Chapter 22: Chapter 22: The Light of the Four Saints
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“With a score of 280, he should be the top scorer in this assessment.” Zhao Dengming said with a smile.
Despite their dislike of Zhao Dengming’s demeanor, Meng Wuyou and Mu Yan couldn’t deny that Kang Lu’s score was indeed impressive.
“Even if Fang Lin doesn’t pass the assessment this time, he will surely succeed next year and his score will definitely surpass Kang Lu’s.” Elder Meng Wuyou thought to himself.
Kang Lu confidently returned to his original position, elation written all over his face. His followers were equally ecstatic, as if they were the ones who had passed the examination instead of Kang Lu.
For Kang Lu’s followers, their association with him carried significant benefits. As Kang Lu progressed to become an official disciple, they would have a strong support.
Think about it, the backing of an official disciple could easily give you the freedom to act as you pleased among the Pill Apprentices.
The other Pill Apprentices looked at Kang Lu with a certain degree of reverence. After the assessment, the gap between them and Kang Lu, who was soon to be an official disciple, would grow even bigger, like a chasm between heaven and earth.
Also, a good number of people cast sympathetic glances at Fang Lin. After all, the grudge between Kang Lu and Fang Lin was well known. Now that Kang Lu had skyrocketed to success, Fang Lin’s future situation might become more difficult.
Lu Xiaoqing also looked worried and turned towards Fang Lin.
Fang Lin appeared totally unconcerned, his face calm, seemingly still carrying a smile.
“How can you still smile? Kang Lu is about to become an official disciple.” Lu Xiaoqing couldn’t help but whisper.
Fang Lin smiled faintly and said, “I, too, will soon be an official disciple. What is there to be afraid of?”
Lu Xiaoqing was taken aback. When Fang Lin said these words, his face carried such self-confidence that he almost seemed like a different person.
However, reason told Lu Xiaoqing that Fang Lin’s words were too outlandish. How was it possible for someone to become an official disciple during their first examination? Even if Fang Lin was a genius, could he be more talented than the geniuses in the history of the Pill Sect?
Lu Xiaoqing didn’t believe it, but at this moment she could only pray for a miracle, otherwise Fang Lin’s situation would become difficult, constrained by Kang Lu’s growing influence as an official disciple.
Even with the protection of Elder Meng Wuyou, the influence of an official disciple was too great, and given Kang Lu’s connections, Elder Meng might also be wary of supporting Fang Lin.
The assessment continued. Fang Lin, being the 900th to go, couldn’t do anything but sit and doze off for the time being.
During this time, the second person scoring over 270 points appeared, he was the second person to pass the examination and become an official disciple after Kang Lu.
His score was only 272 points. Although the score was not high, the examinee was overjoyed. If it were not for being in the Pill Array, he would have surely jumped with excitement.
“Wang Wenshan, you performed excellently, your three years of hard work paid off.” Elder Meng Wuyou praised the second one who passed the examination.
Wang Wenshan was an old disciple who had been training for three years, and this was his fourth year.
“Thank you, Elder!” Wang Wenshan couldn’t contain his excitement. Many other Pill Apprentices congratulated him, familiarizing themselves with him for their benefit.
Fang Lin only opened his eyes to take a swift glance, then promptly closed them again to continue his nap.
After some time, it was finally Fang Lin’s turn.
Fang Lin stood up and walked towards the chamber with other Pill Apprentices of the same batch.
Everyone looked at Fang Lin, their gazes varied. The four Elders on the stone platform focused only on Fang Lin.
The chamber was not far from the Pill Array, with 100 stone doors. The 100 disciples who came for the examination could freely choose which door to enter, there were no restrictions.
Fang Lin didn’t hesitate and randomly chose a door to enter.
Other disciples hesitated, contemplating for a moment, before making their way into the other stone doors.
Once all the disciples had entered, the doors closed behind them, with a slight shimmering light flickering on the surface.
Fang Lin stood inside the chamber. The space was small and devoid of anything.
Just when Fang Lin was puzzled, suddenly, his vision brightened as a medicinal herb appeared before his eyes.
“What is this? What characteristics does it have? What is its medicinal property?” A cold, monotonous voice echoed in Fang Lin’s ear.
Fang Lin understood, so this is how the examination worked.
Fang Lin quickly answered the questions without any pause or hesitation. The herb in front of him changed, with the same three questions. Fang Lin just glanced at it and immediately answered.
The examination was like this. Different herbs appeared one after another, and the examinees had to answer three questions for each herb. This process was repeated for 300 times.
Each chamber was soundproof. Even if people were answering loudly, others couldn’t hear them, so there was no need to worry about hearing others’ answers.
Fang Lin was answering extremely quickly, almost immediately after the voice asked the questions.
