Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
As soon as Yan Zhengfeng’s words were spoken, the elders that had opposed the idea of testing and verifying the alchemy prescriptions at first were stunned.
Why have you changed sides so easily when you were doing fine just a moment ago?
“Elder Yan, please don’t!”
“Shall we discuss this matter further beforehand?”
“Elder Yan, that is blasphemy to the forefathers!”
…
The group of elders believed that Yan Zhengfeng must have gotten confused for a moment, so they tried to talk sense into him.
Yan Zhengfeng widened his eyes abruptly. His expression was overbearing without any rage as he gazed at those people who were persuading him with cold eyes. “I’m not an old confused man and I don’t need you to talk sense into me!” he declared in a powerful voice.
The elders in the entire hall fell silent. Yan Zhengfeng’s voice overpowered everything else. The elders that opposed the idea of testing and verifying the alchemy prescriptions stopped clamoring and dared not make a sound anymore.
Since Yan Zhengfeng had agreed to the idea despite being the backbone of the opposing party, there was nothing that they could change no matter how hard they tried to persuade him.
Gu Daofeng looked at Yan Zhengfeng with a smile and said, “Elder Yan, so you approve of the idea?”
Yan Zhengfeng cupped his hands together before his chest in salutation.”I approve. Will you please permit Elder Meng to carry out the experiment to test and verify the alchemy prescriptions, First Elder?”
Gu Daofeng answered hemming and hawing. Then, he said, “In that case, I shall approve it. However, Fang Lin ought to be present as well during the experiment since this matter is related to him.”
“You’re right, First Elder. I’d like to meet the genius that has provoked much discussion in the sect recently. I’d like to see if he is as good as the rumors say,” Yan Zhengfeng immediately spoke.
“Alright then, please summon Fang Lin to the great hall quickly.”
…
After a long while, with a look of surprise and fear on his face, Fang Lin arrived in the great hall of the alchemy sect under the guidance of an elder. He shuffled reluctantly as if he had been forced to come. He was vigilant when he saw the elders that filled the entire hall and even appeared panic-stricken.
“Why are you procrastinating there? Why don’t you come in quickly?” said the elder in an unpleasant tone when he noticed that Fang Lin dared not enter the great hall but stood hesitantly outside.
Fang Lin said with a forced smile, “Elder, I’ve never been a sociable person. There are so many elders here, so I’m scared.” Although his voice was not loud, every single person inside the great hall was no ordinary man, thus they could hear him very well naturally. At once, these elders were at a loss about whether to laugh or to cry.
Yan Zhengfeng shook his head in secret. His first impression of Fang Lin was not very favorable. Even though Fang Lin was known to be a genius, he was such a weakling!
Zhao Dengming and a few elders that adopted a hostile attitude toward Fang Lin began sneering at him. On the other hand, Meng Wuyou, Mu Yan, and the others looked at him strangely. Based on their knowledge, Fang Lin was not a coward.
“Fang Lin, come in.” Gu Daofeng’s voice sounded gentle, kind, and polite like a spring breeze as he invited him to enter.
Then, Fang Lin hesitated for a moment before he followed the elder to walk into the center of the great hall shyly. “I’m Disciple Fang Lin. It’s my honor to meet the first elder and the elders.” He immediately bowed in salutation toward the elders in the great hall as soon as he stepped in. He had not even stood still before he bowed so deeply that he was almost kowtowing to them on the ground.
Gu Daofeng smiled as his elegant face was filled with admiration for Fang Lin. On the other hand, Yan Zhengfeng sized Fang Lin up unscrupulously with his pair of murky, old eyes. In fact, he even walked to the front to circle him.
Fang Lin had goosebumps from this old man’s stare. This old man’s gaze is so dreadful. Please tell me that it’s not because he has some special, perverted hobby!
Yan Zhengfeng sized Fang Lin up for quite some time before he scoffed softly. Then, he returned to his original position and refused to look at him anymore. There was an obvious glimpse of disappointment on his aged face.
Meng Wuyou and the rest realized that the situation was bad when they noticed Yan Zhengfeng’s expression. Unfortunately for Fang Lin, they could tell that Yan Zhengfeng did not have a favorable first impression of him.
