Chapter 22 (2/2)

No. Fang Lin considered it for a moment seriously. There was no need for him to do that. If his performance was shocking enough, he would receive more and more attention from the others. Then, he could seize the opportunity to surprise those that harbored evil intentions toward him.

In his past life, Fang Lin had been bullied in the Alchemy Saint Palace too. However, he went out of control as soon as his talents and natural gifts were discovered. Those people that bullied him in the past had to cower and kneel before him in fear.

In this life, Fang Lin was not planning to suppress himself either. Since he had been a peerless genius shining with boundless radiance in his past life, then he would still shine just as gloriously in this life as before.

After he came around to the notion of excelling, Fang Lin’s doubts cleared up and he began answering the questions smoothly. It took him less than half an hour before he successfully answered all the questions. The stone door opened and Fang Lin walked outside.

Outside, he glanced at the rest of the stone doors that were still closed. It was apparent that the other junior alchemy disciples had yet to come out and he was the first to complete the examination.

Fang Lin smiled. Soon afterward, he returned to the alchemy altar.

“Isn’t that Fang Lin?”

“He’s out so soon!”

“It seems like he’s going to fail the examination.”

…

Upon noticing that Fang Lin had returned so quickly, everyone had different expressions. Some were mocking him, some were shaking their heads to themselves while some were sighing.

Zhao Dengming cracked into a cold smile. On the other hand, Meng Wuyou and Mu Yan had slightly sour expressions, especially the latter who had an exasperated look that her disciple had not lived up to her expectations.

Kang Lu stole a glance at Fang Lin coldly. The corners of his lips curled into a disdainful smile. From that moment onward, he assumed that Fang Lin was too weak to be his opponent. Fang Lin was but an insignificant nobody to him.

Sun Hao had a savage smile on his face as he felt smug upon seeing Fang Lin’s failure. Meanwhile, Lu Xiaoqing bit her lower lip. Even though she felt sad for Fang Lin in her heart, she still forced herself to smile at him.

The only person whose expression could not be deciphered was Old Man Zhou’s. He merely took a sincere glimpse at Fang Lin.

Fang Lin was stunned ever so slightly after noticing everyone’s expressions. Soon afterward, his lips curved into a smile as he became aware of the situation.

“Junior Brother Disciple Fang Lin, I wonder how did you do in the examination?” Kang Lu asked with a sardonic grin as he walked over. However, his smile was obviously filled with irony.

Fang Lin returned the smile. “I think I should have done quite well. Thank you for going through the trouble of worrying about me, Senior Brother Disciple Kang.” Upon saying that, he disregarded Kang Lu and returned to his original seat beside Lu Xiaoqing.

“Fang Lin, it’s okay. The first examination is just a training ground for the newly-initiated disciples like us. You’ll certainly succeed in the coming year!” Lu Xiaoqing consoled softly because she was worried that he would feel dispirited.

Fang Lin sniggered but did not bother to explain himself.

On the stone altar, Zhao Dengming looked at Mu Yan and Meng Wuyou’s expressions with an arrogant look in his eyes.

“I told you earlier that that boy Fang Lin is overly rash. He’s self-conceited and has no prospect of development,” said Zhao Dengming while shaking his head.

Mu Yan darted a cold look at Zhao Dengming. “Fang Lin’s natural talent still surpasses all the junior alchemy disciples.”

“So what if he is? Even if he’s any more of a genius, he can’t possibly become an official disciple in one attempt. I think that he’ll need three attempts at the very least. By then, the disparity between him and Kang Lu will be even larger,” Zhao Dengming said in a disdainful tone as he pursed his lips.

Meng Wuyou scoffed, “Many of our alchemy sect geniuses have been buried because of people like you. Perhaps Fang Lin would’ve already made a name for himself earlier if he were in the Thousand Medicine Sect.”

As soon as those words were spoken, Zhao Dengming’s expression changed drastically. He glared at Meng Wuyou in rage. “Meng Wuyou, what are you trying to imply there?”

Meng Wuyou looked at Zhao Dengming contemptuously, but he did not bother to continue the conversation. Because of that, Zhao Dengming had nowhere to vent his pent up anger, so he could only stand there with a dismal expression.

The rest of the junior alchemy disciples returned in succession in the time it took to burn two joss ticks. None of them had excited expressions and appeared remarkably depressed.

Meanwhile, on the stone platform, the four elders received the examination results of this batch of disciples, including Fang Lin’s. An array of unusual expressions flitted across their faces the very moment they saw his results, especially Zhao Dengming. His face turned ghastly pale instantaneously and his eyes were widened so much that his eyeballs almost fell out.

Mu Yan, Meng Wuyou, and Old Man Zhou were greatly startled as well. They stood frozen in a daze and were speechless.

The numerous disciples below also noticed the expressions of the four elders on the stone platform. However, they were puzzled because they had no idea what caused these four elders’ shock and surprise.

Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz!

At the same time, the four statues erected around the alchemy altar suddenly blossomed with piercing brilliance. It was so bright that it was akin to four small suns illuminating the sky over the entire Purple Glow Sect.

Every single person in the Purple Glow Sect raised their heads and looked toward the direction of the alchemy sect.