Chapter 52 - Verification Approved (1/2)
Meng Wuyou looked determined as if he had already made up his mind regardless of everything else. Even if the sky were to fall, nothing could change his mind. “First Elder, fellow elders, we’ll only need to test and verify if it’s worth amending these 17 alchemy prescriptions,” he said.
Mu Yan also stepped forward and said, “Even if the alchemy prescriptions were left behind by the forefathers, it’s still possible to be minorly flawed in some ways. We should evolve by weeding through the dated material as the junior generation so that we can perfect the hard work of our alchemy sect predecessors.”
Her comment won the approval of many elders, but there was still a small portion of slightly stubborn elders that shook their heads disapprovingly.
Yu Zhen scoffed once. He glared at Meng Wuyou coldly and said, “Generations of forefathers have naturally examined and deliberated the alchemy prescriptions left behind by the predecessors. As the later generation, we can’t even appreciate them enough, so why should we query them then?”
Meng Wuyou refused to even take a glance at Yu Zhen though he said to Gu Daofeng, “I’d like to request permission to test and verify this before the witness of everybody, First Elder.”
“First Elder, don’t allow that! That’s an act of treason and heresy!”
“Why not? This is a blessing to our alchemy sect!”
“The hard work of our forefathers shan’t be violated!”
“How will our alchemy sect ever grow stronger if we choose to guard the so-called hard work of our forefathers all this time?”
…
The two sides debated with one another. Over 60% of the elders agreed to Meng Wuyou carrying out the experiment while the other 30% of the elders refused regardless of whether it was a matter of life and death. There were also other elders that had not expressed their opinions quickly, but they chose to be neutral as they waited for the situation to develop.
The old Yan Zhengfeng, who had been opposing the idea firmly earlier, pulled a long face but did not speak at the moment. It was as if he was pondering about something. Gu Daofeng had also remained silent all this time as he allowed the two parties to continue their constant debate.
After a long while, the people on both sides were exhausted from the quarrel. They quietened down gradually and shifted their gaze to Gu Daofeng in anticipation of his decision. Whether the process of testing and verifying the validity of these 17 alchemy prescriptions would be carried out or not still depended upon his decision.
If he chose to reject it, Meng Wuyou’s effort would be fruitless no matter how persistent he was. At present, he was feeling rather anxious too. He wanted these 17 alchemy prescriptions to receive the amendments they needed badly. He wanted to ensure that the alchemy sect resources became even more complete and substantial. However, the decision lay with Gu Daofeng. It had always been difficult for others to predict the behavior of the alchemy sect’s first elder. Meng Wuyou had no idea if he would approve the request or not.
Gu Daofeng’s gaze swept past everyone present before his gaze finally landed upon Meng Wuyou.
“On that day, it seemed like you didn’t enter the alchemy prescription hall alone, Elder Meng,” said Gu Daofeng. His tone of speech sounded calm but it was akin to a bomb that made Meng Wuyou’s heart sink instantaneously.
Many people were watching Meng Wuyou as well. They considered the meaning behind Gu Daofeng’s words in their heart.
Gu Daofeng continued, “It seemed like you brought Fang Lin along into the alchemy prescription hall that day. Perhaps, this matter is related to him too.”
The people appeared astonished upon hearing that. How did Fang Lin get dragged into this matter all of a sudden?
Meng Wuyou heaved a sigh in his heart. As he expected, he did not manage to conceal the secret from the alchemy sect’s first elder. He wanted to carry the burden of this matter on his shoulders alone, but Fang Lin was still dragged in at last.
Gu Daofeng smiled and said, “Elder Meng, I admire your attainments in the alchemy sect very much naturally. However, I’m afraid that it may still be quite difficult for you to make improvements to the alchemy prescriptions. Perhaps, this matter is somehow related to Fang Lin. Is there something that you haven’t told me, Elder Meng?”