“Fang Lin, do you know why you’ve been invited to come here today?” asked Gu Daofeng with a smile.
Fang Lin shook his head and said, “No, will you please enlighten me, First Elder?”
“Oh, sweet Fang Lin, you did something so serious in such a sneaky way, yet you’re pretending that you don’t know at this moment. How should we punish you?”
The group of elders could tell from Gu Daofeng’s tone that he was just joking and was not really infuriated. Everyone began to laugh at once as well.
On the other hand, Fang Lin had a look of complete bewilderment on his face. It was as if he could not figure out the meaning behind Gu Daofeng’s words at all.
Gu Daofeng realized that the kid was still feigning his innocence, so he shook his head and chuckled. “Fang Lin, do you still wish to hide it from me at this point? Elder Meng, please explain to him.”
Meng Wuyou looked reluctant when he said to Fang Lin, “The first elder and my fellow elders are already aware of the alchemy prescription incident. As a result, you’re specially invited to bear witness to today’s event.”
Upon listening to Meng Wuyou’s explanation, Fang Lin acted as if he was suddenly enlightened. He said hastily, “So, it turns out that this is related to the alchemy prescription incident. I was just deeply moved the other day, so I verbally corrected those 17 alchemy prescriptions. I didn’t mean to offend our alchemy sect predecessors. I hope that the first elder and the elders can understand that.”
Yan Zhengfeng huffed impatiently, “Alright, alright, we can discuss further whether you’ve offended them later. Let’s begin the test and verification process now.”
Fang Lin did not speak anymore. Every single person in this room had a higher status than him. Therefore, it was best for him to exercise caution in each of his actions such that none of them could get a grip on him.
“First Elder, in order to ensure that the test and verification process is even more transparent and uncorrupted, I’d like to invite two elders to join the process. These two elders will refine the same type of elixir simultaneously. The first person will be refine it according to the original alchemy prescription while the second will follow the amended alchemy prescription. Moreover, the alchemy attainment of these two people must be close so that we can distinguish the good from the bad between these two alchemy prescriptions,” Meng Wuyou proposed.
The elders nodded in approval. Meng Wuyou’s method was genuinely the most transparent and clearest such that a person could identify the better alchemy prescription.
Gu Daofeng looked at the people below and said, “We shall invite Elder Wan and Elder Sun to do this then.”
The two chosen elders stepped forward at once and cupped their hands before their chests in salutation toward Gu Daofeng. Appearing rather ordinary, they were at least 50 years of age and occupied neutral positions in the alchemy sect. Neither did they have an especially favorable impression of Fang Lin nor were they hostile toward him.
Gu Daofeng was very particular in choosing the elders. He would not choose the people from either Meng Wuyou’s side or the other side such as Zhao Dengming or Yu Zhen. As a result, the elders from the neutral position were most suitable.
In addition, Elder Sun and Elder Wan were both Cauldron-2 alchemists and their alchemy achievements were rather similar.
The group of people dispersed off into the surroundings. A cauldron was each placed in front of Elder Wan and Elder Sun. As for the medicinal herbs needed for the elixirs, someone was delivering it to them in a ceaseless stream while the same cauldrons were also used.
Elder Sun was tasked to use the original alchemy prescription for the refinement while Elder Wan used the improved prescription.
The first elixir to be refined was the Purple Heart Pill.
Elder Sun had already begun to refine it while Elder Wan appeared to be slightly hesitant. He asked Elder Meng, “Brother Meng, can the Nightshade Grass really be used to refine the Purple Heart Pill?”
Meng Wuyou nodded and said in full confidence, “Brother Wan, don’t worry. Just focus. You’ll be fine.”
Elder Wan clenched his teeth and braced himself to begin refining the elixir upon hearing that.
Everyone watched the process with close attention. After all, today’s event could potentially change the legacy of the alchemy sect.
These two elders were refining the elixir at a swift speed. One could tell that they were experienced alchemists that had been cultivating in the alchemy sect for many years. The people nodded in approval upon watching them work.
Soon, the process of refining elixirs drew to a close. Just as the process was about to be completed, Elder Sun’s cauldron gave out a poof. At once, his expression soured.