"Ladies and gentlemen, entering the stage now are the top eight contestants in the Pill King Championship! They will engage in an intense battle to determine who will claim the title of this year's true Pill King!"
"The rules for this round are simple: The eight contestants will be divided into four groups. Each group will receive the same task and start simultaneously. The outcome will be decided based on the quality of the elixirs they refine. If the quality is indistinguishable, the time taken will serve as the deciding factor—whoever finishes faster wins!"
"In this round, four contestants will advance, and four will be eliminated."
"Now, please draw your lots."
Carson Flores and the other seven contestants each took their turn drawing lots, determining their matchups.
Carson drew number three. As he examined his number, across from him, Archie Cooke had already revealed his.
Number five!
Carson was up against number four, narrowly missing Archie Cooke.
