Chapter 11 (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Xu Shangao wanted to shout out loud badly. At this very moment, he stood with a straight back and his heart was swarmed with emotions.

The expressions of the other official disciples had all changed, especially the huge and tall youngster. They were looking at Xu Shangao in disbelief. ‘He has actually refined Clear Heart Pills of medium-grade quality! How is that possible?’ That was the thought that emerged in most of their minds.

The elder looked at Xu Shangao doubtfully then he glanced at the pills in his hand once again. He was suspicious if these Clear Heart Pills were truly refined by Xu Shangao. After all, he was well aware of Xu Shangao’s standards. Even if he did manage to successfully refine the Clear Heart Pills by coincidence, he would only be able to produce low-grade pills. It was absolutely impossible for him to refine medium-grade Clear Heart Pills.

There were many other official disciples with better grades than Xu Shangao, but only very few of them were capable of refining medium-grade Clear Heart Pills, so how could the bottom-rated Xu Shangao do it then?

“Elder, these pills are definitely not refined by Xu Shangao himself. I’m sure that he asked for someone else’s help to refine it on his behalf. Will you please examine that, Elder?” suggested the hulking youngster named Lin Xu suddenly.

Xu Shangao was instantly infuriated as soon as he heard the accusation. He roared aloud, “It is I who refined these Clear Heart Pills. You’re defiling my work!”

Lin Xu sneered suspiciously, “Who doesn’t know that you, Xu Shangao, can only refine low-grade quality elixirs? How dare you call these medium-grade quality Clear Heart Pills yours? What a joke!”

Xu Shangao’s face flushed scarlet in rage. He was breathing rapidly as he glared at Lin Xu with a deadly gaze.

Nevertheless, Lin Xu did not display the slightest fear. He looked at Xu Shangao with a disdainful expression.

“Xu Shangao, tell us frankly. Did you or did you not ask someone to refine these pills on your behalf?” asked the old man. He still refused to believe that Xu Shangao was capable of refining medium-grade Clear Heart Pills.

Xu Shangao was stunned for a moment upon hearing that. Soon afterward, he looked around and discovered that every single person around him was looking at him with a suspicious gaze. He grieved for himself in his heart. So, it turned out that all the official disciples looked down on him to such extent. The pills were obviously refined by his own hands, yet no one believed that it was his.

“Elder, I’m willing to refine the pills before every witness here in order to prove that it was me that refined these pills. If I fail, I’m willing to receive any form of punishment!” Xu Shangao declared to the old man with a loud, powerful voice and a determined look on his face.

Everyone was startled. Xu Shangao was basically committing suicide by volunteering to refine the pills before everyone.

Lin Xu immediately chimed in, “Elder, please fulfill the wish of Junior Brother Disciple Xu since he’s so determined to prove his innocence.”

Xu Shangao suddenly turned his head to the side and glared at him in rage. “If I were to succeed, then you must kneel down and apologize to me!”

“What?” Lin Xu was slightly hesitant at once because he did not expect that Xu Shangao would involve him.

Xu Shangao chuckled coldly and challenged him, “What? Are you scared?”

Lin Xu sneered, “Why should I be afraid of a low-grade disciple like you? Sure! If you can refine medium-grade Clear Heart Pills successfully, I shall kneel down and apologize to you. However, if you fail, you shall kneel down before me and bark like a dog twice!”

“Consider it a deal then,” replied Xu Shangao coldly.

Lin Xu laughed coldly. He was particularly excited as if he could already see the scene where Xu Shangao knelt before him and barked like a dog.

The old man did not attempt to stop them, but he looked toward Xu Shangao and said, “The athanor and medicinal herbs have been prepared. Begin now. However, you should understand the consequences of doing this.”

Xu Shangao said without the slightest hesitation, “I understand.”

The old man nodded and brought the group of people to an alchemy room. “Go ahead,” he said to Xu Shangao while he pointed at the alchemy room.

“It’s not too late to regret. You can kneel down before me now. I don’t need you to bark like a dog,” Lin Xu mocked.

Xu Shangao scoffed coldly. He did not pay attention to the offensive words and just walked into the alchemy room at once. The old man followed closely behind him while the rest of the official disciples waited outside. After all, the act of refining elixirs was a serious matter. A crowd too huge would affect the alchemist’s focus.

Two hours later, the old man walked out of the alchemy room with a jade bottle in his hand. There was no way to tell his thought based on just his expression. Xu Shangao walked out behind him. There was an inconcealable lethargic expression on his face, but his gaze was filled with joy.

The group of people outside was shocked to witness the scene, especially Lin Xu who was freaking out.

‘It can’t be! He is but a low-grade disciple. Moreover, he’s the trash that belongs to the bottom pile. He can’t possibly make a medium-grade elixir. He can’t!’ Lin Xu repeated in his heart. However, he felt more and more perturbed as he looked at the cheerful expression on Xu Shangao’s face.

Everyone looked at the old man anxiously, awaiting him to announce the result.

The old man peered around at the people surrounding him before landing his gaze upon the huge and tall youth at last. He shook his head ever so slightly and heaved a sigh before he said, “It’s a success.”

Those three simple words were akin to a crack of thunder in the desert. It shocked the official disciples present. The old man did not bother to speak much as he procured the few Clear Heart Pills just produced by Xu Shangao. The pills appeared just the same as before. They were evidently medium-grade quality pills.

Upon witnessing the scene, Lin Xu turned ghastly pale instantly while his forehead was covered in cold sweat. The rest of the people looked toward him with a piteous gaze. At the same time, they were also secretly rejoicing in their hearts for not placing a bet against Xu Shangao. Otherwise, it would be extremely embarrassing for them now.