48 Identifying Medicine

Looking at the hundreds of herbs brought up by the maids, Xia Ming narrowed his eyes. Without a doubt, this was the first trial of the Potion Conference!

It was no easy task to pick a first-place winner from among so many potionists. Which of those able to attend the Potion Conference did not have some skill to rely on? Everyone was eager to test their blades, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on the herbs.

The fat man smiled. "Esteemed potionists, I know that you spend your days dealing with medicinal ingredients. Identifying a few mere herbs must be as commonplace as eating and drinking to you all—nothing that could stump you." After flattering them, he continued with a beaming smile, "Therefore, this Potion Conference has specially added a rule. Come!"

With a sweep of his hand, the fat man summoned another dozen or so maids. Each held a strip of black cloth in her hands. Xia Ming's heart stirred faintly; he had some idea of what the fat man intended!

The fat man smiled. "Next, I must trouble everyone to cover your eyes with these black cloths."

The crowd looked at one another. Someone could not help asking, "Are we to identify herbs blindfolded?"

The fat man chuckled. "Exactly." At his words, the onlookers' eyes lit up. Indeed, these potionists spent all day dealing with herbs, so identifying medicinal plants was not difficult for them. The fat man's method was rather interesting.

The people watched with great interest. They did not care whether these potionists could identify herbs blindfolded or not; outsiders simply watched for the spectacle.

Xia Ming narrowed his eyes. Identifying herbs blindfolded meant they could only distinguish them by the sharpness of a potionist's sense of smell. Anyone capable of discerning herbs this way would without exception be among the finest potionists—someone truly obsessed with potion-making. It was indeed a good method.

On the platform, Hughes wore a smug smile. Hmph, it would not do if they did not set up a few hurdles and some mediocrity ended up taking first place. Even the Medicine King could not cure his son's magical deficiency; he could only try his luck among these potionists.

Among the potionists, some rejoiced while others worried. Just then, one of them stepped forward and said with a smile, "I'll go first."

Xia Ming looked him over. The man was middle-aged, dressed in a brocaded long robe and sporting a beard. He appeared refined, with a smile that inexplicably inspired goodwill.

"So it's Master Locke." The fat man was briefly startled, then immediately put on a brilliant smile. The middle-aged man before him was named Locke, a first-rate potion master on Azure Flame Island. His great name was like thunder in one's ears; he was one of the rare genius potionists to emerge in recent years, widely praised by all.

The Medicine King on the platform also had a flicker in his eyes. Clearly, he had heard Locke's name as well. Hughes was even more excited. Locke had actually come—perhaps there was hope for his son after all...

So this man was the renowned potion master of Azure Flame Island. Xia Ming rubbed his nose and committed Locke's appearance and name to memory.

Locke was the first to step forward. With the help of a maid, he covered his eyes with a black cloth, then smiled confidently. "Begin!"

The fat man waved his hand, and more than a dozen maids carrying trays of herbs walked forward. The onlookers all widened their eyes, eagerly awaiting Locke's performance.

The first maid brought a herb before Locke. It was a blue medicinal plant, beautiful in appearance, with several fruits that shone like gemstones. "Orchid Heart Grass. Rich in water elements, it is a rare herb used to refine superior potions." Xia Ming recognized it at a glance and silently murmured to himself.

Locke merely took a sniff before smiling with confidence. "It's actually Orchid Heart Grass. Lord Hughes truly has remarkable means, to have even found such a rare herb. It has been nearly half a year since I last came into contact with Orchid Heart Grass!"

The crowd gasped in amazement. They were shocked that Locke could truly identify the herb before him after a single sniff, and they marveled even more at the meaning behind his words. He had not encountered Orchid Heart Grass for nearly half a year, yet with his eyes closed, he could still identify it without the slightest error. What astonishing skill was this? Locke truly deserved the title of potion master.

Xia Ming swept his gaze over the potionists. Among them, there were probably several low-level potionists who did not even know what Orchid Heart Grass was, yet Locke could identify it with his nose alone. The gap between them was clear to see.

As each maid brought forward another tray of herbs, Locke accurately identified every medicinal plant on it. Swift and precise, he left the audience's eyes wide open and drew endless cries of amazement. Even Headmaster Rogge nodded repeatedly. Though he was only proficient in magic, Rogge naturally possessed extraordinary discernment. He could see that Locke's mastery of potion-making had truly reached a consummate level.

"Amazing! Master Locke has truly opened our eyes!"

The fat man praised him without reservation. "Without question, Master Locke has passed this herb-identification trial. Is there anyone else who wishes to give it a try?"

With someone taking the lead, those behind naturally refused to be outdone. At least they still had a chance if they tried, and Locke was the publicly acknowledged potion master of Azure Flame Island—losing to him would not be disgraceful.

Thus, the potionists all expressed their willingness to try. The fat man smiled faintly, as though he had long been prepared. He clapped his hands, and another dozen or so maids came up, still carrying trays of herbs. Yet the types of herbs were entirely different from before. Clearly, this was also to prevent cheating and ensure fairness.

Things having come to this point, the potionists had no confidence in their hearts, but they could only grit their teeth and step forward. Xia Ming was among them, though he was not worried in the slightest. With the Book of Eternity, he was an indisputable potion master.

Potion-making was not magic. There were not many potion masters recognized across the continent. Generally speaking, anyone capable of refining potions above level six could be called a potion master.

As for Xia Ming's current level, he was a level-seven potionist. Moreover, he could draw upon all the knowledge within the Book of Eternity at will, having fully absorbed and mastered it...

A maid walked before Xia Ming and covered his eyes.

Xia Ming smiled confidently. The maid brought the tray before him, and a fragrant herbal scent immediately entered his nose.

"Dark Flower. It grows among thorns in mountain valleys. A high-grade herb of the darkness attribute, rare and scarce." Xia Ming merely gave it a light sniff before stating the correct answer without hesitation. The maid was startled. Could this youth before her also be a potion master? How was that possible!

The moment Xia Ming spoke, everyone was abruptly shocked. The potionists all turned to look at him. As Xia Ming had said, Dark Flower was a high-grade herb. Though it was not exceptionally rare, it was not something every potionist knew about. The potions requiring Dark Flower were basically all level five or above. Could this mysterious young man actually be a level-five potionist?

Apart from the potionists who knew the trade, the other spectators who were simply watching the excitement all cheered. They only felt that this youth was truly impressive, seemingly not at all inferior to potion master Locke.

After recovering from her shock, the maid immediately switched to another tray, upon which lay another rare herb.

"Celestial Star Wood, a high-grade herb. This should be the root of Celestial Star Wood, and it appears to have been stored for several decades. Celestial Star Wood grows extremely slowly, and its medicinal properties are fierce..." Xia Ming reeled off the characteristics of Celestial Star Wood in one breath, leaving everyone dumbstruck.

If once could be luck, then twice was skill! This young youth truly possessed the ability to identify herbs blindfolded!

"Lord Rogge, that young man's mage robe bears your academy's crest as well. It seems your esteemed academy has produced another outstanding talent." Hughes stared at the Azure Flame Academy emblem on Xia Ming's chest—a cluster of black flames, the academy's crest. Indeed, Xia Ming had not deliberately concealed it, and Hughes's sharp eye immediately discovered that Xia Ming was actually a student of Azure Flame Academy.

Rogge nodded. He had noticed it as well, though a hint of surprise flashed through his eyes. He had never heard of such a student at the academy. Could he be one of this year's new students? The academy had always strongly supported exceptionally gifted students. It seemed he would have to keep an eye on this youth.