For Fang Lin, this level of examination was simply too easy. As a Pill Sovereign, if he couldn’t even pass an examination of this caliber, he might as well end his life.
After continuously answering more than 200 questions, with less than 50 questions left, Fang Lin began to ponder if he should answer all questions correctly?
Although it would be easy to answer all the questions correctly, Fang Lin was also concerned. If he answered all the questions correctly, would he stand out too much?
Even though Fang Lin was young, he had already lived two lives. He knew the saying, “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”
But on second thought, does he really need to hide his abilities?
No, Fang Lin thought seriously, there truly was no need.
If he made his capabilities more impressive, he would receive more attention and it could also deter those who harbored ill intentions towards him.
In his past life at the Pill Saint Palace, Fang Lin also experienced suppression, but after his talent was unearthed, it was unstoppable. Those who had previously suppressed him were all humbly bowing before him.
In this life, Fang Lin had no plans to let his brilliance fade. Since he was a radiant and unparalleled genius in his previous life, he was determined to remain brilliant in this life.
Having figured this out, Fang Lin no longer hesitated and his answers became smoother.
In less than an hour, Fang Lin had answered all of the questions, the stone gate opened, and he walked out.
Coming out, he looked at the other stone doors, all of which were still closed. Clearly, the other Pill apprentices had not come out yet; he must be the first.
Fang Lin smiled, and immediately went to the Pill Array.
“Isn’t that Fang Lin?” “He’s out already?”
“It seems he has failed.’
Seeing Fang Lin return so quickly, the crowd showed different reactions. Some scoffed, some shook their heads privately, and some sighed.
Zhao Dengming revealed a cold smile, while Meng Wuyou and Mu Yan looked somewhat grim. Mu Yan, in particular, had an expression of disappointment.
Kang Lu looked at Fang Lin dismissively. From this moment on, Kang Lu considered Fang Lin unworthy to be his rival, merely an insignificant ant. Sun Hao had a twisted smile on his face. The sight of Fang Lin’s failure brought comfort to his heart.
Lu Xiaoqing bit her lip, although she felt sad, she managed to show a smile to Fang Lin.
The only one who didn’t show any sign was the elder named Zhou. He just stared at Fang Lin.
Fang Lin looked at their expressions, hesitated for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face.
“Fang, how did your test go?” Kang walked over and asked with a mocking smile.
Fang Lin also smiled and said, “I suppose it was not bad, thanks for your concern, Brother Kang.”
After speaking, he ignored Kang and returned to his original seat and sat down next to Lu Xiaoqing.
“Fang Lin, it’s okay. Our first assessments as new apprentices are all just for practice, I believe you will succeed next year!” Lu Xiaoqing, worried about Fang Lin’s low spirits, whispered comfort to him.
Fang Lin chuckled, didn’t explain.
On the stone platform, Zhao Dengming glanced at Mu Yan and Meng Wuyou, a look of smug satisfaction in his eyes.
“As I’ve said all along, Fang Lin is too reckless and arrogant. It’s hard for him to make significant progress.” Zhao Dengming shook his head.
Mu Yan coldly glanced at him, and said, “Fang Lin’s talent still surpasses all the Pill apprentices.”
Zhao Dengming smirked disdainfully, “So what? Even if he’s a genius, he cannot become an official disciple in one shot. I believe he will need at least three tries, by then, the gap between him and Kang Lu will be even bigger.”
Meng Wuyou snorted, “It’s precisely because of people like you that many talented individuals end up wasting their potential. If Fang Lin were in the
Ten-thousand Medicine Sect, he would have become famous by now.” At these words, Zhao Dengming’s face immediately changed, furious, he glared at Meng Wuyou.
“Meng Wuyou, what do you mean by that?” Zhao Dengming was somewhat angry.
Meng Wuyou contemptuously looked at Zhao Dengming, not bothering to say anything further.
Seeing Meng Wuyou remaining silent, Zhao Dengming had nowhere to vent his anger. He just stood there with a gloomy expression.
Around two hours later, other Pill apprentices began to return one after another. None of them showed any excitement and all appeared extremely gloomy.
At the same time, the four elders on the stone platform received the assessment results of the first batch of disciples, including Fang Lin.
When the four of them saw Fang Lin’s results, their facial expressions were priceless. Especially Zhao Dengming, his face instantly turned pale, and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Mu Yan, Meng Wuyou as well as the Elder named Zhou were also taken aback and were stunned speechless.
The numerous disciples below also noticed the four elders’ expressions. They were puzzled, not knowing what had happened to shock the elders so much.
Buzzing!!!
At the same time, the four statues standing around the Pill Array suddenly emitted an intense, dazzling light.
Like four small suns, they shone over the entire Purple Mist Sect. At that moment, everyone in the Purple Mist Sect looked towards the direction of the
Pill Sect..