Chapter 4 (1/2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Fang Lin’s arrival had also drawn the attention of some of the junior alchemy disciples.
“Look, is that Fang Lin?”
“That’s him. No matter how lazy he is, Fang Lin doesn’t dare miss the alchemy altar lesson either.”
“Heh-heh. He fell asleep during the previous lesson. I wonder what kind of a spectacle he is about to make of himself!”
“Who cares? He does nothing but idles away and waits for death. It is said that he is the Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment. Hmph! So what if he is gifted with excellent natural talents? He’s going to be buried if he doesn’t put in the effort.”
…
Fang Lin wore his ordinary expression and his usual carefree attitude. It was as if he was utterly oblivious to the jeering and ridiculing noises in the surroundings.
“Fang Lin, over here.” Lu Xiaoqing waved her hand at Fang Lin from a nearby area to beckon him to go over quickly. Jovially, he walked over quickly and took a seat next to her.
Lu Xiaoqing grumbled, “Why are you so late? You will be regarded as absent if you arrive when the lesson starts!”
Fang Lin sniggered and said, “I bumped into Elder Meng and got held up for a while. Look, I’m not late, am I now?”
Lu Xiaoqing had yet to reply when a youngster by her side suddenly said, “It doesn’t matter whether you’re here or not. Anyhow, you’re just going to doze off.”
Upon listening to his words, Fang Lin smiled just as before. He was not bothered by the remark, but Lu Xiaoqing, on the other hand, was furious. She glared at the boy and demanded, “Sun Hao, what are you trying to imply?”
Fang Lin advised from the side, “It’s okay. Junior Disciple Sun didn’t do it on purpose.”
Who would have known that Sun Hao had utterly no appreciation for Fang Lin’s kindness? On the contrary, he sneered and looked at Fang Lin disdainfully before saying, “Who doesn’t know that you, Fang Lin, are a good-for-nothing idling away and waiting for death? You have no desire to improve yourself despite having natural talents that you don’t use. You were even sleeping during the previous alchemy altar lesson! I, Sun Hao, am ashamed to be your acquaintance.” Upon saying that, he stood up and walked to his seat.
Lu Xiaoqing was so infuriated she was speechless. Fang Lin patted her shoulder to console her. “It’s alright. I’m not angry, so why are you so cross?” he said while chuckling.
Lu Xiaoqing turned her head and looked at Fang Lin with a burning gaze. “Fang Lin, why aren’t you angry? Are you truly prepared to continue to idle away and wait for death? You have such excellent natural gifts, so why aren’t you trying to improve yourself?”
Fang Lin understood that she was exasperated because of his failure to live up to her expectation judging by her expression. As he said in a promising tone, his smile faded, “Don’t worry. I’m going to pass the examination for sure.”
Lu Xiaoqing heaved a sigh. There was no way to tell if she believed him or was disappointed in him. Regardless, she did not speak again.
Meanwhile, a dozen people walked in a line from afar. They were dressed in the junior alchemy disciple uniforms but appeared to be imposing as ever, especially the leader. He looked all around and was welcomed by the utmost respect and admiration gaze of the numerous junior alchemy disciples.
A few junior alchemy disciples with flattering expressions said to the leader, “Senior Brother Disciple Kang, I’ve kept your usual seat for you!”
Kang Lu was expressionless. He nodded ever so slightly before he walked to the frontest part of the alchemy altar and took a seat soon afterward. The junior alchemy disciples that followed Kang Lu took their respective seats nearby. This group of people occupied the best seats in the alchemy altar.
However, none of the junior alchemy disciples present showed any dissatisfaction in the face of such a situation. In fact, they regarded this situation as a norm. This was because the aforementioned person was Kang Lu. He was entitled to occupy the best seat in the house.
Kang Lu was reputed to be the person with the best prospect of passing the examination and becoming an official disciple out of the current three thousand junior alchemy disciples. Even though he had already failed twice, he only lacked a little during the previous two attempts, especially during the second attempt. He was only inches away from passing the examination.
Had it not been due to the strict rules in the alchemy sect, Kang Lu could have possibly become an official disciple after the second examination.
In the upcoming third examination, his passing was as sure as rain. It was also precisely due to this reason that he had an exceedingly high status amongst the junior alchemy disciples and his numerous supporters.
Since Kang Lu’s arrival, the alchemy altar that was still clamorous earlier quieted down. Despite the ongoing conversations, the volume of their voices was lowered in fear that Kang Lu would be irritated by the noise.
Kang Lu closed his eyes and refreshed his spirit as he sat with crossed legs. It made his slightly emaciated face appear rather cold and aloof.
“Senior Brother Disciple Kang, there’s someone worthy of your attention among the newly-joined junior alchemy disciples this time.”
Kang Lu did not open his eyes but he spoke softly, “Who’s that?”
The person answered, “His first name is Lin and his last name is Fang. He was discovered as the Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment during the entrance examination.”
Kang Lu answered with an “Oh”. His voice was tainted with slight astonishment and curiosity.
Another person pursed his lips upon listening to this person’s words. He said to Kang Lu, “Senior Brother Disciple Kang, I know about Fang Lin too. Even though he is gifted with rather impressive natural talents, he is good-for-nothing. He has only been to the Herb Garden once since his initiation a month ago. He even fell asleep during the alchemy altar lesson last month. Such a person is utterly unworthy of your attention.”
Kang Lu guffawed upon listening to this report. “So, it turns out that the person that fell asleep during the previous alchemy altar lesson is this Fang Lin boy, huh? Since that’s the case, then I shan’t pay any more attention to this person for he is unworthy.”
The few people nodded in agreement after listening to him, finding his remark to be extremely reasonable.
“Silence!” A deafening voice snapped and thundered through the place as a silhouette descended from the sky and landed on the high stone platform. The person was dressed in a white robe with long hair billowing in the wind and had a beautiful face. To everyone’s surprise, it was a woman.