Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Kang Lu was scowling terribly. During the previous promotion examination, he would have passed the examination had he answered this question correctly. However, it was such a waste that he got it wrong and missed the opportunity for a promotion by a narrow chance. He needed to wait for another year.
Today, Kang Lu had already found the correct answer to this question. However, he was still feeling slightly uneasy in his heart when he thought about it at this very moment.
‘I couldn’t even answer this question a year ago. I bet Fang Lin is absolutely incapable of answering it too,’ Kang Lu said to himself secretly in his heart.
Mu Yan stared at Fang Lin with a burning gaze. She proposed the question with the intention of gauging his abilities. If he was incapable of answering the question, then there was no ground for blame since 90% of the junior alchemy disciples could not answer this question.
However, if Fang Lin could answer correctly, then it would be an entirely different situation.
Fang Lin smiled before he opened his mouth to speak, “This isn’t difficult. The Three-leaved Rising Sun Flower grows in warm places with sufficient sunlight, and it grows more easily especially in places facing the sunrise. However, there are no absolute truths and things will develop in the opposite direction after reaching an extreme. The Three-leaved Rising Sun Flower that grows in the coldest places actually has more superior effects than one that grows in warm places. The Four-leaved Rising Sun Flower, which is even rarer than the Three-leaved Rising Sun Flower, also grows in the coldest places. In fact, it’s also possible for the even more precious Five-leaved Rising Sun Flower to grow in the coldest places. However, the Five-leaved Rising Sun Flower emits both hot and cold aurae, so it’s difficult for ordinary people to find it.”
Fang Lin explained the solution eloquently while the people around him stared at him as if they had seen a ghost. They were stunned.
Kang Lu had the most unpleasant expression of all. The question that he had answered wrongly a year ago was perfectly answered by a newly-initiated disciple who had just joined the sect a month ago. This was simply a ferocious blow to his ego.
“This person is a genius! I can’t allow him to grow for sure! Otherwise, I’ll end up trampled all over by him even after I’ve become an official disciple!” declared Kang Lu ferociously. He had already regarded Fang Lin as someone that could threaten his status.
The people around him agreed with him wholeheartedly upon listening to his comment. Fang Lin’s performance was overly impressive. If this continued, Kang Lu would genuinely be trampled under Fang Lin’s feet. By then, they would certainly be affected as well because they were Kang Lu’s supporters.
Mu Yan was swarmed with emotions in her heart as she stood on the stone platform. Fang Lin is actually profoundly skilled in herbology and he’s also the Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment. It seems like he’s a genuinely rare genius who’s hard to come by. He is not the lazy slob everyone talks about. It’s truly a waste that a genius like him is just a junior alchemy disciple. I must try to propose him to the first elder so that he can make an exception to elevate Fang Lin as an official disciple. I can’t allow a genius like this to be buried. Her approach toward Fang Lin had already been upgraded to recognition from her earlier unkindly feelings.
At the thought of this, Mu Yan cracked into a rare smile. She said, “Fang Lin, your performance came as a surprise to me. I can’t help acknowledging that you really are a genius. Your knowledge in herbology will ensure that you’re promoted to an official disciple within two years.”
As soon as those words were spoken, many of the junior alchemy disciples turned pale in shock.
Promoted to an official disciple within two years? That sounded a little too exaggerative, was it not? The fastest record in the alchemy sect so far was becoming an official disciple after two examinations. Could Fang Lin become the second fastest person to achieve a promotion?
Kang Lu seemed gloomy. He had failed twice, and while he would certainly pass on the third attempt, he felt exceedingly jealous after listening to Elder Muyan’s appraisal of Fang Lin.
Kang Lu’s supporters were staring speechlessly at one another. They could tell that Kang Lu was in a really foul mood now. However, it was an understandable situation since he was already the best amongst the junior alchemy disciples in terms of both his reputation as well as his status.
However, Fang Lin suddenly emerged before their eyes, already impressing Elder Mu Yan in such a grand manner after joining the sect for just a month. He displayed a terrifyingly sound knowledge of herbology in addition to his rare Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment. This person was destined to surpass Kang Lu.
Still, how would Kang Lu ever allow another person to seize his reputation and status willingly? He was the best junior alchemy disciple and had a rather close relationship with the official disciples as well. He laid down his foundation so that his journey of cultivating would be all smooth when he became an official disciple.
However, who would still pay attention to Kang Lu anymore if Fang Lin was constantly casting his glorious radiance? Who would still regard Kang Lu as the best junior alchemy disciple?
Kang Lu refused to compromise as he wanted to maintain his status. He would never allow everything that he had planned to go to waste.
Fang Lin appeared humble despite Mu Yan’s recognition. “Thank you for your appreciation, Elder. I’m only slightly more skilled in the knowledge of herbology.”
Mu Yan spoke in all apparent seriousness, “I heard that you are the Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment and you have such an impressive foundation in herbology. You deserve to be called a genius. However, don’t be self-conceited and arrogant despite all this. One must always avoid being arrogant in the practice of alchemy. You must remember that.”
Fang Lin nodded as he clenched his fists and answered, “Thank you for the counsel, Elder. I’ll always remember that.”
Fang Lin had a rather favorable impression of Elder Mu Yan. Even though she was an old-fashioned and inflexible person, at least, she was only doing so for the sake of the junior alchemy disciples. She taught her lessons in all apparent seriousness. Such a person was worthy of his respect.
Despite Fang Lin’s past life as a superior Extreme Alchemist, he was not like those geniuses that had gained fame at a very young age. He was not an arrogant, self-conceited, or insolent person that looked down upon everyone. On the contrary, Fang Lin did not carry arrogance and self-conceit mentally. He would always express his respect from the bottom of his heart to a person he thought was worthy of respect.
