Chapter 35 (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“All the best, Senior Brother Disciple Lu!”

“Teach that conceited Fang Lin a good lesson!”

“Don’t ever show mercy, Senior Brother Disciple Lu!”

As soon as Lu Jiuhe made an appearance, it drew many of the official disciples’ cheers. It was apparent that he had many supporters.

With a smile pasted on his face, he arrived at the center of the alchemy alter in a calm and composed manner while the crowd surrounded them. He bowed in salutation toward Old Man Zhou in the direction of the stone altar.

Old Man Zhou nodded ever so slightly and said, “Fang Lin has yet to arrive. Please hold on for a moment.”

Upon listening to his words, the crowd immediately broke out in a clamor of discussion as many people found Fang Lin disrespectful. Elder Zhou and Lu Jiuhe had arrived, yet he had not appeared despite just being a low-grade disciple! He had truly gone too far.

The smile on Lu Jiuhe’s face faded. He said to Old Man Zhou, “Elder, what if Fang Lin doesn’t show up after a long time?”

“We shall wait for the time it takes to burn two more joss sticks. If Fang Lin hasn’t shown up by then, it means that he has acknowledged defeat,” Elder Zhou replied calmly.

Lu Jiuhe was slightly displeased. Why would he wait for the time it took to burn two more joss sticks? Was it not alright for him to wait for the time it took to burn one joss sticks?

However, this was Elder Zhou’s decision, so Lu Jiuhe could only complain about it in his heart.

Soon, one joss stick burned down to its end as time passed. Fang Lin had yet to appear. The sound of chatter amongst the crowd grew louder. In fact, even the junior alchemy disciples that supported Fang Lin secretly began to suspect if he had backed out from the match.

Lu Jiuhe stood on the alchemy altar, the smile on his face growing wider and wider. I shall wait for one more joss stick to finish burning. I’m going to win without even taking part in the match if Fang Lin doesn’t appear by then.

Even though it was a waste for him to win by default, he would retain his reputation and keep the Century Lingzhi. Lu Jiuhe strongly wished that Fang Lin would not appear at this very moment.

Elder Zhou felt puzzled in secret. Where is that boy, Fang Lin? Why hasn’t he shown up by this time? Could he truly be backing out in fear? That shouldn’t be it!

Meng Wuyou and Mu Yan were watching the match from a distance, feeling anxious in secret. In fact, Meng Wuyou had even taken the initiative to look for Fang Lin in his courtyard.

On the other hand, Zhao Dengming and Wu Zhen were standing in a dark corner with a smile on their faces. Fang Lin’s absence was precisely their wish.

The second joss stick was burning slowly as well. More than half of the joss stick gradually wasted away. At present, it was close to noon and Fang Lin had not appeared. Everyone began to disperse under the assumption that he would not show up anymore, so there was no need for them to stay.

Just as everyone was under the impression that Fang Lin was too cowardly to appear, the youth himself trotted over and squeezed into the crowd. “I’m sorry! I overslept. I’m not late yet, am I?” he said while giggling.

Everyone was speechless. Even Elder Zhou on the stone platform had an incredulous expression.

“What the h*ck? We’re all waiting for him while he was actually still sleeping?”

“He’s simply disregarding all of us. That’s truly disrespectful!”

“People like him should outright acknowledge his defeat. What’s the point of him coming over to make a spectacle of himself?”

All at once, Fang Lin’s comment caused condemning remarks. The crowd was infuriated as if they were gravely humiliated.