Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Not long after that, a dozen male and female youngsters dressed in white alchemy uniforms arrived at the alchemy altar, chatting with one another.
Other than Fang Lin, Lu Xiaoqing and the rest of the few junior alchemy disciples were observing them with respectful glances. They seemed to admire the official disciples.
The people in white arrived before the short old man. One of the youths clasped his hands to his chest and announced to the short-statured old man respectfully, “Elder Sun, we’re here.”
The old man nodded at them and pointed to Fang Lin’s group. “These are the junior alchemy disciples that have just joined the sect this year. Take your pick.” Upon saying that, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked to the side.
The dozen official disciples shifted their gazes upon Fang Lin and the rest of the junior alchemy disciples, analyzing Fang Lin and the rest with a judgemental gaze.
At once, the rest of the junior alchemy disciples became anxious, except for Fang Lin. After all, it was a group of official disciples standing before them. The status of these official disciples was higher than theirs as junior alchemy disciples by a whole level.
Fang Lin had a calm expression. Since others were judging them, he would have no qualms about sizing up these official disciples.
Soon, he noticed quite a large number of people looking at him, whether intentionally or not, out of the dozen official disciples. Moreover, they seemed to be watching him with playful, coy glances.
What’s going on? Fang Lin felt puzzled. He was only slightly better looking than the rest of his peers. However, there was no need for them to be looking at him to such an extent, was there?
The leading youth grinned as he took a profound glance at Fang Lin. In the end, he pointed his finger and picked someone else whose face brimmed with surprise and joy at once. The selected youth hastily bowed in salutation toward the leader that had chosen him.
The rest of the people were watching him enviously. It was apparent that the leader held a rather high status amongst the official disciples. It must be an honor to be chosen by him.
“I choose him.”
Another youth was chosen.
“You, come with me.”
“Not bad. Come along with me.”
…
The junior alchemy disciples were chosen by the official disciples one after another. Even Lu Xiaoqing was picked out by a beautiful female disciple. Only Fang Lin stood alone in the same spot and had yet to be chosen by any official disciple up to this moment.
In actual fact, the official disciples seemed to be very interested in Fang Lin earlier, yet they did not choose him in the end.
Fang Lin’s mind was troubled. Could he be that lousy? He felt that there must be something wrong with these official disciples’ foresight. Yes, that must be it.
Noticing the scene in the distance, the short old man shook his head and scoffed. He muttered secretly, “Fang Lin has offended the other boy, Kang Lu, and he still has no idea what is happening even until now.”
Nonetheless, Fang Lin did not mind that much. It’s fine if no one chooses me. I’ll figure out some other way on my own. It’s no big deal.
Meanwhile, the leader suddenly spoke to Fang Lin, “Are you wondering why no one has chosen you?”
Fang Lin nodded as he responded with a puzzled expression, “Why aren’t all of you choosing me then? Did none of you learn that I’m the Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment?”
The official disciples were rendered speechless at once because Fang Lin was actually so shameless. How could he promote himself in such a manner?
The leader scoffed and retorted, “So what if we know? Someone has communicated it to us earlier, but we won’t choose you regardless. If you don’t wish for a difficult life in the Purple Glow Sect in the upcoming days, it’s best for you to go back and reflect properly on what you should do instead.”
Upon hearing those words, Fang Lin was finally enlightened. It was Kang Lu’s doing! Kang Lu was capable of influencing these official disciples to turn against him. His ability truly shocked Fang Lin.
“Fang Lin, you’re in the Purple Glow Sect. It’s very difficult for you to do anything without proper connections, especially in the alchemy sect. Even if you are gifted with natural talents, you’ll still need to follow the rules. Don’t be self-conceited,” chided the leader. His tone of speech mostly consisted of mockery and disdain.
Fang Lin was not infuriated, but he spoke smilingly instead, “May I inquire your name, respected Senior Brother Disciple?”