Mu Yan was even more pleased upon noticing Fang Lin’s humble response. She nodded and said, “That’s all for the lesson today. Everyone, remember the contents of my lesson today. Do not ever slack.”
The lesson ended and Mu Yan left. The three thousand junior alchemy disciples then left the alchemy altar in succession as well. However, many people chose to come forward and chatted with Fang Lin before they left. Their conversation approach sounded kindlier now.
These junior alchemy disciples were not fools. Fang Lin’s performance today was so striking and his effort had been recognized by Elder Mu Yan. There was still a long way to go on their alchemy journey, so they should naturally seize the opportunity to form a bond with Fang Lin.
Fang Lin did not keep them at a good distance, but he did not express much enthusiasm too. He had a few simple exchanges of words with these junior alchemy disciples.
“Fang Lin, please wait,” said a junior alchemy disciple with his hands cupped before his chest in obeisance as he blocked Fang Lin’s path.
Fang Lin was not acquainted with this person. However, someone reminded him from the side, “He’s Kang Lu’s man.”
With a puzzled expression, Fang Lin said involuntarily, “Who’s Kang Lu?”
The expressions on these people’s faces stiffened for a moment while many of their lips were twitching. By his side, Lu Xiaoqing had a reluctant expression. She secretly muttered to herself that Fang Lin was an idiot.
On the other hand, the person that blocked Fang Lin’s path had a troubled expression as he felt like he was going crazy as he thought, ‘Is he feigning innocence? How can he not even know about Kang Lu?’
Fang Lin noticed the expressions of the people around him. He felt like he was wronged, but he truly had no idea who Kang Lu was.
The person was stunned for a moment before he said, “Senior Brother Disciple Kang Lu wishes to speak to you.”
Fang Lin looked at him and asked in all apparent seriousness, “Then, can you please tell me who Kang Lu actually is?”
The person almost lost his temper and cursed inwardly, ‘Why are you doing this? Are you addicted to feigning your innocence?’
However, Kang Lu had dispatched the order earlier for him to invite Fang Lin over to his side, so the person could only speak with a troubled smile, “Senior Brother Disciple Kang Lu is the most outstanding junior alchemy disciple.”
Lu Xiaoqing whispered into Fang Lin’s ear softly, “Kang Lu is an impressive disciple. It is said that he is going to become an official disciple in the next examination. I wonder why he’s looking to meet you though. It’s best to be careful.”
With a nod, Fang Lin responded to the person, “I’m not acquainted with this Kang Lu, so there’s nothing for me to talk about with him.” Upon saying that, he wanted to take his leave.
“Junior Brother Disciple Fang Lin, why can’t you be persuaded to talk to me?” Meanwhile, Kang Lu’s voice was heard as he walked over with a group of people. He sounded hearty and straightforward.
Fang Lin turned around and looked toward Kang Lu, his brows furrowing ever so slightly at once.
‘This person is hostile toward me,’ Fang Lin analyzed in his heart.
Even though Kang Lu managed to conceal his intention well, Fang Lin had been an Extreme Alchemist in his past life. He had sharp discerning eyes, so despite Kang Lu’s best efforts to conceal his hostility, he still managed to notice it.
Those junior alchemy disciples by Fang Lin’s side cupped their hands before their chests as a sign of respect to salute Kang Lu, including Lu Xiaoqing.
“Are you Kang Lu?” asked Fang Lin.
A subtle dash of rage flashed in Kang Lu’s eyes. The rest of the junior alchemy disciples address me as ‘Senior Brother Disciple’, yet you are calling my name out directly. What are you trying to do here?
However, he was still a reserved person, thus he smiled and said, “It seems like you don’t know me very well, huh, Junior Brother Disciple? I’m Kang Lu and I’ve witnessed your outstanding performance today in the alchemy altar. I admire you very much.”
Fang Lin chuckled jovially. “You’re being modest, Senior Brother Disciple Kang. I wonder if there’s any reason you’re looking for me. If there’s nothing else, I’m going to retire to sleep then.”
The group of people on the scene could not help dripping with cold sweat in fear. Fang Lin, you really are a piece of work. It’s apparent that Senior Brother Disciple Kang Lu is trying to contract an acquaintance with you, yet you just want to go back and sleep!
Kang Lu was a man of good self-restraint, yet he felt like throwing a fit. “This place is too clamorous. Why don’t you join me for a talk in the Crescent Moon Pavilion? What do you think?” he said in an attempt to make himself sounded friendly.
No one would have thought that Fang Lin would actually shake his head and say, “It’s okay. We can speak here.”
Kang Lu wished that he could leap up and blow Fang Lin away with a tight slap when his enthusiasm at that moment was met with Fang Lin’s apathetic response.
“Since that’s the case, then I shall speak frankly. Fang Lin, you have outstanding natural gifts and will certainly attain great achievements in the alchemy sect. However, while we are alchemists, we shouldn’t let our martial arts realm slip either. I think that you’re only at level-2 primordial man. I have an Energizing Pill here that will help you to break through your cultivation base to level-3 primordial man as soon as possible. I hope that you won’t decline and accept it as my good intention,” said Kang Lu. Soon, he procured a jade bottle.
The group of people had admiration on their faces upon listening to his words. That was an Energizing Pill. Consuming a pill would improve a person’s cultivation speed by one or two times faster. No one was capable of refining the pill amongst the junior alchemy disciples and it could only be refined by an official disciple.
In an attempt to lobby for Fang Lin, Kang Lu was willing to offer such a pill, so it was apparent that he valued the friendship with Fang Lin very much.
If Fang Lin were to take the Energizing Pill, he would become Kang Lu’s supporter. As a result, he would still be easily manipulated by Kang Lu no matter how talented he was.