"Poor root bone, unqualified!" The middle-aged man paid no heed to Fang Lin's exasperated expression and spoke directly.
Hearing this, Fang Lin showed no signs of dismay, instead, his attention shifted towards the somewhat amiable Elder Meng Wuyou standing nearby.
Meng Wuyou continued to smile warmly.
Fang Lin stood there motionless, focusing on Meng Wuyou, wondering why the old man hadn't invited him over yet.
Seeing Fang Lin's unwillingness to leave, the middle-aged man's face darkened and he snapped, "What are you stalling for? Leave!"
Fang Lin didn't move, his eyes were locked onto Meng Wuyou, completely disregarding the middle-aged man's words.
Finally, the middle-aged man lost his temper and bellowed, "Are you deaf? Leave immediately, or do you want me to throw you down the mountain?"
Fang Yang, standing behind the middle-aged man, couldn't help but sneer. He wished nothing more than to see Fang Lin thrown down the mountain.
Meng Wuyou was a bit perplexed, why was the young man constantly looking at him? Was there something on his face?
Considering this, Meng Wuyou subconsciously touched his cheek, finding nothing.
At that moment, Fang Lin finally spoke, "Why aren't you letting me go over?"
Upon hearing his words, everyone, including the middle-aged man about to grab Fang Lin, seemed befuddled. Not only the surrounding Purple Mist Sect disciples and fellow teenagers, but even Meng Wuyou was incredulous.
"Is he mad?" This thought sprouted within many of them, causing their gazes to become increasingly peculiar when directed at Fang Lin.
Meng Wuyou was amused. It was the first time he had encountered such an interesting youngster.
Consequently, Meng Wuyou chuckled, "Why should I let you come over?"
Fang Lin replied seriously, "Elder, haven't you noticed my talent?"
Meng Wuyou jovially shook his head, "I haven't detected any special talent in you."
With an innocent smile, Fang Lin retorted, "Elder, please look again, I believe you can find out."
Meng Wuyou seemed a bit helpless, but as mild-tempered as he was, he wasn't angry.
"Young friend, I am an elder of the Pill Sect and have a way to recognize talents. Unfortunately, I don't sense any talent in pill refining from you." Meng Wuyou explained.
Meng Wuyou spoke truthfully. With just a glance, he could determine if someone possessed the talent for pill refining. He was certain that Fang Lin did not possess such a talent.
Fang Lin exhaled a sigh, "Elder, the three herbs that you brought out earlier are Cold Star Grass, Condensed Frost Flower, and Water Wood Root. I believe I named them correctly."
Upon hearing this, Meng Wuyou's eyes flashed with surprise.
"You can recognize these herbs?" Meng Wuyou queried.
Fang Lin shyly nodded, "Despite my youth, I do have some knowledge about recognizing herbs."
Meng Wuyou's interest was piqued, and he beckoned Fang Lin to his side.
The middle-aged man, noticing this, no longer intended to drive Fang Lin away. He gave Fang Lin a second look and then continued examining the bone structure of others.
However, due to Fang Lin's surprising words, many still kept a close eye on him, including Fang Yang.
"Humph! Let's see what waves you can stir up, Fang Lin!" Fang Yang sneered inwardly. Although he was taken aback as Fang Lin instantly named the three herbs, he didn't believe that Fang Lin could become a disciple of the Purple Mist Sect due to this.
Fang Lin respectfully stood before Meng Wuyou, greeting him, "Disciple Fang Lin, greets Elder!"
Meng Wuyou widened his eyes, "You're not a disciple of our Purple Mist Sect yet!"
Fang Lin raised his head and spoke earnestly, "With your keen discernment, surely you would let me join."
Meng Wuyou couldn't help but twitch his lips. He had never seen such an audacious youngster before and can't help but roll his eyes.
"Fang Lin, to enter the Pill Sect, you must possess talent in pill refining. Recognizing a few herbs is insufficient. You must demonstrate remarkable talent." Meng Wuyou explained.
After having said that, Meng Wuyou stretched out his hand, with the three herbs appearing in his palm again.
"Put your hand on them," he said, even though he had little to expect from Fang Lin internally.
The so-called talent for pill refining refers to a subtle response between the person and the herbs. If this response is present, the person is considered to possess talent in pill refining. If not, they're considered devoid of said talent.
To Meng Wuyou's eyes, Fang Lin didn't possess such responsiveness and was thoroughly an ordinary person without a smidgen of talent.
As to why Fang Lin recognized the three herbs in his hand, Meng Wuyou attributed it to coincidence. After all, these three herbs were common items, and recognizing them wasn't a notable feat in itself.
As instructed, Fang Lin placed his hand over the three herbs, his lips curving up by an indiscernible degree.
A moment later, there was still no reaction from the herbs. Meng Wuyou smiled without a hint of disappointment. After all, he hadn't harbored any expectations from Fang Lin.
Just when Meng Wuyou was about to speak, suddenly, the previously unresponsive herbs, as if sprang back to life and started trembling in Meng Wuyou's hands.
"What is this..." Elder Meng Wuyou was enormously surprised, while Fang Lin wore a confident smile.
