Chapter 64: Chapter 64: The Opening of Medicine- Seeking Peak
Translator: 549690339
Beneath the First Medicine-Seeking Peak, numerous low-rank disciples of the Pill Sect had gathered. The faces of the crowd were filled with excitement and anticipation, while quite a few remained composed as if they had experienced this numerous times before.
In fact, more than half of these low-rank disciples had already gone on one, if not several expeditions to Medicine-Seeking Peak. Hence, they had a relatively clear idea of what to expect within the peak.
Only those who had entered once, and those like Fang Lin who hadn’t entered at all before, could find the experience exciting.
Fang Lin, Xu Shangao, and several other low-rank disciples stood apart from the rest, subtly forming a small group of their own.
Apart from Xu Shangao, ten other low-rank disciples were chosen to accompany Fang Lin on his mission. These ten had been chosen by Fang Lin beforehand, and he couldn’t afford to let them down.
Watching Fang Lin’s calm demeanor, these disciples silently rejoiced. They were fortunate to have struck early, otherwise, they would not have caught a ride on this powerful ship that was Fang Lin.
These ten, although not particularly famous among low-rank disciples, did include a couple of well-known faces.
“Brother Fang, we are counting on you for the expedition to Medicine-Seeking Peak,” a tall and skinny young man said to Fang Lin with respect. Fang Lin smiled slightly, replying, “Brother Wu thinks too highly of me. Don’t talk about relying on each other—let’s just support each other.”
“Right, right, mutual support! Mutual support!” Wu Mengsheng kept nodding and echoing.
Xu Shangao pulled Fang Lin aside and voiced his concerns quietly. “I’ve been inside Medicine-Seeking Peak three times already. Having so many people with us might prove troublesome.”
Fang Lin’s face displayed a hint of helplessness. “Who expected so many to come? I have already promised them, it is impossible to back down now.”
Xu Shangao frowned, glanced around, and said, “You have been attacked verbally by a lot of people due to the matters relating to Medicine-Seeking Peak. It wouldn’t have gotten this intense if it wasn’t for Kang Lu adding fuel to the fire.”
Fang Lin smirked disdainfully, replying, “I guessed as much it would be him, but it matters not.”
Xu Shangao gravely warned, “This is not a simple matter, I fear Kang Lu will stir up trouble inside Medicine-Seeking Peak. You must be cautious.” Fang Lin nodded. He took Xu Shangao’s warning to heart—once inside
Medicine-Seeking Peak, he had to be on guard against Kang Lu’s plots. Not far from them, Kang Lu was watching Fang Lin’s back with a dark, sinister gaze.
Behind Kang Lu, there was also a group of low-rank disciples, around thirty in number.
Judging by quantity alone, Kang Lu’s group was the largest.
Three elders stood beneath the Medicine-Seeking Peak, casually conversing, their eyes occasionally scanning the crowd of disciples.
Fang Lin had met these three elders before at the Pill Sect’s main hall, most notably Elder Wan, who was one of the two elders that had publically refined the pill that day.
Elder Wan had made a lasting impression that day, thus, Fang Lin has a favorable impression of him.
“It seems about time, doesn’t it, brothers?” Elder Wan looked up at the sun in the sky and eventually said.
“Indeed, it’s probably already started on the Martial Sect side,” a middle-aged man with a sallow complexion nodded in agreement.
“Well then, let’s get started,” proposed Elder Gao.
The three elders reached a consensus and turned to address the crowd.
Elder Chen, with his sallow complexion, scanned the crowd. His gaze was so sharp that none dared to meet it.
“The rules for this edition of the event are the same as before: it will last for five days, and all that you find within Medicine-Seeking Peak will belong to you. However, you must not hurt your fellow disciples. Those who break this rule will face immediate consequences,” announced Elder Chen loudly.
The disciples stood quietly, not making a sound.
After a brief pause, Elder Chen continued, “You may now receive your Spirit Talisman. If you encounter any troubles within Medicine -Seeking Peak, depending on the situation, you can choose to crush the Spirit Talisman to leave. Once you choose to use the Spirit Talisman, you shall not be allowed to return to Medicine-Seeking Peak. Is that clear?”
“Clear!” The crowd echoed.
Everyone began to collect their Spirit Talisman. The talisman was a purple jade plate, etched with a strange pattern.
Once everyone had collected their Spirit Talisman, they stood beneath the Medicine -Seeking Peak, awaiting the start of their adventure.
The three elders each took out a token. When all three tokens were brought together, they emitted a beam of light which entered the surrounding formation of Medicine-Seeking Peak.
The vibrating hum…
A series of ripples emerged in the formation ahead. A small opening appeared within the formation.
“Enter!” Elder Wan announced with a loud voice.
“Go!” The mass of disciples streamed into the peak’s entrance in an orderly fashion.
Fang Lin and the others quickly followed suit, entering Medicine-Seeking Peak without delay.
Once all the low-rank disciples have entered the Medicine-Seeking Peak, the entrance portal closed.
The elders did not enter Medicine-Seeking Peak. The moment the portal closed, they lost touch with the goings-on inside the peak. Only in the event of a greater catastrophe would the elders intervene.
Inside Medicine-Seeking Peak, Fang Lin and the others swiftly separated from the rest. They took a winding path to enter the dense, overgrown jungle.
Once inside the densely overgrown forest, they stopped. Although all but Fang Lin were highly cautious, and alert to any movement in their surroundings. Any rustling of grass would put them on high alert.
Fang Lin, on the other hand, ambled leisurely through the forest, looking and
touching things here and there appearing more like a tourist on an outing
rather than an herbalist on an expedition.
Xu Shangao, Wu Mengsheng and the others looked at Fang Lin helplessly. They thought to themselves, we are not here for a tour; we should be looking for medicinal resources and being on guard for Demon Beasts.
Suddenly, Fang Lin started moving in a particular direction. The group immediately tailed him, assuming that Fang Lin had found a good medicinal herb.
They saw Fang Lin reaching the base of a grand aged tree and teasing a squirrel above.
The squirrel, frightened by the sudden invasion of people, scampered away.
Fang Lin complained, “What are you all doing, rushing over here and scaring away the squirrel!” Xu Shangao: Wu Mengsheng: ‘
The others: ‘
Helpless in front of these dumbstruck people, Fang Lin left to find the squirrel.
Wu Mengsheng looked puzzled. Someone nearby whispered, “Brother Wu, are we following the wrong person?”
Wu Mengsheng let out a sigh. “It’s too late now to regret our decisions. Let’s just hope Brother Fang won’t continue wandering about.”
The others, rendered speechless, could only tail Fang Lin silently.
Fang Lin merrily bounded around the forest, looking for various small creatures. He seemed like a young child with no intentions of searching for herbs.
Upon seeing this, Xu Shangao and others began searching for herbs nearby, managing to make some small gains..