Chapter 6 (1/2)

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.