Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“I’m not a monster. I’m just a genius,” Fang Lin remarked proudly with a smile, rendering Lu Xiaoqing speechless.
The examination continued and yielded two more junior alchemy disciples that passed. However, much to their frustration, the news of these two junior alchemy disciples passing did not draw much attention because Fang Lin’s incident earlier had created a great stir.
The examination went on from the wee hours of the morning all the way until midnight. Then, it continued to the early morning the next day before all three thousand disciples had completed the examination.
In the end, there were a total of eight junior alchemy disciples that passed the examination, including Fang Lin.
The other seven junior alchemy disciples were all rather experienced. Fang Lin was the only odd one out who managed to pass the examination a year after his initiation in comparison to the others who needed years.
The eight stood in front of the stone platform. Other than Kang Lu and Fang Lin, the rest of the six disciples were rather emotional. Year after year, they had trained hard among the junior alchemy disciples just to wait for the arrival of this day.
Fang Lin was not emotional because he had already predicted his results earlier. To him, there was nothing worthy to be excited or emotional about when it came to becoming an official disciple.
On the other end, Kang Lu was not emotional because he was in a bad mood. If only he was the only top scorer of this examination, he would be the most emotional person there. What a waste that everything he dreamt of had been ruined by Fang Lin! Kang Lu was in such a foul mood that he did not feel even the slightest joy of becoming an official disciple.
The rest of the junior alchemy disciples were watching these eight people with different expressions on their faces. Some were envious while some were moved.
Out of the eight, naturally, Fang Lin received the most attention. One had no choice but to admit that his performance this time was truly shocking. Many of the junior alchemy disciples still found it hard to accept and were caught in a daze.
The few junior alchemy disciples that were initiated on the same day Fang Lin had mixed feelings at this very moment. Although they were initiated into the sect on the same day as him, after today, Fang Lin and them would be worlds apart.
Fang Lin had joined the ranks of the official disciples. He would leave them far behind from now on. On the other hand, these people, including Lu Xiaoqing, would still remain amongst the junior alchemy disciples for an unascertained number of years.
Even Lu Xiaoqing felt slightly inconsolable. Her gaze remained fixed upon Fang Lin’s body. She did not shift her gaze even for a moment because she was afraid that she would never see him anymore after today.
On the stone platform, three elders remained. Zhao Dengming left after making up some lame excuse because he felt too mortified to stay. Fang Lin’s sensational performance was simply a crushing blow to his pride. If he were to remain here, he would be greatly embarrassed.
Meng Wuyou and Mu Yan looked at Fang Lin in approval. Meng Wuyou felt especially pleased with himself now because his insight at finding talent had been proven accurate as usual. Had it not been for my discerning eyes that can tell greatness from mediocrity, Fang Lin’s hidden talent would never have been discovered!
On the other hand, as Meng Wuyou thought of the first elder of the alchemy sect, he felt worried.
Mu Yan shared the same opinion as Meng Wuyou. She thought highly of Fang Lin even before today. However, no matter how highly she thought of him, she did not expect him to create history in the alchemy sect and become the first person to pass the examination in a single attempt. She had no choice but to admit that the radiance of some geniuses could not be concealed no matter how terribly they were bullied, and Fang Lin was one of them.
Old Man Zhou coughed twice to draw the people’s attention to himself.
“I’m delighted today to see these eight disciples pass the examination and become official disciples, especially Fang Lin. Your performance surprised every single one of us. I still find it hard to calm down even now,” he said smilingly.
Upon listening to his words, many people felt a vague feeling of sadness and envy, especially Kang Lu. His face was as dark as the bottom of a burnt pot.
Fang Lin spoke humbly, “Elder, you’re too generous with your compliments.”
Later, Old Man Zhou did not praise Fang Lin anymore. After all, Fang Lin was not the only person that passed the examination. On the other hand, the examination belonged to all the junior alchemy disciples, and there were still other disciples that had passed as well. How would they feel if he continued to praise Fang Lin alone?
“When this matter is settled, the other elders and I will be taking all eight of you to pay a formal visit to the first elder. You shall redeem your official disciple jade tablet from him,” Old Man Zhou said.
The eight people saluted the elders before they retreated to the side.
Old Man Zhou then encouraged the rest of the junior alchemy disciples that had not passed the examination before he announced the end of this year’s examination. The numerous disciples left the alchemy altar in succession, leaving the eight people, including Wang Yun and Kang Lu, behind.
Meanwhile, Meng Wuyou found the chance to give Fang Lin’s shoulder a ferocious slap and spoke while he laughed aloud, “Fang Lin, you’ve truly surprised us!”
Mu Yan’s lips curled into a smile. It was apparent that she was in a good mood too. She just would not expose her emotions as unscrupulously as Meng Wuyou.
The rest of the people could only smile bitterly in their hearts when they noticed that Fang Lin had such an amicable relationship with Meng Wuyou. The more one learned about Fang Lin, the more one discovered how impressive he was and the more one became infuriated.
Kang Lu did not utter a word, but he clenched his fists tightly because Meng Wuyou’s laughter sounded especially unpleasant to his ears.
Old Man Zhou said with a smile, “Come. Please follow us to meet the first elder. We’ll be explaining some matters related to being official disciples too.”
The three elders walked in front while the eight people followed behind them. No one spoke to one another. On the other hand, Fang Lin was observing about leisurely.
The junior alchemy disciples were forbidden to enter the alchemy sect’s great hall. Even the official disciples were not allowed to enter without permission. The entire great hall of the alchemy sect was shaped akin to an inverted athanor. Other than Fang Lin, the rest of the people were there for their very first time. Their expressions turned serious and anxious at once.
It was not Fang Lin’s first time there. Meng Wuyou had brought Fang Lin to the great hall once when he was newly accepted into the sect. Fang Lin had also visited the so-called first elder. As a result, he did not feel particularly interested to be there once more.
Two elders were chatting outside the great hall. It was Zhao Dengming, who had slipped away quietly halfway through the examination, and also Wu Zhen, who used to make things difficult for Fang Lin intentionally on behalf of Kang Lu.
Fang Lin’s interest was piqued at once upon seeing these two people. They could be described as sharing a common interest as Kang Li. However, they had yet to declare that they were Kang Lu’s backers.
Meng Wuyou did not look pleased when he saw those two people. He scoffed once, then he refused to even take a glance at them anymore. Mu Yan did not bother to greet them as she walked into the great hall on her own accord.
On the other hand, Fang Lin nodded toward the two elders while brimming with joy. However, the smile was an abomination in the eyes of Zhao Dengming and Wu Zhen. They wished that they could punch Fang Lin’s face twice instantaneously.
“Kang Lu, Fang Lin will never thrive in the deep waters of the official disciples. You have my protection and Yu Qiufan as your backer. Fang Lin will never surpass you. You have plenty of opportunities to deal with him afterward. You must keep your cool,” Wu Zhen softly advised Kang Lu.
Kang Lu nodded. The savage look in his eyes vanished soon afterward though he appeared slightly gloomy.
The group of people entered the great hall which was spacious but empty. A middle-aged man sat upright on a seat behind the leader’s metal table. This person was dressed in a robe with two colors: black and white. He had delicate facial features and appeared to be only about 30 years old.
Fang Lin had met this person before. He was the first elder of the alchemy sect, Gu Daofeng.