Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Fang Lin took a seat under a tree and leaned his back against the trunk lazily. With his eyes half-squinted, he enjoyed the beautiful scenery before him. He took a bite of the apple in his hand. It was an extremely splendid scene.
At present, it had already been a month since Fang Lin’s initiation. He was already acquainted with the basics of the Purple Glow Sect.
The Purple Glow Sect was divided into two divisions: alchemy and martial arts. One of the divisions was focused on cultivating alchemy while the other cultivated martial arts.
Fang Lin was a disciple of the alchemy sect naturally. However, he was not an official disciple but a junior alchemy disciple.
What was a junior alchemy disciple?
In reality, a newly-initiated alchemy disciple would begin their journey as a junior alchemy disciple. They could only become true alchemy disciples after passing the promotion examination successfully.
During the five years as a junior alchemy disciple, one would be able to take part in the promotion examination that was held once annually. If the person failed to pass the examination for five years continuously, then the person would be expelled from the Purple Glow Sect and transferred to all sorts of estates under the Purple Glow Sect’s reign.
In other words, every junior alchemy disciple would have five opportunities for promotion. One could become an official disciple after passing the examination and taking part in the alchemist ranking examination to gain more resources and guidance from the sect.
Fang Lin had almost accomplished nothing since his initiation a month ago, other than spending his days sunbathing.
The people that were initiated as junior alchemy disciples on the same day as Fang Lin were learning about medicinal herbs in the Herb Garden. With their effort, they could be described as learning day and night tirelessly. Only Fang Lin had never visited the Herb Garden for the entire month after taking a stroll through it on the first day.
Fang Lin’s noteworthy conduct and independent character gained a reputation among the three thousand junior alchemy disciples. However, the reputation basically comprised of mockery and disdain. They assumed that he was a lazy slob without the slightest initiative for improvement and that he was destined to be expelled.
On the contrary, Fang Lin appeared to be carefree without the slightest care for the others’ perceptions and ideologies. He spent every day strolling and exploring different places besides sleeping in until midday.
He was not a lazy slob, but there was simply no need for him to learn anymore. It was truly unworthy to mention junior alchemy discipleship with Fang Lin’s alchemy attainments in his past life. As for the Herb Garden, he had already identified all the herbs in the garden after strolling around the place on that single day, so there was no need for him to visit it twice.
In Fang Lin’s perception, it would be enough for him to wait for the promotion examination obediently.
“Fang Lin, why are you taking a nap over here again?” A clear female voice was heard. It was a young maiden dressed in a simple junior alchemy disciple’s uniform.
The young maiden was one of the junior alchemy disciples that were initiated on the same day as Fang Lin. Her name was Lu Xiaoqing and she was considered the few junior alchemy disciples who had an amicable relationship with Fang Lin.
Lu Xiaoqing made her way to his front. She felt anger rise in her chest as she studied his lazy behavior. Her expression was unkind as she nagged him with good intentions, “Fang Lin, you’re not going to pass the examination for sure if you continue to do this every day. In these five years of being a junior alchemy disciple, is it possible that you’re just going to idle away and wait for death?” She was extremely displeased with his current behavior.
Fang Lin’s interest was piqued upon seeing Lu Xiaoqing’s anxious look. He said amusedly, “Why are you anxious? We’ve only been initiated for a month, haven’t we? We still have plenty of time.”
Lu Xiaoqing wished that she could pull Fang Lin up from the ground badly.
“Do you know how difficult the promotion examination is? Many of our seniors have failed twice or thrice. Never mind the five opportunities, but I don’t think that you’ll be able to pass even after ten attempts!” said Lu Xiaoqing in exasperation.
Fang Lin stood up and patted away the dirt on his shirt. He said casually, “My fellow disciple, Xiaoqing, you must put in more effort and work hard. I don’t want to see you remaining as a junior alchemy disciple by the time I’ve become an official disciple.”
Lu Xiaoqing widened her eyes in surprise. She looked at Fang Lin with a strange gaze in confusion. How was this boy so confident of himself?
She was truly frustrated. In fact, she was even feeling rather disappointed in Fang Lin. She thought inwardly, ‘Even if you’re naturally gifted, I don’t believe that you can pass the examination if you’re this lazy to learn about medicinal herbs.’
“Suit yourself. I won’t be bothered then.” Lu Xiaoqing stamped her foot in rage and left.
Fang Lin smiled. He was about to continue his nap when he suddenly noticed Elder Meng Wuyou was walking over from a close distance.
“Fang Lin, you’re doing a disservice to your Withered Tree Revived in the Spring by being so dispirited!” Elder Meng Wuyou had yet to arrive, but his lament could already be heard.
Fang Lin stiffened. Since when was he dispirited? He was so cheerful and joyous. He did not look dispirited at all, did he?
As Meng Wuyou approached, he looked at Fang Lin with an expression of regret and helplessness. In Meng Wuyou’s perception, Fang Lin’s current behavior was partially due to his doing. After all, Fang Lin had discovered his talent by himself, yet he was initially mistreated, so Meng Wuyou could not blame him for being so dispirited.
In Meng Wuyou’s eyes, Fang Lin’s act of relaxing and doing as he wished was a display of his dejection.
He wanted to take Fang Lin to meet the first elder back in the beginning in hopes that the latter would make an exception for the young man to become an official disciple. However, the first elder had not approved. He thought that no special exception should be given no matter how gifted a person was. Since Fang Lin was gifted, then starting off as a junior alchemy disciple was excellent practice for him.