The youth grunted softly. Even though he felt contempt to be associated with Fang Lin, he still answered anyway, “There’s no harm in you knowing anyway. My name is Shen Fu.”
Fang Li nodded and muttered to himself, “Shen Fu? Doesn’t sound like a good person’s name at all.”
The group of people was startled by his words. They gaped at Fang Lin as if they were looking at a mentally-challenged man. Shen Fu’s expression dimmed even further. In his anger, he was about to raise his hand to deliver a slap to Fang Lin.
Meanwhile, the short-statured old man interrupted from the side, “Cough cough! This is the holy ground of the alchemy altar. Please be mindful of your words and actions.”
Shen Fu hesitated for a moment, but he did not continue with his strike. Fang Lin looked at him smilingly as if he had predicted that Shen Fu would never perform the deed.
“Fang Lin, what a pity that you haven’t even realized the state of your circumstances. There’s no need for me to take action, but Kang Lu is capable of taking care of you by himself,” Shen Fu ferociously warned Fang Lin.
Fang Lin sniggered and declared, “I’m a bold and courageous person. It’s useless for you to intimidate me.”
Shen Fu grinned coldly. He refused to waste his speech on Fang Lin anymore, so he decided to leave along with the rest of the people.
All of a sudden, a frightful weak voice piped up, “Please hold on, Senior Brother Disciple Shen.”
Shen Fu stopped walking. Then, he turned around and spoke with a smirk, “It’s you, Junior Brother Disciple Xu. Is there anything that I can help you with?”
The kid with the surname Xu was awkward and ugly in appearance. Even though he was an official disciple too, one could be 80% certain that he did not hold that much of a prominent status amongst the official disciples judging by how the others looked at him.
He hesitated for a moment before pointing at Fang Lin. “I wish to choose him as my junior alchemy disciple.”
Upon listening to his words, Fang Lin felt joy surge in his heart. However, he did not reveal any change in his expression. On the other hand, the rest of the official disciples frowned ever so slightly in disapproval.
Shen Fu took a cold glance at the official disciple. “Junior Brother Disciple Xu, why are you doing this?”
With a lowered head, the youth answered weakly, “I’ve been very busy refining elixirs recently and I need a junior alchemy disciple to help me. I hope that you will grant my wish, Senior Brother Disciple.”
Filled with displeasure, Shen Fu was about to reject him when he suddenly had a different idea in his mind. Since he was not very fond of Xu Shangao either and the latter’s ranking amongst the official disciples was at the bottom, Shen Fu decided that Fang Lin would not be able to learn much if he was paired with him.
Moreover, it would be hard to conceal Shen Fu’s joint attempt with the others to help Kang Lu in demoralizing Fang Lin if no one chose him in the end, so he might as well fulfill Xu Shangao’s wish.
Instantly, Shen Fu smiled saccharinely and patted Xu Shangao’s shoulder. “Since you need a helper, then Fang Lin is yours. Do try to soften this boy’s impudent spirit. Don’t embarrass us as official disciples.”
Xu Shangao forced a smile as he nodded repeatedly at Shen Fu who darted a look at Fang Lin and tutted. Soon afterward, he brought along the rest of the junior alchemy disciples away.
As Lu Xiaoqing was leaving with the beautiful girl, she cracked a smile at Fang Lin. In response, he smiled back at her.
“Junior Brother Disciple Fang, please follow me,” said Xu Shangao to Fang Lin. His tone of speech did not sound as arrogant as the other official disciples. He appeared to be an extremely gentle-mannered person.
Fang Lin sized Xu Shangao up. He appeared to be slightly over twenty years old. He was also of mediocre height and had an oppressed look on his face.
“What’s wrong, Junior Brother Disciple Fang?” asked Xu Shangao uncertainly when he noticed Fang Lin constantly staring at him.
