"Voided on what basis? One is buying, and one is selling. There is nothing wrong with it. I am spending my own money. Do I need you people to control me? I just want to buy from her!" Su Yu frowned and blocked in front of the young lady. Perhaps it was due to the Constitution +1 that he was actually able to forcefully block the duo. The people from the Spirit Medicine Pavilion were already speaking in a high and mighty manner, and it was truly irritating for him.
"If she is really able to differentiate the different herbs, why doesn't she go and take the Spirit Medicine Master exam? Are you not afraid that her herbs are fake?" Han Dapeng fixed his cold eyes on Su Yu.
"The Spirit Medicine Master exam requires 2 mid-grade spirit stones. Once I have enough spirit stones, I will go and take the exam!" the young lady said with an unbending will.
"Hehe, it doesn't matter. As long as you are not a Spirit Medicine Master, you cannot sell herbs and medicine. Furthermore, you can sell these herbs to the Spirit Medicine Pavilion. Someone there will appraise the herbs!"
"Selling to the Spirit Medicine Pavilion will require an appraisal fee of 40%. I can identify these herbs. Why should I pay for the appraisal fee!?" The young lady was unwilling to accept this, and her delicate face was now flushed red due to her anger.
Su Yu finally understood the cause of the situation. The Spirit Medicine Pavilion was using its influence to monopolize the market, cutting off most of the spirit herbs in the Five Deltas Continent. It wasn't only that; if an ordinary person wished to sell herbs and medicine, they would need to pay an appraisal fee of 40%. The appraisal might just be a quick process, but the fees were extremely high. These people took their time and effort to harvest the herbs, so why should the Spirit Medicine Pavilion be getting close to 50% of the profits?
Such things were extremely common in Su Yu's previous life, but ordinary people didn't have authority or influence. He might be disgruntled in his heart, but he didn't dare to show it. He could only follow the so-called 'protection system'.
"It should be your honor to have your herbs appraised by a Spirit Medicine Master. Isn't it normal to take some appraisal fee from you?" Han Dapeng was still using an arrogant tone.
"I harvested these herbs. If something happens, I will take responsibility! Your Spirit Medicine Pavilion said that you would take responsibility for the herbs and medicine you sell. Yet, if something really happens, you will only push the blame onto others and even reduce the herb content. All these are visible to the public. What right do you have to prohibit me from selling herbs?" The young lady must have been oppressed pretty badly and was now bursting out.
"It seems like you want to do this the hard way! Secretly selling herbs is a violation of the law. I will now take you in!"
"Wait!" Su Yu stood in front of the young lady and said, "Does it mean that if she passes the exam, she will be able to become a Spirit Medicine Master and sell herbs?"
"That's right. In order to take the Spirit Medicine Master exam, she will need to pay 2 mid-grade spirit stones." Han Dapeng stated.
"Alright, then we will register now. Bring us there," said Su Yu. He still had 9 mid-grade spirit stones and 99 low-grade spirit stones. He felt that it was worth it to register for this young lady.
"Hehe, how could someone like her become a Spirit Medicine Master? Follow me then." Han Dapeng scoffed. If she couldn't pass the exam, he would have more reasons to deal with her.
He had been with the Spirit Medicine Pavilion for many years and naturally knew about the Spirit Medicine Master exam's difficulty. It was extremely rare for people to pass the exam once! Furthermore, this young lady was less than 15 years old, so how was it possible for her to remember so many of the medicinal ingredients? In addition, he knew of a place where the young lady would never be able to pass!
The young lady had an embarrassed expression as she tugged on Su Yu's hand and whispered, "I… I don't have the money."
"Don't worry, I have." Su Yu smiled.
"Thank… Thank you. My name is Mu Xiaoxiao." The young lady bowed to Su Yu.
"My name is Su Yu. Are you confident about the exam?"
The young lady nodded lightly and replied confidently, "The Spirit Medicine Master exam isn't difficult. Just need to remember the herbs' names and effects. No problem for me!"