Three herbs that originally withered, deprived of vitality, seemed to be revived, exuding a trace of vitality.
It was this sliver of vitality that made the three herbs tremble.
Meng Wuyou widened his eyes, looking at Fang Lin disbelievingly.
The few young people behind Meng Wuyou were also stunned by this scene, they all turned to look at Fang Lin.
A burly middle-aged man at their side also noticed the miraculous changes of these three herbs, his eyes were also full of astonishment as he cast a deeper glance at Fang Lin.
Seeing this, Fang Yang's brows also furrowed, his gaze towards Fang Lin filled with surprise.
The most excited person had to be Meng Wuyou, being a Pill Refiner, he was well aware of what was happening at that moment.
"Reviving Dead Wood! This is the sign of a Reviving Dead Wood Body!" Meng Wuyou said hurriedly, his eyes were fixed on Fang Lin as if he were a rare gem.
"What a Reviving Dead Wood Body! I didn't expect to encounter such a rare constitution today!" Meng Wuyou exclaimed with surprise and delight.
At this moment, Fang Lin appeared modest and patient, not at all smug because of Meng Wuyou's praise. His face still held a faint smile, confident but not arrogant.
Everyone around, because of Meng Wuyou's words, held Fang Lin in a new light.
Even though they had no idea what a Reviving Dead Wood Body was, seeing Elder Meng Wuyou's excited and delighted expression, they were certain it was extraordinary.
Meng Wuyou hurriedly said to Fang Lin, "Your name is Fang Lin, right? Fang Lin, would you be willing to become my disciple in the Pill Sect?"
Having said that, he anxiously looked at Fang Lin, afraid he would turn down the offer.
Fang Lin smiled and replied, "I would be honored."
Evidently, he didn't follow Fang Yang and the others here just for sightseeing. He came to join the Purple Mist Sect and to become a Purple Mist disciple.
"Great! You have the Reviving Dead Wood Body, a rarely seen talent. I believe you will achieve great things in alchemy!" Meng Wuyou was clearly extremely pleased as he patted Fang Lin's shoulder.
Fang Lin gave a slight scoff, he had heard such words countless times now and was long since numb to them.
Meng Wuyou then said, "Stand behind me for now, and when this is over, I will take you to the Pill Sect."
"Yes!" Fang Lin responded and immediately took his place behind Meng Wuyou along with a few other individuals.
These individuals were also young talents in alchemy who had caught the eye of Meng Wuyou prior to this. At the moment, they all looked at Fang Lin with a hint of envy.
Among the crowd, the Fang Family members who failed the assessment were stunned.
What's going on here? How did Fang Lin inexplicably become a Purple Mist Sect disciple as well?
At this moment, those Fang Family members were beet-red, remembering their previous ridicule of Fang Lin, they wished they could bury themselves alive.
How humiliating!
Fang Yang stared at Fang Lin with a hint of gloom on his face.
He could never have anticipated that Fang Lin, whom he had always looked down upon, would, like him, become a Purple Mist Sect disciple.
"Well played, Fang Lin. I didn't realize you had a Reviving Dead Wood Body as well... This time you got lucky. Entering the Purple Mist Sect might make you a disciple of the Pill Sect, but I am a disciple of the Martial Sect which is better. You're still not as good as me!" Fang Yang muttered under his breath, extremely annoyed at Fang Lin's new status.
Seemingly feeling the gloomy gaze of Fang Yang, Fang Lin turned his head, coming face to face with Fang Yang's gaze.
Fang Yang's mouth curled into a cold smirk, filled with an intimidating chill.
Fang Lin sneered and paid no attention to this foolishly grinning fellow.
The examination on both sides was still ongoing, the burly middle-aged man had found a young man with an excellent Root Bone, which caused an uproar. The scene was no less lively than when Fang Lin had drawn attention earlier.
Fang Lin glanced at that person. His features were handsome, dashing and elegant. He was indeed good looking.
"He's fairly good-looking, but a little worse than me," Fang Lin commented in his mind.
However, as for that man's Root Bone talent, Fang Lin felt not the slightest surprise. To Fang Lin, such talent was nothing to be amazed at, he had seen far too many such in his past.
Fang Lin was, in truth, not the real owner of this body. Ten days ago, Fang Lin had awakened in this unfamiliar body.
Fang Lin remembered that he was the number one genius of the Pill Saint Palace, the youngest to ever achieve the Pill Sovereign's position. He was a legendary alchemist whose alchemical techniques were beyond comprehension.
However, when he was attempting to refine a pill that would transcend life and death, there was an accident. The Pill Furnace exploded, Fang Lin's consciousness dispersed. God knows how long after that Fang Lin awoke in this body.
Whether by coincidence or fate, the original owner of this body was also named Fang Lin.
He lost his once invincible Martial Arts realm and all his former glory. However, Fang Lin was not left with nothing. He still had incomparable alchemical experiences and skills.
In order to reach the peak once more, to refine that life and death transcending pill again, Fang Lin had to start over. And this Purple Mist Sect was his first stop.