Yuming to show off the huge amount of medicinal herbs stored in the Pavilion of Herbs.

“This was one thing that hurries him on his way to death. Sooner or later, this would be evidence used against him.”

The more Lin Mengya saw the events unfold before her, the more clearly she was able to understand why Cousin Chen had bit the bullet to get rid of these dregs.

Nevertheless, these were events in the long past. It would not be possible to completely eradicate them in that instant.

They could only endure it for the time being.

Lin Mengya breathed in deeply and took in the fragrance of the medicinal herbs.

As she smelt the intense scent of the herbs, the Shen Nung system began its analysis, and soon, all the different kinds of herbs were committed into Lin Mengya’s memory.

“What perversion.”

Lin Mengya could not help but sigh at the thought that the winners in this preliminary round of competition would not stand a chance to become the Chief Elder after all.

However, the first candidate to come out would be guaranteed a bright future thereafter.

However, this first round was too challenging for anyone to wishing to emerge victorious.

In order to identify the kinds of herbs, apart from observing their nature, smells, and appearances, one had to use many other extraordinary means to succeed.

For example, there was this particular herb called the Sea Flower that appeared so ordinary like a stalk of withered grass.

In order to identify it, one needed to roast it on fire first.

It had to be roasted for 15 minutes before the withered stems would start to produce a milky white liquid externally.

To pick out such a strange herb among a thousand other herbs would be extremely difficult.

It would take a very talented person to pass this round.

It would not be considered malpractice if they managed to identify a few medical genii as a result.

It would be beneficial to Cousin Chen as well as the five elders to have more talents identified anyway.

After introducing the rules, the candidates who were participating in the preliminary round of competition began to file out through the main gate of the Pavilion of Herbs.

Those of noble birth and those whose medical skills were widely recognized were allowed to enter the finals directly.

These candidates of all shapes and sizes were few in number and none of them looked familiar to the spectators.

Surrounding the twelve tables were altogether 36 candidates who had taken their respective positions at their respective tables.

Some of them appeared nervous, while others looked excited and some even seemed like they were faced with great enemies.

All in all, none of the participants appeared relaxed.

This should be the way about it. If any of them wished to stand out from the rest, he had to possess outstanding abilities.

“The first round of tests requires you to complete this task within four hours and the time starts now!”

As the disciple in charge gave a cue to begin, a column of incense, as thick as a man’s arm was being lit simultaneously.

The incense was specially made to keep time. It would finish burning after a certain time.

Although it could never be as accurate as a modern-day clock, it was accurate enough for the use.

At the disciple’s cue, all thirty-six candidates immediately focused their attention on the work of distinguishing the herbs.

It was the first time Lin Mengya and Zuo Qiuyu was witnessing such a scene.

As time continued ticking, the candidates began displaying their talents.

After Lin Mengya looked around, she noticed a very interesting young man at the third table.

Somehow, he managed to get himself a basin of water and Lin Mengya saw that he was dipping the herbs from the table into the water very quickly before he took them out again.

“Cousin Yu, look at that young man. What’s he doing?”

Zuo Qiuyu had also noticed that person because all the others had made use of different characteristics to identify the herbs.

This man was the only one who continuously used the medicinal herbs to dip into the water.

Moreover, he was doing this so quickly that the other two participants who were sharing the same table with him began to look displeased.

“I’m not sure too. Maybe he is trying to clean the herbs. Could he be worried that they are dirty?”