Su Yu nodded. The Spirit Medicine Master could only be considered a general occupation. As long as the person had a good memory and was willing to put in the effort, they would be able to become a Spirit Medicine Master. But to upgrade from the Spirit Medicine Master to the Medicine Concoction Master, the individual must have a great understanding of the herbs' effects along with the ability to memorize the herbs. This would allow them to concoct the herbs into medicine and utilize the herbs' greatest medicinal effects. Above the Medicine Concoction Master was the Elixir Concoction Master, who had transcending status, and even martial artists wouldn't dare to be arrogant in front of them.
Due to the monopoly of nearly all the herbs, the Spirit Medicine Pavilion was extremely busy. There was a huge flow of human traffic at the entrance, as numerous people were there to purchase medicine and seek treatment.
After departing from the market, they took around one hour and could now see the Spirit Medicine Pavilion.
The tall and grand building was like a mountain erecting toward the sky. It looked down on the entire East Delta County, and at the tallest part of the building, there was a flying eagle's statue. It spread its large wings and looked as though it could soar at any moment.
Once they got closer, the appearance of the Spirit Medicine Pavilion looked similar to a chapel. There was a horizontal signboard at the top, and three grand words were written on it—Spirit Medicine Pavilion.
Su Yu and Mu Xiaoxiao looked at each other but didn't stop. They followed behind Han Dapeng and entered.
Once inside, there was a spacious hall, and it was very lively as people were moving here and there.
"Elder Zhao." Han Dapeng walked in front of an old man and stopped to greet him with extreme respect.
There wasn't a need to verify the number of years this old man had been working in the Spirit Medicine Pavilion. Everyone knew that he was in charge of the Spirit Medicine Master exam in this area and was famous for being strict.
There were three Spirit Medicine Pavilions in the entire East Delta County, and this Spirit Medicine Pavilion had the lowest passing rate for the Spirit Medicine Master exam. The so-called lowest wasn't just lower by a little—it was zero! No one had ever passed the exam in this place.
Given the notorious fame of Elder Zhao in the outside world, people didn't dare to take the exam here anymore. The exam place, which was supposed to be very lively, was now empty.
Naturally, Han Dapeng brought them here because he didn't want them to pass the exam.
"Is someone here for the exam?" Elder Zhao slowly turned his head. He was originally seated to the side, and Su Yu could only see his loose white hair. When Elder slowly turned around, Su Yu was now able to see his entire face.
Elder Zhao's face wasn't as old as expected, and it was actually very florid. His eyes were filled with vigor, and he had a white beard. The slim and robust face gave off a very stern and eminent feeling.
"This young lady wishes to take the exam." Han Dapeng pointed at Mu Xiaoxiao.
"2 mid-grade spirit stones." The old man didn't say anything else and went straight to the point.
Once Su Yu handed over 2 mid-grade spirit stones, the old man showed a solemn expression. He took out a black wooden box that had a hole. The size of the hole was around the thickness of one's arm. When looking from outside, it was pitch black inside.
"My exam is different from the other Spirit Medicine Pavilions. Their exams are split into theory and the identification of herbs. I am only testing one thing!
"Inside this box is a stalk of herb. You are only able to reach your hand inside and cannot look inside. You have to use your sense of touch. After identifying the herb correctly, I will put in another herb. If you are able to identify the herbs 10 consecutive times, you will pass the exam."
This rule left Mu Xiaoxiao and Su Yu dumbfounded. Everyone knew that most herb identification methods were based on sight and smell. Many people identified herbs by their color and smell too. However, it was unheard of for anyone to identify them just by touch.
It was probably possible only for Elixir Concoction Masters, who had been in contact with herbs for many years and were thoroughly familiar with the herbs.
Elder Zhao squinted his eyes slightly and said indifferently, "Over here, the exam is to determine the talent for herbs. If you aren't able to do it, please leave."
"That… Let me try then." Mu Xiaoxiao bit her lips and looked at Su Yu while she slowly reached into the wooden box…