Meng Wuyou persuaded the first elder over and over again, but his efforts were futile as he did not manage to change the results. After all, he was just an ordinary elder in the alchemy sect with limited powers, and the first elder’s decision could not be swayed by him.
As a result, Meng Wuyou felt guilty about Fang Lin’s dismal behavior because he probably resented this matter.
Fang Lin swore by heaven and earth that he did not have the slightest intention to do that. Unfortunately, the kind old man, Meng Wuyou, took the trouble to feel guilty about Fang Lin and had been having difficulty falling asleep for the past month.
Fang Lin spoke kindly, “Elder Meng, why do you look so sad?”
Meng Wuyou felt even more guilty after seeing Fang Lin’s smile. The boy must be feeling very depressed deep inside. It must be hard for him to feign a smile despite the situation.
“Fang Lin, I understand that you are feeling resentful deep inside, but there’s nothing I can do once the first elder has made a decision. It’s best for you to continue practicing and strive to pass the examination and become an official disciple as soon as possible. Don’t procrastinate anymore,” said Meng Wuyou sincerely. He did not wish to see a talented boy like Fang Lin to continue deteriorating anymore.
With a smile, Fang Lin replied, “Thank you for your concern, Elder. I’m not feeling resentment for any particular reason. I’m not procrastinating either. Don’t worry. I have my own plans for the examination.”
Meng Wuyou heaved a sigh and said in rage, “When can our alchemy sect become powerful when the first elder is so jealous of real talent?!”
Fang Lin did not speak because he was not a foolish man. He could tell that Meng Wuyou harbored deep resentment toward the first elder judging by his tone.
“Choose your words wisely, Elder Meng,” reminded Fang Lin gently.
Meng Wuyou took a glance at Fang Lin. Although he was not offended by Fang Lin’s remark, he continued to speak begrudgingly, “The first elder is a narrow-minded man. He can’t stand seeing other geniuses in the alchemy sect. Otherwise, it will waver his status in the sect. What a shallow and superficial man. No wonder the status of our alchemy sect is growing weaker in the Purple Glow Sect day by day!”
“Be careful, Elder Meng. You might hurt yourself with so much resentment in you.”
Meng Wuyou frowned. What is wrong with this boy? It should be you that is infuriated, Fang Lin. Why do you look so carefree and joyous, boy?
“Fang Lin, you are the rare Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment. I’m sorry that you have to go through being a junior alchemy disciple. Alas, the rules in the alchemy are overly strict. If you don’t pass the promotion examination within five years, you can’t avoid being expelled despite being the Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment. Seize the opportunity. Don’t continue to behave in such manner anymore,” advised Meng Wuyou patiently. He had high hopes for Fang Lin’s future. As a result, he did not wish to see a genius like Fang Lin to degenerate as such.
Fang Lin’s boyish smile faded when he understood Meng Wuyou’s solemn expression.
“Elder Meng, don’t worry. I’ll be sure to pass the first examination,” said Fang Lin with an absolutely confident tone.
Meng Wuyou looked at Fang Lin in astonishment. He had the same thought as Lu Xiaoqing earlier. How did this boy muster such confidence? In fact, he could no longer be described as confident anymore but arrogant.
The promotion of a junior alchemy disciple to an official disciple was no simple matter. It was so difficult that the majority of the three thousand junior alchemy disciples failed the examination twice. There was a large portion of them that had even taken the examination thrice.
Failing the examination four times was not unheard of. In the almost century-long record of the Purple Glow Sect, the genius that had been promoted the fastest had even taken the examination twice.
Fang Lin had openly declared that he would be promoted in a single attempt. These words sounded incomparably arrogant in the ears of any listener. Beyond being arrogant, it was amusing.
Meng Wuyou was about to criticize Fang Lin in all apparent seriousness to stop him from being so extravagant when he was interrupted by the dull bell that echoed through the entire alchemy sect.
A tinge of helplessness appeared on Fang Lin’s expression at the sound of the bell. On the other hand, Meng Wuyou said, “The alchemy altar lesson is about to begin. Head over there now quickly!”
The alchemy sect organized two alchemy altar lessons every month. It was held once during the middle of the month and another time at the end of the month, specifically for the three thousand junior alchemy disciples.
It was mandatory for all the junior alchemy disciples to attend the alchemy altar lesson. If anyone had the courage to skip the alchemy altar lesson, the person would be punished severely. After three continuous absences, the person would be immediately expelled from the Purple Glow Sect.
Fang Lin had attended the lesson during the middle of the month, but he had fallen asleep during the lesson. As a result, he was ridiculed for that. In Fang Lin’s perception, the lesson was simply meaningless.
However, the rules in the alchemy sect were strict. Fang Lin was well aware that the repercussions would be bad if he missed the lesson.
With a bitter expression, he looked at Meng Wuyou piteously and pleaded, “Elder, is it okay if I don’t go?”
Meng Quyou glared at Fang Lin and spoke in an unpleasant tone, “No! You aren’t allowed to miss the alchemy altar lesson. If you have the courage not to go, I shall pick you up and bring you there myself!”
“Alright, I’ll go then.” Fang Lin pouted as he headed to the location of the alchemy altar lesson unwillingly.
Meng Wuyou gazed after his departing sluggish silhouette and wished that he could give the boy a tight slap. However, he remembered the unjust treatment Fang Lin had received, so he could only heave a sigh.
Throngs of junior alchemy disciples headed to the alchemy altar. By the time Fang Lin made it to the location, the spacious alchemy altar was filled with people. The majority of the junior alchemy disciples were there and Fang Lin was considered rather late.