Wu Tian, though somewhat curious about the girl's identity, didn't dwell on it and soon resumed his waiting.
Other contestants gradually entered the hall.
Before long, the designated contestant area was filled with participants.
A middle-aged man holding a microphone walked up to everyone and said, "Hello everyone, please be quiet for a moment. I will be hosting this competition."
"I believe many of you here recognize me, but more contestants likely do not."
"My name is Xiao Ding, and I am the president of the Municipal Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I would like to welcome all of you here!"
Applause immediately erupted. Even arrogant individuals like Yuan Hai could only clap obediently at this moment.
Almost every region had an Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and this city was the provincial capital. Therefore, Xiao Ding was essentially the most influential TCM association president in the province, commanding respect even from government officials.
Xiao Ding smiled and said, "I know that all of you are renowned TCM geniuses from various places, and we are looking for geniuses!"
"When I see you all, my heart is filled with emotion, because in you, I see the future of Chinese TCM."
"In the future, you will grow into even more outstanding individuals. You will become hospital directors, family patriarchs, and some of you may even succeed me and become the next president!"
"But future matters are for the future to decide. At this very moment, we all have a more important task to accomplish, which is the very reason we have gathered here today!"
"As everyone knows, the Asian TCM Exchange Competition is an important annual event for China, second only to the World Divine Doctor Competition held every ten years."
"China has been defeated in the Asian competition for three consecutive years, which is a great shame for the Chinese nation!"
"Contestants, China is the birthplace of TCM!"
"We should always hold the throne of first place! With the current situation, how can we face our ancestors with any dignity!"
"Therefore, no matter what, I hope everyone can give their all. If any one of us can secure a formal spot, you will become our hero!"
"Here, I want to ask all of you one question: do you have confidence in yourselves!"
Under Xiao Ding's passionate speech, everyone shouted in unison, "Yes!!!"
Xiao Ding was pleased with everyone's spirit and proceeded to discuss various matters concerning the competition, which were generally similar to his speech and not particularly crucial.
After more than ten minutes, Xiao Ding concluded this phase of his address.
He smiled and said, "Alright, that's all I have to say. Now, I will announce the specific details of the competition."
"This preliminary round is divided into three rounds, all of which will be completed within today."
"The first round of the competition will test your ability to examine medicinal herbs."
"Next, you will enter your respective rooms in batches, ten people per batch. Each room will be filled with one ton of 'Shen Xian Cao' (Immortal Herb)."
"You need to find a single leaf with a purity of seventy percent or higher from these Immortal Herbs. You don't need many, just one is enough. The time limit is ten minutes. Do you all understand?"
Upon hearing Xiao Ding's words, the crowd below immediately began to discuss, and Wu Tian also felt a sense of surprise.
He hadn't expected the first round of the competition to be this difficult.
The so-called Immortal Herb was actually the main ingredient for a type of wound healing medicine. When crushed and processed, it had significant efficacy in treating external injuries.
The quality of the Immortal Herb depended on its purity; the higher the purity, the stronger its medicinal effect.
Generally, Immortal Herbs available on the market had a purity of around thirty percent, and around fifty percent was considered top-grade.
However, Xiao Ding's requirement was for contestants to find Immortal Herbs with seventy percent purity, which was an excessively stringent demand.
Normally, the purity of Immortal Herbs would be detected using specialized modern instruments.
Although TCM had methods, it required searching leaf by leaf, and the detection results were not always accurate.
To find an Immortal Herb with seventy percent purity from over a ton of them within ten minutes tested the contestants' focus and professional skills.
Of course, it might also involve a bit of luck.
Therefore, upon learning the competition content, the contestants couldn't help but discuss, feeling immense pressure.
Xiao Ding continued, "I know that everyone is surprised by such a requirement, but it is unavoidable for us."
"According to the intelligence we've received, many contestants from participating countries have, on their own, found Immortal Herbs with over eighty percent purity. Therefore, our country cannot afford to lag behind."
"It is still not too late to withdraw from the competition if you wish. We will not force anyone to participate."
"So, if anyone does not want to waste their time, please leave."
Xiao Ding's words were very direct, and immediately, many contestants showed hesitation, looking at each other.
They were all celebrities in their respective regions.
If they failed to find the required Immortal Herb, it would be a disgraceful event to speak of.
Moreover, if the first round was already this demanding, wouldn't the subsequent rounds be even more challenging?
Therefore, after a brief moment of hesitation, some people began to quietly withdraw.
Following them, more and more people withdrew.
There were a total of two hundred and eighty-five participants, yet a staggering fifty people withdrew.
Seeing this, Xiao Ding felt a bit disappointed.
However, it was also beneficial in that it saved a considerable amount of time.
Once the withdrawing contestants had mostly left, Xiao Ding surveyed the crowd and said, "Is there no one else withdrawing?"
"Alright, listen to my announcement. Those whose names are called can proceed to the rooms on the left."
With that, Xiao Ding took out a list and began calling out names.
Those whose names were called went into the rooms.
The remaining participants relaxed a bit, free to move around.
Wu Tian's name was not on the first batch's list, so he continued to wait patiently.
Just then, Yuan Hai, accompanied by a group of people, approached again.
As usual, Yuan Hai was surrounded by his followers, acting like a person of great importance.
"Why are you still here?" Yuan Hai asked Wu Tian with a mocking smile. "What's the matter? Are you determined to bring shame upon your own household before you're satisfied?"