Fang Lin spoke in all apparent seriousness, “Senior Brother Disciple Xu, why did you choose me? Aren’t you afraid that you will offend Shen Fu the hypocrite?”
Xu Shangao was startled when he heard Fang Lin actually label Shen Fu a hypocrite. He took a glance around and realized that Shen Fu and the rest had already walked away, so they should not be able to hear that, much to his immediate relief.
Xu Shangao spoke in a slightly accusing tone, “How dare you say that? Senior Brother Disciple Shen Fu isn’t a kind person, you know.”
Fang Lin snickered. “Don’t you think that he’s a hypocrite?”
Xu Shangao was rendered speechless, so he could only choose to stop speaking about this matter. After a few seconds, he heaved a sigh. “I’m only doing so because I pity you. That is why I chose you to be my junior alchemy disciple. However, there’s nothing much you can learn by tagging along with me. I’m considered the bottom of the official disciples.”
Fang Lin did not mind Xu Shangao’s commentary. He patted Xu Shangao’s shoulder and said with a grin, “You having the guts to say that about yourself is also a rare and praiseworthy behavior.”
Xu Shangao looked at Fang Lin in a peculiar manner. He said inwardly, ‘You’re just a junior alchemy disciple, yet you’re actually patting an official disciple’s shoulder to console me while speaking in such a manner. That’s so odd.’
“Alright, come with me. I’m still busy refining my elixir.” Xu Shangao felt that Fang Lin was a rather unique person, but he did not ponder much on that. He led Fang Lin away from the alchemy altar at once and headed for the official disciples’ residence.
Along the way, Fang Lin inquired about a few things in regards to official disciples and learned quite a lot. It turned out that official disciples were divided into different ranks. Every rank was distributed in an exceedingly accurate manner.
A person like Xu Shangao was ranked a low-grade disciple amongst the official disciples. On the other hand, Shen Fu was a first-grade disciple.
Amongst the high-grade disciples, there were also the trueline disciples who were granted with superior status. There were only three trueline disciples in the entire alchemy sect.
Xu Shangao was not only a low-grade disciple, but he was actually a rather hopeless disciple amongst the low-grade disciples, so no one bothered to think much about him.
Fang Lin was astonished upon arriving at the small courtyard of Xu Shangao’s residence. The official disciples truly lived up to their name. Their residence was very different and just this small courtyard was appealing enough for Fang Lin to yearn for.
The courtyard was not large, but there were numerous types of medicinal herbs planted in it. One could smell the unique scents of the herbs as soon as one stepped into the courtyard.
Fang Lin’s gaze swept through the place as he quickly memorized all the medicinal herbs available in his mind. Then, he looked at Xu Shangao once again and realized his slight appreciation for this person.
‘Albeit being hopeless, he is pretty skilled at planting medicinal herbs,’ said Fang Lin in his heart.
The medicinal herbs in the courtyard were growing well. It was apparent that Xu Shangao did not skimp putting effort into planting these medicinal herbs on his usual days. Soon, he realized that Fang Lin was sizing up the medicinal herbs in the courtyard, so he chuckled in amusement. “I planted these by myself. You can take a look, but don’t ruin the plants.”
“It’s alright. I’m the Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment. I can grow new ones even if I were to ruin some.”
Xu Shangao was speechless. However, Fang Lin was right. The Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment did have its own unique effect over medicinal herbs.
“I’m going to refine some elixirs now. You can hang out in this courtyard for a while. Don’t enter the house and don’t disturb me,” Xu Shangao reminded.
“Sure thing,” answered Fang Lin. Xu Shangao nodded, then pushed open the door to enter the house soon afterward.
Fang Lin began to explore the courtyard in boredom. After a while, a loud boom was heard coming from the house. He spun around just in time to see Xu Shangao walking out from the house with a blackened face.
“Senior Brother Disciple Xu, what happened to you? Why are you looking like that?” asked Fang Lin intentionally while laughing aloud.